“Contents,” Ensign, Feb. 1984, 1
Ensign
February 1984
Volume 14 Number 2
On the cover: Photos of missionary couples currently serving in the field. (Photography by Eldon K. Linschoten.)
Inside front cover: Pine Valley Chapel, by Al Rounds, 16″ by 22″, watercolor, 1981. Courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Beckstead.
Settled in 1856, Pine Valley is set high in the mountains of Southern Utah and features a Latter-day Saint chapel—now also serving as a visitors’ center—that was built by a ship builder in the form of an inverted hull.
Inside back cover: Nephi Breaking His Bands, by Gary Smith, 24″ by 36″, oil on canvas. Courtesy of Bob Garff.
This painting depicts Nephi as he stands before his brothers, released from the cords with which they had bound him, as told in 1 Nephi 7. Nephi, grieved at his brothers’ hardness of heart, preached unto them, asking, “How is it that ye have forgotten that ye have seen an angel of the Lord?” (1 Ne. 7:10), and “How is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will?” (1 Ne. 7:12). Nephi’s brothers, angry at his words, bound him with a cord and planned to leave him in the wilderness to be devoured by the wild beasts:
“But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound.
“And it came to pass that when I had said these words, behold, the bands were loosed from off my hands and feet, and I stood before my brethren, and I spake unto them again.
“And it came to pass that they were angry with me again, and sought to lay hands upon me; but behold, one of the daughters of Ishmael, yea, and also her mother, and one of the sons of Ishmael, did plead with my brethren, insomuch that they did soften their hearts; and they did cease striving to take away my life.” (1 Ne. 7:17–19.)