Ensign

December 1988

Volume 18 Number 12

Contents

• Special Features

• First Presidency Message: Jesus Christ—Gifts and Expectations
  President Ezra Taft Benson

• Unique Insights on Christ from the Book of Mormon
  Gilbert W. Scharffs

• “I Know Your Doing”: The Book of Mormon Speaks to Our Times
  Richard Dilworth Rust

• The Book Seemed to Cry Out to Her
  Marvin K. Gardner

• Handling Life’s Unpredictable Situations
  Terry Smith

• The Eternal Family through Christ

• Family History—One-on-One
  Laura Lee Smith

• The Christmas I Remember Least
  Emma Lou Thayne

• Room at the Inn
  Helen Suorsa

• Tragedy and the True Meaning of Christmas
  Linda Gappmayer Reed

• My Teacher Cared
  Jelean Vaughn Reynolds

• Seeing Blindness Clearly
  Laurie Wilson Thornton

• Making Money Your Ally
  W. Steve Albrecht

• Home—And Liking It
  Trixie Hicken Bellows

• The Gifts I Already Have
  Pat Hochstettler

• Regular Features

• Poetry
  Trees in Winter Susan H. Miller
  As the Smallest Plant Seeks Sun Carolyn Manning Brink

• Mormon Journal
  How Long Had Mother Known This Joy? Jennifer Dawson
  The Christmas the Truck Broke Down Alice N. Washburn
  The Crystal Punch Bowl Anne C. White
  Tithing Came before Presents Jennie N. Ernstrom

• I Have a Question
  Solemn assemblies Robert J. Norman
  Naming and blessing of children Susan Easton Black

• Portraits
  Mark Seamons: Living In Tune
  Martha Poston: Peace-seeker Giles H. Florence, Jr.
  Beverly Greene Jungst: Hearing the Voice of Each Child Marilyn Costello

• Random Sampler
  A Gift Of Memories
  Trim Your Tree for Safety
  The Night Joseph Smith Came to Family Home Evening
  How Many More Good Deeds until Christmas?

• The Visiting Teacher: “Charity Never Faileth”

• News of the Church

• Comment

On the cover: Photography by Steve Bunderson.

Inside front cover: Templescape, by Clark Gardner, 28″ by 30″, glazed tiles, 1985. Selected for the 1987 Church Fine Arts Competition show.

Inside back cover: Memories of Grandpa, by Kimbal Warren, 30″ by 40″, oil, 1987. Selected for the 1987 Church Fine Arts Competition show.