Making the Most of This Issue

September 2005

Preparing Missionaries to Preach His Gospel

The new Preach My Gospel manual is having a significant impact on how missionaries teach. To learn how parents, leaders, and teachers can help prepare young men and women to teach by the Spirit, see page 24.

Teaching with Power

Missionaries aren’t the only ones called to teach the gospel with power. Every member who teaches the gospel is to teach by the power of the Holy Ghost. See page 60 for ideas on bringing the Spirit into your lessons and sacrament meeting talks.

Helping the Poor

The Church helps the poor and disadvantaged in many ways. For example:

• When Brother Peterson was laid off, the Lord’s “economics” made the seemingly impossible possible—because the family was willing to follow gospel principles. See page 30.

• The Church’s international employment resource centers bless lives by finding jobs for people in need. See page 34.

• Elder T. LaMar Sleight of the Seventy reminds us that “caring for the poor is a covenantal obligation for all Church members. We fulfill this obligation in part by faithfully paying our tithing; paying a generous fast offering; contributing to the Church Humanitarian Services program, the Perpetual Education Fund, and other worthy causes; and donating our time to minister to those in need.” See page 39.

The Twelve Apostles

“The Twelve Apostles ‘are called to be … special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world.’ Each carries that certain witness that Jesus is the Christ,” writes President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. To learn more about this quorum of special witnesses, see page 16.

Refined by Fire

Leona Clatworthy and her five-year-old daughter, Melanie, were severely burned when their house caught fire. But what happened after the fire is the lesson in their story. “I’ve learned that God lets us have trials because He loves us and He wants us to learn and grow,” Melanie says. See page 10.

Home Teachers, Visiting Teachers

Find the monthly messages on page 2 and page 47.

A Christmas Gift for You … to Share

Your December Ensign will be accompanied by a free DVD of Mr. Krueger’s Christmas, the program that warmed millions of hearts when it premiered in 1980. Digitally remastered for the program’s 25th anniversary, the DVD has improved picture and sound to enhance the Christmas carols and hymns sung by the Tabernacle Choir.

Willie Krueger, played by beloved actor Jimmy Stewart, came to know how the Babe born in Bethlehem touches lives. Now with bonus features added, the story is even more inspirational for viewing with those with whom you want to share the gospel message.

Ensign Gift Subscriptions

Order the Ensign before October 26 so someone you love can receive a personal copy of the DVD with the December issue. Help others see who we really are and what we believe.

In the United States and Canada you can order gift subscriptions at www.lds.org under “Order Church Materials” or by calling 1-800-537-5971. Elsewhere, please order through your nearest Church distribution center or your ward magazine representative.