Ensign

December 2005

Volume 35, Number 12

Contents

• First Presidency Message: Joseph Smith Jr.—Prophet of God, Mighty Servant

  President Gordon B. Hinckley

• Family of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith: The First Family of the Restoration

• A Prophet’s Life: The Cradle—Sharon, Vermont

• The Early Preparation of the Prophet Joseph Smith

  Richard Lloyd Anderson

• When Christmas Hurts

  Tamera Smith Allred

• Gospel Classics: The Real Christmas

  President Howard W. Hunter

• Becoming a Ward Family

  David Brown

• Mission Blessings in the Golden Years

• Strengthening the Family: Adapting to Circumstances

• Powerful Nurturing

  Julie B. Beck

• One Family’s Testimony of Tithing

  Don L. Searle

• Unto Us a Son Is Given

• The Quorum of the First Presidency

  President Gordon B. Hinckley

• Visiting Teaching Message: Rejoice in the Atonement of Jesus Christ

• A Bag of Food and 20 Marks

  Maija-Kaarina Mäkinen

• Latter-day Saint Voices

• Random Sampler

• Questions and Answers: How can I magnify my calling while simplifying the work?

• News of the Church

• Annual Index

• Making the Most of This Issue

On the cover: Front: The Desires of My Heart, by Walter Rane; may not be copied. Back: Photography of modern Sharon, Vermont, by Welden C. Andersen; historical photo may not be copied.

Inside front cover: Treasured in Her Heart, by Kathy Lawrence. From The Visions of Faith Collection by Mill Pond Press, Inc., Venice, Florida, may not be copied

Divine Redeemer, by Simon Dewey. © Simon Dewey, Altus Fine Art, may not be copied