Ensign

October 2006

Volume 36, Number 10

Learning and Sharing

Do you have a story or experience that could help other members of the Church? We’d like to hear from you. Send manuscripts you’d like to share to the address at right. If you want your manuscript returned, please send a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Allow several weeks for review.

Contents

• In This Issue

  • IFC

    Welcome to This Issue of the Ensign

  • 6

    Rejoicing in the Gospel

  • 10

    What I Wish Every New Member Knew—and Every Longtime Member Remembered

    Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

    You may be new to the Church, but don’t feel alone. We are all in this spiritual journey together.

  • 17

    Loving Families, Different Faiths

    Elder Walter F. González

    Are you the only Latter-day Saint in your family? A member of the Seventy recalls what it was like to come into the Church alone as a young man.

  • 20

    The Breath of Life

    Marilyn Faulkner

    Two members of this young girl’s ward family donated parts of their lungs so she could live.

  • 24

    Where Do I Go from Here?

    Richard M. Romney and Victor D. Cave

    Here are answers to some of the questions you may have as you progress in the Church.

  • 28

    Learning How the Church Works and Finding Your Place in It

    Jan Pinborough

    The Church may seem like a big, complicated organization, but there is a class or group waiting to welcome you.

  • 33

    Helpful Words to Know

  • 34

    New Members, New Traditions

    Elder F. Melvin Hammond

    Now is the time to make new, gospel-based traditions part of your life.

  • 38

    Restoring the Kingdom of God

  • 46

    JosephSmith.net

    Andy Cargal

    Images and historical information on this new Web site help us learn about the Prophet and his life.

  • 50

    Plain and Precious Truths Restored

    Clyde J. Williams

    The Book of Mormon contains many significant doctrines known to ancient prophets but not taught in the Bible.

  • 56

    Meeting the Challenges

    Larry Hiller

    There is so much to learn and to do as a member of the Church. Was baptism really the right decision? Yes, and you are up to the challenges.

  • 59

    Resources to Support Gospel Living

    Emily Metheny

    Looking for ways to strengthen your own gospel knowledge or to help teach your family? How about guidebooks, music, videos, and more?

• Regular Features

  • 2

    First Presidency Message: A Perfect Brightness of Hope: To New Members of the Church

    President Gordon B. Hinckley

    A modern prophet testifies that this is indeed the Church of Jesus Christ.

  • 55

    Visiting Teaching Message: Receive the Blessings of the Priesthood

  • 64

    Latter-day Saint Voices

  • 68

    Questions and Answers

  • 72

    Random Sampler

  • 74

    News of the Church

On the cover: Photographs by John Luke and Christina Smith, posed by models

Inside back cover: Salt Lake Temple, by Mitch Johnson. May not be copied.