Effectively leading. Do you remember an influential leader in your life? After reading “Life-Changing Leadership” (p. 23) and “Band of Brothers” (p. 28), think about what made the leader you remember an effective one. For tips on leadership in your own responsibilities, visit the “Serving in the Church” link on LDS.org.

Choosing happiness. Both Elder John B. Dickson and Elder Craig A. Cardon of the Seventy testify of the happiness that comes from obeying the commandments (see pp. 14 and 20). As you study the Book of Mormon in Sunday School, look for patterns that reflect this. Consider discussing in your next family home evening the correlation between obedience and happiness, citing examples from the Book of Mormon.

Finding answers. Several articles in this issue focus on the answers members found when they turned to the scriptures (see pp. 50, 53, and 58). How do you feel when you find specific answers to your challenges in the scriptures?

First Presidency Message

4

Feeding His Lambs

President Henry B. Eyring

We covenant to nourish each other spiritually. Are we working now to help those who are tender in the gospel?
Visiting Teaching Message

69

The Family Is Central to the Creator’s Plan

Feature Articles
10

In Bethlehem

Sharon Price Anderson

A poem showing the words of Abraham twice fulfilled.
11

Our Son’s Choices

Name Withheld

We never gave up on our son. Neither did the Lord.
19

Spiders and Spiritual Help

Don L. Searle

What my grandson’s cry for help taught me about faith and Heavenly Father’s kindness.
23

Life-Changing Leadership

Latter-day Saints share testimonies of how strong leadership skills can help build the Church.
28

Band of Brothers

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

What do great leaders have in common?
34

Questions and Answers

How can I make Easter more Christ centered for my family and me?
39

Joseph and Emma’s Family

A look at the family of Joseph and Emma Hale Smith.
42

Starting from Scratch

Constance Palmer Lewis

If you are the first to gather your family history, this article is for you.
46

Helping Children Cope with Traumatic Situations

Janele Williams

Our newborn daughter was the one who was sick, so why was our toddler struggling?
49

About Trauma

Claigh H. Jensen

Some tips for helping those who have experienced traumatic situations.
50

Changing Behavior—One Verse at a Time

Debra L. Adams

Before my husband died, our family had tried studying the scriptures. Now we needed them more than ever.
53

Beetle Traps and Scripture Study

Jana Troseth

I didn’t neglect my garden. Why was I neglecting my testimony?
54

Tempering Our Tempers

Douglas E. Brinley

Mastering our tempers can bring peace and love to our homes.
58

A Battle of Pride

Dale Smith

Although I knew the Book of Mormon contained little on the kinds of problems I was facing, I decided to see if there might be a message for me.
60

Dating and the Eternal Perspective

Kimberly Reid

A battle rages against the family, undermining our attempts to find an eternal partner. But we have reason to hope.
64

Living a Balanced Life

Elder Robert F. Orton

Lessons I learned as a young adult about balance.

Departments
Lessons from the Book of Mormon

14

After the Manner of Happiness

Elder John B. Dickson

The closer we come to living in accordance with the patterns and principles Heavenly Father has set, the happier and more complete we will be.
20

Choosing Liberty and Eternal Life

Elder Craig A. Cardon

Choosing liberty and eternal life brings the greatest happiness we can know.
70

Latter-day Saint Voices

Blessings of the priesthood, the Holy Ghost, the Book of Mormon, and missionary work.
74

Random Sampler

Writing to missionaries, teaching music, helping children to be reverent, and drawing closer as families.
76

News of the Church

Do You Have a Story to Tell?

Parents, teachers, and leaders: How have the Church magazines helped you in your responsibilities? Do you use articles and other resources in the magazines as you carry out your duties? How have they affected you or those with whom you work? Tell us about your experiences—the more specific, the better. Please label your submission “Using Church Magazines” and send it by March 31.

We also welcome other submissions that show the gospel of Jesus Christ at work in your life. Ensign Magazine Writers’ Guidelines are posted at http://ensign.lds.org under “Resources.”

Send submissions to ensign@ldschurch.org or Ensign Editorial, 50 E. North Temple Street, Room 2420, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3220, USA. Include your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, ward (or branch), and stake (or district). Because of the volume of submissions, we cannot acknowledge receipt. Authors whose work is selected for publication will be notified. If you would like your manuscript, photos, art, or other material returned, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Gospel Topics in This Issue

Adversity, 46
Agency, 11, 20, 54
Balance, 64
Book of Mormon, 73
Church History, 39
Comfort, 19
Communication, 74
Contention, 54, 58
Covenants, 60
Dating, 60
Easter, 34
Faith, 4, 11, 14, 19, 28, 50, 71
Family, 50, 54, 69, 74
Family History, 42
Family Home Evening, 75
Friendship, 28, 60, 70
Happiness, 14, 20, 64
Holy Ghost, 4, 64
Inspiration, 58
Jesus Christ, 10, 34
Joseph Smith, 39
Leadership, 23
Love, 46, 75
Marriage, 60
Missionary Work, 70, 73, 74
Music, 75
Obedience, 14, 20, 71
Parenthood, 11, 46, 54, 69
Patience, 46
Prayer, 11
Pride, 58
Priesthood Blessings, 72
Priorities, 28
Protection, 71
Repentance, 11, 54
Reverence, 74
Scripture Study, 50, 53, 58
Service, 23
Sharing Time, 75
Teaching, 4
Unity, 28
Young Adults, 60, 64

Contents

Using This Issue