Recognizing the Shepherd’s voice. Several accounts of conversion are included in this month’s issue (see pages 10 and 16). As you read about how these members heard and responded to the voice of the Good Shepherd, consider times that you have done the same. How can you increase your ability to listen to such promptings?

Teaching our children to what source they might look. We all carry responsibilities and face times of challenge and discouragement. Note the accounts of members who put their trust in the Lord (see pages 22, 29, and 62). What can you teach your children about where they can turn in times of trouble?

Protecting our families. Several articles in this issue focus on preserving and protecting families in the last days (see pages 15, 44, 50, and 58). How have you found safety in adhering to the principles described in these articles? The Family Guidebook (item no. 31180000), available at www.ldscatalog.com, may offer additional helps.

Messages
First Presidency Message

4

Developing Christlike Attributes

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

After all is said and done, what will really carry us at times of greatest need to our desired eternal destination?
Visiting Teaching Message

67

Gender Is an Essential Characteristic of Eternal Identity and Purpose
Feature Articles
10

Finding My Faith

Joshua J. Perkey

When Matt asked me what I thought God was like, I didn’t have an answer for him.
15

Lines, Levels, and Living the Gospel

Sandi Matlock Fairbanks

I found I could not draw a level, straight line without the proper tools to guide me.
16

Finding What Was Missing

Michael R. Morris

The stories of three members in Washington, D.C., who heard and heeded the voice of the Good Shepherd.
22

Why Did the Lord Call Me?

Kimberlee B. Garrett

I learned that the Lord enables imperfect people to work beyond their natural abilities.
24

Scatter Sunshine

Are you looking for service opportunities but don’t know where to begin?
29

The Lord Can Ease Our Burdens

Elder Maury W. Schooff

What can we learn from the people of Alma in bearing our burdens?
32

Abortion: An Assault on the Defenseless

Elder Russell M. Nelson

As sons and daughters of God, we cherish life as a gift from Him.
38

Have Ye Inquired of the Lord?

John Hilton III

The advice of family and friends is helpful, but we can turn to an even better source.
40

Pray Always

Stories of prayer and the art they inspired.
44

Gospel Classics: Stand Ye in Holy Places

President Harold B. Lee

You cannot lift another soul until you are standing on higher ground than he is. You cannot light a fire in another soul unless it is burning in your own soul.
53

Living Prophets Spoke to Me

Name Withheld

General conference turned out to be much more personal than I ever expected.
54

Preparing Yourself for Marriage

Elder Eric B. Shumway

The timing of marriage may not be in your control, but you can prepare for it now.
58

Gospel Doctrines: Anchors to Our Souls

Elder Marlin K. Jensen

The best measurement of how well we understand the doctrines of the gospel is how clearly and simply we teach them and live them.
68

Feeding His Sheep through Visiting Teaching

Four sisters share how visiting teachers—and visiting teaching—provided spiritual nourishment they needed.
Departments
Lessons from the Book of Mormon

50

Protecting Our Families in the Last Days

Elder Richard J. Maynes

How can we rear faithful children and create Zion in our homes despite the growing challenges to our faith in the latter days?
62

Latter-day Saint Voices

Stories of trusting in the Lord to be able to attend the temple, overcome personal challenges, perform callings, and attend Primary.
72

Random Sampler

Learning disabilities and gospel study, family home evening supplements, and preparing for general conference.
74

News of the Church

Do You Have a Story to Tell?

The Ensign invites you to share your experiences about and suggestions for engaging teenagers in family home evening. How do you create an environment in which they contribute and participate? What kinds of activities and lessons have been most successful for your family? Please label your submission “Teenagers and FHE” and send it by December 12, 2008. Submissions should be 500–1,800 words.

We also welcome other submissions that show the gospel of Jesus Christ at work in your life. You can find this and other calls for articles online at http://ensign.lds.org.

Ensign Magazine Writers’ Guidelines are posted on the same page 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 receive, 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

Atonement, 4, 22, 29, 58
Callings, 29, 64
Charity, 68
Children, 32, 65
Compassion, 44
Conversion, 10, 16
Creation, 32
Death, 32
Faith, 4, 10, 15, 29, 62, 65
Family, 32, 50
Family Home Evening, 73
Fellowship, 16
Forgiveness, 44
Gender, 67
General Conference, 53, 72
Gospel, 50, 58
Happiness, 16, 50, 67
Heavenly Father, 38, 63
Hope, 54
Humility, 22
Jesus Christ, 4
Knowledge, 38
Learning, 72
Life, 32
Love, 63, 68
Marriage, 54
Missionary Work, 16, 22
Morality, 32
Motherhood, 67
Obedience, 15, 50
Parenthood, 53
Prayer, 15, 38, 40, 63
Preparation, 44, 50, 54
Prophets, 53
Repentance, 16, 32, 44, 58
Revelation, 10, 38, 53, 64
Scripture Study, 15
Scriptures, 38
Service, 22, 24, 68
Singles, 54
Temple, 62
Testimony, 10
Visiting Teaching, 67, 68

Contents

Using This Issue