“Contents,” Ensign, Feb. 2010, 1–3 Contents February 2010 Volume 40 • Number 2 On the cover Front: Adam and Eve Offering Sacrifice, by Keith Larson. Back: “Peace I Leave with You,” by Walter Rane. Messages First Presidency Message 4 On Being Spiritually Prepared: Counsel from Our Prophet President Thomas S. Monson Visiting Teaching Message 7 Managing Resources Wisely and Staying Out of Debt Features 36 Looking toward the Temple Elder John A. Widtsoe The house of the Lord is many things. It is a place of peace, blessings, covenants, and revelation. 39 What Is This Thing That Men Call Death? President Gordon B. Hinckley and Janice Kapp Perry In this sheet music, musician Janice Kapp Perry sets President Gordon B. Hinckley’s poem to music. 40 Where Worlds Meet: The Oakland California Family History Center LaRene Porter Gaunt A glimpse at how a regional family history center helps meet the needs of its patrons. 46 In Your Name Sharon Price Anderson A poem about vicarious temple work. 47 The Promise of the Temple Ellen Rowe Sigety How temple blessings became a reality for our family. Our Homes, Our Families 12 Becoming an Influential Father Jerry Harris Five tips to help fathers have a positive impact on their children’s lives. 16 Putting Family First Krista Schmitz Our family was overscheduled and stressed. Was it time to cut back? Living as Latter-day Saints 18 Grow Up unto the Lord Kathleen H. Hughes How to nurture the divine within you. 20 She Taught Me to See Evelyn Jeffries Because my visiting teacher was blind, she could not see me, but she could see the path I needed to take. 22 Choosing Right When the World Is Wrong Elder Charles Didier Winning the battle against unrighteous influences. Teaching, Learning, Serving 26 Learning to Love Learning Elder David A. Bednar Why a love of learning is absolutely essential to eternal salvation. 30 “This Do in Remembrance of Me” Elder Paul K. Sybrowsky Do we come away from the sacrament spiritually filled each Sabbath day? By Study and by Faith 50 Christ and Culture in the Old Testament Donald W. Parry Five Old Testament religious practices that provide deeper understanding of Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Gospel Solutions 58 “That They May Grow Up in Thee”: Markers of Adulthood for Young Singles Christine Packard and Wendy Ulrich What really makes you an adult? Provident Living 62 Start Rowing Kathy Wright What to do when unemployment takes the wind out of your sails. Departments What We Believe 8 Jesus Christ Is Central to Heavenly Father’s Plan How was Christ chosen to become our Savior? We Talk of Christ The Single Ski 10 Kristian Christensen What a family skiing trip taught me about the Savior’s grace. Serving in the Church 25 When Is the Time to Serve? Elder Robert D. Hales Saying yes to our callings. Latter-day Saint Voices 66 Covenants made, blessings received. Small and Simple Things 70 Family Home Evening Ideas 73 News of the Church 74 In Other Church Magazines 79 Until We Meet Again 80 Singing a New Hymn Debra Randall A familiar hymn, an unfamiliar tune, and a lesson in personal growth. More Online