New Era

January 2005

Volume 35, Number 1

This year we’ll be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith who, as “the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it” (D&C 135:3).

The great and marvelous work he began—the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ—started with a sincere prayer at age 14 in a grove of trees.

Contents

• Words of the Prophet: The Gift of the Holy Ghost
  President Gordon B. Hinckley
  If we keep the commandments, the Holy Ghost shall be our constant companion.

• Gospel Classics: A Great and Marvelous Day
  President Howard W. Hunter
  On a great day, April 6, 1830, 175 years ago, the Church was organized.

• 2005 Mutual Theme: “A Great and a Marvelous Work” (1 Ne. 14:7)
  What does it mean to be part of “a great and a marvelous work” of the Restoration of the gospel?

• The Deacons of Coventry
  Christine Reid
  What is it like to be a deacon? A quorum in Coventry, England, explains.

• Idea List: Jazz Up Your Journal
  Start writing one of the most significant books of your life.

• Q&A: Questions and Answers
  Every year I resolve to think about Jesus Christ all day, then struggle to do it. How can I “always remember him”?

• New Era Poster: Believe

• Valiant in Venezuela
  Marvin K. Gardner
  Teens throughout Venezuela are standing up for truth and righteousness, just as they have been taught.

• Service with a Wink
  Megan Willis
  Some kind words and a wink made all the difference in my day.

• The Times of the Prophets
  The latter-day prophets lived in times of great change and great accomplishment, both for the Church and for the world.

• Cute and Modest
  Jacquelyn Benson, Mary Lee Call, and Emily O. Jennings
  Yes, it is possible to find clothes that are both cute and modest.

• Me? Give a Blessing?
  Brad Larsen
  What was I going to say? I didn’t need to worry.

• The One and Only
  Ryan Carr
  Are you the only one in your branch, your seminary class, your Young Women organization? How do you stay strong?

• The Extra Smile

• Instant Messages
  Picking blackberries taught me about reading the scriptures; the temple is a great, great, great place; listening to my cousin saved my life.

• What’s in It for You

• We’ve Got Mail

• Poem: Jonathan’s Perspective
  Anna Marie Mecham Murdock

• Photo
  Tamra Ratieta

Cover: Still photo from the video Moments from Church History: Restoration of the Priesthood, available in distribution centers. See “A Great and Marvelous Day” on p. 8. Cover photography: Still photo from Restoration of the Priesthood (front) and PhotoDisc (back)