Contents

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• The Message

  How Does the Spirit Speak to Us?

  2

  President Boyd K. Packer

  The Spirit does not get our attention by shouting. It never shakes us with a heavy hand. The Spirit whispers.

• The Miracle I Needed

  4

  Nicole Levi

  I expected a miracle, but the miracle I was given taught me the most.

• Mormonad

  They Are Ten Commandments, Not Ten Suggestions

  7

• In Tune

  Be Strong

  8

  A song from A Brand New Year 2010.

• Leading the Way

  10

  Melissa Merrill

  One conversion led to another until a Costa Rican family is joined forever.

• Gospel Classics

  The Parable of the Treasure Vault

  12

  Elder James E. Talmage

  Like unto one’s reputation is the outer door of the treasure-vault; like unto his character is the inner portal.

• Questions and Answers

  14

  “How can I convince my friends that our standards are really about freedom and not a burden?”

• The Beauty of the Earth

  16

  J. Tyler Bates

  One young photographer discovers the beauties of creation.

• My Soccer Goal

  22

  Timothy Herzog

  A young man took a stand on the Sabbath.

• Prayer at 30 Feet Down

  24

  Julia Woodbury

  When panic hits, all you can do is pray.

• A Pillar Supporting the Priesthood

  26

  Jourdan Strain and Richard M. Romney

  Scouting celebrates milestones as it continues to support the Aaronic Priesthood.

• Protected from the Unexpected

  31

  Fernando C. Pareja

  A temple trip in the Philippines could have taken a disastrous turn.

• Waiting for My Testimony

  32

  Carolyn LeDuc

  Reading the Book of Mormon four times in one year brought understanding.

• The Meaning of Cleaning

  34

  Mike Lasky and Janet Thomas

  One gigantic service project was accomplished by dividing up the work into small tasks.

• The Extra Smile

  37

• What’s Up?

  38

• Best Friends Forever

  40

  Wendy Kenney

  Five high school best friends discovered the gospel and helped each other make the big step to baptism.

• Instant Messages

  44

  Keep your eye on the temple; knowing Joseph; asking questions about the Church.

• Why Won’t You Come to the Party?

  47

  Jek Toon Tan

  He chose the gospel over the ways of the world.

• We’ve Got Mail

  48

• Poem

  The Things I Know

  49

  Erica Oldroyd

• Photo

  49

  J. Tyler Bates

What’s Online

Would you like to listen as you read? Really get into the scriptures and listen as you read. Go to audio.lds.org and download the scriptures by book and chapter. Then read along as you listen.

Would you or your parents like to order the New Era online? It’s not too late to start the year out right with your own copy of the New Era. Order subscriptions or other Church publications at ldscatalog.com.

Giving a talk? When the bishop assigns you to give a talk on a specific subject such as faith or testimony or prayer, you can find some great stories or ideas by searching at NewEra.lds.org. Click on Search New Era, and type the word or words.

What’s on the New Era Web page? This month at NewEra.lds.org you’ll find this month’s song, “Be Strong.” You’ll also find other music, Q&As, access to Mormonads and articles, games, downloads, cartoons and more.