October 2006 Ensign - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

WELCOME TO THIS ISSUE OF THE ENSIGN
If You Are a Recent Convert . . .
This magazine was prepared for you. It contains inspired and
loving counsel from apostles and prophets. You will also find
advice from ordinary members who have lived what you are
experiencing as a new member. We hope this issue will be helpful
to you now and in the future as you refer to it for information and
inspiration.
You have received a spiritual witness that the Church is true,
but you may find that you still have much to learn and some
lifestyle changes to make. This issue can help you put those
challenges into perspective and meet them successfully. You can
do it because God truly is your Father and will help you succeed.
If You Are a Longtime Member . . .
It may seem strange to receive an issue addressed to new
members. But by making you more aware of the challenges
faced by new members, this issue can help you put your
Church experience and gospel knowledge to use as a friend
and mentor to new members.
If there’s someone you could bless by sharing this magazine
or just an article or two, we encourage you to do so. Additional
copies of this magazine may be obtained through your
local distribution center and in the United States and
Canada at www.ldscatalog.com. Check first with
your ward or branch leaders; they may have
already ordered extra copies and might have
plans to share this magazine with that person.
If You Are a Missionary . . .
The articles in this magazine can strengthen
recent converts and help them know what
to expect as a new member. Please coordinate
with ward or branch leaders as
you share this issue with new members
and with those who are soon to be baptized
and confirmed.
—The editors
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Contents
IN THIS ISSUE
6 Rejoicing
in the Gospel
Latter-day Saints from
around the world share
their testimonies.
What I Wish Every
10 New Member Knew—
and Every Longtime
Member Remembered
ELDER JEFFREY R. HOLLAND
You may be new to the
Church, but don’t feel
alone. We are all in this
spiritual journey together.
Loving Families,
17 Different Faiths
ELDER WALTER F. GONZÁLEZ
Are you the only Latter-day
Saint in your family? A
member of the Seventy
recalls what it was like to
come into the Church
alone as a young man.
The Breath of Life
20 MARILYN FAULKNER
Two members of this young
girl’s ward family donated
parts of their lungs so she
could live.
OCTOBER 2006
VOLUME 36 • NUMBER 10
Where Do I Go
24 from Here?
RICHARD M. ROMNEY
AND VICTOR D. CAVE
Here are answers to some
of the questions you may
have as you progress
in the Church.
Learning How the
28 Church Works and
Finding Your Place in It
JAN PINBOROUGH
The Church may seem
like a big, complicated
organization, but there
is a class or group waiting
to welcome you.
Helpful Words
33 to Know
What do they mean when
they talk about “General
Authorities” or “Mutual”?
Here are handy definitions
for terms you’ll hear.
New Members,
34 New Traditions
ELDER F. MELVIN HAMMOND
Now is the time to make
new, gospel-based traditions
part of
your life.
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