DECEMBER ISSUE!

Christmas is just around the corner! I love Christmas! The Christmas lights, the glowing trees in everyone's windows, the cheerful attitude of strangers(and my kids!), and the non-stop christmas music on some radio stations; singing of everthing from snow to santa to the savior!

So it's December, time for a new issue of the Ensign. I love getting my magazines in the mail. With excitment I tear open the shrink wrap, glance at the cover, skim through the index pages and open to the article that first grabs my attention (sometimes a cover story will draw me in before I get to the index pages). This month, as I skimmed through the index the article headline that grabbed my attention was: The Energy Drink Epidemic. Click here for my reaction and impression of this article!

The Best Christmas Ever

At this season of the year, the airways are filled with the music of Christmas. My heart often turns to home and to Christmases past as I listen to some of my favorite Christmas songs, such as this one:
Oh, there’s no place like home
For the holidays, ’cause no matter
How far away you roam
If you want to be happy in a million ways
For the holidays, you can’t beat
Home, sweet home.1

Thomas S. Monson, “The Best Christmas Ever,” Ensign, Dec 2008, 4–8

How Could I Help?

I wanted to do something to help a family in need, but what?

April A. Love, “How Could I Help?,” Ensign, Dec 2008, 9–11

Room in the Inn

“Room in the Inn” was originally printed in Christmas Treasures (Deseret Book, 1994).

At a time when only our Heavenly Father could bring us home, He had heard our prayers.


Neil L. Andersen, “Room in the Inn,” Ensign, Dec 2008, 12–15

Three Christmas Stories

They Came with Haste

“Did these shepherds, personally invited to undertake a search for the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, concern themselves with the security of their possessions? Did they procrastinate their search for Christ? The record affirms that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem. … And they came with haste” (Luke 2:15–16; emphasis added).
President Thomas S. Monson, “In Search of the Christmas Spirit,” Ensign, Dec. 1987, 5.

“Three Christmas Stories,” Ensign, Dec 2008, 16–19

Gather to the Temple

When Benedito Carlos do Carmo Mendes Martins decided to take his family to the nearest temple in 1992, he needed 15 days off work to make the arduous round-trip from his home in Manaus, in northern Brazil. It was a busy time for his company, however, and his boss refused to give him time off.
Because the family had prepared, sacrificed, and saved money to make the trip, they prayed that they might somehow still be able to go. Their prayers were soon answered.

Claudio R. M. Costa, “Gather to the Temple,” Ensign, Dec 2008, 20–22

Temple Blessings in a Part-Member Family

My temple attendance gave me insights that improved my relationship with my husband, who was not a Latter-day Saint, and our children.

Kay Przybille, “Temple Blessings in a Part-Member Family,” Ensign, Dec 2008, 23–25

Consecrate Thy Performance

These remarks are addressed to the imperfect but still striving in the household of faith. As always, my immediate audience is myself.

Neal A. Maxwell, “Consecrate Thy Performance,” Ensign, Dec 2008, 26–30

My Answer at the Door

A foreboding feeling consumed me, but as I prayed, I felt light pierce the darkness of my heart.
Victor L. Harris, “My Answer at the Door,” Ensign, Dec 2008, 31–33

Becoming Spiritually Whole

After years of frustration about my physical challenges, I finally turned to the Lord to heal my heart.

Shari Phippen, “Becoming Spiritually Whole,” Ensign, Dec 2008, 34–36

Four Tips for Family Night

We made family home evening the best night of the week.

Deann Starkey, “Four Tips for Family Night,” Ensign, Dec 2008, 37–39

I Remember Joseph

Many who knew the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote of their experiences with him. Here, some of those accounts accompany artwork featuring the Prophet. Some accounts were written near the time of the event depicted in the art and others long after, but they all give insight into his life as a man and as a prophet of God.

“I Remember Joseph,” Ensign, Dec 2008, 40–43

Questions and Answers

How can I stand up in the workplace for what I believe without seeming self-righteous or judgmental?

“Questions and Answers,” Ensign, Dec 2008, 44–47

The Energy Drink Epidemic

By Thomas J. Boud, MD Dr. Boud works in family medicine at a primary care facility and volunteers for the Church as a consulting physician in the Missionary Medical Department.

In recent years there has been an explosion of energy drinks with high levels of caffeine—a drug with greater risks than many realize.

Thomas J. Boud, “The Energy Drink Epidemic,” Ensign, Dec 2008, 48–52

The Other Part of Forgiveness

I was struggling to forgive some acquaintances who had hurt me. Each time I thought of the situation and how sad I was, I felt angry all over again. I decided to talk with a friend, a fellow Christian of a different faith, about my struggle.

Becky Dastrup, “The Other Part of Forgiveness,” Ensign, Dec 2008, 53

From a Small and Simple Invitation

Through an invitation from a friend to read the Book of Mormon, I learned that “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass.”
Tom Smith, “From a Small and Simple Invitation,” Ensign, Dec 2008, 54–55

Living by the Light of Christ

The power of the Lord’s Spirit “quickeneth all things” in the lives of the worthy. Spencer J. Condie, “Living by the Light of Christ,” Ensign, Dec 2008, 56–58

VT MESSAGE: Jesus Christ Is the Light, Life, and Hope of the World

Teach the scriptures and quotations that meet the needs of the sisters you visit. Bear testimony of the doctrine. Invite those you teach to share what they have felt and learned.

“Jesus Christ Is the Light, Life, and Hope of the World,” Ensign, Dec 2008, 59

Latter-day Saint Voices

“Latter-day Saint Voices,” Ensign, Dec 2008, 60–63

Random Sampler

"Random Sampler,” Ensign, Dec 2008, 64–65

News of the Church

Adam Olsen, “News of the Church,” Ensign, Dec 2008, 74–80