“Contents,” Ensign, Sept. 2011, 1–3 Contents September 2011 Volume 41 • Number 9 Messages First Presidency Message 4 General Conference—No Ordinary Blessing President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Visiting Teaching Message 7 Strengthening Families by Increasing Spirituality Features 40 Relief Society History: A Look at the Lord’s Vision for His Daughters Julie B. Beck Our Relief Society history helps us know where we have been, where we are now, and where we are going. 44 A Little Heaven on Earth Elder Robert D. Hales Temple marriage happens in a place. Celestial marriage is created throughout lifetimes. 52 Giving God a Chance to Bless Us Michael R. Morris For these Argentine couples, obedience was the key to marrying in the temple. 58 A General Conference Just for Me Ann Singleton From beginning to end, I was comforted and felt I was an audience of one. Our Homes, Our Families 12 Building My Eternal Marriage Rosana Pontes Barbosa Neves Learn how this Brazilian sister used the gospel to build a strong marriage. 14 Repentance and Forgiveness in Marriage Richard Miller Discover how these gospel principles can strengthen your marriage. Living as Latter-day Saints 18 Setting Their Sights on the Temple Vicki Phillips Casto Six ways to help your children set goals to marry in the temple. 20 Duty to God and Personal Progress Paul VanDenBerghe and Melissa Merrill When parents and youth work together, good things can happen. 22 Courage to Serve Preparing to serve a mission? Find out how other young adults overcame the opposition that often accompanies a good choice. 26 Preparing for the Future Elder M. Russell Ballard Don’t let anything that’s going on in the world slow you down in your progress in mortality. 30 Dreams, Covenants, and Secondhand Buses Tom Gandolph Jr. Two families. One goal. And 2,200 miles between the nearest temple and us. 66 Our Family History Game Cynthia Green Our ancestors used to be just names to us. Now we know and love them. Teaching, Learning, Serving 34 Valiant in the Testimony of Jesus Christ Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge Being valiant requires that we choose the right regardless of the consequences. By Study and By Faith 50 Gospel Classics: The Eternal Nature of Marriage President N. Eldon Tanner Like all of God’s truths, marriage is eternal. Gospel Solutions 60 Anticipating the Need to Forgive A. Dean Byrd Deciding ahead of time to forgive those who hurt us—even intentionally—empowers us to move forward. Departments What We Believe 8 The Sealing Ordinance Links Families Eternally Families are meant to be together forever. We Talk of Christ 10 Finding Peace in Troubled Times Elder Per G. Malm Faith in our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will bring us hope. Serving in the Church 38 Qualified through Church Service Alice A. Lewis Serving in the Church blesses others’ lives as well as our own. 68 Latter-day Saint Voices 72 Small and Simple Things 67 Family Home Evening Ideas 74 News of the Church 79 In Other Church Magazines Until We Meet Again 80 Temple Blessings Now and Eternally Stacy Vickery Finding hope and joy in temple blessings. On the Cover Front: photo illustrations by Robert Casey.