Church magazines testify of Christ
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Each monthly issue of the Ensign and Liahona magazines is a witness of the Savior and His ministry. Much like Nephi, Church magazines speak, teach and testify of Christ.
Yet, the March issue comes with an added focus. Two years in the making, this issue develops a theme of the Savior's life and ministry. The aim is twofold; to strengthen testimonies of Jesus Christ, and to provide a well-written, well-designed publication which can be shared with family, friends and neighbors.
"This particular issue is intended to help members and those not of our faith better understand the life and mission of the Lord Jesus Christ and receive a witness of His divinity by focusing on three aspects; namely, Who is Jesus Christ? What did He do? What does His life mean to me?" said Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve.
Those who sup from its pages will gain a better understanding of Him, feel a strengthened testimony of Him, desire to follow Him, and have the knowledge to counter conventional wisdom concerning the Christianity of the Church, said Elder Jay E. Jensen of the Seventy who serves as editor of Church magazines.
"Greater faith and the desire to follow Him" are the objectives of this special issue, he said. And then, he continued, it is strongly hoped that members will put a copy in the hands of non-member neighbors as a witness that "we are Christians."
A stunning cropping of the famous Christ with Boy painting by Carl Heinrich Bloch is featured on the cover. With care taken not to distract from an image representing the Savior, a transparent waxpaper-like plastic, or velum, covers the picture, allowing the image to show through while displaying the name of the magazines.
Whenever the Church magazines use an image representing the Savior, these images are thoughtfully chosen with First Presidency approval. For this cover, hundreds of images were reviewed, but consensus was not reached until editors and designers considered the Bloch painting with a velum overlay.
"The image is reverent," said Scott Van Kampen, art director of the Liahona magazine. "There seems to be eye contact with the reader. It speaks to personal revelation, and a personal relationship with the Savior."
The issue opens with a testimony by President Gordon B. Hinckley, printed prior to his death. "None can fully comprehend the splendor of His life, the majesty of His death, the universality of His gift to humankind," he wrote.
President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve addresses the question, "Who is Jesus Christ?" Speaking of the Savior's virtues, President Packer describes a tense moment during the trial with Pilate when the Savior remained silent and submissive in the face of abuse and taunting, except for one moment of intense drama.
"One can only imagine the quiet majesty when the Lord spoke: 'Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above."'
In closing, President Packer states, "I cannot with composure tell you how I feel about the Atonement. It touches the deepest emotion of gratitude and obligation. My soul reaches after Him who wrought it."
Other articles, written by the leading brethren of the Church, explore faith in Jesus Christ, the Atonement, and becoming a witness of Christ. President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, said "The words 'come unto Christ' are an invitation, the most important invitation you could ever offer to another person....
"All of us should be intensely interested in learning how to issue that invitation effectively."
Belying the challenges that come with productions of this complexity, the March Ensign and Liahona allow readers to enjoy publications of excellence where content flows seamlessly from thought to inspired thought.
E-mail to:shaun@desnews.com
Invitation to study
When you read the scriptural accounts of His life and ministry, you realize how much Jesus Christ exemplified love. He healed and blessed. He looked past human frailty to see the heart — offering hope, healing and forgiveness through His ministry, teachings and great atoning sacrifice.
That same Savior, the Son of God, lives. He knows our hearts and loves us. He has compassion and desires to bless us. That is the message of this magazine. You will find it in the words of living prophets and apostles, teaching who Christ is and what He offers us. And you will find it in the testimonies of ordinary people whose lives have been blessed by their accepting Christ's invitation to come unto Him, learn of Him and follow Him.
We invite you to study these messages prayerfully, take them to heart, and share them with others.
—Church magazine editors
Share extra copies
• Each ward and branch will receive extra copies of the March issue to distribute to less-active members and those not of our faith.
Individuals and units can purchase additional copies through Church distribution centers. At the Salt Lake Distribution Center, a box of 30 copies is specially priced at $33 until June 30.
• Ensign readers will receive a 32-page memorial supplement with the March issue detailing the life and service of President Gordon B. Hinckley. Liahona readers will receive the supplement with the April issue.
• The March issue of the Ensign and Liahona magazines can be used by home and visiting teachers, ward or branch missionaries, and priesthood and auxiliary leaders as a way to help share their testimonies with neighbors and friends.
