This Church News issue continues two long-standing traditions: a special year-end package of guest-written articles pertaining to a chosen gospel theme encouraging improvement in the new year, this year's theme being trust, and an article based on an interview with the Sunday School general presidency on the gospel doctrine course of study, that being the New Testament for this year.

Following a pattern set in last year's "Viewpoint" editorial that focused on Christlike attributes as exemplified in the Old Testament, we present here a few accounts, characters and teachings from the New Testament illustrating the aspects of trust highlighted in this issue.

1. Trust in God. Perhaps there is no better example of absolute trust in God than the Savior's plaintive petition in the Garden of Gethsemane: "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt" (Luke 22:42). With awful dread, but with perfect obedience, our Lord pledged His willingness to carry forward the offer made in the pre-mortal council in heaven when, in contrast to Lucifer's selfish design to destroy the agency of man and take glory to himself, He said, "Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever" (Moses 4:2).

As a result of the Savior's trust in the Father, the Atonement was carried out, the salvation of mankind was accomplished, and by their obedience, all of Father's children may become joint-heirs with Christ of all the Father has.

2. Trust in the Spirit. The apostle Paul taught the Corinthians the necessity of developing a spiritual sense, saying, "The things of God knoweth no man except he has the Spirit of God" (JST 1 Corinthians 2:11) and, "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:13). Surely, a propensity to trust in the Spirit fosters the development of this spiritual sense.

Later in that epistle, Paul enumerated many of the gifts of the Spirit, including wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, working of miracles and prophecy (see 1 Corinthians 12:1-11).

Two of Christ's disciples were beneficiaries of a spiritual gift, as they realized in retrospect after the resurrected Lord accompanied them unrecognized and taught them while they were on the road to Emmaus. "And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?" (Luke 24:32)

Today, sincere and prayerful seekers receive such a witness as they study the Book of Mormon and ask God to manifest the truth of it to them by the power of the Holy Ghost (see Moroni 10:3-5) or when they seek the Lord's confirmation on any important matter (see Doctrine and Covenants 9:8-9).

3. Trust through obedience. Christ taught clearly, "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself" (John 7:16-17). This indicates that the proof is in the performance; If we trust in God to the point that we obey His commandments, we come to know of their verity and value.

4. Trust in family relationships. The forbearance and kindness that Joseph showed toward Mary when he learned to his dismay that she was with child is a model for husband-wife relationships. Of course, his patience was rewarded when he received his own heavenly manifestation regarding the privilege that Mary would have to give birth to the mortal Messiah.

5. Trust in Church leaders. The chief apostle, who holds the keys of the Kingdom, receives revelation to guide and regulate the Church. Peter received those keys on the Mount of Transfiguration from the Savior, Moses and Elias (Elijah) (see Matthew 17:1-12). We see an example of Peter receiving revelation and exercising authority when, through his ministry, the gospel was carried to the gentiles as recounted in Acts 10-11.

Official Declarations 1 and 2 in the Doctrine and Covenants exemplify instances in the latter days when the president of the Church, as chief apostle and holder of the keys of the Kingdom, has instituted major changes in Church practice. It is necessary to the progress and growth of the Kingdom that the membership of the Church trusts, sustains and supports the Lord's anointed when such revelations are received.

6. Trust in the Atonement. The Gospels recount numerous instances of Christ healing the afflicted. Miraculous in and of themselves, these accounts are analogous to the power that Christ has to heal not only physical infirmities but the spiritual sickness and injury that sin inflicts.

This concept is illustrated in the incident of Christ healing the bedridden man afflicted with palsy. "And Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy: Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee" (Matthew 9:2). Perceiving their thoughts, Jesus said to some of the bystanders, "Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house" (verses 4-6).

Jesus used this occasion to teach the unbelieving scribes of His power to forgive sins as well as heal sickness. The incident in Matthew 9:20-25 of the woman touching the hem of His garment, knowing that thereby she would be made whole, is indicative of the total trust one can have in the power of the Atonement to heal the sin-ravaged soul.

7. Becoming one whom the Lord can trust. In the New Testament we may observe the character development of Peter. As the Bible Dictionary expresses it, "It is true that the New Testament recounts some mortal weaknesses, but it also illustrates that he overcame them and was made strong by his faith in Jesus Christ" (Bible Dictionary, p. 749).

As we study the New Testament this year, may we be edified by the lessons it teaches us about trust.