“Contents,” Ensign, July 2012, 1–3Contents July 2012Volume 42 • Number 7MessagesFirst Presidency Message4Always in the MiddlePresident Dieter F. UchtdorfVisiting Teaching Message7Demonstrating Our Discipleship through Love and ServiceFeatures10Never Give UpAl and Eva FryThirty-five years. Countless prayers. One major miracle.15Facing the Future with HopeElder José A. TeixeiraHow can we be positive about the present and the future?18Take Your Tents and FleeKevin HinckleyDespite the growing wickedness in the world, we can find safety in the gospel.21Waiting on the Lord, Renewing Our StrengthChristy NielsonA verse in Isaiah taught me that “waiting on the Lord” is different from “just waiting.”22Understanding Our Covenants with GodAn overview of our most important promises.26When Good Plans Don’t Work OutStephanie J. BurnsFour young adults share how they found happiness in following their “plan B.”36The Strength of Our HeritageElder L. Tom PerryPioneer faith is needed as much in the world today as in any period of time.40Joseph and Emma: Moments in Their LivesArt and artifacts associated with five events in the lives of Joseph and Emma Smith.45Poem: Pioneer FarewellDon L. SearleA pioneer lament on leaving Nauvoo intertwined with modern-day rejoicing at Nauvoo’s rebirth.46Public Affairs: Linking Church and CommunityPhilip M. VolmarReaching out to the community helps build up the kingdom of God.52Abish: A Common Servant, a True TestimonyHeather B. MooreWhen Abish finally was able to act on her testimony, hundreds of lives were changed.56The Life of Martin Harris: Patterns of Humility and RepentanceLarry E. MorrisThe life of Martin Harris illustrates that humility allows the Spirit to be with us and that repentance is the key to remaining humble.62When He Stopped BelievingName withheldAfter I learned that my husband no longer believed in the Church, I found spiritual healing through the Spirit.66In the Aftermath of the TornadoMelissa MerrillHow members of the Church in Joplin, Missouri, responded to the May 2011 tornado that struck their community.Departments8April Conference NotebookServing in the Church30The Lesson Is inside the LearnerRussell T. OsguthorpeFour principles of effective learning and teaching.We Talk of Christ34A River of PeaceLanise HeatonDespite my grief, I moved forward with my head held up in faith and hope in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.65Family Home Evening Ideas70Latter-day Saint Voices74News of the Church79In Other Church MagazinesUntil We Meet Again80Unspotted from the WorldJulie ThompsonI wondered why I was at the temple to clean when nothing was dirty. But I soon realized that cleaning wasn’t really the point.On the coverFront: Photo illustration by Christina Smith.Back: Photograph by Robert Casey.