“Contents,” Liahona, July 2012, 1–3 Liahona, July 2012 Messages 4 First Presidency Message Always in the Middle By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf 7 Visiting Teaching Message Demonstrating Our Discipleship through Love and Service Feature Articles 16 The Strength of Our Heritage By Elder L. Tom Perry Just as the pioneers made the desert blossom as a rose, so can our lives improve if we follow their values and traditions. 20 Understanding Our Covenants with God: An Overview of Our Most Important Promises What have we promised our Heavenly Father? What has He promised us? 24 Public Affairs: Linking Church and Community By Philip M. Volmar Local public affairs councils help the Church form positive relationships with the community, the media, and other churches. 35 Facing the Future with Hope By Elder José A. Teixeira Despite losing all his worldly possessions, Brother Grilo was positive about the present and hopeful for the future. Departments 8 April Conference Notebook 10 We Talk of Christ A River of Peace By Lanise Heaton 12 Serving in the Church The Lesson Is inside the Learner By Russell T. Osguthorpe 30 Our Homes, Our Families Never Give Up By Al and Eva Fry 38 Latter-day Saint Voices 74 News of the Church 79 Family Home Evening Ideas 80 Until We Meet Again Unspotted from the World By Julie Thompson Young Adults 42 When Good Plans Don’t Work Out By Stephanie J. Burns Young adults navigating the turns in life’s journey find that some supposed detours lead to the right destination. Youth 46 The Importance of Priesthood Blessings By Elder Dallin H. Oaks Priesthood blessings will help you overcome obstacles on the way to eternal life. 49 Poster Testimony 50 Power in Prayer By Paul VanDenBerghe When overwhelmed, teens from the Philippine island of Cebu keep their heads “above water” through prayer. 53 From the Mission Field A Promise and a Prayer By Pablo Mireles Betts 54 What Is Pure Testimony? By Elyse Alexandria Holmes Gaining a testimony may seem like a puzzle, but by adding a piece at a time, you can learn the truthfulness of the gospel. 58 Playing to the Crowd By Brittany Thompson My life was all an act until I decided to change roles. Children 59 A Whisper of Kindness By Deborah Moore What will James do when the school bully comes to church? 61 Special Witness The early pioneers lived long ago. What can I learn from them? By Elder L. Tom Perry 62 Making History By Chad E. Phares Soma, Eszter, and Kata try to be good examples of the Church in Hungary. 64 Bringing Primary Home I Choose the Right by Living Gospel Principles 66 Thomas’s Testimony By Joshua J. Perkey Before Thomas can share his testimony, he needs to learn what a testimony is. 68 A Growing Testimony Grow your own testimony one truth at a time. 69 Our Page 70 For Young Children More Online