princess and the pea

 [FHE + a treat]

Theme:

Christmas Doesn’t Come From the Store

Thoughts

1. "We all enjoy giving and receiving presents. But there is a difference between presents and gifts. The true gifts may be part of ourselves—giving of the riches of the heart and mind—and therefore more enduring and of far greater worth than presents bought at the store.

"Of course, among the greatest of gifts is the gift of love....

"Some, like Ebenezer Scrooge in Dickens's A Christmas Carol, have a hard time loving anyone, even themselves, because of their selfishness. Love seeks to give rather than to get. Charity towards and compassion for others is a way to overcome too much self-love" (James E. Faust, "

A Christmas with No Presents," Ensign, Dec 2001, 2–6).

2. "The spirit of giving gifts has been present in the mind of each Christian as he or she commemorates the Christmas season. Our Heavenly Father gave to us His Son, Jesus Christ. That precious Son gave to us His life, the Atonement, and victory over the grave.

"What will you and I give for Christmas this year? Let us in our lives give to our Lord and Savior the gift of gratitude by living His teachings and following in His footsteps. It was said of Him that He 'went about doing good.' As we do likewise, the Christmas spirit will be ours."

"What Is Christmas?" Ensign, Dec. 1998, 5 Thomas S Monson

　

Opening Song:

“Joy to the World”

Scriptures

Romans 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by ^a

one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but ^a

Christ ^bliveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the ^cfaith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

 

Lesson:

Read The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss:

Reread the following from the book:

Three thousand feet up! Up the side of Mt. Crumpit,

He rode with his load to the tiptop to dump it!

“Pooh-Pooh to the Whos!” he was grinch-ish-ly humming.

“They’re finding out now that no Christmas is coming!

“They’re just waking up! I know just what they’ll do!

“Their mouths will hang open a minute or two

“Then the Whos down in Who-ville will all cry Boo-Hoo!

“That’s a noise, “grinned the Grinch,

“That I simply MUST hear!”

So he paused. And the Grinch put his hand to his ear.

And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.

It started in low. Then it started to grow …

But the sound wasn’t sad!

Why, this sound sounded merry!

It couldn’t be so!

But it WAS merry! VERY!

He stared down at Who-ville!

The Grinch popped his eyes!

Then he shook!

What he saw was a shocking surprise!

Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small,

Was singing! Without any presents at all!

He HADN‘T stopped Christmas from coming!

IT CAME!

Somehow or other, it came just the same!

And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,

Stood puzzling and puzzling: “How could it be so?”

“It came without ribbons! It came without tags!

“It came without packages, boxes or bags!”

And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before!

“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.

Maybe Christmas … perhaps … means a little bit more!”

(Dr. Suess, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, New York: Random House, 1957.)

 

“If the true spirit of Christmas doesn’t come from a store, where can we

find it?”

There is a difference between presents and gifts. True gifts may be part of ourselves, coming from the riches of the heart and mind.

Our Heavenly Father can give us so many wonderful gifts—the gift of peace, the gift of love, the gift of service, the gift of self, the gift of faith. Above all, He has given us the gift of His Son.

 

Story:

Charlotte McEwan, “The Secret Giver,” Friend, Dec 2008, 4–6

(Based on a true story)

God loveth a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).

I love everything about Christmas: the lights, carols, time with family—everything we do to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Oh, and I especially love getting presents. I start making my Christmas wish list in September.

One year my list was about as long as my arm. And I kept thinking of things to add to it. I was excited to show it to my dad. “Well, David, I see what you want to get for Christmas,” he said as he looked it over. “But what are you going to give?”

“I’m making gifts for you and Mom at school. On Friday Mom is taking me shopping for Shannon’s and Jon’s gifts. So I’ve got it all planned out.”

“Hmmm,” was all Dad said. For some reason he didn’t like my answer. I didn’t like the sound of “hmmm.”

The next family home evening, my parents discussed the idea of giving and getting and the true meaning of Christmas. I could see my wish list getting shorter by the minute. They asked us if we had any ideas to help us remember to be more giving. Shannon waved her hand excitedly. My older brother, Jon, and I groaned. With Shannon, ideas usually involved doing things for other people, like weeding our neighbors’ gardens.

“Let’s choose some people who are lonely or in need and anonymously leave presents on their doorsteps,” Shannon said with excitement.

“Not a bad idea,” Jon said. “It would be top secret.”

“This might actually be fun,” I thought.

We all agreed that it would be a great plan. We chose two families. One was the Swenson family in our ward. Since Brother Swenson had gone back to school, they never seemed to have enough money. They had lots of kids too, who would love getting Christmas surprises. The other family was Mr. and Mrs. Perez, an older couple who lived down the street. They always seemed a little lonely.

We all went shopping for the gifts. We agreed to buy them using some of the money we would have used for our own presents. That was fine with me. I was having way too much fun choosing toys for the younger Swenson boys. Somehow my stuff wasn’t that important anymore.

We decided to give one gift a night to each family starting 12 days before Christmas. When the first night came, I dressed in black from head to toe, and Jon drove me over to the Swensons’ house. I quietly put the first gift on the porch, rang the doorbell, and ran away as fast as I could. I jumped behind a fence just as one of the kids opened the door. I could hear their surprised voices as they discovered the present. I felt like I would explode with excitement and joy. My life as a Secret Giver had begun.

Things only got better—and harder. We had to go at different times every night and sometimes even in the morning because the Swenson kids started looking out the window to try to catch us. And every time I crept up to the Perez’s doorstep, I imagined Mrs. Perez waiting there, ready to fling the door open, give me a hug, and tell me how wonderful I was. I definitely had to avoid that. Keeping a secret was half the fun.

Well, that year was only the beginning. The Christmas after that, we chose a family whose daughter had been in the hospital 11 times that year and another family whose mom had cancer. Wow—I didn’t realize that some people had it so tough.

Now that Christmas is here again, we’ve decided to help three families. The hardest part is choosing them. There seem to be so many people who could use a little Christmas cheer.

As for my own list? Each year it has gotten a little shorter. I’m so busy making my Secret Giver plans that I don’t have much time to think about myself. There are gifts to choose and strategies to plan.

One thing is certain—it’s great doing things for others. Nothing beats the feeling I get when I see the surprise and excitement on the faces of the people we help. Giving has become one of my favorite things about Christmas.

Activity

A couple of years ago I found the following idea in the Ensign and just loved it. I love how it celebrates the real meaning of Christmas a little each day. We didn’t do it last year and I really missed it! We are starting our count down to Christmas on Dec. 1^st instead of doing the 12 days. I plan on introducing our advent boxes for our activity so that we can start on the 1^st.

“I love advent calendars and watching the anticipation of my children as we count down the days until Christmas. I wanted the focus of our countdown to be more spiritual, though. I came up with the idea of wrapping inexpensive treats, one for each of the 12 days before Christmas. I labeled each one with a scripture reference describing a gift Heavenly Father has given us.

Every night for family scripture time, we have a child select one of these wrapped presents. We read the scripture references on the package and bear our testimonies of that gift in our lives. The 12 gifts I chose the first year were the Creation, agency, prayer, opposition, charity, scriptures and revelation, prophets, the Holy Ghost, eternal life and exaltation, the Resurrection, families, and Christ’s Atonement. After family prayer, our children open the present and share the treat inside.

The excitement of counting down the days until Christmas is still there, but it is tempered by reverence and appreciation for the great gifts we have already received from a loving Heavenly Father. Each year we select different gifts to focus on, but always we end on Christmas Eve with the gift of our Savior’s life and Atonement.“

If you need some ideas about what to put inside the boxes here are some Daily Christmas Devotions from Sugardoodle.

Closing Song:

"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"

 

Treat:

Tasty Table Lights from Bright Ideas

click here for the recipe

[FHE + a Treat]

 

Theme:  Patriotism

 

Thoughts:

 

 

“The Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard; it is founded in the wisdom of Heavenly Father. It is a heavenly banner.”   -Joseph Smith

“Patriotism is more than flag-waving and fireworks… Patriotism is trying always to give more to the Nation than we receive. It is selfless service” (Ezra Taft Benson, The Red Carpet [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1962], p. 96).

 

Patriotism should be sought for and will be found in right living. No man can be a good Latter-day Saint and not be true to the best interests and general welfare of his country. Joseph Smith

 

Every Latter-day Saint should sustain, honor, and obey the constitutional law of the land in which he lives.

President Spencer W. Kimball

 

All regularly organized and well established governments have certain laws by which … the innocent are protected and the guilty punished. … The law of man promises safety in temporal life; but the law of God promises that life which is eternal. —Joseph Smith

 

Scriptures:

 

“Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them.” (2 Ne. 1:7.)

 

We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.  Article of Faith 12

 

We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man.” Doctrine and Covenants 134:1

 

“We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside.” (D&C 134:1, 5.)

 

Opening Song:

 

 “Battle Hymn of the Republic” - #60

 

Lesson: 

 

 

What is Patriotism? (Pride in or devotion to the country you live in or are a citizen of.)

 

Write the following questions on the back of stars cut out of construction paper.  Allow each person to choose one star, read it and then try to answer or give an example.  This can lead to teaching moments and great discussions with the help of parents.

·          Are you being patriotic when you obey the laws of the land? (Yes.)

·          Are you being obedient to Heavenly Father when you obey the laws of the land? (Yes.)

·          Does being involved in your community show patriotism? (Yes.)

·          What can we do as a family to show our patriotism and become involved in our community? (Discuss ideas.)

 

Story:

(sorry for the length, but it was just such a good story)

 

When Scott woke up in his grandfather’s den, he recognized the creaking noise even before he opened his eyes: Grandpa Max was hoisting his flag up the wooden flagpole in the front yard.

 

Today was the Fourth of July, but that wasn’t the reason that Grandpa Max was putting up the flag. He had hoisted “the old Stars and Stripes,” as he called it, to the top of that pole 365 days a year for as long as Scott could remember.

 

Two minutes later Grandpa was standing at the bottom of the stairs, hollering the familiar words, “Hey, buddy boy, get yourself down here. You’re on spud-peeling detail in five minutes.”

 

Scott groaned and rolled over. In a few hours about thirty-five relatives would spill onto the front yard for the big picnic that Grandpa Max hosted every year. This was Scott’s year to be cohost. His older cousin Jeff, who had held that title the year before, had told Scott that “cohost” translated into “free help,” and Scott believed it. His body ached from hours of washing windows, mowing the lawn, and carrying tables yesterday. And Grandpa evidently had much more in store for this morning.

 

 

“Well, it’s about time!” Grandpa Max grinned at Scott while sliding three slices of golden French toast onto a plate and passing the maple syrup to his grandson.

 

 

“I heard you out there with the flag, Grandpa,” Scott said between bites. “I guess it’s just another day for you.”

 

 

“Ooooh no, no, buddy boy. I wouldn’t say that. I wouldn’t ever say that.”

 

 

“Well, you do put the flag up every day. Why is that, Grandpa?”

 

 

Grandpa Max didn’t answer immediately. Instead he stood up and grabbed a ten-pound bag of potatoes off the counter. “Tell you what, Scott. You peel these; I’ll quarter ’em. You listen; I’ll explain.”

 

 

Scott shoveled in the rest of his breakfast and silently picked up the vegetable peeler. He knew that tone of voice, and it meant “Listen up.”

 

 

“First,” Grandpa began, “you have to imagine the place that I call ‘the old country,’ the place where I was born. My village wasn’t a town as you know it, but a small cluster of cottages and shops built along seldom-traveled dirt roads. Everywhere there were poor, shabbily dressed people. Why, they would’ve thought that I was a king if they could have seen me dressed like this.” And he snapped the strap of his bib overalls for emphasis.

“And speaking of kings, the leader of the old country taxed and imprisoned the people unfairly, sometimes forcing them to join his private army. Because of this, many people began to talk against him. They gathered at secret meetings where they talked of ways to overthrow him. The ruler knew that they hated him, so periodically he sent his soldiers throughout the country to show his strength and to question the people, hoping to discover his enemies.

 

 

“In my village every family, no matter how poor, had a flag because a flag was considered protection against the soldiers. If a house had a flag hanging from it, it was not as likely to be searched.

“I have a picture in my mind,” Grandpa Max continued, “of my last day in the old country. I was only four years old, but it was a day that I will never forget. My parents had been packing all night, loading our wagon with all our possessions. We were going to make our escape early in the morning.

 

 

“The next morning, of all days, the king’s soldiers rode into town to make one of their searches. Our closest neighbor came to warn us.

 

 

“Mother had us take off our traveling clothes and put on our everyday work clothes so that we wouldn’t look suspicious. Father pulled the wagon around to the back of the house and hid it in the trees. “Suddenly Mother remembered the flag. Nearly everything inside our small home had been packed into the wagon, and though we searched frantically, we couldn’t find the flag.

 

 

“I remember that that’s when I began to cry. Far down the road I could see all our neighbors’ houses draped with the hated flags. Hurriedly my father dumped a bundle of linens on the ground. Rummaging through it, he found the flag. He raced around to the front of the house and hung it up. That picture of my father hanging the flag is my last memory of the old country.”

 

 

Grandpa Max smiled at Scott. “A few months later I was living a very different life. My family had come to America to New York City.  We lived in an apartment building with more apartment buildings on both sides of us. On the bottom floor of most of the buildings were shops of all kinds. The street outside was always a busy place, filled with peddlers selling their wares, children playing noisily, and people doing their marketing. Women leaned out their windows and carried on loud conversations with each other.

“One hot, sticky morning I woke up to an unusual quiet. I knew that it was not the weekend, but the street was nearly empty. I heard no peddlers’ cries, no shouting or bargaining as on every other morning. The only sounds were those of a few children playing.

 

 

“As usual, I hurried through breakfast, anxious to go downstairs and join my friends. But when I bolted out the front door of our apartment building, I immediately stiffened, and my heart started to pound violently. I wanted to scream, but I couldn’t open my mouth. I wanted to run back inside, but my feet wouldn’t move.

 

 

“Attached to every shop front, hanging from dozens of windows, stuck into window boxes, and tacked onto mailboxes were hundreds of flags. I stood trembling with fear, waiting for the soldiers to appear and search our homes.

 

 

“Laughing and chattering, several children asked me to join in a game, and I numbly followed along. Soon men and women joined the children outside. They sat on the steps of their apartment buildings, talking and joking.

 

Aren’t any of the men going to work? I kept asking myself. Why is everyone so happy? I thought that perhaps they were all just pretending, trying to keep each other cheerful.

 

 

“All day long I felt as if I were in a nightmare. By afternoon I was too miserable to even join my friends in their games. I just sat on the curb and watched and waited. At suppertime the men set up long tables on the sidewalk, and the women covered them with tablecloths and began bringing platters and bowls of food to be shared by everyone. I couldn’t eat anything at all.

 

 

“Just before dark, Mother took me up to bed. While she was tucking me in, she told me that she was going back outside and that I could call her if I needed anything. I started to cry.

 

 

“ ‘No,’ I yelled, ‘you can’t leave me here alone!’ All day I had tried to be brave, but finally I just broke down and sobbed.

 

 

“My father raced up the stairs. ‘I heard you crying clear downstairs. Why are you sad after this wonderful day?’ he asked.

 

 

“ ‘How can you say it’s a wonderful day,’ I cried. ‘How can you pretend, when the soldiers will be here any minute?’

 

 

“ ‘Soldiers?’ he asked. ‘What soldiers?’

 

 

“ ‘The soldiers everybody put their flags up for,’ I sobbed. ‘They’ll be here soon, and we don’t even have a flag!’

 

 

“ ‘Oh, my poor frightened boy,’ my father said softly. He sat me on his lap. ‘First of all,’ he explained, ‘there are no soldiers coming to search our home today or any other day.’

 

 

“I stopped crying and looked up at him. Then he told me the story of America’s birthday and explained that all the flags were for the celebration.

“I went back outside with my parents and watched the fireworks to end the big birthday party and thought and thought about what my father had told me, trying to understand it all.

 

 

“I did understand one thing, though. My father said, ‘Someday we will be able to buy a flag, and I will be very proud to fly that flag. In fact, I will be so proud that when I am an American citizen, I will want to fly it every single day. And I hope you will, too, Max.’ ”

 

 

The potatoes were all peeled, quartered, and ready to boil, and Scott was still listening intently to his grandfather. “How come you never told me that story before, Grandpa?”

 

 

“Well, buddy boy, you never asked me before.”

 

 

“I think you should tell everyone today at the picnic, Grandpa,” I told him.

 

 

“Maybe I will, buddy boy. Maybe I will.”

 

 Activity:

 

As a teacher, my students each had the opportunity to write a letter to the President of the United States every year.  It was precious to see what they wrote about and the concerns they had to discuss with the President (most of which you could tell had been discussed at home).  The “President” always responded to the letters.  For our family home evening activity this week, we wanted to write a letter to our current President expressing our gratitude for the time he puts into the country and also address any concerns we as a family had.  Another idea would be to write a letter to a government official, expressing gratitude or concerns.

You can write to the President:

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

Please include your e-mail address

For more information go here

http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/

 

Closing Song:

 

America the Beautiful - #338

 

 

Treat:

 

 

4th of July Fabulous Flag Treat (image and recipe found here)

What you’ll need:

·          Crispy rice treats

·          Airheads® Cherry bars

·          Airheads® White Mystery bars

·          Airheads® Blue Raspberry bars

·          Small kitchen knife or scissors

·          Small star-shaped cookie cutter (optional)

Directions

·          Cut crispy rice treats into rectangles

·          Cut part of an Airheads® Blue Raspberry bar to make the upper blue corner of the flag.

·          Cut alternating strips of Airheads® Cherry and White Mystery to make the flag’s stripes. Arrange pieces on crispy rice treat. Trim to fit.

·          Using either a star-shaped cookie cutter, or by hand, cut out a star shape from an Airheads® White Mystery bar. Place star on the blue square.

 

 

Sources:  lds.org, ldsfamilyfun.com, www.whitehouse.gov

[FHE + a Treat]

 

 

 

Theme:  Armor of God

 

Thoughts:

It is my prayer that we will all put on the whole armor of God, that we will work at maintaining that armor through good choices, faith, prayer, study, service, and relying on the Spirit. I pray that each of us will come to truthfully know ourselves and our potential in the Lord's sight, and that through that insight we will find joy, peace, and success in our lives. -LaVell Edwards

 

I like to think of this spiritual armor not as a solid piece of metal molded to fit the body but more like chain mail. Chain mail consists of dozens of tiny pieces of steel fastened together to allow the user greater flexibility without losing protection. I say that because it has been my experience that there is not one great and grand thing we can do to arm ourselves spiritually. True spiritual power lies in numerous smaller acts woven together in a fabric of spiritual fortification that protects and shields from all evil. –M Russell Ballard

 Scriptures: Ephesians 6: 11-18 D&C 27: 15-18 

 

Opening Song:

 

“We'll Bring the World His Truth (Army of Helaman)” (Children’s Songbook, p. 174)

 

Object Lesson:

 

By putting on the whole armor of God, you can be protected. You are more able to live in the world but not of the world.

Put water in a deep bowl and tell the children to pretend that the bowl full of water is the world. Ask the children give examples of sin in the world (smoking, swearing, not telling the truth, etc.) As they are giving examples, shake pepper into the glass of water. Talk about the advice given by prophets to be in the world but not of the world. Take your index finger and put it in the water. Let the children see that it is VERY hard to not get pepper on your finger (the pepper will stick to your finger) which can happen to us if we go out into the world without the help of Heavenly Father.  Then wipe off your finger and talk about the armor of God. The armor of God can protect you from the world if you put on the "whole armor of God" (D&C 27:15; Eph 6:11) Rub your finger in the bag with the dish soap . Then place your "protected" finger in the glass. (all of the pepper is repelled from your finger and none sticks to it when you pull it out).  Explain to the children that the soap or sandwich bag will protect you finger from getting pepper on it just like armor of God will protect us. Discuss things we can do to put on the armor of God.

 

Lesson: 

 

In the scriptures when people were going to battle what did they wear? (Armor)

The Armor of God,” NewEra, Jan 2009, 22–23

In the scriptures we learn that we are engaged in a battle against evil and that we must protect ourselves if we are to be victorious (see Ephesians 6:11–17; D&C 27:15–18). They speak of the “armour of God,” which will help us “stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Here are some of the ways this armor protects us, as well as some ways we can secure it.

Whole armor

“Examine your armor. Is there an unguarded or unprotected place? Determine now to add whatever part is missing. … Through the great principle of repentance you can turn your life about and begin now clothing yourself with the armor of God through study, prayer, and a determination to serve God and keep his commandments.”

President N. Eldon Tanner (1898–1982), First Counselor in the First Presidency, “‘Put on the Whole Armor of God,’” Ensign, May 1979, 46.

Breastplate of righteousness

We should wear the “breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14; D&C 27:16). A breastplate protects vital organs such as the heart and lungs. Our righteousness, both in thought and deed, protects the core of our spiritual lives.

Sword

We should wield the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17; see D&C 27:18). A sword is a weapon used to strike at the enemy. The word of God is “sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12), and the power of the Spirit can “carry [the truth] unto the hearts of the children of men” (2 Nephi 33:1), help people to “know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5), and even “thrash the nations” through the preaching of the gospel (D&C 35:13). With our testimony and the power and peace of God’s Spirit, we can strike against and conquer the enemy of all righteousness.

Feet shod

We should have our “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15; D&C 27:16). Shod means wearing shoes. “Your feet … represent your goals or objectives in life. … Preparedness is the way to victory, and ‘eternal vigilance is the price of safety.’ … The tide of victory rests with him who is prepared” (President Harold B. Lee [1899–1973], “Message from the First Presidency,” Ensign, Jan. 1971, 2).

Helmet

We should put on the “helmet of salvation” (Ephesians 6:17; D&C 27:18). Focusing our minds on Christ and His salvation will protect us from unworthy thoughts, keep our “eye single to the glory of God” (D&C 4:5), and guide us in our decisions.

Shield of faith

We should pick up the “shield of faith, wherewith [we] shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16; D&C 27:17). A shield is the most versatile and effective means of defense in battle. Our faith, if it is built upon Christ and His gospel, can defend us against the adversary’s numerous onslaughts, just as a shield, if it is made of the right material, will withstand volleys of fiery darts.

“In the Church we can teach about the materials from which a shield of faith is made: reverence, courage, chastity, repentance, forgiveness, compassion. In church we can learn how to assemble and fit them together. But the actual making of and fitting on of the shield of faith belongs in the family circle. Otherwise it may loosen and come off in a crisis.”

President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Shield of Faith,” Ensign, May 1995, 8.

Gird your loins

We should have our “loins girt about with truth” (Ephesians 6:14; D&C 27:16). Loins means the area between the hips and abdomen. Girt means tied around firmly with a belt. Generally, to “gird your loins” means to prepare for action. We prepare ourselves to take action in the battle against evil by learning the truth through prayer and scripture study (see Alma 17:2–3; D&C 11:21; D&C 84:85).

Story:

We have all seen pictures of Moroni dressed in his armor including the breastplate and helmet. It is a little like a football player dressed in full uniform with all the required pads, shoes, and helmet. They are both dressed for protection from their adversaries. The football player has to withstand the blocks, tackles, and other hits he will take while practicing or playing a game. The Lord has offered us protective armor to use in our battles.

The scripture continues: "And take the helmet of salvation." Can you imagine how it would be to play a game of football without a helmet? It is the same as trying to live in this world of turmoil without the plan of salvation. Our understanding of this plan gives meaning to our lives, a knowledge of why we are here, and hope for where we can be in the next life. The promise of exaltation and eternal families gives us a constant goal to strive for--thus protecting us from and helping us to avoid much of the evil that is out there in the world.

One of the most famous runs that Steve Young made with the 49ers was in the game where he lost his helmet. Did he stop to pick it up? No, he kept running down field full bore, leaving himself open to serious injury. Steve had a couple of little chinks in his football armor. One, he didn't appreciate the wisdom of the slide, often playing like a blocker--taking on linebackers and trying to flatten them. And sometimes--actually a lot of times--his shield, his pocket, was shattered, and he was flattened by a 300-pound lineman. Fortunately Steve had good people around him to help him back up, to help him replace his chinks, to help him evaluate and repair his body, and to help him make wise decisions--like that of retiring. We all need our stripling warriors--family, friends, and leaders who have high values, who are loyal and fearless in their righteous desires, who know truth, and who have immense faith. I hope we can all be stripling warriors for others as they discover the cracks in their armor.

When we take upon ourselves the whole armor of God, it is much like the football player going into the game with all of his protective gear on. It gives him self-confidence and a freedom to play to his full ability. Take off his helmet or his pads, and he will become tentative in his playing and will render himself ineffective.

The struggle to find ourselves is very real, and that is why God has given us this armor: that we might recognize truth and understand ourselves, that we might have faith because of the gift of salvation, that we might attain righteousness to help us overcome the evils of life. If we don't use this armor we've been given, we will, like the football player, become tentative in our choices and decisions and leave ourselves open to the adversary. LaVell Edwards, retired BYU head football coach, gave this devotional address at Brigham Young University on 10 April 2001.

Activity:

 

Have the children cut out their own armor

 

 

OR

 

 

Make these bookmarks

Closing Song:  Nephi’s Courage CS pg 120

 

 

Treat:

 

“pretzel swords”

 

I’m sorry I don’t know where the picture is from:(

Ingredients:

2 cups milk chocolate or white chocolate candy melts

sprinkles, m&m’s, peanuts or other topping of choice

20 pretzel rods

 

Preparation:

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.

Place candy melts or white chocolate chips in a double boiler. Heat over low heat until melted (or follow microwave directions on bag).

Spread sprinkles and other toppings in even layers on separate shallow plates.

Dip pretzel rods into melted chocolate, using a spoon to coat the rods well (about half way up the pretzel).

Press gently into the toppings or combination of toppings

Place pretzel rods on prepared baking sheet. Let harden for 20-30 minutes or until hard.

 

Sources:  Scriptures, LDS Org., Mormon Share, Sugar Doodle,

[FHE + a Treat]

 

Theme:  Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy

 

 

Thoughts:

 

“A world without a Sabbath would be like a man without a smile, like a summer

without flowers, and like a homestead without a garden. It is the joyous day of

the whole week.” (Henry Ward Beecher)

 

“Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week.” (Henry W. Longfellow)

 

Keeping the Sabbath day holy is much more than just physical rest. It involves spiritual renewal and worship. . . . This need for physical, mental, and spiritual regeneration is met in large measure by faithful observance of the Sabbath day. (James E. Faust, "The Lord's Day," Ensign, Nov. 1991, 33)

 

“There is no need for people to shop and desecrate the Sabbath day by buying groceries.  That is not the time to buy groceries.  You have six days of the week and you all have a refrigerator.  You do not have to shop on Sunday.  Do not buy furniture on Sunday, buy it the other days of the week.  You will not lose anything if you do your shopping the other days and do not do it on Sunday.  Let this day be a day of meditation, of reading the scripture, of talking with your families, and of dwelling on the things of God.  If you do so you will be blessed.” --Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, Jordan Utah South Regional Conference, March 2, 1997.

 

"Over a lifetime of observation, I have noticed that the farmer who observes the Sabbath day seems to get more done on his farm than he would if he worked seven days.  The mechanic will be able to turn out more and better products in six days than in seven.  The doctor, the lawyer, the dentist, or the scientist will accomplish more by trying to rest on the Sabbath than if he tries to utilize every day of the week for his professional work.  I would counsel all students, if they can, to arrange their schedules so that they do not study on the Sabbath.  If students and other seekers after truth will do this, their minds will be quickened and the infinite Spirit will lead them to the verities they wish to learn.  This is because God has hallowed his day and blessed it as a perpetual covenant of faithfulness." –James E Faust

 

Scriptures:

 

 

“And there was one day in every week that was set apart that they should gather

Themselves together to teach the people, and to worship the Lord their God, and

Also, as often as it was in their power, to assemble themselves together.”

(Mosiah 18:25)

 

But remember that on this, the Lord's day, thou shalt offer thine oblations and they sacraments unto the Most High, confessing thy sins unto thy brethren, and before the Lord. (Doctrine and Covenants 59:12)

 

 

Opening Song:

 

"The Chapel Doors" Children's Songbook, p. 156

 

Object Lesson

 

Tell the children you are making ice cream sundaes.  Put scoops of ice cream into a bowl.  Then explain you need to put on the topping.  Add topping such as chocolate syrup, some sprinkles, whipped cream, etc.  Now add other toppings like ketchup, mustard, bbq sauce and lemon juice.  Ask, “Who would like to eat this ice cream sundae?”  When the children say no one would, ask them why.  Explain to the children that this ice cream sundae represents the Sunday, the Sabbath day.  The yummy toppings like chocolate syrup and whipped cream are good things we can do on Sunday like visiting the sick and writing in your journal.  The other toppings, while not bad things, are not good on a sundae.  Sometimes we do things that aren't appropriate on the Sabbath. Those things can ruin your Sunday. What if you were having people over for dinner and you forgot to buy the hamburger buns for the hamburgers and you had to go to the store to buys some. Toss some coins into the sundae and ask the kids, "Would that ruin your sundae/Sunday?  Explain that when we do things that aren't appropriate on the Sabbath it ruins our Sunday and it isn't a special and spiritual. Finished with a challenge to the kids -- don't ruin your Sunday!

 

 

Lesson: 

 

Emphasize that we attend church to partake of the sacrament and renew our Covenants, to worship our Heavenly Father, and to teach and learn the gospel of Jesus Christ. We attend to feel the spirit, and express our feelings for Heavenly Father and his Son through music, prayer, reverence and praise.  Explain the importance of music. We are asked to participate in singing at Church, to join in with real intent and feeling during the congregational songs that are sung in church meetings.  Discuss the importance of preparing talks that are based upon gospel principles.  Remind family members that everyone can be fed spiritually while listening to the talks of others.  Remind family members of the importance of thinking about the Savior and his sacrifice and Atonement when they partake of the sacrament.  Talk about ways to show reverence in word, in deed, in attitude and in spirit while in the Lord’s house.  Explain that when people are irreverent they take away from the spirit of the meeting for others. Help your family understand that other people in attendance may really want or need to listen to feel the Spirit.  President George Albert Smith said, “… that much of the sorrow and distress that is afflicting and will continue to afflict mankind is traceable to the fact that they have ignored his [God’s] admonition to keep the Sabbath day holy.” (Conference Report, October 1935, p. 120.) In a statement from the First Presidency, we read that “the Sabbath is not just another day on which we merely rest from work, free to spend it as our light-mindedness may suggest. It is a holy day, the Lord’s Day, to be spent as a day of worship and reverence. All matters extraneous thereto should be shunned. … Latter-day Saints, with a testimony of the Gospel and a knowledge of the spiritual blessings that come from keeping the Sabbath, will never permit themselves to make it a shopping day, an activity that has no place in a proper observance of the Holy Day of the Lord, on which we are commanded to pour out our souls in gratitude for the many blessings of health, strength, physical comfort, and spiritual joy which come from the Lord’s bounteous hand.”  (Church News, July 11, 1959, p. 3.)

 

Sometimes we concentrate on things we shouldn't do on Sundays instead of focusing on the things we can and should do. Remembering that the Sabbath is a day set aside for us to do good, to loose people from their bonds, to do the Lord's work, and to draw us closer to God. Split the family into groups and see which group can come up with the most ideas of acceptable things that can be done on the Sabbath. After ten minutes, have each group share their ideas.

 

After each group has shared their ideas, you may desire to share some of the following ideas that other families have come up with.

 

1. Read scriptures, Church magazines, and other uplifting books.

2. Sing Church music.

3. Look at family pictures, slides, or videos.

4. Plan family night activities.

5. Take gifts to or spend time with those who are sick.

6. Prepare Church lessons and fulfill other Church assignments.

7. Write in one's journal or write personal history.

8. Write to or visit relatives and friends.

9. Write to missionaries.

10. Have family home evening or a gospel discussion.

11. Read with children.

12. Compile family history.

13. Visit the sick, the elderly, and the lonely.

14. Hold interviews with family members.

15. Attend Church meetings.

16. Give father's blessings.

17. Do home or visiting teaching.

18. Visit the temple grounds.

19. Tell inspirational stories.

20. Play quiet, uplifting games as a family.

(Max H. Molgard and Allan K. Burgess, The Best of Fun for Family Night, [ Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003]. P. 63.)

Story:

 

The Greatest Privilege (Marilyn McMeen Miller)

 

When I was a child in Junior Sunday School, I was not much concerned about keeping the Sabbath day holy or about taking on many of the responsibilities my family had accepted when we became members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I liked going with my parents to be sealed in the temple, and I liked Primary.

 

But I didn't like the long meetings and having to give talks and to fast and pay tithing.

At the time my baby brother was born, we lived in a non-Mormon community near downtown Denver Colorado.. Our three-story, middle-class brick home was in an unusual spot, not far from two extreme levels of society--the slums to the north and the mansions of the wealthy across the park.

I was so eager to make friends with the wealthy children who lived in those beautiful homes across the park that I couldn't think of anything else. When a little girl from one of those homes invited me to come over one Sunday so her parents could take us to their ranch to ride horses, I was wild with excitement. I didn't even think about missing Sunday School. How disappointed I was when my mother reminded me that I had promised to give the sacrament gem in Junior Sunday School that morning!

 

 

Why did I have to go to church? Why did I have to give the sacrament gem? Why didn't any of my other friends have to go to church or pay tithing or fast or give talks? Before we were members of the Church we could do as we pleased. I resented the restrictions placed upon me now.

My mother was wise and kind. She said briefly, "You don't want to miss church. It is one of the greatest privileges you have."

I did not see it that way. But when I called my friend, she said they would be going to the ranch on Sunday afternoons for a while. If I was free, I should drop over some other Sunday.

 

During the next week my baby brother was born, and my mother became gravely ill. She lay in the hospital near death for a number of days.

 

In the evenings we three girls would play out on the porch in the gathering twilight, walking the railing and listening to the sounds of the hundreds of cars pounding and spinning their tires over the pavement, waiting for my father to come home. When he arrived, his face was always drawn and worn. Each time we listened breathlessly to his reports of Mother's condition. It was always the same--critical.

 

The next Sunday afternoon arrived. Hesitantly I dressed in my boots and jeans and looked out toward the park from my window for Father's return from the hospital. Finally I saw him walk slowly across the lawn to the house.

 

"How's Mama?" we whispered, afraid to ask.

 

My father did not speak for a moment. "If Heavenly Father takes her," he finally reasoned slowly, "we must have faith that it is the right decision."

 

"Will Mama go away for good?" my sister asked.

 

My father took my sister in his arms and said, "Your mama will never go away for good. That is why we are so fortunate in being Latter-day Saints. We were sealed as a family in the temple, and that means Mother will always be with us. She may go to visit Heavenly Father for a while, but all of us will always be together." I could see tears glistening in his eyes. "We are so blessed by Heavenly Father and by the privilege of belonging to his church."

At that moment I remembered my mother's smiling eyes and her gentle smile. Then I seemed to hear her words. "You don't want to miss church. It is one of the greatest privileges you have."

I raced upstairs and got out of my boots and jeans and into my Sunday clothes.

 

That evening as I took the sacrament, I said a silent prayer of thanks to my Heavenly Father that I was there, that I had the privilege of taking the sacrament, that I had the privilege of being a Latter-day Saint so I could always stay with my family.

 

I never prayed so hard in my life as I did that week. Night after night beside my narrow bed I talked to my Heavenly Father and promised him that I would go to sacrament meeting and pay my tithing. I promised him that I would try to be a good Latter-day Saint if only he would let my mother live.

 

We were blessed, and my mother's life was spared. But I was doubly blessed, for I also learned how fortunate I was to be a Latter-day Saint and to have the privilege of going to church. (Leon R. Hartshorn, Remarkable Stories from the Lives of Latter-day Saint Women, vol. 2)

 

Activity

 

 

1.  Make a Sunday Can – a can full of ideas of things you 'can' do on Sunday.
2. Gather items mentioned in the song, "Saturday". Items may include nail clippers, nail file or emery board, shampoo, soap, shoe polish, shopping/grocery bag,. . . use your imagination. Place items on a tray and have family members memorize the objects for one minute. One person will take away one object while everyone else has their eyes closed. Then have them open their eyes.  Choose one person to guess which item is missing. Repeat until everyone has had a turn. You could also take turns removing the object. 

Closing Song:

“Saturday” Children's Songbook, p. 196

 

Treat:  Ice Cream “Sundays”

 

Sources:  Scriptures, LDS. Org, Sugardoodle, Deseret Book

[FHE + a Treat]

 

Theme:  Following the Example of Jesus Christ

 

Thoughts:

"To follow Christ is to become more like Him. It is to learn from His character. As spirit children of our Heavenly Father, we do have the potential to incorporate Christlike attributes into our life and character. The Savior invites us to learn His gospel by living His teachings. To follow Him is to apply correct principles and then witness for ourselves the blessings that follow. This process is very complex and very simple at the same time. Ancient and modern prophets described it with three words: 'Keep the commandments'—nothing more, nothing less." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"He lives, the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind, whose Atonement came as an act of grace for the entire world. . . . He has done for us what we could not do for ourselves. He has brought meaning to our mortal existence. He has given us the gift of eternal life. . . . God be thanked for the gift of His Son, the Redeemer of the world, the Savior of mankind, the Prince of Life and Peace, the Holy One." –Gordon B Hinkley

"As we go about our daily lives, we discover countless opportunities to follow the example of the Savior. When our hearts are in tune with His teachings, we discover the unmistakable nearness of His divine help. It is almost as though we are on the Lord's errand; and we then discover that, when we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help." –Thomas S Monson

"[Jesus Christ] is a teacher of truth--but He is more than a teacher. He is the Exemplar of the perfect life--but He is more than an exemplar. He is the Great Physician--but He is more than a physician. He is the literal Savior of the world. . . . I testify to you that He lives and that through Him, we too shall live." –Thomas S Monson

 

 

Scriptures:     John 13:15, 17

 

Opening Song:

 “I’m Trying to be Like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, p. 78)

 

 

Lesson:

 

Start by singing the song “Do As I’m Doing” (CS pg. 276).  Allow everyone to have a chance to be the leader. 

After everyone has had a chance, talk about how when it was not their turn to be the leader, they had to learn how to follow the example of others.  Talk about how Jesus set the perfect example for us to follow.  He loved everyone, was always kind, and he served others willingly. 

Read John 13:15,17.  Jesus Christ wants us to follow his example.  If we do, then we will be happy.

 

 

Story:

Wendi J. Silvano, “The Experiment,” Friend, Jun 1996, 2

Behold I am the light; I have set an example for you (3 Ne. 18:16).

In Primary, Pilar’s teacher, Hermana (Sister) Solana, told them how the prophets have said that we should try to be more like Jesus Christ by being kinder and more forgiving, and by treating others the way He would treat them. She asked the class to pick one day during the week and go through the whole day imagining what the Savior would do if He were there and then do it. They were to report on the results the following week. Today was the day Pilar had chosen to try the experiment.

When she first got up in the morning, she asked Heavenly Father to help her remember the experiment all day long. She was excited to see what difference it would make.

The first chance came as she waited at the corner for the bus that took her to school. When the bus came, everyone pushed and shoved up the steps in order to get a good place to sit or stand. Usually Pilar pushed and shoved along with the rest of the crowd, but today she decided that Jesus would not do that. She waited patiently for all the others to get on. As the bus made other stops, she smiled brightly at each new passenger and made room for him to pass her and move back into the bus. A few of them even smiled back.

When she got to school, she felt a bit sunnier inside than usual. Right away she noticed Juana, a girl whom nobody played with, standing by herself in a corner of the school yard. Thinking of the kindness of Jesus, Pilar went over by Juana and said, “Hola (Hello).”

Juana looked up. “What do you want?”

Pilar felt herself getting angry and wanted to storm away, then remembered that she was trying to act more Christlike. She quietly answered, “I was wondering if you’d like to play with me until class starts. I brought my jump rope.”

Juana’s face lit up. Her eyes sparkled, and she grinned the biggest grin Pilar had ever seen. They played happily until school started, and she noticed that Juana seemed happy all the rest of the day.

When school let out at one o’clock, Pilar walked down the block to her favorite corner stand, where she always bought a fried sweet-potato sandwich to eat while she waited for her bus. As she turned and walked toward the bus stop, she passed an elderly man she often saw. He lived in a cardboard box by the side of the road. She had hardly ever given much thought to him before, but today she reached down and handed him her sandwich.

“Muchas gracias, señorita (Thank you, miss),” he replied as she walked away. Somehow Pilar didn’t feel hungry at all on the way home.

When she got home from school, Mother was washing clothes in the big sink out back. Pilar offered to do the marketing. When she returned, she helped Mother cook chicken and rice for lunch.

After lunch, Pilar took a few mangos to an elderly neighbor lady. She decided to stay and visit, instead of rushing outside to play with her friends. When she got up to leave, Señora Acuña tenderly took her hand and held on tight for just a moment. As Pilar looked into her face and saw the love, tears of joy began to swell within her own eyes. So far, today had brought Pilar more happiness than any day she could remember.

Later that night, however, her happiness turned to anger when she walked into her bedroom and saw her younger brother, Ricardo, accidentally knock her favorite vase to the floor. It broke into hundreds of pieces. She forgot all about the experiment. She screamed at Ricardo, then ran to tell her mother what had happened. Ricardo ran behind her crying, “Lo siento, lo siento (I’m sorry, I’m sorry).” But Pilar was so upset that she didn’t care how many times he said that he was sorry.

Her mother swept up the pieces and took Ricardo to the other room. Pilar sat on the bed, angry and in tears. Up till then, she’d felt so good that day!

Why did this have to happen? she asked herself.

A little while later, Pilar heard a soft knock at her door. “Pasa (Come in),” she mumbled gruffly.

In came Ricardo with a small vase in his hands. Pilar recognized it as the one he had made that year in school. She knew how proud he was of it and how he had planned to save it forever. He gently handed it to her. Her heart began to ache as she realized that forgiving Ricardo was what Jesus would do. She set the vase on her desk, smiled at Ricardo, and said, “Thank you, Ricardo. Let’s go outside and see if we can find some flowers to put in it.”

The next Sunday, when it was her turn to report on the experiment, Pilar recounted the things that had happened. She told Hermana Solana and the class that the thing that surprised her the most was how happy she had been.

That night as she prayed, Pilar promised Heavenly Father that she would try to live more like Jesus every day, just as the prophets have said that we should.

 

Activity:

 

 

Cut out footprint clues out of construction paper.  Make a handy dandy notebook out of a small spiral notebook.  Prepare items needed for clue game.

 

 

Play the following game to discuss different ways to follow Christ:

 

 

Clue Game

This game is played almost exactly like Blue’s Clues.  The only difference is you are trying to figure out what Christ wants you to do to follow Him. 

Instructions:

·         Have one person leave the room.

·         Have another person tape a clue to each item listed.

·         The person in the other room comes back and looks for the clues.

·         As they find the clues, have them draw them in the “Handy Dandy Notebook”.

·         When all three clues have been found, the person has to figure out what Christ wants us to do to follow Him from what they have drawn in their notebook.

Ways to follow Christ’s example:

1.      Pay tithing

-          tithing envelope

-          money

-          tithing slip

                                                2.  Study the Scriptures

-          scriptures

-          comfortable chair

-          lamp (for good lighting)

                                                3.  Share the Gospel

-          scriptures

-          picture of Christ

-          pass-along card

                                                4.  Watch good TV/movies

-          TV

-          quality video/DVD

-          another good video /DVD or anything else that represents good TV      (for example: a Dora the Explorer doll)

                                                5.  Have Family Home Evening

-          Family Home Evening kit or box

-          Picture of your family

-          Monday on a calendar

                                                6.  Keep the Sabbath Day Holy

-          Dress shoes

-          Church video or DVD

-          Scriptures

These are just some ideas.  Change the game to fit the needs of your family.

Have each family member make a goal to do something to follow the example of Jesus Christ this week. Write or draw the goals on the large footprint coloring sheets and hang up as a reminder.

 

Closing Song:

“Jesus Once Was a Little Child” (Children’s Songbook, p. 55)

 

Treat:

 

 

Jam Thumbprint Cookies

Recipe and photograph Food Network and Ina Garten, Barefoot Contessa

 

Ingredients

3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash

7 ounces sweetened flaked coconut

Raspberry and/or apricot jam

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until they are just combined and then add the vanilla. Separately, sift together the flour and salt. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar. Mix until the dough starts to come together. Dump on a floured board and roll together into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.

Roll the dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. (If you have a scale they should each weigh 1 ounce.) Dip each ball into the egg wash and then roll it in coconut. Place the balls on an ungreased cookie sheet and press a light indentation into the top of each with your finger. Drop 1/4 teaspoon of jam into each indentation. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the coconut is a golden brown. Cool and serve.

 

 

 

 

Sources:          Sugardoodle, Family Home Evening Manual, Friend, June 1996

[FHE + a Treat]

 

Theme: Testimonies

 

Thoughts:

 

"Keep the fire of your testimony of the restored gospel and your witness of our Redeemer burning so brightly that our children can warm their hands by the fire of your faith."
--President Boyd K. Packer Ensign, May 2003, 84

 

"You can share your testimony in many ways, by the words you speak, by the example you set, by the manner in which you live your life."
--President Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, May 2005, 115

 

"Simply stated, testimony--real testimony, born of the Spirit and confirmed by the Holy Ghost--changes lives. It changes how you think and what you do. It changes what you say. It affects every priority you set and every choice you make."
--Elder M. Russell Ballard, "Pure Testimony", Ensign, Nov. 2004, 40

 

"We should be patient in developing and strengthening our testimonies. Rather than expecting immediate or spectacular manifestations, though they will come when needed, we should pray for a testimony, study the scriptures, follow the counsel of our prophet and other Church leaders, and live the principles of the gospel. Our testimonies then will grow and mature naturally, perhaps imperceptibly at times, until they become driving forces in our lives."
--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Patience, a Key to Happiness", Ensign, May 1987, 30

 

“Testimony isn't something you have today, and you are going to have always. A testimony is fragile. It is as hard to hold as a moonbeam. It is something you have to recapture every day of your life.”( Church News, July 15, 1972, 4. )

Opening Song:   "Faith” Children’s Songbook, p. 96

 

Lesson: 

 

Testimonies and Eggs

 

 

Brief Description/Purpose:

Feeling different kinds of eggs can help us understand the way our testimonies grow and develop.
 

Objects Used/Preparation:
Jell-O egg
hard boiled egg
soft boiled egg
raw egg
 

Object Lesson:

Show differences in each individual testimony and/or faith by using eggs. Make Jello Jigglers in plastic easter eggs, then also use a raw egg, a soft boiled egg, and a hard boiled egg. Each of the 4 eggs is placed in separate zip-lock bags. Have the children feel the eggs and test the firmness of each one.

Make the point that all of our testimonies can sometimes be concealed within an outer shell, and they still need work. The favorite is always the Jell-O egg. It is a great example of testimony or faith that is based on the continuous changes in life. It is solid. It is firm. It retains its shape and identity. Yet it gives a bit and adjusts to changes around it, which may include guidance from a parent, teacher, or church authority; experiences with others; revelation; inspiration; etc.

Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4746/lessons4.html 

Story:

Gunnar’s Testimony

“Time for family home evening!” Dad called.

Gunnar came running. He loved home evenings. Climbing up on the sofa, he snuggled between Ryan and Mom.

After the opening song and prayer, Dad stood up. “We’re going to have a special home evening,” he said. “Tonight we are going to have a testimony meeting.”

Testimony? Gunnar couldn’t remember his Primary teacher ever talking about a testimony in nursery. “What’s a testimony, Daddy?” he asked.

Dad smiled at Gunnar. “A testimony is what you believe about Heavenly Father and Jesus and the Church. It’s what you feel inside about them,” Dad said. “And you want to share your testimony because it means so much to you.”

“Oh.”

Then Dad said, “I have a testimony that Jesus Christ lives. And He loves each one of us.”

Emily was next. “I know that the Book of Mormon is true.”

“I’m glad that we have prophets,” said Ryan. “I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet.”

Mom said, “I’m grateful that your father and I were married in the temple, so we can be a family forever.” She reached into her pocket for a tissue to wipe her eyes.

Everyone in the family had shared a testimony except Gunnar.

A testimony is something I believe. Something I feel inside, Gunnar thought. Now he knew what he could say. He scooted off the sofa, stood straight and tall, and said, “I am a child of God.” Then he sat down. Mom gave him a little squeeze, and she had to get out that tissue again.

Gunnar had a happy feeling inside.

Source:  Marianne Wilson McKnight, “Gunnar’s Testimony,” Friend, May 2000, 30  (Based on a true story)

Activity:

 

Print out this door hanger and let the kids cut it out and put it on their door.

Closing Song:  "The Wise Man and the Foolish Man ” Children’s Songbook, p. 281

Treat:

 

 

Put Oreo's in a bag with a cute bow and had a note that said, "A testimony is the good stuff that holds everything together!"

[FHE + a Treat]

 

 

 

Theme:  My Eternal Family

 

Thoughts:

 

“With the Lord, families are essential. … He provides temples so that families can be together forever.”
Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “ ‘Set in Order Thy House,’ ” Ensign, Nov. 2001, 69.

 

“Thank God for the joys of family life. I have often said there can be no genuine happiness separate and apart from a good home. The sweetest influences and associations of life are there.”  - President Ezra Taft Benson, God, Family, Country: Our Three Great Loyalties [1974], 178

Successful … families are established and maintained on principles of … respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102).

Opening Song:

 

 

 “Families Can Be Together Forever” (Children’s Songbook, p. 300)

 

 

Object Lesson

Give everyone a piece or pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Tell family members that each puzzle piece represents a family responsibility and the various responsibilities are written on the back of each piece. Have one family member try to put the puzzle together by using only their piece or pieces of the puzzle. Explain that even though one person might fulfill their responsibilities the house will not be in order unless others help. Have another family member add their piece or pieces. Explain that even though two members may have fulfilled their responsibilities the house is still not in order. Continue until everyone has had a chance to add their pieces to the puzzle. Explain that everyone needs to work together to fulfill their responsibilities for the house to be in order. It is important that everyone does their share so that one person does not feel over-burdened.

 

 

Lesson: 

 

Before we were born, we lived in a family. There we were loved and taught. As we grew in knowledge and understanding, we wanted to become like our Heavenly Father. We wanted to share in his joys. We wanted a family of our own. Our Heavenly Father also wanted us to be able to have families of our own. He sent us to earth to get our bodies, to test us, and to train us to be parents eternally.

After we come to earth we can begin to develop our own eternal families. If we succeed with our families in this life, we may return with them to our Heavenly Father. Then we will establish our own heavenly homes and be able to continue to have families. This is our Heavenly Father’s plan for us and the highest reward we can receive. He has made it possible for us to return to him, to be with our earthly family, having families forever.

All families are different. Some are big and some are small.  Let family members name some of the things that make them different from other families, such as size, age, background, talent, tradition, or personality.  Discuss some of the things that you like best about your family, and then discuss the things you would like to improve. Talk about your family members’ special gifts and talents. Discuss the goals that you have as a family. Then point out that because you are a family, you can all work together, each person using his gifts and talents, to reach your goals. -Family Home Evening Resource Book

 

Story:

 “Do you have a rope?” the man in the boat called out. The man’s family had been fishing when their boat motor stopped. They had no way of getting to shore. Weldon’s dad steered his boat closer. Weldon’s brothers got a long rope and threw one end to the man. When the rope was securely tied to both boats, Weldon’s dad slowly towed the man’s family and their boat to shore.

Looking at the rope, Weldon asked his mom, “Is our rope strong enough to pull the boat?”

“Look closely at the rope,” Mom replied. Weldon could see the rope was made of lots of individual strands twisted together. “When all the strands work together, the rope is strong—just like our family,” Mom said.

Weldon asked, “What do we do to make our family strong?” Mom said he was strengthening their family each time he answered, “I will!” and happily did his assigned jobs or was kind to his brothers and sister.

What are you doing to make your family strong? Do you show love for each family member? Do you answer, “I will!” when asked to help? An important way to have a happy family is to do things together, whether working in the garden or taking a trip.

You can contribute to the happiness in your home. When asked who will help, you can answer, “I will!”  -Sheila E. Wilson, “Sharing Time: I Will!,” Friend, Sep 2004, 35

Activity

Eternal Family Bingo

 

Closing Song:

“Fun to Do” (Children’s Songbook, p. 253)

Fun to Do Family Activities from Deseret Book:   Cut out the nouns and verbs in the list below. Put the nouns in one sack and verbs in another. Each family member gets a turn picking out a noun and verb. Put the two together and everyone sing and act out "Fun to Do" p. 253 from The Children's Songbook. There will be some crazy combinations, such as "Raking the dinner is fun to do!"

Verbs	Nouns
raking	windows
cooking	bed
cleaning	sink
scrubbing	grass
polishing	clock
weeding	chair
fixing	dinner
making	dishes
mopping	floor
shining	laundry
dusting	bathroom
sorting	clothes
washing	garden
ironing	fence
mowing	table
painting	breakfast
sweeping	toilet

Treat:

 

:
Squeeze Fudge

1 pound powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1/3 cup cocoa
dash of salt

Combine ingredients in a gallon size ziplock bag, release all the air, seal, and squeeze! Knead to a smooth consistency. Chill. Enjoy!

As family members are each taking turns kneading the fudge, discuss how many hands make for lighter work. Sometimes hard "lumps" need the extra attention. It is important that everyone participates and contributes.  – Deseret Book

[FHE + a Treat]

 

 

Theme:  Prayer

 

Thoughts:

 

…”a man never stands taller than when he is upon his knees.”

-President Thomas S Monson, Ensign, Mar. 2009

"Prayer is your personal key to heaven. The lock is on your side of the veil." 

"Do Not Fear," Ensign, May 2004, 77 Boyd k Packer

 

"[Today's children] will see many events transpire in the course of their lifetime. Some of these shall tax their courage and extend their faith. But if they seek prayerfully for help and guidance, they shall be given power over adverse things. Such trials shall not be permitted to stand in the way of their progress, but instead shall act as stepping-stones to greater knowledge."

"Do Not Fear," Ensign, May 2004, 77 Boyd k Packer

  

"With the influences of evil that surround our children, can we even imagine sending them out in the morning without kneeling and humbly asking together for the Lord's protection? Or closing the day without kneeling together and acknowledging our accountability before Him and our thankfulness for His blessings? Brothers and sisters, we need to have family prayer."
--Neil L. Andersen, "Prophets and Spiritual Mole Crickets," Ensign, Nov. 1999, 17

  

Opening Song:

 

A Child's Prayer (Children’s Songbook, p. 12)

 

Lesson:

 

Karen Ashton, “I Can Pray for Others,” Friend, Sept. 2007, 32

 

Heavenly Father hears your prayers. He understands the feelings of love and concern you have for others. When you ask Heavenly Father to bless those who are suffering, remember that He knows best how to answer your prayers. After you read and discuss the following about praying for others, draw someone you would like to pray for on a blank paper and fill in the blank "I can pray for ___________________. "

Jesus said, “Pray always” (D&C 10:5).

I can pray for those who are sick.

I can pray for those who suffer from bad storms or an earthquake.

I can pray for my family.

I can pray for those who are hungry.

I can pray for those who suffer from war.

I can pray for those who are seeking the gospel.

Heavenly Father hears my prayers for others.

 

fun activity for young children:

 

Pat Kelsey Graham, “Prayer Puppets,” Friend, June 1997, 19

To make the puppets, you will need: crayons or colored markers, scissors, 1 glove per child, a pencil, and glue.

 

 

1. Cut out the puppet faces above. 

2. Glue a puppet face at the top of each mitten (see illustration), and let the glue dry.

 

You can use your puppets to give this lesson about prayer:

 

What You Say  Some people talk face to face.	What You Do  Have the puppets bow to each other
And when they can’t talk face to face, They sometimes talk on the telephone.	Move your thumbs to the ears of the puppets.
And when they can’t talk face to face Or talk on the telephone, They sometimes write letters	Have the puppets bow to each other again. Move your thumbs to the puppets’ ears. Move thumbs to imitate writing a letter.
But when we talk to Heavenly Father, We don’t talk face to face, Or on the telephone, Or write letters.	Have the puppets bow to each other. Move your thumbs to the puppets’ ears. Move thumbs to imitate writing a letter.
Instead, we pray. When we pray, we fold our arms And bow our heads.	Cross each thumb to touch the little finger on that same hand. Bow the head of each puppet.

 

 

 

Scriptures:

 

Moroni 7:48   Alma 37:36–37; Also, here is a link for more information about prayer from the Church. 

 

 

Story:

Here are two sweet, short stories that help children understand prayer:

 

 

Alaura Ramsey, “Something Is Outside My Window,” Friend, Sept. 2008, 28–29

 

 

1. One winter night Alaura awoke from a bad dream.

2. She looked out the window that was next to her bed. Something was moving back and forth, scratching the window. She was scared and began to cry.

3. Her dad heard her crying. He came and knelt beside her bed. “I had a bad dream, and there’s something scary scratching my window,” Alaura said.

4. “What you are hearing is only tree branches swaying in the wind,” Dad said. “There is nothing scary.” Alaura was still afraid and couldn’t stop crying.

5. “Heavenly Father is watching over you. Why don’t you say a prayer asking Him for help?” Dad said.

6. Alaura knelt beside her bed and prayed to Heavenly Father. She told Him how frightened she was. Then she asked Him to help her not be afraid anymore.

7. She felt a very calm feeling. Through the power of the Holy Ghost, Heavenly Father had made her feel safe. She knew He was watching over her. Alaura got back in bed. Dad tucked her in, and she went to sleep.

 

Lori Stevens, “Kelly’s Prayer,” Friend, June 1997, 18

 

 

“Daddy,” Kelly said, “Will you help me say a prayer?”

“Of course, I will,” Daddy said. “Do you remember how to start a prayer?”

“Yes,” said Kelly. “ ‘Dear Heavenly Father.’ Is that right?”

“That’s right,” Daddy told her. “Now, what comes next?”

“We thank Him for our blessings.”

“Right again!” Daddy said. “Then what?”

“We ask Him for the things that we need.”

“And how should we end our prayer?” Daddy asked.

“ ‘In the name of Jesus Christ, amen!’ “ Kelly said excitedly. “I remembered all by myself!”

“Yes, you did,” Daddy agreed. “Do you know what things you want to thank Heavenly Father for?”

“I’m thankful for you and Mommy, and Tony and Kimmy, and Grandma and Grandpa. And I’m thankful for my friends to play with.”

“Do you know what you want to ask Heavenly Father for?” Daddy asked.

“To help me to be safe when I’m playing, to be nicer to Tony and Kimmy, to not get angry, and to remember to pick up my toys.”

“I’ll be glad to help you pray, Kelly,” Daddy said, “but it sounds like you can do it all by yourself.”

Kelly smiled at Daddy. “Yes, I can! But will you pray with me, Daddy?”

“I’d be honored to,” he said.

 

Closing Song:

 

I Know My Father Lives (Children’s Songbook, p. 5)

 

Treat:

 

 

 

Magic Bars

 

These are delicious and I can’t believe I haven’t made them since college!!!  What???  So, they are back on the menu for tonight’s FHE treat.

 

Magic Bars

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (my kids love crunching these up!)

1 1/3 cups sweetened shredded coconut

1 cup semisweet (I actually use milk chocolate mmmm!!) chocolate chips

1 cup butterscotch chips

1 - 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk

Here’s the recipe, well, I shouldn't even call it a recipe as it is so little work.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Melt the butter and pour it into the bottom of your pan. Sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs evenly over the butter. Sprinkle the coconut over the crumbs. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the coconut.  Sprinkle the butterscotch over the chocolate chips.  Finally, drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over all the ingredients. Do not mix the ingredients is just about layering and baking six ingredients in a 9 x 9 pan. These are rich, sweet, and sticky, and they are even better tasting after a day or two in the fridge.

[FHE + a Treat]

 

 

Theme:  King Benjamin

 

 

Thoughts:

 

 

"A home is much more than a house built of lumber, brick, or stone. A home is made of love, sacrifice, and respect. We are responsible for the homes we build. We must build wisely, for eternity is not a short voyage. There will be calm and wind, sunlight and shadows, joy and sorrow. But if we really try, our home can be a bit of heaven here on earth. The thoughts we think, the deeds we do, the lives we live not only influence the success of our earthly journey, they also mark the way to our eternal goals."
--President Thomas S. Monson, "Heavenly Homes, Forever Families", World Wide Leadership Training February 2006

 

 

"We can lay down our lives for those we love not by physically dying for them but rather by living for them—giving of our time; always being present in their lives; serving them; being courteous, affectionate, and showing true love for those of our family and to all men—as the Savior taught."
--Elder Claudio R. M. Costa, "Don't Leave for Tomorrow What You Can Do Today", October 2007 General Conference

Opening Song:

 

 “Love One Another” (Hymns, no. 308; or Children’s Songbook, p. 136)

 

 

Lesson: 

With General Conference coming up in a few weeks, I thought it would be fun to talk about King Benjamin and his loving leadership in the Book of Mormon.

 

 

Drag all the blankets, pillows and maybe a broomstick or two from around the house and make a tent like the people who gathered to hear King Benjamin speak just like we do when we listen to General Conference.

 

 

picture by Anthropologie

 

Scriptures:

 

2 Nephi 31:5–12 and Mosiah 2:1–22; 3:2–19; 4:11–16; 5:5–8, 13–15

 

 

With the rest of the family in their ‘tents’, discuss the story of King Benjamin using this flannel board story (to find out how to make your own flannel board, click here) and the scriptures.  Then read the following story while standing on King Benjamin’s tower (a kitchen chair)…come on it’ll be fun:)

 

 

Story:

 

 

King Benjamin’s Words (by Christeen Collins, Friend 2000:

 

“I was very excited when I found out that my friend Hilary was going to stay with our family for eight days while her parents were on a trip. We always have lots of fun playing with dolls, riding bikes, and playing together in the backyard.

One morning when Hilary was staying with us, my mom read us the words of King Benjamin for scripture study. He said that we should “love one another, and … serve one another” (Mosiah 4:15). That afternoon after school, Hilary and I made a plan. We decided to surprise my family by showing them love and service.

We got up early the next morning and set the table for breakfast. Before we jumped back into bed, we laid out our clothes to wear that day and the clothes for my two younger brothers.

When it was Sunday, we emptied the dishwasher, cleared and washed off all the breakfast dishes, and swept the kitchen floor. Then we went straight to my room and got into our Sunday clothes. My mom was afraid that we’d be late for church with an extra person to get ready, but we helped her so much that our family arrived at sacrament meeting ten minutes early!

The last day of Hilary’s stay, she did all my kitchen jobs for me and helped my mom with my little brother, Grant. I secretly packed up her suitcase and gathered together all the things she needed to take home. Then I set the table for dinner, put clean towels in the bathroom, set out everyone’s toothbrushes, and straightened up the family room. I didn’t want to stop! My mom was really happy about everything we had done, and we felt very, very good inside.

Hilary and I decided that showing love and giving service to each other and to our families is just as much fun as riding bikes and playing with dolls.”

 

 

Closing Song:

“I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, p. 78).

 

 

Treat:

 

 

For the treat, gather together pretzel sticks, marshmallows, gum drops and frosting.  Let the kids figure out a way to ‘build’ King Benjamin’s tower by using the marshmallows, gum drops and frosting to hold the tower together….before they eat it:)

 

 

 

FHE + a Treat

 

Gratitude

 

 

Thoughts: 

 

Gratitude is a mark of a noble soul and a refined character. We like to be around those who are grateful. They tend to brighten all around them. They make others feel better about themselves. They tend to be more humble, more joyful, more likable....-Joseph B Wirthlin

 

 

Prayer is an essential part of conveying appreciation to our Heavenly Father. He awaits our expressions of gratefulness each morning and night in sincere, simple prayer from our hearts for our many blessings, gifts, and talents. Through expression of prayerful gratitude and thanksgiving, we show our dependence upon a higher source of wisdom and knowledge—God the Father and his Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (Robert D. Hales, "Gratitude for the Goodness of God," Ensign, May 1992, 63).

 

 

"The Prophet Joseph said at one time that one of the greatest sins of which the Latter-day Saints would be guilty is the sin of ingratitude. I presume most of us have not thought of that as a great sin. There is a great tendency for us in our prayers and in our pleadings with the Lord to ask for additional blessings. But sometimes I feel we need to devote more of our prayers to expressions of gratitude and thanksgiving for blessings already received. We enjoy so much (God, Family, Country, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974, p. 199)" (Ezra Taft Benson, quoted in Henry B. Eyring, "Remembrance and Gratitude," Ensign, Nov. 1989, 12-13).

 

Song:  I Lived in Heaven" (p. 4)

 

Lesson:

Magnificent Promises
Friend, November 2006

Look around you. Look at all of the things that Heavenly Father has given you! You might be sitting on a chair or a couch. The wood that was used for furniture came from trees that Heavenly Father blessed us with. The clothes that you are wearing are made of fibers that Heavenly Father created. Even the food that you eat is a gift from Heavenly Father. But more important than the things that we receive from Heavenly Father are the promises that we receive.

Can you think of some promises that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ make to us? They promise us that we can be with our families forever. They promise us that we can live again after we die. They promise us that because of the Atonement, we can live with Them again and have eternal life. What magnificent promises!

Our loving Father in Heaven has given us wonderful promises. As we keep His commandments, He will bless us.

Display several gift sacks or wrapped boxes. Explain that we receive blessings for being members of the Church because the gospel teaches us how we should live. The gifts represent blessings. On the outside of the gifts, use a label to identify the blessing. Select commandments that the children can keep from the list of "Requirements for Exaltation" on pages 303–4 of Gospel Principles. Inside the gift sack, place a card with a scripture reference that tells Heavenly Father's promise for living that particular commandment. For example, "Tithing" (Malachi 3:10); "Baptism" (Alma 9:27); "Honoring Parents" (Exodus 20:12); "Word of Wisdom" (D&C 89:18–20). Have the children look up each scripture and read it together. Share a story or sing a song to reinforce the gospel principle. For instance, "Not Enough for Tithing?" (Ensign, Oct. 2005, 67) shows the way we are blessed for paying tithing. Sing "For Health and Strength" (p. 21). Share a personal experience about how living the gospel has blessed your life. Testify of the blessings of belonging to the Church.

Song "I Am a Child of God" (pp. 2–3)

Refreshments:

 

You didn’t really think I was going to make those “tiny turkey dinner cupcakes”...  Seriously?  Yeah, um no.  But I thought these looked yummy, and way easier!