Feasting on the Words of Christ

The purpose of this lesson is to help your family reinforce their feelings about believing and living the principles taught within the Bible. The device of a courtroom setting is used to illustrate the importance of truthfulness, within yourself and with others. Set your family room up as well as you can to look like a courtroom.

OPENING STATEMENT BY THE CLERK OF THE COURT (Parent)

In today’s lesson, we are going to examine some evidence of the mission of Jesus Christ. Two of you will serve as prosecutors, and we will have 10 witnesses (some family members may have to play more than one role, or meet together with another family): Zacharias, Elisabeth, Mary, Joseph, a shepherd, the angel Gabriel, Simeon, Anna, and a Doctor of Jewish law.

Each prosecutor will be given a number of questions to ask a particular witness. The witnesses are obliged to solemnly tell the truth during this examination by the prosecutor.

The prosecutors will be allowed 5 minutes to prepare their examinations. During this period, the witnesses will be given scriptural references to read and refresh their testimony.

These are the suggested questions with the scriptural references, but family members are free to make up their own questions as well.

You might want to have costumes for the witnesses, as well as have a legal robe for the Prosecutor – borrowed from any lawyer (if you live in a British Commonwealth country).

You might want to give the witnesses just their scriptural references, and not the answers.

PROSECUTOR 1

Questions to Zacharias Luke 1:5-20

What do you do for a living? (Vs. 8-9) (Priest in the Temple)

What are your specific duties? (Vs. 9) (Keeping the incense lit)

You and your wife are from what tribe? (Vs. 5) (Levi)

Tell us about that day in the Temple when you lost your speech? (Vs.11-20) (An angel appeared to me and told me that Elisabeth would have a son and we were to call him John – and I didn’t believe him because Elisabeth and I are so old. He told me I was going to be struck dumb until the event happened.)

What impact did having your speech restored have upon you? (Vs. 67-68) I prophesied to the people of the Plan of Salvation.

Questions to Elisabeth Luke 1: 24-71

How old are you? (Vs. 7) I am well-stricken in years.

What happened after Zacharias came home from the Temple unable to speak? (Vs. 24, 36) (I conceived, and hid myself 5 months, and then in the sixth month, my cousin Mary, came to visit me.)

What happened when you saw your relative, Mary? (Vs. 40-42) (When Mary saluted me, the babe in my womb leapt, I was filled with the Holy Ghost, and knew that Mary was the mother of my Lord)

How long did Mary stay with you? (Vs. 56) (About 3 months, and then she went home)

You had your baby shortly after that, didn’t you? (Yes) What happened 8 days later? (vs. 59-61) The baby was circumcised, and my family named him Zacharias, but I told them his name was to be John. They said that was not a family
name, then they asked Zacharias what he wanted him called.)

What did Zacharias do when your friends and family insisted that you name your baby after him? (Vs. 63) He wrote on a tablet that the baby’s name was to be John.

What happened next?(Vs.64-70) My husband’s mouth was loosed, and he started to prophecy to all those around that the Lord God was going to save them from their enemies.

Questions to Mary Luke 1:26-39

Where were you when the angel appeared to you? (Vs.26) ( In a City of Galilee called, Nazareth.)

What did the angel say to you, and how did you feel? (Vs. 28-29 )( He told me I was highly favored of the Lord, and blessed among women, I tried to figure out what kind of a greeting this was.)

What is your lineage? (Vs.32-33) (I am from Jacob, and David.)

So, you are a righteous young woman, you are from a royal lineage, and Gabriel told you that you would bear the Son of God, his name would be Jesus. What was your thought when you received this news? (Vs.34-35 ) I didn’t know how this would happen, seeing I did not know a man, but the angel told me the Holy Ghost would come upon me and by the POWER of the Holy Ghost I would conceive.

What did you do after this? (Vs 39. ) (I went quickly into the hill country of Judah, to see my cousin Elisabeth, stayed with her 3 months, then went back home to Galilee.)

Questions to Joseph Luke 2:1-7, 21-24

Why did you take your wife, Mary all the way down to Bethlehem, when she was almost ready to have a baby? (Vs.1, 5) ) ( I am of the House of David, and Caesar Augustus requires that everyone go to the land of their inheritance to pay their taxes.)

You were married to Mary by this time, weren’t you? (Matthew 1:24) (Oh yes, after the angel appeared to me, we were married.)

And where did Mary deliver her baby? (Vs 7.) (In a manger, because there wasn’t any room in the inn.)

What happened after the baby was born? (Vs. 21-24 ) (We had the child circumcised and called his name Jesus, like the angel had instructed Mary to do. We also went to the Temple and made an offering of two turtle doves, in accordance with the law of Moses.)

PROSECUTOR TWO

Questions to the Shepherd Luke 2:9-17

What happened that night in the fields when you were watching over your sheep? (Vs 9-11.) (An angel appeared to us, we were terribly afraid, but he told us not to be, that he was bringing good tidings of great joy, that the Savior which is Christ the Lord had been born in the City of David, Bethlehem, and we should go see Him.)

Did you go? (Vs. 15)( Yes, and we found him wrapped in swaddling clothes.)

What did you do after seeing the baby? (Vs 17) (We told everyone that would listen.)

Questions to Gabriel Luke 1

Who are you: (I am the angel Gabriel, who appeared first to Zacharias, then to Mary.)

What did you tell Zacharias? (Vs. 13)( I told him not to fear, that his prayers had been answered and that he and Elisabeth were going to have a son, and he was to be called John.)

What other things did you tell Zacharias? (Vs. 14)( That the child would be filled with the Holy Ghost, even in his mother’s womb, that he was to stay away from wine and strong drink, and that he would turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord God.)

Did you tell him that he would have a special mission? (Vs. 17)( Yes, that the child would be an Elias and prepare the way for the Lord.)

What happened when Zacharias didn’t believe the words? (Vs. 19-20)( He was struck dumb and told he would not speak until my words were fulfilled, because he didn’t believe me.)

You visited a young woman in Nazareth, what was her name? (Vs. 27) (Mary)

What did you tell Mary? (Vs. 30-32 ) (That she was highly favored of God, and had been chosen to conceive and bring forth the Son of the Highest into the world, and this his name was to be called Jesus.)

Did you give her news of anyone else? (Vs 36. ) (Yes, of her cousin Elisabeth, who had conceived a son in her old age.)

Questions to Simeon Luke 2:25-35

What is your name and where do you live? (Vs. 25) (My name is Simeon and I live in Jerusalem.)

Are you a good man? (Vs. 25) (Yes, I am, I worship God, and the Holy Ghost is with me.)

Through the Spirit, what has been revealed to you? (Vs. 26) (That I would not taste death until I had seen the Lord’s Christ.)

The Spirit told you to go to the Temple on a certain day, why? (Vs. 27) (Jesus was there.)

What did you do? (Vs. 28-32) (I picked the child up in my arms, and I knew that He was our Salvation, and a light unto the Gentiles and the glory of Israel.)

Did you say or do anything to the child’s mother? (Vs.34-35) (Yes, I blessed them and told her that this child was set for the fall and the rising as so many had prophesied of, and that she too would feel the sword pierce her side.)

Questions to Anna Luke 2: 35-37

What is your name, what tribe are you from and what is your marital status? (Vs. 35) (My name is Anna, I am a prophetess and a widow and I am from the tribe of Asher.)

How do you occupy your days? (Vs. 36) (I spend all my time, night and day, fasting and praying at the Temple.)

What is the most special thing that happened when you were at the Temple? (Vs. 37) (I was there when the child Simeon spoke of , was brought to the Temple when just a babe, by his parents – I knew he was the Lord, and I told all that would listen of the Plan of Happiness (Salvation), and of this child’s mission that would bring redemption to us all.)

Questions to Jewish Doctor of Law Luke 2:41-46

Who are you, where do you live and what do you do? (Vs. 46) (I am a Doctor of Jewish Law, or a learned man, a teacher, if you will, and I live in Jerusalem and spend most of my time in the Temple.)

What happened here recently that caused a great stir, and what had been going on? (Vs. 41-46) (It happened soon after the Passover, and a young boy of 12 years had been separated by his parents. He was in the Temple, with us, and his parents were already on their way home, even a day’s journey from Jerusalem when they discovered the boy Jesus missing.)

What was Jesus doing in the Temple? (Vs. 45-46) (He was both hearing and asking questions, and everyone was astonished
at his understanding.)

What happened when his parents finally caught up with him? (His mother was quite naturally upset with him, and asked him what he was doing; He told his mother that he was “about my father’s business.”)

CLOSING ARGUMENT

In closing, I would like to submit to you that the whole purpose of the New Testament is to strengthen your testimony of the
divine son ship and atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As you heard the examination and testimony of other witnesses, in this
courtroom drama, did you feel anything happening inside you concerning your love of the Savior?

Ask family members to share their feelings at this time. This could be a very spiritual moment for your family, allow that to happen. Challenge your family to remember the feeling they have at this time, and live their lives everyday so that this feeling will always be with them.

Armor of God

“I will put on the armor of god to help me resist evil and keep my Heavenly Father’s Commandments.”

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

Songs: Army of Helaman (Children’s songbook)
Hymn #251– Behold! A Royal Army

Read the scriptures above. Discuss the meaning and dress the “warrior” as you read.

First importance is the “loins girt about with truth”. The loins are the area between the ribs and the hips. The most vulnerable area, and the area of “reproduction” given importance by God (be fruitful and multiply). Being girt with truth means to know right from wrong. To love truth. Knowing the truth will help us make righteous decisions.

The breastplate of righteousness protects the heart. Many of the decisions we make are guided by the feeling and emotions of our heart. The Holy Ghost also speaks to our heart. If we protect our heart with the breastplate of righteousness, then our actions will be pleasing to Heavenly Father.

Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Learning and understanding all parts of the gospel, (faith, repentance, baptism, the Holy Ghost, prayer, fasting, etc.) and putting them into action in our lives. This will help us to walk the strait and narrow path of the gospel and keep us on the “right foot”.

The helmet of salvation. The way we choose to live our earthly life will determine what our eternal life will be like. “A helmet of salvation will guide our thinking all through our days…” (Paul said). The helmet which protects our head, represents salvation and within our head is the knowledge of the gospel plan which we must follow to inherit the Celestial Kingdom. We must always keep this knowledge safe in our minds if we with to return to our Heavenly Father.

Heavenly Father didn’t just give us things to protect us, he also gave us things to fight back against our enemies.

He gave us:
1) the shield of faith- having faith in Jesus Christ and believing that he loves us and watches over us gives us peace and protection.
2) the sword of my spirit — a sword cannot only defend us but can be used as a weapon against tout enemies. The Holy Ghost acts the same way. He is there in our time of need to help us make correct decisions. He also warns us against dangers.

Finally, you can talk about the story of the 2000 stripling warriors. Discuss how amazing it was that such a large amount of one group of warriors could survive in a war. You can also talk about “the shield of faith” from their mothers that was useful to them, as well s other parts of the “armor of righteous”

Much of this information follows the talk given by Harold B. Lee–”Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace” This can be found discussed in the manual “Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles” pgs. 352-353.– New Testament Course Manual.

A sister also suggested making the “warrior” out of felt and the fiery darts with Velcro on them so that they would stick to the warrior, when thrown at him, but when the armor is put on the warrior, they will not “penetrate.”

Here are some other references to the armor of righteousness that I found.

1 Thessalonians 5: 8
Romans 13:12
2 Corinthians 6:7
Isaiah 59:17
2 Nephi 1:23

Robin Preston

NOTE: We also have online Armor of God Visuals to go with this lesson.

Ruth M Wardell wrote:

There is one thing I found that was really interesting about the Armor of God that I found before the lesson was posted and it has to do with the Sheild:

“In verse 16 we are told to take up the shield of faith. Notice, Paul says “ABOVE ALL having taken up the shield of faith.” The shield of faith protects us greatly. We normally think of a shield as a small round dish, called a buckler.

However, in Christ’s time, a Roman soldier had a shield that was rectangular in shape and as tall as he was. This provided for a great covering to the soldier. When the soldiers were fired upon with flaming arrows, they were all able to crouch down behind the shields creating a barrier that would be almost impossible to penetrate. ”

Please don’t ask me where I got this because I can’t find it again. I just did a search for the Armor of God and got a lot of sites and this was among one of them. By Kenneth J Miller

I just thought it was interesting, I was thinking of the round shield and when I read this, it really made more sense.

Thanksgiving Games

Thankful Game

1. Sit in a circle and start a rhythm by first clapping hands against lap; second, clapping hands together; and third, snapping twice.
2. Pick a letter from the alphabet and announce it to the group.
3. First person starts on the first beat (saying a word on each beat:) “Thanks for _______.”Fill in the blank with any blessing you can think of that starts with the chosen letter.
4. The next person must not skip a beat. They must start on the lap clap and say “thanks for ____” choosing a different blessing that starts with the chosen letter.
5. If someone skips a beat (doesn’t come in on the right beat), repeats a blessing that’s already been stated, or can’t think of anything in time, s/he is out of the game.
6. When someone gets out, choose a new letter of the alphabet.

Gratitude Game

1. Tell everyone to think of an original blessing that they are especially grateful for. Have them write it down.
2. After everyone has written their blessing down, pull out the dry erase board (or a large pad of paper) and take turns having each person draw their blessing. Everyone else must guess what the drawing depicts. (It’s like Pictionary).
3. Make sure you don’t tell them in the beginning that they’ll be drawing, because that will influence what they write down

*You may wish to have small children draw their picture ahead of time.
*You may wish to use a timer and see who’s picture gets identified the
quickest.

Lesson Sources for Thanksgiving and other topics:

1. Ensign — November 1998 Conference issue. Think to Thank (Pres. Monson), p. 17
2. Ensign — November 1998 Conference issue, Gratitude (Elder Watts), p. 83
3. We Believe by Rulon T. Burton; This book is a lot like Mormon Doctrine in that it is alphabetized according to topic. I really like it because it includes quotes (from general authorities) as well as scriptural quotes pertaining to the topic.
4. FHE Resouce Book, Gratitude, p. 192

Overcoming Challenges

My husband used this idea when home teaching -

Take a ping pong ball and draw a smiley face on it with a permanent marker.

You will also need a quart jar with a lid and some rice (or wheat). Place the ping pong ball in the empty jar. Discuss the various challenges we face each day and as each person mentions one, let them put a small scoop of rice in the jar. The rice or wheat will cover the ball. Continue this until the rice is about 2 inches from the top of the jar. Then read D&C 63:47. Put the lid on the jar and gently shake – the ping pong ball will rise to the top. Just as
the ball “overcame” the rice, we can overcome the world.

Another scripture that would go well with this is John 16:33.

Order of Prayer, The

Lesson Objective: To learn the specific parts of prayer.

Scriptural reference: D&C 68:25-28 “and they shall also teach their children to pray”

Singing Time: A prayer (children’s songbook p. 22)
Family Prayer (CS p. 189)

Start here…
Take your family on a walk outside your home. Ask them to point out things they see that are pleasing to them. Ask who made those things. Explain that Heavenly Father gives us everything. If you are in a quiet spot, have your family kneel in prayer.

Things needed:

A chart of Prayer Steps (1. Dear Heavenly Father, 2. Thank you for…, 3. We ask you, 4. A chart of Thee, Thou, Thy Name of Jesus Christ . Amen)

Phone (We made ours from paper!)

Pictures from picture packet (I-15, I-64, I-10, I-9) Hang the picture where the children can clearly see them. Ask what they are doing and why? Talk briefly about pictures.

Show the chart that lists the parts of prayer. Tell them that Jesus taught us how to pray. Discuss how we should follow the pattern. Liken talking to Heavenly Father with talking on the phone. Let the kids practice the order using the phones. Explain that we can share feelings, thoughts and secrets with Heavenly Father. Explain that since we used to live with Heavenly Father, he misses us and likes to hear from us. (Matt. 6:9-15)

Story
It was Saturday morning and daddy was home but he had brought home some work to do. He went into a quiet room to be alone to work. Soon one of his children, a small boy, came in and asked his father for money to buy a boat to sail on a rain puddle. The father took time to explain that 2 days earlier, the boy had received his allowance with the understanding it was to take care of such wants. The boy went away. Then his little girl came in limping and crying. She had hurt her leg and needed her father to kiss the owies away. He did and she ran back to play. Then the little sister came in. She needed help with her homework. The father gave her some suggestions she needed but didn’t do the work for her. A few minutes later, she came back and thanked him, because his idea worked. The next interruption was from a teenage boy who came to learn what work his dad had for him to do. He received his directions and went purposefully to his job. Finally the littlest child arrived. What do you need? asked the father. I don’t need anything said the boy, I just want to be with you. Discuss how this can be compared with prayer.

We need to remember to show the proper respect when saying prayer, by using thee, thou and thy. We show respect by saying please and thank you also. Thee thou and thy replace words like you and your. Practice changing the words!

Talk with your children nightly about changing some of the general things they say. Discuss with them each night how well they succeeded in doing the things for which they prayed for help that morning.

Challenge for Week: Remember to say individual, family and meal prayers!

Dessert:
Banana bread with Chocolate Chips
1 3/4 c. flour
1/3 cup shortening, margarine or butter
2/3 c. sugar 2 tbs. milk
2 tsp. baking powder 2 eggs
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 c. chocolate chips
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. very ripe bananas (2)

In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour the sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add mashed banana, shortening, and milk. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed till blended. Then on high for 2 minutes. Add eggs and remaining flour. Beat until blended, stir in choc chips. Pour into greased pan. Bake at °350 for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean cool 10 minutes and remove from pan.

Optimism (lesson)

Song: “If your happy”p266 CSB

Start out talking about how some people tend to dwell on the bad things in life, tec, and how that really dosent make things better. Then slice up a lemon, and have everyone taste it. Do they like it? Do they want more? Explain how like a lemon, being around a pessimistic person can make you pucker! Then have them tasste a sweet fruit (like melon) and compare it to a happy person who is more fun to be around. Give an example of someone you know who has a good attitude and who seems to draw friends easily. Some people have a gift for optimism, and some have to learn. Then there was a story of Oscar the Oyster. She had it in a flip book she make, and her husband drew the pictures.Story below:

The Oyster
There once was an Oyster whose story I’ll tell,
Who found that some sand had got into his shell.
It was only a grain, but it gave him great pain
For oysters have feelings, although they’re so plain.
Now, did he berate the harsh workings of fate
That brought him to soch a deplorable state?
Did he curse at the government, cry for election
And claim that the sea should have given him protection?
No! He said to himself as he laid on a shell,
“Since I cannot remove it, I shall try to improve it.”
Now the yersa have rolled around, as the years always do,
And he came to his ultinate destiny – stew.
And the small grain of sand that had bothered him so
Was a beautiful pearl all righly aglow.
Now the tale has a moral, for isn;t it grand
What a oyster can do with a morsel of sand?
What couldn’t we do if we’d only begin
With some of the things that get under our skin?

Activity: Make me laugh.
Everyone takes turns trying to make somebody else laugh without touching them (funny faces, jokes, silly dance). Read them the Hinkley quote “Happy People can cause an epidemic, and so can the reverse.” Explain that like the game, when you smile and try to make somsone happier, everyone is happier.

Song; Smiles CSB p.267 (Make a happy face, upside-down sad face prop)

Acticity: The lord has said that he made us that we might have joy (2 Ne. 2:25) We should try not to get upset with small annoyances. She made some cut out yellow paper lemons with different annoyances written on them:

Parents make you do chores
Your favorite toy breaks
Break your leg
Bad grade on your report card
Your friend can’t play
Your friend moves away

Place them in a pitcher. Explain what they saying “when life gives you lemons. make lemonage” means. Have family members take turns pulling a lemon out of the pitcher, and explainhow they could turn that annoyance into lemonade. Remind them that when a situation arises you have two choices 1) feel sorry for yourself, and make yourself and everyone else unhappy, or 2)do something about it and make yourself and others happy.

Quote: President Hinkley pleaded “…that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life , we ‘accentuate the positive.’ I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of injsult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endore virtue and effort.” (Standing for Something p.99)

Challenge:Catch family memebers doing something optimistic during the week. When you notice, write it down on the back of a small paper smiley face and put it in the family smile bank (a jar). Then at the next FHE, open the bank, read the good deeds written on them, and use them to “purchase’ a special family treat. This will reinforce the previous weeks lesson and teach them what acts and words are optimistic.

Closing song: Ther is Sunshine in my Soul Hymn 227 or Be Happy! CSB 265

Dessert: Lemon Pie, lemon bars, or lemonade

Morality (a fun lesson for youth)

This will give all of the handouts that Vickie gave us for the FHE lesson on Chastity. It is actually a couple of lessons that you can use depending upon the age of your children. First I will give the Parable of the Starburst, and then the lesson plan. She recommends using only the portions that best apply to the individual circumstances of your family, and she included a *lot* of additional reading sources. I think this is a fantastic lesson.

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The Parable of the Starburst

Christian’s mother had returned home from a long trip. Before coming home she stopped to pick up a surprise for Christian and his three sisters. It was a pack of Starburst candy. It was late Saturday night when Christian’s mom and dad got home and Christian was ready for bed. Christian’s mom gave him and his sisters their Starbursts. They were al so excited about the treat that they wanted to begin eathing them right away. But Christian’s mom said “no”. They had to wait until the next day. Christian ran up to his room and put the Starbursts on his dresser. Then he came down and asked hs mom if he could please have just one. She said, No!, it is late, your teeth are brushed, and it is time for bed. He said “okay. Then he came back and asked again if he could have just one. His mom said no and repeated the same thing as before. Then Christian asked if he could just open the package, he just wanted to count them. Christian’s mother said no. She knew that if Christian opened the package to county them it would be too much temptation for him and he would then eat one! Christian returned the Starbursts to his room on his dresser and waited until the next day when he could eat them.

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Supplies:
Decorative birthday bag which includes balloons, horns, and any other party favors you want to include. Also include a package of Starbursts Candy.

You may want to purchase a copy of the New Testament Video soundtrack. This is a CD recording of the songs used in the seminary video series for the New Testament and can be ordered through Church Distribution.

Vickie also included copies of the following pamplets and/or articles:

For the Strenth of Youth
Why Stay Morally Clean
Dating, Give Me a Break; June 1993 New Era
a copy of the article, Chastity and Virtue, from the Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson

Vicky made a couple of simple posters.
1. In the middle of a large sheet of paper she placed a picture of Pres. Hinckley. All around him were “word bubbles” with quotes as follows:
Choose to be close to the Savior, Choose the Temple, Choose to repent, Choose to ahve fun and laugh; Choose to stay morally clean; Choose to be your best, Choose to be drug free; Choose to help others; Choose to look for the good, Choose to obey your parents; Choose to live the gospel; Choose Seminary; Choose to speak well; Choose to be honest.

2. For this poster she drew faces of youth with word bubbles saying: I will date only those young men who live church standards; I will attend only activities that meet church standards; I will save physical intimacies for marriage; I will return home from each date clean and unashamed; I will uphold high standards of modesty in my dress, language, and actions; I will make a list of personal qualities that I would like the person I date to posess; I will discuss my dating activities with my parents. At the bottom of poster #2 is the phrase: I can establish dating guidelines now!

Lastly, she made a “refrigerator” magnet by taking a sheet of colored cardstock about 2″ wide and about 8 inches long. It kind of curves a little like a road would curve. She drew the street lines on the paper, leaving a space on the outer line for the phrase “Maintain It”. On one end of the strip of paper she glued a tiny toy car. On the reverse side of the paper, behind the car she glued a magnet.

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Game activity: Don’t Eat Pete! Supplies are two packages of “smartees” candy.
1. Each person gets a piece of paper and draws a picture of a person on it.
2. Set all pictures on a flat surface and sit around them. Please one piece of candy on each picture.
3. One person leaves the room while the family picks one picture that will be “Pete”.
4. The person who left the room returns and tries to eat the candy from each picture without eating “Pete.
5. If the person goes to eat “Pete”, the family then says, “Don’t eat Pete!”
6. Now start over and let someone else have a turn.

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Lesson Objective: Increase committment to be morally clean.

Note: This lesson is designed to teach from ages 5-18 year olds. It can also be used for courting couples and to strengthen individuals and married couples. Herein lies some suggestions that have been used and have proven to be effective. Of course if you have further questions, pray and search the scriptures.

Study: D&C 27:15-18, Sheets from Teachings of Ezra T. Benson, Pamplet “Why Stay Morally Clean”, Topical Guide for additional scriptures, and the pamphlet “For the Strength of Youth.

Prelude Song: New Testament Soundtrack — 11 “Feed My Sheep”. This song can be played as you’re gathering your family together.

Opening Song: New Testament Soundtrack – 2 “My Holy House”

Lesson Outline:
Note: All or parts of this lesson can be used. Adapt to your needs and the age of the group or persons being taught.

BIRTHDAYS!
Bring out the birthday bag and asked; “How would you like it if we celebrate your birthday right now? Pull out the balloons and horns. (Direct the questions to a person who’s birthday is upcoming or in the near future.)

Suggest that they have the party, presents, cake, etc. Ask; “Would you like that? If the response is yes, ask how they will feel when their actual birthday comes. If the response is “no”, talk about why it would ruin their actual birthday.

Teach: When a man and a woman get married they have the power to create birthdays. You may want to discuss this further.

Teach: When a man and woman do *not* get married and create birthdays they cause a birthday to happen before the right time.

Discuss: What do you want to choose? Why would someone want to make a birthday happen before the right time?

Present: The Parable of the Starburst.
Now have someone take the pack of Starbursts out of the birthday bag and wait for the response. Tell the Parable of the Starburst and/or have a discussion about what is happening as you look at the pack of Starbursts. Pass the pack around, let everyone handle it. Ask: Do you want one? (Make sure you have a candy your family will go ape over if you know they won’t respond to Starbursts.) Now ask what happens if I break open the wrapper a little? Pass it around, let everyone handle it and smell it. After everyone has had a turn, suggest that they open it and count the Starbursts. Then give each person a chance to count and handle them. At this point you might want to ask what is happening to hem physically (mouth watering, etc.). Now allow them to each have one and unwrap it. Ask what’s happening? What do you want to do now? Have them squish it around in their fingers. Ask again what do you want to do? Let them eat it.

Discuss: How hard it was to resist the temptation to eat the Starbursts. The feelings will be just as stong or stronger, the temptation much more intense to have sex before marriage and unless you’re prepared and have made a decision to be morally clean the temptation might be overwhelming for you to handle.

Read: D&C 27:15-18

Quote: “The law of chastity requires total abstinence before marriage and full fidelity afterward. It is the same for both men and women. It is the cornerstone of trust so necessary to the precious happiness of the marriage relationship and family solidarity.” (Pres. Spencer W. Kimball, My Beloved Sisters)

Quote: “Life gives to all the choice. You can satisfy yourself with mediocrity if you wish. You can be common, ordinary, dull, colorless; or you can channel your life so that it will be clean, vibrant, progressive, useful, colorful, and rich. You can soil your records, defile your soul, trample underfoot virtue, honor and goodness and thus forfeit an exaltation in the Kingdom of God. Or you can be righteious, commanding the respect and admiration of your associates in all walks of life, enjoying the love of the Lord. Your destiny is in your hands and your all-important decisions are your own to make.” (Spencer W. Kimball, Miracle of Forgiveness.)

Quote: “In obedience there is joy and peace . . . and as God has designed our happiness . . . He never has – He never will institute and ordinance or give a commandment to His people that is not calculated in its nature to promote that happiness which He has designed.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith)

Bear your testimony of the importance of being morally clean or chaste.

Closing Hymn: More Holiness Give Me

Memento Boxes

LESSON: Making Memento Boxes — Family History

Music: Hymn # 291 Turn Your Hearts

Scripture: D&C 138:46-48 D&C 128: 17-18, 22-24

Activity: Needed:
1. A sturdy box, preferably a metal file box, for each of you. This will keep your mementos from mildewing and may protect them in a fire if you keep them in your home.
2. Plastic bags, small and medium sized
3. Index cards.

Gather all your mementos that you have stuffed in drawers, boxes and envelopes all over the house. Put each one in a plastic bag and write on an index card why that item is important to you. Include things such as your age at the time, the circumstances in which you earned or obtained it, and what the article symbolizes to you. Put it in your file box.

This will provide succeeding generations with an idea of the person you were and will provide your family comfort when you have passed on.

Treat: A childhood favorite.

Love Grows

Opening Song: “God Is Love,” Hymn No. 87

Scripture: “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:9-12)

Words of a Prophet: “Let’s love one another and remember that love can be deliberately developed. It can be cultivated through service. You love those whom you serve. Parents love children more than children love parents because the parents do more for the children. Their love grows out of service. If you would love a man, do something for him.” (Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, October 1945, p.33)

Before Family Home Evening, prepare the following bread recipe:

Ingredients:
2 pkg. active dry yeast
1 tbs. granulated sugar
1 cup warm water (approx. 100-115 degrees)
1/3 cup butter, cut in small pieces
3/4 cup hot water
2 tsp. salt
5-1/2 to 6 cups bread flour
cornmeal
1 egg white, lightly beaten

Stir the yeast, sugar and warm water together in a large mixing bowl; let set till yeast dissolves and starts to proof. In the meantime, melt the butter in the hot water and let cool to lukewarm. Add the salt, and combine with the yeast mixture. Stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon, add the flour, 1 cup at a time, until the dough almost comes away from the sides of the bowl. (Don’t be afraid if it seems rather soft and sticky; it will stabilize in the next step.) Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured board. Using a baker’s scraper or large spatula, scrape under the flour and dough, fold the dough over, and press it with your free hand. Continue until the dough has absorbed enough flour from the board and is easy to handle. Knead for 2-4 minutes, being sure to keep your hands well floured because it is a sticky dough. When the dough is soft and smooth, let it rest for 5-6 minutes.

As the dough is resting, ask if anyone would like a taste. (Answers will vary … most obviously would rather wait until the bread has been baked.) Divide dough in small lumps, one for each family member. Allow each family member to make a shape from the dough (a letter of the alphabet, an animal shape, or whatever each wants to make of the dough). Butter one or two baking sheets well and sprinkle with cornmeal. Place all of the shapes on the baking sheets and let rise until doubled in size.

As dough is rising, read 1st Corinthians, Chapter 13, together as a family. Discuss what these verses mean to each of you. Have each family member write on a sheet of paper the most meaningful expression of love that each has experienced in his or her lifetime. Take time to share each experience. (Especially for young children, these writings may seem somewhat simplistic and perhaps even humorous. Make sure that children feel safe to share these stories without fear of teasing from siblings. To be meaningful, this topic must be treated with great sensitivity and acceptance.)

State that it is through acts of service and kindness that we each feel loved. Show the dough once it has risen. Explain that just as the yeast inside the dough causes it to bubble and rise, the more we do for one another, the more we grow to love one another.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush the tops of bread shapes lightly with egg white, and bake loaves for 35 minutes, or until golden brown. While the bread is baking, pour a pint carton of whipping cream into a jar. Close the lid tightly. Begin shaking the jar briskly and ask each family member to take a turn shaking the jar while completing the following family activity. By the time the bread is baked, the whipping cream should have turned to butter. Carefully cut the warm bread into slices, spread your homemade butter on your homemade bread, add a little honey or jam, and enjoy the fruit of your labors!

Activity: As the bread bakes, make a collage poster using drawings, family pictures, and magazine illustrations depicting acts of love and service. In the middle of the picture, place the following scripture verse in large letters: “Thou shalt live together in love, …” (D&C 42:45)

For older children and adults, read the following poem and discuss ways in which you can show more Christ like love:

“No East or West”
by John Oxenham

In Christ there is no East or West,
In Him no South or North;
But one great Fellowship of Love
Throughout the whole wide earth.
In Him shall true hearts everywhere
Their high communion find.
His service is the golden cord
Close binding all mankind.
In Christ now meet both East and West,
In Him meet South and North,
All Christly souls are one in Him,
Throughout the whole wide earth.

Closing Song: “Love One Another,” Hymn No. 308

A Quote For Parents:
“[When facing temptation,] That is the moment when the true soul growth should be made and fostered. That is the moment, in the hour of greatest temptation, when the strongest resistance does the most good. It is not when it is in the family circle, when father and mother’s influence help to keep these things away. In this respect it is to be hoped that every father and mother will set a good example. I hope that parents will not set bad examples so that the children indulging in weakness may say, ‘I am following you.’ As far as possible let our fathers and mothers restrain themselves in these things.” (David O. McKay, Conference Report, April 1907, p.14)

Individual Worth (Lesson with Cookies)

“Individual Worth”

by Bev Qualheim

To teach the importance of each family member, whip up a batch of your favorite cookies by giving a key ingredient to every person in the family (if you are a small family, simply split up the ingredients evenly among you.) Now, leave out an important ingredient like the chocolate chips, and ask the kids how they think the Chocolate Chip cookies will taste without the chocolate chips! Discuss how your family would be without one of the members, how you are all needed and loved. I have heard of people actually making up a cake and leaving out the baking powder so the cake does not rise at all. You might want to try this option too.

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