December 14-20
Moroni 10
"Come unto Christ, and be perfected in Him"
Materials: 6 wrapped boxes or gift bags prepared with papers inside (see below), a Christmas tree
Opening Song: "The Seventh Article of Faith" (Children's Songbook, 126b)
Opening Prayer:
Attention Activity:
Point to your family Christmas tree. What things are found under the tree? Gifts are a tradition of Christmas. We give gifts at Christmas to our loved ones to help us remember how the wisemen brought gifts to the Christ child. Gifts also remind us how Jesus is the ultimate gift from a loving Heavenly Father. His sacrifice enables us all to receive eternal life. Gifts at Christmas can also remind us of all the things Heavenly Father has blessed us with. What are some "gifts" Heavenly Father has given you?
Lesson:
Moroni also talks about gifts in the very last chapter of The Book of Mormon. He talks to us about spiritual gifts or spiritual attributes we receive from Heavenly Father.
Activity: "Gifts" of the Spirit
Instructions: Before FHE, print the 6 numbered selections below and the list of spiritual gifts. Place each into a gift box or bag and wrap. Number the outside of each box to correspond to the number on the paper inside. Family members will take turns unwrapping the boxes in numerical order and reading the paper inside.
1- Read the list of spiritual gifts below taken from "Gospel Topics" on churchofjesuschrist.org. As you read, have your family members ask themselves if they have any of these spiritual gifts.
2- Read Moroni 10: 8 Where do spiritual gifts come from? What do they do? How do spiritual gifts help us? "Spiritual gifts are blessings or abilities given by God to His children through the power of the Holy Ghost. Gifts of the Spirit are given to bless and benefit those who love the Lord and seek to keep His commandments" ("Spiritual Gifts" Gospel Topics, churchofjesuschrist.org)
Dallin H. Oaks said, "Spiritual gifts come to those who have received the gift of the Holy Ghost. As the Prophet Joseph Smith taught, the gifts of the Spirit “are obtained through that medium” [the Holy Ghost] and “cannot be enjoyed without the gift of the Holy Ghost. … The world in general can know nothing about them.”("Spiritual Gifts", speech at Women's Conference, March 1986)
3- How could we deny our spiritual gifts? "There are many ways a person might “deny … the gifts of God” (Moroni 10:8). Some people deny that these gifts even exist. Others might deny that they have spiritual gifts but recognize them in other people. Still others deny their gifts by simply neglecting them or failing to develop them" (CFM Manual, 195).
4- Elder John C. Pingree Jr. said, “So how do we come to know our gifts? We can reference our patriarchal blessing, ask those who know us best, and personally identify what we are naturally good at and enjoy. Most importantly, we can ask God (see James 1:5; Doctrine and Covenants 112:10). He knows our gifts, since He gave them to us” (“I Have a Work for Thee,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 33).
5. Read D&C 46:8-9 Each faithful member of the Church has at least one spiritual gift, and the Lord encourages His children to “seek … earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given.” We should not use our spiritual gifts for selfish or prideful reasons. Our gifts should be used to help us come closer to Christ and help others come unto Christ.
6. Elder Bruce R. McConkie affirmed, "Where spiritual things are concerned, as pertaining to all of the gifts of the Spirit, with reference to the receipt of revelation, the gaining of testimonies, and the seeing of visions, in all matters that pertain to godliness and holiness and which are brought to pass as a result of personal righteousness in all these things men and women stand in a position of absolute equality before the Lord. He is no respecter of persons nor of sexes, and he blesses those men and those women who seek him and serve him and keep his commandments.” (Ensign, Jan. 1979, p. 61.)
Spiritual gifts are another wondrous blessing given to us by our Heavenly Father. Each of us is blessed with at least one of these gifts. These gifts are precious tools that help us come unto Christ. Moroni wanted us to recognize these gifts in ourselves so we can "come unto Christ and be perfected in Him." (Moroni 10:32)
Closing Song: "Away in a Manger" (Hymnal, 206)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Frosted Eggnog Cookies recipe here
