January 25-31
D&C 6-9
"This is the spirit of revelation"
Materials: Slips of letter papers printed and cut with letters written on the back; 1 flashlight and 3 other objects that give off light; scripture slips printed, cut out and taped to objects.
Opening Song: "Lead Kindly Light" (Hymnal, 72)
Opening Prayer:
Attention Activity:
Hold up a flashlight. What is this? Why do we need it? What enables it to work? Light has many meanings in the church like the light of Christ. Today we are going to talk about light in reference to knowledge from the Lord. What is it called when you receive knowledge from the Lord? It's called personal revelation.
Lesson:
Read the following excerpt from the Come Follow Me for Individuals and Families 2021 Manual: "In spring 1829 Oliver Cowdery traveled to Harmony and volunteered to be Joseph Smith’s scribe as he translated the Book of Mormon. Oliver now had a close view of the revelatory process of translation. The experience thrilled him, and he wondered if he could also be blessed with a gift to translate. The Lord allowed him to attempt to translate, but receiving revelation was new for Oliver, and his attempt did not go well. He still had a lot to learn, and Doctrine and Covenants 6, 8, and 9 show that the Lord was willing to teach him" (page 19).
While on earth it is necessary for us to receive personal revelation just like Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. We need personal revelation to receive a witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, gain our own testimonies of the gospel, and to receive guidance in our callings and personal decisions.
Share a time when you received a personal revelation. What did you do before receiving it to prepare you? How did know you had received a personal revelation?
Before you can receive any revelation from God you have to be ready. This means you have to be prepared and be worthy. Before Joseph Smith received the first vision, he had already searched the scriptures and designed a place and time to pray. He humbled himself and asked God his question with an earnest heart. Heavenly Father gave Oliver Cowdery counsel to do something similar.
Activity: Before revelation letters- Print and cut out each of the strips below and write the first letter on the back. Have each family member take turns choosing and reading each slip.
K- Keep the Commandments. We have to be worthy to receive personal revelation by keeping the commandments. If you feel like you're having a hard time receiving answers, ask yourself if their is anything you need to repent for? (D&C 6:6)
Z- Seek for the cause of Zion. We should be seeking for revelation to help aid in God's kingdom. (D&C 6:6)
W- Seek for Wisdom. We should ask for revelation out of a need for added knowledge and not for material gain or riches. (D&C 6:6)
F- Faith. We need to have faith in Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ in order to receive personal revelation. (D&C 8:1)
H-Honest Heart. We need to be sincere when we ask God for answers. (D&C 8:1)
B- Believing. We have to truly believe that revelation will come--that you will receive guidance. (D&C 8:1)
P- Ponder. We have to ponder everything we have studied, felt, and heard. When the Lord does reveal things to us we have to study it out in our minds. (D&C 9:7-8)
Now that we know what we have to have before we receive revelation the next thing to do would be to ask of God. How do we ask God something? We can pray. We can also study out the topic using the scriptures and other gospel resources. Once we have done those things, the Lord will give us personal revelation through the Holy Ghost. But how can we recognize that revelation?
Activity: The Light of Revelation- Before FHE, have prepared 4 objects that give light like flashlights, candles, lightbulbs, lamps, etc. Print and cut the 4 strips below and tape each to one of the items you've gathered. Have each family member take turns picking an item and reading about how one might receive revelation.
6:15 Behold, thou knowest that thou hast inquired of me and I did enlighten thy amind; and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that thou hast been benlightened by the cSpirit of truth;
6:23 Did I not speak apeace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater bwitness can you have than from God?
8:2 Yea, behold, I will atell you in your mind and in your bheart, by the cHoly Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.
8:8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must astudy it out in your bmind; then you must cask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your dbosom shall eburn within you; therefore, you shall ffeel that it is right.
9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a astupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is bsacred save it be given you from me.
Heavenly Father will give you personal revelation through the power of the Holy Ghost by enlightening your mind, bringing peace to your mind, dwelling in your heart, and by giving you a warm feeling in your heart when you ask if you are right. Often, knowing how to identify the Spirit speaking to you is half the battle. Have you ever had any of these happen to you? Ask you family member to share experiences how they received revelation.
Russel M. Nelson chose personal revelation as one of his topics during his first General Conference as president of the church. He said, "I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation, for the Lord has promised that “if thou shalt [seek], thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal...My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. Let this Easter Sunday be a defining moment in your life. Choose to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly." ("Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives," April 2018).
Bear your testimony of the truth of President Nelson's words and of personal revelation.
Closing Song: "The Lord is My Light" (Hymnal, 89)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Andes Mint Fudge recipe here
No comments:
Post a Comment