Lesson 20: D&C 49-50

May 10-16
Doctrine and Covenants 49-50
"That which is of God is light"

Materials: photos below, posters below
Opening Song: "I love to see the temple" 2nd verse (Children's Songbook, 95)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Acitivity: Show the following pictures below. What do all of these photos have in common?

    These photos all represent marriage. Today we are going to talk about marriage and why it is essential in our Heavenly Father's plan.

Lesson:

Ask your children, "Why do you think marriage is so important?". Read D&C 49: 15. Display the poster below: "Marriage is ordained of God." What do you think that means? Marriage, more specifically eternal marriage in the temple, is a sacred ordinance. It is required by all to receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom. No one can be exalted alone. Everyone will need an eternal companion to be sealed to in order to receive all of the blessings we have been promised by our Heavenly Father. 

Read D&C 49: 16. Show the poster below. What do you think it means by, "and they twain shall be one flesh?" Marriage is meant to be an equal partnership. We often hear married people refer to their spouses as "their other half," because together, they create one whole unit. Men and women directly compliment each other to make this work. When we date, we are trying to find a companion who compliments our strengths and weaknesses. Elder Bednar explained, "The natures of male and female spirits complete and perfect each other, and therefore men and women are intended to progress together towards exaltation" ("Marriage Is Essential to His Eternal Plan," Ensign, June 2006). Have a married couple in your family explain how their personalities compliment each other or how they work together as a team. 

Read D&C 49: 17. Show the poster below. What do you think its talking about when it says "and that it might be filled with the measure of man"? One of the biggest reasons that men and women must marry in the eyes of the Lord is to fulfill creation--have children. Having children is a great blessing and responsibility and only couples married for eternity will be able to continue to have children after they are resurrected. Elder Bednar went on to say in the same address, "By devine design, both a man and a woman are needed to bring children into mortality and to provide the best setting for the rearing and nurturing of children." Children were meant by heavenly design to be born into homes with both a mother and father.

Think of a married couple in your life that you think has a strong marriage. What do they do that makes their marriage strong. Why are you blessed to have their example in your life? What can you do to strengthen your marriage or prepare to have a strong marriage? Bear your testimony of eternal marriage and its role in the Plan of Salvation.

Closing Song: "Families can be together forever" both verses (Children's Songbook, 188)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Whoopie pies recipe here