August 2-8
Doctrine and Covenants 85-87
"Stand Ye In Holy Places"
Materials: video clip, room pictures, scriptures
Opening Song: "Love is spoken here" (Children's Songbook, 190)
Opening Prayer:
Attention Activity:
Show the following clip from Return of the King.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA8wkz0uGLE
In the clip, we see a small army facing insurmountable odds. They are surrounded on all sides by a wicked and cunning army of monsters that wishes to enslave all the free people of their world. Aragorn's speech encourages the men to look past their fear and fight with their brothers. He tells them to "stand." Standing their ground, the small army faces down the enemy with courage and faith.
Although it is not made up of orcs, we too are facing an army of the wicked. Daily we are berated with temptations, and we see the world growing more desensitized and evil. We have been asked by our Lord and his prophets to put on the armor of God and take a stand against Satan.
Lesson:
In D&C 87, it discusses some of the calamities that will happen before the second coming. Read 87:5-6. Along with these physical dangers, we also face spiritual dangers in the latter-days. The Lord's counsel when encountering these dangers is found in verse 8. Read D&C 87:8.
The Lord tells us to "stand in holy places and be not moved." What are examples of holy places? Our temples, meeting houses, and homes are all holy place because they are the places in which we worship God.
Have a family member read this quote by Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander:
“Holy places have always been essential to the proper worship of God. For Latter-day Saints, such holy places include venues of historic significance, our homes, sacrament meetings, and temples. Much of what we reverence, and what we teach our children to reverence as holy and sacred, is reflected in these places. The faith and reverence associated with them and the respect we have for what transpires or has transpired in them make them holy. The importance of holy places and sacred space in our worship can hardly be overestimated… These sacred places inspire our faith and give us encouragement to be true to that faith and to move forward, despite the challenges that may cross our path” (“Holy Place, Sacred Space,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2003, 71–72).
Other places that may also be considered holy places are church historical sites, seminary and institute buildings, and any other place where righteous people gather to learn about the savior and worship God.
One of the most important holy places is our home, because it is where we are everyday. Our home is a place where our prayers are given, scriptures are studying, service is done, friends are ministered to, and where the peace and love of our Savior should abound. Some of us might not currently have a happy home or a holy home. But we can all try a little harder personally to make our homes a more holy place.
Activity: A Holy Home
Directions: below are several pictures of different rooms in peoples houses. Have each family member take turns choosing a picture. What are things we should do in this room that could make our homes a holy place where we can remember the Savior and strive to be like him? Is there anything we should avoid doing? (Some examples are listed below.)
Living Room- Family Home Evening, family prayer and scripture study, family counsel
Bedroom- Personal prayer, Scripture study, journal writing, Chasity
Bathroom: Listening to good music or talks during morning routing, avoid quarreling with family members
Kitchen- prayers before meals, gathering, ministering, and service
The scriptures tell us to "stand in holy places and be not moved" and we have discussed what some of those places are and how we can make our homes a more holy place. When the Lord tells us "be not moved" what do you think he is saying? He isn't telling us we can never leave these places, or never travel. The Lord wants us to use the lessons we've learned in our holy places as we go out into the world so that when we are tempted or experience spiritual danger we will not fail. Read Helaman 5:12.
Being rooted in our holy places--places built upon a firm foundation in Jesus Chris--are essential to overcome the challenges of our mortal experience. Let us all strive to stand in holy places by making our home a place full of love. We can stand in holy places as we attend church meetings and learn more about the gospel from members in our ward. We can also stand in holy places as we strive to live worthily to attend the temple and doing temple and family history work when we can.
Bear your testimony.
Closing Song: "Love at Home" (Hymns, 294)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Graham cracker houses. Using Graham crackers, icing, and assorted candies. Have your family decorate their "holy place" homes.
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