Lesson 34: D&C 89-92

 August 16-22
Doctrine and Covenants 89-92
"A Principle with Promise"

Materials: 2 brown lunch bags, a plate, 4 printed and cut out card sheets, videos
Opening Song: "Keep the Commandments" (Children's Songbook, 146)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: I'm going to read you a list of clues about what we are talking about today. When you think you know what it is, raise your hand.

1. This was designed by Heavenly Father.
2. The Holy Spirit dwells here.
3. The Lord has asked us to respect and care for this.
4. This is one of the main reasons we came to earth.
5. This is one of our greatest blessings.

Today we are going to talk about our bodies. 

Lesson:

Joseph Smith and the other church leaders would often meet together in what was called, ehe School of the Prophets. During these meetings many of the brethren would smoke and chew tobacco and drink alcohol. The elders would spit the tobacco onto the floor and it would leave stains. No matter how hard Emma tried, she could not get the floor clean and got frustrated from the whole situation. 

Under Emma's urging, Joseph took the matter to the Lord and Joseph received section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants, commonly referred to now as "The Word of Wisdom." What do you remember about the word of wisdom? 

Activity: Word of wisdom sorting game. 

Directions: Before FHE: print the cards and pictures below. Cut out the pictures and glue them to the corresponding card. Take one bag and glue the trash can picture to it. Take the other and place all the cards in the bag. Set out the plate and both bags.

Have family members take turns reading each card. They either have a scripture passage or a quotation about the Word of Wisdom. Then, that family member needs to decide whether the picture on the front of the card should be put on the plate or into the trash. 

Section 89 is often interpreted as a big list of do's and don'ts, but it's so much more than that. Firstly, members and non-members alike often get so caught up in what not to consume, that they forget to pay attention to the "do's." Healthy eating and exercising our bodies is not always the priority it should be. Our world is overrun with people who have forgotten or neglected their health--that is not the way God wants us to live. We need to eat a well-balanced diet and embrace habits of exercise in order to truly care for our bodies.

Show this short video from the church website. 

In order to enter the temple and receive ordinances there, members are asked to obey the doctrines in section 89. Paul taught that our bodies are temples. They were divinely designed and, when we are faithful, they house the Holy Ghost. We need to treat our bodies with reverence and respect. Read D&C 89:18-21. When we treat our bodies as God intends, he promises us amazing blessings--health and energy, but also spiritual blessings like added knowledge and spiritual safety. 

Bear your testimony on the Word of Wisdom. 

Optional Activity: Video-- The Word of Wisdom: A Health Code / Now you know

Closing Song: "The Lord gave me a temple" (Children's Songbook, 153)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Fruit and Veggie tray