Lesson 51: The Family: A Proclamation to the World

 Decemeber 13-19
The Family: A Proclamation to the World
"The family is central to the Creator's plan"

Materials: paper, art supplies, print outs, black pieces of paper, family proclamation
Opening Song: "Family is of God" ("Additional Songs for Children," Gospel Music App)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Using paper and art supplies, have everyone draw a picture fo their family. 

Lesson:

One of the things that makes our church different from most other church's is we believe in continuing revelation from God. Our scriptures and our gospel doctrine can be added to as we gain further knowledge and direction from the Lord. 

On September 23, 1995, President Gordon B. Hinckley was speaking at the General Relief Society  Meeting when he read a proclamation that the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles had written to the world. This proclamation is called, "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" and is regarded as official church doctrine. 

The Family Proclamation did not teach new doctrine, but it did clarify to the whole world what we believe in regards to the family. To learn more about the truths contained in the proclamation, we will do an activity. 

Activity: Proclamation Sort

Directions: Before FHE, print the document below as well as a copy of the family proclamation. Cut each paper of the printout in half and tape a piece of black paper to cover the caption under each image. Cut each paragraph of the family proclamation. Set them in two piles in from of your family one pile with the pictures and covered captions and the other with the paragraphs of the family proclamation. 

Have your family sort each paragraph of the family proclamation with its corresponding picture. When all family members have agreed, they can check their answers by uncovering the captions under the pictures. 

The family proclamation may have seemed to speak to very basic doctrine back in 1995, but since then, Satan and his adversaries have fought hard to ruin marriage and distort the family in the eyes of the world. Now more than ever, Heavenly Father's plan for eternal families is under attack. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is important for us to understand and stand-up for these basic doctrines of the church. 

In the Plan of Happiness, the family is the vehicle that will get people to exaltation. President Nelson has said, "In God’s eternal plan, salvation is an individual matter; exaltation is a family matter" ("Salvation and Exaltation, General Conference, April 2008). 

Bear your testimony of The Family Proclamation and eternal families. 

Closing Song: "Families Can be Together Forever" (Children's Songbook, 188)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Crockpot peppermint hot chocolate recipe here