April 12-18
Doctrine and Covenants 37-40
"If ye are not one ye are not mine"
Materials: heavy object, poster, art supplies
Opening Song: "Love at home" (Hymnal, 294)
Opening Prayer:
Attention Activity: Gather a large heavy object from your home like a weight or even a small piece of furniture. Ask a family member to carry the object alone from one point to another. Then ask another family member to help carry the object across the same distance. Ask, "was it easier to carry the object by yourself or with help?"
The Lord gives us burdens, like heavy objects. These burdens or trials come in many different varieties and no one on earth is free from hardship. Christ can help us bear our burdens. Sometimes he helps us directly through the Holy Ghost or guardian angels and sometimes he has others help lift our burdens, sharing the load.
Lesson:
The early members of the church were no novices when it came to hardship. They had undergone persecution and made many sacrifices. The Lord new more hardships were coming. In D&C 38, he instructs the saints to be prepared for what lies ahead and gives them advice on how to survive the coming trials.
The Lord gives us a lot of help when it comes to enduring trials. One of the things he gives us to help endure challenges is our family. How has your family helped you when you were struggling? What are some things your family does to help each other?
Read D&C 38: 24-27. Heavenly Father wants us to put others before ourself. Jesus esteemed, "As I have loved you, love one another." He wants us to be selfless and united. He wants our family to be "one."
Each member of our family is important. We each have our jobs in our family and rules we obey. We each have unique personalities that make our family special. Go through each member of your family, asking the others what makes that person special.
Activity: Family Unity Poster
Before FHE, draw a large 1 on a poster board. Have your family decorate the poster with the names and drawings of each family member.
What are some things that we can do to help make our family stronger? What are some things that you could avoid doing that might weaken our family? Have your family draw pictures on the poster board of something they can do to help strengthen the family. Display the poster in your home during the week to serve as a reminder to be "one" united family.
Our family is a blessing from Heavenly Father. Together we can help each other overcome trials and challenges. We can face certain hardships together, leaning on each other. We should depend on each other and try to avoid fighting and contention. Bear your testimony on family unity.
Optional Activity: "Love in our hearts" video
Closing Song: "Families can be together forever" (Children's Songbook, 188)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Orange Rolls recipe here
