May 31- June 6
Doctrine and Covenants 60-62
"All flesh is mine hand"
Materials: testimony starters worksheet, pens, quote strips (print the numbered quotes below and pass out), scriptures, coloring pages, and coloring supplies
Opening Song: "Testimony" (Children's Songbook, 137)
Opening Prayer:
Attention Activity:
Before FHE, print out the worksheet below and have each member of your family fill one out at the start of FHE. Collect them when your done you will use them later.
Lesson:
Read D&C 62: 3. Today we are going to talk about testimonies. In D&C 62:3, it says that angels listen to and rejoice when we bear testimony. What is a testimony?
In 2004, President Ballard gave a talk in conference about testimonies called, "Pure Testimony". Let's see how President Ballard defined testimonies. (Have someone read quote #1)
#1 "A testimony is a witness or confirmation of eternal truth impressed upon individual hearts and souls through the Holy Ghost..."
So a testimony is a statement about what you believe to be true. We have opportunities to listen to testimony meeting once a month when we gather for fast and testimony meeting. So what kinds of things should we say when we bear our testimonies? (Have someone read quote #2)
#2"Testify God is our Father and Jesus is the Christ. The plan of salvation is centered on the Savior’s Atonement. Joseph Smith restored the fulness of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Book of Mormon is evidence that our testimony is true."
So when we bear our testimonies, we need to tell others what we believe about the gospel. We should focus our testimonies on simple gospel truths. (Have someone read quote #3).
#3 "We often hear some members, and especially children, bear their testimonies, listing things for which they are thankful: their love of family, the Church, their teachers, their friends. For them, the gospel is something that they are grateful for because it makes them feel happy and secure. This is a good beginning, but testimonies need to be much more. They need to be anchored very early to the first principles of the gospel...My experience throughout the Church leads me to worry that too many of our members’ testimonies linger on “I am thankful” and “I love,” and too few are able to say with humble but sincere clarity, “I know.”"
Our testimonies should be rooted in what the Holy Ghost has taught us in our hearts. We should use phrases like "I believe" and "I know" and "the Spirit has taught me." The Holy Ghost is an important part of our testimonies. He can prompt us to offer our testimonies, and guide us to know what to say. As we listen to the spirit, our testimonies will grow and we will be able to help others feel the spirit through our testimony. (Have someone read quote #4)
#4 "The lesson, I believe, is clear: having a testimony alone is not enough. In fact, when we are truly converted, we cannot be restrained from testifying. And as it was with Apostles and faithful members of old, so is it also our privilege, our duty, and our solemn obligation to “declare the things which [we] know to be true”
Activity: Practice Testimony Meeting
Now that we know how to bear a testimony let's try it here as a family. Re-pass out the worksheets from the beginning of the lesson. Explain that you can use what you said on this paper to help you know what to say as you bear your testimony. (Give an example from someone's paper).
Have your family take turns bearing their testimonies. Help younger children use their papers to bear a short testimony.
Optional Activity: Testimony coloring
Your testimony should be your most prized possession. You should treasure your testimony and try to grow it by learning more about the gospel and sharing it with others. Remember we can and should share our testimonies in more places than fast and testimony meeting. We can share our testimonies in our church classes, here at Family Home Evening, you can write your testimony in your journal, and even share it with our friends and neighbors. Bear your testimony if you haven't already.
Closing Song: "The Church of Jesus-Christ" (Children's Songbook, 77)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Bear your Testimony S'more Crispy Treats
- 1 stick butter
- 1 bag marshmallows (10 ounces bag)
- 6 cups graham cereal
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 2 cups chocolate chipsMelt butter and marshmallows on medium low heat. Take off heat. Pour in cereal and mix well. Then incorporate mini marshmallows and chocolate chips and mix well. Spread onto greased 9x13 pan. Cut and serve.
