Lesson 6: Genesis 6-11; Moses 8

 January 31-February 6
Genesis 6-11; Moses 8
"Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord"

Materials: video, link below, Quote page (printed and cut out), tin foil, markers, cardboard, popsicle sticks
Opening Song: "Follow the prophet" verse 3 (Children's Songbook, 110)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Play the video below and sing along to the "Arky, Arky" song. 

Lesson:

 The people of Noah's day had become very wicked. Noah repeatedly had asked the people to repent and the mocked him and did not listen to his council and repent. The Lord said he would destroy the people with a flood. Because Noah and his family were righteous, they were spared from the destruction. Noah built an ark or large boat as commanded by the Lord. What did Noah bring on the ark? Noah, like Adam before him, had stewardship over the animals. The Lord wanted the animals and Noah's family to be safe and sheltered from the storm. 

Noah's ark has been depicted in books, television, movies, and toys. A vast majority of the Earth knows the story. But what can we learn from Noah? 

The scriptures and modern prophets suggest that we can learn from the story by likening the ark to places of spiritual safety. What are places that offer spiritual safety? In 2nd Nephi 9 :7-13, Nephi speaks of the safety we can find in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. His grace is like the ultimate Noah's ark, saving us again and again from our own mistakes. In D&C 115, we read that our stakes and wards can be "refuges from the storm." Lastly, President Nelson has stated that the temple can be a place of spiritual safety as we make and keep sacred covenants ("Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints" General Conference, October 2018).

From Noah's story, we can definitely learn to "follow the prophet" as the primary song suggests; we can listen to his council and repent. What is some counsel that President Nelson has given us recently?

Activity: Boats and Quotes

Directions: Before FHE gather the following items: tin foil, popsicle sticks, cardboard, makers, and printed and cut out quotes from below. Using the foil and other items, have each family member create a small boat. Next, place a cut out quote from President Nelson and place it inside the boat. Put the boats into a sink or bathtub filled with water and watch how they float! (Options: make it a contest, you can see which quote gets the least wet when put into the water. You could also load the boats up with small toys like lego mini figures or small animals; whoever can fit the most on their boat before it sinks, wins!)

Optional Activity: If you have a Disney+ account, you can watch Disney's version of Noah's ark in Fantasia 2000, starring Donald and Daisy Duck. 

Bear your testimony. 

Closing Song: "We Thank Thee Oh God For a Prophet" (Hymns, 19)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Noah's Ark Treat Mix. Remind your family that God promised to never flood the entire earth again. The rainbow is symbolic of this promise. The skittles represent the rainbow; the animals represent the animals on the ark; and the marshmallows represent the rainclouds. 

Mix together in a bowl:

• 4 cups animal crackers
• 15 ounces skittles (share size bag)
• 8 ounces mini marshmallows (half a bag 

Lesson 5: Moses 7

 January 24-30
Moses 7
"The Lord called his people Zion"

Materials: A large paper heart, scissors, markers/coloring crayons, glue, cards below (printed, cut out, and glued together)
Opening Song: "We will sing of Zion" (Hymns, 47)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Show your family a  large paper heart. Write the word "Zion" on the heart. What is Zion?

Lesson:

We talked a lot about Zion last year as we studied the Doctrine and Covenants. The people of the early church wanted to build a city of Zion in Missouri and become a Zion people. They wanted to model themselves like the people of Enoch. 

Enoch was a prophet in the book of Genesis and we learn more about him in the book of Moses. Enoch felt he was a weak man and felt overwhelmed with the responsibilities God had given him. But, with help from the Lord and courage, Enoch became a mighty prophet. His people listened to him and he built a city, the city Zion. 

We don't know a lot about the city of Zion itself. We don't know how large it was or how many people it had. We don't know how many buildings there were or if it had parks. But what we do know is that it's people were righteous. 

Activity: Enoch cards

Before FHE, print out both sets of the cards below and paste together so that the Enoch picture is on one side and the words on the other. Set the cards out on the floor or table picture side up. Have your family members take turns choosing a card, reading it, and answering the question on the back. 

"Zion is not just a  city--it is a condition of the heart and spirit. Zion, as the Lord has taught, is 'the pure in heart' (D&C 97:21) So perhaps the best way to build Zion is to start in our own homes" (Come Follow Me For Individuals and Families 2022 The Old Testament, page 19).

Activity: Zion heart/Zion home

Take the heart from the beginning of the lesson and cut it into pieces--one piece per family member and give each piece to a family member. What are some things that we can do in our home to be a more Zion-like people? Discuss with your family things you might do to become more united as a family in heart and mind. Write down or draw a picture of one thing you will do to help the family become more Zion-like on the piece of the heart.

Collect the heart pieces and glue them to a piece of paper. Hang the heart in your home to remind your family what they are focusing on this week. 

Bear your testimony.

Closing Song: "Love at Home" (Hymns, 294)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Banana Bread Cookies recipe here