Lesson 35: Proverbs 1-4; 15-16; 22; 31; Ecclesiastes 1-3; 11-12

 August 29- September 4
 Proverbs 1-4; 15-16; 22; 31; Ecclesiastes 1-3; 11-12
"The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom"

Materials: whiteboard and marker, print out, scissors, 6 envelopes
Opening Song: "Where Love Is" (Children's Songbook, 138)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: On a whiteboard or piece of paper, play a round of hangman with the phrase "God-fearing." What do you think it means to be god-fearing? Do you think it's a good thing or a bad thing?

Lesson:

This week we will be reading in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. "Proverbs can be seen as a collection of wise sayings from a loving parent, whose main message is that blessings of peace and prosperity come to those who seek wisdom--particularly the wisdom that God offers" (Come Follow Me for Individuals and Families, Old Testament 2022, pg. 158). Ecclesiastes is told through the perspective of a preacher and reflects on some of the deepest problems of life. 

Throughout Proverbs and Ecclesiastes we are told to "fear God," but that doesn't mean that God is some scary guy up in the sky. So what does it mean? Have a family member read the quote from Elder Bednar below.

“Unlike worldly fear that creates alarm and anxiety, godly fear is a source of peace, assurance, and confidence. … [It] encompasses a deep feeling of reverence, respect, and awe for the Lord Jesus Christ; obedience to His commandments; and anticipation of the Final Judgment and justice at His hand. … Godly fear is loving and trusting in Him” (“Therefore They Hushed Their Fears,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 48–49).

In other words to fear God, is to respect, obey, and love God and to show Him reverence. Write "respect", "obey", "love", and "reverence" up on the whiteboard. 

Activity: Scripture Envelopes

Directions: Print and cut out the cards below. Place each card into an envelope. Set the envelopes in front of your family on the table or floor. Have each family member choose an envelope and read the verse inside. What other words can we substitute "fear" for to better understand each verse? What does each verse teach us about what it means to fear God?

Today for our closing song, we will sing "How Great Thou Art." This hymn encapsulates what it means to be a God-fearing person. As we study in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes this week, if we keep our hearts open and in tune with the spirit, we will be able to learn more about being God-fearing. That is, we will learn more about what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ and how to honor and obey Heavenly Father. Bear your testimony.

Closing Song: "How Great Thou Art" (Hymns, 86)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Mint Chocolate Chip Cake recipe here

Lesson 34: Psalms 102-103; 110; 116-119; 127-128; 135-139; 145-150

August 22-28
Psalms 102-103; 110; 116-119; 127-128; 135-139; 145-150
"Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord"

Materials: flashlight labeled "God's word", scriptures, boards (printed), cards (printed and cut out), glue sticks
Opening Song: "Teach me to walk in the light" (Children's Songbook, 177).
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity:

Turn off all the lights in your home and shut window coverings. Have your family go on a dark walk with around your home or living room. Was it hard to see? Hand a family member a h flashlight labeled "God's word" and have them lead everyone around the room again. How much easier was it to walk with light?

Lesson:

Psalms 119 celebrate's God's word and instruction to His people. It is a set of prayers each beginning with a different letter of the Jewish alphabet. Psalm 119 is used in Jewish tradition to celebrate Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year).

Have your family members take turns reading the verses from Psalms 119 below. Look for what all the verses have in common.

119: 1, 119:3, 119: 10, 119:30, 119:32, 119:35, 119: 45, 119:59, 119:101-102, 119: 105, 119: 113, 119: 168

What similarities did you see with all those verses? In the scriptures and even today, prophets like to refer to our mortal lives as a journey or a path. Show the quotation from President Nelson below. 

We hear phrases like the "covenant path", "the straight and narrow path", and "the path to eternal life" a lot in the church. Psalm 119 also uses this same kind of analogy. We are all traveling along the path of life, but are we on the right path--the covenant path? Where are we right now and what direction are we headed? Hopefully we are headed towards the Savior. 

Activity: The Covenant Path Sort

Directions: (Before FHE, print out the boards and cards below. Cut out the cards.) Give each family member 1 board,  1 set of cards, and a glue stick. 

Each of the cards has examples of experiences that might be on the covenant path. Sort and glue these activities and life experiences along the board from birth to death. The cards don't necessarily have to reflect your personal life, but they should be in a logical order. For example, you can't have grandchildren before you've had children. The cards in bold are necessary ordinances to obtain eternal life and should be put in the correct order. After your family is done take turns sharing your paths. 

Share the quote below from Elder Maxwell. What do you think he means by it not being a freeway or an escalator? 

Sometimes the path we travel may be hard and it may seem slow. Sometimes we might wander off the path. In Psalm 119: 105 it says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Just like the flashlight at the beginning, the light of Christ can direct us if we ever go astray. We can listen to the word of God as we read the scriptures and counsel from church leaders. We can repent and seek solace and comfort from the Holy Ghost. As we seek the light of Christ, we will be able to get back on and stay on the covenant path back to our Heavenly Father. 

Bear your testimony. 

Closing Song: "I will walk with Jesus" ("Additional Songs for Children, Gospel Music App)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Banana Pudding Cake recipe here

Lesson 34: Psalms 49-51; 61-66; 69-72; 77-78; 85-86

August 15-21
Psalms 49-51; 61-66; 69-72; 77-78; 85-86
"I will declare what He hath done for my soul"

Materials: unshelled peanuts (or another unshelled nut), Paper heart cut in half (large), Small paper hearts cut broken, video (link provided), scriptures 
Opening Song: "I stand all amazed" (Hymns,  193)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Set out a bowl of nuts with a shell like peanuts. Have your family open nuts to get to the nut inside. How are hearts like nuts? 

Lesson:

Show the paper heart. Most of the time, when we think of a broken heart, we think of it as a bad thing. We don't want to feel sad or heartbroken. But today we are going to talk about having broken heart in a different way. Read Psalms 51: 17. Here in Psalms, we read that the Lord wants us to have a broken and contrite heart. When the Savior appeared to the Nephites after his resurrection, he said, "And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit" (3 Nephi 9:20). 

Why does the Lord want us to have a broken heart? What does he mean by have "a broken heart and contrite spirit?"

In Psalm 51, David asks the Lord for forgiveness. "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to they lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. David, had made a terrible mistake, but David is a powerful teacher of what it means to be truly sorry. When we make a mistake, we have to let go of our pride and knowledge that we need the Lord's forgiveness. We have to have a broken heart for our sins. 

Watch "Daily Bread: Change" video from the church website

Activity: Broken heart journaling.

Using paper and art supplies, have everyone make a broken heart. On the broken heart have, your family write out their testimony of repentance and the atonement of Jesus Christ or have them draw a picture of Christ. Have them place their heart in a special place like in their scriptures.

Joseph Smith said, “Our Heavenly Father is more liberal in His views, and boundless in His mercies and blessings, than we are ready to believe or receive.” Heavenly Father wants us to come unto him and repent, but it's up to us to humble ourselves and come unto Him so that we can receive his grace. We have to be ready to repent, we have to feel sorry for what we have done and be willing to do whatever it takes to make it right. That is what it means to have a contrite spirit and a broken heart. Bear your testimony. 

Closing Song: "Help me dear Father" verse 2 (Children's Songbook, 99)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: heart-shaped raspberry rolls recipe here

Lesson 33: Psalms 1-2; 8; 19-33; 40; 46

August 8-14
 Psalms 1-2; 8; 19-33; 40; 46
"Th Lord is My Shepherd"

Materials: red washable paint or mud, soap & water, whiteboard and marker, scriptures, soap blocks, plastic knives, and a drop cloth or plastic table cloth, temple recommend or photo
Opening Song: "The Lord is my shepherd" (Hymns, 108)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Using a paint brush, brush family members' hands with red washable paint or mud on their hands. Have children take turns at the sink washing the paint off their hands. This may be a good time to review proper hand-washing skills with your kids. (Here is a link for a good optional video.)

Lesson:

For the next few weeks, we will be reading the Book of Psalms, Psalms is an interesting book because it is a collection of poems and songs that were inspired of God. A lot of them sound like prayers. You might notice as we start to read Psalms, that this poetry doesn't rhyme, but you might notice that the psalms will repeat certain lines or ideas. 

Read Psalms 24 with your family. Then re-read verse 2-3. What is the hill of the Lord? The hill or mountain of the Lord is a nickname for the temple. In this Psalm, David is telling us that those who wish to be in the Lord's presence or attend the temple have to have 2 things. What are they? (clean hands and a pure heart.)

In this Psalm, David says that we need to have clean hands or be worthy to go to "the hill of the Lord." What does it mean to be worthy to enter the temple? Worthiness has to do with our cleanliness from sin--if we have kept the commandments and obeyed the laws God has asked us to obey. What are some of those commandments? (Write down answers on the white board.) The laws that are directly linked to worthiness to attend the temple have to do with moral cleanliness, the word of wisdom, tithing, and keeping the sabbath day holy. (Underline or star all of the commandments related to the temple interview questions).  Remember that if you have broken any of these commandments you can always repent to become worthy to enter the temple.

Those who wish to enter the temple need to be interviewed by the bishop and stake presidency before going to the temple. What does the bishop give you at your interview, if he finds you are worthy to attend the temple? (If you have a temple recommend, show it to your family. If not, show a photo of a temple recommend). This is called a recommend. Just like when you recommend a favorite movie to a friend, this tells the Lord that you are recommended to Him to receive covenants in His house. 

Having clean hands or being worthy is not the only thing required to have a recommend though. Remember we also need a pure heart. Purity of heart can mean that not only are we clean but we are also prepared to enter the temple. Read Psalms 27: 4. Personal preparation is vital before attending the temple. How can we personally prepare to "dwell in the house of the Lord?"  (Write down answers of the whiteboard). The bishop will also ask in our temple recommend interview about our testimonies of Heavenly Father, the Holy Ghost, the Savior, the Book of Mormon, and the prophet. 

Activity: soap carving 

Using block soap (like ivory soap) and plastic knives, have your family carve a soap heart or another carving. This can get messy, so maybe do on a drop cloth or outside. 

Even if you are not preparing to enter the temple right now, it is always important to remember what the Lord expects of us so we can set clear goals for ourselves. "One thing I have desired of the Lord, that I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life." That is a beautiful righteous desire that we can all share with David. As we mind our worthiness and prepare to enter the temple, we will come closer to Christ. "Seek ye my face, my heart said, Thy face, Lord, will I seek" (Psalms 27:8). Bear your testimony. 

Closing Song: "If the Savior stood beside me" (Additional Songs For Children, Gospel Music App)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: White Chocolate truffles recipe here

Lesson 32: Job 1-3; 12-14; 19; 21-24; 38-40; 42

August 1-7
Job 1-3; 12-14; 19; 21-24; 38-40; 42
"Yet I Will Trust in Him"

Materials: video (clip provided, photo (printed), document cards (printed), scissors, glue, scriptures 
Opening Song: "Abide with me tis' eventide" (Hymns, 165)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Watch the video "Get back up again" 

In the video clip, Poppy has bad things happen to her, even though she is trying to do the right thing by venturing out into the unknown to save her friends. The truth is, bad things do happen to good people. Just because we are righteous and follow Christ, doesn't mean we'll have an easy carefree life. They key is to be positive like Poppy and keep our faith in Christ through our trials. 

Lesson:

This week, we will be talking about a man named Job, the trials and challenges he faces, and how he was able to endure his suffering. The book of Job is written like a story with poetic language, but it was revealed to Joseph Smith in liberty jail that Job was a real person. In the book, Heavenly Father and Satan are talking and they disagree on why Job is so righteous. Satan thinks Job is only righteous because he is blessed. God allows Satan to afflict Job with many trials to test his faithfulness. Job looses his wealth, his children, and his health. However, Job stays faithful through it all. 

Job does wonder why all these bad things have happened to him. Others remark that he must have done something bad to have been punished with all his challenges, but Job knows he has always stayed faithful. The Lord finally appears to Job and talks with him. The Lord explains to Job that mortals have a limited perspective when it comes to the creation and His overarching plan. God then blesses Job with double the amount of wealth he had before, he has more children, and his health is restored. When he finally dies, he dies happy and blessed. 

Activity: Lessons from Job puzzle

Before FHE: print the picture and document below (Best if you scale up to 126%). Cut out cards. Arrange the cards onto the back of the photo to fit, paste, and cut photo into 20 pieces . Paste the cards to the back of the photo pieces. 

Directions: Place cards with word side up onto a table. Family members will take turns picking and reading a card and slowly building the picture on the back puzzle-style. 

Read the following quote from Elder Richard G. Scott ("Trust in the Lord" General Conference, Oct. 1995). 

"Your trust in the Lord must be more powerful and enduring than your confidence in your own personal feelings and experience.
To exercise faith is to trust that the Lord knows what He is doing with you and that He can accomplish it for your eternal good even though you cannot understand how He can possibly do it. We are like infants in our understanding of eternal matters and their impact on us here in mortality. Yet at times we act as if we knew it all. When you pass through trials for His purposes, as you trust Him, exercise faith in Him, He will help you. That support will generally come step by step, a portion at a time. While you are passing through each phase, the pain and difficulty that comes from being enlarged will continue. If all matters were immediately resolved at your first petition, you could not grow.”

Bear your testimony on how adversity has helped you to become better and strengthened your faith. 

Closing Song: "I know that my Redeemer lives" (Hymns, 136)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Biscoff cookie bars recipe here

Lesson 36: D&C 94-97

 August 30- September 5
Doctrine and Covenants 94-97
"For the Salvation of Zion"

Materials: scriptures
Opening Song: "Do as I'm doing" (Children's Songbook, 276)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Play a few rounds of "mother may I" with your family. 

Lesson:

In January 1833, the Lord commanded the saint to build a temple in Kirtland; but after almost half year, the saints had not started building the temple. In June, the Lord revealed D&C 95 and told the saints he was disappointed they had not yet obeyed. Read D&C95:3.

Story: Imagine that want to do something fun like play a video game. You ask your  Mom or Dad and they tell you to clean your room. Your room is rather messy: toys, clothes, trash, etc. You really don't want to clean it. You put a few easy toys on your shelf but then you look around the room at the clothes. They aren't all dirty but you throw them in your hamper because you hate folding them. There is some other stuff out too, but by that point, you just want to be done so you kick some of it under your bed and hide the rest under your dresser. The floor looks clean enough now so you tell your Mom its done. Later, Mom finds the mess. She's upset and scolds you for not being obedient and for lying. You get a punishment for your actions.

Why is your mom upset? Did you deserve to have a negative consequence? Does this mean she doesn't love you? 

When your parents or teachers or even your boss scolds you for doing something wrong this is called being "chastened." The Lord also did this to the saints when they failed to show initiatve and start building the Kirtland temple. He also chastens us when we sin and don't repent. Obviously Heavenly Father loves us very much. He want what's best for us. 

Light and Truth by Simon Dewey

Read D&C 95: 1-2. Christ says that by rebuking us when we are bad, he is preparing a way for us to be delivered from temptation and to be forgiven. 

Have a family member read the following quote: "Divine chastening has at least three purposes: (1) to persuade us to repent, (2) to refine and sanctify us, and (3) at times to redirect our course in life to what God knows is a better path" (D. Todd Christofferson, "As Many As I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten" General Conference, April 2011).

Obedience to our Heavenly Father's commandments is like divine fire insurance. We are protected from the Lord's wrath when we listen. "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise" (D&C 82:10) What can you do to be more obedient?

Elder Christofferson also said, "I would like to speak of one particular attitude and practice we need to adopt if we are to meet our Heavenly Father’s high expectations. It is this: willingly to accept and even seek correction. Correction is vital if we would conform our lives “unto a perfect man, [that is,] unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). Paul said of divine correction or chastening, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth” (Hebrews 12:6). Though it is often difficult to endure, truly we ought to rejoice that God considers us worth the time and trouble to correct."

Discussion Questions:

1. How can we do as Elder Christofferson suggests and seek correction?

2. What can we do to willingly accept correction from Heavenly Father? 

3. How do we know we are being chastened from the Lord?

Video: Obedience Brings Blessings. 

Blessings come by being obedient. Being chastening also brings blessings because it reminds us  to be obedient. Our Heavenly Father is a parent who wants what is best for his children. Sometimes we must be disciplined in order to learn and grow. He does because He loves us and wants us to become like He is. 

Bear your testimony. 

Closing Song: "I feel my Savior's love" (Children's Songbook, 74) 
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Pineapple upside down cake

Lesson 35: D&C 93

 August 23-29
Doctrine and Covenants 93
"Receive of His fulness"

Materials: card stock picture of christ, flashlight, letter cards, tape, scriptures, glue, activity list printed
Opening Song: "Teach me to walk in the light" (Children's Songbook, 177)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Before FHE print out the picture below on thick paper or card stock. Place the paper face down on the floor and ask your family if they can see the picture on the other side without flipping it over. Using a flashlight, hold the paper off the ground slightly and shine the light through. Can they see the image now? What is it?

Jesus is the light of the world. What does light do? Light dispels the darkness, it also brings truth and knowledge. Just like it's easier to see the picture when we shine the light, we find Truth through the light of Christ.

Lesson:

In 1833, the saints were preparing to build the Kirtland temple. As they were making preparations Joseph Smith received a revelation about the nature of God, his glory, light and truth. This is section 93 of the Doctrine and Covenants. In D&C 93, The Lord teaches how we can come to know Him and obtain a fulness of glory, as well as how to receive truth and light and to bring up their children in truth and light. 

We know what light is and we know what truth is, but what is glory? Glory is defined as magnificence, beauty, and high renown and honor won by achievements (google search). God has glory and he has offered us glory in the worlds to come. 

Activity: Glory Light and Truth 

Directions: Before FHE print out the cards below. Print out the list below and glue each corresponding activity on the back.  Tape the letters up where your family can see them. Have your family members take turns choosing a letter and doing the activity on the back.

G- Read D&C 93:21-22. Those who receive celestial glory are joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father will bless them with the same blessings as Jesus.

L- Read D&C 6-7; 16 The John in these verses is John the Baptist. He testified of Jesus's glory meaning he is a witness of the honor and renown of Christ's achievements and majesty. 

O- Read D&C 8-10

R- Read D&C 93: 36

Y- “Search out the truth of the written word; listen for and receive the truth declared by living prophets and teachers; enrich your minds with the best of knowledge and facts. Of those who speak in his name, the Lord requires humility, not ignorance. Intelligence is the glory of God; and no man can be saved in ignorance [see D&C 93:36; 131:6]” (Teachings: Joseph F. Smith, 314, 318–19).

L- Sing "The Lord is my light" (Hymns, 89)

I- Read D&C 1-2. All children are born with the light of Christ. If we learn to use the light of Christ, we will be able to see His face and know who He is.

G- Read D&C 93:37 

H- “Light dispels darkness. When light is present, darkness is vanquished and must depart. More importantly, darkness cannot conquer light unless the light is diminished or departs. When the spiritual light of the Holy Ghost is present, the darkness of Satan departs" (Robert D. Hales, “Out of Darkness into His Marvelous Light,” Ensign, May 2002, 70–71).

T- Read D&C 93:40 

T- “I have heard a few parents state that they don’t want to impose the gospel on their children but want them to make up their own minds about what they will believe and follow. They think that in this way they are allowing children to exercise their agency. What they forget is that the intelligent use of agency requires knowledge of the truth, of things as they really are (see D&C 93:24). Without that, young people can hardly be expected to understand and evaluate the alternatives that come before them" (Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “Moral Discipline,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 107).

R- Read 93: 26

U- The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “God has created man with a mind capable of instruction, and a faculty which may be enlarged in proportion to the heed and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect; and that the nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin; and like the ancients, arrives at that point of faith where he is wrapped in the power and glory of his Maker, and is caught up to dwell with Him. But we consider that this is a station to which no man ever arrived in a moment” (Teachings: Joseph Smith, 210–11).

T- Read D&C 93:30-32. We all have been given our agency to act for ourselves. We need to use our agency to seek out and receive light and truth in order to receive a fulness of glory. 

H- Tell of a time when you were blessed for telling the truth? How do you think that experience helped you become more Christlike?

So why do you think we need to know about God's glory, intelligence, light, truth and all of the other "stuff" we talk about in the church? Christ tells us, "I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and knowwhat you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness. For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace" (D&C 93:19-20). 

Learning about Christ brings light and truth to our lives. As we strive to become like Christ and use our agency to receive his light, we will be on the path to receive His glory--to have eternal life. Bear your testimony. 

Closing Song: "Oh say what is truth?" (Hymns, 272)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Carrot Cake bars recipe here 

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

Lesson 33: D&C 88

 August 9-15
Doctrine and Covenants 88
"Establish... A house of God"

Materials: paper, pencils, scripture, youth goal books (if you have children ages 7-18)
Opening Song: "Search, Ponder, and Pray" (Children's Songbook, 109)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Play a few rounds of hide and seek as a family. Read D&C 88:63. The Lord wants us to draw near to him and seek him. How can we seek Jesus?

Lesson:

Section 88 is a large section in which the Lord gives a lot of direction to the saints. It talks about how God's kingdom is governed by law, invites us to draw near to Him, speaks of the second coming, and gives a lot of counsel on specific things we need to do to "prepare in every needful thing."

One of the main topics of sections 88 is God wants us to seek learning by faith. Gospel instruction and learning is an important part of the of being prepared for the Savior's second coming. Have family members take turns reading D&C 88: 77-78, 118. How can we teach one another? Family Home Evening, family scripture study, and family discussions are all ways that God intends for us to teach one another. These help us learn and grow in our knowledge of the gospel. 

In the last 5 years, the church made several large changes to the way we approach gospel instruction. What have been some of the changes? How has the change to home-centered and church supported gospel instruction blessed our family and blessed you individually? 

Activity: Gospel Study Goal Setting. 

Using paper and pencils, make a list of individual and family gospel study goals. 

Some family ideas are listed below:

• Make a rotation chart for different family members to take turns doing different duties for FHE (lesson instructor, scripture reader, chorister, prayers, etc.)
• Print of and color in a family reading scripture chart for this year. Make plans for what you will study if you finish that week's sections early or late. 
•  Explain how you put together an FHE lesson. Show children materials and resources on the church website that you use to help put together FHE lessons. Have children practice putting together a mini lesson.
• Appoint a family member to read from the Come Follow Me For Individuals and Families  at family scripture study to read the headings and questions that correspond to your nightly reading. 

Using youth program goal books, paper, and pencils. Have family members write an individual study goal for the rest of this year. Here are some ideas:

• Finish the rest of the D&C by the end of the year, following the calendar in Come Follow Me.
• Read my scriptures everyday for 10 minutes before school.
• Read one gospel related non-fiction book by the end of the year.
• Listen to all the April conference talks by October General Conference.
• Prepare and teach one lesson in my quorum/young women's class by the end of the year.
• Learn more about the life and teachings of one of the prophets or apostles, give a FHE lesson on him. 

Gospel learning is an essential part of our earthly journey. It enables us to learn what it means to be Christlike and understand the gospel. Read D&C 88: 119. Our home is the place where we can truly "dive in" and study the gospel, which is why so many recent conference talks have centered on home-centered and church-supported gospel instruction. After reading verse 119, what can we do to improve our home so it's a house of prayer, fasting, faith, learning, glory, order--a house of God?

D&C 88 gives some further advice on what we can do (or stop doing) to make our home a place where we can fully embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ. Have your family scan verses 121-126. What are some things the Lord points out in order to have "a house of God?" Have a family choose one thing from the verses to work on and have them write it next to their study goal. 

As we learn more about the gospel as a family, we will grow closer together and have more charity towards one another. Our family will be better equipped to weather trails and hardships that come our way. The same is true for us individually. The more we study about the Savior and His gospel, and apply it to our lives--the more Christlike we will become. Bear your testimony.

Closing Song: "Scripture Power" (Additional Songs for Children, Music app)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Healthy cinnamon apple muffins recipe here 

 

Lesson 32: D&C 85-87

 August 2-8
Doctrine and Covenants 85-87
"Stand Ye In Holy Places"

Materials: video clip, room pictures, scriptures
Opening Song: "Love is spoken here" (Children's Songbook, 190)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity:

Show the following clip from Return of the King. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA8wkz0uGLE

In the clip, we see a small army facing insurmountable odds. They are surrounded on all sides by a wicked and cunning army of monsters that wishes to enslave all the free people of their world. Aragorn's speech encourages the men to look past their fear and fight with their brothers. He tells them to "stand." Standing their ground, the small army faces down the enemy with courage and faith. 

Although it is not made up of orcs, we too are facing an army of the wicked. Daily we are berated with temptations, and we see the world growing more desensitized and evil. We have been asked by our Lord and his prophets to put on the armor of God and take a stand against Satan. 

Lesson:

In D&C 87, it discusses some of the calamities that will happen before the second coming. Read 87:5-6. Along with these physical dangers, we also face spiritual dangers in the latter-days. The Lord's counsel when encountering these dangers is found in verse 8. Read D&C 87:8. 

The Lord tells us to "stand in holy places and be not moved." What are examples of holy places? Our temples, meeting houses, and homes are all holy place because they are the places in which we worship God. 
    

Madrid, Spain temple

Have a family member read this quote by Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander:

“Holy places have always been essential to the proper worship of God. For Latter-day Saints, such holy places include venues of historic significance, our homes, sacrament meetings, and temples. Much of what we reverence, and what we teach our children to reverence as holy and sacred, is reflected in these places. The faith and reverence associated with them and the respect we have for what transpires or has transpired in them make them holy. The importance of holy places and sacred space in our worship can hardly be overestimated… These sacred places inspire our faith and give us encouragement to be true to that faith and to move forward, despite the challenges that may cross our path” (“Holy Place, Sacred Space,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2003, 71–72).

Other places that may also be considered holy places are church historical sites, seminary and institute buildings, and any other place where righteous people gather to learn about the savior and worship God. 

One of the most important holy places is our home, because it is where we are everyday. Our home is a place where our prayers are given, scriptures are studying, service is done, friends are ministered to, and where the peace and love of our Savior should abound. Some of us might not currently have a happy home or a holy home. But we can all try a little harder personally to make our homes a more holy place. 

Activity: A Holy Home

Directions: below are several pictures of different rooms in peoples houses. Have each family member take turns choosing a picture. What are things we should do in this room that could make our homes a holy place where we can remember the Savior and strive to be like him? Is there anything we should avoid doing? (Some examples are listed below.)

Living Room- Family Home Evening, family prayer and scripture study, family counsel 

Bedroom- Personal prayer, Scripture study, journal writing, Chasity

Bathroom: Listening to good music or talks during morning routing, avoid quarreling with family members

Kitchen- prayers before meals, gathering, ministering, and service

The scriptures tell us to "stand in holy places and be not moved" and we have discussed what some of those places are and how we can make our homes a more holy place. When the Lord tells us "be not moved" what do you think he is saying? He isn't telling us we can never leave these places, or never travel. The Lord wants us to use the lessons we've learned in our holy places as we go out into the world so that when we are tempted or experience spiritual danger we will not fail. Read Helaman 5:12. 

Being rooted in our holy places--places built upon a firm foundation in Jesus Chris--are essential to overcome the challenges of our mortal experience. Let us all strive to stand in holy places by making our home a place full of love. We can stand in holy places as we attend church meetings and learn more about the gospel from members in our ward. We can also stand in holy places as we strive to live worthily to attend the temple and doing temple and family history work when we can. 

Bear your testimony.

Closing Song: "Love at Home"  (Hymns, 294)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Graham cracker houses. Using Graham crackers, icing, and assorted candies. Have your family decorate their "holy place" homes.