Lesson 27: 1 Kings 17-19

June 27- July 3
1 Kings 17-19
"If the Lord be good, follow Him"

Materials: a ball, whiteboard and maker, video, activity pages (printed), coloring utensils
Opening Song: "Faith" (Children's Songbook, 96)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Play catch with your family for several minutes. Playing games like catch is fun because we can all share one toy and have fun with it. We take turns catching and passing it to each other. Why is sharing important? Are we supposed to share with others? How?

Lesson:

Sometimes it is difficult to share things that are important to us. Whether it is a new toy or a treat, sometimes sharing can be hard, but it is always worth it. It teaches us to be selfless and to treat others the way Heavenly Father would want us to. Today, we are going to talk about a woman who shared all that she had when it was very hard for her. 

Have your family watch "Elijah and the Widow of Zarapheth" from the churchofjesuschrist.org (youtube link below) *It may be fun to have some bread or rolls during the clip. There is recipe below. 

On a whiteboard or piece of paper, write the words "Widow of Zarapheth". Ask family members to describe the widow. What qualities did she have? (faithful, caring, obedient, trusting, hopeful, a good mother, etc.)

The Lord asked the widow to demonstrate remarkable faith. She was commanded to feed the prophet. This was not only hard for her but life-threatening for her and for her son as they had enough food for one last meal. The widow obeyed regardless and gave her last bit of food to Elijah, acting on faith on Elijah's words. Elijah told her if she fed him, her meal and oil would not run out "until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth" (1 Kings 17: 14). 

Sometimes we are asked to share what we have with others. Sometimes we are asked by God to make sacrifices. What are some things we are asked to share and/or sacrifice? (sharing toys with family, sharing time, sharing talents, tithing, fast-offerings, etc.) The Come Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual for this week says, "An invitation to sacrifice is an opportunity to exercise my faith." How are our sacrifices a way to show our faith and devotion to Heavenly Father?

What are some things we can to share with those around us and help those in need? What are some ways we can increase our faith through service?

Show the quote below from President Monson and bare your testimony on how service has built your faith.

Activity: Print copies of Elijah and the Widow Activity Page link here.

Closing Song: "The Holy Ghost" (Children's Songbook, 105)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Olive Oil Bread Rolls recipe here

Lesson 26: 2 Samuel 5-7; 11-12; 1 Kings 3; 8; 11

 June 20-26
2 Samuel 5-7; 11-12; 1 Kings 3; 8; 11
"Thy Kingdom Shall Be Established For Ever"

Materials: video (link below), Coloring page and utensils.
Opening Song: "Keep the Commandments" (Children's Songbook, 146)
Opening Prayer:

**Special Note: This lesson deals with maters pertaining to immorality including fornication, adultery, and pornography. These are the matters discussed in the manual for this week. I feel it is important to teach children about morality from an early age, and I feel that the manual also highlights that this week. Please feel free to adopt this lesson to your individual family needs. 

Attention Activity: Use the object lesson #1. The Driver's License and the Dream Car which can be found at this link.

Lesson:

After David slew Goliath, the King and his sons died in battle. The Lord chose David to be King of the Israelites. David was a good King. He listened to the Lord and his people respected him. 

One day, David saw a beautiful woman bathing, named Bathsheba. David was convinced he had to be with her, but she was already married to a man called Uriah. David sent for her, slept with her, and she became pregnant. As King, David had control over his armies. So David concocted a plan. He sent Uriah into battle to the front lines where Uriah would die fighting against Israel's enemies. After Uriah died, David called Bathsheba to the palace and married her. 

The Lord was angry with David. He sent a prophet, Nathan to counsel David to repent. David felt bad for what he had done. He had committed horrible sins and spent the rest of his days asking the Lord for forgiveness. 

This is one of the saddest stories in the scriptures. It highlights the fact that everyone, even people with strong testimonies can succumb to temptation and make mistakes. But it is also an amazing story that teaches us about godly sorrow and repentance. 

We don't know the particulars, but we do know that David stared at Bathsheba as she was "washing herself". David was viewing a kind of pornography. What is pornography?

Activity: Have family watch the video "What should I do when I see Pornography?" from churchofjesuschrist.org (5:45)

At the end of the video it gives some steps we can do when we encounter pornography. The steps were: 1. Call it what it is 2. Turn it off and turn away 3. Talk to a trusted adult about it 4. Pray to Heavenly Father and ask him for help. (You may want to talk to your family about scenarios they may encounter or have encountered and discuss a plan of action of what they can do in each scenario.) 

David also committed the sin of breaking the law of chastity. The law of chastity is God's law that no one should have sexual relations outside of marriage. David had sexual relations with Bathsheba when they were not married. It is important to note that although this is a serious sin, you can always make things right again through repentance. 

David's last sin is the most troubling. David broke the commandment, "thou shalt not kill" by knowingly sending Uriah to die in battle. Hopefully, none of us will commit such serious sins, but if we do, what should we do? What can we learn from King David?

"David’s downfall was not determined by one fatal mistake but rather a series of increasingly unwise and selfish decisions. It is important to remember that at any time during this devastating progression, David could have chosen to humble himself and seek repentance. Tragically, however, David admitted his guilt only after he was confronted by the prophet Nathan (see 2 Samuel 12:13). And while the Lord offers forgiveness to those who fully repent, He does not necessarily remove the negative consequences of sinful behavior. As President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) taught, “It is better to prepare and prevent than it is to repair and repent" ("What We Can Learn from King David's Fall," Frank Judd Jr. Ensign Oct. 2018). 

Optional Activity:  Coloring Page

Bear your testimony of repentance and overcoming sin. 

Closing Song: "More Holiness Give Me" (Hymns, 131)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Lemon Buddies recipe here

Lesson 25: 1 Samuel 8-10; 13; 15-18

 June 13-19
1 Samuel 8-10; 13; 15-18
"The Battle is the Lord's"

Materials: David and Goliath video (link below), pencils, rubber bands, erasers, an exact-knife, plastic bottle caps, tape, a pen, mini marshmallows. 
Opening Song: "I will be valiant" (Children's Songbook, 162)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Have your family make diy slingshots using everyday supplies like. Follow the link below for a good tutorial. (Supplies: 2 pencils, 4 rubber bands, an easer, an exact-knife, a plastic bottle cap)

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

Lesson: 

Have family member tell the story of David and Goliath or you can watch the video clip linked below from the church website. 

"David and Goliath" video  (2:36)

Goliath was a big big--a giant, at least 7 feet tall, and he was a good fighter. He tried to intimidate David by taunting him. How did David show bravery and courage? How did David show his faith?  Read 1 Samuel 17: 45-47. What can we learn from the story of David and Goliath?

When speaking in General Conference, President Gordon B. Hinckley said the following about David and Goliath: "I would like to bring it down into your own lives. There are Goliaths all around you, hulking giants with evil intent to destroy you. These are not nine-foot-tall men, but they are men and institutions that control attractive but evil things that may challenge and weaken and destroy you" ("Overpowering the Goliaths in Our Lives", General Conference April 1983).

Activity: Modern Day Goliaths slingshot shoot.

Directions: Print the picture a Goliath below. Ask family members, "What are some modern day Goliaths or challenges we face today like President Hinckley alluded to?" Write their answers on ugly Goliath' face. Then, tape the paper up on a wall. Have family use slingshots and mini marshmallows to "destroy" modern-day Goliaths. 

So we know what some of our Goliath's can be. What can act as our slingshots? What are our weapons we can use to fight our challenges today? 

Have a family member read the following quote from President Hinckley: "But you need not fear if you have the slingshot of truth in your hands. You have been counseled and taught and advised. You have the stones of virtue and honor and integrity to use against these enemies who would like to conquer you. Insofar as you are concerned, you can hit them “between the eyes,” to use a figurative expression. You can triumph over them by disciplining yourselves to avoid them. You can say to the whole lot of them as David said to Goliath, “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.”

We live in a fallen world and constantly we are taunted just like David was to be afraid, to give into temptation, to waver in our testimonies. Daily we face the evil giants of todays world who call evil good and good evil. But, with the help of the Lord, we can overcome any challenge, we can face any foe. We can come out of the battles for our morals and standards victorious. 

Bear your testimony.

Closing Song: "We are All Enlisted" (Hymns, 250)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Chocolate Marshmallow Chubbies recipe here

Lesson 24; Ruth; Samuel 1-3

 June 6-12
Ruth; 1 Samuel 1-3
"My Heart Rejoiceth in the Lord"

Materials: videos, paper, pencils, crayons, "Here am I" song (link below)
Opening Song: "Follow the Prophet" verse 6 (Children's Songbook, 110)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Play a few rounds of "telephone" with your family. 

Lesson:

Sometimes, it's hard to hear important messages. Sometimes we don't listen because we let the hum drum of the world is too loud in our ears, and sometimes we ignore important messages. When the Lord chooses to speak to us, either through His prophet or through the Holy Ghost, we should listen. 

Have your family watch the following videos: 

"Hannah" (1:15)

"Samuel the Prophet" (2:12)

Whose voice was Samuel hearing? Samuel was a prophet and even from a young age, he heard the voice of the Lord guiding him and instructing him on how to lead the Israelites. How does the Lord guide you?

We may not hear Jesus Christ speaking to us physically, but we can feel inspiration and guidance from the Holy Ghost. The Holy Spirit can speak to us just like Jehovah spoke to Samuel. How does the Holy Ghost communicate with us? What are some ways that you feel the Spirit?

Another way we can hear God's voice is when we listen to prophets like Samuel. Samuel was given instructions by the Lord for the church in his day. Who leads the church today?

Watch the following video from President Nelson. "#HearHim: President Nelson Invites Us to Hear the Voice of the Lord" (2:35)

So far we've been talking about how we can hear the voice of the Lord speaking to us. But after we hear him, what are we supposed to do when He calls out to us? How did Samuel respond to the voice of the Lord? Read 1 Samuel 3:4. Samuel answered the Lord. He didn't just hear Him, he was listening to Him. He hearkened. President Nelson said to hearken "means to listen with the intent to obey" ("Hear Him" April 2020, General Conference). We can't just hear Him and then tune Him out, ignore Him, or procrastinate--we have to act. 

Activity: "Here Am I" song journal prompt

Give each family member a piece of paper and pencil or crayons. Explain that you will play a song and while they listen you want them to answer 2 questions on their paper: How will I hear the Lord better in my life? & How will I respond to the Lord's will for me? Your family can draw write their responses on their paper. 

"Here Am I"

As we seek to hear the voice of the Lord, we will understand His counsel for us personally. We can answer the Lord's will by being accepting, willing, and ready to act in whatever He wants us to do. We want to be the kind of disciple that will hear the Lord and answer by saying, "Here am I." Bear your testimony.

Closing Song: "If I Listen With My Heart" (Additional Songs for Children, Gospel Music App)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Brown Sugar Peach Cake recipe here

Lesson 23: Judges 2-4; 6-8; 13-16

 May 30- June 5
Judges 2-4; 6-8; 13-16
"The Lord Requires Up a Deliverer"

Materials: video, printouts (below), scissors, pen, tape or glue
Opening Song: "Redeemer of Israel" (Hymns, 6)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Have your family do some basic exercises like jumping jacks, arm circles, sit ups, push ups etc. Why do people exercise? We should exercise to improve our physical health and strength. 

Lesson:

In the book of Judges, we read about a man blessed by God to have great physical strength. His name was Samson. Read Judges 13: 5. God blessed Samson with strength so he could help fight the Philistines, the enemy of the Israelites at the time. Samson's strength was legendary. No chains could hold him and he could lift heavy loads, but it came with a catch. Samson had to keep a covenant he made with God--he lived as a Nazarite. He could not cut his hair, could not drink any alcohol, or eat unclean meat.

 

Samson's strength helped to fight against the Philistines in many battles. The Philistines saw Samson as a threat and devised a way to defeat him. 

Watch "Samson and Delilah" from youtube. 

What did the Philistines do to defeat Samson? Delilah badgered Samson endlessly, saying that if Samson truly loved her, he would tell her the secret to his strength. After he was captured, Samson was taken to prison. The Philistines then tied him up between two pillars while they partied and worshipped idols. Have your family take turns reading Judges 16: 28-31. 

Samson's strength came from him keeping his covenants as a Nazarite. When he broke that covenant, his strength was taken from him. He later, prayed pleading with the Lord to remember him and restore his strength for one final time. The Lord answered Samson's prayers. 

Samson's story reminds us that there is strength and blessings given to us when we keep our covenants with God. Samson had physical strength, but we can have spiritual strength as we keep our covenants. 

Activity:

Directions: Before FHE print out the two pages below. Cut out the dumbbells. Ask your family: How can we be spiritually stronger? What are some spiritual exercises we can do? As your family comes up with spiritual exercises (i.e. reading scriptures, saying prayers, etc.) Tape or glue the dumbbells to bodybuilder picture. 

Keeping our covenants makes us stronger. As we keep our covenants, the Lord blesses us with strength to overcome our challenges. As we do spiritual exercises like reading our scriptures and having daily prayer, our spiritual strength is increased and we are then better able to withstand temptation and have the spiritual strength the combat Satan. 

Bear your testimony of your covenants. 

Closing Song: "Choose the Right" (Hymns, 239)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment:

Lesson 27: D&C 71-75

 June 28- July 4
Doctrine and Covenants 71-75
"No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper"

*This lesson is about bishops. Branch presidents have similar duties, but are not all the same. For example, branch presidents don't have to be called as high priests. If you live in a branch and not a ward, you may want point out that there are differences and make adjustments to the lesson where necessary. 

Materials: art supplies (Construction paper, sticker, coloring utensils, scissors, etc.)
Opening Song: "Called to Serve" (Hymns, 249)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Give the following clues and have your family try to guess who this person is:

- He serves the Lord
- He is a common judge
- He coordinates the work of salvation and exaltation, including caring for those in need
- He oversees records, finances, and the use of the meetinghouse
-He is the presiding High Priest in the ward
- He is the president of the Aaronic Priesthood
- He is the father of our ward 

Who is he? He's the bishop. All bishops share these responsibilities. Who the Bishop of our ward?

Lesson:

In D&C 72, the Lord called a new bishop to serve the church. His name was Newel K. Whitney. D&C 72 also talks about some of the duties that bishops have many of which related to members living the law of consecration. 

Today, bishops still have many of the same duties mentioned in D&c 72 like receiving funds for the church (tithing) and utilizing the elders to report the needs of the church members through the ministering program. 

Bishop ______ is the bishop for our ward. Do you know the Church as a whole also has a bishop? He's called the presiding bishop and he helps President Nelson to allocate tithing and church funds for building church buildings and temples. He also works with the general Young Mens presidency because, he's the head of the Aaronic Priesthood. Use the link below to show your family a picture of the presiding bishopric. 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/leaders/presiding-bishopric?lang=eng

Bishops work really hard and sacrifice a lot of their time to help the members of their wards. What is one thing you think we can do to help the bishop? What's one thing you like about our bishop? How can you show the bishop your care?

Activity: Cards to the Bishop

We can show our appreciation for our Bishop by writing him a card. Using art supplies like construction paper, sticker, markers, etc., have your family members write cards to the bishop. Then choose a time where you can go deliver the cards with a treat to take to the bishop.

Bear your testimony of the priesthood and how it's leaders have blessed your life. 

Closing Song: "Our Bishop" (Children's Songbook, 135)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Bake your favorite cookies  and take half to your bishop. Here's a yummy recipe for sprinkle cookies. 

Lesson 26: D&C 67-70

 June 21-27
Doctrine and Covenants 67-70
"Worth... the riches of the whole earth"

Materials: coloring pages printed, house pictures printed, scripture verses printed a pasted to house pictures, coloring utensils
Opening Song: "Isreal, Isreal, God is calling" (Hymns, 7)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Below are links to several coloring pages that go with today's lesson. Print at least one each and have family members color them. 

Parents teaching the gospel (verse 25) :  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2009/03/coloring-page?lang=eng

Baptism (verse 27): https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/images/gospel-library/magazine/fr09may17_color.jpg

Prayer (verse 28): https://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-may-2017/2017-05-37-coloring-page-eng.pdf

Keeping the Sabbath day Holy (verse 29): https://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/liahona-april-2016/2016-04-37-the-sabbath-is-a-special-day-eng.pdf

Work hard; don't be lazy (verse 30): https://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-september-2016/2016-09-36-i-can-help-my-family-eng.pdf

Don't be greedy (verse 31): https://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-august-2016/2016-08-36-coloring-page-eng.pdf

Lesson: For our opening song today we sang the words, "come to Zion." What is Zion? Where is Zion? Zion refers to any place where righteous people live. Sometimes in the scriptures, Zion is a specific place or city. Other times, Zion is wherever the children of God gather together. 

We can "come to Zion" in a physical sense by attending our church meetings and activities and by attending the temple. We can also "come to Zion" spiritually through doing things that will make us more Christlike. In D&C 68, the Lord gives important counsel for "the inhabitants of Zion." In other words, he gives the members of the church important advice on becoming a Zion people. 

Activity:

(Before FHE, print 6 copies of the house image below and the list of verses from D&C 68. Glue one of the verses on to a copy of the house. Tape the houses around your home in different rooms.)

25 And again, inasmuch as ^aparents have children in Zion, or in any of her ^bstakes which are organized, that ^cteach them not to understand the ^ddoctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when ^eeight years old, the ^fsin be upon the heads of the parents.

27 And their children shall be ^abaptized for the ^bremission of their sins when ^ceight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands.

28 And they shall also ^ateach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord.

29 And the inhabitants of Zion shall also observe the ^aSabbathday to keep it holy.

30 And the inhabitants of Zion also shall remember their ^alabors, inasmuch as they are appointed to labor, in all faithfulness; for the ^bidler shall be had in remembrance before the Lord.

31 Now, I, the Lord, am not well ^apleased with the inhabitants of Zion, for there are ^bidlers among them; and their ^cchildren are also growing up in ^dwickedness; they also ^eseek not earnestly the riches of eternity, but their eyes are full of ^fgreediness.

Directions: Around the home, I have taped the pictures of a house. When I say go, you will go find the pictures; there are six total. 

Once your family has found all the houses, have them read the verse on the back. Then show the the coloring pages from the beginning of the lesson. Have them match their verse to the picture that matches it best. 

We want to be a Zion people--we want to be righteous and live the way Heavenly Father wants us to live. This means we need to be doing things we already know we should be doing like listening to our parents teach gospel principles, keeping our baptismal covenants, praying, keeping the Sabbath day holy, working hard, and avoiding greed and pride. These are simple things that make a big difference. 

Our home can be a Zion home--a place where righteous children of the Lord dwell and learn about the gospel. What things could help our home become a Zion home? What should we avoid doing in our home that will drive away the Spirit? Which thing we talked about today could you work on this week? 

Bear your testimony on becoming a Zion people. You can tape the coloring pictures up around your home to remind your family how they can work on being a Zion people. 

Closing Song: "As Zion's youth in latter-days" (Hymns, 256)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Mixed Berry Oatmeal Crumble Bars see Pinterest page for details

Lesson 25: D&C 64-66

 June 14-20
Doctrine and Covenants 64-66
"The Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind"

Materials: play dough, story from the friend, "Forgiveness" video
Opening Song: "I'll walk with you" (Children's Songbook, 140)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: 

Give each member of your family some play dough. Ask them to make a heart shape with their play dough. When they are through, take one the hearts and rip it in half. Sometimes because of the actions of others, our hearts get broken. We get hurt; we feel let down, offended--even betrayed. This is an unfortunate but inevitable side effect of mortality. So what do we do when are hearts get broken? Do we become angry and bitter? Or do we heal? How can we heel our own broken hearts?

Lesson:

Heeling our hearts after someone has wronged us can only be done through forgiveness. What is forgiveness? What does it mean to forgive someone? Have your family take turns reading D&C 64: 7-10. When we forgive, we let go of any anger or bad feelings. We move forward without further blame or grudges. Forgiveness is a divine attribute. Can you think of an example of forgiveness in the scriptures?

Activity: Story about forgiveness in The Friend. Read here.

In the story, Jaide read a story about Jesus forgiving the soldiers who came to arrest him. Christ is the ultimate example of forgiveness. He forgave those who beat him, spit on him, and nailed him to the cross and asked Heavenly Father to "forgive them for they know not what they do." 

Joseph Smith was another example of forgiveness. He received D&C 64 after one of his friends, Ezra Booth, left the church and started writing bad things about Joseph in the newspaper. Joseph kept moving forward with the restoration. He would even try to continue to teach people after they would beat him. 

How can we be more forgiving of others? Sometimes, we do not always get an apology from the person that hurt us, but we still have to forgive. The atonement of Jesus Christ can help heal the hurt. An important thing to remember about forgiveness is, that the atonement of Christ works for others, the same as it works for us. We may need to remind ourselves that other people can be made clean through the atonement of Christ. If Heavenly Father can promise to "remember their sins no more," certainly we can too. 

This does not mean we need to keep getting hurt. If we are in a situation with someone who continues to hurt us emotionally or physically, we can forgive them and still stop associating with them. Forgiveness is not accepting or excusing bad behavior, but deciding that you will not let anger and bitterness towards that person keep you from having charity towards them. 

Activity: "Forgiveness" video from President Uchtdorf. 

Like Elder Uchtdorf said, we need to stop judging others. We need to let go of bitterness, anger and hate and start forgiving and having charity. Show one of the play dough hearts from the beginning of the lesson. Our hearts can be mended. Sometimes it take time and effort. Sometimes forgiveness is a process--a decision you have to remember to make every day. The end result is a mended heart, a heart full of Christlike love. Bear your testimony of forgiveness. 

Closing Song: "Help Me Dear Father" (Children's Songbook, 99)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Salted caramel recipe here

Lesson 24: D&C 63

 June 7- 13
Doctrine and Covenants 63
"That which cometh from above is sacred"

Materials: campfire (optional), Google slides (link below), coloring pages and utensils, video clip (optional)
Opening Song: "Faith" (Children's Songbook, 96)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity:

Ask a family member about the steps and materials needed to make a campfire. If time and circumstances allow you could make a campfire together before FHE. 

Lesson:

The Lord finally revealed the site for New Jerusalem in Missouri and many were called to go to Missouri to prepare. One such person was a man named Ezra Booth. For FHE tonight we are going to talk a little bit about Ezra Booth's story. 

(Follow the link below for a slides about Ezra Booth.)

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Y2BZPyuA8CSu6C3fEj8eIx6KGlVIhvNQ3c6ODuwzJGE/edit?usp=sharing

When Samuel the Lamanite visited the Nephites, he prophesied of many signs and wonders in the heavens that would proclaim Jesus's birth. Yet, when these signs were seen, many Nephites were wicked and did not believe them. Some even sought to kill the faithful. Others believed for a time but then forgot about the signs and became wicked before Christ's death. 

President Kimball used to say, "Faith precedes the miracle." What does that mean? We know as latter-day saints that miracles do happen, and more often than we think. We often see small miracles through the Lord's tender mercies and, sometimes, we get to experience or hear about "big" miracles, like someone being healed or saved from a deadly situation. Even though miracles abound, and all miracles are blessings of God, they become quite meaningless to those of little or no faith. Miracles are like spiritual kindling. 

Fires can be started with kindling. It burns fast and hot, but it also doesn't last long. More robust fuel like firewood is needed to keep a fire going for a long period of time. Kindling can also be added to a fire to make it stronger, but it alone is not enough. Signs and miracles are the same with our testimonies. They can be a good start but the sturdy logs of faith are needed to keep a lasting fire of testimony. 

Activity: "Faith Precedes the Miracle" coloring

Show the coloring page below. Remind your family that Alma 34 teaches that our faith can grow like seed into beautiful testimonies just like these flowers. Have your family color their page. 

Optional activity: "There can be miracles, if you believe" (video from The Prince of Egypt)

Bear your testimony about faith. If you have witnessed a miracle, share it with your family and how your faith and testimony grew. 

Closing Song: "True to the Faith" (Hymns, 254)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Campfire Banana Boats

Lesson 23: D&C 60-62

 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 chips

   

  Melt 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. 

 

Lesson 26: Alma 23-29

June 29- July 5

Alma 23-29 
They "never did fall away"

Materials: play printed out (below), swords 1 per person (plastic sword, cardboard tube, paper sword, etc.), blanket, sheet of paper, pencils, scriptures
Opening Song: "Teach me to walk in the light" (Children's Songbook, 177) 
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: Alma 24:15 Oh, how merciful is our God! And now behold, since it has been as much as we could do to get our stains taken away from us, and our swords are made bright, let us ^ahide them away that they may be kept bright, as a testimony to our God at the last day, or at the day that we shall be brought to stand before him to be judged, that we have not stained our swords in the blood of our brethren since he imparted his word unto us and has made us ^bclean thereby.

Attention Activity:
Invite a family member to come up. Take their hand and demonstrate a pinky promise. What is this? When we promise something, what does that mean? Today we are going to be talking about a group a good people who made a promise to God.

Lesson:
Ammon and the other sons of Mosiah have been successful in converting many of the Lamanites including the kings. This made the other wicked Lamanites angry with them and want to destroy them. The Lamanites who have converted to the gospel decide to give themselves a different name to set themselves apart. Do you remember what the name is? (Alma 23:17) They called themselves the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. 

Activity: Using the passage below have your family act out Alma 24. 

Cast: Ammon, Anti-Nephi-Lehi (ANL), Lamoni, a Lamanite, an Amulonite. Props: Swords (1 per person, a blanket)

In the land of Midian the Anti-Nephi-Lehies and the sons of Mosiah gather to hold a council to decide what they should do to defend against the angry Lamanites. 

Ammon: Brothers! It is good to see you!

Lamoni: I wish it was under different circumstances. Let me first introduce my bother, Anti-Nephi-Lehi. My father appointed him to be the next king of his lands before he died. 

ANL: It is good to see my fellow brethren in Christ. Unfortunately, the Amalekites, 
Amulonites, and all others who do not believe in God now wish to destroy us. So, what shall we do?

Lamoni: I thank my God, for sending these Nephites (Point at Ammon) to teach us about the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am also thankful that we can repent of our many sins. 

ANL: Yes! It was hard for us to repent though.

Lamoni: Yes, we had committed many sins and murders. But our swords (hold up  sword) which were once stained with the blood of the Nephites are now clean and bright through our repentance. I don't think we should use our swords again; I don't want to shed anymore blood. Let us hide our swords away as a testimony to our God that we will shed no more blood since we have been made clean. 

ANL: We should bury them deep in the earth!

Lamoni: Yes, let's bury our swords as a testimony! And if our brethren destroy us, we will go to God and be saved. 

ANL, Lamoni, and the people of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies gather together each with a sword. They bury their swords and weapons in the earth [under a blanket].

Lamoni: We now covenant never to use weapons again for the shedding of man's blood. We will die before taking anymore lives. We will work and not be lazy. 

The Lamanites come. They find the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehies kneeling on their knees without any weapons, praying. The Lamanites kill 1,005 of them without any resistance. 

Lamanite: (confused) What is this? Why don't they fight? I can't do this anymore. Throws down sword. (sadly) What have I done? Oh Lord, I am so sorry for killing all these innocent people. 

Amulonite: (angrily) What's going on now? Why are you saying sorry? This is all the Nephite's fault. Let's go with the Amalekites away from here. 

The Amulonites and Amalekites leave.

Ammon: 1,005 of the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehies died today, but the Lord works in many ways to the salvation of His people. The Lamanites who killed these men have now repented and joined us and they number more than those who have been killed today. 

End Scene

Show the picture from the manual "Anti-Nephi-Lehies buring their weapons" by Dan Burr. Why did the Anti-Nephi-Lehies bury their swords deep in the earth? Do you think they were blessed for making this choice? How? (Read Alma 24:26) Even though a lot of righteous Anti-Nephi-Lehies died, there were more Lamanites converted. 

The Anti-Nephi-Lehies Burying Their Swords (62565), by Del Parson; GAK 311; Primary manual 3-54; Primary manual 4-33; Alma 24:17

What is one thing you are really good at? What's one thing you do that Heavenly Father would be proud of? Now, can you each think of an area where you could improve. What is one thing that you need to try harder to do?

Pass out a slip of paper and pencil to each person. Have everyone write down one thing they need to overcome or stop doing like a bad habit, etc. Do you have a bad habit or something you could overcome or abandon?  Collect the papers and decide as a family a symbolic way to get rid of them (i.e. bury them in backyard, burn them, throw them in the dumpster, etc. )

We all can choose to let go of our personal demons--the things that hold us back. We can all choose to overcome or sins and bad habits. The people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi decided not to fight, even though it meant their certain doom. They said they would rather be killed than break their oath and shed more blood. What hardships are we willing to endure to overcome our own personal faults? The Lord blessed the people, not by protecting them, but by adding to their numbers. Heavenly Father always has a plan. 


Closing Song: "If the Savior stood beside me" (Additional Songs for Children, Hymns app)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Sugar cookie cheesecake bars recipe here