Lesson 14: Exodus 7-13

March 28- April 3
Exodus 7-13
"Remember this day, in which ye shame out from Egypt"

Materials: paper and crayons, construction paper, scissors, printout (see below), video clip (link below), fresh parsley, pita bread 
Opening Song: "Tis' Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love" (Hymns, 177)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Have family members draw a picture of a nightmare and a hero that could save the day. 

Lesson:

Moses had been called by the Lord to ask Pharaoh to free the Hebrews from slavery, but Pharaoh refused. The Lord was not happy with Pharaoh; he said, "For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servant, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth. For now I will stretch out my hand, that i may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth" (Exodus 9:14-15).

Activity: 10 Plagues Reveal

Directions: Print the picture below. Using construction paper, cut circles of the same size as those in the image. Tape the construction paper circles over the pictures circles and number them 1-10 accordingly. Have family members take turns taking off the circles in order. Describe each plague as you go using your own words or the passages below. 

1: Waters to Blood: The first thing the Lord did to get Pharoh's attention was to have Moses and Aaron (his brother) turn all of the streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds in Egypt to turn from water into blood. All the fish died in the water and it stunk. It lasted for 7 days. 

2: Frogs: Read Exodus 8:3 

3. Lice: The next plague to come to the Egyptians was lice. Lice are tiny bugs that live in your hair and cause you to itch. Exodus says that all the dust in Egypt was turned to lice that infested all the people and animals in Egypt. 

4. Flies: Even after the water was ruined and frogs and lice infested Egypt, Pharaoh still refused to free his Israelite slaves. So the Lord sent swarms of flies into the homes of the Egyptians. 

5. Sick Cattle: Read Exodus 9: 6-7

6. Boils: Moses took ashes and threw them in the air in front of Pharaoh. When the ashes drifted down large painful sores called boils appeared on the skins of all the Egyptians including Pharaoh's magicians.

7. Hail and Fire: Pharaoh still wouldn't listen, so the Lord sent a storm--a massive hail storm. Hail is ice that rains from the sky. Sometimes hail can be very large and dangerous like ice cubes the size of baseballs raining from the sky. Along with the hail storm, fire rained down upon the earth.

8. Locusts: Locusts came next to the Egyptians. They are big huge crickets. The Lord sent so many locusts they covered the entire land so you could not see the ground and the sky seemed dark because there were so many flying around. The locusts ate all of the crops that had not already been destroyed in the storm, so the Egyptians had absolutely no food to eat. The locusts filled the houses of the Egyptians. 

9. Darkness: For 3 days a thick darkness covered the land in Egypt. The darkness was so bad no one could see each other or light lanterns.

These plagues mainly effected the Egyptians; the Israelite slaves God protected. Moses came to Pharaoh before each plague and begged him to let the Lord's people go free, but Pharaoh hardened his heart and refused. 

10. Death of the Firstborn: Moses came to Pharaoh one last time and said, if you don't let the Israelites go, all of the firstborn children and beasts will die. But Pharaoh again didn't listen and threw Moses out. 

Activity: Watch The Prince of Egypt passover clip 

How did the Lord protect the Israelites from the plague of the firstborn? The Isrealites were told to take a lamb and use its blood to mark their doorways. The lamb would be eaten for dinner along with bitter herbs and unleavened bread. The bitter herbs (show parsley) were to remind them of the bitterness of the captivity and the unleavened bread (show pita bread) was to remind them that there was not time for their bread to rise before they fled their captivity. They had to be ready to go with their loins girded, shoes on their feet, and staff in their hand. They did this and were safe from the plague. Pharaoh, grieving the loss of all the firstborn children finally let the Israelites go. 

Every year the Jewish people celebrate the passover. The day before Jesus was crucified, he celebrated the passover meal in what we now call the Last Supper. What did Jesus do at this meal? At the Last Supper Jesus instituted the sacrament. He told the disciples to drink wine in remembrance of his blood and to eat bread in remembrance of his body. 

The passover meal and the sacrament have a lot in common. In the passover, blood of the lamb is meant to protect from death. In the sacrament, we drink water to remember the blood that was shed by Jesus, the Lamb of God. The Israelites ate the flesh of the lamb in the passover meal just like we eat the bread to help us remember the body of Christ that died for us. Read Exodus 12:14. 

Bear your testimony of the atonement and the sacrament. 

Closing Song: "He sent his son" (Children's Songbook, 34)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Matzah bread recipe here

Lesson 13: Exodus 1-6

March 21-27
Exodus 1-6
"I Have Remembered My Covenant"

Materials: mason jars or clear plastic cups, craft tissue paper (red, orange, yellow), bush cut outs, mod podge, foam brushes, battery operated tea lights, 
Opening Song: "He Sent His Son" (Children's Songbook, 34)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Guess who? 

Read the following clues below. Ask you family to raise their hand when they think they know who the mystery person might be.

1. When I was a baby, the king tried to kill me by ordering that all the male infants in the land should be slaughtered, but I escaped thanks to my family. 
2. I spent time in the wilderness before my ministry.
3. I fasted for 40 days.
4. I showed power over the waters.
5. I was a deliverer of Israel. 

This was kind of a trick question. If you thought these things applied to Jesus Christ, you were right. But these statements also could be applied to a man who lived over 1000 years before Christ. They also apply to Moses. 

Lesson:

Moses and Jesus Christ's lives had a lot in common. Moses is what is called a "Christ type." Events the happened to Moses would later happen to Jesus Christ. Studying Moses's life the next few weeks should help us to remember the Savior. Moses is one of the most famous Old Testament persons. He is revered by both Christians and Jews as a great prophet. The book of Exodus tells Moses's story.

Have a family member summarize Moses's life up to the point where he asks Pharoh to let the Israelites go. Or you can watch the animated Old Testament stories using the links below. 

• "Baby Moses" (1:36)
• "Moses the Prophet" (1:26)

Moses received his calling to serve as God's prophet in a very unconventional way. The Lord spoke to Moses out of a bush burning with heavenly fire. He told Moses he had heard the cries of the Israelite slaves in Egypt and wanted Moses to ask Pharaoh to free his people. 

 

Activity:

Make the burning bush mason jar lanterns with your family. Instructions can be found in the link below. 

Burning Bush lantern instructions

Like we talked about earlier, Moses's and Jesus's lives had lot in common. Moses acted as the Israelites deliverer out of the bonds of slavery in Egypt. Jesus Christ is likewise our deliverer. We might not be physically in slavery like the Hebrews were, but our sins can hold us in bondage. One of the names for Jesus that we use is redeemer; redeemer means to "buy back." Christ is our redeemer because he bought us back with his own blood. Christ delivers us from spiritual slavery and bondage. 

Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught, "The Savior’s suffering in Gethsemane and His agony on the cross redeem us from sin by satisfying the demands that justice has upon us. He extends mercy and pardons those who repent. The Atonement also satisfies the debt justice owes to us by healing and compensating us for any suffering we innocently endure. “For behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam”("Redemption," General Conference April 2013). 

Bear your testimony.

Closing Song: "I stand all amazed" (Hymns, 193)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Shamrock Shake lasagna layer dessert

Lesson 12: Gen. 42-50

 March 14-20
Genesis 42-50
"God meant it unto good"

Materials: sack, books that are labeled (see below), video
Opening Song: "Help me fear Father" (Children's Songbook, 99)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: using items from around your home, make a simple obstacle course. Have each family go through the obstacle course backwards. What would have made that easier? When we only focus on what is behind us, it makes it harder to see obstacles ahead. Living in the past only hurts us. When we forgive and learn from the past, we can look ahead to the future. What does it mean to forgive? 

Lesson:

Have your family watch the video "Joseph and the Famine" from the church website. How did Joseph react to seeing his brother's again after 14 years? Did he forgive them?

Activity: 

"Fill a bag or sack with five heavy objects (such as books or rocks) that have each been labeled with one of the following words: revenge, hurt, hate, resentment [bitterness about being treated unfairly], and anger.  Have each family member take a turn trying to carry this heavy load. Explain that carrying those feelings in our hearts is an even greater burden than carrying the heavy bag. When we really forgive, we forget all of these feelings and are free from the burden of carrying them" (Family Home Evening Resource Book, pg. 186). 

Joseph forgave his brothers but it wasn't immediate. Sometimes it takes time and the Lord's help to soften our hearts enough to forgive people who have wronged us. When we feel hurt or wronged, we can take comfort in the fact that our Lord and Savior knows exactly how we feel. He was betrayed by one of his closest friends and then crucified by his own people. He also is the ultimate example of forgiveness, pleading on the cross, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." We can always pray to the Father for help to find peace and forgiveness with others in our lives. 

Closing Song: "Lord, I would follow thee" (Hymns, 220)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: whipped hot chocolate recipe here

Lesson 11: Gen. 37-41

March 7-13
Genesis 37-41
"The Lord was with Joseph"

Materials: trials cards (printed and cut out), "You know better than I" video (link below), "After the storm" video (link below)
Opening Song: "I need thee every hour" (Hymns, 98)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Show the video from Joseph King of Dreams "You know better than I" (3:50) 

Lesson:

What are some of the bad things that happened to Joseph? [Joseph was betrayed and sold into slavery by his brothers; he worked as a slave in Potiphar's house; he was harassed by Potiphar's wife and cast into prison for a crime he didn't commit.) Joseph had run into some pretty bad luck. Regardless of all his misfortune, he kept making good choices, sticking to his values, and always trying to make the best of his bad situation. 

Joseph Is Sold by His Brothers, by Ted Henninger

Read Gen. 39:21. Even though Joseph had everything taken from him physically, the Lord never left him. The Lord has promised us in the scriptures that he will be with us during the hard times in our lives. 

Activity: TRIALS scriptures card

Directions: Print and cut out the cards below. Lay the cards scripture side down and have your family members take turns reading each scripture. 

Christ has promised to help us in times of trials. He asks us to put our burdens on him and sends the Holy Ghost to comfort us. Sometimes our trials can feel too big for us to handle. Part of mortality is learning to endure through seemingly unfathomable pain and suffering. 

Watch the video "After the storm" from this weeks lesson in the Come Follow Me for Individuals and Families. (5:12) What stuck out to you in the video? Have you ever felt the love of the Lord when you were having a hard time? What gives you hope when you are struggling?

Bear your testimony of how the Lord has helped you during a difficult time. 

Closing Song: "A Child's Prayer" (Children's Songbook, 12)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Apricot Oat Bars recipe here

Lesson 10: Gen. 28-33

February 28 - March 6
Genesis 28-33
"Surely the Lord is in this place"

Materials: video (link below); Emoji page printed, cut out, with emojis taped to popsicle sticks.
Opening Song: "Love One Another" (Hymns, 308)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Show video about "Jacob and Esau" from churchofjesuschrist.org (2:05)

Lesson:

Esau and Jacob Embracing, by Robert T. Barrett

Activity: Emoji Story

Print and cut out the emojis on the page below and paste to popsicle sticks. Distribute the emojis to your family members and have them hold up the corresponding emojis as you read the lesson. 

When Esau lost his birthright to Jacob👱, he was very angry😡. In Genesis 27 it says, "And Esau hated😡 Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then😡 I will slay my brother Jacob🔪" (v.41).  After talking with his his mother, Rebekah, and his father, Isaac, Jacob 😬 decides to flee from Esau and leave his home🏃. He also wants to find a wife👰 for himself while he is away. 

Jacob👱 journeys until he comes to the house of a man called Laban and he falls in love 😍with Laban's daughter Rachel👩. Laban agrees he can marry Rachel if he works for him for 7 years👷. Jacob 👱agrees and works hard for 7 years👷. On the day of the wedding👰 Laban tricks Jacob 😈and marries his other daughter, Leah 👰to Jacob instead. Still in love😍 with Rachel, Jacob agrees to work 👷another 7 years to marry her. Jacob does and eventually, Jacob 👱 and Rachel are married👰. Jacob ends up having the large family 👪 that the Lord had always promised. Jacob👱 had 4 wives, including Leah and Rachel👩, and he had 12 sons👦. 

Jacob felt it was time to return to his family in Canaan🏃, but he was nervous😬. The last time Jacob had been in Canaan, Esau had been plotting to kill him🔪. Jacob heard on his journey that Esau was going to come meet him with 400 men😱. Jacob decided to pray for help🙏. "Deliver me, I pray thee😔, form the hand of my bother, from the hand of Esau for I fear him😬, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother👰 with the children👦" (Gen. 32:11). Jacob felt inspired to prepare a gift 🎁 for peace ☮ for Esau of sheep and goats🐑🐐. The Lord then appeared to Jacob and blessed him😔. He told him he would be a great leader and he changed Jacob's👱 name to Israel🧔. 

--How do you think Esau will react when he sees Jacob again for the first time over 14 years?

Take turns reading Gen. 33:1-12.

1 And Jacob 🧔lifted up his eyes👀, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men😱. And he divided the children👦 unto Leah, and unto Rachel👩, and unto the two handmaids.

2 And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel👩 and Joseph hindermost.

3 And he passed over before them, and ^abowed himself🙇 to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

4 And Esau ran to meet him🏃, and embraced him🤗, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept😂.

5 And he lifted up his eyes👀, and saw the women and the children👦; and said, Who are those with thee? 😮And he said, The children 👦which God hath graciously given thy servant🧔.

6 Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children👦, and they bowed themselves🙇.

7 And Leah also with her children👦 came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel👩, and they bowed themselves🙇.

8 And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove🐐🐑 which I met? And he 🧔said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord.

9 And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself😁.

10 And Jacob👱 said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.

11 Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee🐑🐐; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it🎁.

12 And he said, Let us take our journey🏃, and let us go, and I will go before thee😁.

How did Esau react to seeing his brother again? Esau embraced Jacob and accepted him back into his life and his family. The two brothers were reconciled, meaning they "made up." Have you ever had a fight with a family member? 

Elder Holland said, "Surely each of us could cite an endless array of old scars and sorrows and painful memories that this very moment still corrode the peace in someone’s heart or family or neighborhood. Whether we have caused that pain or been the recipient of the pain, those wounds need to be healed so that life can be as rewarding as God intended it to be. Like the food in your refrigerator that your grandchildren carefully check in your behalf, those old grievances have long since exceeded their expiration date" ("The Ministry of Reconciliation" General Conference, Oct. 2018).

The Lord wants us to love and care for our family members, but sometimes the people we love the most hurt us the deepest. Sometimes it is hard to forgive. What helps you forgive someone when they've hurt you? 

Elder Holland continued, "My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify that forgiving and forsaking offenses, old or new, is central to the grandeur of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I testify that ultimately such spiritual repair can come only from our divine Redeemer, He who rushes to our aid 'with healing in his wings'" ("The Ministry of Reconciliation" General Conference, Oct. 2018).

Bear your testimony of how forgiveness has brought you peace and healing. 

Closing Song: "Love at Home" (Hymns, 294)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies

Lesson 14: Easter

March 29- April 4
Easter
"I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain."

Materials: favorite picture of the resurrection, paper strips printed, cut out, and placed in easter eggs, hide eggs around the room. 
Opening Song: "He sent his son" (Children's Songbook, 34)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Ask your family members to close their eyes and make a mental picture as you read the following scripture. "We saw [him] standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber. His eyes were as a flame of fire the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sounds of the rushing of great waters..." (D&C 110:2-3)

Who is being described by Joseph Smith here? It was Jesus Christ. Could you see him in your mind as I read? Could you hear his voice? Display your favorite picture of the resurrection. 

He Lives by Simon Dewey

Lesson: 

Read the following excerpt from the Doctrine and Covenants 2021: Come Follow Me For Individuals and Families "(pg.57) April 3, 1836, was Easter Sunday. After helping administer the sacrament to Saints gathered in the newly dedicated Kirtland Temple, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery found a quiet place behind a veil in the temple and bowed in silent prayer. Then, on this sacred day when Christians everywhere were commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the risen Savior Himself appeared in His temple, declaring, 'I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain' (Doctrine and Covenants 110:4)."

Approximately 1,800 years after Christ was resurrected on Easter morning, he appeared to Joseph and Oliver in the Kirtland temple. He introduces himself to Oliver and Joseph explaining that he was our Savior, our advocate with Heavenly Father. 

Activity: Easter egg hunt

Before FHE, print and cut out the list below and place each strip into a plastic easter egg. (You could also put candy in if you wish). Hide the easter eggs around the room.

We can learn a lot about the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ as we study the Doctrine and Covenants. Around the room are hidden easter eggs. Take turns choosing an egg and reading the scriptures inside. What does each scripture passage teach us about the Savior and the Atonement? 

Why did Jesus Christ choose to suffer and die for us? What must we do to receive the blessings of the atonement? 

Every year on Easter, we remember our savior and redeemer, Jesus Christ. We honor his sacrifice as we think about the atonement. And we celebrate his glory and his triumph as we remember his resurrection. His story gives each of us hope--hope for our fallen souls as well as hope for our mortal bodies. Because of the miracles which occurred through the atonement and the resurrection when can be saved from our sins and be resurrected also. 

Bear your testimony of the resurrection. 

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

Lesson 13: D&C 29

 March 22-28
Doctrine and Covenants 29
"Jesus Christ will gather his people"

Materials: picture "How many Times" from manual; "Why did Jesus Christ compare himself to a hen" video (youtube); paper strips printed, cut out, and put in a bag; scriptures
Opening Songs: "Israel, Israel God is calling" (Hymnal, 7)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity:

Show the picture below. Ask your family what the hen in the picture is doing? The hen is gathering her chicks and protecting them with her wings. Did you know that Christ referred to himself as a hen gathering her chickens. 

How Many Times by Liz Lemmn Swindle

Lesson:

Show the video from youtube below. 

In D&C 29, Jesus states that he is gathering his people. The gathering of Israel has been something prophets have been speaking of for thousands of years. What is the gathering of Israel? Well a good place to start when learning about the gathering of Israel is to remember that there are twelve tribes. 

Abraham the prophet prayed to have a son,
So the Lord sent Isaac as the chosen one.
Isaac begat Jacob, known as Israel.
Jacob's sons were twelve tribes, so the Bible tells. 
("Follow the Prophet" verse 4)

Israel had twelve sons and these 12 sons went on to have descendants known as the 12 tribes of Israel. A lot of the world are descendants of these tribes and those who aren't literal descendants can be adopted into a tribe. When you receive your patriarchal blessing, you will discover what tribe you belong to. "When we speak of the gathering, we are simply saying this fundamental truth: every one of our Heavenly Father’s children, on both sides of the veil, deserves to hear the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. They decide for themselves if they want to know more" (Russel M. Nelson, "Hope of Israel"). 

Read D&C 29:4. Since the church has been restored, its members have been given the sacred opportunity to help gather Israel. Not long after Pres. Nelson was sustained as the prophet of the church, he held a special meeting with all the youth of the church to talk about the gathering of Israel. In this address, President Nelson asked, "So my question to you is: are you willing to enlist in the youth battalion of the Lord to help gather Israel?”

Read D&C 29:7-8. We have all been called into the Lord's battalion to help gather Israel in the latter-days--to help others learn the truth of the gospel. In his address, President Nelson also mentioned many things we can do to aid in this cause and help gather Israel. 

Activity:

Print the sentances below, cut them into strips, and place them in a bag. Have each family member take turns reading different things they can do to help gather Israel. 

Lesson 11: 23-26

 March 8-14
Doctrine and Covenants 23-26 
"Strengthen the church"

Materials: whiteboard and marker, scripture cards below printed and cut out, scriptures
Opening Song: "The Spirit of God" (Hymnal, 2
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity:

Show the following list below written on a piece of paper or whiteboard. 

Sacrament Meeting

Announcements
Invocation (opening prayer)
Ward [or branch] business
Sacrament
Speakers
Benediction (closing prayer)

Explain that the things on this list are parts of sacrament meeting. What happens in sacrament meeting that is missing from this list? (Opening and closing hymns; sacrament hymn; prelude and postlude music.) Why do you think we use music in our Church meetings? Why do we sing hymns? What difference do you think it would make if we did not sing hymns in our Church meetings?

Music, especially hymn singing, has always been an important part of worshiping Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It brings a spirit of reverence and love to our Church meetings.

Lesson:

Who can tell me the name of Joseph Smith's wife? Her name was Emma Hale Smith. She and Joseph were married on Jan. 18, 1827 and a few months later, she accompanied Joseph to the Hill Cumorah when he was given the gold plates by the angel Moroni. 

Emma endured many hardships in the few short years since their marriage including the disapproval of her parents, the death of her first baby, persecution, and other heartaches. Still, Emma was a devout woman who wished to have a place in the Kingdom of God. 

In July 1830, Joseph received a special revelation for Emma Smith. In the revelation God told Emma that she was an "elect lady." Heavenly Father makes it clear in D&C 25 that women have a special place in his heart and special duties in the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Activity: Scripture cards

Directions: Print and cut out the cards below and display them in order on a whiteboard or taped to a wall. Have a family member choose in order and read each card. Some cards have activities marked with an *. (Note: Each card references a scripture. If you are short on time, you may only need to read the scriptures that have the word "read" in front of the reference.)

Emma Smith was a very special lady who made many amazing contributions to the church. One of her most important contributions was the church's very first hymnal. In 1835, she helped publish "A Collection of Sacred Hymns" to fulfill the request from the Lord made in D&C 25. In it, "She felt the need for a hymn tradition that would reflect the unique history and theology of the Latter-day Saints. As heirs of divinely restored truth, the early saints wanted to do more than just borrow from other Christian hymn traditions” (Church News, Aug. 11, 1985). 

Today we use a lot of the same hymns in our book that Emma selected all those years ago. And currently, the church is undertaking the compilation of a new hymn book to add to Emma Smith's legacy. 

Emma was also a valiant member of the church who underwent more difficult trials than most people. Lucy Mack Smith, descibed Emma in this passage:  “I have never seen a woman in my life, who would endure every species of fatigue and hardship, from month to month, and from year to year, with that unflinching courage, zeal, and patience, which she has ever done; for I know that which she has had to endure … she has breasted the storms of persecution, and buffeted the rage of men and devils, which would have borne down almost any other woman.” (History of Joseph Smith, pp. 190–91.) 

The last few verses of D&C 25 list out actions Emma needed to take in order to receive celestial glory. In verse 16 it states, "And verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is any voice unto all." Even though this section was written for Emma, it is also directed toward all of us. We can learn a lot from Emma Smith and the revelation received on her behalf. 

Closing Song: "Redeemer of Isreal" (Hymnal, 6)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Lemon Blueberry Muffins recipe here

Lesson 10: D&C 20-22

 March 1-7
Doctrine and Covenants 20-22
"The rise of the Church of Christ"

Materials: puzzle pieces printed and cut out, scriptures
Opening Song: "The Church of Jesus Christ" (Children's Songbook, 77)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity:

Play a round of "two truths and a lie" with your family.

Lesson:

Imagine you were talking with someone who wasn't a member of their church. What would you say if they asked you what are church teaches? Concepts that a church believes are called doctrines. The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints is unique because we believe that our doctrines are Christ's doctrines and are true. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was officially organized on April, 6 1830. Joseph Smith received a revelation about how the church was to be organized--Section 20. "Section 20 is a concise treatment of the basic doctrine, ordinances, and requirements for membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" (Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual). 

Activity: Church puzzle

Directions: Before FHE, print out the pictures below. Cut out each of the twelve pieces and put into a bag. During FHE, have a family member take out a puzzle piece and read out the number. Read the section below that corresponds to the number on the piece. As your family takes out each piece they can assemble the puzzle on the table or floor. Each piece contains a doctrinal truth discussed in D&C 20.

1. The church is called in Christ's name and is organized according the commandments of God. (20:1)

2. The Book of Mormon proves the divinity of the Church. Read D&C 20:11

3. Personal revelation is a key doctrine of the church. Through personal revelation each person can receive their own witness to the Book of Mormon and of the truth of the Church. Read D&C 20:13

4. The Plan of Salvation is a key doctrine of the church. The events of the creation (20:17-18), the fall (20:19-20), and the atonement (20:21-26) are essential elements of God's plan to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. 

5. Baptism is required for all people to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Those who are accountable and desire to be baptized must be baptized by immersion by a ordained elder or priest. (20: 25-27; 37; 72-74)

6. The grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ, will justify and sanctify all those who are willing to repent of their sins. (20:29-32)

7. The priesthood of God has been restored to the earth to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.  The priesthood consists of offices which each have specific duties in the Church. These offices include apostle, elder, priest, teacher, and deacon. (20: 38-67)

8. Members of the church have a duty to understand church doctrine and walk in holiness before the Lord, having their works and faith agreeable with the scriptures. (20: 68-69)

9. The members of the church must meet together often to partake of the sacrament which must be administered by the priesthood. (20: 77-79)

                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Why would these truths be important to emphasize as the Church was being established? How has your life been blessed because you know each of these truths?

Optional Activity: Organization of the church video

Bear your testimony.

Closing Song: "He sent his son" (Children's Songbook, 34)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Church Window Cookies recipe here

Lesson 14: Easter

March 30-April 12
Easter
"He Shall Rise.. With Healing In His Wings"

Materials: whiteboard, dry erase marker, plastic easter eggs, scripture strips (below) 
Opening Song: "Jesus has Risen" (Children's Songbook, 70)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: 2 Nephi 25:13 Behold, they will ^acrucify him; and after he is laid in a ^bsepulchre for the space of ^cthree days he shall ^drise from the dead, with healing in his wings; and all those who shall believe on his name shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Wherefore, my soul delighteth to prophesy concerning him, for I have ^eseen his day, and my heart doth magnify his holy name.

Attention Activity:
Play a round of hangman with your family using the phrase "I will be resurrected like Jesus" on a whiteboard or piece of paper. What holiday is coming up next Sunday? Why do we celebrate Easter? 

Lesson:
This year we have been studying the Book of Mormon. It testifies of the resurrection of Jesus Christ just like the New Testament. The Book of Mormon provides a second witness that Christ really did die and was resurrected. Because of His sacrifice, we will also be resurrected. 

Activity: Easter Eggs 
Have the following scripture strips below printed, cut out, and put each one into a plastic easter egg. Hide the eggs around the room. Have your family take turns finding an easter egg and reading the scripture within the egg. Paraphrases below can be used for younger children. 

2 Nephi 9:6 Resurrection is part of our Heavenly Father's Plan to overcome physical death. 

2 Nephi 9:7 The atonement made our resurrection possible. Without it we would rot and crumble into the earth forever when we die. 

2 Nephi 9: 16 When we are resurrected the righteous will stay righteous, and the filthy will stay filthy. 

Alma 11:43 We will be resurrected to our "perfect form." All of our limbs and joints will be restored and we will maintain all of our knowledge including our guilt. 

Alma 11:44 Resurrection will be for all people young and old, wicked and righteous, and then we will be judged before God. 

Alma 11:45 Once we are resurrected, our bodies won't die. Our spirit and body will be joined together forever.

Alma 40:21 There is a period of time between our death and our resurrection--the spirit world. 

Alma 40:21 Our bodies will be restored perfectly. Every hair on our heads will be restored along with limbs and joints. Our body will be perfected!

 3 Nephi 26:5 We will be judged according to our works and have the resurrection of everlasting life or the resurrection of damnation. 

What are some activities we do around Easter? (Easter parade, wear new Sunday clothes, see the Easter bunny, attend church, Easter baskets, Easter egg hunt) Easter egg hunts are a long and loved tradition. Every year little boys and girls get so excited to hunt for brightly colored eggs. The eggs often have treasures inside like candy and toys. 

Easter egg hunts can help remind us of our Savior. Just like we earnestly seek the colored eggs, we should be seeking the Savior, always striving to come unto Him and be like Him. When we come unto Christ we enjoy the treasure of his infinite atonement and the joy of His resurrection. Our Easter eggs should remind us of the true treats of Easter: the resurrection of the Jesus Christ and the knowledge that we will one day be resurrected too. 


Closing Song: "I know that my Redeemer lives" (Hymnal, 136)
Closing Prayer:


Refreshment:
Easter confetti cookies recipe here