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 22: Joshua 1-8; 23-24

May 23-29
Joshua 1-8; 23-24
"Be Strong and of a Good Courage"

Materials: cowardly lion picture, video (link below), coloring utensils, badge of honor coloring page printed
Opening Song: "Faith" (Children's Songbook, 96)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity:

Show the picture below. Explain that this is the Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz. In the movie, the lion feels like a bad lion because he is often afraid.  "He does not understand that courage means acting in the face of fear, which he does frequently. The cowardly lion is in fact brave, but he doubts himself. In many scenes in this classic book and film, the Lion shows bravery in the face of danger" ("Cowardly Lion," Wikipedia April 2022). 

Lesson:

In the Old Testament, the Lord tells the prophet Joshua, "Be strong and of good courage" (Joshua 1:6). 

Have you family watch the video "Joshua the Prophet" video from the church website.

The Israelites were led to the promised land, but there were wicked people living there. How did Joshua and the Israelites show courage in the face of this challenge? 

Courage and bravery can often relate to our faith in Jesus Christ. As we put our faith in the Lord, we are able to act in the face of our fear and do what He wants us to do. Having strength can come from the Lord too. Being spiritually strong can help us as we overcome obstacles and face down the walls of Jericho in our own lives.

There are some aspects or challenges in our life that may seem scary or daunting like the walls of Jericho were to the Israelites. What are some things that scare you? How can you have more corsage to overcome these challenges?

Activity: Badge of Courage Coloring

(Before FHE, print the page below and give one to each family member.)

At the end of The Wizard of Oz, the Cowardly Lion is given a medal to remind him of all the times he was courageous while helping Dorothy. Medals of bravery are still given to courageous men and women throughout the world by sovereigns. Color the picture below and write down one thing you will do to show more courage and faith in Jesus Christ. 

As we confront our challenges with our spiritual strength, showing corsage, and exercising faith in the Lord, He will help us to conquer those battles. When the Lord helps us overcome and conquer our trials we can remember how he has helped us and promise to follow him. As Joshua said, "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).

Closing Song: "I Will be Valiant" (Children's Songbook, 162)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Apple cheesecake "tacos" recipe here 

Lesson 21: Deuteronomy 6-8; 15; 18; 29-30; 34

May 16-22
Deuteronomy 6-8; 15; 18; 29-30; 34
"Beware Lest Thou Forget the Lord"

Materials: Remember picture (below), Remember cards printed onto cardstock, scissors, paper, and pencils
Opening Song: "Where Love Is" (Children's Songbook, 138)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Show the picture below. Have your family members read some of the ways people around the world say the word "Remember." Remember is a word used a lot in the scriptures and in our covenants. What did we promise to remember when we were baptized?

Lesson: 

At this time, the Israelites were approaching their final destination in the promised land. Moses  felt his life and ministry were coming to a close. He wanted to impress upon his people the importance of remembering all that had happened to the them in Egypt and for the last forty years. 

As they had journeyed in the wilderness, they had to endure many trials. Many of these trials came as a result of not living righteously. Hence, a journey that should have only taken the Israelites a few months, lasted for forty years. The Lord wanted to make sure their hearts were ready to come to the promised land. 

Moses was afraid that when the Israelites finally settled down in Judea, they would get too comfortable, forget the Lord, and harden their hearts. The final teachings of Moses focused on loving the Lord with all your heart and remembering the Lord. 

Activity: Remember Cards

Directions: Before FHE, print onto card stock and cut out the cards below and place them face down in front of your family. Have each family member take turns reading each card. Then, have each family member choose a card. 

Elder Soares said, "There is a strong correlation between the emotion felt and the resulting memory. Thus, the stronger the emotion, the more vivid and influential is the memory. In the Hebrew context, the word remember involves a knowledge that is accompanied by appropriate action. Thus, doing is an essential part of remembering" ("Always Remember Him," Liahona April 2022). 

Give each family member a piece of paper and a pencil. Have them write down what they are doing to remember Jesus. Look back at the card you picked. This week what will you do to remember what is on your card? Please place your card in your room somewhere where you can see it as a reminder of all of the good that the Lord has done for you.

Bear your testimony of the importance of remembering the Lord and keeping your baptismal covenant. 

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

Lesson 20: Numbers 11-14; 20-24

May 9-15
Numbers 11-14; 20-24
"Rebel Not Ye Against the Lord, Neither Fear"

Materials: doctor tools picture, "Moses and the Brass Serpent" video (link below), 
Opening Song: "Faith" (Children's Songbook, 96)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Show the picture below. What kind of person uses tools like these in their job? What do doctors do? Doctors help people feel better when they are sick or injured. Doctors or physicians are sometimes called healers because they help heal people when they feel unwell. Did you know that one of the some the nicknames for Jesus are "The Great Physician" and the "Master Healer?" How is Jesus like a doctor?

Lesson:

Show the video, "Moses and the Brass Serpent" from churchofjesuschrist.org (1:02)

The Israelites needed healing both physical and spiritual. They had forgotten the Lord, and when they encountered serpents on their journey, they were bitten. When this trial happened, they remembered the Lord and asked for His help to heal them from their wounds. The Lord did not immediately heal them, instead he made a test of faith. His prophet, Moses, held up a brass serpent on a staff. They had to act in order to be healed. They had to look and the staff and have faith in order for the Lord to heal them. "If they would but look up at the serpent and exercise faith in the words of Moses, they would be healed. In the same way, a person who will look up to Christ and his atoning sacrifice, as culminated on the cross, and will exercise faith in Christ will be healed" ("Is it true that the Brazen Serpent lifted up by Moses in the wilderness symbolized Christ? Why would the image of a serpent be used to represent the Savior?" Phillip F. Low, Ensign Sept. 19830). 

Activity: Look and Live Song

Play the song "Look and Live" by Katherine Nelson (EFY 2003 album). Display the lyrics below so  your family can follow along with the song.

"Look and Live"

By Katherine Nelson

 

Just as sure as there are stars out in the heavens tonight,

There is a hope that hovers over those looking for the light.

And though it’s just as certain as the faith in those who give,

Attention undivided they look and live.

 

We have wandered in the wilderness,

Long enough to know,

That there are passions filled with poisons,

Where the faith will never go.

But are fighting to stay focused,

To keep them safe within.

A promise of protection,

They look and live.

 

Look and live!

Feel the power of the healing,

That only He can give.

We look and live,

Forever facing forward,

To the God of all that is,

Who can live.

 

He’s the future in our footsteps, 

The anchor in our lives.

He’s the rock of our salvation,

In shadow and sunshine.

May He ever smile upon us,

As we find our strength in Him.

Let us heed His servants’ voices.

We’ll look and live.

 

Look and live!

Feel the power and the healing,

That only He can give.

We’ll look and live,

Forever facing forward,

To the God of all that is.

Look and live.

 

Look and live!

Feel the power and the healing,

That only He can give.

We’ll look and live,

Forever facing forward, 

To the God of all that is.

Look and live.

In the song, it talks about how we can "look and live." We might not all be bitten by snakes in our lives, but we all need spiritual healing. How can we be healed by the Savior? President Nelson gave a talk called "Jesus Christ--the Master Healer." In this talk he said, "The sequence of His pattern is significant. Faith, repentance, baptism, a testimony, and enduring conversion lead to the healing power of the Lord" (Ensign November 2005). President Nelson assures we can reach out to the Lord and ask Him to heal us through priesthood blessings and the power of prayer. How has the Savior helped to heal you? 

He ended his talk saying, "The gift of resurrection is the Lord’s consummate act of healing. Thanks to Him, each body will be restored to its proper and perfect frame. Thanks to Him, no condition is hopeless. Thanks to Him, brighter days are ahead, both here and hereafter. Real joy awaits each of us—on the other side of sorrow." 

Optional Activity: Use clay, brass colored art paint, and popsicle sticks to make your own brazen serpent. Write on the staff with a permanent maker, "Look and Live."

Bear your testimony of the healing power of the atonement.

Closing Song: "Jesus the very thought of thee" (Hymns, 141)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Lemon Blueberry Bread recipe here 

Lesson 19: Exodus 35-40; Levitcus 1; 16; 19

 May 2-8
Exodus 35-40; Levitcus 1; 16; 19
"Holiness to thee Lord"

Materials: Temple Matching worksheet, "The Tabernacle" video, The Ancient Tabernacle picture
Opening Song: "I Love to See the Temple" (Children's Songbook, 95)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Give everyone a copy of the worksheet below. Have them match the item in the tabernacle to it's spiritual significance listed. (The answers will be given in the video we will watch later)

Lesson:

The Lord often gives His children holy place where they can go to feel close to Him and have spiritual experiences. Abraham and the patriarchs had beersheba, and we have the temple. But the Israelites were traveling in a desert for forty years. They couldn't build any buildings or keep coming back to the same spot every time they needed spiritual guidance so, the Lord instructed them make a portable holy place called the tabernacle. 

Watch the video, "The Tabernacle" from churchofjesuschrist.org. 

What was the tabernacle used for? What were the 3 parts of the tabernacle called? (The outer courtyard, the holy place, and the holy of holies) What do these 3 parts of the tabernacle represent? (the celestial, terrestrial, and celestial kingdoms) Show the picture The Ancient Tabernacle, by Bradley Clark located in Come Follow Me For Individuals and Families 2022 (page 84). 

The tabernacle of the ancient Israelites has some differences from the temples we attend today. We no longer offer animal sacrifices as a way to repent of our sins for example. There are also a lot of similarities between the tabernacle and our modern day temples. What are some similarities you noticed?

Why do you think we need temples and tabernacles? The Lord told the Israelites, "Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy" (Lev. 19:2) On the outside of every temple is the phrase "Holiness to the Lord." What does it mean to be holy?

Sister Carol F. McConkie said, "Holiness is in the striving and the struggle to keep the commandments and to honor the covenants we have made with God. Holiness is making the choices that will keep the Holy Ghost as our guide. Holiness is setting aside our natural tendencies and becoming 'a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord.'Every moment of [our lives] must be holiness to the Lord” ("The Beauty of Holiness" Ensign, May 2017).

Just like the ancient Israelites, we are tasked to become more holy. This means being righteous, reverent, and christlike. Attending the temple helps connect our hearts to heaven and keeping the commandments shows our Heavenly Father our effort to become more holy like He is. Think of one thing you can do this week to focus on your personal holiness. How can you be more holy?

Bear your testimony.

Closing Song: "More Holiness Give Me" (Hymns, 131)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Reese's Peanut Butter Ball recipe here 

Lesson 18: Exodus 24; 31-34

 April 25- May 1
Exodus 24: 31-34
"My Presence Shall Go With Thee"

Materials: printout, video, paper, crayons, pencils
Opening Song: "I will walk with Jesus" (Gospel Library App, Additional Songs for Children)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Give each family member a piece and pencil. Write down 5 things that are really important to you. Then ask them to number them 1-5 from most important to least important. Things that are important to you are priorities. Hopefully, you put your priorities in the right order. Really important priorities could have to do with our relationships with others. Heavenly Father wants our relationship with Him to be our top priority. Our testimony of the gospel should be number 1. 

Lesson:

When the Israelites were wandering in the desert, they did not have good priorities. The Lord had saved them from slavery, but they were used to worshipping idols, not Heavenly Father. 

Have your family watch the video Moses on Mount Sinai from churchofjesuschrist.org

What did the Israelites do when Moses was on Mount Sinai? How did Moses react to the golden calf statue? Heavenly Father had already revealed the 10 commandments to the Israelites, including the commandments, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," and, "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image" (Exodus 20:3-4). The Israelites had broken those commandments by making and worshipping the golden calf. 

Look back at your list from the beginning of FHE. Did you put the Lord first? If not, add the Lord to the top of your list. 

Today, we tend to not worships little figures of gold or stone. In our church we don't pray to statues. Sometimes, however, we don't always put the Lord first in our lives. Moses asked the children of Israel after he saw the golden calf, "Whose on the Lord's side?" (Moses 32:26). How can we should the Lord we are on his side? Is there something in your life you are giving more time to than the Lord? How can you show the Lord that you put Him first like he asks?

Activity:

Before FHE, print the document below for each family member. On the ribbon write, "I'll put the Lord 1st by... Ask each family member to write down or draw a picture of one thing they can do to put the Lord first on the other half of the ribbon. Then they can color the medal. 

Read the quote from President Benson above and bear your testimony. 

Closing Song: "Whose on the Lord's Side" (Hymns, 260)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Caramel Fudge recipe here

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 22: D&C 58-59

 May 24-30
Doctrine and Covenants 58-59
"Anxiously engaged in a good cause"

Materials: Letter Cards (below), scriptures, bowl
Opening Song: "Reverently Quietly" (Children's Songbook, 26)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Ask a child to show your family what sitting reverently looks like. Remind everyone that sitting reverently is more than just sitting still and quiet--it's trying to feel the spirit. Have another family show what it looks like to walk reverently. Explain to younger children that we walk reverently at church to and from classes and on the temple grounds. How can we be reverent during our classes in church?

Lesson: 

Being reverent is an important part of our Sabbath day worship. What is the Sabbath? When Jesus created the world he stopped and rested on the seventh day. He showed us by example that we need to set aside one day out of every week to rest and to glorify God. One of the 10 commandments is to keep the Sabbath day holy. The early saints were reminded to keep the sabbath day holy in Section 59 of the D&C. Read D&C 59: 9-12. 

Activity: How to "Keep the Sabbath Day Holy!" Before FHE. Print the cards below. On the back of each card in any order write the letters "K e e p t h e S a b b a t h D a y H o l y !" Tape the cards to a whiteboard or wall to display for your family to see with the letters facing up. Have your family take turns picking cards and discuss how your family can do each thing to keep the sabbath day holy. After each card has been read, fold them and place them into a bowl.

Activity: Sabbath Day Charades

Using the sabbath day cards in the bowl, have your family play a game of charades to act out the ways to keep the sabbath day holy. 

Today we've talked about a lot of ways to keep the sabbath day holy. It's also important to note that many families choose different ways to honor the sabbath day. Some families might stay in their church clothes all day, while others come home from church and change to comfortable clothes to rest in. Some families may choose to not watch television, while others might watch a wholesome movie together. It's important not to judge others for the way they choose to keep the sabbath day holy. The activities we talked about on the cards earlier are ways the prophets and other church leaders have encouraged us to honor the sabbath day. 

Why do you think keeping the sabbath day holy is so important? Our Heavenly Father gives us so many blessings; he gave us His only begotten Son. Devoting one day a week to worshipping our Heavenly Father is not much to ask. Having a day at home to rest and meditate is also healthy for us. Bear your testimony of keeping the sabbath day holy. 

Closing Song: "Remember the Sabbath Day" (Children's Songbook, 155)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Sabbath day Sundaes! Grab your favorite ice cream fixin's for a sundae treat!

Lesson 21: D&C 51-57

 May 17-23
Doctrine and Covenants 51-57
"A faithful, and a wise steward"

Materials: papers (at least 6), art supplies. 
Opening Song: "For the Beauty of the earth" (Hymns, 92)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Go on a walk with your family. While you walk have each person say one thing they love about being outside. 

Lesson:

Remind your family that members of the church in 1831 were living the law of consecration. What is the law of consecration? One of the purposes of the law of consecration is to remind us  all that we have been given comes from the blessings of our Heavenly Father. What are some things the Lord has blessed you with? Even though Heavenly Father gives us many wonderful blessings, we should use those blessings to help the Lord and build his kingdom on the Earth. 

In D&C 51, the Lord outlines specific things he wanted the early saints to do to live the law of consecration. After explaining his expectations the Lord says, "And whoso is found a just, and a wise steward shall enter into the joy of his Lord, and shall inherit eternal life" (v. 18). What does Jesus mean by a just and wise steward? What is a steward?

A steward is someone who supervises and takes care of things. If you are a steward for someone's land, you take care of it for the owner. Heavenly Father wants us to be just and wise stewards over the blessings he has given us. 

Activity: Stewardship drawing. Before FHE gather six pieces of paper (or more depending on the size of your family) and write one of the following phrases on each paper: "the earth"🌎, "our home"🏠, "your body"⛹, "your money"💸, "your children"👪, "your pets/animals"🐕. Hand out the papers to your family members. Tell your family to draw or describe how they could be faithful, just, and wise stewards over the item written on the bottom of their paper. (Example: "the earth" draw a picture of someone recycling). 

When your family has finished with their drawings, have them share what they drew and how they could be a wise steward. 

In the church, we promise to consecrate our time, talents, possessions and even sometimes lives to building the Kingdom of God. A sister might consecrate her time by attending a presidency meeting. A brother might consecrate his talents when he offers to paint the house of an elderly woman. Members consecrate their possessions by giving freely to fast offerings. We all do our best to live the consecution and we should always remember that we are merely stewards over the many blessings that we have been given. Bear your testimony of the law of consecration and how living as a steward has blessed your life. 

Closing Song: "Because I have been given much" (Hymns, 219)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Carrot cake cheesecake recipe here

Lesson 20: D&C 49-50

May 10-16
Doctrine and Covenants 49-50
"That which is of God is light"

Materials: photos below, posters below
Opening Song: "I love to see the temple" 2nd verse (Children's Songbook, 95)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Acitivity: Show the following pictures below. What do all of these photos have in common?

    These photos all represent marriage. Today we are going to talk about marriage and why it is essential in our Heavenly Father's plan.

Lesson:

Ask your children, "Why do you think marriage is so important?". Read D&C 49: 15. Display the poster below: "Marriage is ordained of God." What do you think that means? Marriage, more specifically eternal marriage in the temple, is a sacred ordinance. It is required by all to receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom. No one can be exalted alone. Everyone will need an eternal companion to be sealed to in order to receive all of the blessings we have been promised by our Heavenly Father. 

Read D&C 49: 16. Show the poster below. What do you think it means by, "and they twain shall be one flesh?" Marriage is meant to be an equal partnership. We often hear married people refer to their spouses as "their other half," because together, they create one whole unit. Men and women directly compliment each other to make this work. When we date, we are trying to find a companion who compliments our strengths and weaknesses. Elder Bednar explained, "The natures of male and female spirits complete and perfect each other, and therefore men and women are intended to progress together towards exaltation" ("Marriage Is Essential to His Eternal Plan," Ensign, June 2006). Have a married couple in your family explain how their personalities compliment each other or how they work together as a team. 

Read D&C 49: 17. Show the poster below. What do you think its talking about when it says "and that it might be filled with the measure of man"? One of the biggest reasons that men and women must marry in the eyes of the Lord is to fulfill creation--have children. Having children is a great blessing and responsibility and only couples married for eternity will be able to continue to have children after they are resurrected. Elder Bednar went on to say in the same address, "By devine design, both a man and a woman are needed to bring children into mortality and to provide the best setting for the rearing and nurturing of children." Children were meant by heavenly design to be born into homes with both a mother and father.

Think of a married couple in your life that you think has a strong marriage. What do they do that makes their marriage strong. Why are you blessed to have their example in your life? What can you do to strengthen your marriage or prepare to have a strong marriage? Bear your testimony of eternal marriage and its role in the Plan of Salvation.

Closing Song: "Families can be together forever" both verses (Children's Songbook, 188)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Whoopie pies recipe here 

Lesson 19: D&C 46-48

 May 3-9
Doctrine and Covenants 46-48
"Seek ye earnestly the best gifts" 

Materials: languages picture, welcome video, paper and pens
Opening Song: "Hello Song" (Children's Songbook, 260)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Show the picture below and have your family practice saying hello in different languages. 

Lesson:

"Hello" can be a powerful word. It expresses kindness and welcome which is why it is usually the first word you learn to speak when you learn a new language. Being kind and welcoming is an important part of becoming more like our Savior Jesus Christ. 

"Meetings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should be among the most welcoming and inspiriting gatherings in the world" (Come Follow Me For Individuals and Families: 2021). Did you know that our sacrament meetings are open for everyone in the entire world to attend? Read D&C 46: 3-5. Our sacrament meeting and even our other church meetings are open to all who feel inspired to come--even if they are not members of the church. Even people who do not believe as we do or live the same standards as we do are still welcome to come and enjoy our church services on Sunday. 

Do we know of any families in our neighborhood or community that we might welcome to church? What could we do to invite these families to come to church?

Activity: "Welcome" Video 

What stood out to you in that video? Encourage your family members who have social media accounts to share this message on social media.

Occasionally, some members of the church stop coming because they do not feel welcome. That should make us sad because we want everyone to have the desire to return to church. What could we do to make everyone who comes to our church meetings and activities to feel welcome? 

Church is a place where everyone should be able to feel the spirit. Did you feel the spirit this past Sunday? What could you have done to better feel the spirit at church? The Holy Ghost should reside at all our church meetings enabling us to feel the spirit and to learn. Class teachers and speakers should seek to teach through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. If the Holy Ghost is truly in attendance in our meetings and in the hearts of all those in attendance, it will be easy for visitors to feel the spirit and feel welcome at our church. 

Activity: Goal setting

Have each family member take a piece of paper and write down a goal focusing on welcoming others at church. (Examples: I will invite Annie to come to primary with me, I will text my ministering families to remind them of the activity this week, I will be friendly to the new kid in the ward, I will try to listen better in Sunday School, I will tell the teacher thank you, I will invite Liam to come hear me play the musical number.) 

Bear your testimony of how you feel as a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Closing Song: "We are different" (Children's Songbook, 263)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Brookie Recipe here 

Lesson 18: D&C 45

April 26 - May 2 
Doctrine and Covenants 45
"The promises... shall be fulfilled"

Materials: dice, hymnal, printed quotations below
Opening Song: "I know my father lives" (Hymns, 302)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity:

What does a lawyer do? Where do they work? Lawyers are people who understand the law. They use their knowledge of the law to either help convict criminals or to help people accused of a crime. Defense lawyers speak on the behalf of their client, pleading with the judge for them on their behalf. Another word for this kind of lawyer is an advocate. John the beloved said, "And if any man sin, we have an ^badvocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (1 John 2:1)

Lesson:

In the Doctrine and Covenants, Jesus explains how he is our advocate with the Father. Read D&C 45: 3-5. In these verses, we hear Jesus speaking to the Father about us, pleading for us, and  asking Heavenly Father to grant us everlasting life. Jesus's role as our advocate is one of his most important jobs--a job only he can do because only he is perfect. 

Activity: Roll and Learn

To learn more about Jesus Christ's roll as our advocate with Heavenly Father, we will take turn rolling a die. The number on the die corresponds to an activity or passage to read below. Keep rolling until all six numbers have been rolled. (You may wish to print off the quotations)

Sing the 4th verse to "Reverently and Meekly Now" #185 

1. 4. At the throne I intercede;

   For thee ever do I plead.

   I have loved thee as thy friend,

   With a love that cannot end.

   Be obedient, I implore,

   Prayerful, watchful evermore,

   And be constant unto me,

   That thy Savior I may be.