September 30: Laws and Ordinances

These ideas are from the following blog: http://kristysawtelle.com

Chapter 3, Lesson 5: “Laws and Ordinances”

Opening Song:"The Priesthood is Restored", (Primary songbook), "When I am Baptized", (Primary songbook), "Families Can Be Together Forever"

Follow up on commandments challenge from last week's lesson

Discussion: When new members are baptized they may not understand all of the laws and ordinances of the church at first. It may take new converts some time before they understand all of the things we do and talk about in church. The missionaries have a lesson plan to help new members be prepared to participate comfortably in meetings and discussion.

Activity: In one lesson the missionaries will teach new members about 7 different laws and ordinances that we have in the gospel. Each of these seven things are scrambled in a puzzle form below. Try to figure out the puzzle and determine the 7 laws and ordinances new members need to learn about.

1. Unscramble this word “DIHSRPOETO”

2. Find the letter in the alphabet that corresponds to each #given (A=1)
13, 9, 19, 19, 9, 15, 14,1, 18, 25 23, 15, 18, 11

3. Find the letter in the alphabet that directly precedes each letter given in “FUFSOBM NBSSJBHF”

4. Use only every other letter in the phrase “tpenmrpslrels amnsd fvanmuiflry hliwsptnoqrcy”

5. Combine the last ½ of the word “chaser”, the first ½ of the word “vine”, and the last ½ of the word “race”. What is the new word you created?

6. This phrase is written backwards “gninrael dna gnihcaet”

7. find this phrase in the words of this scripture “Mormon 9:29” hint: (ETTE)

Activity: Have each person choose one law or ordinance and present it to the family as if they were introducing it to a new member who knew nothing about it. Have family members ask questions that a new member unfamiliar with church workings may ask.

Explain, Apply and Testify: As each person explains the law or ordinance chosen have them share what they love about that particular aspect of the gospel and how it enhances their life.

Activity: Now write all 7 ordinances on cards of paper and have family members tape their card to one object in the pantry. (Cans, boxes, pkgs. Etc) Use the objects to build a tower. These laws and ordinances work together to build and strengthen the church. Your tower may look a little funny but the Lord doesn't care much about outward appearances. He can build us into a great church with individually great members as we build on His ordinances.

For families with young children: The family is the basic unit of the Church. One of the laws and ordinances we learned about tonight is Eternal families. Everyone gets markers or crayons and we all draw a picture of what we think our eternal family someday will look like. Then we get to discuss what we think our family will be like.

For older teens and adults: Use the scripture references given with each of the laws and ordinances presented in PMG under the “scripture study” section. For each of the seven laws and ordinances find at least a couple scriptures you love and can apply to your life. Mark those scriptures and share them with each other.

Commit: Are there any of the 7 laws and ordinances discussed that we could be doing better with? Brainstorm as a family how you can improve this week and commit to one action.

September 23rd: The Commandments

These ideas come from the following blog: http://kristysawtelle.com

Chapter 3, Lesson 4: “The Commandments”

Opening Song: "Keep the Commandments" (Primary songbook)

Follow up on commitments made and kept from last week

Discussion: Why does our loving Father in Heaven give us commandments? Read the section entitled “Obedience” in PMG on pg. 72.

Activity: Can we name all of the 10 commandments? As a family try to name them (pg. 76 of PMG)
Create a short obstacle course outside or in the family room of your home with 10 obstacles (each one labeled as one of the 10 commandments you named). With a stop watch take turns racing through each obstacle and saying it as you go through it. Repetition will help them remember. You might use:

Step up onto “Thou shalt have no other god's before me”
Hurdle over “Thou shalt not make any graven images”
Slide under “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain”
Jump through “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy”
Leap up to touch “Honour thy father and thy mother”
Cross the balance beam for “Thou shalt not kill”
Somersault over “Thou shalt not commit adultery”
Dodge around “Thou shalt not steal”
Throw a ball through “Thou shalt not bear false witness”
Collapse on the cushions for Tthou shalt not covet”
Let each child go a few times repeating the commandments and trying to improve their speed.

Discussion: Can you think of any other commandments the Lord has given members of his church?
See pg. 73-80 of PMG

Explain, Apply and Testify: How do the commandments show Heavenly Father's love for us? Why are we happier when we keep them? Have you seen this in your own life?

Activity: Let each family member choose one of the things God commands us to do on pg. 73-80 of PMG and tell how he would teach the importance of obedience to that commandment to an investigator or someone who asked him questions about his beliefs.

Families with young children: Sing the primary song (pg. 112 of the Primary songbook) or one of the many rhymes available to practice the 10 commandments. Point out specific times you may have seen each child keeping one of the commandments and how proud you are of them for their obedience.

Older teens or adults: For each commandment in the lesson, list the scriptural promise that goes with it or choose one scripture from the list provided in PMG that you think best teaches or illustrates that commandment and highlight it in your scriptures or book with cross references. Share with your family or your spouse how the Lord's promises have been realized in your life as you have kept the commandments.

Commit: Make it a family goal to practice saying the 10 commandments throughout the week (right before dinner or scripture reading or prayers) and try to memorize all 10 of the Lord's commands by next week. Consider an incentive award for anyone who can recite all 10.

September 16: The Gospel of Jesus Christ

These ideas are taken from the following blog: http://kristysawtelle.com

Chapter 3, Lesson #3: “The Gospel of Jesus Christ”

Opening song:  "The Fourth Article of Faith" (Primary Songbook), "The Church of Jesus Christ" (Primary Songbook)

Follow up on challenges from last week.

Activity and Discussion: Create a little “repentance man” by cutting out a gingerbread shaped man and covering him with clear duct tape or clear contact paper. Using a dry erase marker have family members mention all the different ways we might sin during our lives. They can each write them on the repentance man. When he is all full of sins discuss the need for a Savior, the Atonement, Baptism and Repentance (pg 60-62 of PMG). Then use an eraser or napkin to erase all of his sins so that he is clean again. Read Isaiah 1: 18.
This forgiveness comes ONLY through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ See 2 Nephi 2:6-8
What do we need to do to partake of this divine gift? Have someone read “faith” and “repentance” on pg. 61-62.

Activity: If we are going to teach these essential principles of the gospel we should have a good knowledge and understanding of them. Let's find out how much we know about some principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A tiny mini golf hole is set up in the room (a cup is taped to the ground or a box is set up with a hole cut large enough for a ball to go through). Tape lines are made about 5 feet from the hole, 7 feet from the hole and 10 feet from the hole. Everyone will use a stick or club and try to “golf” a ball into the hole from one of the tape lines (dependent on how many questions they can answer).
Give everyone a sheet of paper and pencil and have them try to answer the following questions to see where they golf from. Some questions from PMG follow for different age groups, or you can create your own.

For younger children:
What is a covenant? pg. 63 PMG
What is the first principle of the gospel? pg. 61
Do I need to repent before baptism, after baptism or both? pg. 63
How are we baptized? pg. 64
After baptism priesthood holders lay their hands on a person's head and give them a gift. What is it?
Once we have been baptized and confirmed we must try to keep the commandments and live righteously throughout our lives. The first letter of each word in this phrase will help us remember what we need to do. The letters are ETTE. Do you know what the phrase is? pg. 66

For older children/adults (These can be looked up in PMG if desired)
What are the first four principles and ordinances of the gospel? See article of faith #4
How often should we repent? pg. 63
Investigators should commit to living three principles in order to be baptized? What are they. Pg. 64
According to the first presidency letter in Dec. 2002 what 3 things should an investigator have done before baptism? pg. 64
What should new members do to retain the good feelings they have had while working with the missionaries? pg. 65
What blessings does God promise to those who Endure to the End? pg. 66 or D&C 14:7, 2 Nephi 31:20

Explain, Apply and Testify: How does my faith in Jesus Christ and my willingness to obey him make my life better? 

Commit: As a family brainstorm about ways we can strengthen our family and each other in the gospel. Come up with one idea to work on this week and commit to helping each other do it.

September 9: The Plan of Salvation

These ideas are from the following blog: http://kristysawtelle.com

Chapter 3, Lesson #2:  “The Plan of Salvation”

Opening song: "I Lived in Heaven" (Primary songbook), "Families Can Be Together Forever" (Primary Songbook)


Discussion: (from pg. 48) So many people in the world today wonder, "Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going?" As members of the church we have the Plan of Salvation to provide us with all of those answers. We know so much about life before this earth, what our purpose here is, and what happens after we die. This knowledge could help everyone in the world to find more peace. If we hope to be able to share it with others, we should have a pretty good understanding ourselves. Let's find out how much we know about the “Plan of Salvation.”

Activity: Enlarge and cut out the principle pictures from the following link (or create your own): http://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/images/gospel-library/magazine/fr08jan16_sharing.jpg?lang=eng 

Let everyone pick out a picture and using masking tape put them up on a blank wall or chalkboard and tell what they know about that picture as part of the plan of salvation. Let others add what information they know or ask questions about each picture.
Here are some scriptures that kids may be able to understand on each topic. Be sure to cover:
The pre-earth life (pg. 48), Abraham 3:25-26
Earth life (pg. 49-52), 2 Nephi 2:27
The spirit world (pg. 52) Alma 40:11-14
The resurrection, judgment and immortality (pg. 53) Mosiah 4:30, Alma 34: 33-35
and the Kingdoms of Glory (pg. 53) D&C Section 76 (introduction) D&C 14:7


Activity #2: Make cutout “children” or print from the following link:

 http://lds.about.com/library/bl/primary/primary_children_all_over_world.pdf  

On each child write a question that a non-member might have about life after death, pre-earth life, judgment or the resurrection. Hide the cutout children around the house and have family members search out and find all of the lost children. Point out that this is similar to how our missionaries search for Heavenly Father's lost children who don't know about the gospel. Don't give up on finding the lost children even if some of them are difficult (point out that some missions are difficult and Heavenly Father NEVER gives up on any of his children). When all of the cut out children have been found begin reading and answering the questions. I have included some examples of questions you might use for younger and older children (or create your own). 

Younger Children
If someone I love dies will I ever see them again? What are they doing?
What happens to people who died but never joined the church?
What happens to little children who die?
What happens after the second coming? Who is on the earth during the millennium?
Is everyone resurrected? When will I be resurrected? 

Older Children
Why do bad things happen to good people?
When am I judged from my actions on this earth?
What is the difference between who goes to the celestial kingdom and who goes to the other two?
If someone dies before they get married in the temple when will they be able to be sealed eternally?
Isn't the terrestrial kingdom good enough? Why or why not?
If I marry a non-member and I'm really good can I be sealed to my kids someday?

Commit: Discuss a challenge your family might take learning about the plan of salvation. Challenge as desired.

September 2: The Restoration

These ideas are from the following blog:  http://kristysawtelle.com

Chapter 3, Lesson #1: The Restoration 

Opening Song: “The Golden Plates” from primary songbook
Discussion: Our Heavenly Father loves us and wants to communicate with us. He wants to be able to hear from us and to send messages of comfort, guidance and information to us. 

Activity:  Morse Code (One way we can communicate with each other)You will need two flashlights. Let everyone see what signal on the flashlight will represent a dot and what represents a dash.  Have the family divide in half and each group go to one end of the room or outside in the dark and decide what word they want to spell for the other group. Let each person do one letter. The other group will write down what letters they think you are sending and then try to interpret the word. Then they get a chance to send you a word.

Discussion: There are a lot of ways we learn to communicate with each other (name some others) but Heavenly Father has told us how he wants us to communicate with him (through prayer) and how he communicates to us. How does He get a message to us? (List some ways) Make sure to mention prophets and scriptures.Heavenly Father wants us to be successful and to return to him so he helps us. One way is by calling prophets to give us direction and information. Throughout the world's history Heavenly Father has sent prophets. Can you name any of them? Can you name our prophet today? How do you personally know that these prophets were called by God? (This is a testimony bearing opportunity for them) 

Scripture: Amos 3: 7 and D&C 1: 38 Have someone help explain these verses and their application to us. Testify of the truthfulness of these verses.

Activity: Tell everyone you are going to talk about what happened to the prophets the Lord sent over time and as you tell the story you will ask questions. Every time someone answers a question right you will quietly place a penny in their hand and continue the story. Choose what parts of the discussion to turn into questions based on your children's age group and knowledge level.

Discussion: Prophets were on the earth all throughout the Old Testament. Then a few years before the Savior's birth the people became so wicked that the Lord took their prophets away. The Savior brought the gospel back to the earth and before he died in the NT he called apostles and a prophet to lead the people. But the people rejected the apostles and killed the prophet. Without apostles and prophets the Savior's gospel was changed and then lost. This period of darkness was called “The Great Apostasy” or Dark Ages. Not until 1830 did the Savior restore His true church again on the earth. This was called the Restoration and came about in answer to young Joseph Smith's prayer.Have family members tell the story of Joseph Smith's first prayer (see page 36-37 of PMG) taking turns and handing out pennies for important information. (Or tell the story and have them fill in the details).   As part of the restoration of His church, the Savior gave us a prophet and some additional scriptures (the Book of Mormon, D&C and Pearl of Great Price)

Activity: Allow everyone a chance to toss their pennies at the target from behind a tape line on the floor, then gather the family together and ask if anyone has received their own testimony of the Restoration, Joseph Smith, President Monson, or the Book or Mormon. As you share your testimony give them a chance to feel the spirit and share their own thoughts in any way they feel comfortable.

Commit: Brainstorm as a family ways you could strengthen your knowledge or testimony of the first vision, prophets, president Monson or the Book of Mormon . These might include memorizing a short portion of the JS story , memorizing the scripture that sent him to the grove to pray, or learning more about our current prophet. Commit everyone to do one thing, no matter how small this week and report back next week.

Families with young children: Write a secret message to each child challenging them to do something from the lesson in the coming week (ex: draw a picture of the first vision). Wrap the note in foil and hide it in their treats before you bake them (cupcakes, cookies, muffins etc). They can eat the treat, find the challenge and choose when to complete it.

Teens and Senior Couples preparing to serve: do the activity on pg. 39 of PMGWrite an example of what YOU would feel comfortable saying when introducing someone to the Book of Mormon. Read the last two paragraphs in the introduction to the Book of Mormon and work together to explain the meaning of each concept in both paragraphs.

Week 19: Go Forward With Faith

By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.

Alma 37:6

Click HERE for this week's lesson from LDS.org

Ideas from Lindsey: 

Give your family a small puzzle with one piece missing. Ask them to put it together. Explain that they need all the "pieces of the puzzle" (or gospel) to go forward with faith. You may even choose to write things on the back of the puzzle according to the lesson...prayer, scriptures, faith, obedience, etc.

Challenge all family members to read their scriptures and pray for one month straight. Select a reward for your family if everyone completes the goal.

Write a family mission statement. Include ways your family will go forward with faith.

Teach a lesson on journal writing and the importance of documenting faith promoting experiences. Consider creating a book where family members can write down miracles.

Have each family member share a faith promoting experience.

Make a "spiritual time capsule" for your family full of miracles and testimonies.

For the little ones...create a paper doll for the armor of God and label all the parts.

Cut out a paper flower (daisy or sunflower). Write "go forward with faith" on the center circle, then write all the things they need to do on the petals. Hand out petals or hide around the room. Tape up petals as you go. OR...create a train, balloon bouquet, whatever your family loves!

Week 18: Work and Self-Reliance

Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent.

Doctrine and Covenants 60:13

CLICK HERE for this week's lesson from LDS.org

Ideas from Lindsey:
Share with your family what your first job was and explain the importance of work in your life
Make a family budget together (or individual budgets/spending plans)
Mock Interviews (coach family members on interview etiquette and proper attire...then ask them actual interview questions)
Share inspirational stories from your ancesters about how they showed the importance of hard work and self-reliance
List marketable qualities that employers look for when hiring...discuss how to acquire these qualities. *I suggest also pointing out how the gospel and many programs in the church help prepare us to have qualities that employers are looking for.
Discuss idleness and the importance of avoiding being idle. List things that cause us to be idle and read the paragraph from the lesson about avoiding such activities
Reality Check Time! For those teens preparing for college/missions...write college spending plans together, taking into account how much money they will actually need to survive
For the little ones, have them choose something they REALLY want to buy.
Go outside and work together!!! 
"You can get something for nothing" discuss the dangers of gambling (as found in the lesson)
Write goals for the future
Define Self-Reliance

Here is a GREAT link from the primary: http://www.scribd.com/doc/25795141/Work-I-Can-Do-My-Part-FHE-Lesson

Thanks Amy!

Next Week's Lesson (the last lesson!!!): Go Forward with Faith

Week 17: Tithes and Offerings

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, … and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing.

Malachi 3:10

CLICK HERE for this week's lesson from LDS.org

Ideas from Lindsey:
Create tithing jars
Teach what 10% is by giving the rest of your family 10 of something they love (candy bars, dollars, toys, etc) and then of course, tell them they have to pay 1 of them in tithing.
Use this fun tithing maze CLICK HERE
Use this LINK for a FHE game for your family (includes making tithing cups
Make a TITHING WHEEL and play a game at the following link (includes songs, lesson, activity, etc.)
Discuss the importance of "offerings" and plan with your family how you can donate to others
Teach the law of the fast
Tithing Lesson: The Parable of the Skittles





Next week's Lesson: Work and Self-Reliance

Week 16: Sexual Purity

The sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

“The Family: A Proclamation to the World”

CLICK HERE for this week's lesson from LDS.org

Ideas from Lindsey:
Read the lesson straight out of the manual with your family
Teach your family the definition of VIRTUE
Show your family a picture of you on your wedding day, discuss the importance of being unspotted from the world when you get married
Do an object lesson on the Iron Rod and the importance of holding strong to the iron rod
Show the following video: Chastity: What are the Limits
Show the following video: Choose to be Pure
Show the following video: Return to Virtue
Teach your children some self defense moves
Make a family plan of action of how to stay virtuous (for example, set specific rules as to expectations in your family...and what they should do if they are ever in need of help)
Go through scenarios with your children and have them decide what they would do to stay sexually pure. For example, your high school friends invite you to go camping with boys and girls from school, what should you do to remain sexually pure? OR...Your college boyfriend (or girlfriend) invites you to come back and see his bedroom..Be creative


Links from Elders Quorum (with updated links in dropbox)
Sexual Purity
Physical Intimacy

Insights from Leah Young:
 I was asked to share a few thoughts about this upcoming weeks topic. It's hard because there is so much that can be said, when teaching ALL ages, about this subject. We love Linda and Richard Eyre and have paid a one time fee to be members on their valuesparenting.com site, where we have learned so much about how to go about talking and teaching our children about intimacy. I will continue to HIGHLY recommend this resource to ALL parents! Below is a mini section included in their "introduction" section of their "how to talk to kids about sex" section of the site.

Before I send you on to read that however, I think it's important to note that this is not a topic that we need to wait until the age of 8, or later, to start talking to our kids about. We can talk to little ones about how mommy and daddy show love with kisses and hugs and how we sleep in the same bed because we are married and it's such a fun thing to have sleepovers every night after you get married...in fact it's so fun and special and awesome that those are neat things that Heavenly Father says we get to do after we are sealed in the temple. It's something exciting to look forward to and it's so special that we want to save those fun things for after we are married to our husband/wife. There are many spins that can be taken, but keeping it simple, light and exciting is key. We really need to make sure that our kids understand how exciting and wonderful intimacy can be at the right time with the right person rather than taking an approach that leaves children feeling that intimacy is bad or wrong or shameful.

After our first "big talk" with Brinley we made a pact, the three of us, that we would always be open and talk to each other about "the special hug" whenever there were questions that came up. We have had several "booster" discussions with her since her 8th birthday and she will periodically come to us with questions after hearing things at school. We have been able to foster an enviornment that allows her to feel comfortable and open to sharing and discussing this topic.

Cody and I spent months talking about, reading articles on and practicing going through the "big talk" with one another prior to beginning the full blown discussions with our oldest. It is our thought and hope, with this topic as with all character qualities we strive to instill in our children, that taking the time and energy during these formative years will pay off in great dividends for the rest of their lives and ours as well.

Hope this helps,
Leah

Here is the Eyre's section:

It may be the most important talk you will ever have with your child! The

“big talk” about sex should come early (we recommend the eighth birthday), but it

is never too late! A “preemptive strike” can give your child a healthy, positive,

respectful view of human intimacy that will stand up to all the garbage that will

come from the media and the peer group. And being able to talk together about

THE MOST intimate subject will make any and every other subject “on limits”

between you and you child. But all parents need help with this subject! We tend to avoid it and delay it

and feel embarrassed and hesitant about it.

Parents all over the world want to know how to talk to their kids about sex in a positive, pragmatic way,
and they want reassurance that their voice and their influence can outweigh that of the

media and the peer group.

This pivotal discussion should be preceded by preparatory dialogues and followed by discussions designed to continue all through adolescence, each adaptable to your situation, your personality, and the age of your child.

Our theory is that the best (and most effective) reason for sexual restraint and responsibility is that it increases one’s chances for a successful and lasting long term commitment and for a safe and happy family. A child with this goal, this hope, this vision will make better decisions in every area of his or her life.

The adjectives “beautiful” and “awesome” are used repeatedly to symbolize this

positive approach. The single greatest protection for kids (and the strongest

motivation for avoiding early, dangerous sex) is to grow up thinking of sex as a

wonderful, spectacular miracle that not only makes babies but also can bind

couples and families together in a loyal, happy way. The words “beautiful and

awesome” will come to represent this to your child.

Next Week's Lesson: Tithes and Offerings

Week 15: Service

When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

Mosiah 2:17

CLICK HERE for this week's lesson from LDS.org
Sorry followers...forgot to post the week for service! Having too much fun in Montana!

Week 14: Sabbath Day Worship

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Exodus 20:8

CLICK HERE for this week's lesson from LDS.org

Ideas from Lindsey:
Make quiet books for Sacrament Meeting
Have all family members write down all the things they did on Sunday...discuss the activities we do before/after church and how to improve
Role play correct/incorrect behavior during sacrament meeting
Sing the primary song on p.196 "Sacrament" about how Saturday is the day we get ready for Sunday
Have a lesson on the importance of journal writing and set a goal for each family member to write a goal to write in their journal each Sunday for one month.
Create a book with pictures of the Savior to look at during sacrament meeting
Discuss activities we do during sacrament that may distract others
Teach of the importance of keeping the chapel clean
Write thank you cards to the Aaronic priesthood for administering the sacrament



Next week's lesson: Service (start thinking of service project for your family!)

Week 13: Repentance

By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them.

Doctrine and Covenants 58:43

CLICK HERE for this week's lesson from LDS.org

Ideas from Lindsey:
Decorate a beautiful white cake. Relate it back to being clean on your baptism day (or Sunday after you repent). Then sprinkle some dirt on the cake which represents some things we need to repent of. Keep sprinkling small amounts until the cake is covered. Ask if they would want to eat it still. Teach about repentance and serve white cake/cupcakes for a treat.
From Josh Snodgrass...
The following is a favorite object lesson that Josh Snodgrass shared. "My siblings and I loved it so much that our parents did the lesson several times.  It involves a glass of water which represents our life.  You put drops in the water which represent sins.  Our parents asked us to try to make the water look clean again.  Of course we could not to take the drops out and make the water clear again.  But then our parents explained how the atonement works when we repent, and they added bleach to the water, making it clear again.  I asked my mother about the lesson, and she showed me this website that describes how to do it:  http://www.sugardoodle.info/Adversity/Life%20Stains%20All.shtml."


TALKS AND ARTICLES
• Boyd K. Packer, “How to Survive in Enemy Territory,” Ensign, Oct. 2012, 28–31
• D. Todd Christofferson, “The Divine Gift of Repentance,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 38–41

DISCUSSION
1. What keeps us from repenting?
2. What did Jesus Christ mean when He said, “For behold, I, God, have suffered
these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent” (Doctrine and
Covenants 19:16).
3. What are the blessings of being forgiven?

VIDEOS- These videos are EXCELLENT!
“A Change of Heart”
“Reclaimed”

WORDS OF LIVING PROPHETS
“Whoever you are and whatever you have done,
you can be forgiven. Every one of you ... can
leave behind any transgression with which you
may struggle. It is the miracle of forgiveness; it
is the miracle of the Atonement of the Lord Jesus
Christ. But you cannot do it without an active
commitment to the gospel, and you cannot do
it without repentance where it is needed. I am
asking you … to be active … and … be clean. If
required, I am asking you to get active and get
clean.”
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “We Are All Enlisted,” Ensign or
Liahona, Nov. 2011, 45

Here is a link to a great FHE lesson provided by the Sunday School Presidency: WORD DOC
(Please let me know if the link doesn't work...I tried a new way without using dropbox, thanks!)

Ideas from Heather Teeples:
From Primary

This weeks sharing time lesson In Primary was called, "When I Repent, I can be Forgiven." I thought I would share some of my ideas and websites I found most useful when putting together my sharing time. Hopefully, this along with Sister Willkinson's ideas, will help you in putting together your Repentance Family Home.

I based most of my Sharing Time Lesson from a blog called Little LDS Ideas.
http://littleldsideas.blogspot.com/2010/04/2nd-week-sharing-time-idea-for-may.html
I started my sharing time using a Caterpillar named Spot. I shared with the kids Spots day. During his day Spot had made 6 sins/mistakes. Every time he did we added a bright yellow spot to the Caterpillar. At the end of the story of Spots day we talked about how Spot could be clean again and have his spots removed through Repentance. The blog presented the ABC's of Repentance. A Admit, B Be Sorry, C Confess and D Don't do it again. We talked about each of these steps and when we got to the 
C for Confess we discussed who Spot needed to Confess too and how he could correct his sins or mistakes. As the kids gave me their answers we would remove a bright yellow spot off of Spot the Caterpillar until he was all clean again. We wrapped up Sharing time with making sure the kids understood that Repentance can be used as often as needed and if we follow the ABC's step of Repentance we can always be forgiven. I was truly impressed with how well the kids did. 

The next extremely helpful blog was called Sophia's Primary Ideas.
http://www.sofiasprimaryideas.blogspot.com/2013/05/june-2013-lds-primary-sharing-time.html
You will want to scroll down to Week 4- When I Repent, I can be Forgiven."

I loved the variety and how there were a lot of ideas that could match all different ages. You have to remember the ideas are geared for a Primary Sharing time but I feel they are easily adaptable to Family Home Evening. 
Some of my favorites are the Now & Later game, the Math Problems and the Cinderella idea.

The last helpful website is from The Hatch Patch.
http://www.hatchpatch.com/sites/default/files/June_week4_repent_forgiven_prodigal.pdf
The nice thing about this website is that it has the whole lesson planned out with handouts. All you have to do is print everything off. For young children it is Great. I love how they have the main statements and scriptures using pictures for the words.

If you are having a hard time bringing up any of the websites just go to Sugardoodle.net. On their main page is a Primary section. Right below the word Primary is says Sharing Time and lists all the months. Click on June and then click on week 4. You will find all the websites except the first one under that heading. Good Luck! 

Next week's lesson: Sabbath Day Observance

Please keep those new ideas coming!!!

Week 12: Physical and Emotional Health

Physical and Emotional Health

All saints who remember to keep and do these sayings … shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; and shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge.

Doctrine and Covenants 89:18–19

CLICK HERE for this week's lesson from LDS.org

A few ideas from Lindsey:

Ideas to teach choosemyplate.gov
Teach your family about the new "my plate" that took place of "mypyramid".
Teach correct portion sizes.
Put some examples of food on the table and have family members order them from least healthiest to most healthiest. For little ones you could hold up two items and have them choose which is better for them to eat. For example, fruit roll up vs. a dish of  fresh berries.
Have each family member create their own plate. Glue cut-outs of food from magazines onto a paper plate (or just draw them) Template and coloring sheet
Do any of the following KIDS ACTIVITIES (mazes, coloring, etc.)
Check out the section for physical fitness
Use one of the calculators/food planners
Use Food-a-pedia to look up the nutrition facts of over 8,000 foods
Check out the section just for PRESCHOOLERS...or PICKY EATERS
Pregnant and Breastfeeding Moms out there...? Here is your link!

A few more ideas...
Challenge your family to a month long fitness challenge (perhaps add up total hours of physical activity in one month)
Teach your family the wellness pyramid with physical, emotional, and spiritual being at the corners.
Go outside and physically do something athletic together
Relay Races
Sing songs that require physical activity and movement


Excellent Ideas from Elder's Quorum:

Emotional and Physical wellness is important to our overall spiritual wellness. Staying physically and emotionally fit will allow us to feel the spirit more and be more intune to our bodies needs and desires. As we strive to stay fit will be able to recognize our weaknesses, find areas we can improve and build resilience against the storms of life. Staying physically fit will help our emotional heath. Staying emotionally strong will improve our relationships with friends, family and with all those we interact. It is somewhat of a spiral that builds upon itself ever climbing higher. It too can spiral downwards if we choose to neglect our bodies physically and emotionally. Payl spoke to the people of Corinth about taking care of these beautiful temples that house our spirits. 1 Cor. 3:17.

Here are some tips and activities for your Physical well being:

1. Try to get some sort of physical activity for 30 minutes each day. This can include but not be limited to walking, jogging, weight lifting, playing sports or weeding a garden.

2. Start somewhere. Make a plan to accomplish your goals. If you haven't been too active for some time, start slow and try increasing your activity by 10 minutes each day.

3. Work together. Increasing activity with a spouse, family members or friends can be a great way to build relationships, be an example to others and get in a good workout.

4. Try new things. Doing the same activity repitiously can get boring so try spicing it up with a change of scenery or doing something different.

Here are some tips for Emotional well being:

1. Meditation and prayer. Taking even a few minutes to clear your mind and focus on a happy thought, a spiritual truth or a plain color will allow you to train your mind and improve your focus.

2. Strive for optimism. Being optimistic isn't always easy. There is something to be said for always trying to find the good of each situation and having faith to endure.

3. Gratitude. Being thankful for each and every blessing allows us to see how amazing our Great Creator is and how richly he has blessed us.

4. Journal writing is way of clearing our thoughts and improving our focus. It allows us to retrospectively ponder our amazing blessings.

Activities for families with childeren:

Physical- Hold a family olympics with short races, number of push ups/ sit ups, most jumping jacks and squats. Hold these quarterly, semi- or annually and remember to record results as champions may vary from year to year.

Emotional-

1. Show a solid colored piece of paper to everyone. Have everyone sit quietly with their eyes closed and focus on that one color for 1 or 2 solid minutes. Instruct them to not let their thoughts stray for those few moments and if they do they are to redirect their thoughts back to that color until it's over. Then discuss how challanging or not it was to keep focused on the one color. Let each child take a turn describing their experience.

2. Take a few moments to record the most important events of the day.

Here are TWO blogs with great ideas for the word of wisdom (thanks Erin!):
http://www.mormonmommyblogs.com/2013/06/family-home-evening-lesson-word-of.html

http://lifeinthemotherhood.blogspot.com/2011/08/fhe-idea-word-of-wisdom.html

Next week's Lesson: Repentance

Week 11: Music and Dancing

Praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing.

Doctrine and Covenants 136:28

CLICK HERE for this week's lesson from LDS.org

Ideas from Lindsey:

• MUST SEE VIDEO about a blind 15-year-old piano prodigy, freely shares his God-given musical gift to bless the lives of everyone who listens. Extraordinary Gift
• The obvious...DANCE LESSONS!
• Allow your little ones to dance to children's music. Consider providing them ribbons, scarves, or other items to move to the music.
• Teach little ones how to clap to the beat, or play an instrument to a beat. Make them shakers (bottle with rice or pennies inside) to shake to the beat.
• Talent show; allow family members to share their talents with the family
• Teach your family how to lead music (instuctions available in back of hymn book)
• Sing each family member's favorite hymn or primary song.
• Invite all members of the family to bring their i-pods to FHE. Everyone pulls up their "most played" or "recently played" song lists. Ask the question "Would you allow the Savior to listen to the music on your list?". Consider taking it a step further and have family members volunteer names of songs from their list. Go through the lyrics together and discuss the importance of listening to good music.
• Read your children a book that has an audio version to music.
• Invite other families over to learn a line dance!
• Karaoke night!
• Teach dance etiquette to your family by role playing. For example, have your teenage son role-play how to ask a girl to dance, dance conversation, thanking the girl, returning the girl to where you found her, etc. Teach those daughters how to cordially accept a dance invite, conversation, and graciously thanking a guy for a dance...(and how to avoid awkward moments and boost a guy's ego...while looking past the strong armpit scent!)
• No kids around? Dim the lights, put on your favorite tunes, and dance in the living room!

Does the music I listen to invite the Spirit?

Next week's lesson: Physical and Emotional Health

Week 10: Language

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good.

Ephesians 4:29

CLICK HERE for this week's lesson from LDS.org

Ideas from Lindsey:
Play telephone
Create a telephone by cutting a hole in the bottom of two paper cups and attaching with cotton string.
Teach your children how to say something in your mission language (or sing the opening song in that language)
Write 10 compliments and 10 put downs in a basket. Let children pick out one and decide if its a compliment or a put down.
Swear Jars or "bad word" jars. Create a jar to be used for each time a member of your family says a bad word. When they do, they put a dollar in the jar (or whatever you choose to put in the jar).
Write your own form of "text talk" to use with your family
Labels/stereotypes for teens: Put up 6-8 large pieces of butcher paper around the room and label each page with a group of people. For example, The Elderly, Blondes, Asians, Hispanics, Skaters, Athletes, etc. Then set out markers and let all the members of your family write down different stereotypes, labels, or things people say about individuals who fall into that group. Discuss the importance of what we say (and think) about people just because they fall under certain steroptypes...and not judging.

CLICK HERE for ideas from the Young Women

Featured Family:

Warnick family having a FHE on gratitude

 

Next week's lesson: Music and Dancing

Week 9: Honesty and Integrity

Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness.

Exodus 20:15–16

CLICK HERE for this week's lesson from LDS.org

Ideas from Lindsey:
Play 2 truths and a lie
Share a story with your family about a time you chose to be honest
Study the 10 commandments together, focussing on not stealing and not bearing false witness. Remind your family members that the reason we do that is because its all about the first two commandments.
Watch the video "Stay Within the Lines"

Ideas from Bishop:
Watch Video:
https://www.lds.org/youth/video/honesty-you-better-believe-it?lang=eng

Story from Elder Faust:

“A friend related this experience her husband had while attending medical school. ‘Getting into medical school is pretty competitive, and the desire to do well and be successful puts a great deal of pressure on the new incoming freshmen. My husband had worked hard on his studies and went to attend his first examination. The honor system was expected behavior at the medical school. The professor passed out the examination and left the room. Within a short time, students started to pull little cheat papers out from under their papers or from their pockets. My husband recalled his heart beginning to pound as he realized it is pretty hard to compete against cheaters. About that time a tall, lanky student stood up in the back of the room and stated: ‘I left my hometown and put my wife and three little babies in an upstairs apartment and worked very hard to get into medical school. And I’ll turn in the first one of you who cheats, and you better believe it!’ They believed it. There were many sheepish expressions, and those cheat papers started to disappear as fast as they had appeared. He set a standard for the class which eventually graduated the largest group in the school’s history.’”⁴

Quote from President Howard W. Hunter:

"Do you think you can be alone when you commit a dishonest act? Do you think you can be unobserved when you cheat in an examination, even though you are the only person in the room? We must be honest with ourselves. If we would have the companionship of the Master and the Spirit of the Holy Ghost, we must be honest with ourselves, honest with God, and with our fellowmen. This results in true joy. Think of what an act of dishonesty will do to you. It does not make any difference whether it is great or small. First, it may affect your whole life. You will have a hard time living it down. It will be difficult for you to forget about it because it will be engraved upon your conscience. Secondly, it will affect others in many ways. The injury is far-reaching. Its malignancy extends to your friends, your relatives, your loved ones, and persons you may never see. Thirdly, it affects your relationship to the Savior. It closes the channel of communication and shuts out light from your life."

Activity for kids:

Make some puppets with paper sacks. Act out situations where someone has a choice between being honest and being dishonest. Use the examples below or create some of your own:

· You broke a dish and your mother asks who did it.

· You are helping pick up some money that has spilled, and you are tempted to take some.

· You ate two cookies after your father told you not to. Your father asks if you ate the cookies.

· Have the children take turns using the puppets and telling what they should do in each situation.

3. Use simple puppets, such as sock or paper bag puppets, to act out situations where someone has a choice between being honest and being dishonest. Use the examples below or create some of your own:

• • You broke a dish and your mother asks who did it.
• • You are helping pick up some money that has spilled, and you are tempted to take some.
• • You ate two cookies after your father told you not to. Your father asks if you ate the cookies.
• Have the children take turns using the puppets and telling what they should do in each situation.

Week 8: Gratitude

He who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious.

Doctrine and Covenants 78:19

CLICK HERE for this week's lesson from LDS.org

Ideas from Lindsey:
Write Thank You cards
Make an "I'm Thankful For..." Jar. Write down things you are thankful for on little pieces of paper and put them in a jar. Write a tag on the jar that says "I have so much to be thankful for". Make one for the family, or one for each member. Set in a place where it will be a reminder of all the blessings in your life.
In your opening prayer consider only offering a prayer of thanksgiving for all the things you are thankful for.
Watch President Monson's video called "Consider the Blessings"
Discuss Humanitarian needs around you. Talk about how fortunate we are. Make a plan with your family as to how you can do a family humanitarian aid project. Set a date, make a plan, and invite other families to join you.

Please comment to share your ideas. You're also welcome to email me your ideas. Also, I'd love to have your family be our featured family.


Next Week's Lesson: Honesty and Integrity

Week 7: Friends

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Matthew 25:40

CLICK HERE for this week's lesson from LDS.org

Ideas from Lindsey:
Make a "recipe" for a good friend. Include all the ingredients and directions. Be creative.
Share with your children (or spouse) a story about a best friend from your childhood. Share how they molded your life for the better.
List the top 10 ways you can be a good friend.
Write thank you letters to friends.
Read two descriptions of friends to your little children. One example could be about a bully, the other a good friend. Have them choose which one they want to be.
Discuss with your teens the severity of bullying and make an action plan of how they can stop bullying. (Here is an excellentLDS.org VIDEO on bullying from priesthood session)




Ideas from Elder's Quorum:

-Turn off all the lights in the house and any appliance that makes noise.
-Light some candles and pause for 60 seconds of silence before you start FHE
-Opening song can be "Keep The Commandments"
-By the candle light read the 115th section of D&C, paying particular attention to versus 5 and 6.
-When do reading listen to the Holy Ghost and ask your family who you would reach out to in the Hilliard ward if there was a disaster in your family.
-Pick this family and do something special for them in the week; ding-dong ditch some cookies or something like that.
-Closing song can be "A Childs Prayer"

Week 6: Family

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. … Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“The Family: A Proclamation to the World”

CLICK HERE for this week's lesson from LDS.org

Ideas from Lindsey:
Have a family testimony meeting
Write a family mission statement
Write letters to each member of your family
Each member shares a favorite family memory
Mold your family out of play dough/clay...or paint family photos
Talent show
Read children's book about family
Give children a small puzzle that is missing one piece. Ask a child to put it together. When they notice a piece is missing, talk about the importance of families doing their part in the family. You may also discuss how we don't want any missing pieces in heaven.
Team building exercises
Bury a time capsule in your back yard (or create it and bury it once you live in your final destination!)



Next week's lesson: Friends

Week 5: Entertainment and Media (Monday April 29)

If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Articles of Faith 1:13

Click Here for this week's lesson from LDS.org

Lindsey's Ideas for the week:
Make a list of top ten television shows your family watches. Discuss if they are "virtuous, lovely, praisworthy, or of good report".

Couples with little itty bitty ones...Discuss as a couple what the media rules of the family will be. Rules on television, what will be watched on Sunday, where will the family computer be located, cell phones, etc.

Challenge for teens: Elder Scott talked in conference about technology and the importance of using it to further the work of the Lord. He suggested that teens use their phones to memorize scriptures, saying "imagine if you memorized as many scriptures as you send text messages!". Challenge your teen to use their phone to memorize a scripture this week.

Make a list of how your family can "unplug" from technology this week.

Share the following poem (author unknown)
Side By Side

On the table, side by side
The Book of Mormon and the TV Guide
One is well worn and cherished with pride;
Not the Book of Mormon, but the TV guide,
One is used daily to help folks decide,
No, not the Book of Mormon, but the TV Guide.
As the pages are turned, what shall they see?
Oh, what does it matter, turn on the TV!
So they opened the book from which they confide,
No, not the Book of Mormon, but the TV guide.
The word of God is seldom read
Maybe a verse or two before they fall to bed,
Exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be,
Not from reading the scriptures, but from watching TV.
So back to the table, side by side
The Book of Mormon, and the TV Guide
The Plan of Salvation is full and free
But is found in the Book of Mormon, not on the TV.


Featured Family: Kuehnl Family
They are enjoying a lesson about dress and appearance!

 

Next Week's Lesson: Family