Conference Candyland

Tonight Collin helped me turn our Candyland game board into a general conference review activity. We covered up each sugary character with the face of one of the twelve apostles, clipped from the Ensign magazine. Then I typed up the titles to each of the conference talks (e.g., "The Divine Gift of Gratitude") and put them in a bowl.

Each player draws a slip of paper out of the bowl and counts the number of words in the title to see how many spaces they can move (e.g., 5 words means you get to move 5 spaces). I also put the names of the twelve apostles, the prophet and his two counselors in the bowl. If you drew one of their names, you got to move to wherever their picture was on the board.

On top of the Candyland Castle we put a picture of Jesus. Collin taught us that when we follow the prophet and the apostles, we follow Jesus Christ. We also talked about what it means to "come unto Christ" (Moroni 10:32). When the first person made it to Jesus, we helped others make it their too. We talked about how God wants ALL his children to return to Him.

The kids had a lot of fun playing this. And it was fun for my husband and me to try and remember who talked about what. After the game, we shared some of our favorite parts of conference. We then chose about six talks to use for future family home evenings. We'll definitely do this again after next general conference.

Luke said the closing prayer tonight and one thing he said was, "Thank you that we could have good feelings tonight." After the prayer, I told him those good feelings come from the Holy Ghost. We feel good because we feel God's love for us and because we love each other.

By the way, even little Owen kneels and prays with us now. He's only 18 months old. It's so cute to see him walk over to the circle and kneel down all by himself and fold his arms. He keeps his eyes open, but it's because he's watching all of us.

Owen is always watching, that's what I am constantly reminding my older boys. I love it when they are a good example to him. What a little miracle it is when a child learns to pray. It's a powerful thing.

Oh, and it was Luke's turn to choose an activity. Luke's new favorite activity is one that his dad taught him. We call it "statues". We all hold hands while Dad spins us, when he lets go we have to freeze. Then we take turns guessing what the statues are doing. Sometimes the statues are animals, or career persons, or just people doing something interesting. Merritt, for example, was once a dog taking a whiz on a fire hydrant. What would we do without Dads?

Preparing for a Mission

"Young men, I admonish you to prepare for service as a missionary...learn the lessons which will be beneficial to you...live the life you will need to have lived to be worthy." (Pres. Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, May 2010)

Song: The Church of Jesus Christ (CS, 77)
Prayer: Collin
Scripture: Doctrine & Covenants 18:10, 15-16

Lesson:
A Prophet's Counsel
Latter-day prophets have counseled all worthy young men who hold the priesthood to serve a full-time mission. Pres. Monson in the last general conference reiterated that counsel. (See quote above.)

Preparing to Serve a Mission
Fill a bag with different items that represent lessons to be learned before a mission (e.g., scriptures, a tie, a cooking utensil, shoe polish, needle and thread, garden gloves, For the Strength of Youth pamphlet, consecrated oil, a journal, a testimony glove, a calendar, a toy iron, a piggy bank, a bicycle pump, etc.). Take turns pulling items out of the bag. Discuss ways you can prepare to serve a mission.

Blessings of Missionary Service
Read the story Pres. Monson shared about a young man who served a mission even though his parents were not members of the church (see Ensign, May 2010). How did serving a mission bless him and his family? Invite your Dad to share how serving a mission blessed his life.

Activity:
Set up four stations where family members can learn to do different things. We learned how to tie a tie, iron a shirt, polish a shoe and read a scripture in Spanish. You might also want to show children how to crack an egg, sew a button, share a testimony, serve another person, give a priesthood blessing, set measurable goals, schedule activities on a calendar, make a budget, or repair a flat tire on a bicycle.

Refreshment:
Apricot Cake

Song: Called to Serve (CS, 174)
Prayer: Dad

I Can Be a Missionary Now

"Make a commitment to be a missionary for the rest of your life. There are many among your friends who would respond to the gospel if you would have the faith to share the message of the Restoration with them." (Elder Quentin L. Cook, Friend, April 2010)



Song: Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam (CS, 60)
Prayer: Dad
Scripture: D&C 18: 10, 15-16

Lesson:
A Rescue Mission
Read "Come to the Rescue" (see Friend, April 2010). Complete the maze to rescue a friend in need. How is missionary work like a rescue mission? Read the story "Making a Difference" (see Friend, April 2010). What did Ryan do to reach out and rescue? Read more member missionary stories posted on the "Bulletin Board" (see Friend, April 2010). What are some ways you can be a missionary at home, at school, and at play?

Creating a Gospel-sharing Home
Decorate a missionary box. Fill a shoe box with items that you can share with others, such as a Book of Mormon, a church video, pass along cards, Family Proclamation pamphlets, a music CD, etc. (Then you'll always know where they are.) Set a goal to give all of the items away by a certain date. For more suggestions on how your family can share the gospel see, "Creating a Gospel-sharing Home" by Elder M. Russell Ballard (see Ensign, May 2006).

Activity:
Work together to make a bird house or a bird feeder (using pinecones, peanut butter and bird seed). Hang it in your yard and watch for birds. Learn to identify a few bird species in your area. See online Bird Identification Guide.

Refreshment:
Popcorn balls

Song: The Church of Jesus Christ (CS, 77)
Prayer: Luke

Ammon Defends the King's Sheep

"...show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls." (Alma 17: 11)



Song: The Church of Jesus Christ
Prayer: Luke
Scripture: D&C 18:10

Lesson:
Act out the story of Ammon defending King Lamoni's sheep (see Alma 17-18). What made Ammon such a good missionary? How does serving others "disarm" them and provide opportunities to share the gospel?

Activity:
Plan and carry out a family service project. (We cleaned up litter in our neighborhood.)

Refreshment:
Serve chocolate pudding in ice-cream cones with sprinkles on top.

Song: I Hope They Call Me on a Mission (CS, 169)
Prayer: Dad

Feed My Sheep

"What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?" (Luke 15:4)



Song: The Church of Jesus Christ (CS, 77)
Prayer: Mom
Scripture: Doctrine & Covenants 18:10, 15-16

Lesson:
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Place 99 items (e.g., jelly beans, pennies or cotton balls) in a jar. After family members guess how many items are in the jar, count them. Explain that there should be 100 but you have lost one. Look for the hidden item until you find it. Read Luke 15: 3-7 and show gospel art. Who are Jesus' sheep? What should we do if one sheep is lost?

Feed My Sheep
After Jesus was resurrected, he appeared to his apostles on three separate occasions. Tell the story found in John 21: 1-17. How can we, like Peter, feed the Lord's lambs and sheep? Why did Jesus repeat this instruction three times? How does caring for the Lord's sheep show our love for Him?

Missionary Work
How is missionary work like finding and feeding lost lambs or gathering fish in a net? What do these teachings of Jesus teach us about the worth of a soul? Discuss the joy that comes from sharing the gospel.

Activity:
Marco Polo (Revised)
Blindfold one family member. Instruct all others to hide in different places around the room. When the blindfolded person says, "Lost," all the others should say, "Sheep." Repeat this saying until the seeker is able to use his or her ears to find where all the others are hiding. Play until everyone has had at least one chance to be blindfolded.

Refreshment:
Homemade Sweet Rolls

Song: I Feel My Savior's Love (CS, 74)
Prayer: Collin

Topic: Sharing the Gospel

This month we're focusing on the blessings of sharing the gospel. We are learning the song "The Church of Jesus Christ" (CS, 77) and memorizing the scripture in Doctrine & Covenants 18:10, 15-16. "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God."

We'll have four lessons based on teachings from the following resources.

Resources:
Teaching of Jesus= Parable of the Lost Sheep, Feed My Sheep (see Luke 15:3-7, John 21:1-17)
Children's magazine= "Making a Difference" (see Friend April 2010)
Scripture story= Ammon Defends the King's Sheep (see GAK 310 and Alma 17-18)
Conference talk= "Preparation Brings Blessings" by Pres. Thomas S. Monson (see Ensign, May 2010)

"Young men, I admonish you to prepare for service as a missionary...learn the lessons which will be beneficial to you...live the life you will need to have lived to be worthy." (Pres. Monson)

Resurrection: The Reason for Easter

TBA

The Book of Mormon: Safety for the Soul

"I [declare] to the world...that the Book of Mormon is true, that it...was given to bring happiness and hope to the faithful in the travail of the latter days." (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Ensign Nov. 2009)

Song: Scripture Power

Prayer: Mom

Lesson:

The Book of Mormon
What is the Book of Mormon and why was it written? It is another testament of Jesus Christ and it was written for our day. When Jesus was resurrected, he appeared to many in Jerusalem. He also appeared to a group of believers living in the Americas and taught them His gospel (3 Nephi 11).

Safety for the Soul
In the last general conference of the church, Elder Holland testified that the Book of Mormon provides "safety for the soul." How does daily study of the Book of Mormon provide spiritual safety and protection? Share a personal experience about a time when the scriptures helped you.

Sharing Testimony
Elder Holland shared his personal testimony that the Book of Mormon is true. How can we gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon? Read Moroni 10:4-5.

Prepare a testimony glove (see Friend, Oct. 2008). Use the glove to talk about how the Book of Mormon can help us gain a testimony of many things, including a testimony of the restoration and the reality of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

Invite family members to wear the testimony glove and practice sharing their own testimony starting with the phrase, "I know that...". Make sure that everyone has an opportunity to share something they know is true.

Song: Search, Ponder, and Pray (CS, 109)

Prayer: Collin

Refreshment: Tres leches cake with strawberries and kiwi

Activity:

Scripture Pictures Game

This game is played like "Pictionary" but uses scripture verses to provide the person, place or thing that will be drawn. See suggested list of scripture references in the Friend, Nov. 2008.

Credits:

Conducting= Mom

Lesson= Dad

Activity= Luke

Treat= Collin

Scripture Power!

"Scripture Power! Every day I need the power that I get each time I read."




Opening song: Book of Mormon Stories (CS, 118)
Prayer: Luke

Lesson:
The following activities will help familiarize children with the scriptures.

Station 1: Scripture Book Scramble
Write the names of each book in the Bible or Book of Mormon on index cards. Help children find the Table of Contents in the scriptures, then use it to place the cards in the right order. (Older children can form two teams and compete to put a set of cards in the correct order.)

Station 2: Scripture Cookies
Use the scriptures to find the missing ingredients in a recipe for scripture cookies (see "Bulletin Board" in The Friend, March 2010 or "Kitchen Krafts" in The Friend, January 1998). Then follow the recipe to bake the cookies.

Tip: Our children were too young to look up scriptures by themselves, but they got a kick out of watching Mom and Dad race to find each one. (Dad won this game of scripture chase, but it was close.)

Station 3: Scripture Song Circle
While the cookies are baking, place index cards (described above) on the floor in a circle. Walk around the circle as you listen to the song "The Books in the Book of Mormon" (CS, 119). When the music stops, choose a card to stand on. Draw a scripture book out of a bowl. Whoever is standing on that card gets a sticker.

Note: Songs for the books in the Old and New Testaments are also available in the Children's Songbook.

Refreshment:
Scripture cookies
We chose the latter scripture cookie recipe above (from The Friend, January 1998) because we like oatmeal raisin cookies. Yum!

Activity:
We had a backwards night and went for a short bike ride before we started our lesson. That way we didn't run out of daylight.

Closing song: Scripture Power
Prayer: Mom

Credits:
Conducting= Dad
Lesson= Luke
Activity= Collin
Treat= Mom

The Iron Rod (Lehi's Dream)

Lesson:
Hang a large piece of butcher paper on the wall. As you read Lehi's dream (see 1 Nephi 8), the family can draw what Lehi saw.

Afterword, blindfold the kids and spin them around. Invite them to pluck some fruit from the tree of life (with and without the use of a broomstick "iron rod"). Discuss how the iron rod is like the word of God because it helps us stay on the path that leads to eternal life.

Activity:
Go fly a kite!

Refreshment:
Jello pudding shamrocks. Recipe adapted from The Friend, February 2010 (see "Bulletin Board").

The Light of Truth

"Ten virgins...took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom...five of them were wise, and...took oil in their vessels with their lamps."

Opening song: When He Comes Again (CS, 82)
Prayer: Collin

Lesson:
Truth is light
In a dark room, provide different light sources one at at time that are increasingly brighter (e.g., a match, a candle, an oil-burning lamp, a flashlight, a table lamp, then flip the switch to light the entire room). In what ways is truth similar to light? How can we receive more light and truth than we already have?

The wise have oil in their lamps
Explain that in Jesus' day there was no electricity. They used lamps fueled by oil to provide light (see Gospel Art). Read the parable of the ten virgins (see Matt. 25: 1-13 and Gospel Art). What do you think Jesus was trying to teach us? Discuss how we fill our own lamps with oil (or keep our batteries charged), so that we can have light to guide us in these latter days.

How to receive Jesus' light
Why couldn't the five wise women share their oil with the five foolish women? The oil represented things that can't be shared, like faith in God's promises and obedience to God's commandments. Daily scripture study is one way we can fill our lamp with oil, drop by drop, increasing our faith and our capacity to obey.

Testify that the scriptures are the word of God. Daily scripture study brings us closer to God and helps us prepare to live with Him again.

Closing song: Scripture Power
Prayer: Dad

Refreshment:
Serve chocolate pudding in ice-cream cones and top with candy sprinkles.

Activity:
Family Olympics
Choose about four to eight different events that you can hold in your yard or living room. Assign different family members to prepare for one or two events, including getting or making the needed equipment and materials. Award all family members with homemade gold medals at the completion of your Olympic games.

Ideas for Olympic events can be found in FHE Resource Book (see pg. 318-319, "Family Superstars").

Credits:
Conducting= Collin
Lesson= Mom
Activity= Dad
Treat= Luke

Topic: Feast Upon the Word

This month we're focusing on the blessings of daily scripture study. We are learning the song "Scripture Power" and memorizing the scripture in 2 Nephi 32:3.

"...feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do."

We'll have four lessons based on teachings from the following resources.

Resources:
Teaching of Jesus= Parable of the Ten Virgins (see Matt. 25)
Children's magazine= Scripture Cookies (see "Bulletin Board", Friend Mar. 2010)
Scripture story= Lehi's Dream (see 1 Nephi 8)
Conference talk= "Safety for the Soul" by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (see Ensign, Nov. 2009)

"...the Book of Mormon is true, it came forth the way Joseph said it came forth and was given to bring happiness and hope to the faithful in the travail of the latter days."
(Elder Holland)

Challenge:
Trace an outline of an oil lamp onto cardstock. Each day you read the scriptures this month, add a yellow circle sticker to represent an added drop of oil in the lamp.

Love at Home

"All the world is filled with love, when there's love at home." (Hymn 294)

Song: I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus (CS, 78)
Prayer: Mom
Scripture: Exodus 20: 12

Lesson:
Love and Service Go Hand in Hand
Read "The Two Years that Flew" (see Friend Feb. 2010). Talk about what the little sister did to show love to her brother while he was serving a mission. What can YOU do to show love to your family?

Game: My Happy Home
To learn what you can do to show love to your family, play the game "My Happy Home". The first one to fill their home with love (or hearts) wins the game.



Secret Servers
Cut out several red hearts and distribute an envelope full to each family member. Encourage them to secretly serve in the family this week and leave behind a love heart (from "Bulletin Board: Serving with Love," Friend Feb. 2010).

Song: Love at Home (Hymns, 294)
Prayer: Dad

Refreshment:
Heart-shaped sugar cookies

Activity:
Make valentines for friends and neighbors. Learn how to write a poem. Or, make a package for a missionary in your family.

Tip: Melt used crayons into heart shapes and gift them on Valentine's Day with a note that says, "Have a heart." (See instructions at Family Fun magazine.)

Credits:
Conducting= Luke
Lesson= Collin
Activity= Mom
Treat= Dad

Love Thy Neighbor (Compassion)

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself." (Luke 10:27)



Song: I Know That My Savior Loves Me
Prayer: Luke
Scripture: Exodus 20: 12

Lesson:
Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself
One day a lawyer asked Jesus two important questions. Read Luke 10: 25-29. To answer these questions, Jesus told a parable. Act out the story of the Good Samaritan (see gospel art). Why did Jesus tell this story? What was he trying to teach?

The Value of Compassion
What is compassion? How did the Good Samaritan show compassion? Point out that compassion is a principle listed in the Family Proclamation. How do we show compassion to our family members? How does having compassion strengthen our family?

Jesus Showed Compassion
How did the Savior show compassion? (He fed thousands of hungry people, he healed the sick, and blessed little children.) Testify that Jesus is our perfect example. Compassion is a principle that will strengthen our family and increase the love we feel in our home.

Song: I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus (CS, 78)
Prayer: Collin

Activity:
Play scripture charades. Write down events from the Savior's life on slips of paper. Act out the stories and invite others to guess what is happening. (Younger children can pretend to be different animals while others try to guess what they are.)

Refreshment: M&M Cookies

Credits:
Conducting= Collin
Lesson= Mom
Activity= Dad
Treat= Luke

More Diligent and Concerned at Home

"Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But...our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results." (Elder Bednar, Ensign Nov. 2009)



Song: Love at Home (Hymns, 294)
Prayer: Luke
Scripture: Helaman 5:12

Lesson:
An apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, Elder David A. Bednar, has recently given us counsel about how to strengthen our families. He encouraged us to express love and show it, bear testimony and live it, and be more consistent with family prayer, scripture study and family home evening.

Express Love and Show It
Provide an opportunity for each family member to say something they love about each other. Parents, express your love for each child and tell them how much they contribute to the family.

Bear Testimony and Live It
Parents, take this opportunity to share your testimony with your children. Tell them of things you know to be true. Invite children to do the same, if they wish.

Be Consistent
Read D&C 64:33. Share Elder Bednar's description of the painting that hangs in his office. Describe how family prayer, family scripture study, and regular home evenings with the family have blessed your life. Evaluate how you are doing as a family. Discuss how to become more consistent in doing these important things.

Song: Love Is Spoken Here (CS, 190)
Prayer: Mom

Activity:
Work together to complete a large puzzle.



Refreshment: Apple pie with vanilla ice-cream

Credits:
Conducting= Luke
Lesson= Dad
Activity= Mom
Treat= Collin

Happy Family Detectives

"Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ" (from The Family: A Proclamation to the World, paragraph 7)



Song: The Family Is of God
Prayer: Mom
Scripture: Helaman 5:12

Lesson:
Proclamation Principles
Name gospel principles listed in the Family Proclamation that help us build a happy family. Read the story "Detective Mya Heritage" (see Friend Jan. 2010), then do the scripture detectives activity below. Have you "caught" family members living any proclamation principles lately? Share what you've observed with your family.

Scripture Detectives
Cut out the pictures included in the story "Detective Mya Heritage" and glue them to index cards. Save the scriptures listed under each picture and put them in a container. Provide magnifying glasses to help children read the small print. Look up each scripture, then match it with its correct picture. (Younger children can just read the name of the gospel principle, then match it to its picture.) How does living proclamation principles help us have a happy family?

Happy Family Treasure Hunt
Conclude the lesson with a treasure hunt that uses proclamation principles as clues (see "Funstuff: Family Treasure Hunt", Friend, July 2000). Detectives will look for clues around the house and eventually end up in the kitchen where a treat is waiting for them, as well as a photo of their own happy family.

Activity:
Build a house or fort in your living room using blankets, tables, couches and chairs. Gather flashlights, then get inside your tent and read stories from The Friend magazine until it's time for bed.

Song: Love at Home (Hymns, 294)
Prayer: Mom

Refreshment: Blackberry Cobbler

Credits:
Conducting= Collin
Lesson= Luke
Activity= Dad
Treat= Mom

What Matters Most Is Family

"I call upon...committed parents...everywhere to hold fast to this great [family] proclamation, to make it a banner not unlike General Moroni’s 'title of liberty,' and to commit ourselves to live by its precepts" (Elder Ballard, Engisn Nov. 2005).



Opening song: The Wise Man and the Foolish Man (CS, 281)
Prayer: Collin
Scripture: Helaman 5:12

Lesson:
The Family Proclamation
What is most important to you? Elder Ballard taught, "What matters most is what lasts longest, and our families are for eternity." Show a copy of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World". Invite family members to tell you what they know about this document. Explain that it was written by living prophets and apostles to help us understand the purpose of families in God's plan. It also tells us what we can do to strengthen and protect our family.

Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty
A long time ago, there was a righteous man named Moroni (see GAK 312). He was the captain of an army. He loved his country and believed in protecting the freedom of others. Captain Moroni's story is in the Book of Mormon. When an evil man threatened the freedom of his people, Captain Moroni was inspired to tear his coat and make a flag. He wrote on the flag what was most important, or those things worth fighting for. Read Alma 46:11-12 to discover what Moroni wrote on his flag.

What matters most is family, faith and freedom
Because the family proclamation reminds us about what is most important (families and God's plan for us), it is kind of like the title of liberty. The title of liberty was hoisted up on every tower in the land as a reminder to the people. Today the family proclamation hangs on the wall of every home. Read some of the principles of a happy and successful family from the proclamation. Make your own family flag (using an old pillow case or baby towel) with pictures and words that remind you to strengthen and protect your home.

Closing song: My Eternal Family
Prayer: Mom

Activity:
Indoor Snowball Fight
Dry out a bag of extra large marshmallows. Use them as snowballs in an indoor snowball fight. Wearing protective armor like Captain Moroni is optional. Tip: Set a timer. (Because your kids will want to keep doing this all night long!)

Refreshments:
Snowball Rice Krispie Treats (see recipe in Friend, Jan. 2008)

Credits:
Conducting= Luke
Lesson= Collin
Activity= Mom
Treat= Dad

Building Our House Upon a Rock

"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock" (Matthew 7: 24-27).



Opening song: The Wise Man and the Foolish Man (CS, 281)
Prayer: Collin
Scripture: Helaman 5:12

Lesson:
The Sermon on the Mount
Place a quarter on a pile of sand and a quarter on a rock. When water is poured over them, which quarter will sink? (Sprinkle water like rain over the top of both of them.) What happened? Read Matt. 7: 24-27. At the conclusion of Jesus' sermon on the mount (see GAK 212), he taught that a wise man will do more than just listen to His teachings. A wise man will live His teachings.

Jesus' Teachings are the Rock
Jesus promised that if we were doers of the word, we could build a strong home and family. Discuss the importance of building your home on a strong foundation. How are Jesus' teachings like a rock, or a sure foundation, for our homes and families?

How to Build a Strong Home
Building a home requires tools and hard work. Someday you'll be a mom or dad. How will you build a strong home and family? Label tools in a toolbox with words from the sermon on the mount. Let children choose a tool, then discuss how each teaching of Jesus helps us build a strong family. Testify that families are eternal, and that no matter the weather we will stay together.

Closing song: My Eternal Family
Prayer: Dad

Activity: Pretend to be a grown-up. Shave like Dad (using whipped cream and popsicle stick razors) or paint your fingernails and do your make-up like Mom.

Refreshments: Peanut butter cookies

Credits:
Conducting= Luke
Lesson= Collin
Activity= Mom
Treat= Dad