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