Primary Mama

Nursery Certificate Blank

2011-11-07T08:44:00.002-07:00

OK it took some doing and remaking but here is a Blank Certificate of the Nursery Graduation.
It is a jpg file. I lightened up the background, the last one printed up dark. Hope this helps all of you out there.

Please don't take this work as your own. It is free to share but it is my work. Thank you

Miracles Come To Those Who Have Faith

2010-08-28T14:08:00.002-07:00

My son gives the talk in Primary tomorrow. Thought I would share with all of you. We are using pictures from the Gospel Art Kit and the Gospel Art Book.

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel.
Faith is a “hope for things which are not seen, which are true” (Hebrews 11:1)

By faith, miracles are wrought, angels appear, the gifts of the Spirit are given, prayers are answered, and men become the sons of God (Moroni 7:37)

Here are a few examples from the Scriptures.

Noah was commanded to build an ark and call repentance to the people, who were becoming wicked. A flood came and covered the earth. Because of Noah and his families faith they were safe from the flood.

Moses was leading the Israelites through the wilderness from Egypt, were they were slaves. The Israelites started to complain and were not grateful for what the Lord had done for them, serpents were sent and bit them. Moses prayed for the people and Jesus told him to make a brass serpent. Anyone who looked at the staff after being bitten lived.

Lazarus was a friend of Jesus. He had died and was buried in a tomb. His sisters, Mary and Martha had faith that Jesus could bring him back from the dead. Jesus came and Lazarus came back to life.

Alma the Younger was with the Sons of Mosiah were not being nice to the people of the Church Alma’s family and the church members prayed for Alma the Younger to have a change of heart. Because of their faith and Angel came to Alma and the four Sons of Mosiah. Alma repented of his sins and came back to the church and became a great teacher and leader. The Sons of Mosiah became great missionaries.

In 1848, after the Pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley and had planted crops. Crickets came and started eating the crops. The Pioneers fasted and prayed and Seagulls come and ate the crickets. It took three weeks but the crops were saved.

The greatest miracle that happened was when Jesus was crucified, He was laid in a Tomb and on the third day was resurrected. Because of this miracle every person who ever lived will be able to live again.

Miracles still happen today and come to those who have faith. Some and big and some are small, but they are all from Heavenly Father who loves us.

2010-06-20T20:27:00.003-07:00

I received an email from Jamie, she runs The Dress-up Drawer Blog.
I am really sorry for posting this late, if you want in on this giveaway make sure you check out her blog today or tomorrow the winner will be announced on Wednesday (23rd).
Good Luck to all who enter.

First, I love your blog and just wanted to let you know how useful it is. I am the Primary President in my ward in Oregon.
Anyway, my name is Jaime and I run a blog called The Dress-up Drawer www.TheDressUpDrawer.blogspot.com and I am running a giveaway right now for a Picture Presenter which is specifically made for Primary Choristers, FHE, ect. I was just wondering if you could, or would pass this on to your readers since it might be useful to them and is right up their alley. The winner will be announced on Wednesday.

Thanks for your time, and here is the direct link to the giveaway post on my blog in case you want to check it out:
http://thedressupdrawer.blogspot.com/2010/06/picture-presenter-review-and-giveaway.html

Nursery Graduation Certificate

2010-04-12T09:18:00.002-07:00

This picture is a jpeg. I can email it to those who would like it, but do so fast for I will be deleting soon, as in by the end of the week (Friday, April 16).

I am cleaning out my computer files and came across a Nursery Graduation Certificate I made a couple years ago, and never posted on the blog. Thought I would get it on here before I deleted it. Hope someone can use it some day.
I asked permission from the parents before I took their child's picture and explained what it was for. They were more than happy to allow the picture to be taken.

We meet the last 15 minutes of Nursery, on the last Sunday of the year. The President welcomed the children into the Primary. We sang I Am A Child Of God for the parents, then gave them their certificate. We also explained to the children what would happen next Sunday, were to go, and who their teacher would be.

Comment Post

2010-03-13T20:20:00.003-07:00

This is a comment I received from - Anonymous Person. I thought it was a great idea and wanted to make sure everyone else enjoyed this idea too. Great IDEA Anonymous, thank you for sharing. I hope you don't mind me posting it.

To help teach about how President Monson encourages us to follow Jesus, I'm tying in his talk "What have I done for someone today" from last conference. I'm making tags for the kids with his face on it and the text below. We will follow up next week - read how good we've done and how it makes us feel to follow the prophet and how that makes us feel closer to Jesus.

What Have I done for someone today?
Sunday:
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
Return Next Sunday to Primary!

Prophets Testify of Jesus Christ - A Talk

2010-03-12T11:00:00.002-07:00

A prophet is a man who is called by God. To tell us what God wants to say to us. He warns the people of danger and what to do to be happy. A prophet helps explain gospel principles so we can understand them.

Some of my favorite prophets are:

Adam - Was the first man and prophet on earth. He lived in the Garden of Eden, before he ate the forbidden fruit. After that he taught his children about Jesus Christ and how he would be sent as our Savior.

Enoch - Taught his people and they all lived righteously. Heavenly Father took the whole city to Heaven because the people repented of their sins and lived the way they where supposed too.

Noah - Preached to the people, but they would not listen to him. He build an ark, because Jesus warned him that a great flood would cover the world because of the wickedness. When the rains and flood came Noah and his family where safe in the ark.

Moses (scroll down to see the pictures of Moses we will be using) - Led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. He had a vision where he saw God in the Burning Bush. Moses also was given the ten commandments.

Isaiah - Prophesied about the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Many prophets in the scriptures quote Isaiah.

John the Baptist - Was born before Jesus and taught the people in Judea about Jesus. When Jesus started his ministry He came to John the Baptist and was baptized.

Lehi - Tried to warn the people in Jerusalem to repent or they would be destroyed or captured. The Lord told Lehi to take his family and leave Jerusalem. His family and a few other people were spared because of their righteousness. Lehi had the vision of the Tree of Life.

Nephi - Was the son of Lehi and was a righteous son. He had many visions of the Savior and his own people. He taught his family out of the scriptures and from the visions he had.

Abinadi - Preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to wicked King Noah and his people. Because he would not deny the gospel and the correct teaching he was burned.

Samuel the Lamanite - Prophesied to the Nephites, about the birth and death of Jesus Christ, along with the sings for both events. He also preached repentance. Many Nephites did not want to listen, but some did and were faithful.

Joseph Smith - Restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Latter-day. He translated the Book of Moron and all the keys of the priesthood from years past were restored to him.

Thomas S. Monson - Is the prophet today. If we listen and do what he tells us we will be happy. General Conference will be in a few weeks, we can listen to President Monson, to see what Jesus and Heavenly Father want to tell us.

Jesus Christ was Resurrected, and I Will Be Too. - A Talk

2010-02-27T15:33:00.002-07:00

You can also use this for a short Easter Lesson also.

In the preexistence Heavenly Father told us of a plan to come down to earth, gain a body, be tested to see if we would Choose the Right.

Heavenly Father knew that we would die and not always choose the right. He loved us and wanted to make it possible for us to repent. He knew that someone would have to come to earth to free us from death and pay for our sins. (GAK -240- Jesus the Christ) Jesus loved us so much that He asked Heavenly Father to send Him. He was willing to suffer pain for the sins of all people. He was also willing to give up His life to overcome death. Jesus Christ was born to be our Savior. (GAK - 201- The Nativity)

(GAK - 227 - Jesus praying in Gethsemane) Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to be alone and to pray. As He prayed, He felt the sins and the sorrows and the pain of all the people who would ever live on the earth. He felt the pain and sorrow for the sins of each one of us. Jesus’ suffering was so great that blood came out of every pore of His body. Because He suffered, we can repent. Jesus chose to do this for us so that if we repent, we can live with Heavenly Father again.

(GAK -230- the Crucifixion) After suffering in Gethsemane, Jesus was put to death on a cross. He suffered, then gave up His life. Because He was a God and had power over death, His spirit left His body.

(GAB - Burial of Jesus (scroll down to see the picture)) -His body was taken down from the cross, wrapped in a clean linen cloth, and placed in a tomb. A huge stone was rolled in front of it. (GAK -245- The Empty Tomb) On the following Sunday, when women came to anoint Jesus’ body, the stone had been rolled away and His body was not there. He had risen! He had taken His body again.
(GAK -239 - The Resurrected Jesus Christ) Jesus broke the bands of death, after we die, we will also have our bodies again. This is called resurrection.

Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be saved from our sins if we repent. Because of Jesus Christ, we will be resurrected and can return to live with Heavenly Father again. Jesus Christ loved us and gave His life for us.

February 2010
Karen Ashton, “Sharing Time: Jesus Christ’s Atonement Is the Greatest Gift of Love,”

2009-12-23T19:39:00.002-07:00

Merry Christmas everyone that reads this. Especially the wonderful people who follow my blog. I do hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Love,
Primary Mama

Christmas Lesson

2009-12-19T16:39:00.004-07:00

This is an idea I have for Family Home Evening this coming Monday.
The past couple years I have been in a Christmas Funk - not Scrooge type, I love Christmas - but I can't get out of this rut. This lesson will be more for me.

I found this article and will read it to my children

A Christmas Message from the First Presidency to the Children of the World: “Follow Me”

At this holy season, when we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, we extend our love and special greetings to children everywhere. We bear witness that Jesus of Nazareth, born of Mary on a joyful night long ago, is the Savior of all mankind. We pray for the peace that only He can give.
For nearly 2,000 years Jesus Christ has been an inspiration to countless millions. The Christmas spirit is the Spirit of Christ. It makes our hearts glow with brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service. Love for God our Father, for Jesus Christ, and for one another should be the Christmas theme now and always. During His earthly ministry, the Savior blessed the sick; He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life.
Through the ages, His message has always been the same: “Follow me.” As we follow in His steps today, we, too, have opportunities to bless the lives of others. Chances to render service come to everyone. Whom can you help this Christmas? Who awaits your visit?
There is yet time this year to extend your helping hand and loving heart to some of our Heavenly Father’s children. As we serve Him in this way, we are surely following His Son.
May the Christmas season find love and a desire to help others abiding in our hearts and homes. And when the Christmas observance is over and we are filled with the Spirit of Him whose birth we celebrate, let us continue to follow Him.
President Ezra Taft Benson
President Gordon B. Hinckley, First Counselor
President Thomas S. Monson, Second Counselor

“‘Follow Me’,” Friend, Dec 1990, 2

I found a small box, that I will wrap up and have on our table. (Since my children had their birthdays not to long ago they might get this.)
This week we celebrate the birthday of someone very important. Who would that person be? Show a picture of The Nativity
Just like out birthdays, where we received presents from family and friends, we need to remember to give some gifts to Jesus.
What do you think Jesus would like from us for His birthday present?
As we serve each other, are kind to each other, and live our lives the way he has shown and told us (through prophets), We will be giving Jesus the best present we can.

For the rest of the week, as we do nice things for each other, either write or draw what you have done and put in this box. On Christmas as we open up our presents, we will also open Jesus' present and see what each of us gave to Him.

Green Jello With Carrots Give-A-Way

2009-12-08T07:05:00.003-07:00

Just wanted to pass this news on to all of you. Green Jello with Carrots is having a give-a-way right now until Thursday midnight. They are giving a $5 certificate to their store. Check them out and see the cool art and games they have to download. They cover, Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society, and much more.

CTR 7 Class

2009-11-27T13:20:00.004-07:00

Lesson 41: FASTING

Primary 3 Manual

Just can't quite leave Primary yet. I really don't mind though, I love the children.
This week I am subbing for our CTR 7 class, this weeks lesson will be on Fasting.

I want to present this in a way that the kids are filling like fasting is not some over whelming thing. So instead of just sitting down and talking to them about fasting and what it is. I want the children to help lead the discussions and help tell the stories.

Stories I used:
Jesus Fasting 40 days and 40 nights (Luke 4)
Esther (Esther3:8-15; 4-7)
Daniel in the Lions Den (Daniel 6 verse 18 talks about king Darius fasting for Daniel)
Conversion of Alma the Younger (Mosiah 27 the priest fasted and prayed)

Stories from the Manual:
Story About Phillip fasting for his father
Scripture Story: found in Mark 9:17-29
Farmer Story

Other resources that I am using with this lesson:
Family Home Evening Resource Book, Lesson Ideas, "Fasting," 184
"Fasting," Gospel Principles, 165

Sunbeam Class week 2

2009-11-20T20:00:00.005-07:00

Here is my lesson summary for, the Sunbeam Class (Primary 1), Lesson 42: I Belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
I made it as a short outline, so that a parent could help their child give a short Family Home Evening lesson with.
(I put this on the first half of the page, landscape, 2 columns)

I Belong to the

Church of

Jesus Christ

of Latter-day Saints

(2nd half of the page)

Just like a puzzle piece, I am an important part of Jesus Christ's church.

We come to Church to learn about Jesus and what he wants us to do.

Here are 3 important parts of Jesus' church:

Jesus' church has the priesthood.

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ share their power with righteous men on earth. Men who hold the priesthood can: bless and pass the sacrament, baptize and confirm, bless the sick, and other important things.
Jesus' church has a prophet.

Jesus Christ's church always has a prophet.

Noah was a prophet, Nephi was a prophet, Joseph Smith was a prophet. Today, Thomas S. Monson is the prophet.

Prophets tells us what Heavenly Father and and Jesus want us to know and do.
Jesus' church has the scriptures

The scriptures contain the teachings of Heavenly Father and Jesus.

On the back side I printed just the outline of the church building puzzle found in the January 1990 "Friend". Print out the other page too, because the children need to place the shapes where they belong on the church.

Hope this helps someone. Plus if I post this it will get e closer to 100 posts, then.......(we shall see)

Sunbeam Class

2009-11-17T08:53:00.006-07:00

I was asked to substitute for the Sunbeam class this past week and thought I would share the handout booklet I made or them. The lesson was Heavenly Father and Jesus Gave Us The Scriptures.

I wanted something that the children could have to review with their family, plus color, and learn different scripture stories.

Here is my handout. the pages are made to be put back-to-back and staple down the middle for a book. All the pictures come from "The Friend" magazine and the writing under the pictures come from the GAK picture summaries.

My Family And I Can Serve Others. Novemeber 2009 week 3

2009-11-14T09:17:00.004-07:00

I CAN BE AN EXAMPLE TO MY FAMILY.
A Family Home Evening Lesson (Younger Children)

Do you ever wish that you could be just like someone else? When you want to be like someone, you try to do the same things and act the same way that they do.

Heavenly Father wants you to try to be like His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus was perfect. The way He lived when He was on the earth is the way you should try to live today. He said, “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15).

Read each situation, look up the scripture to see what Jesus would do, then have the children give the answer that will help them be most like Him.

1. Sabina had asked her younger sister not to use her crayons, but her sister used them anyway every time she wanted to. To try to be like Jesus, Sabina could: Read Matthew 18:21–22.

a. get angry with her sister.
b. hide her crayons.
c. forgive her sister.

2. Katie decided to bake some cookies and take them to a neighbor who was sick. They had a nice time visiting together. To be like Jesus, Katie could: Read Matthew 6:3–4.

a. feel good inside, but tell no one else about what she’d done.
b. brag to her friends about the nice thing she’d done.
c. tell the bishop that she had visited a neighbor.

3. A new boy in school kept showing off and bragging about how smart he was. To be like Jesus, the other children could: Read 3 Nephi 14:1–2.

a. ignore the showing off and bragging and accept this boy as their friend.
b. tell the boy not to show off and brag.
c. tease him and tell him that he’s stupid.

4. Tiffany’s mother asked her to clean the sink in the kitchen. To be like Jesus, Tiffany could: Read Matthew 5:41.

a. forget to clean the sink.
b. clean the sink and wipe off the counters too.
c. clean just the sink, as her mother had asked.

5. It was hard for Stan to be friends with Brandon. Brandon was not able to run like the others and kept tripping over his feet. In class, he didn’t know how to do his arithmetic and he kept forgetting his spelling words. To be like Jesus, Stan could: Read Luke 6:31

a. find ways to play with Brandon that didn’t involve running.
b. help Brandon with his schoolwork.
c. do both a and b.

6. Madison’s brother kept teasing her and calling her names. To be like Jesus, Madison could: Read 3 Nephi 12:39.
a. call her brother a mean name to get even.
b. tell her parents what happened and let them punish him.
c. tell her brother that she loved him and say something nice about him.

Laurel Rohlfing, “Sharing Time: Try to Be Like Jesus,” Friend, Sep 1990, 12–13

(I liked this story from the "Friend" This Month)

“I am going to shovel Sister Gourdin’s sidewalk,” Phoebe said to her mother. Sister Gourdin was an elderly neighbor.
“Can you do it by yourself?” Mom asked Phoebe. When Phoebe said she could, her mother helped her put on her boots and zip her coat.
Mom watched out the window as Phoebe began to lift the deep snow with a large shovel. Soon Phoebe had finished the sidewalk. She found Sister Gourdin’s newspaper in the snow and was excited to leave it on the doorstep.
Phoebe’s mother told her that shoveling the snow was a wonderful way to show love to Sister Gourdin.
When Phoebe’s older brothers and sister got home from school, her mother told them what Phoebe had done. “Where do you think she came up with the idea to do that?” Phoebe’s mother asked them. And then she said, “It came from watching all of you who are such good examples of helping our neighbors.”
Phoebe’s act of service shows that no one is too young to serve others.

Cheryl Esplin, “When We’re Helping, We’re Happy,” Friend, Nov 2009, 12–14

Only Constent Thing Is Change...

2009-11-05T10:15:00.002-07:00

It is now time for a change for me also. I have been released from my calling in the Primary (It has been nearly 3 years). I will miss working with, teaching, and learning from these precious little spirits. Now on to other ventures. Very exciting time for my too.
I obviously will not be posting Sharing Time ideas, for a season (we will have to see what the future holds). I do have the Primary 2010 outline and will be using it as a bases for Family Home Evening lessons. I will continue to post but more as a family lesson idea.

Thank you for your support, love, and friendships.

My Family And I Can Serve Others. November 2009 week 2

2009-11-02T12:36:00.002-07:00

MY FAMILY WILL SERVE OTHERS

Read aloud John 13:34. Heavenly Father wants us to love every one of his children, just as he wants us to love each member of our own families.

Time for the classes to have there part in Sharing Time. Pass out one or two situations to each class. Give the classes a few minutes to plan a little skit on how they could serve in that situation.

You are playing outside at school, and you see some children telling another child not to play in their game. They are mean to that child.
You are building a birdhouse in your backyard with your friends. Your little brother comes up and asks if he can help.
A new girl has moved in next door. She is from a different country and can’t speak your language very well. When she goes out to play, she looks lonely
There are toys all over the floor, the baby is crying, and your mother is trying to prepare supper.
The Bishop asks for help cleaning the church building next Saturday
You see an older man mowing his lawn. He looks tired and thirsty.

“Lesson 31: Jesus Christ Wants Us to Love Everyone,” Primary 3: Choose the Right B, (1994),150

If time allows retell the story of the "Good Samaritan" We can all be like the Samaritan. We don't have to do very big things, (it may not seem big to you, but it could be a huge deal to the other person) but it will be greatly appropriated by the person we serve.

My Family And I Can Serve Others. November 2009 week 1

2009-11-02T12:28:00.006-07:00

I AM THANKFUL FOR MY FAMILY. I WILL SERVE THEM.

Start by asking the children, "What are you thankful for?"

Write their responses on the board. When one of them say "Family" stop all the other responses. (Of course if no one says it, you will have to lead them to the answer.)

(Get together pictures of the Savior serving others: Jesus Washing the Feet of Apostles, Healing the Sick, Taking Upon Him Our Sins, Dying on the Cross, Providing the Way for us to Live Again, Being There When We Need Him Add any others you want too. Place them all over a board for visual effect)

The Savior provided the perfect example of service. He explained that He didn’t come to earth to be served but to serve and to give His life for us. Jesus Christ loves all of us more than we can understand. When He was on earth He served the poor, the ignorant, the sinner, the despised. He taught the gospel to all who would listen, fed crowds of hungry people who came to hear Him, healed the sick, and raised the dead.

Jesus commanded us to love and serve everyone. There are many opportunities to serve

We can serve members of our families…. Children can serve by helping with household chores and by helping brothers and sisters.
Our prophets have told us that a family is the most important unit in society. We must serve our families well

“Chapter 28: Service,”; Gospel Principles, (2009),161-66

What type of things can we do to to serve our families. Write or draw responses on the board.

Give each child a calender to take home.
Think of some ways that you could serve your family this month. Every day try to do some type of service and when you do draw a smile face on your calender.

Header Pictures

2009-09-28T00:55:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to give a huge thank you to Bisschen (my sister) for drawing the pictures for my new header. They are great.

Also, I will be posting again soon, things are starting to settle back down to normal again. I may not post every week, but I will try. If there are certain weeks that you just need some extra help let me know and I will try to help.

Hope all of you have a GREAT General Conference Weekend

Need a Break to De-Stress

2009-08-20T07:10:00.003-07:00

Hello all - First off let me just say THANK YOU for your support, comments, and friendships that you have offered through this blog.
Some things have presented themselves to me and has made my life pretty stressful right now at this point of life. I just need to take a short break from it all.

If you do have certain question or need help, I will do my best to help you with your Sharing Times. Just email me and I will get back to you.

I will not be making post myself. When I am ready to start up again I will let you know.

Good Bye for now, hopefully no more than a couple months.

Primary Mama

Temple Blessings Unite Families. August 2009 week 4

2009-08-18T18:44:00.006-07:00

FAMILY HISTORY AND TEMPLE WORK BLESS ALL GENERATIONS OF MY FAMILY.

Object Lesson: Start by showing the children a jar of marbles. Pretend that each marble is one family that has ever lived or will live on the earth. Hold on marble this represents your family, notice that marbles have different colors, and designs inside of them, those represent each member of the family. The glass casing represents a family that has been sealed together. What would happen if the outer casing was removed, marble would fall apart. (OK, I know, but go with the whole analogy idea). Just like the marble if a family isn’t sealed in the temple after we die our family could fall apart too, unless the work was done for us.

This idea will involve the whole group, at least that is the plan.
Have a child come to the front and hold his arms out. This is “Jimmy” (replace name with the child’s real name). He (She) has a mother and father, pick two more child to come up and hold “Jimmy’s” hands. Mother has parents (two more children) Father has parents (again two more children). Continue adding children until you form a line or circle around the area.
Now comes the fun part. Break the chain at two places, one on each side. One break could be three or four generations down the line. The other make either right before mother or father.

Make up a story to show that family history is still important no matter how long your family has been in the church or how much has already been done. There is still more to do.

One story could be that mother has parents who were members of the church but they had never been sealed together, so “Jimmy’s” mother is not sealed to her parents. They have both past away. What can the family do to help mother and her family be sealed together? (Go to the temple and have them sealed, after a year is over after the deaths)

Second story could be along the lines that father’s side has been members of the Church for a long time. “Jimmy” was doing some family history with his mother and father and found that great-great grandfather/mother (doesn’t matter) parents died right after the birth of great-great grandfather/mother. He/she was raised by an aunt, you don’t have the parents or their parents names (basically two generations of no names). What can we do to help seal this family together?
(Keep looking and researching for the names, get online and do searches contact other family members who might have the names or leads. After the names are found with dates and places we can go to the temple and have the family sealed)

End with the whole family line being sealed together.

I have attached a coloring page/handout for the children to take home.

* This Sharing Time is for Rachel who asked me to help her come up with an idea using a couple great ideas of her own. *

Temple Blessings Unite Families. August 2009 week 3

2009-08-14T12:09:00.004-07:00

I finally have an idea, here it is. Thank you SugarDoodle.

MY FAMILY CAN BE TOGETHER FOREVER THROUGH THE ORDINANCES OF THE TEMPLE.

Jr. Primary
Start by reading the story Visions in the Kirtland Temple: April 1836.
From the Doctrine and Covenants Scripture Story Reader.

What is an Ordinance?
An ordinance is a sacred ceremony that has a spiritual meaning. When we participate in an ordinance, we often make covenants or promises to obey Heavenly Father’s commandments.

You will also need a picture of a Baby Blessings. You can find one in the picture packet for Primary 1 book (orange one) the number is 1-39. These other pictures can be found in the Gospel Art Kit, Gospel Art Book, or in the Primary lesson picture packets (you will just have to look through them.

Some ordinances are called saving ordinances. These ordinances are necessary for salvation.

Read: John 3:5 “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God”

Being born of water means being baptized, and being born of the Spirit means receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Read: D&C 131:1–2

Other ordinances of salvation and exaltation are sealings and celestial marriage.

According to these two scriptures what are the four pictures that show the saving ordinances? Baptism, Confirmation and Gift of Holy Ghost, Baptism for the Dead, and Celestial Marriage/ Sealings in the Temple.

Some ordinances are performed only in holy temples. Some of these ordinances include baptism for the dead, celestial marriage, and sealings.There are many other ordinances performed in the Church, such as partaking of the sacrament and the blessing of babies.

IF TIME PERMITS - I found this story called, “Derek at the Temple,” in the Friend, Jul 1993, 2. I thought it was a perfect story for the younger children. Cute, about a boy who goes to a Temple Open House, his parents explain what they are looking at and what goes on in each room, and his misconceptions he had about "seeing dead people" in the temple are cleared up from these explanations loving giving by his parents. Even if you don't use it, it is a must read article.

Sr. Primary

Have the children retell the story of the Visions in the Kirtland Temple.

Doctrine and Covenants 110 heading and verses 1-16

Ask the same question. "What are Ordinances?"

Have those with Bibles go to the Bible Dictionary and have them read the first couple paragraphs. Have them pick out words or phrases that would help define "ordinance."

Have one child read John 3:5
Have a second child read Doctrine and Covenants 131: 1-2

What are the saving ordinances? Answers are same as above.

Basically I am having the Sr. Primary use their scriptures to learn about temple ordinances.

“Sharing Time: Temples and Ordinances,” Friend, Mar 1993, 12

Temple Blessings Unite Families. August 2009 week 3

2009-08-12T11:37:00.002-07:00

As much as I don't want to admit this, I am at a total loss for this week. Hence, I will be using the idea at Sugardoodle.net. She has GREAT ideas.

I was searching the "Friend" magazine at LDS.org, and came across this Sharing Time article that I might use for this week. Judy Edwards, “Sharing Time: Temples and Ordinances,” Friend, Mar 1993, 12

Temple Blessings Unite Families. August 2009 week 2

2009-08-01T08:30:00.010-07:00

I WILL PREPARE NOW TO GO TO THE TEMPLE

A person comes to your door all dirty and smelly, speaks using bad words, and you don’t them. Would you or your parents let them into your house?

A person comes to your door looking nice, dressed well, speaks very well, and you don’t know them. Would you or your parents let them into your house?

A person comes to your house, they are dressed in clean clothes, speaks nicely and you know and trust the person. Would you and your parents let them come into your house?

Just like your parents and family, not every person who comes to your door is allowed into your house. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are the same way when it comes to their house here on earth.
What is their house called? (The Temple)

Silvia H. Allred, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency: “The temple is the house of the Lord. He directs the conditions under which it may be used, the ordinances that should be administered, and the standards that qualify us to enter. … Personal worthiness is an essential requirement to enjoy the blessings of the temple. We prepare by obeying the commandments and seeking to do God’s will” (“Holy Temples, Sacred Covenants,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2008, 113).

Every person who goes into the temple needs to prepare into go inside. Once you show you are worthy then you may enter into the temple.

** For this Sharing Time I am using the BIG legos , the ones for toddlers. (my children have them all over the house, your nurseries might have them too)**

On the Big Blocks you want to put the "Foundation Steps" Faith - Repentance - Baptism - Gift of Holy Ghost - Obedience

The long blocks and the square blocks I am going to be putting the rest of these labels, most of it will depend on how the words will fit. The little ones don't get anything they are they to make the stairs strong. Oh side note, the long single row blocks, some will not get a label, because they will be on the back row and won't be seen:

Faith in Jesus Christ

Repentance
Baptism
Gift of Holy Ghost
Obedience
Attend Church
Partake of Sacrament
Temple Interviews (2x)
Be Kind
Pay Tithing
Read Scriptures
Pray
Obey Word of Wisdom
Be Honest
Forgive others
Honor Parents
Love Family
Keep Sabbath Day Holy
Clean Hands and Pure Heart
Love Others
Heed the Prophet
Do not take name of God in Vain
Keep commandments
Have no other god

Have a picture of the temple on the chalk board of the wall that the steps will led up to. Have the blocks labeled and either under the children's chairs or in a basket. Let them know that, "Today we are learning the 'Steps to Enter the Temple'"

This Sharing Time was inspired mostly from the the Ensign Article: The Steps to the Temple, by: Cheryl C. Lant Primary General President. You can find the link on the side bar under "Ensign Articles...."

Here is the final picture. Sorry I was so late on posting it.

2009-07-28T08:09:00.002-07:00

Here is a video (I made one last year). This one has just the music only to "I Love To See the Temple".
If you would like me to send you the file to use in a Sharing Time or F.H.E let me know. The file plays in Windows Media Player

Temple Blessings Unite Families. August 2009 week 1

2009-07-22T08:22:00.009-07:00

THE TEMPLE IS THE HOUSE OF GOD

Show the picture of the house.
Ask: Who's house could this belong to? (try get get answers like this: own, neighbor, friends, grandparents)
Ask: How do you act in these different types of houses?

"Homes are different for different people. Some children live in houses made of brick, others in houses made of wood. Homes can be apartments, simple huts, even boats.

Whatever your home looks like, the most important thing about it is what is found inside. If a house if filled with love and kindness, it is a beautiful place.

Have you ever wondered what Heavenly Father’s house in heaven looks like? We can only imagine how wonderful it is.

Heavenly Father also wants to have a beautiful house here upon the earth where we can visit and feel His love. He has commanded us to build houses for Him where we can hear His messages and receive important blessings. These houses are called temples. It is in God’s temple that we may best worship and make important covenants, or promises, with Him."

Show a picture of the Temple. (Any will do, but I find the temple that is closest to you, the children recognize and means more to them.)
Ask: Who's house does this belong too?
Ask: How do we act in this house?

Let's learn more about the Temple.

Because each temple is a holy place, those who enter the temple must be worthy. They must keep Heavenly Father’s commandments. In this way love, beauty, and holiness will continue to be found there.

What is a Temple: Make word strips to place round the temple.

For Jr. Primary us the idea found in the August 2009 Friend, and let them find the answer by singing "I Love To See the Temple"

For Sr. Primary have them read scriptures to find the answers.

Word Strips:

House of Prayer Scripture - Acts 3:1
House of God Scripture - 2 Chronicles 2:1,4-5
House of Learning Scripture - Acts 5:42
House of Love and Beauty Scriptures: Psalms 26:8 (love) Psalms 27:4 (beauty)
Holy Place Scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 109:13
House of Order Scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 132:8
House of Faith Scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 88:119
House of Fasting Scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 88:119
House of Glory Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:1-3

For the younger children you can make these little booklets for them to take home as a reminder to strive to be able to go to the temple one day themselves. (found in the Jan. 1993 Friend Sharing Time, link below).

Cheryl Esplin, "Sharing Time: The Temple—I'm Going There Someday,"Friend, August 2009

Judy Edwards, “Sharing Time: A Temple Is the House of the Lord,” Friend, Jan 1993, 14

I Will Strengthen My Family. July 2009 week 4

2009-07-10T10:36:00.006-07:00

REVERENCE AND KEEPING THE SABBATH DAY HOLY STRENGTHEN MY FAMILY.

This is more for the Jr. Primary aged children. The older kids might like it though.

Exodus 20:8 "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."
Doctrine and Covenants 59:9 "And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day;"

Print pictures of Sunday appropriate activities and make either a memory game, serenades, or pictionary. Get an old shirt and attach the spots to it. You will need 12 in all. Put the shirt on and let the children know that you have a problem and need their help. You are having a problem with keeping the sabbath day holy and you have the spots of the world on you. They need to help you get rid of the spots by finding matches of activities that you can do in order to keep the Sabbath Day Holy. Once a match is found (or correct answer is given) have the child place the Sunday activity on top of the dot. You have
Rest
Pray Service Family History
Attend Church and Sacrament
Read good books

Spend time with family.
Listen to Good uplifting music
Visit the sick
Keep thought on Christ or have good thoughts Write in journal
Write letters to family members, missionaries

I used the idea from the July 2009 Sharing time, from the Friend
I used clip art from Sugardoodle.net (the clip art from the Friend)

I Will Strengthen My Family. June 2009 week 3

2009-07-07T10:56:00.000-07:00

FAMILY HOME EVENING STRENGTHENS MY FAMILY.

Object Lesson: Hold a bundle of sticks in your hand. Break one of the sticks in half. Tie all the sticks together with string. Show how difficult it is to break the sticks when they are tied together. Tell the children that the sticks represent members of a family. Emphasize that when we are alone we are not as strong as when we are with our family. Explain that family home evening can be like the string that unites and strengthens the family.

“Our Family Will Be Strong,” Cheryl Esplin. Friend, July 2009

Joseph F. Smith endorsed and announced a formal Family Home Evening worldwide in 1912. (The following link is the letter from Joseph F. Smith and his counselors to the church membership.)
“Family Home Evening: Counsel and a Promise,” Ensign, Jun 2003, 12

Since that time families around the world have held Family Home Evenings in their homes. This is a time of Gospel study and teaching, a time for the family to counsel one with another, and a time for the family to become stronger and more united.

There are many places to help find lessons if you are put in charge of the lesson part in you families Home Evening. You can use the Friend, Ensign, New Era, Primary Manuals, Relief Society/Priesthood manuals, FHE Resource Book, GAK or Gospel Art Book, "Behold Your Little One" (the new nursery manual is set up to make a very easy lessons for primary children to give), and most important use the Scriptures.

Let us practice a sample lesson you can give in your family.
The Friend for July 2009 suggests using the "First Vision"

Prepare a very simple lesson, a story from the scriptures or church history that the children could retell in their Family Home Evening.

Visuals are nice, but let the children know that if they don't have the GAK or Gospel Art Book, they could draw a picture themselves of the story they will tell.

*(I have so many ideas on this topic, I tried to make it as simple as possible)

I Will Strengthen My Family. July 2009 week 2

2009-07-06T07:38:00.003-07:00

READING THE SCRIPTURES STRENGTHENS MY FAMILY.

This is a very simple idea.

Take some scripture stories. Enough for each class.

Have the scripture references and the corresponding picture, if there is one, either from the GAK, Gospel Art Book, or the pictures from the primary manuals.

Give each class a story to read through then answer the following two questions.

First have the Class summaries the story.

What lessons can we learn through this story?

How can I use those lessons in my family?

Give time for each class to present their summery of the story and what they learned from it.

Four Pieces For Poster

2009-07-03T11:55:00.004-07:00

Wow Hoo!! I did it. Here is the poster split up into four different pieces for those of you that need to print it out this way. I just hope they match up, which they don't at the Bottom, Urg. Sorry.

I Will Strengthen My Family. July 2009 week 1

2009-06-29T09:24:00.009-07:00

FAMILY PRAYER STRENGTHENS MY FAMILY.

Years ago when a knight wanted protection he would wear armor. Part of the armor for some knights was a shirt made of chain mail.
Just like knights of old,we can protect our families with a type of chain mail, called prayer.

Activity: For Jr. Primary hide the chain links around the room ad have children find them after they have found them all tape them around the poster of the family to form a protective "chain mail" armor. As you put the links up, talk about why this certain idea would strengthen the family.

For Sr. Primary - have children look up scripture references and read the scripture, then discuss how that scripture could help strengthen their family.

* the poster is of family is 16x21

Faith, Prayer, Repentance, and Forgiveness Strengthen Me and My Family. June 2009 week 4

2009-06-24T11:30:00.006-07:00

AS I FORGIVE, I WILL BE FORGIVEN

Matthew 6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Have you ever forgiven someone who had been mean to you? If a person comes to you and says that he is sorry, it is always good to say, “I forgive you.” But if he is unkind again, what should you do then?

From the New Testament, we learn that Peter asked Jesus a similar question. Peter wanted to know how often he should forgive someone who had wronged him. He asked if forgiving someone seven times was enough.

Jesus answered, “I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22).

70 x 7 = 490! What a large number! Did Jesus really mean that Peter should forgive a person 490 times? Would Peter need to carry a book or a tablet to keep track of each time he forgave until he had forgiven that many times?

Elder James E. Talmage, an Apostle in our time, tells us that Jesus meant that Peter—and all of us—should be willing to always forgive. (See Jesus the Christ, page 393.)

Why is forgiving others so important? When Jesus told Peter to forgive seventy times seven, was He thinking only of the person being forgiven, or was He thinking of Peter too? Would forgiving others help Peter feel peace?

Yes! Jesus knew that Peter would be blessed with a feeling of peace each time he truly forgave someone. Forgiving brings peace to those who forgive as well as to those who are forgiven. Jesus taught that we should forgive and be kind to one another, and He set the example for us.

Activity: Often it helps us to forgive another person if we try to “walk in his shoes” by imagining how that person feels, or why he might have done or said what he did. As you read the situations, find the shoes that fit each situation they match. Then “walk in those shoes” and finish the sentence with possible reasons for that person’s behavior.

1. Debbie went into her bedroom and saw her two-year-old brother scribbling with crayons on the cover of her favorite book.

I think Debbie could understand and forgive her brother because__________.

2. Logan had just thrown the soccer ball inbounds, when a member of the other team deliberately ran into him and knocked him down.

I think Logan could understand and forgive the other player because__________.

3. Lisa’s father said he had to break his promise and miss her school program that night because of work.

I think Lisa could understand and forgive her father because__________.

4. Michelle jumped into a large puddle and splashed mud all over Kevin.

I think Kevin could understand and forgive Michelle because__________.

5. Nate wanted a turn at riding the family horse, but his older sister wouldn’t get off and let him have a ride.

I think Nate could understand and forgive his sister because__________.

6. Robyn was upset because her older brother wouldn’t let her go with him to work in the fields.

I think Robyn could understand and forgive her brother because__________.

7. Heidi’s little sister Maria wouldn’t help catch the family dog, who squeezed through the back fence just as the family was leaving for Church.

I think Heidi could understand and forgive Maria because__________.

Judy Edwards, “Sharing Time: I Forgive You,” Friend, Sep 1994, 46

Story: Kent’s mother had asked him to clean up the yard. He was raking up all the leaves and small branches that had fallen from the trees and plants in the yard. Kent worked hard, and finally he had gathered all the leaves and branches into one big pile. Just then Jed came down the street, ran into the pile, and kicked leaves and branches in every direction. All of Kent’s work was undone in a few seconds.

• How do you think Kent felt when Jed did this?

Kent’s brother saw what Jed did. He thought that Kent should chase Jed and beat him up for scattering the pile of leaves and branches.

• What could Kent do?

Help the children think of a few suggestions. Then finish the story:

Kent did run after Jed. But instead of hitting Jed, Kent asked him if he had any work left to do that day. Jed nodded. Kent offered to help Jed with his work if Jed would help rake the leaves into a pile again. Jed agreed, and the two boys had a good time working together.

“Lesson 40: I Can Forgive Others,” Primary 2: Choose the Right A, 217

Faith, Prayer, Repentance, and Forgiveness Strengthen Me and My Family. June 2009 week 2

2009-06-11T14:48:00.008-07:00

PRAYER STRENGTHENS ME AND MY FAMILY

James 1:5 - If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraidth not; and it shall be given him.

We are all children of God. He loves us and knows our needs, and He wants us to communicate with Him through prayer... As we make a habit of approaching God in prayer, we will come to know Him and draw ever nearer to Him. Our desires will become more like His. We will be able to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that He is ready to give if we will but ask in faith.
Gospel Topics: Prayer

Heavenly Father hears and answers the prayers of His little children. You are His child. He loves you and will hear and answer your prayers.

Before you begin to pray, take a few moments to think carefully about the beautiful blessings Heavenly Father has given you. This careful thinking is called pondering. Pondering about Heavenly Father’s blessings to you will bring a feeling of thankfulness, or gratitude, into your heart, and this feeling will help you prepare to talk to Him.

As you begin your prayer, let the feelings of your heart come through your voice. Speak to Heavenly Father with love and reverence. When you speak from your heart, He will listen. Tell Him how much you love Him. Thank Him for your blessings. Ask Him for the blessings you need. Tell Heavenly Father how you feel about His Son, Jesus Christ. Share with Heavenly Father the things that make you happy and the things that make you sad or frightened. Ask for the Holy Ghost to be with you. You can talk to Heavenly Father about anything. When you pray to Him, take your time and do not hurry.

When you finish your prayer, sit quietly for a moment and "listen" by thinking about Heavenly Father. Praying can invite a sweet, peaceful feeling that comes from the Holy Ghost. Heavenly Father will answer your prayers in a way that is best for you. As you pray, you will feel His love for you, and your love for Him will grow.
Karen Ashton, "Sharing Time: Ponder, Pray, and Listen," Friend, Apr 1996, 4

Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to pray to Him. We can pray to Him anytime, no matter where we are. He hears and answers our prayers.

Story: Charlotte Clark was just six years old when her family left Nauvoo, Illinois, to travel west to the Salt Lake Valley. It was a long, long way to walk. Charlotte walked so much that she wore out her only pair of shoes. Every night when Charlotte knelt to pray, she asked Heavenly Father for a pair of shoes.
One day Charlotte and her sister were picking berries when Charlotte saw a pair of shoes. She and her sister ran back to their mother and father, saying, "Heavenly Father sent me shoes, and they fit perfectly!" Charlotte’s father was concerned that the shoes belonged to someone who had lost them. He told Charlotte that if the shoes belonged to someone in their wagon train, she should return the shoes to their owner. Charlotte’s family showed the shoes to everyone, but no one claimed them. Charlotte’s prayer was answered.

Heavenly Father answers our prayers. The answers may not always be what we expect, but He will answer in the way that is the best for us. We can pray to Him anytime, anywhere.
Linda Magleby, "Sharing Time: Heavenly Father Hears and Answers Prayers," Friend, Jul 2006, 16–18

Laurel Rohlfing, “Sharing Time: I Can Receive Answers to Prayer,” Friend, Sep 1989, 44

(I found this picture doing a search for Bridge Clip art. Here is the link to the site.)

October 1995 Friend Magazine, pg. 41

Nursery Manual, “Behold Your Little Ones”, Lesson 11

Finally the idea Part:

Use the picture of the sad family and the happy family. Have enough space to put together the bridge (cut into puzzle pieces). On the back of each piece put scenarios.

Example:

1) Brother has a big test in school. What can you and he do to make sure he gets a good grade? (Brother has to study, you can pray for him to remember the things he studied)

2) Mom has to make a dinner for a family in the ward but has lots on her plate today. What could the family do to help? (Pray that she will be calm and be able to organize her time, other family member can help clean the house, Help mom make the dinner)

3) You lost your favorite toys. What can the family do to help? (Have a family/individual prayer, after it is over follow feelings you have, ask for family to help, get looking for it)

Prayer is important but we also need to work to to be able to receive the help and guidance that Heavenly Father and Jesus want to give us.

Faith, Prayer, Repentance, and Forgiveness Strengthen Me and My Family. June 2009 week 1

2009-05-30T06:26:00.004-07:00

FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST STRENGTHENS ME AND MY FAMILY

This a mixture of ideas for this sharing time. I really want to do the maze especially with the younger children. Then pick a couple scripture stories to tell. Oh, I found too many good ideas for this week.

Scriptures that go with this theme -
Article of Faith 4 "We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Alma 32:21 “If ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true”

What Is Faith?
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel. It is necessary to our salvation. King Benjamin declared, “Salvation cometh to none … except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Mosiah 3:12).

Faith is a “hope for things which are not seen, which are true.”

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that faith is a principle of power that motivates our day-to-day activities.

Would we study and learn if we did not believe we could obtain wisdom and knowledge? Would we work each day if we did not hope that by doing so we could accomplish something? Would a farmer plant if he did not expect to harvest? Each day we act upon things we hope for when we cannot see the end result. This is faith.

“Chapter 18: Faith in Jesus Christ,” Gospel Principles, 117

Object Lesson: Pick a child to help you demonstrate Faith. Have that child pick an other child or teacher to help them. Blind fold the first child.

Move the chairs around to make a maze for the child to go through. Set the "Helper" at the end of the maze. Remind the child that they chose a person to help them. Have the rest of the children talk to the child also. If the Child listens to their helper they should get through the maze without to much problems.

After the maze is completed ask the child to tell "Why did you chose (that person) to help you."

Answers should come back with Trust, Faith they would help, they love me, they would help.

Show GAK 240 (Jesus the Christ), and explain that to have faith in Jesus Christ means that even though we do not see Him, we believe that He lives. We trust Him and try to follow His commandments.

Find scripture stories and pictures that illustrate how faith in Jesus Christ helped people keep the commandments in hard situations.
For example: GAK 102 (Building the Ark), GAK 112 (David Slays Goliath), GAK 114 (Daniel Refusing the King’s Meat and Wine), GAK 125 (Esther; not available online), GAK 210 (Jesus and the Fishermen; not available online), GAK 301 (Lehi’s Family Leaving Jerusalem), GAK 313 (Two Thousand Young Warriors). Give each class one of the pictures, and invite the teachers to tell the story, emphasizing how the people showed their faith.

Have each class think of a situation they might face when they would need to have faith. Ask them to talk about how faith in Jesus Christ could help them in that situation (examples: keeping the Word of Wisdom, moving to a new city, going on a mission, standing up for what you believe). Invite each class to share the scripture story and their modern situation

2009 CSMP

Visual Lesson:

Sydney S. Reynolds, “Sharing Time: Faith in Jesus Christ,” Friend, Jan 1999, 14

Baptism and Confirmation are Ordinances That Bless My Family. May 2009 week 4

2009-05-21T15:05:00.003-07:00

This might be better for the Sr. Primary, but may work with the Jr. Primary as well.

This is a memory game, with a twist. A child come up to choose a match while the other children tell them which numbers to choose. A teacher (either the one presenting or an other of chose) is giving the correct answers. If the child chooses to listen to the teacher they will pick a correct match. If they listen to the rest of the child more than likely it well be wrong (try to get the children to call out wrong answers).

Have a number piece of paper on top of the words, describing the Holy Ghost. You can number these in any order you want. Just make sure your teacher has the correct answers.

3rd member of the Godhead
Spirit person
Comforter
Revelator
Testator
Spirit of Truth
Sanctifer
Spirit of the Lord
Messenger of the Father and Son
Companion
Greatest gift to man

(All titles and roles of Holy ghost I found in Mormon Doctrine)

Puzzle

2009-05-07T10:12:00.001-07:00

For those of you that have been trying to get the puzzle for May sharing time week 2. The link is now fixed. Have a great Sharing Time this week.

Baptism and Confirmation Are Ordinances That Bless My Family. May 2009 week 2

2009-05-02T21:14:00.006-07:00

J ESUS CHRIST WAS BAPTIZED

This is a really short Sharing Time idea. I really like the idea that came from both the "Friend" May 2009 Sharing Time and the CSMP

Cover a picture of the Baptism of Jesus Christ with the puzzle pieces (upside down).

Have the the Song "Baptism" (CS 100) playing while passing a bean bag or something like that around the room. When the music stops (at any given time) that child or teacher can come up and picks two pieces if they match take off of the picture, put to the side. Continue until all pieces are off. Retell story of the Baptism of Jesus from Matthew 3:13-17.

Winners of My First Give Away

2009-04-30T15:00:00.000-07:00

The Winners Are .... (I have three children and they helped me pick the winners out of a hat)

1a) Articles of Faith FHE Packets - Laurel
1b) Chores, Being Thankful FHE Packets - Ashlee

and the Winner of the ABC Quite Book - Rogers

Please email me your address so I can get them mailed to you. family4ever.rebekah@gmail.com

Thank you all for participating in this. I hope you all enjoyed and thank you all for the wonderful comments about this site.

Baptism and Confirmation are Ordinances That Bless My Family. May 2009 week 1

2009-04-29T05:55:00.005-07:00

BAPTISM IS THE FIRST ORDINANCE OF THE GOSPEL.

Place pictures of Jesus being Baptized GAK 208, Boy being Baptized , and Girl being Baptized on the board

Start by having the children say the 3rd and 4th Article of Faith.

(3) We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

(4) We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

What is an ordinance? That is a big word and we do need to understand it.
"In the Church, an ordinance is a sacred, formal act performed by the authority of the priesthood. Some ordinances are essential to our exaltation. These ordinances are called saving ordinances. They include baptism, confirmation, ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood (for men), the temple endowment, and the marriage sealing. With each of these ordinances, we enter into solemn covenants with the Lord.
Ordinances and covenants help us remember who we are. They remind us of our duty to God. The Lord has provided them to help us come unto Him and receive eternal life. When we honor them, He strengthens us spiritually.

When Jesus was on the earth, He performed ordinances to help people. He healed the sick and made the blind to see. He made the deaf able to hear and even brought the dead back to life. He gave the sacrament to His followers.

Jesus has given to men who hold the priesthood the power and authority to perform ordinances. Worthy men and boys who hold the priesthood can perform ordinances. They perform the ordinances to bless us and help us to become like our Father in Heaven. The ordinances help us prepare to return and live with Him.

Because Jesus has given the priesthood to men on earth today, we can receive many blessings in our lives. We can be baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and be sealed with our families forever.

Baptism is the first ordinance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Before being baptized, people must have faith in Jesus, repent of their sins, and want to do the things that Jesus taught."

“Chapter 21: Ordinances,” Gospel Fundamentals, 115

I really like the May 2009 Sharing Time from the Friend

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Being "born of water and of the Spirit" means to be baptized and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Baptism and Confirmation are Ordinances That Bless My Family. May 2009

2009-04-22T13:00:00.008-07:00

Family Home Evening

A couple years back I made up this Family Home Evening for an FHE exchange group I was part of. Since the topic for May is Baptism I thought I would share it. The original idea and letters come from LDS Splash

I also used it as a Sharing Time last year in August. Here is the link to that post.

I Made it to 25 Followers and 50+ posts

2009-04-22T09:18:00.004-07:00

My First Give-A-Way

I have been waiting for this moment for a while now and wanted to celebrate somehow. Money is tight in my family, like many others around. What could I possibly give to show my excitement with all of you and yet spend few dollars. I have been cleaning out rooms and have found some -

1) Hatch Patch Creations Family Home Evening Lessons that I ordered double on. All in Black and White of course, because I, myself, love to color . All the lessons have an Outline, Lesson with pictures, Activity, Recipe for treat
a) Article of Faith Lesson 4, 11, 12, 13 - learn the back ground and explanations about each Article of Faith.
b) Learning Obedience through Chores (this one is Color) - The turtle twins want to go to a big race, but their room is a mess. Mom can't get them to clean it. Will the turtle twin go to the race?

And

Being Thankful - Jimmy the Giraffe is grumpy, and complains about everything all day long, will he find something to be thankful for?

Then I was thinking what special thing can I make and give and I came up with this-

2) One 4x5 Gospel ABC Scrapbook I made one for my own children with a digital scrapbook program that I have. This might take a little longer to get to you, but not much. It would be done digitally, but there will be spaces to add you own pictures for those pages that need a picture. I will print them off on acid free thin weight card stock. (Just so you know I am a simple, yet nice scraper, not much into frills, laces, and all the embellishments)

Just make a comment telling me what you would like to be entered in for (example 1a or 1b or 2 or All). I will choose three names randomly on April 30, at 9:50 am PST and post the winners. The winners need to email me their address so I can get the items mailed to you.

Jesus Christ Made it Possible For Me to Live With My Heavenly Father Again. April 2009 week 4

2009-04-21T09:10:00.003-07:00

BY FOLLOWING JESUS CHRIST, WE WILL BE ABLE TO LIVE WITH HEAVENLY FATHER AND JESUS AGAIN.

D&C 59:23 But learn that he who doeth the works of righteouness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.

How many of you want to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again?
Let us find out somethings that we must do to return to our Heaven Home. Match the footprint/ scriptures with the picture of Jesus Christ's life.

Childhood of Jesus (GAK 206) - Luke 2:40
Jesus Learned the gospel and how to work.
We need to learn the gospel, learn the value of work. As we do so we will become stronger and smarter.

Jesus Praying in Gethsemane (GAK 227) - Matthew 26:41 and D&C 93:49
As we pray we will have strength to overcome evil, comfort when we are sad, help when we need it.
Jesus prayed for comfort and received it.

Jesus Washes the Apostles Feet (GAK 226) - John 13:14-15 and Mosiah 2:18
Jesus served those around Him. We must also

serve our neighbors, family, friends, and those who may need it.

Christ Healing a Blind Man (GAK 213) - John 9:1-17
Jesus healed the sick, blind, maimed, and those who can't speak.
We must also look after those who are sick and take care of them.

John the Baptist Baptizing Jesus (GAK 208) - Matthew 3:13-17 and 2 Nephi 31:4-13
Jesus followed all the commandments of God. Like Jesus we must follow the commandments and do those things that will help us live with Heavenly Father again.

Sermon on the Mount (GAK 212) - Matthew 5:16 and D&C 66:5
Jesus taught all that would listen the gospel. He also made his life an example of how his disciples and us now could follow. We must also teach those around us the gospel and live a life that they would like to follow. Be a good example.

Christ and the Children (GAK 216) - Mark 10: 14,16 and John 13:34
Jesus loved the children and would take them and bless them, talk to them and spend time with them every chance he got.
Like Jesus we must love those around us and spend that extra time with them.

Search the Scriptures (GAK 617) - John 5:39
Just as Jesus was taught and read to from the scriptures, and probably read them himself. We also must study the scriptures and listen and follow the prophet.

Jesus Christ Made it Possible For Me to Live With My Heavenly Father Again. April 2009 week 3

2009-04-20T13:14:00.005-07:00

MY FAMILY AND I WILL BE RESURRECTED
(FAMILY HOME EVENING)

Jamie

When Jamie was born, the doctors knew right away that there was something wrong with his tiny body. They sadly told his mother and father that he would not live very long. But when Jamie’s mother was ready to go home from the hospital, Jamie was still alive. So Jamie went home with his mother.
The doctors said that Jamie’s brain was very damaged and that he would never even know whether anyone loved him or not. But Jamie did know. Each day he grew and responded a little bit more. Soon he began to smile at his family, and sometimes he would even laugh. Jamie’s family knew that he was a very special baby, and they loved him very much.
Jamie needed more care than most babies, but everyone in his family was glad to help care for him. Still, despite, all their loving care, Jamie grew weaker. Finally when he was nine months old, he died.
Jamie’s family was comforted because they knew that he would live again and that his little body would be made perfect. Their appreciation for the Savior and the Resurrection was greatly strengthened.
Jamie’s father and mother and brothers and sisters wanted to be with Jamie again, so they all tried hard to keep Heavenly Father’s commandments. Sometimes they made mistakes and did things that were wrong. Because of this, they wanted to repent, and the suffering that Jesus went through for their sins became very meaningful to them. They knew that as they truly repented, their sins would be forgiven and they could someday be with Jamie. They knew that all of them could live with Heavenly Father again.

Ask Family Members to name a few things about each family member that they love.

Show a Picture of Christ in Gethsemane. Jesus Christ did two things for all people. Can you tell me what they are?
First he suffered for our sins so that we may be forgiven if we repent.
Second, he had the power to live again after he died. We call this the Resurrection. Because Jesus was resurrected, all of the people who have ever lived on the earth will be resurrected too.

What is Resurrection? Because of the Fall of Adam and Eve, we are subject to physical death, which is the separation of the spirit from the body. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all people will be resurrected and saved from physical death (see 1 Corinthians 15:22). Resurrection is the reuniting of the spirit with the body in an immortal state, no longer subject to disease or death.

We call these two things that Christ did for us—his suffering for our sins and resurrection—the Atonement. Talk about the fact that sin and death are a part of mortal existence. They are part of the experience that we came to this earth to have. But we alone could not overcome the effects of either. For this reason our Heavenly Father planned to provide us with a Savior. Jesus lovingly gave us the gift of the Atonement so that we could return to our Father in Heaven and become like him.

Read John 13:34 A New Commandment I Give Unto You, That Ye Love One Another; As I Have Loved You, That Ye Also Love One Another.

Strive extra hard to bring the Spirit of Christ into your life and home. Remember the great sacrifices that Jesus made to give us the gift of the Atonement. Work extra hard to be unselfish and loving.

“Lesson Thirty-six: He Is Risen!,” Family Home Evening Resource Book, (1997),146

Hallmarks of A Happy Home

2009-04-15T14:18:00.002-07:00

Do you remember this post, I have extra hard copies of this Family Home Evening lesson. If you would like one send me an email with your address. I will mail them to you. I have a limited supply so first come first serve.

family4ever.rebekah@gmail.com

Jesus Christ Made it Possible For Me to Live With My Heavely Father Again. April 2009 week 2

2009-04-15T14:05:00.002-07:00

I HAVE A TESTIMONY THAT JESUS CHRIST IS MY SAVIOR

(Family Home Evening)

Read John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love each one of us and want us to live with Them again someday.

What is a testimony? A knowledge of the reality of God, the Eternal Father, and his Son, Jesus Christ. This testimony can come only by revelation through the Holy Ghost. (“Lesson Sixteen: Gaining a Testimony through the Holy Ghost,” Family Home Evening Resource Book, (1997),69)

“…It is a conviction, a quiet inward certainty of the reality of the living God, of the divinity of His Beloved Son, of the restoration of Their work in this time. It demands that we do what He has asked us to do.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Testimony,” Friend, Oct 1998, inside front cover)

“A testimony is a declaration of faith. In bearing testimony, some say, “I know,” and some say, “I believe.” Others say, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24).” (John K. Carmack, “The Roots of a Testimony,” Friend, Jan 1991, inside front cover)

How do we acquire one?
Can our parents, brothers, sisters, or friends give us a testimony? No
Read the scriptures references to learn what the steps are to follow so we can receive our own testimony.

1 Nephi 2:16 "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers." (Desire it)

Matthew 7:7 "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (Ask Heavenly Father for it)

Ether 12:6 "And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." (Work hard for it)

John 8:32 "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (Enjoy it)

Alma 32:41 "But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life." (Take care of it)

What must we do to keep our testimony strong?
Keep the commandments of our Heavenly Father,
Attend church meetings, listening attentively,
Living the gospel principles
Study the scriptures to gain a greater knowledge of these truths
Fast and Pray—praying in faith that you will learn the truth by revelation through the power of the Holy Ghost

Do not be discouraged if it takes a long time to gain a testimony. Many have this problem, but they are stronger after struggling. The testimony they gain is worth the struggle.

In the Book of Mormon we read about Alma who was a great and righteous leader. He told his people that the gospel (the word of God) is like a seed that needs caring for every day so it will grow (Alma 32:28-43). Our testimony of Heavenly Father is like that seed. We must care for it every day.
Alma continued to say that if a tree is just beginning to grow, we will nourish it with great care so that it will grow more roots and produce fruit. But if we neglect it and do not nourish it, it will not bear fruit.
Nourish the word of the Lord in them, thinking of the fruit that will come— everlasting life.

(I have a picture of a seed at three stages in my Hallmarks of A Happy Home scroll down until you see "A Treasure of Testimony")

(“Lesson Sixteen: Gaining a Testimony through the Holy Ghost,” Family Home Evening Resource Book, (1997),69)

Slacking on April

2009-04-15T13:01:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the slowness of the posts for April. I will try to get posting over the next few days. Hope you had a great General Conference and Easter weekends.

Jesus Christ Made it Possible For Me to Live With My Heavenly Father Again. April 2009 week 1

2009-04-15T07:30:00.011-07:00

IN THE PREMORTAL LIFE, I CHOSE TO FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST

(Family Home Evening)

Did you know that before you where born you lived in Heaven with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We all did. There we decided to follow Heavenly Father's plan to come to earth and gain a body.

Sing - I Lived in Heaven, Children’s Songbook, page 4 One verse at a time then discuss.

I lived in heaven a long time ago, it is true;
Lived there and loved there with people I know. So did you.
Then Heav’nly Father presented a beautiful plan,
All about earth and eternal salvation for man.

(use highlighted parts for the answers.)

Who was with us?

What did we learn from Heavenly Father?

Father said he needed someone who had enough love
To give his life so we all could return there above.
There was another who sought for the honor divine.
Jesus said, “Father, send me, and the glory be thine.”

There was a Great Council in Heaven. We learned that an earth would be provided for us where we would be tested. We would forget our heavenly home, so we could choose good or evil without being influenced by the memory of living with our Heavenly Father. We obey him, here on earth, because of our faith in Him.He would help us recognize the truth. We also learned the purpose for our progression: to have a fullness of joy.
We also learned that because of our weakness, all of us would sin. A Savior would be provided for us so we could overcome our sins and overcome death with resurrection. If we place our faith in him, obeying his word and following his example, we would be exalted and become like our Heavenly Parents. We would receive a fullness of joy.
“Chapter 2: Our Heavenly Family,” Gospel Principles, 11 (I did change some of the wording)
“Chapter 1: Before the Old Testament,” Old Testament Stories, 6 has a great summary and pictures.

Jesus was chosen, and as the Messiah he came,

Conquering evil and death through his glorious name,
Giving us hope of a wonderful life yet to be—
Home in that heaven where Father is waiting for me.

For this part I used going to either the Gospel Art Kit or the new Gospel Art Book and so and talk about Christ's life, birth-resurrection, focusing on the Atonement. Ending with the resurrection and how each one of us on earth will be resurrected. Depending how we lived will determine if we live with our Heavenly Father again.

(picture of Christ with the children taken from theideadoor.com Primary 2008)

Hallmarks of A Happy Home

2009-03-27T20:00:00.001-07:00

This is a Family Home Evening Lesson that we created for a Primary Activity my ward will be having. We took it from: First Presidency Message: Hallmarks of a Happy Home, By President Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor in the First Presidency, Ensign, Oct 2001, 2–8

Almost all the lesson comes straight from the article.

Hallmarks of a Happy Home

Song: Families Can Be Together Forever (Children's Songbook, 188)

Prayer:

Scripture: “…Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. …” (The Family: A Proclamation to the World, paragraph 7)

Quote: Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, former prime minister of Great Britain, expressed the profound philosophy: “The family is the building block of society. It is a nursery, a school, a hospital, a leisure center, a place of refuge and a place of rest. It encompasses the whole of the society. It fashions our beliefs; it is the preparation for the rest of our life.”

Lesson: “…We are responsible for the home we build. We must build wisely, for eternity is not a short voyage. There will be calm and wind, sunlight and shadows, joy and sorrow. But if we really try, our home can be a bit of heaven here on earth. The thoughts we think, the deeds we do, the lives we live influence not only the success of our earthly journey; they mark the way to our eternal goals.”

Start by showing the page with the different types of families. Ask the family. How are all of these families the same?
Happy homes come in a variety of appearances. Some feature large families with father, mother, brothers, and sisters living together in a spirit of love. Others consist of a single parent with one or two children, while other homes have but one occupant. There are, however, identifying features which are to be found in a happy home, whatever the number or description of its family members.”

Show the picture of the Home with the Hearts and pictures on it. (Hallmarks of a Happy Home)
The features of A Happy Home, that President Monson refers to, are:
1. A pattern of prayer.
2. A library of learning.
3. A legacy of love.
4. A treasury of testimony.

A Pattern of Prayer - Prayer is the passport to spiritual power.
“Family prayer is the greatest deterrent to sin, and hence the most beneficent provider of joy and happiness. The old saying is yet true: “The family that prays together stays together.”
President Gordon B. Hinckley, has stated: “Fortunate, indeed, are the boys and girls, including those in their teens, in whose homes there is the practice of morning and evening family prayer.”
Show picture: Angel coming to Alma the Younger and the Sons of Mosiah.
How do you think Alma the Younger felt knowing that his parents and other people of the church, who love him, where praying for him.
How do you feel when you hear your parents or other members of your family praying for you?
“As we offer our family prayers and our personal prayers, let us do so with faith and trust in Him…. I can then assure you that any misunderstanding that develops during the day will vanish as you pray. You simply can’t pray together and retain any but the best of feelings toward one another.”

A Library of Learning - Doctrine and Covenants 88:118 (And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.)
The scriptures offer the library of learning to us and to our children. Let the Lord be our Guide for the family—even the home—we build.

Story: Several years ago we took our grandchildren on an escorted tour of the Church printing facilities. There, all of us saw the missionary edition of the Book of Mormon coming off the delivery line—printed, bound, and trimmed, ready for reading. I told the grandchildren, “The operator says that you can remove one copy of the Book of Mormon to be your very own. You select the copy, and it will then be yours.”
Each removed one finished copy and expressed his or her love for the Book of Mormon.
I really don’t remember other events of that day, but I shall never forget the honest expressions of love for the Book of Mormon—expressions which came from the hearts of those children.

An essential part of our learning library will be good books.
Books are keys to wisdom’s treasure; Books are gates to lands of pleasure; Books are paths that upward lead; Books are friends. Come, let us read.
Reading is one of the true pleasures of life. It is mind-easing and mind-inspiring to sit down privately with a congenial book. Young children also enjoy books and love to have their parents read to them

** Parents, we should remember that our lives may be the book from the family library which the children most treasure. Are our examples worthy of emulation? Our lives cannot be closed. Parents, we truly are an open book.

A Legacy of Love - 1 John 4: 7-8, 21
President Monson, as a small boy, enjoyed visiting the home of his grandmother on Bueno Avenue in Salt Lake City. Grandmother was always so happy to see us and to draw us close to her. Seated on her lap, we listened as she read to us.
Seemingly little lessons of love are observed by children as they silently absorb the examples of their parents.

Story: My own father, a printer, worked long and hard practically every day of his life. I’m certain that on the Sabbath he would have enjoyed just being at home. Rather, he visited elderly family members and brought cheer into their lives.
One was his uncle, who was crippled by arthritis so severe that he could not walk or care for himself. On a Sunday afternoon Dad would say to me, “Come along, Tommy; let’s take Uncle Elias for a short drive.” Boarding the old 1928 Oldsmobile, we would proceed to Eighth West, where, at the home of Uncle Elias, I would wait in the car while Dad went inside. Soon he would emerge from the house, carrying in his arms like a china doll his crippled uncle. I then would open the door and watch how tenderly and with such affection my father would place Uncle Elias in the front seat so he would have a fine view while I occupied the rear seat.
The drive was brief and the conversation limited, but oh, what a legacy of love! Father never read to me from the Bible about the good Samaritan. Rather, he took me with him and Uncle Elias in that old 1928 Oldsmobile along the road to Jericho.

May our home reflect a legacy of love.

A Treasury of Testimony - A love for the Savior, a reverence for His name, and genuine respect one for another will provide a fertile seedbed for a testimony to grow.
Show picture of the seed. Testimonies are like seeds. They need to be planted and nurtured on a regular bases to grow. We gain a testimony one step at a time. One lesson at a time. One experience at a time. Over time our testimonies grow big and strong.
“The first and foremost opportunity for teaching in the Church lies in the home,” observed President David O. McKay. “A true Mormon home is one in which if Christ should chance to enter, he would be pleased to linger and to rest.”
What are we doing to ensure that our homes meet this description?
Learning the gospel, bearing a testimony, leading a family are rarely if ever simple processes. Life’s journey is characterized by bumps in the road, swells in the sea—even the turbulence of our times.

“My brothers and sisters, let us determine, whatever our circumstance, to make of our houses happy homes. Let us open wide the windows of our hearts, that each family member may feel welcome and “at home.” Let us open also the doors of our very souls, that the dear Christ may enter. Remember His promise: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.” (Revelation 3: 20)

Activity: As a family take the My Eternal Family booklet of the Primary 2009 monthly themes, and either draw pictures or write goals for the month of March that would help each family member fulfill their responsibilities in the family a little better. If you want take the booklet out every month and review how you did with the goals you set, then make some new one for the coming month.

Activity: Give each member of the family a house to color and put together. As a reminder to actively participate in creating a “Happy Home”.

Ensign, Aug. 2000, 69 - Random Sampler

2009-03-18T20:17:00.001-07:00

"Words That Build Worth"

Children’s perceptions of themselves are formed largely by how their parents treat them. Some parents, though loving and concerned, inadvertently send unloving and critical messages that may lead their children to have feelings of low self-worth. At right are some typical expressions parents sometimes use and how they could be better phrased to build a child’s confidence.
—Larry W. Tippetts, Granite View Ward, Sandy Utah Granite View Stake

Phrases to Avoid
1. “Here, let me do it for you.”
2. “Quit picking on your brother.”
3. “I don’t know if I can trust you after what you did.”
4. “Stop doing that!”
5. “You are too small. Wait until you are bigger.”
6. “How could you do such a thing?”
7. “Oh, you poor thing! You’re hurt.”
8. “Why can’t you be like your brother?”
9. “If you had tried harder you could have done better.”

Phrases to Use
1. “I’ll bet you can do it by yourself.”
2. “I’m sure you and your brother can work this out.”
3. “We’re depending on you.”
4. “Try this instead.”
5. “You do a good job in that.”
6. “What can we learn from this?”
7. “You’re taking this bravely.”
8. “You do very well in these areas.”
9. “I appreciate the effort you’ve put in.”

Ensign, June 2004, 72 - Ramdom Sampler:

2009-03-18T20:07:00.001-07:00

“Primary Talks from the Heart,”

When our daughter Madison was three, she agreed to give a talk in Primary. “I get to talk in front of the kids,” she said excitedly, “while you whisper in my ear!” But we knew she wouldn’t need to repeat our words verbatim. Here are a few tips that helped our daughter give her first talk in her own words:1. Read and discuss. Early in the week, my husband and I read and discussed articles from the Friend with our daughter.From the information we read together, we organized the talk into six brief sections or main ideas. During the week, we reviewed each section, asking Madison to say, in her own words, what she knew.2. Use visuals. We found visual aids (a prop and pictures) for her to show during her talk, each illustrating a section’s key point. We also discussed what each represented.3. Make a review sheet. Using a table format, we made a column with six sections, each showing a simple drawing or scanned image of the visual to be used. In the next column, we wrote the main ideas (usually two or three simple sentences) that Madison had expressed during our preparation that week. By following the pictures on the review sheet, she could easily remember the correct order and what to say. Because we had listed main ideas, we could consistently review the wording with her.4. Practice. We arranged an advance practice in the Primary room, where Madison learned how to use the microphone and where to place the visuals. If rehearsing at the local meetinghouse is not possible, practice at home, reviewing a final time before church.By preparing well for her first talk, Madison gained the confidence needed to talk in her own words. Though she still needed me to whisper a few things in her ear, she spoke from her heart and with the Spirit.

Kimberly K. Welling, American Fork 31st Ward, American Fork North Stake

New Gospel Art Book

2009-03-17T13:49:00.002-07:00

I was on LDS.org today and saw they have a new Gospel Art Book. This book contains 137 pictures that can be used in the home or at church to enrich gospel teaching and learning. The pictures are organized into six sections: (1) Old Testament, (2) New Testament, (3) Book of Mormon, (4) Church History, (5) Gospel in Action, and (6) Latter-day Prophets.
You can order it for $3.50
Oh yes, as someone has pointed out: You can buy a case of 20 for $30.00
Thank you.

Family Members Have Important Responsibilities. March 2009 week 4

2009-03-12T19:02:00.005-07:00

I want to send out a special thank-you to Sonya for asking for help on this Sharing Time. She really helped me get focused.

I HAVE MANY FAMILY MEMBERS WHO CAN HELP ME.

"Individual progression is fostered in the family, which is "central to the creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children." The home is to be God's laboratory of love and service. There a husband is to love his wife, a wife is to love her husband, and parents and children are to love one another….' Any discussion of family responsibilities to prepare for exaltation would be incomplete if we included only mother, father, and children. What about grandparents and other ancestors? The Lord has revealed that we cannot become perfect without them; neither can they without us be made perfect…."

Russell M. Nelson, "Salvation and Exaltation," Ensign, May 2008, 7–10

For Jr. Primary find pictures either from the GAK, old Ensigns, or even the lesson picture packets (You can ask a ember of the primary presidency if they have old ones you can look through for pictures.

Summarize /Retell the stories

Leave 5-8 minutes for the to draw/color a picture or write a letter to a family member.

For the Sr. Primary
Split them into groups, give them the pictures and scripture references to find out the answers to: Who are in the picture? How are they related? How do they help each other?

Give them about 3 minute. Then have each group tell the story to the rest of the groups.

Have the children think of an extended family member that has helped them in some way. Give them paper and pencils, to write a letter to that person, thanking them for all they have done.

Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1-4)

Ruth stayed and helped Naomi, they took care of each other, showed love toward each other.

Adam and Enoch - (Genesis 5: 4-24)

Adam - taught sons and daughters the teaching of Christ.
Enoch was a (4)great-grandson of Adam. He lived a righteous life showing that lessons taught by ancestors are listened too. Because of his faithfulness he and his people where taken to heaven without tasting death.

King Benjamin and Sons of Mosiah

- OK I admit this I really am going on a limb. In his sermon to his people, he talked about what he did for them. Worked hard, was just and fair, righteous, loved God. Sons of Mosiah probably knew him too. Learned to work, had compassion on people (especially after the conversion of Alma the younger).

Esther and Mordecai (Esther 2:5-7, 21-23; 3:13; 7:3-6, 9-10)

Mordecai raised his cousin as his own daughter. She married the king, Mordecai saved the kings life. Ester saved Mordecai's life and the lives of her people (the Jews) from being put to death.

Family Members Have Important Responsibilities. March 2009 week 3

2009-03-10T09:39:00.006-07:00

I WILL OBEY MY PARENTS

This idea is going to be short, sorry. I am not feeling will, so I don't want an over the top sharing time.

Start by reading Ephesians 6:1-3 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."

I will be playing a game. First, obtain a picture of a girl and a boy. I will then make enough copies of the heart and band-aid.

Make some situation cards with both examples of obeying parents and not obeying parents. Have children draw a card read it and determine if the child obeyed or disobeyed their parent. If they obeyed they get a heart on their picture (girls - girl; boys -boy). If the situation was disobeying they have to put a band-aid on the picture. If the situation was a disobedient one have the child think of a way they could rectify the situation.

Here are the situations that I came up with. Have the children read the situation then you read the Result after they decide if they obeyed or disobeyed. (as a side note, especially with the younger children. Let them know that this situations are pretend for today, and they didn't actually do them - Even though these situations are based on real situations.):

Mom asked you if you had finished your homework and you lied to her.
Result: You got a bad grade in school and mom found out you had been ling to her the whole semester about finishing your homework. You have been ground until you grade goes up. No TV, NO playing with friends, NO video games. You also have to show all your homework to your parents before bed.
Dad asked you to get a lesson ready for Family Home Evening, you prepared all week and gave a great lesson.
Result: Your family learned more about the Savior and His love for each of us.
You where walking/running with your family outside. Mom saw a car and yelled at you to stop. You didn’t.
Result: Luck for you the driver also saw you running. They had to slam on their brakes and missed hitting you. Everyone was shaken up.
Mom asked you to help with dinner. Joyfully set the table, and helped make the dinner rolls.
Result: Mom slipped an extra scoop of ice cream in your bowl at dessert time. She was also was in a good mood the rest of the evening. You felt great inside too.
You and your sister where jumping on the bed. Which is against one of the rules in your house, You fell off and hurt your arm.
Result: You ended up having to go to the hospital and now have to wear a cast on your arm, since it is now broken.
Dad told you to clean up your room. Your brother helped and your room was cleaned in less than on hour.
Result: You could play with your friends outside on Saturday. On Monday you where on time for school, because you knew where everything was.
Mom and dad where going to meet a new family that moved in. You wanted to play your video game, and threw a fit.
Result: You missed out in making a new friend that liked doing the same things you did. Mom and dad took your game system away for two weeks also.
You know that you should use bad words. Your friend was over at your house playing and starting saying bad words. You told your friend that in your home those words are not said.
Result: Mom and dad both gave you praise for standing up to your friend. Your friend also went with you to the Primary Activity and had a great time.
There is a drawer n the kitchen that you are not allowed to get into. One day you took three sharp knifes out of the drawer and hid them in your room.
Result: Your little sister found them and got cut. You got into loads of trouble to when mom found the knifes
Both your mom and dad where working on a home project. Your sister started to cry for attention. You went and played with her, without your parents asking you.
Result: Come to find out your parents where working on a new bed for you and your brother. Because you helped your sister they could finish it up.
Mom asked you to help clean up the front room. Not only did you pick up your toys and clothes, but you also got the mop out and mopped up some sticky parts on the floor.
Result: When mom saw mopping she was happily surprised and praised you for the good job you had done.
You where throwing a ball in the house, even after mom told you to take it outside.
Result: You broke one of your mom’s favorite crystal serving bowl. Your allowance has been taken away until the bowl is paid for. You ball now belongs to dad, and you feel horrible for not listening to mom in the first place.
You bite your brother. When mom told you to go to the corner you ran outside to play.
Result: You got more minutes added to your time out and lost all treats for the day. Your brother also didn’t want to play with you, which made you sad.
Dad told you that after school you where going with him to help grandpa clean his yard up. You came home on time and got ready to go.
Result: You got to spend alone time with dad and grandpa. You heard some new stories from both your dad and grandpa from when they growing up. They weren’t any different form you. Grandpa’s yard looked great. You where full of pride for a joy well done.
Dad told you to stay away from the computer for a couple of days. You played computer a game anyway.
Result: First off Dad got really mad at you when he saw you didn’t listen. Second, you accidentally pushed a button and the project dad was working for work disappeared. Dad had to start all over with the project and his boss got made at him for not getting it done on time. You felt horrible for getting dad in to trouble at work, knowing it was your fault.
Mom asked everyone to be nice today. You really tried to have a positive attitude.
Result: That day was the best day for your family. Everyone worked and played together happily. Mom and dad both where more happy. You felt great for being positive all day.
It was your turn to do the dishes. You didn’t do them.
Result: Mom woke you up early the next day to get the dishes done, since there wasn’t any clean dishes to eat off of. It also took twice as long because the food was stuck to the plates.
Dad called the family for scripture study. You where prepared and came on time.
Result: you felt great for listening and obeying dad the first time. You also got to read your favorite scripture story.

LDS.ORG - Teaching and Expecting Appropriate Behavior

2009-02-26T06:02:00.004-07:00

So just three weeks ago I came across this link at LDS.org in the Primary section. I have noticed we have at least one child in almost every class that can be disruptive (not same child all the time either in some cases). I know we are not the only Primary that has this problem. That is comforting. There is one child in peticulr, that is near and dear to my heart that I want to help. I need help, in knowing what to do in this aspect, so I did a search and this was number one of the list. It is called Teaching and Expecting Appropriate Behavior. It is a great resource and I have started preparing myself for the task.
I hope you can find it useful too.
You can download the lessons, they are a copy of what you see in the video lessons.

Family members have important responsibilities. March 2009 week 2

2009-02-25T15:12:00.008-07:00

MOTHERS NURTURE THE FAMILY

Like last week I will start by reading from The Family:A Proclamation to the World, paragraph 7. " The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners." (read all but the last sentence)

What does "Nurture" mean? To feed and protect, to support and encourage, to bring up, train, educate.

For the Younger Children (I'm Still debating wither I will use it for the older children): In the Friend, May, 1983. There is a a Sharing Time called, Remember Mother. I am using the poem found there called Hats off to Mother, with the pictures to go with it.

After the poem ask the children "What are some things your mother does to "nurture" you?"

I will then tell the story of Helaman and the Young Warriors, to show how the young men where trained by their mothers and thought to have faith in God. None of the Helaman's sons died in battle, because they trusted their mother's and their teachings.

* I also will tell the story of Moses, How his mother (Jochebed) protected him from the Pharaoh's edict, in killing all the Israelite baby boys. Jachebed, put her baby in a basket in the river, when he was to big, where the Pharaoh's daughter found him. Mariam offered to find a nurse to take care of the baby. Hence Jochebed was able to take care of her son, even though he was adopted my the Pharaoh's daughter.

Mother's want the best for their children. Sometimes we have to be tough, sometimes we can play, sometimes we are busy, sometimes we can stop and snuggle. First and foremost though mother's love their children.

Ensign, Aug. 2000, 70 - Random Sampler

2009-02-24T12:48:00.000-07:00

Planning Family Home Evening Together

“But the lesson’s not ready,” my 10-year-old moaned, even though the family home evening chart on the wall clearly had her name in the space marked “lesson.” And my 10-year-old wasn’t the only one in our family who sometimes wasn’t prepared when Monday evening came around.
To help solve the problem, we decided to regularly set aside one family home evening to help each other prepare our lessons in advance.
We begin by praying for the Holy Ghost to help us in our preparation. Then we give everyone a copy of the following sample lesson plan:
1. Topic. Decide what you want the family to learn.
2. Attention-getter. Choose an object lesson, quiz, word search, picture, puzzle, or scripture hunt that will introduce the topic.
3. Story. Choose a story from the Family Home Evening Resource Book, Gospel Art Picture Kit, Primary manual, scripture reader, or Church magazines.
4. Scripture for the week. Using the Topical Guide in the scriptures, select a verse that supports the lesson. Write it on a 3x5 card for the family to learn during the following week.
5. Testimony. Bear your testimony or express your feelings of the things you have just taught.
6. Activity. Choose a game or art project that will reinforce the lesson topic.
To help prepare the lessons, have Church magazines, scriptures, hymnals, and other materials nearby. Older children can work independently with only an occasional question for parents. Younger children get help from parents or older siblings. By the end of the evening, every one has a family home evening lesson prepared, complete with visual aids and handouts.
Now when Monday night rolls around and our 10-year-old realizes it’s her turn to teach, she quickly pulls out her lesson and materials to review before family home evening time. That leaves me free to help the child who is wailing, “But I didn’t know I had refreshments.”

—Lisa H. Fernelius, Chamberburg First Ward, York Pennsylvania Stake

Ensign, Jun 2004, 72–73 - Random Sampler

2009-02-24T12:37:00.000-07:00

Birthday Spotlights

Our family loves the special birthday spotlights we periodically do for family night. Since birthdays often occur on weekdays when it’s difficult for all of us to gather, we celebrate on the Monday night closest to the actual birth date. In addition to traditional festivities, we spotlight the birthday guest by reading selections from his or her baby book, which contains information through age 12. Based on what we read, the birthday person tries to guess how old he or she was when the event occurred. This tradition helps all of us recall past family events. If you don’t have a scrapbook or baby book, you can easily create similar birthday spotlights using yearbooks or family photos or by simply retelling favorite past events from memory.
Next, we dim the lights to watch family slides or video clips featuring the guest of honor. With these fun memories fresh on our minds, we then take a moment to individually express our sentiments about that person. It has been very heartwarming to hear my family’s expressions of love and gratitude for one another. We’ve generally done this activity for our immediate family, but at times we’ve also invited grandparents and others. In our home, birthday celebrations involve more than presents, cake, and ice cream. We celebrate wonderful memories and strong family ties.

Thelissa Zollinger, Willow Creek Ward, Denver Colorado Stake

Ensign, Oct 2003, 72–73 - Random Sampler

2009-02-24T12:32:00.000-07:00

Using Church Magazines

During a visit from our high councilor to our ward, he gave a short but profound talk encouraging us to read the Church magazines with our families. Referring to Lehi beckoning his family toward the tree of life, our high councilor admonished us to read the magazines and “partake of the fruit.”
To help our family, I first divided the magazines into different “bite-size” portions that we could easily read on several occasions.
1. Read a short article or parts of an article aloud at family council each Sunday. Suggest that one person choose an article from a magazine and share a message in his or her own words.
2. Read aloud one or two articles at dinner or bedtime. By doing this, we gradually make our way through an issue of the Friend.
3. Study an article at family home evening. Once a month have the family choose an article to focus on from old or current Church magazines. (Past issues of the Church magazines are available on the Internet at http://www.lds.org/.) Pair older children with younger siblings so they can read aloud to them. Others read silently for a few minutes and then come back together to share what was learned. This is a time of feasting for the family when everyone contributes to the process.
4. Make a goal chart to encourage reading. Create with your children a reading chart of articles they would like to read from the different magazines. Hang the chart in a location where they will see it daily. A sticker can be placed beside each completed article as family members finish their various readings. Then discuss with your children what they liked and learned. To help encourage your children, make a chart for yourself and let them play the role of marking it and asking you questions about what you read. When the chart is completed, you could give a small reward or treat to celebrate the achievement of your goals together.
Whether you choose to incorporate the Church magazines into your family life in large or small bites, they can have a significant influence on family unity and spirituality. Though choosing to make them a part of your life takes some planning, the resultant blessings are well worth the effort. “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33).
Cynthia Mar Thomas, Oak Hills Second Ward, Provo Utah Oak Hills Stake

Taking Care of “Family Business”
Throughout the years, our family home evenings have changed to meet our growing family’s needs. One practice that has helped us accommodate change has been what we call “family business.” After the opening prayer and song, we take time to discuss the week’s schedule: Who needs to be where and when? Who is taking the car? Sister Smith needs help; could we help her on Thursday? We also discuss family policies: Could we change the way we are doing the dishes? I don’t agree with the 10-minute phone rule. Could we discuss it?
“Family business” is an important part of our family home evenings. It is often the best time to listen, compromise, and enforce where needed, instead of during the heat of a debate. During the week I sometimes find myself saying, “Let’s think about that and discuss it at home evening,” giving me the time needed to seek insight and inspiration. Of course, not every issue will wait for a Monday-night discussion. But if your family has already practiced problem-solving skills together, it will be much easier to resolve conflicts whenever they arise.

Cecelie Costley, Mink Creek Ward, Preston Idaho North Stake

Family Members Have Important Responsiblities. March 2009 week 1

2009-02-17T09:35:00.006-07:00

FATHERS PRESIDE OVER, PROVIDE FOR, AND PROTECT THE FAMILY WITH LOVE.

Start by reading from the "The Family:A Proclamation to the World" paragraph 7.

"The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.... Stop Here (we will finish it next week with Mothers).

For the Younger children I will read this story "Daddy's Sunshine" from the March 2009, Friend.

After we read the story we will talk about how hard Dads work and things we can do to help them. Dads have to preside, provide, and protect the family. That is a lot for one person to do and it can be hard some times.

I have asked some brethren in the ward to wright up a short story or description on how they Preside, Protect, Provide for their family. I assigned them one aspect to focus on.
(FYI - This is harder then it seems)

Split the board into three parts, label each part: Preside - Protect - Provide
As each example from the brethren are read the children guess which label it goes under.

I will also be using scripture stories to illustrate these aspect of the father's role:
GAK 103 Noah and the Ark - Noah Protected his family by following the Lord's commandment of building an ark before the flood came. Because of this his family was keep safe
GAK 119 Adam and Eve teaching children - Adam Provided spiritual teaching to his children. He taught the gospel so his family could follow the the path backto Heavenly Father.
GAK 204 and 206 - Joseph was Jesus Christ earthly father (step father for a literal definition). Joseph Protected Jesus as a baby, from being killed by following the angels direction to leave for Egypt. He them Provided training in a trade (work) and (I am sure that he had the family go to church)
GAK 302 - Lehi Presided over his family by letting them know what the Lord had told or shown him then let his children choose for themselves. It talked to each one and gave them direction and read the scriptures to them. In the end he knew that his children would have to choose their way.

* There are some children that do not have a Father who lives with them. Show that through the examples the boys are learning how to be a future father and the roles he will have in his future family.

I Came To Earth As Part of A Family. February 2009 week4

2009-02-11T09:41:00.006-07:00

GOD'S CREATIONS BLESS US
(Family Home Evening)

Behold You Little Ones (the new Nursery Manual) has a simple lesson and a coloring activity book for the children to color. If you want to use this it is lesson 7. (Click on PDF picture button to get the full size page to print)
http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,8184-1-4470-1,00.html

“The Creation—Each Day a Gift,” Friend, Nov 1998, 34
Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things (D&C 59:7).

Using Genesis 1 - Genesis 2:1-3 Retell the story of the creation. Using the pictures to help children visualize.

When the great plan of happiness was presented in the Council in Heaven, we shouted for joy. Thanks to our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ, we were given the opportunity to progress, to learn, to grow, and to become like Them. What a great blessing!
This great plan included the creation of a beautiful world, where we would come to live our mortal lives. The Creation took six days and was done by Jesus Christ under the direction of Heavenly Father.
First, God divided the light from the darkness, making day and night.
Then, on the second day, He organized the heaven and the earth.
On the third day, He divided the land from the waters and created grass, flowers, trees, fruit, and herbs.
On the fourth day, He created the sun, moon, and stars.
The fish and fowl were created on the fifth day.
On the sixth day, Jesus Christ created the animals. Then Heavenly Father created man “in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Gen. 1:27).
What a great deal we have to be thankful for! Life’s whole experience and all the beauties around us are gifts from our Father, who loves us.

For Younger Children: Show GAK 100 (the Creation) let every child/member of the family point to their favorite animal of part of the creation and have them tell why that is their favorite.

“Lesson 3: The Creation,” Primary 6: Old Testament, (1996),9
For Discussion ideas for older children use the following questions and scripture references. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading and discussing the scriptures with the children in class will help them gain personal insights.
• Who created the earth? (Moses 1:33; 2:1.) Explain that the earth was created by Jesus Christ under the direction of Heavenly Father.
• Why did Heavenly Father want the earth to be created? (Abraham 3:24–26.)
• Why are there so many wonderful types of plants on the earth? (Genesis 1:29–30; D&C 59:18–19.) What plants do you most enjoy? What do you use them for?

• What is in each fruit? (Genesis 1:12 or Moses 2:12; see enrichment activity 6.) Why are seeds important?
• What did God command the fish and animals and birds to do? (Genesis 1:22 or Moses 2:22.)
• What commandment did God give Adam and Eve (and all people) about having a family? (Genesis 1:28 or Moses 2:28.)
• In whose image were we created? (Genesis 1:27 or Moses 2:27.)
• What is our responsibility to the earth and all living things on it? (Genesis 1:26 or Moses 2:26.) Explain that dominion means to have power over something (see enrichment activity 5).
• What did God say about his creations? (Genesis 1:31 or Moses 2:31.) How should we feel about the good things we make or do?
• What did God do on the seventh day? (Genesis 2:2–3 or Moses 3:2–3.) What should we do on the Sabbath day?

“Chapter 5: The Creation,” Gospel Principles, 27

God’s Creations Show His Love
We are now living in this beautiful world. Think of the sun, which gives us warmth and light. Think of the rain, which makes plants grow and makes the world feel clean and fresh. Think of how good it is to hear a bird singing or a friend laughing. Think of how wonderful our bodies are—how we can work and play and rest. When we consider all of these creations, we begin to understand what wise, powerful, and loving beings Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father are. They have shown great love for us by providing for all of our needs.
Plant life and animal life were also made to give us joy. The Lord said, “Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul” (D&C 59:18–19). Even though God’s creations are many, he knows and loves them all. He said, “All things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them” (Moses 1:35).

I Came To Earth As Part Of A Family. February 2009 week 3

2009-02-04T10:58:00.007-07:00

THE PRIESTHOOD BLESSES MY FAMILY

Marissa A. Widdison and Douglas L. Callister, “Friend to Friend: Blessed by the Priesthood,” Friend, Jul 2006, 8–9

He took their little children, one by one, and blessed them (3 Ne. 17:21).

While my wife and I served in Eastern Europe, we lived in Russia. One day I spent about an hour in the Hermitage, a famous museum in St. Petersburg. Our guide said to us, “Be careful that you do not touch any of these important treasures, because the great wealth of Russia is found in the Hermitage.”

The next day was Sunday, and during sacrament meeting a young girl was confirmed a member of the Church. As I and other Melchizedek Priesthood holders stood next to her and placed our hands on her head, a thought came to me: “The wealth of Russia is not found in the Hermitage. The wealth of Russia is found in its children. As priesthood holders, we are allowed to stand close, lay our hands upon their heads, and bless the children.”

Years ago our youngest child had a serious bone tumor in his lower back. When he was taken to the hospital for surgery, I overheard the doctors in the hallway talking about his condition. They said it was likely that nothing could be done to save our boy’s life.
When I went back in my son’s room, I tried to encourage him. I assured him that he was receiving the finest medical care. He said, “Daddy, I’m not counting on the doctors. I’m counting on my blessing. You laid your hands on my head, and you blessed me. And I have faith that the blessing will be fulfilled.”
My son was healed. His life is an example of the power of a priesthood blessing. One of the lessons I’ve learned through my Church service is that our Father in Heaven loves little children. He loves to bless them, and He often blesses them through His priesthood servants.
(Side Note: I know there is a picture of a young boy receiving a Priesthood Blessing I think it belongs to one of the Primary manual picture packets, but for the life of me I can't find it right now.)

Picture of Hermitage http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hermitage_from_inside.jpg
Picture of children above: Russian children wait for the arrival of the Olympic flame during the Olympic torch relay in St. Petersburg, Russia on April 5, 2008. St. Petersburg is the third stopover of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games flame relay outside the mainland of China. (Photo credit: Li Han)

What Is the Priesthood?
The priesthood is the power and authority of God. By his priesthood power the heavens and the earth were created. By this power the universe is kept in perfect order. Through this power he accomplishes his work and glory, which is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).
Our Heavenly Father shares his priesthood power with worthy male members of the Church. The priesthood enables them to act in God’s name for the salvation of the human family. Through it they can be authorized to preach the gospel, administer the ordinances of salvation, and govern God’s kingdom on earth.

Why Do We Need the Priesthood on the Earth?
We must have priesthood authority to act in the name of God when performing the sacred ordinances of the gospel, such as baptism, confirmation, administration of the sacrament, and temple marriage. If a man does not have the priesthood, even though he may be sincere, the Lord will not recognize ordinances he performs (see Matthew 7:21–23). These important ordinances must be performed on the earth by men holding the priesthood.
Men need the priesthood to preside in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to direct the work of the Church in all parts of the world. When Christ lived on the earth, he chose his Apostles and ordained them so that they could lead his Church. He gave them the power and authority of the priesthood to act in his name. (See Mark 3:13–15; John 15:16.)
Another reason the priesthood is needed on the earth is so we can understand the will of the Lord and carry out his purposes. God reveals his will to his authorized priesthood representative on the earth, the prophet. The prophet, who is President of the Church, serves as the spokesman for God to all members of the Church and all people on the earth.

James E. Faust, “Come Listen to a Prophet’s Voice: Sacred Priesthood Blessings,” Friend, Oct 2004, 2
From an October 1995 general conference address.

President Faust explains how priesthood blessings strengthen and magnify us.
A priesthood blessing is sacred. It can be a holy and inspired statement of our wants and needs. If we are in tune spiritually, we can receive a confirming witness of the truth of the promised blessings. Priesthood blessings can help us in the small and great decisions of our lives. If, through our priesthood blessings, we could perceive [see] only a small part of the person God intends us to be, we would lose our fear and never doubt again.
As a small boy, I remember being intrigued [interested] by my grandmother’s magnifying glass which she used in her old age to read and do needlework. When the glass was in focus, everything I looked at was greatly magnified [made larger]. But I was most intrigued by what happened when the lens concentrated the sunlight on an object. When it passed through the magnifying glass, the sunlight’s power was absolutely amazing.
Blessings strengthen and magnify us. In the Church, blessings are available to all who are worthy through those authorized to give priesthood blessings. Worthy fathers and grandfathers, as well as other Melchizedek Priesthood holders, may give blessings to members in times of sickness and when important events occur. Such individual blessings are part of the continuous revelation that we claim as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Like the images in my grandmother’s magnifying glass, [through priesthood blessings] we can become stronger, our talents and ability can be magnified and multiplied, our understanding can be greatly enlarged, and our spirituality can flower.

Show a Magnifying glass to children and let them experience what President Faust did with his grandmother's magnifying glass.

I Came To Earth As Part Of A Family. February 2009 week 1

2009-01-29T12:53:00.005-07:00

ADAM AND EVE WERE THE FIRST FAMILY

(FAMILY HOME EVENING)

Prepreation: Use GAK - 100(Creation - Living Things), 101 (Adam and Eve), 119 (Adam and Eve Teaching Their Children), 600 (The World), or other pictures you may have in retelling the story of the creation and Adam and Eve.

In the Old Testament in Genesis 1-4 we can read about the creation of the earth and of Adam and Eve.

We learn that God created the world for us. He created the sky/world, light/darkness, land/water, plants and trees, All types of animals, then he created Man, He created bodies for Adam and Eve. They where married and lived in the Garden of Eden, they helped take care of it. They also walked and talked with God. They were commanded not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. They where told never to eat of the fruit, or they would die (Genesis 2:16-17). Eve partook of the fruit then, later Adam also partook of the forbidden fruit. The Lord came to be with them and after realizing what Adam and Eve had done, told them what would happen to them, they would have to work, and bear children, raise them. The Lord explained life would be hard for them. He also told them that a Savior would be provided so that if they kept the commandments, and repented of their sins, they would one day return to live in Heaven with Him. Adam and Eve where then cast out of the Garden. (Genesis 3). There they had a family of many sons and daughters. Adam and Eve taught the Lords teaching to their children.
Some of the descendents of Adam and Eve are: Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Genesis 5).
We are also decedents of Adam and Eve. They where the very first parents on earth. Through them came many prophets, apostle, and millions of wonder people like you and me.

Ensign, Aug. 2001, 69 - Family Home Evening Idea

2009-01-24T12:45:00.001-07:00

Helping Your Family Keep the Sabbath

The scripture “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6) has been our motto and guide as we try to teach our children good habits and righteous principles. We found it especially helpful to share Sabbath day and family home evening activities with our children, particularly during their teenage years. Following is a list of ideas to help encourage Sabbath and family home evening observance.
1. Define a day. We teach our children that the Sabbath day and Monday evening are reserved as special family times. No other activities should intrude unless they are really necessary and permission is given by Mom or Dad. Our children have usually accepted this. With their support we feel more peace in our home and are grateful to know we are assured weekly time away from worldly distractions.
2. Plant the habit of doing worthwhile activities. Demonstrate that the Sabbath is a special day of worship, service, and personal rejuvenation. Sabbath activities that we began in our children’s youth have spilled over into their teen activities. For example, we often took our children to visit the elderly at nursing homes. Now they occasionally gather with friends on Sabbath evenings to sing at nursing homes. Service continues to bless them with sweet experiences.
3. Visit family and friends. Along with attending Church meetings and fulfilling Church responsibilities on Sunday, we occasionally visit family and friends, especially those with whom our teens have a common interest. Sometimes we have family or friends visit us for a modest dinner or dessert.
4. Welcome newcomers in your neighborhood. One of our teenage daughters earned the neighborhood title of the “Unofficial Welcome Wagon” after resolving to help move-ins feel welcome in the community. Now whenever she sees a “for sale” sign go down or a moving truck drive up, she is there (along with the rest of us) to welcome our new neighbors. These visits sometimes occur on the Sabbath or as part of family home evening.
5. Strengthen youth of part-member families. Some Latter-day Saint youth do not have members of the Church in their family to strengthen them on the Sabbath. We have friends from Canada who periodically have an informal youth gathering at their home on Sunday evenings. The youth sing hymns, make treats and deliver them to others, enjoy the spirit of the Sabbath, and strengthen their friendships.
The Sabbath day provides us an opportunity to grow closer to our Heavenly Father and at the same time to our families. By teaching our children appropriate Sabbath activities while they are young, we enable them to embrace this important day throughout their lives.

Alison Affeltranger, Sego Lily Ward, Sandy Utah Granite South Stake

I Am A Spirit Child Of Hevenly Father. January 2009 week 4

2009-01-21T09:53:00.006-07:00

THE FAMILY IS ORDAINED OF GOD AND IS CENTRAL TO HIS PLAN.

(FAMILY HOME EVENING)

Preparation: Gather pictures of family members (and extended family, if you wish also) and place in gift boxes or bags, or wrap them up, into a gift.
Make paper link chains to attach to pictures as they are unwrapped.

Lesson: When we come to live on earth Heavenly Father gave us some very important gifts to each of us to have. Lay the gifts out and let every member pick a gift to unwrap. As each gift is unwrapped pause for a moment and let everyone mention a way that person has been a gift to them personally.
Make a chain with the picture links to show how the family needs each other.

Tell the following story:
A Day at the Park
The Whites had been planning their Saturday trip to the park all week long. But when Saturday morning finally came, four-year-old Lisa was sick. Jimmy and Brian said they still wanted to go to the park. Mother said she would stay home with Lisa, so father, Jimmy, and Brian packed their lunches and left for the park. Jimmy and Brian jumped out of the car as soon as they stopped and ran to the swings. They rolled in the grass and played on the climbing bars and slide all morning. But when they sat down on the grass to eat lunch, Jimmy said, “I wish Lisa and mommy were here. It’s not as much fun without everybody.”
Brian said, “I miss them, too. And I know how much Lisa likes to play at the park.”
Father suggested they go home and eat their lunch. When they got home, Lisa was excited to see them. She was feeling better, so they all ate lunch together in the backyard.
Brian said, “Next time we go to the park, we can all go together.”
“And it will be a lot more fun,” added Jimmy.

Lesson 21: Family Unity, Family Home Evening Resource Book, pg 94

Family
In "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," an official declaration released in 1995, Church leaders proclaimed that "marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children." God's plan enables families who live the gospel and receive the necessary ordinances to be together forever with Him. (Gospel Library, Family, LDS.org)

Express your love to each family member and bear testimony on the importance of the family.

I Am A Spirit Child Of Heavenly Father. January 2009 week 3

2009-01-18T14:18:00.006-07:00

(Family Home Evening)

I AM CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD. MY BODY IS A TEMPLE.

“All of you are children of the most High” (Psalm 82:6).

Show a picture of a temple. Discuss what a temple is.
A temple is literally a house of the Lord, a holy sanctuary in which sacred ceremonies and ordinances of the gospel are performed by and for the living and also in behalf of the dead. A place where the Lord may come, it is the most holy of any place of worship on the earth. Only the home can compare with the temple in sacredness.
“Temple” in the Bible Dictionary (pages 780–81)

Next hold up a mirror and let the children look into it. Discuss how your body is the same as the temple.

Both the temple and our bodies must be taken care of and clean in order for the Lord to dwell in them.

Make a list of ways the Temple is kept clean. (Same a keeping the Home clean) - sweep, mop, vacuum, make beds, pick up toys, do dishes, clean windows, clean clothes, etc.

Make list of ways to keep the Body clean. Good Hygiene, clean, modest clothes, eat good foods, avoid bad habits, keep away from: drugs, alcohol, poisons (anything that would hurt out bodies), Have clean thoughts, read/listen/watch good uplifting books, music, movies, exercise, etc.

Heavenly Father created your bodies for us and He wants us to take care of them, while we have them. In 1 Corinthians 3:16–17, we read:

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
“If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”

"Your body is not your own; it is on loan from God... The choices we make about the use of our personal temples will affect us throughout all eternity."

David A. Bednar, “‘Ye Are the Temple of God’,” Ensign, Sep 2001, 14

Other Resources that will help with this lesson -

1) David A. Bednar, “‘Ye Are the Temple of God’,” Ensign, Sep 2001, 14

http://http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=81f4759235d0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1

2) Melanie Day, from Sugardoodle, has made a really cute fun jeopardy game to go along with this topic. Scroll down the page until you see Game (about half way down)

http://http://www.sugardoodle.net/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3314&Itemid=5

Sorry I posted this really late. We where getting new flooring put in and then all the family got sick.

"Showing Primary Children You Care, " Ensign, April 2002, 65

2009-01-09T11:22:00.002-07:00

Showing Primary Children You Care -

Kersten Campbell

Teaching Primary can be challenging at times, especially if your class has discipline problems. You can help the children behave better by helping them feel the love you have for them. Here are eight ways to show you care.
1. Pray for them—at home and also in class. Children feel good when they know you are concerned about them. During opening or closing prayer, mention them by name, and pray for their specific concerns as needed.
2. Learn more about the children. Find out their likes and dislikes. After the opening prayer, let them raise their hands and take turns talking about their week.
3. Give children a hug or a squeeze on the shoulder. Though we must be careful about showing affection appropriately, children need to know we love them.
4. Talk to them when you see them outside the classroom. Say hello when you see them at an activity or in the neighborhood. This shows the children you care about them always, not just when they are in Primary.
5. Write them a note occasionally. Drop off or send a card or letter telling them the good things they did in class the previous Sunday. This will positively reinforce the good behavior you like to see in your classroom.
6. Remember them on a holiday. I will never forget the looks of surprise and delight on my Primary children’s faces when I showed up at their homes Valentine’s Day morning with a special treat.
7. Remember their birthdays. All children love to be remembered on their birthdays. Send them a card, sing a song to them in class, let them be the class leader, or give them an inexpensive present. Above all, make them feel loved on their special day.
8. Prepare good lessons and bear your testimony. Children will know you love them when you have a well-prepared lesson, which could include visuals from the ward library. Study the lesson material and pray for help in conveying the lesson and reaching the hearts of the children as you testify of gospel truths. Children learn from your example as they feel the Spirit testify that what you say is true.
Using these ideas to show your Primary children you love them will greatly reduce problems you may be having in your classroom. As you show them your love, they will develop love, loyalty, and respect for you and your classroom. Your heart will be filled with joy as you love and teach Heavenly Father’s little ones.—Kersten Campbell, Pullman First Ward, Pullman Washington Stake

I Am A Spirit Child of Heavenly Father. January 2009, week 2

2009-01-09T11:16:00.004-07:00

I LIVED WITH HEAVENLY FATHER BEFORE I CAME TO EARTH

(FAMILY HOME EVENING)

Scriptures: “All of you are children of the most High.” (Psalm 82:6)

We Believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son, and in the Holy Ghost. First Article of Faith

Our Father in Heaven

There Is a God
Read Alma 30:44
We can see the work of God in the heavens and on the earth. The many beautiful plants, the many kinds of animals, the mountains, the rivers, the clouds that bring us rain and snow—all these testify to us that there is a God.
Activity: Looking outside or remembering what they saw today, have the family make a list of some of God’s creations that they see (saw).
What are some of the things around us that show us there is a God?

What Kind of Being Is God?
Read Moses 6:9
Because we are made in his image, we know that God has a body that looks like ours. His eternal spirit is housed in a tangible body of flesh and bones (see Doctrine and Covenants 130:22). God’s body, however, is perfected and glorified, with a glory beyond all description.
God is perfect. He is a God of love, mercy, charity, truth, power, faith, knowledge, and judgment. He has all power. He knows all things. He is full of goodness.
All good things come from God. Everything that he does is to help his children become like him—a god. He has said, “Behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” ( Moes 1:39).

Why Should We Try to Know God?
Knowing God is so important that the Savior said, “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3)
The first and greatest commandment tells us, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart” (Matthew 22:37)
The more we know God, the more we love him and keep his commandments (see 1 John 2:3). By keeping his commandments we can become like him.

“Chapter 1: Our Father in Heaven,” Gospel Principles, 8

Show Picture of (Earthly Dad) Ask: Who is this? Compare how children are simialer to their father. Repeat for Mother.

We Are Children of Our Heavenly Father
God is not only our ruler and creator; he is also our Heavenly Father. “All men and women are … literally the sons and daughters of Deity. … Man, as a spirit, was begotten and born of heavenly parents, and reared to maturity in the eternal mansions of the Father, prior to coming upon the earth in a temporal [physical] body” (Joseph F. Smith, “The Origin of Man,” Improvement Era, Nov. 1909, pp. 78, 80).
Every person who was ever born on earth was our spirit brother or sister in heaven. The first spirit born to our heavenly parents was Jesus Christ (see D&C 93:21), so he is literally our elder brother (see Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 26). Because we are the spiritual children of our heavenly parents, we have inherited the potential to develop their divine qualities. If we choose to do so, we can become perfect, just as they are.
We were not all alike in heaven. We were given different talents and abilities, and we were called to do different things on earth. (See Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 51.) We can learn more about our talents and callings when we receive our patriarchal blessings (see Harold B. Lee, Stand Ye in Holy Places, p. 117).
Even though we have forgotten, our Father in Heaven remembers who we were and what we did before we came here (see Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 50). He has chosen the time and place for each of us to be born so we can learn the lessons we personally need and do the most good with our individual talents and personalities.

Our Heavenly Parents Desired to Share Their Joy with Us
Our heavenly parents provided us with a celestial home more glorious and beautiful than any place on earth. We were happy there. Yet they knew we could not progress beyond a certain point unless we left them for a time. They wanted us to develop the godlike qualities that they have. To do this, we needed to leave our celestial home to be tested and to gain experience. We needed to choose good over evil. Our spirits needed to be clothed with physical bodies. We would need to leave our physical bodies at death and reunite with them in the Resurrection. Then we would receive immortal bodies like those of our heavenly parents. If we passed our tests, we would receive the fullness of joy that our heavenly parents have received. (See D&C 93:30–34.)

Chapter 2, "Heavenly Family,” Gospel Principles, 11

Two other great Ideas can be found in the:

1) In the “Before the New Testament,” Friend, Apr 2000, 15
2) The Old Testement Reader has a couple chapters on Pre-exestance and the Great Council in Heaven. Below is the link to the online stories http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,8187-1-4473-5,00.html

I Am A Spirit Child of Heavenly Father. January 2009. Week 1

2009-01-02T15:13:00.007-07:00

HEAVENLY FATHER

LOVES ME AND HAS A PLAN FOR ME.
(Family Home Evening)

The whole idea for this Family Home Evening come from The Friend magazine

* Picture, Friend, January 2008, 16-18

Object Lesson: Start by having one member of the family hid somewhere in the house and have everyone else look for them.
When the person is found meet as a group and have another person hid (in a pre-designated place, between you and them). Give the other family members clues on where the hidden person is. Have them find them.
When the person is found meet together and discuss which person was easier to find and why.
Heavenly Father has give us a plan on how we can live with Him again if we live the way we should here on earth. This plan is called the “Plan of Salvation” or “Plan of Happiness”.

Plan of Salvation
My life is a gift; my life has a plan. My life has a purpose; in heav’n it began. My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth And seek for God’s light to direct me from birth. (“I Will Follow God’s Plan,” Children’s Songbook, 164–65)
These words teach that you lived with Heavenly Father before you came to earth. You are His child. Heavenly Father asked His Son, Jesus Christ, to create the earth. The earth was prepared so you could come and receive a body. You were also given agency, and you chose to come to earth and learn to follow Heavenly Father’s plan.
Heavenly Father loves you. He has given you His word—the scriptures—so you can learn about His plan. If you follow His plan, you will be happy on earth and return to live with Him someday.

**************************************************

“Hurray!” we cried. “Hurray!” We shouted for joy! Have you ever been so happy in a meeting that you wanted to shout for joy? Did you know that you attended a very big meeting before you were born? It was called the Council in Heaven. All of Heavenly Father’s spirit children were there. Jesus Christ was there, and each one of us was there. Jesus was Heavenly Father’s Firstborn Son in the spirit world. We are also His spirit children. We lived with Heavenly Father and Jesus in heaven before we were born on this earth.
In the Council in Heaven, Heavenly Father told us about His wonderful plan. We call it the plan of salvation or the great plan of happiness. As part of this plan, Jesus, under the direction of Heavenly Father, would create a beautiful earth for us. Heavenly Father wanted each of His children to come to earth and receive a body. We had learned as much as we could in the spirit world. With a body and with the gift of agency (freedom to choose right or wrong) we could prove to Heavenly Father that we wanted more than anything else to keep His commandments and return to live with Him again. We were excited to be able to come to earth.
But there was a problem. Heavenly Father knew that when we became mortal and had bodies, we could get sick and die. We would make mistakes and could be tempted. We could sin, and no one who is sinning can live with Him. Heavenly Father knew that someone would have to pay the price for our sins so that we could be clean again and
free from sin. We would need a savior who would give his own life in payment for our sins. Heavenly Father asked, “Whom shall I send?” Jesus said, “Here am I, send me.” Jesus said that He would do whatever Heavenly Father wanted Him to do to help us. There was another spirit person there who wanted to take away our agency and force us all to follow him. That was Lucifer, or Satan. He didn’t want to follow Heavenly Father’s plan—he wanted his own plan. Heavenly Father said, “I will send the first.” (See Abr. 3:24–27.)
Some of the premortal beings did not want to follow this plan, and there was a War in Heaven. However, we chose to support Heavenly Father’s plan, so we were given bodies and sent to many different places on earth to learn about the Savior and to keep the commandments.
When we heard that Jesus would be our Savior, we were so grateful and so happy that we shouted for joy. All the prophets from Adam’s time onward knew that Jesus would come and be our Savior. All the prophets who have lived since Jesus’ birth testify that He did come and that He is the Christ. The Apostle John, who knew Jesus personally, declared “We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:69). When we read that scripture, our faith can grow. Once again, we feel like shouting for joy!
Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, if we choose the right, we will one day be able to return to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again.

Story (1):

Aurelia Spencer Rogers began at a very young age to follow Heavenly Father’s plan for her. She was six years old when her parents joined the Church. Her family moved from Deep River, Connecticut, to Nauvoo, Illinois. When the Saints were forced to leave Nauvoo, Aurelia’s mother died, leaving seven young children. They and their father crossed the Missouri River and went to Winter Quarters, Nebraska, where he built a log cabin for them to live in.
When Aurelia was twelve, her father was called to serve a mission in Great Britain. She and her fourteen-year-old sister, Ellen, said that they would care for the family while he served the Lord. How would you feel if your father went to serve a Church mission and left you in a new land to take care of little brothers and sisters?

Aurelia loved all children and was concerned about them. When she was a young married woman, she felt that parents needed help in teaching their children about the gospel and about how to treat one another with kindness. When the Primary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established in 1878, Aurelia was called to be its first president. Today, all of us can enjoy Primary because Aurelia Spencer Rogers followed Heavenly Father’s plan for her.
*I found the picture of Aurelia Spencer Rogers at this web site: http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/museum/primary/home/1,16231,,00.html

Linda Christensen, “My Life Is a Gift; My Life Has a Plan,” Friend, Jan 2008, 16–18
Vicki F. Matsumori, “Sharing Time: I Know God’s Plan,” Friend, Jun 2003, 33
Sydney S. Reynolds, “Sharing Time: I Shouted for Joy!,” Friend, Feb 1999, 46
(1) Karen Lofgreen, “Sharing Time: Heavenly Father’s Plan,” Friend, Apr 1995, 36

New Year

2008-12-29T17:53:00.003-07:00

Welcome to a New Year in Primary. I am really looking forward to this year and am very excited to see what will unfold.
I hope everyone has had a great Holiday season and, Have a great New Year.
I am planning on adding more article and ideas that I have found in older Ensigns, through out the year and hope they will be helpful.
So, I will try to get something up for January, it is a crazy end of the year for me, so it might be a couple of weeks.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T08:57:00.004-07:00

I just wanted to wish all who read this a very Merry Christmas.

We are coming to the end of one year and will be starting another soon. It has been a great year, and I am looking forward to this next one.

Where ever you are and what ever you do, I hope it is a great time of year for you.

I Love My Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Restored Gospel. December 2008 week 4

2008-12-23T10:51:00.008-07:00

BECAUSE I KNOW THAT I AM A CHILD OF GOD AND THAT JESUS CHRIST IS MY SAVIOR I WILL...

(FAMILY HOME EVENING)

Scripture: I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12

Purpose: Help family members follow Jesus’ example when they make their daily decisions.

For The Parent: In this lesson you will review some of the attributes possessed by Jesus that you and your family would want to acquire to become more like him and our Heavenly Father. You can teach each other the habit of asking “What would the Lord have me do?” as you make your daily decisions.

Preparation: Prepare for the activity that will take place in the darkness or with the use of a blindfold.

What Is an Example? These suggestions work best with young children.
Play “Do as I Do.” Each member of the family takes a turn as leader. The leader stands in front of the others and performs some action. The rest of the group then imitates his actions. Parents or the one conducting the family home evening may want to be leader after the others have had a turn so they can introduce a few examples of reverent behavior for the others to follow, such as folding arms or kneeling as if for prayer.
Discuss the idea of using Jesus as our example.

“I Am the Light of the World”
Turn out all the lights in the house, or use a blindfold if it is still light. Ask one of the family members to perform a difficult task, such as writing a sentence on a piece of paper or finding several household items and putting them in one place. Then turn on the lights or remove the blindfold, and show how easily the same task can be done in the light.
Have a family member read aloud John 8:12.
How is Jesus the Light of the World? (He is the one who lights our way.)
• How does he give us light? (He gave us his example and teachings.)
• Why is it easier to make the right decisions with the aid of Jesus’ light? (His examples and teachings light the way for us. We can see the paths we should take more clearly.)

Jesus Gave Us His Example
What are some of the things for which Jesus has given us his example, things that apply to our own lives?
Direct your discussion according to the needs of your family. Following are some examples:
1. He showed us the way to be baptized (Matthew 3:13–17). (GAK 208)
2. He loved little children (Mark 10:13–16). (GAK 216)
3. He helped the sick and the handicapped (Mark 6:53–56, 7:31–35). (GAK 213)
4. He was kind (John 4:6–10). (GAK 226)
5. He did not get angry with those who offended him (Matthew 27:29–31). (GAK 228)
6. He forgave those who were cruel to him (Luke 23:34). (GAK 230)
7. He showed us how to pray (Matthew 6:5–13). (GAK 227)
8. He taught the importance of truth (John 8:32).
9. He resisted all temptation (Matthew 4:2–10).
In your discussion, show how Jesus always chose to do the will of the Father. He exemplified the principle of love toward others.

Tell on or both of the following stories, and ask family members to listen for ways Kaye and John could use Jesus’ example:

Kaye’s Decision
Ten-year-old Kaye stayed home while her mother went to buy food for the family. Her mother had asked her to clean up her room and to practice her violin.
Kaye quickly cleaned up her room. Then without thinking, she turned on the television. The program that was on interested her very much.
“I am supposed to practice my violin,” thought Kaye. “But I don’t like to practice. Besides, I want to watch this show.”
She was tempted to watch the front yard to see when her mother would arrive home. Then when her mother came, Kaye could quickly turn off the television, take out the violin, and make it look like she was practicing.
• How would the example of Jesus’ resisting Satan’s temptations help Kaye with her temptation?
• What would the Lord want Kaye to do now?

John Was Happy
John was on his way to school. He was hurrying because he wanted to have fun playing before school began. He passed Jenny. She was on her tricycle. But she was not riding. She was just sitting there. Jenny was only three, and John was six.
John said, “Hello, Jenny.” Then he saw that Jenny was crying. John stopped. “What is the matter, Jenny?” he asked.
“I can’t find my house,” Jenny cried. John knew where Jenny’s house was, but if he stopped to take her home, he wouldn’t get to school in time to play.

• What would you do if you were John?
• What would the Lord want John to do?

John didn’t want to stop, but when he saw the tears on Jenny’s face, he couldn’t leave her there lost. He said, “Don’t cry anymore, Jenny. I’ll take you home.” He helped her turn her tricycle in the right direction and walked beside her. Jenny stopped crying. When she saw her house, she looked happy.

• How do you think John felt?
• How do you think he would have felt if he had left Jenny crying and had gone to school in time to play?

What Would Jesus Have Me Do?
Bring up some positive examples in your home during the day or the week when stopping to follow Jesus’ example
During the week, compliment each family member on how well he is doing. Keep the discussion positive.
For decisions between right and wrong, we should ask ourselves, “What would the Lord have me do?”
• How could you be reminded to ask yourselves this important question during the week?

“Lesson Twelve: Jesus Is My Example,” Family Home Evening Resource Book, (1997),48

I Love My Savior Jesus Christ, and His Restored Gospel. December 2008 week 3

2008-12-15T10:04:00.005-07:00

JESUS CHRIST RESTORED HIS GOSPEL THROUGH THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH.

This Sharing Time I will be having many visuals.
The Time Line Info I got from: http://seminary.lds.org/doctrine-and-covenants/index.asp

Make a line half way down the chalk board. One side write Christ's Time, the other side says Joseph Smith's Time. I will also have a table with objects and pictures of Our Time.

(GAK 403 First Vision)
SPRING 1820 The First Vision. God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, conversed with 14-year old Joseph Smith in a grove near his father’s farm
(see Joseph Smith—History 1:5–20).

(GAK 404 and GAK 111 [angels will come and declare the word of the Lord])
SEPT. 1823 The angel Moroni first appeared to Joseph Smith and told him of gold plates buried in a nearby hill. Moroni made additional visits (see Joseph Smith—History 1:29–54; see also D&C 2).

( GAK 407,GAK 208 John the Baptist baptising Christ, picture of Child being Baptized [baptism cleans us from sins and we become members of the Church])
MAY 1829 John the Baptist restored the Aaronic Priesthood. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery ordained and baptized each other (see Joseph Smith—History 1:68–73; see also D&C 13).

(GAK 408, GAK 211, General Authority chart from Conference Issue of Ensign [We have leader and order in the church])
MAY–JUNE 1829 Peter, James, and John restored the Melchizedek Priesthood and the keys of the apostleship.

(GAK 306, GAK 416, Book of Mormon (Bible = Scriptures) [We find the Lord's word in the scriptures, Prophets wrote the word's of God in scripture even in Old Testament times. President Monson receives revelation that we can hear at General Conference and in The Friend])
SEPT. 1827 Moroni entrusted the sacred plates and the Urim and Thummim to Joseph Smith (see Joseph Smith—History 1:59).
MAR. 1830 Five thousand copies of the Book of Mormon were published in English in Palmyra, New York.

(I need to find a picture of church meeting from Joseph Smith's time and Christ's time)
APR. 1830 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in Fayette, New York (see D&C 21).

(Missionary Tag [Even in Christ time his apostles where misionaries, and spread the gospel tothe Lands around them])
APR.–JULY 1830 Samuel H. Smith and others labored as missionaries—using the Book of Mormon—and baptized many people.

(GAK 114, Food, exercise, pillow [The Lord wants us to keep our bodies clean in the times of Christ they had the Law of Moses,which was fulfilled at Christ's atonement, death and Resurrection])
Feb. 27, 1833 Widespread use of tobacco by the brethren attending the School of the Prophets and the filthy conditions that resulted led the Prophet to inquire of the Lord. This revelation is known as “the Word of Wisdom.”

(GAK 118, GAK 500, Picture of local Temple [Temple are the House of the Lord here an earth, we learn His will, and feel close to Him in the Temple])
JUNE 5, 1833 Construction began on the Kirtland Temple.
MAR. 27, 1836 The Kirtland Temple was dedicated amid great spiritual manifestations (see D&C 109).

(Chart From General Conference Issue)
FEB. 1835 The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the Quorum of the Seventy were organized (see D&C 107).

If you have any older Ensigns they have some pictures that go along with some of these parts, you will just have to find them.

I Love My Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Restored Gospel. December 2008, week 2

2008-12-04T13:10:00.006-07:00

The Prophecies Were Fulfilled. Jesus Christ Was Born And The Rightous Rejoiced

(GAK 201)
For this Sharing Time I will just be going over the Christmas Story from both the America and Bethaham.
The Friend, December 2008, pages 24-25, 28 has a cute Nativity Scene that I will use as a display.

I will read this Sharing Time Article I found in the December 2003, Friend. (What Is Christmas? By Vicki F. Matsumori)
What is Christmas? President Thomas S. Monson, (First Counselor in the First Presidency, said that Christmas is children, remembering, giving, and prophecy fulfilled (see “What Is Christmas?” Ensign, Dec. 1998, 2–5).
Christmas is children. It is joy, excitement, and hope.
Christmas is remembering. It is a time to remember and show the love Jesus asked us to have for everyone.
Christmas is giving. Sometimes we give things. Other times we give service. President Monson said we “give to our Lord and Savior the gift of gratitude by living His teachings” (Ensign, Dec. 1998, 5).
Christmas is prophecy fulfilled. The angel declared, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
When Jesus Christ was born, a new star appeared. But not everyone understood what it meant. The Wise Men from the East knew what the star meant. They came to worship Jesus. We can be like the Wise Men.
We can learn about Jesus Christ and follow Him.
What is Christmas? It is when we celebrate the gift our Heavenly Father gave to each of us: the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ. We can give thanks for this gift by showing through our example that we will always follow Him.

To end I will let the children make their own nativity to remeber what Christmas is all about.

Slight Change On This Blog Name

2008-11-21T10:21:00.003-07:00

I made a slight change to this blog's name. It is now Primary Mama. (one "m" now and a space in the middle). I think it will be much easier on the eyes. Much easier to remember the name and spelling, since now it is correct. primarymama.blogspot.com
Thank you to all that read and fing this blog helpful. I really like reading your responses. Hope your Sharing Times are going well and the children are enjoying them.

I Love My Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Restored Gospel. December 2008, week 1

2008-11-19T10:52:00.010-07:00

The Prophets foretold Jesus Christ would come to earth.

I am planning on four brethren in my ward to come into primary and telling the children about their prophecy of the birth of Jesus Christ (first person). I am basing their scripts from the scripture stories.

1) Isaiah
Hello I am Isaiah, I am a prophet of God. My father’s name is Amoz. I was a prophet of Israel in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. I lived 740 years before the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ was born.
I prophesied that Immanuel would be born and a virgin (or a pure, unmarried woman) would be His mother.
I also prophesied that Jesus would be called "Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace", and that He would rule over all the earth. Isaiah 1,7, 9

2) Samuel the Lamanite
Hello, I am Samuel the Lamanite. I lived in the America and I was a prophet before Jesus Christ was born. The Laminates were growing very strong in the gospel, and we had strong testimonies. We tried to follow Christ commands as best as we could.
About five years before the Messiah’s birth in Jerusalem, I was sent in Zarahemla, prophesying to the Nephites and asking them to repent of their wicked ways. At that time the Nephites where not following the commandments of God, and were becoming very wicked. I was in Zarahemla for a few days spreading the gospel of repentance when I was kicked out of the city. I was on my way back home when the voice of the Lord came to me and told me to go back and tell the Nephites the words that would come.
I climbed up a city wall. Began telling the people of Zarahemla that the Lord was not happy with them, because they have forgotten him, that they needed to repent, and begin living the gospel again.
I then told them that in five years time the Son of God would be born. That there would be signs to look for, like 2 nights and 1 day of light, a new star would shine, and many other signs in the sky could be seen.
I then told them about his death and the signs to look for.
I really hope some of the Nephites remembered who they where and converted back to the gospel. I really don’t know what happened to them since some of the more wicked Nephites started throwing stones and shooting arrows at me. I had to jump off the wall and run home.
I looked forward to the day that the Savior of the World was born into the world. Helaman 13-15

3) Nephi
Hello, I am the Nephite prophet Nephi. My father was Lehi, my family and I sailed to the promised land from Jerusalem. My father, Lehi, had received the vision of the Tree of Life. He told the rest of the family what he had seen in his vision, including a prophesy of great prophet who would be born among the Jews. I wanted to know for myself the truth of my father’s vision, so I went into the mountains to pray about it. An angel came to me and explained the different part of the vision to me. Then the most wonderful experience happened to me. The angel showed me the city of Jerusalem and other cities around it. In the city of Nazareth I saw a woman, who was a virgin, pure and white also beautiful more beautiful than those around her. The angel explained to me that she was the going to be the mother of the Son of God, the Redeemer of the World.
In the same vision I saw a prophet preparing the way for him.
1 Nephi 10 and 1 Nephi 11

4) John the Baptist

Hello, I am John the Baptist. My parents are Zacharias and Elizabeth (whose is a cousin to Mary). My mother was carrying me at the same time Mary was carrying Jesus. I was born just a few moths before Jesus was. Jesus Christ is my cousin. I spent most of my life in the wilderness of Judea, Where I wore clothes made of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.
When I was old enough I began preaching and baptizing people for the remission of sins (for I held the Priesthood of Aaron).
My mission in life as to prepare the people for the coming of the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ. I even baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, but only he could cleans with the Holy Ghost and fire.
John 3:28, Luke 3:16, Matthew 3

When our "Prophets" are done with their presentation, we will go over some of the signs of the birth of Christ.

Talk about how the people of his time prepared themselves for his birth.

What we need to do to be prepared for his second coming

There are quite a few prophets who prophesied of the birth of Christ. If time allows I might go of them.

Next week we will talk about the signs and how they were fulfilled when Christ was born.

I Am Thankful To Know That We All Children of God. November 2008 week3

2008-11-12T06:53:00.007-07:00

For this lesson I used the "Making Friends" articles in past issues of the Friend. I was trying to get a wide variety of children from all over the world, there are many children featured in the "Making Friends" section. I know there are many more articles but when you only have 15 minutes or less....

Get a large world map and display it, as you talk about each child or family show the children on the map where they live.
I did take things out of the articles for time purposes, if you want the whole article you can find them at LDS.org under Gospel Library, Magazines, Friend.

Making Friends: The Honda Family of Tokyo, Japan Friend, Jun 2001, 27

How many children nowadays live anywhere near a palace where a real live emperor lives? Satoru (11), Masashi (10),Tacumi (9), Motoi (6), Izumi (5), and Megumi (2) Honda do. They live in Tokyo, Japan’s capital and largest city.
The Hondas are a large family by Japanese standards, and a happy one by any standard. They look out for one another. Each child takes responsibility for all those who are younger. This is a great help to their mother, Mihato, and father, Takaharu.
The children all have talents that make family life go more smoothly.
Satoru is an excellent cook. Chinese food is his favorite, but he can also cook Japanese, Italian, American—you name it.
He enjoys crossword puzzles and anything else that gives his brain a good workout.
He will become a deacon soon, and Brother Honda has been giving him lessons about the Aaronic Priesthood. As part of these lessons, they went to a cemetery to do family history research. Satoru, who is a quick learner, had to master an old form of writing to read the names and dates. He plans to be baptized in the Tokyo Japan Temple for his ancestors when he turns twelve.
Masashi enjoys sports. He plays forward on a soccer team that took second place in its league. He refuses to play in Sunday matches. He is also good at skiing and baseball. He is the first one in the family to start playing any game and the last one to stop.
Masashi is kind to his little brothers and sisters. He likes giving them piggyback rides, too. At school he is a peacemaker who sees the good in others.
Tacumi is a natural handyman and likes to build things. An enthusiastic recycler, he uses worn-out or discarded items to make toys for his young sisters. He concentrates intensely on the task at hand and doesn’t give up until he has mastered it.
Being a loyal friend is another of Tacumi’s talents
Motoi has one of the world’s cutest smiles. He smiled earlier than anyone else in the family, and he’s smiled often ever since. Although he is a little cautious, he’s always willing to follow his big brothers’ examples and grow stronger.
Motoi is looking forward to his baptism, and he studies the scriptures to prepare himself. He has a strong spirit.
Izumi is energetic. She’s not afraid to tell her four big brothers what to do and what not to do, and they actually listen to her! She likes to help her mother. Whatever she sees Sister Honda doing, she must do, too.
Once Izumi wanted to plant flowers. When the flowers bloomed, Izumi gave a bouquet to her kindergarten teacher.
Megumi loves animals. She goes right up to even the biggest dogs, which makes her mother nervous. “Megumi is the mood-maker in the family and a great talker,” Sister Honda adds.
On the kitchen wall is a paper wheel showing each child’s family home evening assignment. Commuting takes a long time in Tokyo, and like most men, Dad gets home late from his job in downtown Tokyo. So Sister Honda usually starts family home evening until he arrives. The children do their parts eagerly.

Each summer, the family goes camping in the mountains or by a river. In wintertime, they enjoy skiing trips. They love one another’s company. In spite of their very busy lives, they can always be found together for Church meetings, prayer, scripture study, dinner, and fun.

**********************************

Making Friends: Ashley, Rebecca, and Daniel Petterle of Lowell, Indiana
Friend, Apr 2001, 40

Lowell, Indiana, is a small town on the edge of a great metropolitan area that goes around Lake Michigan from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, through Chicago, Illinois, and Gary, Indiana, to Detroit, Michigan. The Petterles live on the outskirts of Lowell.
Their ward is in another small town, Hebron, Indiana.

Daniel (8) and Rebecca (9) think that the hardest part about being a Latter-day Saint is having to go so far every Sunday to church. But the ward is comfortable and family-like. Daniel especially likes its Cub Scout program; Rebecca likes Primary and other activities.

Ashley (11) said, “I knew inside that the Church was true right before I got baptized. That is why I wanted to be baptized.” Though she is struggling right now in earning her Gospel in Action award, she loves learning both at church and at home about Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father, and she especially likes being part of the Children’s Sacrament Meeting Presentation each year with her Primary class.
Rebecca has a strong testimony, and would like to tell children everywhere to “always believe in Jesus.”

Daniel said that he felt really happy when he was baptized by his dad. He also said, “I want to tell the children in the Church that I like them.”

All three children feel that family home evenings help them learn important things. Daniel said that one of the things he learned was “to be nice to everyone, even if they are not nice to me.” Rebecca: “The steps we need to take to become a member of the Church.” Ashley: “How you can return to Heavenly Father after you are baptized.”

Dancing, including making up dances, is also something the three children like to do together, especially in the basement on rainy days.

Ashley likes to draw and to write scary stories.

Rebecca likes to play the piano, and she wrote the lyrics and some music for this song, which she calls “Christmas”:
She writes other things, too. In fact, she won first place in a contest at school for her poem about a leprechaun. She also won a book and a pizza for reading over six hundred pages of books. Another time, she won a book and chose one on sign language so she can speak at least a little bit with her Aunt Cindy, who is deaf.

Ashley is on the Lowell swim team, the Dolphins. She won this first-place medal in the freestyle race. She likes gymnastics, too, and singing, bike riding, and playing with her friends.

Rebecca and Jenna Berkey love to get together and play with their dolls. Sometimes they play dress-up, with fancy dresses, high heels, hats, and jewelry.

Daniel likes to make breadsticks, Caesar salad, macaroni and cheese, and other things—like chocolate chip cookies with candies on top! He isn’t the only one who likes cookies—Rebecca and Ashley like them, too.

***************************************

A Missionary in the Making— John Kay of Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland

Friend, Jan 2008, 36–38

One bleak January morning, Alison Kay opened the door to find two missionaries standing in the rain. She invited them in. Later she found out they had been working in cold weather even though it was their preparation day. She was soon baptized and confirmed a member of the Church.
John was four years old when his mother, Alison, joined the Church. He has wanted to be like the missionaries ever since.
Tithes and Savings
John began paying tithing when his mother did. When he heard about the Humanitarian Aid Fund and the Perpetual Education Fund, he started contributing to those too.
John likes to ask missionaries where they are from, what their families are like, and how many people they are teaching and baptizing. But one day he asked them how they paid for their missions. Parents and family members often give support, the missionaries explained. “I want to pay for my own mission,” John said. At 10 years old, he’s well on his way to being ready for his mission in more ways than one.
Working Hard
Besides living the gospel and saving his money, John knows that learning to work hard will help him be a great missionary. “John is very easy to teach,” his mum says. He has learned to knit, iron, wash clothes, sew on a button, weed the garden, wash the car, and cook meals. His usual chores are tidying his room and putting the washing in.
What Does John Like?
1. Mum’s meatloaf
2. Judo
3. Horseback riding
4. His pet guinea pig, Saturn
5. The story of Daniel in the lions’ den
6. Playing with friends
7. Climbing with Dad
8. Art (his favorite subject in school)
9. Pizza
10. Climbing the big tree in his back garden, where he goes to think
Spreading Smiles
John says he tries to have a happy home by talking nicely with his family, especially with his older sister, Phoebe. “We try to listen to each other,” he says.
John’s mum says, “It’s not like John if he’s not whistling or singing ’round our house.” She is grateful for John’s caring personality because she suffers from depression. “John knows just how to treat me,” she says. “He is most loyal and responsible and has a heart filled with love.”
John looks forward to holding the Melchizedek Priesthood, not only so he can serve as a missionary but also so he can give blessings to his family. For now, he prays for them and cheers them up with his sunny personality.
John helps create a happy home. He loves his sister, Phoebe, and his mum, Alison.

****************************************

Making Friends: Lee, Chan Ok of Seoul, Republic of Korea
Friend, Aug 2001, 46

Lee, Chan Ok (7) lives in the sky—twenty-three stories high in one of hundreds of apartment buildings that rise in clusters above her immense city. Seoul is the capital of the Republic of Korea and home to some twelve million people. From her balcony, Chan Ok has a wide view but still sees only a small part of the city she loves.
Most people here wear western clothing, but they also own the traditional and beautiful hanbok and gladly don it for wedding celebrations, festivals, and other special occasions. Food can be bought in modern stores, or it can be purchased in sprawling outdoor markets where the aroma of fish, spices, fruit, and a thousand other delights mingle in the air.
Koreans love good food and are wonderful cooks. Rice is served at most meals, with a great variety of tasty side dishes, including fish, noodles, dumplings, soup, and barbecued beef. Many of these dishes feature seasonal vegetables and are flavored with pepper. Perhaps the favorite food is kimchee, a spicy pickled cabbage that is beloved of Koreans.

The evening meal is an important family time for the Lees. They usually eat at a low table while sitting on the floor, each with a bowl of rice. They use metal chopsticks and add side dishes to their rice from serving bowls in the middle of the table.

Chan Ok has no assigned chores, but she eagerly helps her mother prepare meals and do other tasks.
Though Seoul is crowded, it has saved space for many beautiful parks as well as museums, gardens, and shrines. The Seoul South Korea Temple spans the gap between heaven and earth, and Chan Ok loves to see it.
Seoul’s twelve million residents are largely unknown to each other except as a sea of nameless faces. But Chan Ok knows something that brings the cold numbers to life—every one of this vast throng is a child of Heavenly Father, well known and deeply loved by Him.
She is certain that Heavenly Father knows her, too. She can believe that, knowing everything, He knows that she likes to sing along with her favorite artists on the radio and television, and dance in front of the mirror. That she won an award for a dance she performed at a stake talent night. That she likes to help her mother cook and enjoys setting the table with chopsticks and spoons. That her favorite snack is ta po ke, a spicy concoction of rice cake with vegetables and hot pepper sauce.
She can believe that He knows that she wants to be a singer or a nurse when she grows up and that her mother doesn’t want her to be a singer because she would face bad influences and have to work on Sunday. That her very favorite song isn’t one of the popular tunes she enjoys but “I Am Like a Star Shining Brightly.” That her favorite subject in school is Korean and that her least favorite is maths. That she is a good listener who senses when her brother, Chan Joon (11), or one of her sisters, Mesun (15) or Jin Sook (12), is lonely.
Knowing that everyone is known by Heavenly Father, Chan Ok goes about her life, confident of her own worth and the worth of others. She has many friends at school, she attends school six days a week and studies two or three hours at home each evening. Her teachers like her because she volunteers to run errands or do other tasks for them. In Korean schools, the students themselves clean the classrooms and bathrooms at the end of the day. Some do this grudgingly, but Chan Ok pitches in enthusiastically and does not stop till the room is spotless.
When asked if there was anything she would like to say to the children of the world, Chan Ok replied, “I’d like to meet them all in person and tell them that God lives. I want to give them my love and introduce them to my family.”
She shares a room with her sisters, and they sometimes help her style her hair and choose clothes. They are good friends, and she looks up to them and admires their achievements. Mesun, for example, is a gifted diver who has won international recognition in her age group.
Jin Sook speaks English and is a talented singer and a very eager reader of books. She has stayed in close touch with all her teachers.
Chan Joon is a computer whiz and Chan Ok’s personal computer tutor. He also likes baseball and soccer and has many friends. Sometimes he and Chan Ok have wrestling contests.
Chan Ok feels great love for her grandparents. When her grandfather was seriously ill, it was she who suggested a family prayer. She also loves her parents. She likes to give her mom hugs and sit on her dad’s lap in the evening. She often writes notes to her parents expressing love or appreciation. One said simply, “Mom, Dad, thank you.”
They return the love. “Her very existence makes our family happier,” Brother Lee explains.
Sister Lee agrees. “I’m so grateful to the Lord for giving her to us. My love for her grows every year.”

*****************************************

Making Friends: Andrew Gibson of Fairview, Pennsylvania—I Want to Be a Missionary Now

Friend, Jun 2006, 20–22
“I want to be a missionary now. I don’t want to wait until I’m grown. …”* Andrew Gibson understands the meaning of this Primary song—in fact, he lives it! Andrew, a nine-year-old who lives just outside of Erie, Pennsylvania, is an outgoing boy who likes to share the gospel with people he meets. Right now he is the only member of the Church in his school, so he has many missionary opportunities. He says, “I talk about the Church with my friends. If you tell people about the gospel, or invite your friends to church, you’re being a missionary.”
Andrew is preparing now to serve a mission when he is older. “I am trying to obey the commandments,” he says. “And I’m also trying to save money.” He knows that setting and working toward goals is important. In addition to serving a mission, he wants to attend college and earn a Ph.D. For now, he is working on some short-term goals. In the past year, he has learned the multiplication tables, and he is still working to improve his handwriting.
Andrew faces challenges in life, like a life-threatening peanut allergy. He has to be very careful to not eat any peanuts. “The hard part is that you have to read the labels for everything you eat,” he says. “I can’t eat things like birthday cake at parties, just to be safe. My mom brings another treat for me.” He has to carry medicine with him at all times in case he accidentally eats peanuts. But the challenge has helped to strengthen his faith. “Every year before school starts I receive a priesthood blessing, and we pray that I will be safe. I feel like the priesthood blessings have protected me.”
Andrew knows that being a good example is one of the best ways to be a missionary to others. He tries to be an example to his dad, who is not a member of the Church. Andrew and his dad have a lot of fun playing sports and spending time together. Dad, who is also Andrew’s den leader, is helping Andrew work toward his Bear badge in Scouting. One of Andrew’s favorite Scouting activities was going fishing in a parking lot! First the leaders made a “fishing hole” out of boxes and duct tape, then they taught the boys how to cast fishing poles with bait into the “hole.”
Andrew likes to spend time with his entire family, including his mom and his sisters Rachel and Sarah. The family enjoys outdoor activities like swimming. They also like traveling. One place they like to visit is Presque Isle State Park, located on a nearby peninsula that juts out into Lake Erie. The family likes to rollerblade and bike on the paths that wind along the beaches there.
Living in Pennsylvania puts Andrew’s family close to many of the Church history sites. A few years ago, the family visited the Palmyra New York Temple. While there, the family also visited the Sacred Grove. Andrew says, “I remember walking around and looking at the trees. I wondered where Joseph was praying when he saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.” His family has also visited the Nauvoo area where he saw Carthage Jail and learned about how the Prophet Joseph was martyred. “It was sad,” he says softly.
Andrew’s testimony has grown in many ways. He says, “I know the Church is true, and that the Book of Mormon is true.” How does he know? “Our family reads the Book of Mormon together every night. I prayed about the Book of Mormon, and I got a happy feeling.” With this strong foundation, Andrew is working hard to be a good missionary now to prepare to serve a mission when he is older.

Place the childs picture on th map as you read little about them.

After all the children discritions have been read. Ask the primary children (or family members) to see if they can find any similarties between them and these children. Are there any differences?

No matter where we live in the world, we are all Children of God, Who Loves Us.

I Am Thankful To Know That We Are All Children Of God. November 2008, week 2

2008-11-04T19:28:00.007-07:00

I AM THANKFUL FOR MY BODY. I KNOW MY BODY IS A TEMPLE.
Family Home Evening

This is more of a discussion type lesson.

Ask - family members to name some of the blessings that Heavenly Father has given them.
Write answers on one side of a piece of paper or poster board. One the other side write how we take care of these blessings.

If “Our Body” was not listed then discuss how it is a blessing from Heavenly Father, If it was, then make this the last item to discuss. Heavenly Father wants us to take care of our bodies, since we will have it through out our mortal life.

Read 1 Corinthians 3:16 and Doctrine and Covenants 89: 18-21

Ask - What are some ways we can take care of our bodies?

Here are a couple quotes from President Hinckley and Benson:

"I believe the human body to be the creation of Divinity. Our bodies were designed by our Eternal Father to be the tabernacle of our eternal spirits.
Our bodies are the temples of our spirits. They are sacred. These are the creation of the Almighty. Man was formed in the image of God. As His son, as His daughter, we ought to take care of our bodies.”
(Gordon B. Hinckley, “I Believe,” New Era, Sep 1996, 4)

“…follow the counsel of John Wesley’s mother: “Avoid whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, takes off your relish for spiritual things, … increases the authority of the body over the mind.”
There is no question that the health of the body affects the spirit, or the Lord would never have revealed the Word of Wisdom. God has never given any temporal commandments—that which affects our bodies also affects our souls. There are at least four basic areas which make a difference in our health—in our growing in stature.
First—righteousness. Sin debilitates. It affects not only the soul, but the body. The scriptures are replete with examples of the physical power that can attend the righteous. On the other hand, unrepented sin can diffuse energy and lead to both mental and physical sickness. Disease, fevers, and unexpected deaths are some of the consequences directly related to disobedience. Jesus healed a man of a physical malady and then told him to “sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.” (John 5:14.) Sir Galahad claimed that his strength was as the strength of ten because his heart was pure.
Second—food. To a great extent, we are physically what we eat. Most of us are acquainted with some of the prohibitions of the Word of Wisdom, such as no tea, coffee, tobacco, or alcohol. But what needs additional emphasis are the positive aspects—the need for vegetables, fruits, and grain, particularly wheat. We need a generation of people who eat in a healthier manner.
Third—exercise. The body needs the rejuvenation that comes from exercise. Walking in the fresh air can be exhilarating and refreshing. Properly directed, running can also have some beneficial effects. Simple sit-ups or sporting activities can also be helpful.
Fourth—sleep. Adequate early rest is best. The Lord states that we should “cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.” (D&C 88:124.) Early to bed and early to rise is still good counsel.”
(Ezra Taft Benson, “In His Steps,” Ensign, Sep 1988, 2)

Ask then Discuss - How will be blessed if we take care of our bodies now?

Bear Testimony on the importance of our bodies and being a gift from Heavenly Father.

I Am Thankful To Know That We Are Children of God. November 2008, week 1

2008-10-28T10:21:00.007-07:00

I AM THANKFUL TO BE A BELOVED CHILD OF GOD
FAMILY HOME EVENING LESSON

Start with this activity:
Say: “This is [child’s name].”
Say: “[Child’s name] is a child of God.”
Ask the children to repeat: “[Child’s name] is a child of God.”
Repeat the activity for each member of the family.
Show the picture of the children

Discuss the similarities and differences of the children. Do they look alike? Do you think they act the same? Discuss how each of us are different from others around us. We are not all the same, and that is OK, because we can help each other more through our differences.
Ask the family members Questions like: Is (Son 1) just like (Son 2)? What is (Son 1) good at? What is (Son 2) good at? Repeat for daughters, parents, and parent/children.
Chapter 1: Behold Your Little Ones: Nursery Manual, 8-11

God is our Heavenly Father. Every person who was ever born on earth was our spirit brother or sister in heaven. The first spirit born to our heavenly parents was Jesus Christ, so he is literally our elder brother (D&C 93:21). Because we are the spiritual children of our heavenly parents, we can become just like them. If we choose to do so, we can become perfect, just as they are.
In heaven we were not all alike. We were given different talents and abilities, and we were called to do different things on earth. We can learn more about our talents and callings when we receive our patriarchal blessings
Even though we have forgotten, Father in Heaven remembers who we were and what we did before we came here. We can learn the lessons we personally need and do the most good with our individual talents and personalities.
Chapter 2: Our Heavenly Family,” Gospel Principles, 11

Have Family color puppet to look like them. Then list or draw things they are good at and things they like.

Bear your testimony of being a Child of God and how you feel about that.

2008-10-16T08:21:00.003-07:00

I am sorry about the lack of Service from Prophets and Apostles, I know others have taught about service. My grandma died earlier this week and I am getting things ready to leave for the funeral. I posted what I had so at least you would have an idea of what I wanted to do.

I will post the other weeks after I come back. Good Luck and Have a great week or two.

Because I Am His Child, I Will Serve God With All My Heart, Might, Mind, And Strength. October 2008 week 3

2008-10-16T06:09:00.010-07:00

THE PROPHETS AND APOSTLES TEACH ME HOW TO SERVE.

President Kimball said, “The more we serve our fellowmen in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our souls”

We have been told that society in the last days would display some of the social symptoms that existed in the time of Noah... His neighbors were apparently very disobedient to the commandments of God, and the earth was “corrupt,” and significantly, society then was “filled with violence” (Genesis 6:11). Violence and corruption usually occur because of selfishness. In a time like this, how fitting it is that we focus on service to our fellowmen! The Lord said in the sermon on the Mount: “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14–16.)
Service to others deepens and sweetens this life while we are preparing to live in a better world. It is by serving that we learn to serve. When we are engaged in the service of our fellowmen, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves! In the midst of the miracle of serving, there is the promise of Jesus that by losing ourselves, we find ourselves!
“President Kimball Speaks Out on Service to Others,” New Era, Mar 1981, 47

President Kimball in the following story shows how a simple act of service, resulted in so much good.

It was a stormy winter night. At the airport in Chicago, Illinois, many people were stranded due to delayed or canceled flights. A young pregnant woman stood in the long check-in line, nudging her two-year-old daughter forward with her foot.
Many people made disapproving comments, but no one offered to help.

Man: Why doesn’t she pick up that screaming child?
Woman: What a terrible mother.
With a kind smile, Elder Kimball walked up to the
woman.
Elder Kimball: Can I help you?
Mother: Thank you.I’ve had four previous miscarriages. My doctor told me I can’t lift anything—not even my own child.
Elder Kimball picked up the crying child, rubbed her back, and gave her a piece of candy. When the girl was comforted, he informed the other passengers and the airport workers of the woman’s condition.
Airport worker: We’ll have you on the next available flight.
Supervisor: Come and sit and rest until your departure.
The woman’s stress was lessened. Later, she saw a picture of Elder Spencer W. Kimball of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Mother: That’s him! That’s the man who helped me.
A few months after that, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

Twenty-one years later, President Kimball received a letter. It was from the son of that young mother.
Student: I served a faithful mission and am now a student at Brigham Young University. Thank you for helping my mother that terrible night!
President Kimball was happy that his small act of service had resulted in so much good.
“A Simple Act of Service,” Friend, Sep 2007, 44–45

President Eyring, in the October 2008 Friend, teaches us how to give the most meaningful gifts.
It was a summer day. My mother died in the early afternoon. My father, my brother, and I had gone from the hospital to our family home, just the three of us. We fixed ourselves a snack; then we talked with visitors. It grew late, dusk fell, and I remember we still had not turned on the lights.

Dad answered the doorbell. It was Aunt Catherine and Uncle Bill. I could see that Uncle Bill was holding a bottle of cherries. I can still see the deep red, almost purple, cherries and the shiny gold cap on the jar. He said, “You might enjoy these. You probably haven’t had dessert.”

We hadn’t. The three of us sat around the kitchen table, put some cherries in bowls, and ate them as Uncle Bill and Aunt Catherine cleared some dishes.

As nearly as I can tell, the giving and receiving of a great gift always has three parts. Here they are, illustrated by that gift of cherries.

First, I knew that Uncle Bill and Aunt Catherine had felt what I was feeling. They must have felt we’d be too tired to fix much food. They must have felt that a bowl of home-canned cherries would make us feel, for a moment, like a family again. I can’t remember the taste of the cherries, but I remember that someone knew my heart and cared.

Second, I felt that the gift was free. I knew that Uncle Bill and Aunt Catherine had chosen freely to bring a gift. The gift seemed to provide them joy in the giving.

And third, there was sacrifice. I knew that Aunt Catherine had canned those cherries for her family. They must have liked cherries. But she took that possible pleasure from them and gave it to me. That’s sacrifice. But I have realized since then this marvelous fact: it must have seemed to Uncle Bill and Aunt Catherine that they would have more pleasure if I had the cherries than if they did.

Great gift giving involves three things: you feel what the other feels, you give freely, and you count the sacrifice a bargain.

God the Father gave His Son, and Jesus Christ gave us the Atonement—gifts of unfathomable depth and value for us. Jesus gave His gift freely, willingly to us all. One of the sure signs of a person who has accepted the gift of the Savior’s Atonement is a willingness to give.

Henry B. Eyring, “How to Give,” Friend, Oct 2008, 2–3

Discuss some ways that we can serve others in small but meaningful ways.

BECAUSE I AM HIS CHILD, I WILL SERVE GOD WITH ALL MY HEART, MIGHT, MIND, AND STRENGTH. October 2008, week 2

2008-10-09T12:05:00.005-07:00

I Can Serve Heavenly Father by Serving Others

What is Service: Service is giving to the Lord whatever he requires of our time, our earthly possessions, and our energies to further his work. People have always been tried and tested to see if they will put the things of God first in their lives.

In the Scriptures there are many stories of people serving. In Mosiah 2:17-18, King Benjamin, in his address to his people, told them to serve one another, just as he had served them.

Those who are baptized covenant to take the name of Jesus Christ upon themselves. The prophet Alma explained this covenant to a group of new converts who wanted to be baptized. He observed that their desire to "come into the fold of God" included a willingness to give meaningful service—to "bear one another's burdens, that they may be light," to "mourn with those that mourn," and to "comfort those that stand in need of comfort" (Mosiah 18:8–9).

If we are to be a living sacrifice, we must, if asked, be willing to give everything we have for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A rich young ruler asked the Savior, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered, “Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.” And the rich man said, “All these have I kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said, “Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he was sorrowful. He was very rich and had his heart set on his riches. (See Luke 18:18–23.)
The young ruler was a good man. But when he was put to the test, he was not willing to sacrifice his worldly possessions. On the other hand, the Lord’s disciples Peter and Andrew were willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of the kingdom of God. When Jesus said unto them, “Follow me, … they straightway left their nets, and followed him” (Matthew 4:19–20).

Discuss some things that the children could do to serve others. (play happily with siblings, help clean a room, set table, as a family go and help clean up the chapel when it is your wards turn)

Activity: Read the following scriptures Mosiah 2:18; John 15:12; 1 Jn. 3:18; Matt. 6:3, 4).

Give each child a certain about of hearts to decorate then leave when they do service for another person. Leaving their names off the heart. This helps them understand servig without receive a reward or recognition, but to serve to make you feel happy inside yourself.

I can pray to Heavenly Father, and He will hear and answer and answer my prayers. September 2008, week 3

2008-09-24T09:57:00.010-07:00

HEAVENLY FATHER KNOWS ME. HE WILL ANSWER MY PRAYERS IN WAYS THAT ARE BEST FOR ME.

It was Saturday morning and daddy was home but he had brought home some work to do. He went into a quiet room to be alone to work.
**Soon one of his children, a small boy, came in and asked his father for money to buy a boat to sail on a rain puddle. The father took time to explain that 2 days earlier, the boy had received his allowance with the understanding it was to take care of such wants. The boy went away.
**Then his little girl came in limping and crying. She had hurt her leg and needed her father to kiss the owies away. He did and she ran back to play.
**Then big sister came in. She needed help with her homework. The father gave her some suggestions she needed but didn't do the work for her. A few minutes later, she came back and thanked him, because his idea worked.
**The next interruption was from a teenage boy who came to learn what work his dad had for him to do. He received his directions and went purposefully to his job.
**Finally the littlest child arrived. What do you need? asked the father. I don't need anything said the boy, I just want to be with you. Discuss how this can be compared with prayer.
Lesson Seven: Heavenly Father Answers Our Prayers,” Family Home Evening Resource Book, (1997),27

Just like the father in this story, Heavenly Father will take the time to help us and talk to us when we come to him in prayer.

Let's find out how Heavenly Father answers are prayers from the story that was just told.

1) With the first boy that wanted money, what was the answer the father gave? (No) Why? (he already got his allowance earlier that week)

2) When the girl with the owie came in what did the father do? (He stopped and comforted and kissed her owie.)

3) When the older daughter came in what did she ask? (help with homework) How did her father help? (he explained how to do the problems, but made her work them out)

4) How did the father help his teenage son? (He gave him directions on work that needed to be done)

5) What did the littlest boy need (Nothing, just wanted to me with his father) Do you think the Father enjoyed that?

Heavenly Father will help and answer our prayers when we come to Him, sometimes the answer is NO sometimes it is YES, sometimes it is WAIT. When we need comfort when we are feeling sad or scared, we can pray to Heavenly Father and he will help us feel better and stronger. Sometimes we need help in order to do a job. He will also give us direction when we need it, but we have to do the work to get the blessings. Just like the daughter that received help on her homework, we need to return to Heavenly Father and thank him for the help and blessings He gives us.
Just like our parents here on earth Heavenly Father likes us to just to talk or spend time to Him. He will not shoo us out of the room.

We can pray to Heavenly Father to thank Him for many things, to ask Him for blessings, comfort or help. Take some time just to kneel down and talk to him, like you would your mom and dad.

New Year Items I Am Excited About

2008-09-18T08:36:00.006-07:00

Ok so the new 2009 Theme is out, I know it can be ordered through the church distribution center. The theme is "My Eternal Family." If you go to sugardoodle (here is the link- http://www.sugardoodle.net/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2836&Itemid=5 ), you can see what all the monthly/ weekly themes are. This is great.

The second thing I am really excited about is the new Nursery Manual. If you click on the link you can see a 3:03 minute video explaining the new manual and how it works and the reason for the change. http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,8184-1-4470-1,00.html

I would suggest this manual for every home, to use for family home evenings. The lessons are short, and pictures are right there. I personally have my own copy and have started using it with my family. You can also buy this from the distrubution center I believe it was $5.50 (Don't quote me on that though). Check out the video too. AWESOME!!

I can pray to Heavenly Father, and He will hear and answer and answer my prayers. September 2008, week 2

2008-08-26T10:07:00.007-07:00

HEAVENLY FATHER WANTS Me TO PRAY TO HIM OFTEN - ANYTIME, ANYWHERE

I feel that the children in my ward need to have a lesson on the proper way to pray to Heavenly Father.

(If you have the "I will Trust in Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ." 2006 Vol.2 Created by: Karen Finch Finch Family Games, pages 12-16)

I am using these pages for this sharing time, since they do have copyright rules I will not be posting the pictures on my blog. I did make some pictures of my own though. Or a doll will work too.

This part is more for the Jr. Primary

This is Patrick and Penny. Today is their first time to Primary and more then anything they want to learn how to talk with their Heavenly Father. They want to make sure they do it properly. Can we help them? (YES)

Have children Show at each part.
To start we need to show them:

What to do with their arms. (fold them)
What to do with their feet. (keep still or kneel by chair)
What to do with mouth. (keep closed, unless ask to give
prayer)
What to do with eyes. (close them)
What to do with head. (bow)

Now we are ready to say a prayer. When we pray there are certain words and an order that we need to follow, they are simple but important.
Make word strips for this part
How do we say to start our prayer? (Heavenly Father...)

We then Thank Him for all our blessings.
What are some of the blessings we can thank him for?
(family, gospel, scriptures, Primary, teachers and leaders, prophet, health, food, country, etc...)

We then Ask Him for blessings for others or our self.
What our some blessing we can ask for?
(Keep us from temptation, health for someone sick, missionaries, Prophet, safety, help find something, answer to problem, etc...) .

We then close by saying In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

If you are talking to your friends what names do you use?
When talking to mom or dad what names do you use?
If you were talking President Monson what name would you use?

When Talking to Heavenly Father we do not use "you" instead we use the words:

When we use these words we are showing respect, love, and reverence for Heavenly Father.

When Jesus came to America after He was resurrected. He taught the people how to pray. 3 Nephi 18: 15-20

Jesus understood and taught the importance of prayer. He lived the concept. He prayed continually to the Father for direction and strength, because His greatest desire was to do the Father’s will.

In one of the most powerful of all scriptural accounts, we read in 3 Nephi of the resurrected Lord’s prayers among the Nephites: “No tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father”.
Jesus “took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them” ... Jesus prayed several times for the Nephites, and He taught them how to pray. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed”.

The lesson for us is clear. We need to be prayerful.
(Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Guided by His Exemplary Life,” Liahona, Feb 1999, 34)

Prayer is the first and vital link between God and man.
("Keith B. McMullin, “Words of Jesus: Prayer,” Ensign, Jan 2003, 48)
This article is a very good resource about how to make our prayers more meaningful.

In the book "TRUE TO THE FAITH" there is a description of prayer.
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e1fa5f74db46c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=adb2991a83d20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0

I CAN PRAY TO HEAVENLY FATHER, AND HE WILL HEAR AND ANSWER MY PRAYERS. September 2008, week 1

2008-08-25T10:27:00.010-07:00

I Learn About Prayer From the Scriptures.

There are many examples of people that use prayer in the scriptures. We can learn important lessons from these stories.

Following are just a few of the scriptural accounts that show us to pray to Heavenly Father. We should pray to Him if we need help. After we receive blessing we should kneel in thankfulness and thank Heavenly Father for want He has blessed us with.
When we pray we should do so reverently, thoughtfully, humbly and faithfully. Then be still and listen to what He says to us.

Abraham and Sarah had been married many years. They did not have any children and where starting to get old. They became worried and sad.
The Lord had promised Abraham that through his descendants the nations of the earth would be blessed. If he didn't have children he could not have descendants. Abraham prayed about these concerns, and the Lord promised him that he would someday have a son. Abraham did not know how this promise could be fulfilled. He knew it would take a miracle for Sarah to have a baby in her old age, but Abraham had faith.
Many more years passed. Abraham was about one hundred years old and Sarah ninety when the Lord told Abraham the exciting news: Sarah would soon give birth to a son, who should be named Isaac. Abraham was so happy that he bowed his face to the earth and humbly thanked the Lord.
When the baby was born, Sarah rejoiced. After forty years of waiting she finally had a baby; she knew that his birth was truly a great blessing of the Lord. Abraham and Sarah loved and cared for Isaac.

Hannah and Elkanah have no children. They went to the temple to offer sacrfices. While there Hannah prays for a son and promises him to the Lord.
Eli (the prophet) tells Hannah her prayer will be answered. Samuel is born, and Hannah fulfills her promise by bringing him to the temple.

The four Sons of Mosiah all wanted to go missions to the Lamanite country. Any one of them could have been the next king, but they all wanted to be missionaries instead. They wanted to teach the Lamanites, who were very wicked at this time. The sons of Mosiah wanted every person to have an opportunity to hear the gospel. The Lamanites were very wicked, and it was dangerous for the sons of Mosiah to go teach them. The sons of Mosiah prayed and asked Heavenly Father to help them be good missionaries. Heavenly Father told them that he would watch over them and they would be able to teach many people Praying helped give the sons of Mosiah courage to go teach the Lamanites.

Enos went into the forest to hunt animals. He began thinking about the teachings of his father. He had often heard his father talk about eternal life and the joy of those who keep God's commandments. Enos wanted to have that joy. He knelt down and prayed to Heavenly Father to forgive him of his sins. Enos prayed all day and into the night. While Enos was praying, he heard the voice of the Lord say to him, "Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed".
Enos knew his sins were forgiven. He was very grateful and asked, "Lord, how is it done?"
The Lord answered, "Because of thy faith in Christ".
Enos wanted all the Nephites to feel the joy he felt, so he prayed for them. The Lord said He would bless the Nephites if they kept His commandments.
Then Enos prayed for his enemies, the Lamanites. He wanted the records of his people to be preserved so that someday the Lamanites would read them and believe. The Lord said to Enos, "I will grant unto thee according to thy desires, because of thy faith".
Enos was happy. He spent the rest of his life preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Enos 1)

There are many more stories, see if you can find at least two more during your scripture study this week.