Category: Life Lessons

Things I’ve learned and wanted to share.

A Day in the Life, FHE, Life Lessons, Spiritual

2024 Just One Verse

Keira

I have a confession to make. Come Follow Me has always been hard. I don’t like it. I’ve never liked it. I’ve missed years of yore with studying prophets and 3 hour church and all the stuff that seems to have been an easy tradition shift for most. I’ve harbored guilt for these feelings and often felt like if I would just get on board, I’d gain a testimony of the program; but every year comes and goes and I don’t implement any kind of come follow me manuals into our lives. We’ll pick it up occasionally but since I haven’t really planted the seed into my own life, it never really grows for my family. And then a wise friend was talking about what she did for her family and an idea spurred. She said that she’s always struggled to make habits stick until she realized that it’s easier to piggyback habits instead of create from scratch. She said her family struggled with reading scriptures until she piggybacked the habit with bedtime prayers, something that they’d been able to keep consistent for a long time. She says you don’t have to master a gospel foundation from day one, just take a baby step every day. Find some goal that doesn’t feel lofty. When she said they only read 1 verse a day, I thought, “I think maybe we could handle 1 verse a day at bedtime.” And then I came home and looked at the book and realized it’ll be pretty easy to find 1 verse for each sub-category. So I went through the book and picked 6 verses for each lesson, based on what is already marked in my scriptures and what is highlighted in the manual. I only picked 6 because I still want to follow with our own Family Home Evening lesson schedule. Also, I’m an all-or-nothing type. If I make the list now, I’ll stick with it. If I wing it, I will drop the habit. So It’s all done now, while I’m thinking about it. (The scriptures in parentheses are because I know myself. If I miss a day, this is the verse I’ll skip).

So if you’re stuck on Come Follow Me, feel free to use my pre-selected scripture list of 1 verse a day:

  • Jan 8-14
    • 1 Nephi 5:21
    • 1 Nephi 2:16
    • 1 Nephi 3:7
    • 1 Nephi 4:1
    • 1 Nephi 4:6
    • (1 Nephi 5:22)
  • Jan 15-21
    • 1 Nephi 7:21
    • 1 Nephi 8:11-12
    • (1 Nephi 8:30-31)
    • 1 Nephi 9:6
    • 1 Nephi 10:4-5
    • (1 Nephi 10:18-19)
  • Jan 22-28
    • 1 Nephi 11:20-22
    • 1 Nephi 14:7
    • 1 Nephi 13:37
    • (1 Nephi 14:14)
    • 1 Nephi 15:11
    • 1 Nephi 15:25
  • Jan 29-Feb 4
    • 1 Nephi 17:13
    • 1 Nephi 16:29
    • 1 Nephi 17:3
    • 1 Nephi 17:13
    • 1 Nephi 19:23
    • (1 Nephi 20:10)
  • Feb 5-11
    • 2 Nephi 2:26-27
    • (2 Nephi 1:15)
    • 2 Nephi 1:23
    • 2 Nephi 2:7
    • 2 Nephi 2:11
    • 2 Nephi 2:14
  • Feb 12-18
    • 2 Nephi 4:19-20
    • 2 Nephi 3:13
    • 2 Nephi 4:34-35
    • 2 Nephi 5:27
    • 2 Nephi 2:10-11
    • (2 Nephi 5:15-17)
  • Feb 19-25
    • (2 Nephi 7:7)
    • 2 Nephi 9:10
    • 2 Nephi 9:23
    • 2 Nephi 9:28-29
    • 2 Nephi 9:39
    • 2 Nephi 10:23
  • Feb 26-March 3

More to come… if I don’t get sidetracked…

Life Lessons, tutorials

All I know about pruning apple trees

Keira

2 springs ago I finally convinced my super busy friend to come teach me how to prune my apple trees. They always overwhelmed me and I just ignored them. They were overgrown when we moved into this house and I didn’t even know where to start. I’ve learned so much since then and have even more things I learned this year as well, so I decided I’d try to write down and recall all I’ve learned in one place (better recall!)

Year 1: the basic rules of pruning.

  • Cut out anything that is dead or diseased (duh).
  • Cut out everything that grows toward the center. There are a lot of reasons why this is a good idea. First, it keeps the air flowing throughout the tree and therefore keeps pests and diseases at bay. It also allows sunlight to reach more apples. Plus it makes it easier to get into the tree to pick apples and not *have* to climb up so high to reach apples.
  • Cut out anything that is taller than you can reach. I didn’t mind climbing into the tree; I thought that was part of apple-picking. But my friend informed me it was a waste of resources for both me and the tree. And honestly not having to climb on top of a truck and into the tree was kind of nice! Plus the tall branches shade the apples too much.
  • Cut out branches that cross other branches (more on this in year 3)
  • Cut as close to the joint as possible to allow for the tree to create new bark over the cut and seal itself back in. She showed me some branches on my tree that were cut correctly and some that weren’t. The correct ones did have bark sealing them in. The incorrect cuts had dead little sticks poking out that suck up water and can’t seal.
  • Don’t cut away more than 1/3 of the branches. Some trees (sigh… Mine) need more than 1 year to get back into shape. I’m pretty sure my friend cut half of the one tree away this year (she got excited about re-taming it, I think) and it looked good but we only got 1 apple and lots of water sprouts to show from it. It gave us amazing apples the next year though!

Year 2: trying to apply my knowledge

  • Once you prune the tree it gets all excited and shoots branches straight up. They’re called water sprouts and don’t help the tree at all. Instead they take nutrients that could go to building better apples. I only cut half of mine off because I was too chicken to cut them all off. They didn’t produce any apples and they got tall and unruly. Cut off all water sprouts.
  • My friend told me 2 of my trees wouldn’t produce decent apples because they were not from the trunk but the roots. So I didn’t prune them. And I wish I had because the tiny little apples actually tasted pretty good! So don’t give up on a tree too soon.
  • Invest in a hand saw, a pair of loppers, and a pair of little nippers (hand pruners?). They all come in handy. Sometimes a chainsaw, too, but you risk cutting at weird angles too quickly or dropping big branches on yourself by going so fast. And the adjustable pair of sheers are bound to un-tighten as you’re trying to trim and warp funny and are just a pain.
  • Add a basic rule that anything that can bend and that hangs down will drag on the ground when the tree is full of apples and cut anything under waist high.

Year three: oh, so that’s why…

  • Those low branches I didn’t trim last year were also perfect grazing height for deer and voles (eyeroll) and now I have a few branches that are chewed all to bits. Good thing they were already getting trims… It’s just a little higher up than I would have done if they hadn’t been chewed on.
  • This year I’m pruning all the extra water sprouts. Except since I left half last year they’re thick and a pain. So that’s why you should just cut anything that grows straight up as you see it, even if you don’t think it’s gonna harm anything to leave it.
  • I see some spots where the bark is not healthy on one of my trees. It’s all mostly in the middle. The damage is done and I remember my friend talking about it in year 1 but now I understand why it’s important to clean out the center of the tree.
  • I can see how in just 2 years, the bark is enclosing the first year of cuts and it’s amazing to me! I feel like patting the trunk and saying, “oh what a good little tree.” Although I bet the tree is as old as I am…
  • Going to cut branches out of an overgrown tree and I have to keep yanking and pulling and unwinding crossed branches. It’s way easier to cut small crossing branches than thick intertwined branches. As you’re pruning, don’t just think about what the tree will look like when you’re done pruning, but what it will look like in a few years. Stop and consider the direction the branch is heading and if it will need pruned in a few years. Then you can save yourself the strain of cutting a thick branch then by cutting one that only takes nippers now.
  • Put a cage of fine mesh over baby trees. Chicken wire is not enough (though I didn’t even have that). I now have a stick coming out of the ground instead of my little yearling tree. Pesky deer and voles!
  • Have more than 1 apple tree if you can. In more than one variety. I knew this before (the best applesauce comes from a blend of apples) but it stood out more this year because I really don’t want to entirely tame one of my trees. It’s the one that has apples on the ground by fall. I’m definitely trimming some of the branches but I can’t bear to totally cut it into submission. It’s just too magical of a tree. It creates a little tree hideout in the summer where the light twinkles through the branches and the rest of the world hides away behind leaves and apples. My kids and kitties love it. I’m willing to sacrifice a little on the apple quality and quantity in order to keep the magic, because I have other trees to get apples from. I’m pruning the branches that are just too tall (although the birds might wish I hadn’t, as I have to leave the apples up that high as some sort of offering to nature), clearing out the chewed and unhealthy branches, and letting the rest stay kinda chaotic.
  • Oh, and add a baseball cap to the list of supplies. My hair was caught waaaaayyyy too many times today.
FHE

Abrahamic Covenant FHE

Keira

Purpose: to help family members understand the importance of the Abrahamic Covenant and that because God kept his promises to Abraham, we can know that He will keep promises with us.


Possible scriptures: Genesis 28:14; Genesis 35:11-12; Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:6,8-9; Deuteronomy 26:16-19; Deuteronomy 28:9 (or any part of the chapter); Psalm 47:7; Psalm 95:3; Isaiah 32:1; Hosea 3:4-5; Matthew 2:1-2; Romans 9:27; Galatians 3:7-9; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Nephi 30:2; 3 Nephi 5:21; Doctrine and Covenants 1:22-23; Doctrine and Covenants 35:24-27; Doctrine and Covenants 54:4-6; Doctrine and Covenants 133:57-60; Moses 8:3;

Possible Songs: Choose the Right, Hymn 239; How Gentle God’s Commands, Hymn 125; Come Follow Me, Hymn 116; Come Let Us Anew, Hymn 217; Press Forward, Saints, Hymn 81; I Have Work Enough to Do, Hymn 224; Keep the Commandments, Hymn 303, Children’s Songbook page 146 ; Choose the Right Way, Children’s Songbook page 160; Seek the Lord Early, Children’s Songbook page 108, The Lord Gave Me a Temple, Children’s Songbook 153;

Possible Materials: 5 popsicle sticks for each member of your family plus 10 more. Scripture figure or picture of Abraham. A picture of an angel saving Abram, a picture of Abraham and Isaac (I like this one better but it isn’t as traditional as the other), and a picture of Abraham kneeling. This picture of the scattering of Israel. A map of the world.


Preparation: Begin with prayer. Read the suggested scriptures, along with Genesis 12-17 and Abraham 1-3 (remember you can use the arrows on the right of the screen to go to the next chapter). Read through the lesson, including any links, and carefully select the most relevant material for your family. Follow this video to make a 5-point star out of popsicle sticks. On 5 other sticks, write the following: “Land of Inheritance,” “Kings from Thee,” “Priesthood,” “Salvation and Eternal Life,” “Posterity fills the Earth.” Children: Watch either this video or this one for younger readers and this video about Covenants (which is also great for adults!)

Lesson:

Discuss how last week’s challenge went.

Introduction: Hold up the popsicle stick star you made before the lesson. Talk about how it holds itself together without using any glue. Where are stars? How many stars are in the sky? Show this picture of stars or one like it. Talk about how there are more stars in the sky than we can count. Heavenly Father once promised a prophet that his family would grow so big it would be like the stars.


From the Scriptures: hold up a picture or scripture figure of Abraham. Tell your family that this is Abraham and God loved him. Abraham tried to always make the right choices. When he was a kid, he was called Abram. Abram’s dad did not make good choices. He wanted to sacrifice Abram to a false god. That means he wanted a wicked priest to kill Abram for a not-real god. Abram prayed to Heavenly Father to protect him and an angel came and saved him. Hold up the picture of an angel saving Abram. Abram grew up and followed Heavenly Father’s commands, even when they were really really hard. Heavenly Father promised Abram a son and changed his name to be Abraham. It took a very very long time before Abraham and his wife Sarah had any kids. Sarah was 90 years old when she was pregnant with Isaac. Think about your oldest relative that your family knows. Compare how old they are to Sarah’s age. Then Heavenly Father tested Abraham and asked him to sacrifice Isaac. Hold up the picture of Abraham and Isaac. Abraham did not want to sacrifice Isaac, but he trusted Heavenly Father. Before any harm came to Isaac, Heavenly Father said the test was done and provided a lamb to sacrifice. Heavenly Father knew he could trust Abraham because he listened and followed the commandments, even when it was hard. He made a special promise with Abraham. Hold up the picture of Abraham kneeling. Tell your family that a special promise with God is called a covenant. Pull out the 5 popsicle sticks that have writing on them. Ask your family if they can remember one of the promises given to Abraham, the prophet (we talked about it in the intro).

For older families, read all the scriptures listed below and place the popsicle piece into the star as you finish each one. For younger families select 1 scripture for each stick. Talk about how God’s covenants are strong and work together, but if we want to break covenants, those promises come apart. He leaves that up to us. Read Doctrine and Covenants 82:10. We can trust that if we keep our promises, God will keep His.

From World History: show this picture and tell your family that Abraham’s family grew and grew and filled the whole land of Israel, just like God promised. But then the people stopped listening to Him. Heavenly Father promises Abraham that his posterity would inherit a blessed and fruitful land if they would be obedient, but He also promised that He would use his posterity to bless the whole world. When the people forgot to listen to Heavenly Father, the promise that they could stay in the promised land was undone, and God used the disobedience of the Israelites to fulfil another promise: the promise that Abraham’s family would fill the whole earth. The posterity of Abraham, called the tribes of Israel, were scattered 4 different times, spreading their influence further and further. First, half of the tribes were scattered, then the other half. Then some of Abraham’s people, then called Jews, began to move back to Israel. Jesus Christ was born during this time. Jesus is also a descendent of Abraham. He is, in a sense, the most important king that came from Abraham. But lots of people didn’t follow him, so the people were scattered again! 2 different times, the people were mixed into the Roman empire. The Roman Empire was large, and the people were scattered throughout most of Europe. Show a world map and point to Europe. From there, they spread to all the world. Heavenly Father kept his promises to Abraham! He gave him a big family that started and filled all of the promised land, and then spread throughout the whole world. Lots of kings fill the family tree of Abraham, including the King of Kings, Jesus. Abraham was given the priesthood and promised that he could be with his family forever after he died. God kept and continues to keep his promises to Abraham.

From Church History: Because God kept his promise to Abraham, we can know that he will keep his promises with us. What covenants do we make with Heavenly Father? We covenant with Heavenly Father when we are baptized, when we take the sacrament, when we go to the temple, when we receive the Priesthood, and when we are sealed to a spouse.

Further Discussion:

As you read the following scriptures, ask your family what we are promising to God and what He is promising to us.

Recent Conference talks to consider in your discussion: Click here for conference talks about Covenants.

Challenge:

Have everyone make their own stars and help them write “God keeps His promises.” Tell them to keep them somewhere they can see them this week. When they look at their stars, ask them to think of any promises Heavenly Father has made to them and to remember that it is up to us to keep those covenants intact.


Giving due credit: as usual, I read and learned from Gospel Principles Chapter 15 and Gospel Topics from Gospel Library on the Abrahamic Covenant and Covenants. As there was very little information on Abraham in the sunbeams manual I had to resort to newer material, and pulled some information from Come Follow Me Primary for Feb 7-13 I also drew much more heavily from the topical guide and the bible dictionary (Blessings of Israel; Abrahamic Covenant; Earthly Kings; Jesus Christ, King; Abraham, Covenant of; Seed of Abraham, etc). Another helpful resource was the July 1987 Friend,

FHE

Pioneers FHE

Keira

Purpose: to celebrate ancestors and those who paved a way for a better future.


Possible scriptures: Abraham 2:10-11; Genesis 17:7-8; Deuteronomy 30:1-5; Isaiah 11:12; Isaiah 29:14; Jeremiah 16:14-15; Jeremiah 23:3; Ezekiel 20:34; Malachi 4:5-6 (3 Nephi 25:5-6, Doctrine and Covenants 128:17-18); Matthew 24:14; Galatians 3:26-29; Hebrews 11:40; 2 Nephi 9:2; 2 Nephi 30:2; 3 Nephi 20:13; Doctrine and Covenants 1:30; Doctrine and Covenants 38:33; Doctrine and Covenants 97:21; Doctrine and covenants 128:15;

Possible Songs: Come, Come Ye Saints, Hymn 30; For the Strength of the Hills, Hymn 35; They, the Builders of the Nation, Hymn 36; Carry On, Hymn 255; Pioneer Children Sang As They Walked, Children’s Songbook page 214; Pioneer Children were Quick to Obey, Children’s Songbook page 215; Little Pioneer Children, Children’s Songbook page 216; Westward Ho!, Children’s Songbook page 217; To Be a Pioneer, Children’s Songbook page 218; The Oxcart, Children’s Songbook page 219; The Handcart song, Children’s Songbook page 220; Covered Wagons, Children’s Songbook page 221; Whenever I Think about Pioneers, Children’s Songbook page 222;

Possible Materials: any picture you have of an ancestor, preferably one that was a pioneer. If you need pictures, the history section of the church website has a category for pioneers, including photos of historical sites and artifacts. You may also wish to use these scripture figures of pioneers. This game board (if you can’t print it for any reason, make a simple gameboard and make a puzzle of a picture with pioneers. Then on every third square, write a fact about the pioneers followed by a question about how we can be like our ancestors), and a game die to go with it, as well as a bean or token for each member of the family. The scripture figures of Lehi’s family.


Preparation: Begin with prayer. Read the suggested scriptures, including 1 Nephi 2; 16; and 17 as well as Doctrine and Covenants 136. Then follow this link (if you have a Family Search account, log in) to quickly look up if you had any ancestors that came to Utah as a pioneer. If not, it will take more digging, but look up which ancestors were the first to join the church. Read any stories associated with them. What is a pioneer, to you? For the sake of this lesson, I choose to define a pioneer as someone who does something hard because he knows it is right. Is that how you you would define a pioneer? Read the article and watch the video on Church History Topics: Pioneer Trek. Was there anything new that you learned? Read through the lesson, including any links, and carefully select the most relevant material for your family. print the gameboard and cut out the puzzle. Collect a game die and a token for each member of the family, Children: watch the videos about the saints leaving Nauvoo and Pioneers going to the Salt Lake Valley (you can watch the videos in between and the video following, as well). Then watch this video about Lehi and Nephi and the promised land (if they need more context, start here and follow the chapters). Ask a grownup to help you print and cut the game, and to find the other game pieces you’ll need.

Lesson:

Discuss how last week’s challenge went.

Introduction: Ask your family what is so important about July 24th. It’s not a holiday that is celebrated at many schools or at work, but it is important to us. It is a chance for us to celebrate our ancestors that joined the church or did hard things because they believed it was right. Ask your family if they know what “ancestors,” means. It means a member of our family who was in our past. Someone older than our grandparents that lived their life so that we could be born. Set out the gameboard and it’s corresponding puzzle pieces. Tell the family we will be playing a game and learning about pioneers. Pioneers are a special kind of ancestors. They did something hard or new because they knew it was right. Some pioneers came across the plains in wagons so that they could be safe from people that did not like that they were trying to be good people. Some brought wagons and some brought little carts that they had to pull along. Tell your family we are going to build the little puzzle wagon and fill it with things that pioneers might have needed to walk so far. Then explain the rules of the game (“Take turns rolling the die to move forward from the square marked ‘start.’ When you land on a square with words, follow the instructions or answer the question written on the square. If you can follow the instructions or answer the question, put a puzzle piece in place. If not, it’s the next player’s turn. If a player lands on the same square more than once, he or she can choose another player to follow the instructions on the square. Continue moving around the circle until the puzzle is completed.” copied from the game)


From Church or World History: Share some stories from your own ancestors. Show any pictures you may have, and talk about any family resemblances or how their clothes or hair are different styles. If you don’t have any stories to share, here are some shared in various church articles: Albert Dickson (July 1995 Friend), Anna Anderson (July 2015 and August 2015 Friend), Thomas Giles (August 2006 Friend), Agnes Caldwell (October 1997 Friend), Peter McBride (November 2006 Friend), Mary Wanlass (July 2017 Liahona), Margaret McNeil (August 2007 Friend), Heinrich Eyering (July 2016 Friend), Arthur Parker (May 2004 Friend), Priscilla Mitchell (February 2005 Friend), and Jane Manning (September and October 2017 Friend). If your family doesn’t have many “Utah Pioneers,” the story about Gaby’s Different Kind of Pioneer would be helpful a well. Tell your family that the pioneers in the stories did hard things and they were blessed for making good choices. Ask if there is something we can do that will improve our future or make the world a better place.

From the Scriptures: Hold up the figures of Lehi and Nephi and their family. Ask your family if they remember who the people are. Tell your family that Heavenly Father told Lehi to go to a promised land, too! Lehi and his family were obedient and listened. That made them pioneers, too! Read 1 Nephi 2:2-4 and 17:1-3. How did Heavenly Father bless Lehi and his family? How will we be blessed when we do what Heavenly Father asks of us.

Further Discussion:

Watch what Dallin H Oaks and L. Tom Perry had to say about being like the pioneers. What stood out in the videos? What can we learn from the pioneers? How are we being pioneers ourselves?

Recent Conference talks to consider in your discussion: Let Doing Good Be Our Normal, by Rafael E. Pino; Follow Jesus Christ with Footsteps of Faith, By M. Russell Ballard; We Each Have a Story, by Garrit W Gong

Challenge:

Find something about your ancestors that intrigues you. Study more about them and their lives this week. Think about what their life was like. Get to know them a little closer. At the end of the week, be prepared to share what you learned or how you grew closer to your ancestors and how it impacted your week.


Giving due credit: as usual, I read and learned from Gospel Principles Chapters 17 and 42, and the Family Home Evening Resource Manual on Cultural Heritage and Family History and Gospel Topics from Gospel Library on Pioneer Trek.

FHE

I Belong to a Family FHE

Keira

Purpose: To help your family remember that Heavenly Father’s plan involved coming to earth to a family that will help us learn and grow. Families are the main structure of the church.

*** Disclaimer: I purposely have left this lesson pretty broad, because not only is every family different, but the concept of belonging to a family is a HUGE concept. In fact, it’s pretty much everything. This lesson will take special prayer and consideration in order to be adapted to what you and your family and me and my family will need at any given time. Therefore, adapt as needed ***


Possible scriptures: Genesis 2:24; Proverbs 1:8 (6:20); Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 22:6; Proverbs 29:15,17; Ephesians 6:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:1-2; 3 John 1:4; Mosiah 4:14-15; 3 Nephi 18:21; Doctrine and Covenants 68:25; Doctrine and Covenants 83:2,4; Doctrine and Covenants 88:119; Doctrine and Covenants 93:40; Doctrine and Covenants 121:41-44; Moses 2:27-28;

Possible Songs: Love at Home, Hymn 294, Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth, Hymn 298; O My Father, 292; Families can Be Together Forever, Hymn 300,Children’s Songbook page 188; I Am a Child of God, Hymn 301, Children’s Songbook page 2; A Happy Family, Children’s Songbook page 198a; Fun to Do, Children’s Songbook page 253; When We’re Helping, Children’s Songbook page 198b; We’re all Together Again, Children’s Songbook 259; The Family is of God

Possible Materials: a stick (about 2-3 feet high, perhaps a yardstick) with one yarn or rope or ribbon tied to it per member of your family at about 2/3 height. A white board or strips of paper and a writing utensil. Pictures of families (the link didn’t work when I checked links 3/1/23 but it looks like it should so I’m leaving it. I’m sorry if it still doesn’t in the future). A picture of Moroni and the title of liberty.


Preparation: Begin with prayer. Read the suggested scriptures, as well as Alma 43, 46, and 48. Read through the lesson, including any links, and carefully select the most relevant material for your family. Children: Watch this video on Families, this video about Captain Moroni, and tis video about Amanda Barnes Smith. Ask a grownup to help you get a stick and some rope, ribbon, or string.

Lesson:

Discuss how last week’s challenge went.

Introduction: Bring out a stick with one ribbon/rope/string/yarn tied to it for each member of your family. Hand one rope to a member of your family (probably one of the older family members). Ask them to stand the stick on end without touching the stick itself, just the string. It’s nearly impossible! Ask if they’d like some help. When they agree, hand another string to a family member. They may be able to get the stick to stand on end, but it will be wobbly and weak. Now hand a string to each member of the family. Make sure that little kids are spread between older family members. Have everyone pull their strings tight until the stick is able to stand because of all the counterpulls.

Discuss what made the stick stay upright. What was different than when only one person tried to hold up the stick? Why was it so much easier when everyone worked together? Tell your family that when we work together as a family, our tasks become much easier. Heavenly Father sent us to earth as families because in families we can learn and do things we couldn’t do on our own, just like holding up the stick. Discuss with your family why Heavenly Father chose for us to come to earth in families.

Ask the questions listed below and discuss what blessings we get by coming to earth as families. As each idea is listed and discussed, write it on a white board or a pieces of paper. You could use some pictures of families as needed. As you are talking about families, make sure that this lesson stays upbeat and friendly. Remind your family that no one is perfect and we (even the grownups) can all improve in different areas, but with Heavenly Father’s help, our families can still be the best thing for us.

  • Why is our house special? In our home we can and should feel safe. It is a protection from the dangers and temptations of the world. When we are home, we are with those that we love. We can set aside the outside world and enjoy spending time with people that know and love us. How can we help keep our home a sanctuary? How can grownups help us feel safe at home?
  • Why does Heavenly Father give us parents? Parents care and provide for children. In a family our basic needs of food, clothes, and shelter are provided. Babies can meet almost none of their own needs! They need loving families to help them multiple times a day.
  • Think of the line in I Am a Child of God that says, “lead me, guide me, walk beside me.” What does it mean? Parents are charged to give direction and to help their kids make good choices. What do parents teach us? We learn to take care of ourselves because loving parents teach us how. Parents teach us to brush our teeth, clean our bodies, wash our clothes and dishes, and how to do chores. They teach us how to use a fork and to go potty and get dressed. they teach us about the gospel and help us to grow our own testimonies. Read Mosiah 4:15.
  • What would happen if no one taught you what was right or wrong and you did something against the law? We learn to follow rules before rules become laws. We also learn that there are consequences for breaking rules before we have even bigger consequences for breaking laws. Read Ephesians 6:1-4
  • Who are the first people to give you love? Families give us love. This is perhaps the most important part. We learn to love because our family gives us love. If a family is broken and children don’t feel love they spend the rest of their lives looking for it. They are more likely to get involved with crime and people who choose evil. They are more likely to seek out gangs or drugs. A loving home is a basic human need.
  • What are some things we learn from our siblings? We learn to play and have fun in a family. Siblings are and can be built-in friends. We learn how to get along with others because we have had to learn to get along with our siblings. Even though we fight with our siblings, they’re more likely to forgive us when we make mistakes or say mean things because they love us and are our family. We learn conflict resolution. We learn how to say sorry and how to forgive. Have your family read Ephesians 4:32. We also learn how to control our own emotions within a family. We learn and watch our parents and siblings and learn how to be okay when things are hard. We learn from loving parents about how to deal with sadness and frustrations. Our coping skills are learned at home.
  • What other interpersonal skills do we get from our families? We learn how to work together. Greater things can be accomplished than if we were to only work by ourselves. We learn teamwork. Cleaning the house is easier together. Yardwork is more fun together. We learn how to talk to one another to be understood. We learn how good it feels to help others within a family. When we help our family members we strengthen our relationships with them and learn how to help ourselves and others better.
  • When we’ve got our family are we ever without help? With family, you’ve always got someone in your corner. Your family should and does want the best for you. Heavenly Father wanted us to be with our families so that we knew that always had help when we need it. Even if we can’t talk to our families, they can remind us that we can always talk to Heavenly Father and Jesus.
  • What about grandparents and aunts and uncles? Not only are we given a basic family but we are also given extra help. Some families need grandparents because parents can’t be there as much as they need to be. Sometimes grandparents are the extra friends we need. Or they can help us learn different lessons than what we learn from our parents. They’re older and wiser and not usually as busy as parents have to be to meet all of our other needs.
  • What can our grandparents teach us? Grandmas and grandpas can tell us what life was like before we were born. They can tell us about our family history. Read Malachai 4:6. They, along with our families, can teach us about the traditions of our cultures. Family life teaches us the traditions of our cultures. What are some traditions in your own family? Why are traditions important?
  • What was our life like in Heaven? Did we have a family there? We mirror our eternal family within our own family. In Heaven, we all lived with Heavenly Parents and with brothers and sisters. And now we live on earth in families, as well. By living with families on earth, we can learn more about our Heavenly Parents and how to return to them. Our families will be eternal, outlasting every other unit in society, because Heavenly Father teaches us they can be together forever.


From the Scriptures: Hold up the picture of Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty. If you have already talked about Moroni in the America the Beautiful FHE lesson, ask your family what they remember about Captain Moroni. Remind your family that Moroni lived in a time that people were fighting. Some people didn’t like the freedom of the government and wanted to have a king instead. But Moroni knew that if people lost their freedom it would hurt families. He wanted families to be safe, so he reminded the people that freedom meant that we could choose what was best for our families. He wrote on a piece of his coat and hung it up like a flag. Have someone read Alma 46:12. People remembered that what they were fighting for was important. Now read Alma 48:7-10. How did Moroni help protect families? How can we strengthen our own family?

From Church History: Now hold up a picture of Amanda Barnes Smith. Tell your family that Amanda was a brave woman that took care of her family. Amanda and her family were living in a tent at Hawn’s Mill [I always thought it was Haun, but the Church writes it as Hawn. Both show up in a google search, however]. People in Missouri were not happy with the Saints. They built a mob (a group of angry and dangerous people looking to hurt others), and attacked the people staying at Hawn’s Mill. Amanda lost her husband and a son, and another son was really hurt. He was missing part of his hip. How do you think Amanda felt? When she saw how bad Alma’s hip was, she prayed to Heavenly Father to help her care for him. Heavenly Father told her how to help Alma’s hip to get better. She said lots of prayers and treated it with the herbs that she felt inspired to use. Her family was protected while Alma’s hip healed. Heavenly Father helped Amanda protect her family. Heavenly Father can help us in our family, too. We can pray to Him and ask Him for help, and we can be guided to do the best things for our family, even in hard times. [sources: Blessings Amid Tragedy, The Reminiscence of Willard Gilbert Smith, Amanda Barnes Smith in Church History]

Further Discussion:

The Nephites learned that fighting to protect their families was important and was a better motivator than fighting to gain power. Read Alma 43:9, 30, 45, and 48 (scroll down). Why do you think fighting to protect our families is a better motivator than fighting for power?

As a family, briefly look over the Church’s article 5 Keys to Raising a Strong Family. These “keys” are pretty basic and are probably unsurprising. Why are they so important? How do they help strengthen the family?

Recent Conference talks to consider in your discussion: Click here for the latest conference talks on the family.

Challenge:

Each night during your personal prayers, think of one way you blessed your family this week, one way your family blessed your life, and something you can do tomorrow to help strengthen your family. At the beginning of next Family Home Evening, you may choose to share any impressions you feel or how your understanding of families has changed this week.


Giving due credit: as usual, I read and learned from the Sunbeams Manual Lessons 23, 24, and 25. (Nursery Manual lessons 11 and 13), Gospel Principles Chapters 36 and 37, and the Family Home Evening Resource Manual Lessons 21, 22, and any part of the section on Building a Strong Family, and Gospel Topics from Gospel Library on Family. I also read Promoting The Family as the Fundamental Unit of Society, from the Institute Teacher’s manual, Organization and Purpose of the Family, from the Family Guidebook, Balancing Truth and Tolerance, by Elder Dallin H Oaks, and Why Marriage and Family Matter – Everywhere in the World, by L Tom Perry

FHE

America the Beautiful FHE

Keira

Purpose: To celebrate as a family and to rejoice in our country as a whole and in the flag and our liberties.

**although I highly doubt that my blog will ever reach international acclaim, I understand that if someone that is not from the USA were to have a desire to follow my FHE lessons, they won’t need a lesson specifically dealing with American Pride. You can chose to focus on the title of liberty, or you can replace this (and probably the previous 2) lesson(s). I wasn’t overly concerned about making this a world-wide thing since it’s meant mostly for my family. If you’d ever like me to change that, I’d welcome some feedback or an email or something. **


Possible scriptures: Proverbs 24:21; Isaiah 2:4; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 24:6-7; John 8:32; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:1; 2 Nephi 2:27; 2 Nephi 10:11; Mosiah 5:8; Mosiah 29:16-17; Mosiah 29:26; Mosiah 29:32 (obviously the whole chapter is good); Alma 58:40; Alma 61:14-15; Ether 8:25-26; Doctrine and Covenants 58:22; Doctrine and Covenants 88:86; Doctrine and Covenants 98:5; Doctrine and Covenants 98:10;

Possible Songs: America the Beautiful, Hymn 338; My Country Tis of Thee, Hymn 339; Battle Hymn of the Republic, Hymn 60; The Star Spangled Banner, Hymn 340; Love One Another, Hymn 308; God of Our Fathers, Known of Old, Hymn 80; My Country, Children’s Songbook page 224; My Flag, My Flag, Children’s Songbook page 225. ** Or any national song for your own country** For the US, you may consider God Bless America, You’re a Grand Old Flag, and This Land is Your Land. I feel like there are plenty that fit here that are just as classic but these 3 seem to be the most colloquially accepted.

Possible Materials: An American Flag, a picture of Betsy Ross, and a picture of Moroni with the Title of Liberty (or the scripture figure of him and his flag).


Preparation: Begin with prayer. Read the suggested scriptures, this account of Betsy Ross and the Flag and Alma 43-49 (use the arrow on the right to go to the next chapter). Read through the lesson, including any links, and carefully select the most relevant material for your family. Children: Watch this video about Betsy Ross and this one about Captain Moroni.

Lesson:

Discuss how last week’s challenge went.

Introduction: Hold up an American flag and ask your family what it is. Ask them if they know anything about it. For younger kids, help them count the stripes. You could count the stars, too, but that will take quite a bit of time! Discuss symbolism as much as your family is able to do so.

  • 13: there were originally 13 colonies that fought against Great Britain.
  • stripes: Rays of sunshine
  • red: Valor and bravery
  • white: Purity and innocence
  • stars: aspirations of all humankind – getting to heaven; also, it’s a new constellation!
  • 50: the number of states now in the United States.
  • blue: perseverance and justice.
  • (Source)

Then talk about the rules of the flag (PLEASE! This Air Force Brat is begging you!!!).

  • Don’t let the flag touch the ground.
  • The flag should always be lit, whether by sunlight or another light source.
  • The flag should always be in good repair.
  • Never put any other symbol on top of the flag.
  • Never ever display the flag upside down. If you do, prepare to either be saved or destroyed by a veteran. An upside down flag is a sign of distress. It means something to a vet, and not some showy political statement.
  • Always keep flags in predominant places, higher than other flags, and in the center of other flags.
  • When walking with a flag, it should be placed on a pole and allowed to wave.
  • When a flag is passing in a procession, when it is raised or lowered, or when it is displayed during the national anthem, stand, remove your hat, and place your hand on your heart to show respect. What you’re respecting is the sacrifice of men and women who served you. Some of those men and women died for you. They died for that flag and all it means. We can thank them by simply standing and placing our hand on our hearts.
  • It doesn’t matter if the flag is displayed horizontally or vertically, the union (stars) should always be on the top left (aka the flag’s right) side. It may not seem like an important distinction, but to a vet, it brings memories of their fellow soldiers that they helped bury. On a casket, the union is on top and over the left shoulder. To a vet it’s a symbol of life vs death.
  • There is a specific way to fold the flag. It has so much more symbolism than I can cover here, but as an Air Force brat, that triangle means a lot! That triangle brings images of mourning loved ones and what it really costs to be a Veteran.


From World History: Hold up a picture of Betsy Ross. Ask your family if they know who she is. What is she sewing in this picture? Tell your family that before America became the United States, it was under the rule of King George III in Great Britain. The colonies did not like the way that King George was treating all the people moving across the ocean to live in America. They were not happy that they were not being listened to and how expensive King George was making everything with his taxes. They also came to America for freedom and religious beliefs, so they didn’t like having to report to someone that had no idea what went on. The people decided to fight against King George. This fight was called the Revolution. The Revolution was the start of America! At one point, Britain was thinking that the people in America were getting ready to give in because the flag looked like their own flag. In 1776, George Washington, the leader of the revolution, decided that the colonists needed their own flag. Flags are a good way to say how you feel without words! He asked his church friend to make one for him. She had lost her husband to the revolution, and she was good at sewing and at making furniture. She beat the odds and we are grateful to her for helping design the flag.

From the Scriptures: Tell your family that there is another story about flags having a meaning. Hold up a picture of Captain Moroni (or the scripture figure of Moroni and his flag). Read Alma 48:11-13 and Alma 60:36. What kind of guy was Captain Moroni? Point out the flag in the picture. Tell your family that Captain Moroni was sad because some people were trying to control the Nephites. They were trying to take away the liberty of the Nephites. Liberty means freedom and agency. He made a flag from his own coat because he wanted to show his people his message. He called his flag “The Title of Liberty.” Have someone read Alma 46:12-13. What did Moroni write on his flag? Why was it important? It gave the Nephites something to remember, something to protect, and something to come together.

Further Discussion:

Read Alma 46:23-24. What is the symbolism behind using his coat for the Title of Liberty? Now read Genesis 37:31-36. What does Captain Moroni make the connection toward? It is interesting how many symbolic uses one single coat can have! It was a sign of mourning what was lost when Israel tore his own. The scrap of the coat of many colors represented that not all of the house of Israel would be destroyed. It was a sign of favor and blessings (see Genesis vs 3). And it was lost as Joseph lost his freedom.

Read Alma 46:13. Why are we given a specific list of the armor that Captain Moroni wore? Now read Ephesians 6:11-18. As a family, discuss what each piece of armor that Captain Moroni wore would symbolize and how that particular concept would/could help him in his declarations and protections of freedom.

Recent Conference talks to consider in your discussion: Embrace the Future with Faith, by Russell M. Nelson;  Divine Love in the Father’s Plan, by Dallin H Oaks; Following Jesus: Being a Peacemaker, by Neil L Andersen; Defending our Divinely Inspired Constitution, by Dallin H Oaks; Love Your Enemies, by Dallin H Oaks.

Challenge:

Here is a coloring page of Moroni praying and holding the Title of Liberty for younger families.

The Challenge this week is to remember the importance of the flag while you celebrate the 4th of July this week. If you see a flag, show it respect. And if you see a veteran, tell him thank you. Because of his sacrifice, you have freedom of religion, peace, and families.


Giving due credit: as usual, I read and learned from the Primary 4 Lesson 26, and the Family Home Evening Resource Manual on Citizenship, and Gospel Topics from Gospel Library on Citizenship and War. Also, I found this Bookofmormoncentral article that was worth the read: What Are the “Just and Holy Principles” of the US Constitution? And a Church News article on Citizenship and Conscience that fits the last 3 lessons.

FHE

Obeying, Honoring and Sustaining the Law FHE

Keira

Purpose: as a special focus on the 12th Article of Faith, to learn with the family about respecting government, laws, and leaders, even if we disagree.


Possible scriptures: Samuel 12:14-15; Psalm 82:3-4; Proverbs 20:26; Proverbs 24:21; Proverbs 29:2; Proverbs 29:14; Ecclesiastes 10:20; Isaiah 32:1; Matthew 7:12; Romans 13:1; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 2:13-17; Mosiah 29:16-17; Mosiah 29:26-27; Helaman 5:2; Helaman 7:5; Ether 8:22; Doctrine and Covenants 58:21-22; Doctrine and Covenants 88:34; Doctrine and Covenants 98:4-6; Doctrine and Covenants 101:77; Doctrine and covenants 109:54

Possible Songs: America the Beautiful, Hymn 338; My Country Tis of Thee, Hymn 339; Battle Hymn of the Republic, Hymn 60; The Star Spangled Banner, Hymn 340; Love One Another, Hymn 308; God of Our Fathers, Known of Old, Hymn 80; My Country, Children’s Songbook page 224; My Flag, My Flag, Children’s Songbook page 225. ** Or any national song for your own country** For the US, you may consider God Bless America, You’re a Grand Old Flag, and This Land is Your Land. I feel like there are plenty that fit here that are just as classic but these 3 seem to be the most colloquially accepted.

Possible Materials: a picture of someone conducting music and a stoplight. A picture of Christ talking to the Pharisees and a picture of a roman coin. a quarter. A picture of Martin Luther King, Jr.


Preparation: Begin with prayer. Read the suggested scriptures, Matthew 22:15-22, Luke 20:21-26, Matthew 17, all of Doctrine and Covenants 134, and the Revelations in Context chapter “Of Government and War.” Read through the lesson, including any links, and carefully select the most relevant material for your family. Children: I really really try to stay with Church-produced materials but for this lesson, I just feel that this video produced by the church is way over a child’s head. Therefore, I suggest these 2 videos for this lesson, but be warned that they are not specifically created by The Church. This video is about Christ talking about paying taxes, and this video is about Peter paying the temple tax.

Lesson:

Discuss how last week’s challenge went.

Introduction: Ask everyone in your family to think of their favorite song. Once everyone has a song in mind, have them sing it – at exactly the same time! After all the noise dies down, ask your family how well that worked. Did anyone feel heard? Could they hear or understand anyone else? Did the group song sound good?

Hold up a picture of someone conducting music. Ask your family if they know what this person is doing? Have they seen anyone leading the music in Sacrament Meeting? Why do they wave their arms while the music plays? Explain to your family that when we all look to the music leader, we know when to start singing and if there are any special things we need to know in the song. They help us know if we should sing quickly or slowly. If we watch them, we can all sing together! Have your family practice some of the time signatures by referring to either the back of the hymnbook or the conducting manual.

Now hold up a picture of a traffic light. Ask your family what the item in the picture is used for. Are there traffic rules we need to follow when we see this light? What does the red mean? And the Green? Why do we need rules while we are in a car? Explain to your family that following the rules is like following the music conductor. He or she tells us what we should be doing so we can all sing together and be heard and we can all make it safely to where we are going. When we follow the rules we all work together to make something beautiful and stay safe.

Have a member of the family read the 12th Article of Faith. If you discussed the Wentworth letters last week, remind your family about the origin of the Articles of Faith. Discuss words that your family may not know, for instance, “being subject to,” means we believe its okay to have someone set up rules that are fair for everyone and we should choose to follow those rules. Those people might be kings, presidents, or magistrates. Magistrates are judges. What does it mean to obey, honor and sustain? Obey means to follow commands or rules or laws. Honor is to recognize that they have authority and responsibility and to feel that the rules and leaders are valuable. Sustain means to do your part to help and support those laws and leaders.


From the Scriptures: Tell your family that Jesus followed the laws where he lived. Hold up this picture of Christ talking to the Pharisees. Read Matthew 22:15-22. Show the picture of a roman coin and quarter (or any coin from a country you identify with that has a leader on it). Ask who is on the Roman coin (Caesar). Who is on the quarter? Who was George Washington and why is he on our quarter? He was the first president, the first leader of our government! Jesus was saying we should obey our laws and pay the taxes that our government sets for us to pay. If you’re using a US coin, show the expression “IN GOD WE TRUST.” What else did Jesus say when the asked if we should pay taxes? Render “unto God the things that are God’s.” Jesus was saying to follow the laws of leaders *and* to follow Heavenly Father’s laws. One time, Peter was asked if Jesus was going to pay his taxes. Peter said yes and then went and talked to Jesus. Jesus said that since he was the Son of God and this money was meant for God’s house, he really didn’t need to pay this tax, but that he would keep the law. Read Matthew 17:27. Jesus told Peter to go fishing and inside the fish’s mouth he would find a coin to pay taxes for both him and Peter. Jesus paid his taxes.

From Church History: Ask your family if they know what the word, “citizen,” means. A citizen means a person who lives and does things with other people in the same area. Tell your family that being a good citizen means more than just obeying laws. It means doing all you can to make your community a great place to live. Read Mosiah 2:17. What can we do to be good citizens? Have someone read the following and ask what these scriptures teach us about being a good citizen:

Point out that a lot of the scriptures we just read come from Doctrine and Covenants 134. Section 134 was originally written as a “Declaration of Government and Law,” and was written so that everyone – both Saints and Missouri Citizens, as well as the government trying to decide if they’d stand up to their responsibility to help the saints – would know where the church stood on the issues of government. The church tried repeatedly to get the government to help them and it wouldn’t! Eventually the saints left the established United States and started their own settlement in Salt Lake City.

From World History: But what if there’s a law that you feel is wrong? Have your family read the 2-paragraph article from the December 2016 New Era. Now hold up a picture of Martin Luther King, Jr. Ask your family if they know who this man is. When Dr. King was alive, there was a law that said that people with dark skin couldn’t use the same things as people who had light colored skin. He didn’t believe that having different skin colors was a good way to decide if a person should be treated differently and wanted the rules to change. Sometimes people think it’s okay to be mean and violent to get a law to change, but Dr. King didn’t think that was the right way. He thought that violence was evil and against what Heavenly Father wanted his people to do. He taught others that the way to change a law was to politely and boldly discuss why it needed to be changed and to have conversations with people, even if those conversations were uncomfortable. He used his actions to show respect but to stand up for what he believed in. We can be like Martin Luther King, Jr and stand up for what we believe in in order to change laws we disagree with.

Further Discussion:

Recent Conference talks to consider in your discussion: Divine Love in the Father’s Plan, by Dallin H Oaks; Following Jesus: Being a Peacemaker, by Neil L Andersen; Defending our Divinely Inspired Constitution, by Dallin H Oaks; Love Your Enemies, by Dallin H Oaks.

Challenge:

For younger families, Here is a coloring picture to remind them of the lesson.

Have your family strive to memorize the 12th Article of Faith. If they’ve already memorized it, have them pick their favorite verse or part of a verse from Doctrine and covenants 134 and memorize it.


Giving due credit: as usual, I read and learned from the Primary 2 lesson 31, Gospel Principles Chapter 35, the Family Home Evening Resource Manual Lessons on Authority and Citizenship, and Gospel Topics from Gospel Library on Citizenship, and True to the Faith on Civil Government. As far as further reading and edification goes, I really liked this scholarly article on Civil Society and the Church.

FHE

The Right to Worship FHE

Keira

Purpose: as a special focus on the 11th article of faith, to learn with the family about the first amendment of the United States, and how our consciences are a divine gift from God that help us recognize His hand.


Possible scriptures: Psalm 95:6-7; John 17:3; Romans 14:12-13 (the whole chapter); 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 (or just 29 or 32); 2 Corinthians 4:6; Alma 21:22 Moroni 7:15-19; Doctrine and Covenants 84:45-47; Doctrine and Covenants 134:2-4 (the whole chapter is good);

Possible Songs: I Believe in Christ, Hymn 134; Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow, Hymn 242; Faith, Children’s Songbook page 96; The Eleventh Article of Faith, Children’s Songbook page 130; Book of Mormon Stories, Children’s Songbook page 118; children All Over the World, Children’s Songbook page 16; Jesus Said Love Everyone, Children’s Songbook page 61; I’ll Walk With You, Children’s Songbook page 140; Every Star is Different, Children’s Songbook page 142; We are Different, Children’s Songbook page 263

Possible Materials: Paper and coloring devices, a photograph of “Dad,” A picture of the persecutions of the early Saints


Preparation: Begin with prayer. Read the suggested scriptures, the Wentworth Letter (particularly the 11th Article of Faith), the first amendment of the constitution, and the Joseph Smith papers on Religious Freedom, Mosiah 26, 27:1-5 and Alma 1. Read through the lesson, including any links, and carefully select the most relevant material for your family. Children: Watch the video about Alma and Nehor. If you have access to the Scripture Scouts, listen to the part about the 11th Article of Faith.

Lesson:

Discuss how last week’s challenge went.

Introduction: (Disclaimer: this idea is inspired by the Scripture Scouts. If you don’t have them, check them out!) Hand each member of your family a piece of paper and ask them to draw a picture of “Dad” (it can be any person if you need to adapt this lesson, but “Dad,” is a good symbolic figurehead). When they are done, have them explain their picture and how they would describe him to someone who has never met or seen him before. Do people’s pictures look the same? Did everyone describe him the same way? What is similar? What is different? Next, hold up a photograph of “Dad.” Is it easier for someone who has never met him to know who he is after they’ve seen the photo instead of any of the drawings? All of these images are of “Dad,” right? Why are they so different? Why isn’t anyone’s picture exactly like one another? Explain to your family that we are all influenced by our own experiences and our own abilities.

Now, if “Dad,” is present, point to him. Isn’t knowing him in person better than seeing or having a picture? Even if he isn’t present, remind your family that we don’t have to rely on our pictures to know him, we can all know “Dad,” personally, but we will learn different things about him because of our different time spent with him. We will also have different ways of showing our love, even if we all love the same person. We will know some of the same things about him, but wont all have the same experiences all the time.

Draw the connection between, “Dad,” and Heavenly Father. There are lots of different ideas about Heavenly Father. We can’t decide if someone else’s idea of Heavenly Father is “wrong,” because we haven’t lived their experiences. Even throughout our lives, we will learn different things about Him, and our “pictures” of him, will get better as we learn more about Him. We want everyone to know Heavenly Father for themselves, because knowing Him is better than seeing a picture of Him.

Read Article of Faith 11 with your family. Explain to your family that “privilege,” means a gift from Heavenly Father. “Worship” means showing love to Heavenly Father. We worship when we pray, attend church, read the scriptures, or doing anything with love in our hearts for Heavenly Father. “Dictates of our own conscience,” means the things our conscience, or that quiet voice inside, tells us is right or wrong. Sometimes people in the church call it the light of Christ. That means that this Article of Faith means “We declare that Heavenly Father gave us the ability to love and honor and know Him in our own way. We feel that this ability is important and we will respect the way you choose to love and honor Him, too.”


From the Scriptures: Ask family members to read the following scriptures: Mosiah 26:1-12; Mosiah 27:1-5; Alma 1:17; Alma 1:21; Alma 30:7-11; What was it like in the time of the Judges? Were people happy? Were they nice to one another? Tell your family that Mosiah, the last king, had made it a law that people could believe according to their conscience, but that their beliefs couldn’t hurt anyone. Alma had only been Chief Judge for a short time when people began to fight about their beliefs. A man named Nehor was telling people that they didn’t need to believe in Heavenly Father. He had the right to say that. But then, when a man named Gideon told him he was wrong he killed Gideon. He killed Gideon for saying what he believed! Nehor was punished because killing was against the law. Why are people allowed to say what they want? Nehor did a lot of harm to the church! Should he have been allowed to say what he said? What would happen if we all had to say and believe the same things? Mosiah taught that it wouldn’t be fair if we all had to do things we didn’t believe in. He taught we need to be nice to one another even if we believe different things. Sometimes this feels unfair, because the believers of Heavenly Father get teased or hurt for their beliefs and know better than to tease or hurt back, but if you read Alma 1:28-31, we get to read the rest of the story! They had peace, even though they were being teased. They grew as a church. They took care of each other and those around them. When we stop focusing on what others say about us and just focus on how we are supposed to act and do our best, we will grow and be strong and it wont matter who tries to hurt us.

From Church History: Hold up a picture of persecution of early saints. Tell your family that people tried to hurt the early saints, too. They didn’t like that the members of the church believed that we should be good people because they didn’t want to be good people. For older families, read this section of the Wentworth Letter (where the 13 Articles of Faith were first published). For younger families, summarize by saying that people in Missouri burned down houses, covered people in sticky tar and lots of feathers, stole from and hurt or killed the members of the church. Even the government, which should have protected the people, made it hard for the saints to worship in peace! When Joseph Smith wrote that we claimed the privilege to worship according to our conscience, he meant it, and had experienced the opposition firsthand.

From World History: As a family, read the First Amendment to the Constitution. Ask your family if they know what the constitution is. If your family is young, explain that the constitution and its amendments are like Articles of Faith for the United States. It’s the ideas we believe for our country and the rules that we use to decide what is right or wrong. America had just fought to become its own country and one of the main reasons they wanted independence was a strong belief to follow one’s own conscience. We can and should feel grateful for the founders of America who wrote down this desire and made it a rule.

Further Discussion:

As a family, read some or all of the Joseph Smith papers of Religious Freedom. How did Joseph Smith feel about following his own conscience? Did he think only he had all the answers? How did his own search for truth shape his opinion of religious freedom? Does our belief allow for segregation and division?

Read Preserving Agency, Protecting Religious Freedom, by Robert D Hales. Discuss what Elder Hales claims are the 4 principles of religious freedom.

Recent Conference talks to consider in your discussion: To Heal the World, by Ronald A Rasband; Our Relationship with God, by D Todd Christofferson; But We Heeded them Not, by David A Bednar; The Need for a Church, by Dallin H Oaks; Becoming More in Christ: the Parable of the Slope, by Clark G Gilbert; Personal Peace for Challenging Times, by Quentin L Cook;

Challenge:

Challenge your family to memorize the 11th Article of Faith. If your family has already memorized this scripture, have them memorize the 1st Amendment of the constitution.


Giving due credit: as usual, I read and learned from Gospel Principles Chapter 8, and the Family Home Evening Resource Manual Lesson 8, lesson 24, and the “agency” heading, and Gospel Topics from Gospel Library on Conscience and Worship, and True to the Faith on Conscience and Worship. Other church materials I found helpful: The Articles of Faith and Joseph Smith, December 2013 Ensign; In Honor of the First Amendment, Church Newsroom, December 2016. I don’t often direct to other sources, but I also suggest reading King Men and Freedom of Speech by bookofmormonstudynotes.blog. It helped me put all my thoughts in one place while thinking about Nehor (and korihor, and amlici, and all of those that tried to disrupt for power).

FHE

Respect our Fathers FHE

Keira

Purpose: To celebrate our dads and spend time together in love for him.

**Special note: we understand and appreciate that not all families are the same! God loves all families that are trying their best. We have spent our own time as “not the typical family,” and want you to know we love and support you! If you don’t want to do this lesson, feel free to pick another one! You know what you need! **


Possible scriptures: ask your dad what his favorite scripture is!

Possible Songs: Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth, Hymn 298; Love at Home, Hymn 294 or 318; Love One Another, Hymn 308, Children’s Songbook page 136; Families Can Be Together Forever, Children’s Songbook page 188; Daddy’s Homecoming, Children’s Songbook page 210; Fathers, Children’s Songbook page 209; A Happy Family, Children’s Songbook page 198a; Quickly I’ll Obey, Children’s Songbook page 197b; When We’re Helping, 198b; My Dad, Children’s Songbook page 211; Love is Spoken Here, Children’s Songbook page 190; The Dearest Names, Children’s Songbook page 208

Possible Materials: Superdaddy rockets; Figures of Nephi and his family; A picture of George Washington.


Preparation: If you are the father and it is your time to teach, watch this video, and reflect on fatherhood and the things discussed in the video, then tell your wife or oldest child that they get to teach instead! Begin with prayer. If you are the son, watch this video (Daughters, watch this one) and contemplate how your relationship with your father is going. Does it need some work? Read the suggested scriptures, including. Read through the lesson, including any links, and carefully select the most relevant material for your family. Children: Watch the videos of Nephi and George Washington as a boy. Older family members might also enjoy learning about Joseph Fielding Smith and Joseph F. Smith. Then ask a grownup to help you get the Superdaddy rockets ready.

Lesson:

Discuss how last week’s challenge went.

Introduction: Tell your family that Father’s Day is coming up. To help us get ready for Father’s Day, lets play a game and learn more about him! Hand each family member a “Superdaddy Rocket.” If they are younger, have them pre-assembled. Older family members can make them themselves. Then hand everyone a straw and go to a place that is open enough for papers to be flying around. Show your family members how to put their straws into the rocket pockets and then how to blow on the bottom of the straw and shoot it. The person that shot their straw the furthest gets to ask Daddy a question! Some questions could be what his favorite color or food is, if he has a favorite story from the scriptures or his mission or history, and what he wanted to be when he grew up. The list is endless. Make sure everyone has fun and has a turn to ask Dad a question. When you are done with the rockets, ask your family how we can show respect for our fathers.


From the Scriptures: Hold up the figures of Nephi’s family. Ask your family who the figures are. What does the family know about them? Hold up the figure of Lehi. Tell your family that Lehi was a righteous man, he was a prophet. Heavenly Father gave him lots of instructions and Lehi obeyed. Lehi had 4 sons while he lived in Jerusalem and Heavenly Father told him to take his family and leave. 2 sons, named Laman and Lemuel, did not want to obey! They complained and argued. 1 son, named Nephi, wanted to do everything Heavenly Father told his father to do. He trusted his father to know what was right, and he asked Heavenly Father to know things for himself. He told Sam (the other brother) how he felt and what he learned, and Sam obeyed his father, as well. How do you think Lehi felt about his sons’ choices? We show our fathers respect when we do what they ask without complaining.

From World History: Hold up a picture of George Washington. Ask your family if they know who it is. Tell your family that there is a story about George Washington as a boy that we often tell to talk about telling the truth. It wasn’t a true story, but has become a legend (which means an old story we tell over and over again). The story says that when George Washington was a boy, he got a hatchet for a present and he was so excited to play with it and chop with it. His dad had a favorite tree. A Cherry tree! one day, George Washington was playing with his hatchet and he was not paying attention to what he was doing, and he was chopping things without thinking about it, and he chopped down his dad’s favorite tree! George’s dad was very sad! He asked everyone what had happened to his tree. George said, “I cannot tell a lie! I chopped it down.” His dad was sad about losing his tree, but he told George that he would have been even sadder if George had not told the truth. We can show respect to our fathers by telling them the truth, even if it is hard or we are afraid we will get into trouble.

From Church History: Now hold up a picture of Joseph Fielding Smith. Tell your family that Joseph Fielding Smith was the son of Joseph F. Smith, who was the son of Hyrum Smith (the brother of Joseph Smith). There would be a lot of pressure to be the son of a prophet! But Joseph Fielding Smith wanted to do all he could to be a good person. Have someone read the following from Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith:

When his father sent him a few dollars for necessities, he replied: “I shall be very careful of the means you send me. I do not spend anything unless I have a good reason for it.” He also told his father of his determination to learn and teach the gospel: “I am here to preach the gospel and I hope I will be able to do that well. … It is my desire to improve my mind and talents while I am here, that I may always be useful for something in life. … I want to be right on all things and nothing gives me more pleasure than to learn something about the gospel. My desire is to become acquainted with it and gain wisdom.”
President Joseph F. Smith wrote the following words of commendation in a letter to Elder Joseph Fielding Smith: “I like your spirit, I have faith in your integrity, and I have pleasure and satisfaction in you. I want you to cultivate wisdom and deliberate judgment and patience as well as the Holy Spirit and the love of God.”

The Life And Ministry of Joseph Fielding Smith, from Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith

One way we can show respect to our fathers is to live a life in which they are proud of us; A life that we utilize the principles that they have tried to instill on us. Joseph Fielding Smith did that from his mission all the way through to the death of his father, where he acted as a secretary for his father on many occasions.

Further Discussion:

What are some attributes you see in your father that you hope to cultivate? Is there a skill that he has that you would like to develop? Talk about these ideas with him and talk about what it will take to grow them.

Recent Conference talks to consider in your discussion: Click here for talks on fatherhood.

Challenge:

Make a special effort this week to do the things your father asks without complaining. Pay attention to his needs when he gets home and try to meet them. See if your relationship improves, and be prepared to report back to the family.


Giving due credit: as usual, I read and learned from the Sunbeams Manual Lesson 23 (Nursery Manual lesson 11), Gospel Principles Chapter 37, and the Family Home Evening Resource Manual Lesson 17 and lesson 21 (though I kinda hated both of them… they’re way too preachy for me and reminded me of why I hated FHE as a kid).

FHE

I Have Feelings FHE

Keira

Purpose:


Possible scriptures: Psalm 35:9; Proverbs 3:13; Proverbs 16:20; Ecclesiastes 11:9; Matthew 25:40(31-46); John 13:17; John 16:33; 1 Corinthians 12:6; 1 Nephi 8:10; 2 Nephi 2:25-27 (or just vs 25); Mosiah 2:17; Mosiah 2:41; Alma 41:10; 4 Nephi 1:15-16; Mormon 9:14; Doctrine and Covenants 52:40;

Possible Songs: Count Your Blessings, Hymn 241; Improve the Shining Moments, Hymn 226; Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words, Hymn 243; Let us Oft Speak Kind Words, Hymn 232; Scatter Sunshine, Hymn 230; There is Sunshine in My Soul Today, Hymn 227; You Can Make the Pathway Bright, Hymn 228; Be Still, My Soul, Hymn 124; Oh, What Songs of the Heart, Hymn 286; If You’re Happy, Children’s Songbook page 266; Smiles, Children’s Songbook page 267a; When We’re Helping, Children’s Songbook page 198b; Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam, Children’s Songbook page 60; Happy Song, Children’s Songbook page 264;

Possible Materials: A pair of shoes for each family member.


Preparation: Begin with prayer. Read the suggested scriptures, 3 Nephi 12, and Matthew 5. Read through the lesson, including any links, and carefully select the most relevant material for your family. Children: Watch this video of the Sermon on the Mount, this video on Helen Keller. For especially young children, I love how Daniel Tiger talks about feelings. Ask a grownup to help you gather shoes.

Lesson:

Discuss how last week’s challenge went.

Introduction: Set out one pair of shoes for each family member. Ask whose shoes these are. Talk about the style and ask how you know whose shoes they are. Ask your family members to try to walk in someone else’s shoes. Try to walk the way that the family member walks. What observations can your family make? Ask your family if they have ever heard the expression, “walk a mile in someone’s shoes.” What does it mean? It means that we try to understand what the person might be thinking or why they choose to do something or behave some way.
When emotions are too strong, we can take a deep breath and calm down.


From Church History: Have your family read the following scriptures from the Doctrine and Covenants: 35:27; 38:15; 50:41; 61:36; 68:6; 78:18; 98:1-3; and 101:36. Why was this message so important for the early saints to hear that it was given so often? How is it helpful to remember to be calm and of good cheer? When we are scared, or nervous, or tired or frustrated, what can we do to change how we are feeling? One good way to help change the direction of our mood is to take a deep slow breath. Another way is to close your eyes and think of something happy. Sometimes we just need to think about why we are feeling a certain way.

From World History: Hold up a picture of Helen Keller. Tell your family that Helen got really sick as a baby. Her sickness left her blind and deaf! Because she couldn’t see people’s faces/expressions, or hear their voices or laughter or crying, she didn’t realize anyone had feelings. Ask your family how this would change how we would treat other people? Helen would often hit or shove to let other people know what she needed. She couldn’t speak or express herself. She didn’t know how to smile. We learn how to smile by seeing other people smiling, and Helen couldn’t see to learn. How would other people feel to be hit or shoved? How would Helen feel because she didn’t know how to express her needs? Are her feelings wrong or bad? No. But was she right to hit or push? Nope! Hurting someone else is not a good way to express your feelings. Feelings are always okay but how you behave with those feelings may or may not be. Why does Heavenly Father give us feelings?

From the Scriptures: Hold up the picture of Christ teaching on the Mount. Discuss the “Beatitudes,” as found in Matthew 5:3-12. What is talked about therein? Why does Christ focus so much on understanding the feelings of others? How might we be “blessed,” in these things?

Further Discussion:

Read this excerpt from Sister Bingham’s April 2022 talk. How can happiness be hollow? What is required for true happiness? Why?

Recent Conference talks to consider in your discussion: Fear Not: Believe Only!, By Jeffrey R Holland; Covenants with God Strengthen, Protect, and Prepare Us for Eternal Glory, by Jean B Bingham; Our Relationship with God, by D. Todd Christofferson; We Each Have a Story, by Gerrit W. Gong; The Power of Spiritual Momentum, by Russell M. Nelson;

Challenge:

Pay extra attention this week to how your words and actions affect others this week. Try to speak kindly and watch for those that may feel sad or discouraged. At next Family Home Evening, discuss what you’ve observed and how watching for others’ feelings has helped you better understand your own.


Giving due credit: as usual, I read and learned from the Sunbeams Manual Lesson 21 (Nursery Manual lesson 19),and Gospel Topics from Gospel Library on Happiness, .