FAMILY HOME EVENING- TEMPLES

Conference Talk:


For more information on this topic read “Celestial Marriage,” by Russell M. Nelson, Ensign, Nov 2008, 92–95.
http://www.byub.org/talks/Talk.aspx?id=3082

Thought:

Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally. (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102.)


Song:

“I Love to See the Temple” Children’s Songbook, p. 95.



Scripture:

And I, Nephi, did build a temple; and I did construct it after the manner of the temple of Solomon . . . and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine. (2 Nephi 5:16)


Lesson:

Materials needed: Two envelopes and two sets of pictures of individual family members. If pictures are unavailable, simply write the names on separate papers.

Procedure: Place a set of family pictures in each envelope. Leave one envelope open, seal the other.

Hold up both envelopes, and explain that the open one represents a family who has not been sealed for all eternity in the temple. The closed envelope represents a family that has been sealed. Shake the envelopes. Soon the pictures from the open envelope will start to fall, scattering onto the ground. However, the family that is sealed stays in the envelope. Explain that being sealed for eternity means that they can remain together even after they die.

If your family isn’t currently sealed, set a goal to work toward this blessing.

(Adapted from Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, Power Tools for Teaching, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1881], p. 77.)

Story:

Llewelyn R. McKay

After the dedication of the temple site at Bern, Switzerland, the spectators gathered around father [David O. McKay] to shake his hand and to ask for his autograph.

One sweet, old lady came up to him and placed a small purse in his hand. Father beckoned to me to act as interpreter. With tears in her eyes, she said: “President McKay, ever since I learned that a temple was to be built in my land, I have saved a ten-centime piece each week. I am quite ill and very old, so I shall never be able to do work in the temple when it is built, but I wish to do my part in helping the great cause.”

The actual amount in the purse, figured in dollars and cents, was not much, but each week’s savings meant less food for that dear, old soul. She was giving all she could with a deeper sincerity than is perhaps felt by many others who offer more—and even when she knew that no return in the use of the temple would ever come to her, she was happy in the thought that she was helping her fellow men.

This is why, I am sure, that father put his arm around her, and with tears in his eyes, thanked her in behalf of all her fellow Church members throughout the world, and added: “You are true gold; I am sure God is pleased with your sincere heart and worthy soul; and in behalf of the Church I accept this gift in the spirit in which it is given!”

The old sister hobbled away, lame and decrepit in body, but with a smile which reflected the happy sparkle in her eyes and of her beautiful soul!

(Jay A. Parry, Jack M. Lyon, Linda Ririe Gundry, Best-Loved Stories of the LDS People, Vol. 2, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1999], p. 98.)

Activity:

Have the entire family stand on one end of the room. Place a box, a stool, or a chair at the other end of the room. The father walks up to and around the “goal.” He returns to the starting line, takes the mother’s hand, and walks her around the goal. They return to the starting line and one of the children joins them, linking hands with the mother. The trip to the goal and back continues until the whole family is walking.

As the line increases, the first players have to take only a few steps in each direction and swing their line around in order to pick up the rest of the family.

Variations: Walk cross-legged; skip; hop; walk backwards, etc.

(Alma Heaton, The LDS Game Book, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1968], p. 200.)

Refreshment

Susie’s Turtle Cake

1 box German chocolate cake mix, mixed according to directions on box but not yet baked
48 Kraft® caramels (1 14-ounce bag)
1/2 cup evaporated milk
2 cups pecans, chopped
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter (not margarine!)
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Whipped cream, for topping

Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared pan. Bake 15 minutes. While the cake is baking, melt the caramels, milk, and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Pour the mixture over the partially baked cake. Sprinkle half of the pecans and half of the chocolate chips over the caramel mixture. Pour the rest of the batter over that. Sprinkle the rest of the nuts and chocolate chips on top. Bake 20 more minutes. It won’t look quite done when it’s finished, but it will firm up when it sets. (It tastes better the second day!) Serve topped with whipped cream.

Serves 12 to 16.

(Clark L. and Kathryn H. Kidd, 52 Weeks of Recipes for Students, Missionaries, and Nervous Cooks, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2007], p. 93.)

Information provided by http://ldslivingmagazine.com/articles/show/1890