"A HEAVENLY BANNER"

Sisters ,

I hope you will enjoy these Family Home Evening lessons. When we celebrated the Bicentennial of the Constitution in 1987, the Church prepared lessons for members to teach our families how important The Constitution is to us.

The Prophet Joseph Smith referred to this document as "a glorious standard" and " a heavenly banner"

The men who came together at that time in our history were foreordained to come forth at that time to establish the nation in which the Gospel and the Church could be restored.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend.

Sister Wrye
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/articles/family-home-evening-lessons-for-the-bicentennial-of-the-constitution
 

FHE-SABBATH DAY

FHE: Sabbath Day

by Shauna Gibby

And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God. (Ezekiel 20:20)

Conference Talk:

For more information on this topic read "Show You Know," by Coleen K. Menlove, Ensign, May 2003, 115. http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=b29974536cf0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

Thought:

Each of you will have opportunities to learn about Jesus Christ and then follow Him in faith. We show we know how to follow Him by . . . keeping the commandments. . . . Every time you keep the Sabbath day holy, you show you know. (Coleen K. Menlove, "Show You Know," Ensign, May 2003, 115.)


Song:

"The Chapel Doors" Children's Songbook, p. 156.


Scripture:

And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God. (Ezekiel 20:20)


Note: The lesson and story below are from a new DVD called Family Night With John Bytheway. You may use the print version here or view a free video version here.


(John Bytheway, Family Night With John Bytheway, DVD, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2010].)

Activity:

Create a "Can-Do" box for your family, similar to the one described below. Be creative and customize your Sunday box with a variety of things. Church magazines, audiovisual materials, wholesome books--there's so much to enjoy. If everyone in the family is invited to contribute something, your "can-do" box will be filled with wonderful activities for a Sabbath day.

Our family has a "can-do" box that's brimming with appropriate activities for Sabbath worship. Over time, we've added or rotated many things, but we started with just a few dress-up items. It all began when we saw a Sunday dress-up box that one of our ward members had. The children absolutely loved it because they could reenact scripture stories in costume. Simple props like a bathrobe; an old dress; a child's plastic sword, shield, and armor; and many other inexpensive or recycled items are possibilities.

We also wanted to encourage letter writing, so we added a container of writing supplies. We included addressed envelopes, stickers, and colored markers and pens. Even our youngest child loved sending letters to ward missionaries and family members.

Of course, we had to have a variety of wholesome games, including word searches and crossword puzzles. We even recycled leftover Primary lesson materials and old singing time props. The children were delighted to play with these appealing teaching materials.

(Stacilee Whiting, "Our Sabbath 'Can-Do' Box," Ensign, Sept. 2009, 70.)



Refreshment

Dump Cake

1 (26-ounce) can cherry pie filling
1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple
1 package yellow or white cake mix
3/4 cup butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 × 13-inch cake pan. Dump pie filling in the bottom of pan and spread as evenly as possible. Dump crushed pineapple, with juice, evenly over pie filling. Sprinkle cake mix evenly over the fruit. Do not stir. Slice butter thinly and place slices over cake mix. Try to cover mix. Bake 45 minutes. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

(Lion House Bakery, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2009], p. 93.)

Information from http://www.ldsliving.com/magazine/show/2399/FHE:-Sabbath-Day

FHE- PERSONAL PRAYER

Opening Song: "A Child's Prayer" p 12

Opening Prayer:

Lesson:This lesson is about personal prayer. It is based around Enos and his experience with prayer. This is a wonderful experience because you can use the example to teach on many levels. You should be able to draw points to teach the youngest Primary children and discussion for the most studied adult.

You should open the lesson by sharing the story of Enos. 

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Ps. 119:105).


Enos had a righteous father who taught him about the power of prayer. One day while Enos was in the forest hunting, he began to feel bad about sins that he had committed. He felt an urge to pray.

“And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul” (Enos 1:4).

Enos had such a desire to receive forgiveness for his sins that he pleaded with the Lord all day and all night. At last, a voice came to him, saying, “Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed” (Enos 1:5).

Even after Enos had received forgiveness for his sins, he remained on his knees, pleading with the Lord—not for himself now, but for the rest of the Nephites.

“And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind again, saying: I will visit thy brethren according to their diligence in keeping my commandments” (Enos 1:10).

Enos still continued to pray, this time for the Lamanites, the enemies of his people. Enos grew very close to Heavenly Father by his willingness to pour out his soul in prayer.

Like Enos, we can become closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ through our prayers. We, too, can be forgiven of our sins when we follow the necessary steps of repentance and ask Heavenly Father to forgive us.

Seven-year-old Craig Parker of Spanish Fork, Utah, gained a testimony of the role of prayer in the repentance process. One day while he was playing, he said a word that he knew was wrong. He felt very bad afterward. “In our home and at church I have learned about Jesus, and I know that He would not want me to say that word.”

Craig decided to kneel and pray for forgiveness. “I folded my arms and told Heavenly Father I was sorry for saying that word. I felt better after praying. I knew that Heavenly Father forgave me, and I have never said that word again.”

Story from http://www.lds.org/

Questions:
After you do this you can discuss the way that Enos prayed.
If you have small children you can talk about the importance of praying when you need to. It doesn't just need to be in the morning or at night.
If you have teenagers you may want to focus on what Enos prayed for. It is important to realize that you should pray for your enemies as well your friends.
You may also want to discuss how Enos knew that he had an answer to his prayer, and talk about the ways that they can receive answers.
You may want to take the opportunity to review the proper prayer language and reverence with your children.
You can talk about different times in your life when it is important to pray.
You may want to share personal stories.
It is also important to point out that most important time to prayer is when you feel the least like praying. You can close by reading 2 Nephi 32:8-9.

Closing Song: "A Prayer" p 22

Closing Prayer:

It is important to have an activity and do not forget to have refreshments!

Some of this information came from http://lds.families.com/blog/family-home-evening-personal-prayer and http://www.lds.org/

FHE- HOLY GHOST

The Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost is perhaps the most under-estimated power that members of the church receive after baptism and is a gift to those who can remain worthy of its constant influence throughout our day-to-day lives.

The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead.

President Gordan B. Hinckley said, "The Holy Ghost stands as the third member of the Godhead, the Comforter promised by the Savior who would teach His followers all things and bring all things to their remembrance, whatsoever He had said unto them (see John 14:26). The Holy Ghost is the Testifier of Truth, who can teach men things they cannot teach one another. In those great and challenging words of Moroni, a knowledge of the truth of the Book of Mormon is promised “by the power of the Holy Ghost.” Moroni then declares, “And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things” (Moro. 10:4–5). I believe this power, this gift, is available to us today." (Gen. Conference, April 1986)

Elder Joseph B. Worthlin taught, "In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord calls the gift of the Holy Ghost “the unspeakable gift.” It is the source of testimony and spiritual gifts. It enlightens minds, fills our souls with joy, teaches us all things, and brings forgotten knowledge to our remembrance. The Holy Ghost also “will show unto [us] all things what [we] should do.” ("The Unspeakable Gift" Ensign, May 2003)

The prophets have always made an effort to help teach us how the Holy Ghost works within us. Another example by an ancient prophet is found in Alma 32.

Alma, teaching the poor people who were not allowed to attend the churches they helped construct-- he wanted to give them a lesson on faith. During this lesson on faith, Alma also helps us know how to recognize the some of the aspects of the Holy Ghost so that we can recognize those feelings and know where they come from.

Alma teaches:
It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding; yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. (Alma 32:28)

Discussion:

1. What are some ways that you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost?

2. Why do you think the Holy Ghost is referred to as the "Unspeakable Gift?"

3. What are the three ways Alma teaches us about being able to recognizing the Holy Ghost?



Scripture: John 14:26


Song: "Let the Holy Spirit Guide"


Activity:

Option A: Inside a room, turn out all the lights. Find a single lamp to turn on and talk about how the light gives off warmth, helps us to see and provides a beacon in the darkness. (Great for young children who understand turning lights off and on)

Option B: Blindfold a member of the family or FHE group. Assign two other people to lead them around the home, outside and so on. One leader acts as the Holy Ghost--giving right directions and the other acts as the adversary--giving wrong directions. Allow the blindfolded person to rely on their own choices on who to follow. Talk about how important it is to listen to the small voice of the Holy Ghost and how easy it is to drown out the righteous help He tries to offer.



Treats:

Apple Crumble & Hot Chocolate
 
 
Information from http://www.family-home-evenings.com/2009/01/holy-ghost.html

FAMILY HOME EVENING- THE CREATION

The Creation

A family home evening lesson suitable for younger children.
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Supplies:

•scissors
•glue
•cotton balls
•crayons
•white paper
•pencil
•leaves, grass, seeds

Print:

•#'s: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
•clouds
•plants
•sun, moon, stars
•fish, birds
•animals
•sabbath pictures

Lesson




Begin the lesson by explaining that Jesus Christ created the earth under the direction of Heavenly Father. We explained what this meant by using an example the children could relate to.

Mom wants Liza to make a cake. Mom tells Liza to put 3 cups of flour in a bowl. Liza puts 3 cups of flour in the bowl. Mom tells Liza to add 2 eggs. Liza adds 2 eggs. Mom continues to give instructions and Liza follows those instructions until the cake is done. Liza made the cake under the direction of Mom.

Explain that the creation of the Earth is recorded in Genesis and place the Number One in front of you. Read and discuss Genesis 1:1-5. Allow children to color one half of the Number One with a black crayon to represent darkness.

Place the Number Two in front of you. Read and discuss Genesis 1:6-8. Have children color the Number Two blue. Next have them glue cotton onto clouds to make them fluffy. Glue clouds onto the Number Two.

Place the Number Three in front of you. Read and discuss Genesis 1:9-13. Have children color the Number Three green. Next have them glue plants, grass, leaves, and small seeds (mustard, celery, poppy) onto it.

Place the Number Four in front of you. Read and discuss Genesis 1:14-19. Have children color half of the Number Four sky blue and the other half black. Color the moon yellow. Have them glue the sun, stars, and moon onto the Number Four.

Place the Number Five in front of you. Read and discuss Genesis 1:20-23. Have children color the top half of the Number Five sky blue and the bottom half dark blue. Glue fish and birds in appropriate spots.

Place the Number Six in front of you. Read and discuss Genesis 1:24-31 Have children color the Number Six green. Glue animals on. Have children draw Adam and Eve on seperate paper. Glue them on the top of the Number Six.

Place the Number Seven in front of you. Read and discuss Genesis 2:1-3. Have children color the Number Seven any color they desire and glue Sabbath pictures onto it.

Information from http://lds.about.com/library/bl/fhe/blcreation.htm

FAMILY HOME EVENING- CHOICES

by Shauna Gibby

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Conference Talk:


For more information on this topic read “Walk in the Light,” by Henry B. Eyring, Ensign, May 2008, 123–25.

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=1325558fcc599110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

Thought:



You make choices every day and almost every hour that keep you walking in the light or moving away toward darkness. (Henry B. Eyring, “Walk in the Light,” Ensign, May 2008, 123–25.)



Song:

“Teach Me to Walk in the Light ” Children’s Songbook, p. 177.




Scripture:


For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.
(Moroni 7:16)

Object Lesson:


Materials needed: water, red food coloring, red punch mix, and cups.


Preparation: Prepare two pitchers, one of red food coloring and water, and another of red punch.


Procedure: Precede this object lesson with a discussion of Satan’s enticements.

Explain that he’ll try hard to make his traps look appealing and good however, the only source of true joy and happiness is from our Father in Heaven. Anything else is counterfeit.

Follow this discussion by serving punch. Instead of punch, use the food coloring and water. The family will notice the lack of flavor. Use this opportunity to compare it to Satan’s approach. He makes sin so inviting; but once we partake, we realize it’s a counterfeit to joy. Heavenly Father offers us the real thing. Conclude by serving the real punch.

(Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, Power Tools for Teaching, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988], p. 90.)


Story:

President Milton R. Hunter

The Prophet Joseph Smith termed it this way, that the purpose of our existence is that we might have happiness. We want to be happy today, tomorrow, next week, next year, ten years from now, a hundred years from now, a thousand years from now, a million years from now.

I was in a stake conference one time, and I made a remark similar to the statement I just made. There were several little boys sitting on the front row. One little chap spoke aloud what he was thinking. He said, “Oh, we won’t live that long!”

This gave me a fine opportunity to make an explanation. I said, “Young man, we will live that long. We live forever and ever.”


Permit me to give you a little illustration. If we take a pencil and put a dot on the wall over there, we could call that dot mortality. Then if we take that pencil and run a line clear around this big fieldhouse in which we are meeting, we could call that line the eternal existence or life we shall live. Notice that the dot is very, very small in comparison to the line; and yet it is most important, extremely important, because the joy that we have throughout the eternities or the sorrow that we have throughout the eternities is determined by the choices we make during our mortal lives. Also, the status of our life or existence, the future world in which we live, will be determined by what happens in this little dot, or, in other words, in this short span of life that we live here in mortality.

(Leon R. Hartshorn, Outstanding Stories by General Authorities, Vol. 3, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1974].)


Activity:

Play “Hot Potato.”

1. Form people into a circle, seated or standing.

2. Throw an object back and forth across the circle. A ball or bean bag could be used.

3. Set a timer (an egg timer or a watch, for instance) for any length of time up to one minute. Music accompaniment, such as provided by a CD player, may be desirable.

4. When the timer rings, the person holding the ball is holding the “hot potato” and is eliminated from the circle. Play continues until only one person remains.

(George and Jeane Chipman, Games! Games! Games!, [Salt Lake City: Shadow Mountain, 1983], p. 22.)



Refreshment



Chocolate Cream Crunch

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup finely chopped pecans

1/2 cup margarine, softened

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

1 8-ounce tub Cool Whip®, thawed and divided

1 6-ounce package instant chocolate pudding

1 6-ounce package instant vanilla pudding

3 cups milk, divided

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make crust by combining flour, pecans, and margarine in a small bowl. Press into bottom of 9x13-inch pan. Bake 20 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack. Blend cream cheese and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy. Fold in 1 cup of the Cool Whip. Blend well and spread over cooled crust. Chill. Combine instant chocolate pudding and 1 1/2 cups milk. Mix until smooth. Pour over cream cheese layer. Chill. Pudding will thicken in refrigerator. Repeat with instant vanilla pudding. Chill. Frost with remaining Cool Whip. Cut into 4-inch squares and serve.



Makes 28 squares.


Information from http://ldslivingmagazine.com/

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

FAMILY HOME EVENING LESSON

FAMILY by Shauna Gibby

Stable families provide the fabric that holds society together, benefiting all mankind.

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Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read “Restoring Faith in the Family,” by Kenneth Johnson, Ensign, May 2008, 15–17. Click to go to the link to "Restoring Faith in Family"

Thought:
Stable families provide the fabric that holds society together, benefiting all mankind. (Kenneth Johnson, “Restoring Faith in the Family,” Ensign, May 2008, 15–17)

Song:
“Love is Spoken Here,” Children’s Songbook, p. 190.



Scripture:
But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another. (Mosiah 4:15)

Object Lesson:
Materials needed: Two magnets.

Presentation: Choose two members of the family and give them each a magnet. have them put the two magnets together. Explain that love brings people together. Love unites the entire family. Then have them turn the magnets around so that they repel rather than attract each other. Explain that without love the family will lack strength and may fall apart. We need to take the proper steps to keep love strong in the family.

(Alma Heaton, Tools for Teaching, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1979], p. 17.)

Story:
The Unknown Treasure from Jutta Baum Busche

In our home there was little religious education, although my parents were Protestant. My family simply did not talk about religion. But my father’s brother was a Protestant minister. I remember a time when this uncle’s wife came to visit. Before my aunt arrived, my father instructed us, “When she is here, we must have a prayer before we eat.” I will never forget how comical and strange it was to hear my father offer a blessing on the food in words and tone of voice so unfamiliar to us that it struck me as hypocritical. Yet, as I grew up, frequently in the evening I knelt at my bedside on my own initiative to pray to my Heavenly Father because, even without religious instruction, I felt in my heart that there must be someone whom I could trust and love—someone who knew me and cared about me. What a privilege it would have been to be reared in a family that was well-grounded in the restored gospel!

When the missionaries first came to our door in Dortmund, Germany, my husband and I had not been married long. Our first son was only three months old. I was and always will be grateful each minute of my life for the message that came to us through these young missionaries. I was impressed with many things about these young men. One was the loving way they talked about their families. . . . I sensed such humble honesty in their expressions of testimony that I was compelled to listen.

(LDS Women’s Treasury: Insights and Inspiration for Today’s Woman [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1997].)

Activity:
As a family, put together a puzzle. Or for younger cildren you can print out this picture to color.

Click the picture to get a bigger image to print out.

Refreshment:
Fresh Cherry Cobbler

4 cups fresh sour cherries, washed and pitted
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon instant tapioca
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup butter or margarine

In a saucepan, combine cherries, 1 cup sugar, tapioca, vanilla, and lemon juice. Stirring frequently, heat over medium-low heat until sugar is dissolved. Mix together flour, 1 cup sugar, milk, and baking powder. Melt butter in 9–inch square baking dish in 350–degree oven. Pour batter on top of melted butter, and spoon cherries on top of batter. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.


*Note: 4 cups canned or bottled sour cherries may be used instead of fresh cherries. Drain and proceed as directed.
(Paula Julander and Joanne Milner, Utah State Fare, [Salt Lake City: Shadow Mountain, 1995], p. 178.)


This information came from http://ldslivingmagazine.com/categories/show/3