What Shall We Give?

Song: Away in a Manger, CS #42

Scripture: Matthew 25:40, "Insasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Watch this video: What Shall We Give?

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, gave us the greatest gift of all...the Atonement. What is the greatest gift we can give to him? The scripture found in Matthew 25:40 gives a great answer, serving others.

Story: Straw For the Manger, Friend Dec .2010

(activity: make your own manger with straw just like in this story)

Activity: Write the name of each member of your family on a slip of paper. Fold and place in a bowl. Let each family member pick out a name. Over the next week find ways to serve that person.

Find a way to give service this Christmas season. Here are a few simple ideas:

Buy items on a giving tree.

Donate food/time to a local food bank.

Shovel snow for neighbors.

Invite someone lonely over for dinner or FHE.

Deliver food/treat baskets to elderly/lonely.

Jesus Is Born

I love to use the Friend to find ideas for FHE. I have decided to focus each FHE in December on Christ's birth.

Opening Song: Picture a Christmas, CS #50

In the December 2010 Friend, there is this activity:

Scripture Ornaments

We are going to to a few every week during FHE (instead of one every day).

Then we will read and talk about this story:

Jesus Is Born

Thanksgiving

Opening Song: "Children All Over the World," CS #16

Scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 46:32 "Give thanks unto God in the Spirit for whatsoever blessing ye are blessed with."

Story: Katie's Prayer, Friend, Nov 2001

Before getting into bed, Karen and Katie knelt to pray. Karen soon finished and jumped back into bed. Katie was still praying.

Karen fluffed her pillow a few times and curled up under her nice warm quilt. Katie was still praying.

Karen closed her eyes. After a while, she opened her eyes again. Katie was still praying.

Karen adjusted her quilt again and snuggled in. Katie finally finished her prayer.

“What could you possibly be praying about for that long?” Karen asked.

“Well, I was thanking Heavenly Father for all He gave me today.”

Karen sat up. “Really? He gave you that much today?”

“Oh yes!”

“Like what?”

“Well,” Katie said, “when I woke up this morning, I opened the curtains, and the sun warmed my face. I was thankful for sunshine. I got dressed and rushed downstairs for breakfast. When we all knelt for family prayer, I thought, I’m so thankful to have a wonderful family!

“After breakfast, I went for a bike ride. I heard birds singing. I saw flowers of all colors and shapes. I saw the big shady trees up and down our street. I could smell the fresh air. I thought, I’m so thankful for this wonderful world!

“Then I saw my Primary teacher, Sister Smith, in her front yard. She waved and said hello. I felt blessed to have a nice Primary teacher who loves me and teaches me.

“When I got home, Brady was there to wag her tail while I petted her. I was thankful for Brady.

“Tonight at family home evening, Mom and Dad taught us more about Jesus Christ. I’m thankful for them. I’m most thankful for Jesus and all He’s done for me.”

“Wow!” Karen exclaimed. “I never realized how much there is to be thankful for.”

“There’s more,” Katie said. “When Mom reminded us to say our prayers, I was thankful for prayer itself. Not only can I talk to Heavenly Father any time and thank Him for all He’s given me, but I can ask for help with my problems.”

With that, Katie turned off the lamp and snuggled down in her bed.

Suddenly Karen turned the lamp back on.

“What’s wrong?” Katie asked.

“Nothing. I just need to say another prayer. I have a lot to thank Heavenly Father for, too.”

Katie closed her eyes tight and turned toward the wall. She had a feeling that Karen would be praying a long time.

Activity: Thankful Turkey

Make a turkey out of colored paper. Write or draw pictures of things you are thankful for on each feather.

The Atonement

Song: "If The Savior Stood Beside Me" here

Open by telling this story: (Friend, March 2004)

One day Lincoln’s friends told him that they had pretended to put money into the school’s pencil machine. They told the secretary that they didn’t get a pencil, and she gave them one. Lincoln decided to give it a try.

At recess Lincoln sat on a bench and looked at his free pencil. He felt very sad inside. He wanted to do what was right. He told the secretary what he had done and gave her the pencil. Lincoln felt better.

Have you ever done something wrong and wished you could make it right?

In order to return to live with our Heavenly Father, we need to be perfect. But we are not perfect. We all make mistakes, these are called sins.

Give some examples of sins that are appropriate for children: stealing, not obeying parents, hurting others, lying.

Heavenly Father knows that everyone makes mistakes. He loves us and wants us to return to live with Him, so He provided a way for us to become clean again. It is called the Atonement.

Jesus Christ suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane and by giving His life on the cross. Those two things are called the Atonement. Because he did that we can repent. When we repent it means that we are sorry for what we did and we do everything we can to make it right and we try very hard not to make that mistake again. Like Lincoln in the story. He felt sorry that he took a pencil without paying for it, so he told the secretary what he had done and gave the pencil back.

Activity:

Use a bottle of clear water as a representation of a person free from sin. Drop a small amount of food coloring in the water and point out how the color spreads throughout the water. Compare this to sin. Then add a few drops of liquid bleach to clear up the color. Compare this to how repentance cleanses us from sin. (Sharing Time, Friend, April 1998)

Temples

This month the Ensign is a special issue, Temples of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So, this month our FHE's are going to focus on the temple.

Each week we are going to answer a few simple questions, on the level of a 5 and 3 year old! There is a great section at the end of the Ensign just for children.

week 1: What is a temple? What do they look like?

Sing, "I Love to See the Temple" What does it say the temple is? a house of God

Look through the Ensign and at pictures of temples and the rooms inside.

Ensign, pg. 73, "The temple is the house of the Lord. It is a place where we learn about Heavenly Father, make covenants (or promises) with Him, and receive great blessings. In the temple, we do important work for ourselves and for family members who have died."

week 2: What happens in the temple? Baptisms, the Endowment, Sealings

Sing, "Families Can Be Together Forever"

week 3: When can I go to the temple? How can I prepare myself?

Sing, "I Love to See the Temple," focus on 2nd verse

week 4: Go to the temple grounds. Walk around and take a picture in front of the temple.

The Life of Christ

I chose to focus this lesson on the life of Jesus Christ. The Gospel Principles lesson covers much more, too much for one FHE. The next lesson is on the Atonement, and we will have a lesson on the birth of Christ in December.

Song: “Jesus Once Was a Little Child,” Children’s Songbook #55

Scripture: Mosiah 3:5-8 (below)

King Benjamin, a Nephite prophet, told his people of someone important who would come to the earth.

Ask your children to listen as you read this passage:

“For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases.

“And he shall cast out devils, or the evils spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men.

“And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.”

Who do you think King Benjamin is talking about?

“And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.”

In that scripture, we are taught Jesus went about doing good things while he was on the earth.

This lesson is from the 2010 Outline for Sharing Time, July.

Show the children a pair of leather sandals (or a picture in which Jesus is wearing sandals). Explain that Jesus, wearing shoes like these, went about doing good.

Say the following scripture together: “He went about doing good, for God was with him” (see Acts 10:38).

Display pictures depicting the following events around the room:

(or choose some of your own favorite pictures/stories) Gospel Art Kit

Jesus blessing the children (see 3 Nephi 17:21–24)

Jesus

healing the blind man (see John 9:1–17)

Jesus raising Jairus’s daughter from the dead (see Matthew 9:18–19, 23–25)

Jesus feeding the 5,000 (see John 6:5–14)

Pretend to put on sandals, and take turns walking to a picture. Ask your children to describe what Jesus is doing in the picture. Then read or tell the story of the picture. Before going on to the next picture repeat the phrase: “He went about doing good, for God was with him.”

Quick FHE idea

We just recently found that there is a Friend website. We like to get on and play games, listen to scripture stories, and color. Visit the site as a family for a quick and easy FHE!

Scriptures

Opening Song: Scripture Power

Scripture: 2 Nephi 29:11 “I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written.”

Attention activity (from Primary manual 3, lesson #17)

Place various types of books out and tell a little about each (cookbook, story book, scriptures, etc.). Then ask the following questions or other questions pertaining to the books that you have displayed.

• Which of these books explains how to make a cake?
• Which of these books has pretend stories?
• Which of these books has teachings of the prophets that will help us keep the
commandments?

Explain that Heavenly Father wants us to obey the commandments. He told the prophets to write his words so that we could know his teachings and commandments.

• What do we call the sacred books in which the prophets have written? (The scriptures.)

Explain that many prophets recorded the gospel and how people lived it so we would know what the commandments are. These commandments are recorded in our four books of scripture. We sometimes call them the standard works.

Explain each book of Scripture:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints accepts four books as scripture: the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

The Bible covers the time of Adam through the time when the Apostles of Jesus Christ lived.

The Book of Mormon is a record of some of the people who lived on the American continents. Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon into English through the gift and power of God. He said that it is, “the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”

The Doctrine and Covenants is a collection of modern revelations, since the church was restored.

The Pearl of Great Price contains the book of Moses, the book of Abraham, and some inspired writings of Joseph Smith.

Words of our living prophets are also scripture for us. Their words come to us through general conference, church magazines, like the Friend, and instructions to local priesthood leaders.

We should study the scriptures every day. The scriptures teach us what we must to do return to live with Heavenly Father.


Additional Activity (probably for older children)

Nephi Obtained the Scriptures

Explain that the Book of Mormon contains a story that shows how important the scriptures were to Nephi and his family.

Tell the children that Lehi told his sons—Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi—that the Lord wanted them to go back to Jerusalem and get some brass plates from a man named Laban. The brass plates were a book of scripture made from metal (brass) pages. Laman and Lemuel did not want to go back to Jerusalem and were very angry, but Nephi and Sam were willing to go.

Laman was the first to go to Laban’s house. He asked Laban for the brass plates. Laban would not give Laman the plates and threatened to kill him. Laman was afraid and ran back to his brothers. He wanted to go back to their father in the wilderness.

Nephi said they must obey the commandment to get the brass plates. Nephi and his brothers went back to their former home in Jerusalem and got their gold and silver. They planned to trade their riches for the brass plates.

Laban took their gold and silver but would not give Nephi and his brothers the brass plates. He ordered his men to kill them. Nephi and his brothers ran away and hid.

Laman and Lemuel were angry. They beat Nephi and Sam with a stick. An angel appeared and commanded them to stop. The angel said that the Lord would help them get the brass plates and told them to obey Nephi.

This time Nephi went to get the plates. His brothers waited outside the city wall as he crept up to Laban’s house. Nephi saw Laban lying drunk on the ground. The Holy Ghost told Nephi to kill Laban. Nephi hesitated because he did not want to kill anyone.

Nephi remembered the great importance of the scriptures, and he knew that he could not obtain the brass plates unless he killed Laban. So he did what the Holy Ghost told him to do. He killed Laban and dressed in Laban’s clothes. He then pretended to be Laban.

Nephi told Laban’s servant Zoram to bring the brass plates to him and to follow him. Zoram obeyed, thinking Nephi was Laban. Later, Nephi explained to Zoram that the Lord had commanded him and his brothers to get the brass plates. Zoram believed him. He also wanted to obey. He went with Nephi and his brothers back to Lehi in the wilderness.

Lehi read the brass plates. The plates contained the commandments and some stories about Moses and other prophets. They also contained the genealogy of Lehi’s family. Lehi was commanded to take the brass plates with him to the promised land.

Activity

Play the following game to help the children understand why it was important for Lehi’s family to take the brass plates, which contained a written record of the commandments, with them to the promised land. The object of the game is to show how the words of the scriptures can be confused if they are not written down.

Have the children sit in a circle. Whisper to the child on your right, “I will obey Heavenly Father’s commandments.” Then have that child whisper what he or she heard to the person on his or her right. Continue passing the message on until everyone in the circle has heard it. Have the last child stand up and repeat the words he or she heard. The child probably will not repeat the original message correctly. (If the message is the same, you might compliment the children on how well they did. Then try another message of two or three sentences.) Tell the children the message you began with.

Explain that it is easy to forget or confuse stories or messages that are not written down. The prophets wrote down Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ’s teachings so they would not be forgotten. These teachings are in our scriptures.

Lehi’s family needed the brass plates so they would remember the commandments and obey them.

Easter

There are 2 different ideas here, I have used both of them.

Activity #1

Fill 12 easter eggs with the items listed below (number them, you will open them in order). Each item represents part of the Easter story. Hide the eggs and let your children find them. Then open them in order and read the scripture and talk about each one.

1. (Bread) Matthew 26:26
While they were eating Jesus took a piece of bread,gave a prayer of thanks, broke it, and gave it to His disciples."Take and eat it," He said, "This is My body."
2. (Coins) Matthew 26: 14-15
Then one of the twelve disciples, named Judas Iscariot, went tothe chief priests and asked, "What will you give me if I betrayJesus to you?" They counted out thirty silver coins and gave them to him.
3. (Purple cloth, representing a purple robe) Mark 15:17
They put a purple robe on Jesus. . .
4. (Thorns) Matthew 27:29
Then they made a crown out of thorny branches and placed it onHis head, and put a stick on His right hand; then they kneltbefore Him and made fun of Him. "Long live the King, of the Jews!" they said.
5. (Scourge-a small piece of rope or thick string) Mark 15:15
Pilate wanted to please the crowd, so he set Barabbas free forthem. Then he had Jesus whipped and handed Him over to becrucified.
6. (Cross) John 19: 17-18
He went out, carrying His cross, and came to "The Place of theSkull," as it is called. (In Hebrew it is called "Galgotha.") There they crucified Him.
7. (Nails) John 20:25
Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the scars of the nails in Hishands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in Hisside, I will not believe."
8. (Sign) Luke 23:38
Above Him were written these words: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
9. (Sponge) Matthew 27:48
One of them ran up at once, took a sponge, soaked it in cheapwine, put it on the end of a stick, and tried to make Him drink it.
10. (Spear) John 19:34
One of the soldiers plunged his spear into Jesus' side, and atonce blood and water poured out.
11. (Rock) Matthew 27:59-60
Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a new linen sheet, andplaced it in his own new tomb, which he had just recently dugout of solid rock. Then he rolled a large stone across theentrance to the tomb and went away.
12. (Empty) Matthew 28:6
He is not here He has risen just as He said.

Activity #2 (I can't remember where I found this idea, but I used it for sharing time and it was great!)

Gather pictures of Jesus Christ, the tomb, and a stone to cover the tomb. I just made my stone and tomb out of colored paper. There are some pictures here you could use.

Also, with the picture of Christ, cover it with wax paper and cut out the same shape. This will be Christ's Spirit.

Tell the story below using your cutouts:

"When Jesus was on Earth he taught that he would one day die but that he would overcome death. Many people didn't quite understand what he meant. Those who didn't believe His teachings wanted to kill him and finally they did. Jesus died on the cross. His spirit left to be with Heavenly Father. His friends took his body and laid it in the tomb (separate the spirit and body and place the body in the tomb and place the stone over it). Jesus' disciples and friends were so sad to think that He was gone forever. After three days Mary Magdalene went to the tomb but the stone was rolled away and His body was not there. She was afraid someone had stolen Him. Then she saw him. He was not dead but was alive again, resurrected. His spirit and body were reunited. Jesus then showed Himself to the disciples so they could testify that he lives. Jesus also showed himself to the Nephite people ion the American continent so they could also see that he was alive and loved them too. Because Jesus did this for us, all of us will one day be resurrected too. Someday our bodies and our spirits will be reunited and they will be perfect. We will not get sick or die again. "

You can then use the Christ and spirit cutout to explain more about what resurrection means. I then used this activity to review what we had talked about:

Cut a sheet of paper the same size as picture: The Resurrected Jesus Christ (Gospel Art Picture Kit 239; 62187), into eight pieces. Number the pieces from 1 to 8. Cover the picture by carefully fastening the pieces to the picture with paper clips or small pieces of tape.

Show the picture covered with the eight pieces of paper. Explain that hidden behind the papers is a special picture. Have the children take turns choosing a number from 1 to 8. After the question is answered, have a child remove the appropriate piece of paper, revealing part of the picture.

Use the following questions for the activity (or create some of your own):

1. Who will be resurrected? (Everyone.)
2. What does it mean to be resurrected? (To live again; to have our body and spirit joined again after death.)
3. What did the angel mean when he said, “He is risen”? (Jesus Christ had been resurrected.)
4. What are some of the things Jesus Christ did after he was resurrected? (He walked, talked, ate food, appeared to Mary Magdalene and to his disciples, let the disciples feel his hands and feet.)
5. Who is our Savior? (Jesus Christ.)
6. To whom did Jesus Christ appear after he was resurrected? (To Mary Magdalene and many of his disciples.)
7. Is Jesus Christ living now? (Yes, in heaven with Heavenly Father.)
8. Why was Jesus willing to die and be resurrected for us? (Because he loves us and wants us to be able to live again with him and Heavenly Father.)

When the entire picture is uncovered, explain that this is a painting of the resurrected Jesus Christ. When we see this picture, we can remember that because Jesus was resurrected everyone will be resurrected.

First Presidency & Apostles Matching Game

I always like to talk about the First Presidency and members of the Quorum of the Twelve just before we have General Conference. I think learning about our leaders helps us and our children make a connection with them and find it more interesting to listen to them speak.

So, this week we are having a lesson to prepare for General Conference and then next week we will have an Easter lesson.

My kids love matching games! This one has pictures of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve. When you get a match, read a little bit about them.

Click here for pictures.

Below is a copy of the info I am using with each picture. I found the info from their biographies on the church's website found here. You could read the entire biography if you wanted (they are short, but still too long for 4 year olds!)

President Thomas S. Monson has served as the 16th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since February 3, 2008. His testimony from General Conference October 2008: “I bear my testimony to you that this work is true, that our Savior lives, and that He guides and directs His Church here upon the earth. I leave with you my witness and my testimony that God our Eternal Father lives and loves us. He is indeed our Father, and He is personal and real.

President Henry B. Eyring is currently the First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has a degree in Physics, as well as a doctorate degree in business from Harvard. He has 4 sons and 2 daughters.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf was born on November 6, 1940 Czechoslovakia. He was raised in Germany, where his family joined the Church in 1947. He is a trained fighter pilot. He is now the Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Boyd K. Packer is the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He taught seminary and was also a bomber pilot during World War II. He is also an artist and loves to paint birds.

L. Tom Perry was born in 1922 in Logan Utah. He is 6-foot-3 inches tall.

Russell M. Nelson is an internationally renowned heart surgeon and medical researcher. He has earned many awards and honors. He has also written chapters for medical textbooks.

Dallin H. Oaks was called to be an apostle in 1984. He practiced and taught law in Chicago. He also served as a member of the Utah Supreme Court.

M. Russell Ballard sold cars and real estate. He served a mission for the Church to England. He was also a mission president in the Canada Toronto Mission. Much of his ministry has been focused on missionary work.

Richard G. Scott has a degree in mechanical and nuclear engineering. He worked for the Navy making nuclear fuel that made submarines go.

Robert D. Hales was born in New York City. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a jet fighter pilot. He was also a business man who held positions with three major national companies.

Jeffrey R. Holland served as the ninth president of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He is the author of eight books. He was called to be an apostle in 1994.

David A. Bednar was president of BYU-Idaho. Prior to his call to the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Bednar served as an Area Seventy, Area Authority Seventy, Regional Representative, twice as a stake president, and as a bishop.

Quentin L. Cook served as a missionary in the British Mission. He also served as an area Seventy in the Philippines and also the Pacific Islands.

D. Todd Christofferson was an attorney in Washington DC. He was also the senior vice president of a bank in Tennessee. He served a mission in Argentina.

Neil L. Andersen was called to be an apostle in April 2009. He was raised on a dairy farm in Idaho. He was involved in the production of The Testaments: Of One Fold and One Shepherd. He speaks French, Portuguese and Spanish in addition to his native English.

Prophets of God

Opening Song: "We Thank Thee, O God, For a Prophet," Hymns #19
Scripture: Luke 1:70 “He spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began.”

Prophets are God’s Representatives on the Earth

As Latter-day Saints, we know the God communicates to the Church through His prophet. A prophet is a man called by God to be his representative on earth. When a prophet speaks for God, it is as if God were speaking. A true prophet is always chosen by God and called through proper priesthood authority.

Through the Ages God Has Called Prophets to Lead Mankind

There have been prophets on the earth since the days of Adam.

Activity (idea from Sugardoodle here)
Gather pictures of Prophets, ancient and modern. (GAK pics here)
Match the word bubble clues to the picture of the prophet.

We Have a Living Prophet on the Earth Today

We have a prophet living on the earth today. This prophet is President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. No person except the chosen prophet can receive God’s will for the entire membership of the Church. The prophet is assisted by his counselors in the First Presidency and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve.

We should do those things the prophets tell us to do. Pres. Wilford Woodruff said, “The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff [2004], 199).

Activity
Who is our prophet today? Thomas S. Monson
Play the matching game found here to learn more about our prophet.

(I originally found this on Sugardoodle back when Pres. Monson was called, but I can't seem to find it now, the site is having problems. It was a much bigger version of the matching game. You could try looking for it if you want a larger game with more stories.)

We Should Sustain the Lord’s Prophet

How can we sustain the prophet?
We should pray for him. He will be strengthened by our prayers.
We should study his words. We can listen to his conference talks and read other messages that he gives in the Ensign or Friend.
We should follow his inspired teachings completely, not just the parts we like.

Great Blessings Follow Obedience to the Prophet

When we do as our prophet directs, blessings pour down from heaven. We are blessed in this insecure world to have a prophet through whom the Lord reveals His will.

Praying to Our Heavenly Father

Opening Song: “I Pray in Faith,” Children’s Songbook, pg.14
Scripture: Jesus taught, “Ye must always pray unto the Father in my name” 3 Nephi 18:19

I was going to place each question in a bag and let the kids take a turn pulling them out and then we will discuss each one.

What is prayer?
Prayer is one of the greatest blessings we have while we are here on earth. Through prayer, we can talk to our Heavenly Father. We should pray to God and no one else.

Why do we pray?
An angel commanded Adam and Eve to pray to Heavenly Father. This commandment has never been taken away.
We should pray to choose the right.
We should pray and ask for forgiveness when we do something wrong.
We should pray for help.
We can pray for our family and friends.
We should tell Heavenly Father we love him.
We should thank Heavenly Father for all we have.

When should we pray?
We can pray whenever we need to or want to.
We pray in church meetings, at home, while working, or wherever we are or whatever we are doing.
We can pray any time of the day or night.
We should pray privately at least every morning and night.
We are commanded to have family prayers so that our families may be blessed.
We pray before meals to give thanks and ask a blessing on the food.

How should we pray?
You can stand or kneel, pray out loud or silently.
We should always pray in faith and make our prayers meaningful.
At the end of our prayer, we close in the name of Jesus Christ.
We use the words ‘thee’ and ‘thine’ and ‘thou.’
First we give thanks, then we ask for blessings.
When we can, we should fold our arms, bow our heads, and close our eyes.

How are prayers answered?
Our prayers are always answered.
Sometimes the answer is no because what we have asked for would not be best for us. Sometimes our prayers are answered right away, and sometimes we have to wait awhile.
Sometimes the Lord answers our prayers through other people.


Story: “Our Cow,” by Elder David B. Haight

My father died when I was nine years old, leaving my mother to raise our family. My mother was wise. She believed that boys and girls should have things to do. In small Mormon towns, “things to do” meant chores out-of-doors and duties around home. Some of my chores were chopping wood for the cookstove, raking leaves, and mowing the lawn.

Haying time was fun! I liked to help put the hay in our barn. Then my friends and I would play in the hayloft, tumble down the haystack, or hide from each other. How excited we were when we sometimes found eggs in a chicken nest hidden in the hay!

Mother knew we needed to have more to do in our lives than just work and play. Together we read the great stories from the Bible. She taught us to sing, to enjoy church, and to pray.
Mother always kept a cow so that her sons would have what she called “some real responsibility.” This included milking the cow every morning and every night, pitching hay down into the stall for the cow to eat, and watering her morning and night at a nearby stream. Unless we did these chores, the cow would be hungry and thirsty.

There were times when I would be a little late getting home, and then I’d wish I didn’t have to take care of that cow.

One evening when I returned home, I found that she had broken down the fence and run away. I looked in all of the usual places, but I could not find her. I looked everywhere imaginable—but no cow.

It started to grow dark, and I was desperate. I knew that my mother would be worried if she knew the cow was lost. We sold milk to some of our neighbors, and I could picture them waiting for me to take them their fresh milk.

How well I recall that evening! I had been taught to pray, and I knew I could ask the Lord for help. There was a little clump of bushes near the canal, and so I took off my cap, got down on my knees, told the Lord my problem, and asked Him to help me find our cow.

After my prayer, I started walking down the canal bank. And only a few yards from where I had prayed, I found our cow. She was almost hidden in the tall willows by the canal because she was about the same color as the willows. I was grateful my prayer had been answered and that our Heavenly Father had guided my footsteps down the canal bank to where she was.

The many nights my mother knelt by my bed to teach me how to pray helped me learn to talk to our Father in heaven. Ever since the night I prayed for help by that clump of bushes, I have continued to pray for His guidance.

And I know the Lord answers our prayers.

Conclusion:
As we live the gospel of Jesus Christ and pray always, we will have joy and happiness. “Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers” (D&C 112:10).

The Holy Ghost

Song: “The Holy Ghost” Children’s Songbook pg. 105
Scripture: 2 Nephi 32:5- “If ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.”

The Holy Ghost Came to Adam and Eve

After Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden, they had many children. And their children had children. Spirit children of our Heavenly Father began leaving His presence to come to earth. Just like us!

As they came to earth, the memory of their heavenly home was taken from them. But our Father did not shut them away from His influence. He knew that his children would need help, so he sent the Holy Ghost to comfort and help and guide all of His spirit children.

Attributes of the Holy Ghost

Who are the three members of the Godhead? (Review the First Article of Faith.)

Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are called the Godhead. They are unified in purpose. Each has an important assignment in the plan of salvation. Our Heavenly Father is our Father and ruler. Jesus Christ is our Savior. The Holy Ghost is the revealer and testifier of all truth.

The Holy Ghost is our Heavenly Father’s messenger and is a special gift to us.
When do we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost? (After we are baptized, when we are confirmed.)

Even children and people who are not members of the church can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost.

The Mission of the Holy Ghost

The mission of the Holy Ghost is to bear witness of the Father and the Son and of the truth of all things. This means that the Holy Ghost will help us to know the truth.

The Holy Ghost can guide us and help us to choose the right.

Activity:
Show the children a small item you will hide for this game. Invite one child to leave the group for a moment while you hide the item. Have the child return to the group, and tell him that he must listen to find the way to the hidden item. Use a quiet noise, such as lightly tapping a pencil, gently clapping your hands, or humming a song, to show the child which way to turn to look for the hidden object. Make sure that the noises you make are very soft and reverent. Gently tap when the child looks in the correct direction. Tap more quickly as the child moves closer to the hiding place, until he finds the item.

Emphasize to the children that they can be guided in their lives by listening to the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost is called the Comforter. He can give you peace and comfort when you are sad or lonely or worried. (wrap the children in a blanket/comforter, to help explain this.)

There are important things you must do so that the Holy Ghost will be with you. Heavenly Father gives the Holy Ghost to those who obey Him. You obey Him when you choose to be baptized. You obey Him when you pray each day and study His words in the scriptures. You obey Him when you obey your parents. You obey Him when you are kind, honest, patient, and loving toward others. You obey Him when you keep His commandments. You obey Him by remembering His Son, Jesus Christ, and trying to do what He would have you do. As you do these things, you will be worthy to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.

President Ezra Taft Benson gave this important counsel: “Pray to Heavenly Father to bless you with His Spirit at all times. … The Holy Ghost is … a gift from Heavenly Father. … He whispers to you in a still, small voice to do right. When you do good, you feel good, and that is the Holy Ghost speaking to you. The Holy Ghost is a wonderful companion. He is always there to help you.” (Ensign, May 1989, page 82.)

The Fall of Adam and Eve

Opening Song- “I am a Child of God”
Scripture- 2 Nephi 2:22-25

Adam and Eve were the first to come to Earth
Picture here
God prepared this earth as a home for His children. Adam and Eve were chosen to be the first people to live on the earth. Their part in our Father’s plan was to bring mortality into the world. They were to be the first parents.

The Garden of Eden
When Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden, they were not yet mortal. This means they were not like we are and they could not die. This also meant that they could not have children.

While living in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve could walk and talk with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

The Garden of Eden was different from our Earth now. There were tame animals there.
Adam and Eve didn’t know good from evil.

God gave them a commandment to have children. There was also a tree in the Garden of Eden called the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God commanded them not to eat the fruit on this tree, or that they would die.

Satan came and tempted Eve and she ate the fruit. Adam then did the same. The changes that came upon Adam and Eve because they ate the fruit are called the Fall. God then sent them out of the Garden of Eden into the world. They then became mortal, or like we are now. They could have children, and they knew good and evil. They also could not walk and talk with God.

Great Blessing Resulted from the Transgression
Some people believe Adam and Eve committed a serious sin when they ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. However, latter-day scriptures help us understand that their Fall was a necessary step in the plan of life and a great blessing to all of us. We now have the opportunity to come to earth and to make choices.

Attention Activity (I like this but I think it is for older children)- found in Primary 6 manual, lesson 4.
Gather four small, undesirable items—such as a bottle cap, twig, or wad of tissue—with string tied around each one; one small object to represent something of value (such as a ring to symbolize eternal life) with string tied around it; and a small bag or container (see the attention activity).

Place the objects you have tied with string into the bag or container so that the objects are hidden but an equal amount of each string hangs over the side of the bag. Ask a child to choose a string and pull an item out of the bag. Then replace the object and string, let another child take a turn, and so on. Show the class all the hidden objects, and explain the value of the desirable one.
Explain that it is difficult to make a correct choice when we don’t know what we are choosing. Heavenly Father wants us to know good from evil so we can choose what is right. Tell the class that this lesson will explain how we were given the knowledge of good and evil and the ability to choose for ourselves.

The Creation

Opening Song: “My Heavenly Father Loves Me,” Children's Songbook #228
Scripture: Moses 1:33 “Worlds without number have I created;…and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten.”

Jesus Created the Earth
Jesus Christ created this world and everything in it. He did so through the power of the priesthood, under the direction of our Heavenly Father.

The Creation Activity: (a few different ideas)
1 First Day Darkness divided into day and night
2 Second Day Heaven (sky) organized, with waters in the sky and below it
3 Third Day Water separated from dry land, and plants of all kinds caused to grow
4 Fourth Day Sun set in sky for daylight, moon for light at night
5 Fifth Day Every kind of living creature except man created
6 Sixth Day Man and woman created in image of Heavenly Parents
7 Seventh Day A day blessed and sanctified as a day of rest

Link to pictures to color for a flannel board story.

Gather items/pictures to represent each day of the creation.

Go on a walk and look at all of God’s creations.

If it is warm where you are, have your FHE outdoors!

God’s Creations Show His Love
We are now living in this beautiful world. Think of the sun, which gives us warmth and light. Think of the rain, which makes plants grow and makes the world feel clean and fresh. Think of how good it is to hear a bird singing or a friend laughing. Think of how wonderful our bodies are—how we can work and play and rest. When we consider all of these creations, we begin to understand what wise, powerful, and loving beings Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father are. They have shown great love for us by providing for all of our needs.

Freedom to Choose

Opening Song: “Choose the Right Way”, Children’s Songbook, pg 160
Scripture: Moses 3:17 – “Thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee.”

Agency is a gift from God.

Review this part of last week’s lesson:
In the premortal life, Jesus and Satan both wanted to be our Savior.

Jesus, like Heavenly Father, wanted us to choose whether we would obey Heavenly Father’s commandments. Jesus said, “Father, they will be done, and the glory be thine forever.”

Satan also came saying, “Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.” Satan wanted to force us all to do his will. Under his plan, we would not be allowed to choose and he wanted all of the honor for himself.

Heavenly Father chose Jesus to be our Savior because he knew that we had to make our own choices on earth to be able to return to live with him.

The ability to make choices is a gift from Heavenly Father. It is called agency. Using our agency is an important part of Heavenly Father’s plan for us.


All choices have consequences.
Even though we are free to choose, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.

A consequence is the natural result of any choice we make, good or bad.

Examples:
If you choose not to eat, you will be hungry.
If you choose to touch a hot stove, you will get burned.
When you choose to read the scriptures, you can learn Heavenly Father’s words.
When you draw near to Heavenly Father in prayer, He will hear you and will draw near to you and listen.

When we make good choices, we become closer to Heavenly Father and we will be happy. Heavenly Father blesses us when we make good choices.

When you lived in heaven, you made a choice to follow Heavenly Father’s plan. The consequence of making that right choice was the blessing of coming to earth and obtaining a body. Now that you are on earth, Heavenly Father wants you to continue to make right choices so that you can receive more blessings and be happy.

Activity: (Friend, March 1997, Sharing Time: My Choices Have Consequences)
Choosing to keep the commandments can make you feel good inside. It can make you smile. Give each child a sheet of paper with a circle drawn on it to represent a face and have them draw the eyes, nose, and hair for the face. Give each child a colored, crescent-shaped piece of paper that could be put on the face to represent a smile or a frown. Have them place the mouth on the face according to how they would feel in the following situations:

You choose to clean up your toys when your mother asks you to.
You choose to draw a picture and give it to a friend.
You choose to eat some of your sister’s candy without asking her.
You choose to go to Primary.
You choose to keep your eyes open during the prayer.
You choose to whisper to your friend during the sacrament.
You choose to share your toys with your sister.

Make up more situations specific for your family.

Conclusion:
Bear your testimony that making good choices makes you happy and that Heavenly Father blesses you when you choose the right.

Coloring page:

Jesus Christ, Our Chosen Leader and Savior

Display a picture of Christ for the lesson. Click on pic for link:

Opening Song: “I Lived in Heaven” (all verses); “I’m Trying to be Like Jesus”

Scripture: John 6:38, 40 When Jesus lived on earth, He taught: “I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me…And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Review the story/pictures from last week’s lesson about premortal life, you could use the following to explain more in detail:

Jesus Christ Became Our Chosen Leader and Savior
We needed a Savior to pay for our sins and teach us how to return to our Heavenly Father. Our Father said, “Whom shall I send?” Jesus Christ said, “Here am I, send me.”

Jesus, like Heavenly Father, wanted us to choose whether we would obey Heavenly Father’s commandments. Jesus said, “Father, they will be done, and the glory be thine forever.”

Satan also came saying, “Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.” Satan wanted to force us all to do his will. Under his plan, we would not be allowed to choose and he wanted all the honor for himself.

After hearing both sons speak, Heavenly Father said, “I will send the first.”

(The lesson next week is all about the freedom to choose, so we won’t discuss it here)
Discuss the following questions:

Who were the two people who wanted to be chosen to be our Savior? (Jesus Christ and Lucifer)
Who did Heavenly Father choose? (Jesus)

The War in Heaven
Because our Heavenly Father chose Jesus Christ to be our Savior, Satan became angry. There was a war in heaven. Many people chose to follow Satan. Satan along with his followers were sent away from the presence of God and out of heaven. They were not allowed to receive a body.

Because we are on earth and have a body, we know that we chose to follow Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. We must continue to follow Jesus Christ here on earth. Only by following Him can we return to our heavenly home.

Who did we choose to follow in heaven? (Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father)
How do we know that we chose to follow them? (We are on earth and have a body)
What can we do now on earth to follow Jesus Christ? (Choose the right, be kind, be baptized, etc.)

Our Heavenly Family

Opening Song: “I Lived in Heaven”
Scripture: Romans 8:16- We are children of our Heavenly Father

After singing this song, ask and discuss these questions about the song:

Where did we live before we came to earth? In the Spirit World (Heaven)

Who was there with us? Everyone, Heavenly Father, Jesus

What did we do in the spirit world? D&C 138:56

How come we don’t remember it?
Explain to the children that when each of us was born on the earth, we forgot our life with Heavenly Father. This allowed us to develop faith in him and in Jesus Christ. We can do this through believing the prophets, studying the scriptures, praying, and following the guidance of the Holy Ghost.

In the song it talks about Heavenly Father presenting a beautiful plan.
What was that plan?

Use the story and pictures found here to explain Heavenly Father’s plan.

Conclusion:
If we make good choices while we are on earth, then we can return to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus in Heaven.

Our Father in Heaven

Recite Article of Faith 1

There is a God. Read Alma 30:44. Many people in the world today try to teach us that there is not a God. Prophets have taught us that there is a God and that He is the almighty ruler of the universe.

What do we know about our Heavenly Father?
(For older children, look up and read the scriptures. For younger children, use pictures and teach each principle.)

1. God dwells in heaven (D&C 20:17)
2. God created all things (Mosiah 4:9, Moses 2:1)
3. God has a body that looks like ours (D&C 130:22, Moses 6:9) (God’s body however is perfected and glorified, with a glory beyond all description)
4. God knows all things (Abraham 3:18-19, Alma 26:35)
5. God loves his children (John 3:16)
6. God is unchanging (Mormon 9:9)
7. God has all power (Alma 26:35)
8. God hears our prayers (Alma 37:37),
9. Everything good comes from God (Alma 5:40)
10. Everything that he does is to help his children become like him (Moses 1:39)

Why is knowing God so important? The more we know God, the more we love him and keep his commandments (1 John 2:3). By keeping his commandments we can become like him. When we become like him, we can have eternal life and live with him.


**I am still learning! Can anyone tell me how I can add a link of the pictures that I am going to use so that I don't have to post them all??