October 2014 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

Yaiya Sofia and the kiddos on Ella's blessing day. I'm so grateful for my grandmother and the example she sets for me. She came from Greece, the oldest of 8 children, and worked hard to get everyone to America to avoid the devastation of WWII. She gave and continues to give everything to her family. There is not a single trip to her house that I don't leave with dish soap, toilet paper, or farfalle pasta. Spoiled!!!! But most importantly, my Yaya taught me about Heavenly Father. I've never seen or heard more sincere prayers. When my mother wanted to join the LDS church, Yaya supported her and has done so ever since. Family, our greatest blessing and joy.

Monthly Theme: “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” Came from God to Help My Family.

Monthly Scripture: "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." John 15:11

Week 1 "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" came from God to help my family.

* Make a primary scrapbook of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World."

     Take quotes from it and type it on the bottom of a piece of paper. Have many different quotes! Give the papers to the children to illustrate that quote. At the end of sharing time, bind the papers together and read to the children, showing all the beautiful art of the children.

     Let the children know that you will keep the book and use when we can during songs about families! For example, Families can be Together Forever... while the children sing, you show pages from the scrapbook! Use it often to show the children you value their work!

* "What are some things that will help families?...No better advice can be found than that given in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” Read it. Study it. Adopt it as your family standard. Make it the topic in several family home evening lessons so no one in the family has any misunderstanding about how your family operates." Sister Barbara Thompson I Will Strengthen Thee; I Will Help Thee Oct. 2007 (It is a wonderful talk and I highly recommend reading it!!)

   Have some "good advice" from The Family Proclamation printed out on different pieces of paper. I would do about 7-10. For example:

1. "The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave."

2. "Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live."

3. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan.

4. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.

   Have corresponding case scenarios to the advice. Have a child come up front and read the case scenario. Then have them choose what advice from The Family Proclamation would help.

Case Scenarios (to match the above advice)

1. Sally was really sad because Grandma was sick. Grandma had cancer and it didn't look like she would live very much longer. What happens after we die, Sally wondered?

2. Alex was fighting with his brother... again. His brother was always messing up his legos and so Alex shoved him a lot. He and his brother got in trouble. They were sent to time out and then asked to apologize to each other by their mom. Why do parents have to give us time outs?

3. Elizabeth was so excited to look through her sister's bridal magazine. The dresses were exquisite! She especially liked the poofy princess like dresses! However, most of the dresses were sleeveless. Why would a modest wedding gown be so important?

4. Kenny had a beat up station wagon. In fact, there was a big dent in the side of one of the doors. Many of his friends had brand new cars that sparkled, but they also had both parents who worked outside the home. Why would Kenny's mom choose to stay at home over not having a fancy car?

(And yes, I know that not everyone has the option of staying home!! So my thoughts are this, no children should be made to feel guilty for having a mother that works outside the home- whether by choice or because of need!! Go by the spirit and make up your own case scenarios.)

* HERE is The Proclamation itself. Play Proclamation Pictionary!!!! Use words from it and have a child come and draw! After they draw, quote the entire sentence using that word.

Words could include: The First Presidency, All Human Beings, Premortal Realm, Adam and Eve, Husband and Wife, Declare (This would be harder for young children), Family, God's Eternal Plan, Recreational Activities, Repentance, Work, Love, Law Abiding Citizens...

   Challenge the children to go home and play this game with their families!!

* Have about 6 children come up front. One child will stand with their back to the other children. Sing a song about families and have the other 5 children pass a copy of The Family Proclamation between each other. Have them all put their hands behind their backs. When the song is over, invite the one child to guess who is holding it now!

     Read parts of The Proclamation and invite children to share how this knowledge can help their families.

Week 2 Marriage between a man and a woman is essential to God's plan.

* Guess the Love Story!! You definitely have to plan ahead! Call 5 different ward members who were married in the temple. Have them tell you their love story, how they met, etc. Also get a picture of their wedding day.

     For sharing time, share their story and have the children guess who it might be! Share the couple's picture.

As a tip- when you are telling the story, don't stand in one place. Move around the room and be excited!

    True love is eternal love! True love is the love that is shared in the bounds of marriage between a man and a woman. It is essential to God's plan!!

(I did this as a Valentine's singing time idea and it was a huge hit! The children loved it!)

* What was Jesus' first miracle? Where did it take place?

Our Savior's first miracle was at a marriage feast and turned water into wine! Do you think it means anything that His first miracle was at a marriage?

Read John 2:1-11

    Bring in a basin of water and several items that will sink or float. Today, we'll pretend this basin of the water is one of the water pots from the marriage feast miracle. What are some things that will sink a marriage? What are some things that will help a marriage stay afloat (try to have more of these items to keep it positive)?

     Let the children put things in the water and then depending if it sinks or floats, share their ideas.

Possible ideas for sinking: arguing, not saying sorry, not helping each other, not putting Heavenly Father first

Possible ideas for staying afloat: saying prayer together, going on dates, going to the temple together, being loyal, helping with household chores

    Marriage can be a miracle! And it is essential to God's plan.

* Bring in a board game. Have 1 child come up front. Ask them to play the game. It's kind of hard to play monopoly when there is only one person!!

   Have a tennis racquet. Invite 1 child to come up front and play a game of tennis. It's kind of hard to play tennis by yourself and run back and forth across the court.

   Bring in a phone. Ask 1 child to make a phone call. You kind of need someone on the other end!!!

Genesis 2: 18 "And the Lord‍ God said, It is‍ not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an‍ help meet for him."

   Marriage between a man and woman is essential to God's plan! Break into pairs (it doesn't have to be boy and girl... just pairs!) to come up with a drawing of a man and a woman who were married in the scriptures!

* Share the following story about President Monson and how he met his wife. (From The Biography of Thomas S. Monson by Heidi S. Swinton pgs. 89-90) You could even print out a couple of pictures of them and pass around while you read, it's pretty long, but very much worth the read:

" At The University of Utah Hello Day Dance in 1944, he had a friend from West High on his arm when he first caught sight of fellow freshman Frances Johnson dancing with another student to the popular tune "Kentucky." He resolved to meet her but didn't catch her eye again that evening.

     It was a month before he happened to see her a second time. One afternoon, while waiting for the streetcar near campus, he saw her chatting with a few friends at the bus stop. Tom recognized one of them from Grant Elementary but could not remember his name. Not sure how to approach the situation, he hesitated - just briefly- when into his mind came a phrase he had committed to memory, "When the time for decision arrives, the time for preparation is past." He squared his shoulders and stepped forward to greet his former grade-school acquaintance. "Hello, old friend," Tom said. "How are you?"
     The young man politely introduced Tom to the two young ladies with him, and they all rode the streetcar to town. As Tom bid the three good-bye, he quickly took out his student directory and underlined the name Frances Beverly Johnson. Ever the consummate proofreader, he noted a typographical error in her middle name- "Berverly."

     Tom wasted no time. That night he called to ask Frances to the dance at the Pioneer Stake gym that weekend. H has said that he will always remember his first visit to her home to pick her up for that date.

      Tom's home environment was noisy, his siblings gregarious; everyone was "part of the action." Whenever his older and "very beautiful" sister, Marjorie, brought to the house a beau- and there were many- Tommy and his younger brother took turns standing on a chair in the kitchen peering through the window in the door to the front room to check him out.

      There were no such antics at the home of Franz and Hildur Johnson on Yale Avenue on the east side of town. Frances, named after her father, Franz, was the only daughter. Her home environment was proper and dignified. On Tom's first visit, her father and mother both welcomed him; they were dressed up as if they were going out, but that formality was just to meet him. His nervousness increased.

     Franz Johnson asked, "Your name is Monson?"

     Tom replied, "Yes, sir."

     He said, "I think that is a Swedish name."

     Tom said, "Yes, sir."

      Then Franz walked over to a cabinet drawer and brought out an old picture of two missionaries with top hats and canes. He turned to the young suitor and asked if her were related to one of the missionaries in the photo, an elder by the name of Elias Monson.

     "Yes, sir," Tom said, then added, "that is my father's uncle. Elias Monson was a missionary in Sweden."

     Immediately, Frances's father began to weep as he described the visits his family had enjoyed with Elias and his companions in their home in Sweden. He threw his arms around Tom's neck and embraced him. then Frances's mother embraced him. Frances looked at Tom and said, "I'll go get my coat....

     Tom and Frances often double dated with friends from the Sixth-Seventh Ward, ending the evening at Don Carlos's drive-in having a barbecued beef sandwich and a pineapple malt. They dated often but did not "go steady"- at least, not at first...."

    President Monson was enlisted in the naval reserve during WWII, when he returned he graduated with honors and started dating Frances again.

     (pg. 107) " Tom took his mother with him to Davis Jewelry to pick out an engagement ring. He brought it home, showed it to his family, and then tucked it in his pocket for later. On the night he planned to ask Frances to marry him, he picked her up and they stopped off at his home. Seeing the two of them together, his four year old brother, Scott, announced with great glee, "Tommy has a ring for you, Frances." The story is legend in the family."

    President Monson and Frances were married Oct. 7, 1966 in the Salt Lake City Temple.

   We know that Sister Monson passed away. Her birthday was October 27th. Sometimes people are sad on days that remind them of their loved ones who passed. Invite the children to write notes or draw pictures for President Monson of him and his wife. You can mail them to him-

President Monson

50 E North Temple St.

Salt Lake City, UT 84150

 

Week 3 When family life is founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ, we can be happy.

* Set up a small SIMPLE obstacle course. Blindfold one of the children and see if they can make it through the obstacle course? (Watch, so they don't trip!) Have another child come up front and do it without the blindfold.
     John 9:10-11 "Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight."
      When family life is founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ, we can be happy! We can make it through the obstacles of life easier!!
Have a bucket of hints (based on the teachings of Jesus) at the beginning of the obstacle course. Invite a child to choose one. If they can figure out what the teaching is, they can go through the obstacle course. If they can't figure it out, they have to be blindfolded!!
      A few examples of hints:
 Fold your arms, bow your head-
 You can do this by your bed! (Prayer)

Wrong choices need to be made right-
or else your smiles will not be bright! (Repent, Say Sorry)

Your heart should always have this near-
a feeling for others to make them dear! (Love)
 

* "Several years ago a severe storm hit the area in which we were living. It began with a torrential downpour, followed by a devastating easterly wind. When the storm was over, damages were assessed—power lines were down, property had been damaged, and many of the beautiful trees that grew in the area had been uprooted. A few days later I was talking to a friend who had lost several of the trees in his yard. The trees on one side of his home were standing straight and tall. They had weathered the storm well, while the trees that were in what I considered the prime spot on his property had not been able to withstand the heavy winds. He pointed out to me that the trees that survived the storm were planted on firm ground; their roots had to sink deep into the soil to receive nourishment. The trees he had lost were planted near a small stream, where nourishment was readily available. The roots were shallow. They were not anchored deeply enough to protect them from the storm.

      Our testimonies, like those trees, must be built on a sure foundation, deeply rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ, so that when the winds and rains come into our lives, as they surely will, we will be strong enough to weather the storms that rage about us." A Sure Foundation Sheldon F. Child General Conference Oct. 2003

     

 

Have children write down some of the teachings of The Savior they know to be true. Have them draw a picture of a tree. Just like the trees that were rooted deep, families that have foundations based on the teachings of Jesus can be strong and happy!

     I have a PDF file of the above images. If you would like them, just please email me. I love watching children do art!!! Please show the older children especially, that they don't just draw a stick with a poof on top to make a tree! Create and enjoy!!

 

* In “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles state: “Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ”

       Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught: “Anchor your life in Jesus Christ, your Redeemer. Make your Eternal Father and His Beloved Son the most important priority in your life...Then all that you need for happiness will come to you” (The Power of Correct Principles Ensign May 1993 Really great talk!!A must read, especially for stay at home mothers! Know that you are doing good!)

     Have a poster board with a drawing of a boat at the top. Use string to create a pulley for an anchor on that string. The children pull the string in the back and can move the anchor up or down. Invite the children forward if they have a happy/positive story about how their family has followed a teaching of Jesus. They tell the story, then can drop the anchor.

     You can share 2 stories of your family (Not the children!! You don't want anyone to feel bad) at times that maybe you haven't made the best choices. Show that the anchor doesn't go anywhere on those times.

     For example, One time I was tired and grumpy. I raised my voice at my children. Did Jesus teach us to yell?? No He didn't!! Jesus spoke kindly. (Anchor Up)

Or, Our family loves to go hiking and walking. Whenever we are in nature we like to give thanks to Heavenly Father and Jesus for organizing this beautiful world!

(Anchor down)

    

Week 4 Successful families work together.

* HERE is a page full of quotes about work and the importance it is to families!

* HERE is a really nice Family Duty wheel children can make from The Friend.

*HERE is a video that is pretty cute!! It is not lds.org affiliated, but would be great to show for Family Home Evening on the importance of working together and being unified!!!

* You can play roll the marble!! Choose about 5-6 children. Cut paper towel rolls in half so they form an open toped chute. Take a marble and try to have the children work together to get the marble to the end, by passing with their paper towel tube. After they try, brainstorm ideas and write them on the board of things the children can do this week to work at home and help out with their family. Keep on doing this with other children as time permits. Challenge the children to choose 2 things and do them!!

Roll the marble game image courtesy spoonful.com

* Have children act out the story of Nephi (1 Nephi 17) and his brothers building the ship. Bring in simple costumes for children to wear.
Nephi had a good attitude!! He always said, "I will go, I will do!" Are we like that when it comes to working and helping our family?
I made a handout for children to take home. It's a blank bingo sheet. Family members fill out things they need help with for the week. Work together to X out boxes and help others in your family!! See if you can get a Bingo or even a black out!! (X-ing out all the squares!) If you'd like a copy of the handout, feel free to email me.

October 2009 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

Week 1 "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" is a modern day revelation.

* Have a small megaphone (you can make a simple one out of paper). Ask a child to come up and say "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" is a modern day revelation." in the megaphone. Did everyone hear? Now ask someone to go in the hall by the drinking fountain. Ask the child again to say "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" is a modern day revelation." Did that child hear that was out by the drinking fountain? Could a person in Egypt hear what they said? What about my Yaya in Greece? There are many different ways to talk to each other, but the only perfect way of communication is the form our Father in Heaven uses.... REVELATION. He can talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime.

* Ask for a volunteer. Have about 20 blocks in front and a Family Proclamation. Tell the child, "Ok. Go ahead. Just go and do." The child will be confused. Repeat yourself, "Just go ahead and do it." When the child starts building something, say, "No. No. That's not it. Try again." Ask them if they know what they are supposed to do? Of course NOT! You haven't told them! In the Bible Dictionary it says, "Without revelation, all would be guesswork, darkness, and confusion." Then ask them to build a frame out of the blocks to put the Proclamation in.

* Write Old VS. Modern Revelation on the Family. Have 2 children come up at a time and a red paper circle for them to tap. Give a clue and have the children guess which category (old or modern) the revelation on the family comes under. Some clues could include:
- picture of Nephi and the words, "Having been born of goodly parents." (or for older children to be able to answer the category they first must say what scripture this refers to)
- picture of Gordon B. Hinkley and the words "We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children."
- this family loved each other and traveled over the sea in very small boats lighted by stones
- "Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness"
- “Children are an heritage of the Lord" Psalm 127:3 (This one is a trick one! It's BOTH ancient and modern revelation!!)

For younger children, time can be a hard concept. This topic can help to clarify the difference between old and now. Make sure to use the scriptures so they can physically see the scriptures mean OLD and display a picture of the apostles so they can visualize NOW/modern.

* Choose 10 items to represent 10 parts/quotes of the Family Proclamation. Put them under 10 different blankets. What was once hidden can be revealed! Have them choose a blanket and then try to guess what part of the Proclamation it represents. Have the quotes displayed for them to choose from. (Since not all younger children can read, read to them 2 quotes and have them choose the right quote from the one you read.) For example have a picture frame of your family, "The family is ordained of God." or a wedding veil "Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan."

********************** I wanted to include this quote (I know it's a little long, but well worth the read) from President Hinckley( “We Look to Christ,” Liahona, Jul 2002, 101–2) to inspire and uplift you. It is a beautiful quote and it ends with the importance of modern day revelation. ****** *********************************

" Like the polar star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith.
In sunshine and in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us.

He is the central focus of our worship. He is the Son of the living God, the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten in the flesh, who left the royal courts on high to be born as a mortal in the most humble of circumstances. Of the loneliness of His living He said, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Matt. 8:20). He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38).
He was a man of miracles. He reached out to those in distress. He healed the sick and raised the dead. Yet for all of the love He brought into the world, He was “despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: … he was despised,” and was esteemed not (Isa. 53:3).
We look upon His matchless life and say with the prophet Isaiah:
He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. …
“… He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:4–5).
When the great War in Heaven was fought, Lucifer, the son of the morning, came forth with a plan that was rejected. The Father of us all, with love for us, His children, offered a better plan under which we would have freedom to choose the course of our lives. His Firstborn Son, our Elder Brother, was the key to that plan. Man would have his agency, and with that agency would go accountability. Man would walk the ways of the world and sin and stumble. But the Son of God would take upon Himself flesh and offer Himself a sacrifice to atone for the sins of all men. Through unspeakable suffering He would become the great Redeemer, the Savior of all mankind.

With some small understanding of that incomparable gift, that marvelous gift of redemption, we bow in reverent love before Him.
As a Church we have critics, many of them. They say we do not believe in the traditional Christ of Christianity. There is some substance to what they say. Our faith, our knowledge is not based on ancient tradition, the creeds which came of a finite understanding and out of the almost infinite discussions of men trying to arrive at a definition of the risen Christ. Our faith, our knowledge comes of the witness of a prophet in this dispensation who saw before him the great God of the universe and His Beloved Son, the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. They spoke to him. He spoke with Them. He testified openly, unequivocally, and unabashedly of that great vision. It was a vision of the Almighty and of the Redeemer of the world, glorious beyond our understanding but certain and unequivocating in the knowledge which it brought. It is out of that knowledge, rooted deep in the soil of modern revelation, that we, in the words of Nephi, “talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that [we and] our children may know to what source [we] may look for a remission of [our] sins” (2 Ne. 25:26)."

Week 2 "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" teaches me the importance of marriage.

* Bring in some peanut butter and jelly and bread. (PLEASE BE AWARE OF ANY ALLERGIES!) Some things in life just go together really well. Perfect together! Just like daddies and mommies! "We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God" ("The Family: A Proclamation to the World")

Another great quote to include, "One individual is complementary to the other. As Paul stated, ‘Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord’ (1 Corinthians 11:11). Man and woman are His creations. Their duality is His design. Their complementary relationships and functions are fundamental to His purposes. One is incomplete without the other.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Women in Our Lives,” Ensign, Nov. 2004,84)

* Bring in a puzzle. To complete the puzzle you have to match the pieces up. If 2 pieces don't match, then you can't complete the puzzle. Those pieces just don't fit together. Marriage is between a man and a woman, that is how God planned it. "The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife." ("The Family: A Proclamation to the World") If it hadn't been that way, you or I probably wouldn't be here today!

* "Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan."("The Family: A Proclamation to the World") Put 4 chairs in the front of the room. Ask 4 children to come up and join you in your "car". Ask them what you need to do to drive to church. After you buckle, adjust your mirrors... what comes next? How do you turn on the car? Can you do it without a key? No!! It's essential to have that key!! Just like marriage is essential to Heavenly Father's plan!!

* Have 3 couples come in. Couples who can share pictures from their temple weddings and talk about what they do to have happy marriages. Ask them if they have a copy of the proclamation hanging in their home?

* An idea from Sheila Wilson ("Sharing Time: My Family,” Friend, Feb 2004, 20):

"Briefly tell the children about Heavenly Father’s plan for us. Heavenly Father blessed us with families to help us return to live with Him. Give the children a copy of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” Tell the children that it contains the Lord’s teachings regarding the family. By following these teachings, we can strengthen and unify our families now and prepare to live as eternal families. As you read the first paragraph of the proclamation, have the children listen for what is at the center of His plan for His children (“The family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children”). Read together the first two lines of paragraph 7 (“The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan”). Help the children understand that “ordained of God” means Heavenly Father designed marriage and family not just as an earthly union, but one that will endure forever. Write the words from these sentences on pieces of paper, and cut out each word. On one side of the board, rearrange the words from paragraph 1. On the other side, rearrange the words from paragraph 7. Divide the children into two groups. Choose children to arrange the words in their correct order as their group repeats the sentences out loud. Scramble the words again, and see if they can do it without the groups repeating it. Encourage the children to keep their copies of the proclamation in their scriptures to use throughout the year. Suggest that they read the proclamation with their families in family home evening."

Week 3 "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" teaches my family how to be happy.

* Sing "A Happy Family" (CS pg.198a). What makes a happy family? LOVE!! An activity to follow is the ABC's of Love. Write A through Z on the blackboard and then have the children come up with ways/ideas to show love to your family starting with that letter of the alphabet. Check the proclamation too to see what fits where! (For example: Provide for family for P. Zip up little sister's coat for Z. Wash the dog for W! Don't forget pets are part of the family too!)

* "Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ." ("The Family: A Proclamation to the World") Make the hymn "Love at Home" (pg. 294) into a book (Take a plain piece of paper, type the first line of the song on the bottom, etc. Have a picture of Christ for the last page for them to glue in on "Oh there's one who smiles on high, when there's love at home") where children can draw pictures to illustrate the words. For older children, they can write down times or examples from their own life that remind them of the words. (For example, "there is joy in every sound, when there's love at home... reminds me of rocking my children in the middle of the night. Their cries humbled me and even though I was tired, I never felt anything other than the privilege of being their mother and rocking them) Encourage the children to save their thoughts and put the book in their journals.

* D&C 6:32-37 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you. Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward. Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you. Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen."

The proclamation states, "Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work and wholesome recreational activities." Divide into groups and give them one of these principles to act out. They are acting as a family and can choose whatever situation they like to demonstrate their principle. When we do these good things, Christ is in our midst... what greater happiness can we have than that?

* Moroni 9: 6 "And now, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God."

Divide into groups or pairs and fill out job applications! (Little children can draw a picture of the family member while older children write down thoughts)

Job Description: Be a productive member of a happy family! Conquer the enemy of all righteousness through happy homes!
Job Title: Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, Aunt... etc. (Have one member of family written for each group or pair of children)
Job requirements: What does this person need to do to help the family be happy?
Job pay: (What blessings will the person receive?)
According to the Family Proclamation: (Have the children write anything they can find in the proclamation that applies to this family member)

* "The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave." ("The Family: A Proclamation to the World") Draw a road on the board with lane markers. Have a car with a family inside. After about 10 lane markers have a sign that says end of the road (have a little grave marker), but have the road continue to the celestial kingdom. Have the children answer questions, sing songs or read scriptures having to do with eternal life and families to move the car one lane marker at a time to the goal. Death is not the end! Have a picture of the resurrected Savior displayed.

Week 4 "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" teaches my family the importance of work.

* Lazy Lawanda: Have a drawing of a child (Lazy Lawanda) on posterboard. Have removable pictures of items like a TV remote control, a bag of popcorn, headphones, slippers... etc. Then have some pictures of more "work" friendly items like a mop, plate of cookies (service by baking), gardening hat...etc. Have them questions, read scriptures and songs about work attached to these. Let the children choose the work picture they like, do what it says on back and switch it out for one of the lazy items. Remind them things are fine in moderation but what will really count in the end? The 2 hours we spent watching a movie or the 5 minutes we spent helping/serving by sweeping?

* Service Crowns: King Mosiah says in Mosiah 2:14, 16-19

" And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day. Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God. And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. Behold, ye have called me your king; and if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another? And behold also, if I, whom ye call your king, who has spent his days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God, do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to thank your heavenly King!

Divide into groups or pairs (teachers will need to help and possibly write for the younger children!). Make a list of 50 things you can do to "labor and serve" your fellow beings! It can be things to do for your family or for the world- after all, we are all brothers and sisters! Turn in your list to get crowns to decorate. End with the following:

"When all is said and done, when all of history is examined, when the deepest depths of the human mind have been explored, nothing is so wonderful, so majestic, so tremendous as this act of grace when the Son of the Almighty, the Prince of His Father’s royal household, He who had once spoken as Jehovah, He who had condescended to come to earth as a babe born in Bethlehem, gave His life in ignominy and pain so that all of the sons and daughters of God of all generations of time, every one of whom must die, might walk again and live eternally. He did for us what none of us could do for ourselves. " (President Hinkley “The Atoning Sacrifice: Latter-day Prophets Testify,” Liahona, Dec 2001, 8)

* Role Reversals: "Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness... to teach them to love and serve one another..." (The Family: A Proclamation to the World) Bring simple dress up clothes. Have different situations for children to act out as parents. Have adults as the children. Examples of situations could be: Your child Brenda is not cleaning her room, what can you teach her? or Timmy is 15 and old enough for a job, what can you teach him about saving for a mission or about tithing?

* "Art-WORK gallery" Display pictures of the creation. Pictures of space, the earth, bodies, animals... have the children walk through like they would in a museum. Have them talk about the pictures or share thoughts. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ our brother went to a lot of WORK for us to create such beautiful things. Now have the children make a piece of art-WORK to show something they can do to follow our Perfect Family's example! And please, don't just throw them some crayons and a piece of paper. Have a variety of art tools for them to use. Have cut out frames to glue to their picture... make it special!