* Preparing for General Conference

Don't "Cheet" yourself! Watch General Conference Next Weekend! (Buy some bags, write a note... pass them out to your neighbors, family and friends! ...anonymous works too!)
Lesson 13
Preparing For General Conference

179th General Conference April 4th & 5th 2009

Click on the picture for details.

Don't forget to give every family member a part of the lesson!
Assignment Planner

Always begin and end with prayer.




Scripture:
D&C 58:56


Music:
Come Listen To A Prophet's Voice
We Listen To A Prophet's Voice



This week's lesson is created to prepare your family for next week's General Conference.



SHOW the family an April Calendar. Tell them that an important event is happening. It is General Conference. We will have the blessing of hearing the words and messages of our Prophet, some of Heavenly Father's Apostles and other leaders of our church.
Reserve the dates on the calendar April 4-5th.
Let the children know the times you will be watching conference.

TELL: Conference comes every 6 months. Count back the months and talk about when the last conference was (October). When will the next conference be? (October) Talk about how people can hear the words... via satelite, TV, printed word, internet... How will we hear the messages?

ASK: Do you remember last conference?
What do you remember about it?

ASK: What is revelation?
DISCUSS: We will receive words of revelation in each talk that is given. This revelation is given to our Church Leaders for us from our Heavenly Father.

ASK & DISCUSS: Are there any troubles we are having as an individual or family that we might need some answers from our Heavenly Father?
(ADULTS & TEENS...Write these down! During conference listen for the answers you are seeking for.)

Behavior EXPECTATIONS:

DISCUSS what it will look and feel like while your family is listening to the words our Heavenly Father wants us to hear.
Will we be reverent?
Will we stay alert?
Will we play?
Will all of us do the same thing?
Are the expectations of young children the same as older children?
Who will prepare the meals?
Will there be snacks?
Will we invite an inactive neighbor, family member or friend to join us?
Will our testimony grow?
What should we do if we have questions or don't understand?

Make a list of expectations from the discussion above.
Ask each family member to sign his/her name on the list, promising to allow the spirit to be in our home while we hear these important messages.
.........................................................................................................................

I have compiled a LOT of resources for you to look at, print, select and use for yourself, teens, or young children. The resources are to be used as you watch General Conference next week.


Lots of good stuff here: http://www.sugardoodle.net/General%20Conference/index.shtml

http://giveldsgifts.com/april-2009-general-conference-activity-packet.html

Print out the resources you decide to use (kids can choose from the links below). During this family home evening, show the printed packets and discuss how they will be used next week as you watch conference sessions together as a family.

You may need to pair up children with an older sibling or pair up with a parent to complete the projects you select.

TEENS (let your teen(s) choose from the links below!)

http://theideadoor.com/General%20Confrence/General%20Conf%20workbook.pdf

http://lds.about.com/od/generalconferencegames/a/gen_conf_notebk.htm



Our Priesthood Leaders

Preach My Gospel pg 44
"Prophet: A man who has been called by and speaks for God. As a messenger of God, a prophet receives priesthood authority, commandments, prophecies, and revelations from God. His responsibility is to make known God’s will and true character to mankind and to show the meaning of His dealings with them. A prophet denounces sin and foretells its consequences. He is a preacher of righteousness. On occasion, a prophet may be inspired to foretell the future for the benefit of mankind. His primary responsibility, however, is to bear witness of Christ."

Our current Apostles and Prophets information cards.
Learn about who will be speaking to us.
ASK: How do you think they are preparing for conference next week?
These cards can be shared with young children too!



Children and Young Children


Credit to SugarDoodle.net!
A Booklet you can make.














Bingo. Color it when you hear or see it.
















Activity Page











Conference Carousel





Treat: Go to the store and let each family member pick a 2 treats: 1 treat for this week (eat it on the way home!) and one treat for next weekend to be enjoyed while watching/listening to conference.

Ideas: Cookies, fruit, candy bar, fruit drink, yogurt, jerkey, chips, animal crackers, fruit snacks, veggies, etc.

* The Temple: I'm Going There Some Day

Bountiful Temple, Bountiful Utah
Click HERE to explore Temples around the world!

The Temple:
I'm Going There Some Day
Lesson 12

Don't forget to give every family member a part of the lesson!Assignment Planner


Always begin and end with prayer.

D&C 132:46 D&C 42:36 D&C 124:39-41

I Love to See the Temple

Objective Lesson: The place whereon you stand is holy ground:

You will need a door mat or other type of rug.

Explain that we should prepare to enter the temple by cleaning off the world's debris.
Display the doormat, and point out that it is put in front of the door to provide those who enter the opportunity to wipe the dirt and debris from their feet so that they will not soil the inside of the home.
Explain that Heavenly Father has also placed a doormat outside his home. It is known as repentance. Repentance enables us to remove the things from our lives that are not clean. We all make mistakes and have need to repent. We should always try to follow the commandments, but when we make a mistake we need repentance. Explain further that unless we cleanse our lives of such debris, we will not be allowed into our Father's house.



Plan a Family Field Trip:
(Easter break is a great time!)

Go to the Temple Grounds. Plan to take pictures and share details about the particular temple you choose: when built, dedicated, etc. Share thoughts and feelings and help your family see the importance of preparing now to be able to enter the temple.

Show a completed family group sheet ( you can download one by clicking on the picture to the left) and talk about the importance of the people on the chart, the dates and the work that has been done, or needs to be done.

Teens:

Work together with older children to fill this out.
Discuss the necessary Temple Work that needs to be completed for each of us. Discuss the fact that some of Heavenly Father's children did not have a chance to do their own temple work.
Why do we go to the temple after our own work is done? To do proxy work for those who did not have the chance to do thier own work. These people, who are deceased, have the opportunity to accept or reject the work we do for them as proxy.

Talk about what a promise is. Share the meaning of what a covenant is.
Talk about what a blessing is. Share the fact that Heavenly Father promises us blessings when we make and keep sacred covenants.

Ask any family members who have been to the temple to bare their testimony about the blessings they have received because of the covenants they have made, or because of the work they have done as proxy.

Share the following information as it fits with your family needs:
Preach My Gospel: pg.85
Eternal Marriage
The basic unit of the Church is the family. Within the family, people experience many of life’s greatest joys and sorrows. Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and is central to God’s eternal plan for the salvation of His children. The means by which mortal life is created is divinely appointed and is safeguarded by marriage. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to endure beyond the grave. Marriage, however, can be eternal only when authorized priesthood holders perform the sealing ordinance in sacred temples and when husbands and wives who have been sealed together keep the covenants they have made. Husbands and wives are to love each other. As they keep the commandments and live gospel principles, they are to honor their marital vows with complete fidelity (see “The Family: AProclamation to the World,” Ensign, Nov. 1995,
102; see also D&C 42:22).

Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of Jesus Christ and when parents make their family their highest priority. “By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners” (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102). Together, parents are to teach their children the gospel of Jesus Christ and help them live it.

Satan is making a concentrated attack on families. Years ago Church leaders set aside Monday evening as a time for family home evening. Parents should use this time to teach their children the gospel, strengthen their relationships with them, and have fun together. Other ways of strengthening the family include daily family prayer and scripture study, worshiping at church as a family, and serving others. Heaven is a continuation of the ideal home. Through priesthood ordinances and righteous living, we can live as families in God’s presence eternally.

Preach My Gospel pg. 86
Temples and Family History
God has commanded His people to build temples. In the temple we make sacred covenants and are endowed with, or are given, a gift of power and knowledge from on high. This power helps us in our daily lives and enables us to build God’s kingdom. In the temple we can also be married for time and eternity, thus making it possible for families to be together forever in God’s presence. After at least one year of membership, worthy adults may be eligible to receive from their bishop a recommend to receive their own endowment. After receiving their endowments, married couples may be sealed or married for eternity.

The Savior loves all people and desires their salvation. Yet millions of people have died without having any opportunity to hear the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ or receive saving ordinances. Through His loving grace and mercy the Lord makes salvation possible for everyone who did not have the opportunity to receive, understand, and obey the gospel during their mortal lives. The gospel is preached to these deceased people in the spirit world. Members of the Church on earth perform the saving ordinances in behalf of their deceased ancestors and others. Deceased persons living in the spirit world have the opportunity to accept or reject the gospel and the ordinances performed in their behalf.

For this reason, Church members search for information about their ancestors. They complete pedigree charts and family group records and submit the names of deceased relatives who need to have saving ordinances performed on their behalf in sacred temples. This is family history work. Worthy members ages 12 and over, including new members,
may receive from their bishop a recommend to perform baptisms for the dead.
Treat: Donuts: Eternal blessings are like a circle, they have no end.

* Recognizing and Understanding the Spirit

The Holy Spirit
Lesson 11
I have been asked by Sister Thompson to use the Preach My Gospel Manual lessons at least monthly in preparing the lessons. Most of this lesson comes from the manual pgs. 90-102. Much of the teachings on these pages are about understaning and recognizing the spirit in teaching investigators. I have tried to make selections that would fit the needs in a family of members.

Remember to Open and Close with Prayer

Scripture:
Recognize that your Heavenly Father knows what you need better than you do. Rely on the Spirit to know what to pray for (see 3 Nephi 19:24; D&C 46: 28,30)

Musical Selections:

The Still Small Voice

The Spirit of God

The Holy Ghost

QUESTIONS TO PONDER during this lesson:

• Why do we need to receive personal revelation?
• Who is the Holy Ghost and how does He work?
• Why must we pray in faith?
• How can we recognize the promptings of the Spirit ?

The Holy Ghost
The personage of the Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He isa personage of spirit and does not have a body of flesh and bones (see D&C 130:22). He
is the Comforter, who the Savior promised would teach His followers all things and bring to their remembrance all things that He had taught them (see John 14:26.)

The power of the Holy Ghost

The witness that comes to sincere investigators before baptism comes through the power of the Holy Ghost. “The power [of the Holy Ghost] can come upon one before baptism, and is the convincing witness that the gospel is true. It gives one a testimony of Jesus Christ and of his work and the work of his servants upon the earth” (Bible Dictionary, “Holy Ghost,” 704). The Holy Ghost testifies of truth. All people can know the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon through the power of the Holy Ghost. “By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5).

The gift of the Holy Ghost

“The gift of the Holy Ghost comes after one repents and becomes worthy. . . . The Holy Ghost bears witness of the truth and impresses upon the soul the reality of God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ so deeply that no earthly power or authority can separate him from that
knowledge.”
– PRESIDENT JAMES E. FAUST
“THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST—A SURE COMPASS,”
ENSIGN, APR. 1996, 4

“There is a difference between the Holy Ghost and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Cornelius received the Holy Ghost before he was baptized, which was the convincing power of God unto him of the truth of the Gospel, but he could not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost until after he was baptized. Had he not taken this sign or ordinance upon him, the Holy Ghost which convinced him of the truth of God, would have left him” (History of the Church, 4:555).
“The gift [of the Holy Ghost] can come only after proper and authorized baptism, and is conferred by the laying on of hands. . . . The gift of the Holy Ghost is the right to have, whenever one is worthy, the companionship of the Holy Ghost” (Bible Dictionary, “Holy Ghost,” 704).

Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke of the power of the Spirit:

“True conversion comes through the power of the Spirit. When the Spirit touches the heart, hearts are changed.
When individuals . . . feel the Spirit working with them, or when they see the evidence of the Lord’s love and mercy in their lives, they are edified and strengthened spiritually and their faith in Him increases. These experiences with the Spirit follow naturally when a person is willing to experiment upon the word. This is how we come to feel the gospel is true” (“Now Is the Time,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 75).

As a member of the Church, you have received the gift of the Holy Ghost by priesthood authority. This gift entitles you to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost as you remain worthy of it. Pray for the Spirit’s guidance, and valiantly follow the promptings you receive.

Gifts of the Spirit.

The gifts of the Spirit are special spiritual blessings that the Lord gives to worthy individuals for their own benefit and for their use in blessing others.

Let the Holy Spirit Guide Hymn 143

Let the Holy Spirit guide;

Let him teach us what is true.

He will testify of Christ,

Light our minds with heaven's view.

Let the Holy Spirit guard;

Let his whisper govern choice.

He will lead us safely home

If we listen to his voice.

Let the Spirit heal our hearts

Thru his quiet, gentle pow'r.

May we purify our lives

To receive him hour by hour.

Text: Penelope Moody Allen, b. 1939. (c) 1985 IRI

Learn to Recognize the Promptings of the Spirit
The Spirit is always available to guide and direct you. However, the Spirit speaks quietly, through your feelings as well as your mind. One great challenge for you and those you work with is to recognize the quiet, subtle promptings of the Holy Ghost.
President Boyd K. Packer taught: “The voice of the Spirit is described in the scripture as being neither ‘loud’ nor ‘harsh.’ It is ‘not a voice of thunder, neither . . . voice of a great tumultuous noise.’ But rather, ‘a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper,’ and it can ‘pierce even to the very soul’ and ‘cause [the heart] to burn.’ (3 Ne. 11:3; Hel.5:30; D&C 85:6–7.)

Remember, Elijah found the voice of the Lord was not in the wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but was a ‘still small voice.’ (1 Kgs. 19:12.)
“The Spirit does not get our attention by shouting or shaking us with a heavy hand. Rather it whispers. It caresses so gently that if we are preoccupied we may not feel it at all. (No wonder that the Word of Wisdom was revealed to us, for how could the drunkard or the addict feel such a voice?)
“Occasionally it will press just firmly enough for us to pay heed. But most of the time, if we do not heed the gentle feeling, the Spirit will withdraw and wait until we come seeking and listening and say in our manner and expression, like Samuel of ancient times, ‘Speak [Lord], for thy servant heareth.’ (1 Sam. 3:10.)” (“The Candle of the Lord,” Ensign, Jan. 1983, 53).
Many voices in the world compete for your attention, and they can easily drown out spiritual impressions if you are not careful.

In answer to the question, “How do we recognize the promptings of the Spirit?” President Gordon B. Hinckley read Moroni 7:13, 16–17 and then said: “That’s the test,when all is said and done. Does it persuade one to do good, to rise, to stand tall, to do the right thing, to be kind, to be generous? Then it is of the Spirit of God. . . . “If it invites to do good, it is of God. If it inviteth to do evil, it is of the devil. . . . And if you are doing the right thing and if you are living the right way, you will know in your heart what the Spirit is saying to you. “You recognize the promptings of the Spirit by the fruits of the Spirit—that which enlighteneth, that which buildeth up, that which is positive and affirmative and uplifting and leads us to better thoughts and better words and better deeds is of the Spirit of God”
(Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 260–61). God answers your prayers through personal inspiration and revelation. Through the Holy Ghost He will guide you in your finding efforts, as you teach the restored gospel, and as you strengthen less-active members and new converts. Your task is to live worthily, pray
fervently, and learn to recognize and follow courageously the Spirit’s guidance.

Young Children

Ask who the Holy Ghost is and what he does for us. Read Doctrine and Covenants 11:12. How can we follow the Spirit? Get a blindfold and place chairs randomly all over the room. Assign one person to be the spirit and lead the blindfolded person thought the chairs. Have everyone else (temptation) yell different directions. see how long it takes the person to get through the chairs. Discuss how this experience is similar to listening to the Spirit.

Treat: Microwave S’mores - Place two pieces of a Hershey’s candy bar on a graham cracker, then place a large marshmallow on each of the two pieces of candy bar and place in the microwave. Be sure not to over cook, you only need about 30 seconds. Its fun to watch the marshmallows expand. After you warm the chocolate and the mallows place another graham cracker on top and squish together. Let cool for a few moments and dive in……….

* The Sabbath Day

* FHE Lesson 10

The Lord's Day

Remember to give every family member a part of the lesson!

Assignment Planner

Open & Close with Prayer

Scriptures: Exodus 20:8

D&C 59:9-13

D&C 68:29

Invite members of the family to memorize a scripture and it's reference!

Music Selections (Use anytime during the lesson! Use the songs throughout the week too!

Search Ponder and Pray

Remember the Sabbath

Saturday Day

GOSPEL DOCTRINE pg. 74

Keep the Sabbath Day Holy...
"Our Sabbath-day behavior is a reflection of our commitment to honor and worship God. By keeping the Sabbath day holy, we show God our willingness to keep our covenants. Each Sabbath day we go to the Lord’s house to worship Him. While there we partake of the sacrament to remember Jesus Christ and His Atonement. We renew our covenants and show that we are willing to repent of our sins and mistakes.
On this day, we enjoy a rest from our labors. As we attend Church services and worship together, we strengthen each other. We are renewed by our association with friends and family. Our faith is strengthened as we study the scriptures and learn more about the restored gospel.
When a community or nation grows careless in its Sabbath activities, its religious life decays and all aspects of life are negatively affected. The blessings associated with keeping the Sabbath day holy are lost. We should refrain from shopping on the Sabbath and participating in other commercial and sporting activities that now commonly desecrate the Sabbath.
Latter-day Saints should set this holy day apart from activities of the world by entering into a spirit of worship, thanksgiving, service, and family-centered activities appropriate to the Sabbath. As Church members endeavor to make their Sabbath activities compatible with the intent and Spirit of the Lord, their lives will be filled with joy and peace."

Tell your family that this family home evening you will be talking about an important commandment. This commandment is to Keep the Sabbath Day Holy. As a family you will discuss ways you can keep this commandment each Sunday.

Discussion Questions:

Discuss the commandment of keeping the Sabbath Day holy along with it's blessings. (see scriptures above)
How do we keep the Sabbath day holy?
Why is it important to attend Church on Sunday?

What are the blessings promised us when we follow this commandment?

** Discuss ways you can prepare on Saturday for the Sabbath Day.

TEENS: Click on the Mormon Add above. It will take you to a Q&A from a past Era publication.

Do Something Good!

Just as it is important not to do certain things on the Sabbath day so that we can keep it holy, it is also important to do some things. We should do those things that will help us feel close to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. They have taught us that Sunday is the day we worship Them. The Lord said, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Ex. 20:8). We can keep the Sabbath day holy when we go to church, take the sacrament, and do other things that will help us feel the Spirit on the Lord’s day.

Young Children:

SUNDAY STATIONS

Click on the Friend Picture, or read from the March Friend Magazine if you have it in your home.

** Make a plan with your family to set up Sunday Stations if you choose to.

Finger-Fun

Sunday Activity Reminder
Make this Finger-Fun Sunday Activity Reminder to help you remember some things you can choose to do that will help you keep the Sabbath day holy.

1. Click on the picture to the left to enlarge and print it. Then cut out the square along the brown-and-white dashed lines.

2. Fold each corner backward along the purple-and-white and the green-and-white dashed lines so that it forms a bright-pink-and-blue square on the back.

3. Fold each light pink corner forward along the orange-and-white dashed lines so that the front of the square is blue.

4. Fold the square in half along the red-and-white dashed line to make a bright pink triangle; unfold so that the blue square is showing again.

5. Fold the square in half along the yellow-and-white dashed line to make a bright pink triangle; unfold.

6. Fold the square in half along one of the black-and-white dashed lines; unfold.

7. Repeat step 6 with the other black-and-white dashed line.

8. Fit fingers under the outside flaps, and open and close the Finger-Fun Sunday Activity Reminder. Lift the inside flaps to find ideas for Sunday activities.

Play as you did as a child (Teens may know how!). The "Cootie" game.

Activity: Make a family poster of activities to strengthen the family on the Sabbath Day. You can let the children pick out pictures from old copies of The Friend or the Ensign and glue them to the poster. A teen family member may be assigned to help a younger family member with this activity during the week.

Here are some ideas:

I will choose to keep the Sabbath day holy

Say my prayers

Write in my journal

Help prepare the meals

Write a thank-you letter

Visit relatives and friends

Go to church

Listen to uplifting music

Keep the commandments

Read my scriptures

Write 10 things I am grateful for in my journal

Learn to play or sing a Primary song

Write letters to or draw pictures for the missionaries

Treat: Sabbath Day Sundaes

Get your favorite ice cream and topping flavors.

* Lesson 9 FHE Manners

* FHE LESSON 9

It is important to always make a great first impression- but, it is also equally important to make every impression a good one.

Being polite, kind, courteous and helpful are all attributes of Jesus Christ.

We should strive to become more like him in all of our day-to-day actions.

Creating good behaviors will help us become more peculiar in a world full of road-rage, negativity, rude and unkind behaviors.

Always begin and end with prayer.

Give each family member an assignment.

Song Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words

Scripture D&C 4:5-6

A great place to learn about manners.... Manners Guide

Activity:

List 5-10 ways each person can improve their manners during the next week.

Discuss: Talk about why it is important to have good manners.

What are some bad manners that people have?

For one week, write down ways that people use bad and good manners as you make trips to the store, park, community center, church, social groups and so on.

Compare your lists before the next FHE lesson and see how people in your community act.

Challenge:

Practice 3 new good manner techniques listed on the "Manners Guide" or other manners not currently practiced.

*Remember, it is not an insult to say "Yes/No 'Mam and Sir" to adults and children of any age.

*It is also polite to give respect to our church friends as we give reference to them as "Brother," or Sister," "Bishop" Explain to your family why we refer to our church member friends in these ways.

Teens:

Study the Manners link with your teen(s).

Ask them to name people they know who show specific manners.

How do these people act?

How does it feel to be around these kinds of people?

Write a note to a friend, teacher, or family member telling them how you have noticed their good manners. Express thanks for their good example. Make sure you deliver the note to him/her.

Treat: Ice-Cream in a Bag

Prepare and serve it using manners.