These are the sources I used in helping me with this project. The word (source) is incorporated into each lesson wherever I used an outside source and contains a link that will take you directly to it.
Bible
Book of Mormon
Doctrine & Covenants
LDS Living
lds.org (Ensign, Friend, Happiness in Family Life, Mormon Message Media,
Pinterest
Successful Marriage and Families
Sugardoodle
The Family: A Proclamation to the World
Teachings: Brigham Young
YouTube
**All blue writing indicates direct quote
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Drawing Specific Inspiration from the Proclamation
The family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
Prayer
Opening Song - Hold to the Rod
Lesson - How can we use the Proclamation to bless our personal lives, and the lives of our family?
In the general Relief Society meeting in September 1995, President Gordon B. Hinckley read a document prepared by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Before reading “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” President Hinckley explained: “The world we are in is a world of turmoil, of shifting values. Shrill voices call out for one thing or another in betrayal of time-tested standards of behavior. … With so much of deception concerning standards and values, with so much of allurement and enticement to take on the slow stain of the world, we have felt to warn and forewarn” (“Stand Strong against the Wiles of the World,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 99–100). This proclamation has proven prophetic in the years since it was written, as values continue to shift and morals to decay. (source)
The Proclamation was given to us to help and guide us. The world tells us many things, but we know that these words were given to help us hold strong to the iron rod.
What ways can we use and apply the Proclamation in our lives?
1. Read it daily
2. Display it in a place it can always be seen
3. Memorize one paragraph or even better the whole thing
4. Discuss it, and reference it when discussing the gospel
5. Pray about the Proclamation
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| (source) |
Activity - Hide and Seek
Treat - Popcorn
Sharing and Defending Family Proclamation Principles
You can help change the world by standing up for what prophets have taught about the family.
Prayer
Opening Song - The Church of Jesus Christ
Lesson - We have a responsibility to share the gospel and defend our beliefs. Sometimes the word defends comes across as combative, but we can defend our beliefs in a living Christ like way. We are going to read an article from the March 2012 New Era:
Be a Defender of the Family
BY BRITTANY BEATTIE
Church Magazines
You can help change the world by standing up for what prophets have taught about the family.
Did you know that you can help change the world during your teenage years? You have the power within you to stand up for eternal truths that are being attacked in one of Satan’s biggest battles. How can you do it? You can make a huge difference by being a defender of the family and letting those around you know that “the family is ordained of God. It is the most important unit in time and in eternity” (Administering the Church [2010], 2).
“Because of the importance of the family to the eternal plan of happiness, Satan makes a major effort to destroy the sanctity of the family, demean the importance of the role of men and women, encourage moral uncleanliness and violations of the sacred law of chastity, and to discourage parents from placing the bearing and rearing of children as one of their highest priorities” (Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Eternal Family,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 65).
You can help counter the destructive forces of Satan by standing up for the family through your actions and in your conversations at home, in the community, and even online. Here are several ways you can defend the family every day.
1. Put family time first. With so many sporting events, parties, school functions, and other activities in your schedule, it’s easy to say, “I’ll spend time with my family later—when things slow down.” But you’ll soon find that life will never slow down, so it’s important to give high priority to family activities now. Don’t underestimate the way you can defend the family unit just by participating in your family unit.
For example, be on the front row at your brother’s music recital. Read the family newsletter your mother wrote. Be excited about the family home evening lesson your sister planned. Listen to and use kind words with your family members. See how close you grow as you support one another in your interests.
The First Presidency has taught: “We counsel parents and children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities. However worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely-appointed duties that only arents and families can adequately perform” (First Presidency letter, Feb. 11, 1999).
2. Strengthen your family members. Look for ways to make life easier for your siblings and parents. Find something they need help with and do it, such as giving a hug to a brother who had a hard day at school or helping your sister when it’s her turn to do the dishes. When you support one another in your needs, your family will grow stronger as one. Remember that family happiness is a team effort.
Elder Robert D. Hales said we need to “understand that we are each an important and integral part of a family and the highest blessings can be received only within an eternal family. … Being one in a family carries a great responsibility of caring, loving, lifting, and strengthening each member of the family so that all can righteously endure to the end in mortality and dwell together throughout eternity. … The eternal nature of an individual becomes the eternal nature of the family” (“The Eternal Family,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 65).
3. Be an example of good family life. Let your friends know about successes your family shares. You could talk with them about something fun your family did together over the weekend. Tell them about your brother’s winning goal or your sister’s high score on the test you helped her study for. Don’t say anything bad about your parents or siblings, but focus just on the good things your family does—in both face-to-face and online conversations.
Do your part to make your home a holy place where others can feel the Spirit (see D&C 88:119) and where they can see what God’s plan for families is all about. Consider inviting friends over when your family spends time together so they can see the joy of family friendships.
4. Stand up for the family in your conversations. When conversations come up in school, work, and other activities—or even in text messages, e-mails, social networking sites, or online articles—where truths about the family are attacked, have the courage to defend the doctrines about Heavenly Father’s plan for families (see the sidebar on page 7 for key teachings from “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”). The world continues to attack these eternal doctrines, and it’s up to you to be a voice of truth. The Spirit will help you know what to say.
5. Beware of how the media defines families. Much in the media today does not support God’s definition of marriage and families. It might endorse or glorify alternatives to wholesome family life that are contrary to God’s plan. The counsel in For the Strength of Youth can apply to teachings about the family: “Satan uses media to deceive you by making what is wrong and evil look normal, humorous, or exciting. He tries to mislead you into thinking that breaking God’s commandments is acceptable and has no negative consequences for you or others. … Have the courage to walk out of a movie, change your music, or turn off a computer, television, or mobile device if what you see or hear drives away the Spirit” ([2011], 11).
When you choose media that support the principles of an eternal family, it will be easier to strengthen the family and also prepare for a future temple marriage.
6. Do temple work. Many of your ancestors have not received the essential ordinances that seal them together as families. Remember that defending the family isn’t just about the families on the earth today, but it’s also about all families. With new.familysearch.org, it’s easy to prepare names for temple work to help deceased family members receive the sealing ordinances. (You can watch video tutorials about FamilySearch at lds.org/fhy or talk with the family history specialist in your ward or stake.)
7. Develop habits today that you want in your future family. Even if you don’t come from a strong family, you can make your future family strong as you prepare for and worthily marry in the temple and seek to raise a righteous family of your own. Think about the types of things you want to do in your future family, and start those habits today. For example, even if your family doesn’t have daily scripture study, you can study the scriptures on your own each day. By forming that habit now, it will be easy to hold family scripture study when you get married.
You can also defend the family by deciding now that when you are older you will marry in the temple and then strive to have children and raise them in righteousness. We have been counseled: “All members, even if they … are without family in the Church, should strive for the ideal of living in an eternal family. This means preparing to become worthy spouses and loving fathers or mothers” (Administering the Church, 4).
Sister Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president, has said to the young members of the Church, “This generation will be called upon to defend the doctrine of the family as never before” (“Teaching the Doctrine of the Family,” Ensign, March 2011, 17). When you do this and live as a defender of the family, you can change your future and your family’s future and also be a part of a generation that can change the future of the world as you protect the family together. Even if you don’t see immediate results, your actions will be an influence for good in supporting Heavenly Father’s plan for eternal families.
Help from the Powers of Heaven
“As we read what the proclamation tells us about the family, we can expect—in fact, we must expect—impressions to come to our minds as to what we are to do. And we can be confident it is possible for us to do according to those impressions. …
“… We can start now to ‘promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family’ [‘The Family: A Proclamation to the World,’ Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102]. I pray that we will. I pray that you will ask, ‘Father, how can I prepare?’ Tell [Him] how much you want what He desires to give you. You will receive impressions, and if you act on them, I promise you the help of the powers of heaven.”
President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, “The Family,” Ensign, Feb. 1998, 10, 18.
We are going to do some role-play as we go over how to defend key doctrines about the family. Daddy and I will take turns playing the role of someone who doesn't understand our doctrine and you guys will take turns defending the doctrine.
Key Doctrines about the Family
Be prepared to defend the truth about eternal families by knowing and living the important doctrines taught in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102):
• Marriage between a man and woman is ordained of God and essential to His plan.
• The family is ordained of God and central to His plan for His children.
• Families can be eternal through temple ordinances and covenants.
• God has commanded husbands and wives to have children.
• Powers of procreation are to be reserved for marriage.
• Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony.
• Family life is happiest when founded upon Christ’s teachings.
• Fathers are to preside, provide, and protect.*
• Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.*
• Fathers and mothers are to help one another as equal partners.
• We will be accountable before God for how we fulfill our family responsibilities.
• The disintegration of the family will bring calamity to individuals, communities, and nations.
* Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation.
Activity: Role Play with gospel principles.
Treat - Root-beer floats
The Eternal Family: A Plain and Precious Part of Salvation
Opening Song - Families Can be Together Forever
Lesson - Families are so important to our Heavenly Father.
My Eternal Family
The family is ordained of God (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102).
Adam and Eve established the first family on this earth. Heavenly Father commanded them to have children and to worship Him. As children were born to Adam and Eve, they taught them the gospel. (See Moses 2:28, Moses 5:5, and Moses 5:12.) This is Heavenly Father’s plan for families—He has sent us to earth so that we can learn from our parents and, someday, teach our own children.
Elder Richard G. Scott said, “Through the restored gospel we learn there is an ideal family. It is a family composed of a righteous Melchizedek Priesthood bearer with a righteous wife sealed to him and children born in the covenant or sealed to them” (Ensign, May 2001, 7). When families are sealed in the temple and live worthily, they can be eternal families in the celestial kingdom.
Not all of us have been sealed to our families yet, but we can work toward having an eternal family by doing our best. Elder Scott said, “Do the best you can. We cannot say whether that blessing [temple sealing] will be obtained on this side of the veil [in this life] or beyond it, but the Lord will keep His promises. In His infinite wisdom, He will make possible all you qualify in worthiness to receive” (Ensign, May 2001, 7).
We can do our best to have an eternal family by living worthy of temple blessings and loving, serving, and praying for our families. (source)
What needs to happen for a family to be sealed? (They need to marry and be sealed in the temple)
All temples are special, but daddy and I were sealed in Laie, Hawaii, so it is extra special to us.
(source for all three temple pictures)
Activity - Build a temple out of sugar cubes! (purchase sugar cubes before lesson)
Treat - Build a marshmallow temple!
The Proclamation: A Guide, a Banner, and a Doctrinal Summary of the Church's Emphasis on the Family
THE FAMILY
A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD
The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Prayer
Opening Song - We'll Bring the World It's Truth
Lesson - The Proclamation serves the family as a guide and beacon of light. The Proclamation was not only given to church members, but to the whole world! They even set a copy to the president of the United States! It is a very important document, because it serves as a banner for the world today.
We are going to watch the video of President Hinckley reading the Proclamation for the first time over the pulpit.
I just love hearing a prophet of God guiding us. Many people who are not members have questions about our church, and the Proclamation is a great source for us to share about our beliefs.
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| (source) |
The proclamation is a prophetic document, not only because it was issued by prophets but because it was ahead of its time. It warns against many of the very things that have threatened and undermined families during the last decade and calls for the priority and the emphasis families need if they are to survive in an environment that seems ever more toxic to traditional marriage and to parent-child relationships.
The proclamation’s clear and simple language stands in stark contrast to the confused and convoluted notions of a society that cannot even agree on a definition of family, let alone supply the help and support parents and families need. You are familiar with such words from the proclamation as these:
• “Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God.”
• “Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.”
• “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children.”
• “Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.”
• “The disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.”
And the last words of the proclamation express the simple truth that the family is “the fundamental unit of society.” Today I call upon members of the Church and on committed parents, grandparents, and extended family members everywhere to hold fast to this great proclamation, to make it a banner not unlike General Moroni’s “title of liberty,” and to commit ourselves to live by its precepts. As we are all part of a family, the proclamation applies to everyone. (source)
I want you guys to know that the Proclamation has helped me with some questions I was struggling with. Since, you all are in school now I debated on going to traditional school and getting a part-time job. The problem was I would be away some of the hours you would be home. When I read, The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave……HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). 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. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations….. 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. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation.
These words helped me make the decision to stay at home and continue my education online, it is my season to be home and caring for you guys, and I'm sure happy it is!
Testimony
Activity - Here is a fun way to help us memorize the Proclamation. (print off for lesson)
Treat - S'mores
The Meanings and Blessings of Family Work
There Is No Substitute for Work
Building a strong family takes hard work, and part of that work is teaching our children how to work. Though some may see work as something to avoid, the gospel teaches that working for and with our families brings great blessings. God Himself calls His plan for His children “my work and my glory” (Moses 1:39). (source)
Prayer
Opening Song- Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel
Lesson - Meaning and blessings of family work.
"We must leave the ease of Eden to follow the Savior." (source) What does this mean to you?
Answer: Like Adam and Eve had to leave the Garden of Eden, and begin to work,so they could be eligible for so many blessings, we must also be willing to leave our comfort and work, so we too can be eligible for the blessings from the Savior.
We know in our family that we all have to work and pitch in, so the burden is not so heavy on one person, which would be mom! If we don't help out with growing the kingdom and spreading the gospel, then Jesus has to carry the burden of the work load.
Many hands make light work!
Did you know that hard work can bring happiness? It can! I'm going to share a story how hard work helped bring my family closer together when I was a teenager:
My dad had passed away and my mom now had a lot to take care of on her own, and knew that she would need the help of her children to be able to complete everything she needed to do. The yard was very important to her, so every Saturday morning she woke us up at 6:30, so we could beat the Nevada heat. We had a big yard, and would take turns mowing the grass while the others tended to the flower garden, and cleaning up the rest of the outside area. I know that we moaned and groaned about getting up early on Saturday mornings, but some very important things happened in those Saturday mornings.
1. We were able to work out our feelings (literally) over losing our dad.
2. We learned responsibility, and we learned how to work.
3. We spent time together, and made beautiful memories.
4. We fought less.
5. We helped life our mom's burden.
I am so grateful for those Saturday mornings of yard work now.
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| Not my house, but reminds me of it! (source) |
Elder Perry says this about the importance of work, Teaching children the joy of honest labor is one of the greatest of all gifts you can bestow upon them. I am convinced that one of the reasons for the breakup of so many couples today is the failure of parents to teach and train sons in their responsibility to provide and care for their families and to enjoy the challenge this responsibility brings. Many of us also have fallen short in instilling within our daughters the desire of bringing beauty and order into their homes through homemaking.
Oh, how essential it is that children be taught early in life the joy that comes from starting and fashioning a job that is the workmanship of their own hands. Teach children the joy of honest labor. Provide a foundation for life that builds confidence and fulfillment in each life. “Happy is the man who has work he loves to do. … Happy is the man who loves the work he has to do” (Anonymous). (source)
What are some ways we can help our family by working?
(Answer by kids)
What are ways we can bless others by working?
(Answer by kids)
Activity - Neighborhood clean up after lesson, ask other neighbor kids to join in, and make a game out of it. The first person to fill trash sack wins $1.
Treat - Popsicles out to everyone who helped with neighbor clean up.
Repentance and Forgiveness in Family Life
I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.
D&C 64:10
Prayer
Opening Song - Help Me, Dear Father
Lesson - Why is repentance and forgiveness so important in families?
The best example we have on forgiveness is our Savior Jesus Christ. I want to share with you guys a very special video, that may make you cry. This man shows what can happen when we forgive.
How do you guys think Chris was able to forgive Cameron?
Let's talk about how Chris being able to forgive blessed both families.
(Discussion blessings of forgiveness and what would have happened had he not been able to forgive: anger, bitterness, seeking revenge. What would have happened to Cameron: not able to forgive himself, may have traveled a road of self destruction. What about Cameron's parents'? What does she say about reading Chris's article of forgiveness)
How can we feel the blessings of forgiveness within our family?
(Kids answers)
Now let's talk about the importance of repentance. What does it mean to repent? (kids answer)
Why is it important to repent? The invitation to repent is rarely a voice of chastisement but rather a loving appeal to turn around and to ‘re-turn’ toward God. It is the beckoning of a loving Father and His Only Begotten Son to be more than we are, to reach up to a higher way of life, to change, and to feel the happiness of keeping the commandments.” (source)
When we repent we are drawing closer to our Heavenly Father. Repentance allows us to use the Atonement, which our Savior Jesus Christ so freely gave to us.
Testimony on repentance and forgiveness
Activity - Steps of Repentance
Treat - Milkshakes
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