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.

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.