CFM Printable Activity Sheet for Genesis 37-41; Joseph of Egypt LESSON PLAN (Mar 15)

  These original activity sheets that align with the Come, Follow Me lessons each week are totally free and easy to print from a Google Doc file.   They're designed to print double-sided 2-to-a-page and are perfect for introducing or reviewing the concepts from the Come, Follow Me lesson.  Our home ward hands them out along with the sacrament programs on Sundays, others use them in their family or Sunday School lessons.  I hope they add an element of fun to your gospel learning and help to engage even the most reluctant learners.  Make sure to come back each week for the latest!   

This activity sheet is based on the CFM lesson for March 15th and contains a coloring sheet, word search puzzle, and fill-in-the-blank scripture.   

*NOTE:  See the post for March 22nd with another coloring sheet and activity page to go with Joseph of Egypt.   
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"THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH"

Last time we studied the Old Testament for Come, Follow Me, my husband and I were youth Sunday School teachers.  It was the first time we'd had a calling that we did together and we enjoyed the opportunity to study and teach together.  We worked really hard to keep the focus of our class on Christ and how the lessons applied to us in modern times.   What worked for our class may not work for yours, but I encourage you to not get caught up so much in the story or history, but find a way to make it mean something.   This lesson plan was one I've adapted from that time here for the blog.   

LESSON PLAN IDEAS 
We taught the youngest class of 12-13 year olds, so we always threw in some games and light-hearted aspects to the lesson, to keep them engaged.  (ITEMS NEEDED:  scriptures, slips of paper, writing utensils) 

SNOWMAN OR OTHER WORD GAME TO INTRODUCE MAIN TOPICS FROM LESSON
{or spotlight them from the word search below}
(Snowman is a politically correct version of "hangman" where you'll add a part of the snowman for every wrong guess and the goal is to guess the words before it's complete )  
 
Set up the chalkboard with SNOWMAN with these 4 words:
1. FORGIVENESS (11 letters),
2. TEMPTATION (10 letters),
3. PRAYER (6 letters),
4. CHRIST (6 letters)

After they guess the 4 words, talk about how today's lesson is going to be about Joseph's story from the Old Testament and then you'll find a way to connect each of those words from the story with a modern day application. 

Take turns having members of the class pick the next word to discuss.  Below I've included some potential questions to ask, activities, and scriptures to read for each word.  If you're running low on time, prioritize talking about Christ. 

PRAYER
What kind of person was Joseph? Faithful. What do you think Joseph did when he was thrown into a pit by his own brothers? What about when he was sold? What about when he was a servant? When he was falsely accused and imprisoned for doing something he didn’t do? Joseph prays for deliverance.

What would have happened if God had answered Joseph’s prayers the way that he had expected?

Share story of praying to find out the right thing for our family. It really seemed like the right thing, but I got an unexpected NO answer. 

TEMPTATION
What are some of the temptations that Joseph faced? What did he do?

What kinds of temptations do we face today? HAND OUT PIECE OF PAPER AND PEN and have everyone write one thing that tempts them 

Go through each item (anonymously) and talk about ways to avoid that temptation .

Not just get away from temptation, but sometimes we need to fill our lives with good things

Have someone recite the 13th article of faith and relate it to temptation

FORGIVENESS

ASK FOR A VOLUNTEER:  to recount some of the wrongs that had been committed against Joseph 
(sold into Egypt, coat was stolen, accused of wrongdoing and thrown into prison, etc) 

SOME SCRIPTURES TO READ/DISCUSS: 
Genesis 37:3-4 – (Joseph’s family before forgiveness)
Genesis 45: 9-10, 14-15 (Joseph’s family after forgiveness)
45: 7-8 (Joseph recognizes that God’s purposes were at play)
50:20-21 (Joseph recognizes that God’s purposes were at play)

QUESTIONS TO PONDER:  
What role did forgiveness play in the change in Joseph’s family?
How might things have turned out differently if Joseph had not been willing to forgive?

You might invite class members to suggest ways this story could help families today overcome contention and jealousy.

What are the benefits of forgiveness? 

If inspired, share a personal story of forgiveness: 


CHRIST
Joseph becomes a TYPE of Christ.  Explain what a "type of Christ" is if they don't know. 

Joseph is a type of Christ in 7 ways:
 1. 1st born of his mother
2. beloved by his father
3. betrayed
4.  avoids temptation
5.  gets accused of things he didn’t do
6. washes feet of brothers (Genesis 43:24)
7.  both end up being deliverers (Genesis 45: 4-5)


INTERESTING FACT:  
It was about 22 years between when brothers sold Joseph to when they saw him again.

QUESTION TO PONDER:
How have I seen God’s purpose in my life? 

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AN ORIGINAL PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET ON GOOGLE DRIVE (in case it's not showing below):  

Enjoy learning the gospel together.   

What is the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood? Lesson Plan, Resources, and a CFM Activity Sheet for D&C 84 (August 3)

 This blogpost features a lesson plan about teaching about the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood, along with some resources and an original activity sheet to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for  July 28-August 3,  which includes Doctrine and Covenants 84.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

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WHAT IS THE OATH AND COVENANT OF THE PRIESTHOOD?
This lesson plan was designed to teach to a mixed group of males and females or just to females.  It  will likely be way too much information for one lesson, so prayerfully adjust it to the attention span and understanding of your group. 

DISCUSSION STARTER:  

ASK YOUR STUDENTS TO NAME SOME THINGS WITH WORLDLY POWER:  
Some potential examples could be:  waterfalls, certain people, tornado, superheroes, fast cars, dams, hurricanes, etc.  There are no wrong answers.

ASK:  HOW DO PEOPLE OF THE WORLD GAIN POWER?   
 By having lots of money, by being loud, by stepping on people's toes, by being charismatic speakers, etc. 


SHOW PICTURE OF THE PLANET EARTH--

READ THIS QUOTE:
 “Brothers and sisters, the power by which the heavens and earth were and are created is the priesthood…Not only is the priesthood the power by which the heavens and the earth were created, but it is also the power the Savior used in His mortal ministry to perform miracles, to bless and heal the sick, to bring the dead to life, and, as our Father’s Only Begotten Son, to endure the unbearable pain of Gethsemane and Calvary—thus fulfilling the laws of justice with mercy and providing an infinite Atonement…The same priesthood power that created worlds, galaxies, and the universe can and should be part of our lives to succor, strengthen, and bless our families, our friends, and our neighbors—in other words, to do the things that the Savior would do if He were ministering among us today.” M. Russell Ballard


WRITE THE FOLLOWING WORDS ON THE BOARD: 
Motherhood
Fatherhood
Childhood
Neighborhood

ASK:   WHAT DO YOU THINK THE SUFFIX "HOOD" MEANS?  

ANSWER (in case no one knows): Hood = Added as a suffix to a word it shows a current condition or state. 

RELATE TO THE WORDS ON THE BOARD:  

Motherhood = A condition or state of being a Mother
Fatherhood = A condition or state of being a Father
Childhood = A condition or state of being a child
Neighborhood = The condition or state of being neighbors in a proximity

ASK:  CONSIDERING THIS, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE WORD PRIESTHOOD MEANS?  

ANSWER: The quality or state of being a Priest.

ASK: WHAT IS A PRIEST?   

LOOK UP: “Priest” in the Bible Dictionary and read the first sentence together.

DISCUSS THE CONCEPT:   Priests are mediators between us and God. Through their various (and very organized) duties, they help save us.

RELATE IT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEFINITION: 
Priesthood = The condition or state of being mediators between man and God and helping save us.

READ QUOTE: 
“We are not accustomed to speaking of women having the authority of the priesthood in their Church callings, but what other authority can it be? When a woman—young or old—is set apart to preach the gospel as a full-time missionary, she is given priesthood authority to perform a priesthood function. The same is true when a woman is set apart to function as an officer or teacher in a Church organization under the direction of one who holds the keys of the priesthood. Whoever functions in an office or calling received from one who holds priesthood keys exercises priesthood authority in performing her or his assigned duties.” Dallin H. Oaks 

READ ABOUT THE OATH AND COVENANT OF THE PRIESTHOOD in the scriptures:  

Doctrine and Covenants 84:35-40 (Oath and the Covenant)

 And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;  For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him. And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.  Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.

WATCH THIS ~4 MINUTE VIDEO ABOUT THE OATH AND COVENANT OF THE PRIESTHOOD AND HOW IT APPLIES TO MEN AND WOMEN (or if your group is too young, then summarize it) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAPACYiU-DQ&t=18s


READ THIS QUOTE:  
“A man may open the drapes so the warm sunlight comes into the room, but the man does not own the sun or the light or the warmth it brings. The blessings of the priesthood are infinitely greater than the one who is asked to administer the gift.” Neil L. Andersen

SUMMARIZE A FEW CONCEPTS OF THE OATH AND COVENANT:  

We receive the holy priesthood by an “oath and covenant.” This means that Heavenly Father gives us His oath (guarantee) that we can have the power and blessings of the priesthood if we covenant (promise) with Him to do certain things. “Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of [the] Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved” (D&C 84:40).  Elder Paul B. Pieper taught: “It is interesting that in the oath and covenant of the priesthood , the Lord uses the verbs obtain and receive. He does not use the verb ordain. It is in the temple that men and women—together—obtain and receive the blessings and power of both the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods”. In verse 38, it says that we can obtain ALL that the Father hath and that is a promise to men and women! 

HARK  BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF THE LESSON AND TALK ABOUT HOW THE PRIESTHOOD HELPS US BECOME POWERFUL IN GOD'S EYES:   

FINISH UP WITH THIS QUOTE 
"...We must each walk through life on our own, we don’t have to do it alone. Four principles explain why:

First, God wants a powerful people.

Second, He gives His power to those who are faithful.

Third, we have a sacred obligation to seek after the power of God and then to use that power as He directs.

Fourth, when we have the power of God with us, nothing is impossible.

I repeat, God wants a powerful people. Ammon taught that “a man may have great power given him from God”, and Nephi prophesied that we of the latter days would be “armed with . . . the power of God in great glory”.  There are many evidences that God wants a powerful people. This is one reason that at baptism we become eligible to receive “the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost”  and the privilege of constant access to the third member of the Godhead.  This is one reason that 12-year-old boys may be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood, which holds “the key of the ministering of angels” .This is one reason every worthy adult may go to the temple, from which he or she emerges surrounded and protected by God’s power.  God wants a powerful people. No one better understands that Satan is real and that he has power. No one better understands that none of us is smart enough or resilient enough to spar with Satan and survive spiritually."  Sheri Dew

 AN ORIGINAL PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY SHEET LINK (in case it's not showing below)


These activity sheets are designed to print double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom or home setting.   I have no children at home, nor do I have a calling working with youth, so I copy these to be handed out with the sacrament programs each week.  Kids, teens, and adults enjoy them...especially when it's a word search! 


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Make sure to bookmark this site and come back each week and check out my Come, Follow Me resources and activity sheets!  

Enjoy learning the gospel together!

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NEW TESTAMENT: CFM Resources and Teaching Ideas for July 17-23, 2023 {Acts 10-15}

This blogpost features some  resources and ideas to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for July 17-23, 2023.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET:
These 1/2 page activity sheets are geared for kids 8-14 years old, but the coloring pages are for all and many older teens and adults enjoy the activities (especially when there's a word search like this week).  They're perfect for handing out with the sacrament programs on Sunday, or as a review/discussion starter in your families and classes.    The word search and fill in the blank activity is original; the artwork is from the church website.   


TEACHING IDEA:   
Need:  lengths of yarn and at least one volunteer  (sticks can be used in place of yarn if desired)

  It was a foreign concept when Peter received the revelation to teach the gospel to the Gentiles, as well as the Jews.  This simple object lesson will illustrate how we are stronger together.

Have two people take hold on opposite ends of a single strand of yarn and break it.  Then put several strands together (ideally in different colors/thicknesses) and then have two people take a hold on the opposite ends and try to break it.  It should be impossible (or at least much harder) to break now. 

Use this demonstration as a discussion starter about how the Gospel is for all.  We may look different, or speak different languages, or have different abilities, or whatever, but Christ died for us all and when we love and include others in the Gospel, we are all stronger and better for it. 

"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."  Acts 10:34-35

QUOTE(S):  

"Anyone can choose to come unto Jesus Christ, make covenants with Heavenly Father, and follow in Their ways. And this truth should guide how we share the Lord’s gospel and His love.

We can’t just look at someone’s outward characteristics and think they’re not the “type” for the gospel. We can’t just apply worldly labels to people and think those labels disqualify them from being included at church. We can’t just decide not to serve someone simply because they have different political opinions, hobbies, or tastes from ours.

God doesn’t see a person as a collection of labels representing various groups or attributes. He sees an individual—His child. And that’s how we should see each person—as a unique individual with an equal chance and ability to come unto God."  "Gather--Don't Scatter," David Edwards, Church Magazines, July 2023

"For Latter-day Saints, being a Christian means being a disciple of Jesus Christ, loving and worshiping Him above all. It means prizing Christ and centering one’s life on His teachings from the New Testament. It means striving to live the kind of life that Christ commanded, honoring Him in word and deed. This is the meaning of a Christian, and there is no doubt that Latter-day Saints — who pattern their lives after all of these things — belong to Christ’s fold."  "Christianity: Following Jesus in Word and Deed," Mormon Newsroom, November 2011


VIDEOS:  
I'll Walk With You--A Song To Teach Inclusion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK7NaQDtcOg


Acts 10:  Peter Teaches the Gentiles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeEUuzU9MQg&list=PL4A73DDEE675FBC39&index=41


Acts 15:  The Jerusalem Conference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3X-ZTxhpyE&list=PL4A73DDEE675FBC39&index=93

Acts 10:  Peter Visits Cornelius/Bible Story/Life Kids (told in Lego figurines)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kx_ioknMSA

ARE "MORMONS" CHRISTIANS?  This article addresses this question from a faithful perspective.  I highly recommend reading it--especially for those who are faced with the question from those who believe that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are not Christians.  This video also addresses this question.

HAVE FUN LEARNING THE GOSPEL TOGETHER!!!!

NEW TESTAMENT: CFM Teaching Ideas and Printable Activity Sheet for July 10-16, 2023 {Acts 6-9}

This blogpost features some  resources and ideas to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for July 10-16, 2023.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET: 
These printable activity sheets are meant to be printed 2 to a page and are especially meant for kids ages 8-14, though the coloring pages are for all ages and many older teens/adults also enjoy the activities.  Hand them out with your sacrament programs or use them as a discussion starter in your families/classes.      


TEACHING IDEA:   
PREPARE:  Familiarize yourself with the story of Saul's conversion. (this link is a good overview)
NEED: Brownie or cake mix + ingredients to make them (if you're making them for a class, you may want to have some already baked for them to eat.) 

Have the ingredients/finished product hidden when you start the discussion.  Start off by talking about how good the cake/brownies look on the front of the box.  Then open the box and pull out the bag of the powdered mix and talk about how what's inside the box doesn't look much like the picture on the outside. 

Then talk about how they need to be transformed in order to be what is shown on the box.   If you have time, go ahead and make the brownies/cake together....talking as you add each ingredient and how by itself it doesn't look like much, but together they transform the brownies/cake into the best version of themselves.

Now relate it to the story of Saul.   Saul starts off like that powdered mix.   He's not his best self yet.   He's sinning and persecuting Christians before he is transformed by his encounter with Christ.    Christ adds "ingredients" to Saul's life --like love, mercy, and forgiveness--that help him to be totally transformed.   Christ can do that in our lives as well.   He takes us as we are and helps us to be the best version of ourselves that we can be.  

QUOTE(S):   

"Often, the answer to our prayer does not come while we’re on our knees but while we’re on our feet serving the Lord and serving those around us. Selfless acts of service and consecration refine our spirits, remove the scales from our spiritual eyes, and open the windows of heaven. By becoming the answer to someone’s prayer, we often find the answer to our own." 
"Waiting on the Road to Damascus,"  Dieter Uchtdorf,  April 2011

"God is full of grace, love, quiet courage, soft promptings, whisperings, beauty, and strength. I think He prefers to let us grow gradually, building a strong foundation and sparing us some of the agonies that comes from suddenly being thrust into the presence of the divine. That doesn't mean that we won't have pain or He won't intervene from time to time. But the small and simple things manifest God's love as much as the big, dramatic, and glorious.

Another tidbit of knowledge I learned that day in Sunday School and in the years since is that, as a culture and as human beings in general, we enjoy flashy, dramatic stories that gloss over the inglorious details. How many times had I read about Paul and Alma and so many others without truly registering the amount of pain and fear involved in their experience or the growth and repentance that came after?We want the incomprehensible joy that Alma felt and the infamy that Paul attained without experiencing the suffering and work in between."

 "One Beautiful Aspect of Paul's Conversion I Overlooked for 20+ Years," Danielle Wagner, LDS Living, July 2019

 
VIDEOS:  
Saul of Tarsus:  Animated New Testament Bible Stories  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnMMOP5Is_Q


Stephen Testifies and is Martyred  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye6T7sGvAtA




TALK TO REVIEW: 
This talk would be excellent to read and familiarize yourself with before teaching a lesson on this week's material:   Waiting on the Road to Damascus, Dieter Uchtdorf,  April 2011

HAVE FUN LEARNING THE GOSPEL TOGETHER!!!!  😁

What Does it Mean to Live the Doctrine of Christ? (YW and Aaronic Priesthood Lesson)

Me, my daughter, and husband are all separately teaching this lesson on Sunday. Here are a few thoughts on teaching that we’ve gathered in our studies this week.

First, before we really get down to discussing what it means to LIVE the Doctrine of Christ, let’s first discuss what actually is the Doctrine of Christ? Lucky for us, the “Come, Follow Me” reading for this week gives us the answers and in plain terms.   Don't you just love how Nephi uses a variation of the word "PLAIN" three times in two sentences in 2 Nephi 31:2-3?  😂 It's like he really wants us to know that the doctrine of Christ is not meant to be complicated.

  I created this visual, based on the episode of “Don’t Miss This” for this week. {By the way, if you don’t watch or listen to the “Don’t Miss This” podcast yet, you’re missing out! They really add a lot of insight and perspective to my CFM studies each week.}   So, I was going to draw this hand large on the board (or you could have it printed out if you prefer) and have them look up the scriptures and fill in the blanks.  This could be a group activity with the class looking up the scriptures one at a time and filling it in together, or you could have them fill it out individually first, then discuss each part afterward.  I think they definitely should be copying this visual down into their journals as they go.  

Then we were going to go through each of the fingers and fill in the blanks, so it'll look something like this: 

Then we will talk about the center of the hand, because the whole Doctrine of Christ  really does begin and end with Christ.    It is through Him that we have the gifts of faith, repentance, baptism, and the Holy Ghost in the first place.   And it is through His atonement that we can return to live with Him again someday. 

I plan on having a copy of this completed one done for them to tape into their journals.  They could also copy it into their journals from the board if that works better for your class.

I was thinking that we would finish up this part of the discussion with reading Moroni 7:41:“And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.”

Then I plan on asking if the Doctrine of Christ sounds familiar to them?   They may recognize that most of it is mentioned in the 4th Article of Faith, and more importantly, it's what they've been learning their whole lives!

 After discussing the simplicity, beauty, and importance of what the Doctrine of Christ is, I thought we'd start talking about what it means to live it.   These two quotes from Elder Ballard's talk (the one mentioned in the lesson) would be a great place to start:

"The best ways for us to see the spiritual purposes of the Church are to live the true, pure, and simple teachings of Christ and also to apply the Savior’s two great commandments: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart. … Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”   Elder Ballard

" Loving God and loving our neighbors is the doctrinal foundation of ministering; home-centered, Church-supported learning; Sabbath-day spiritual worship; and the work of salvation on both sides of the veil supported in the Relief Societies and the elders quorums. All of these things are based on the divine commandments to love God and to love our neighbors. Can there be anything more basic, more fundamental, and more simple than that?" Elder Ballard

I really want to keep the focus on the plainness and simplicity of the Doctrine of Christ, so my plan was to ask a few questions from the lesson plan after reading the quotes and let that lead where our discussion goes from there.  

•  How do each of these principles of the gospel relate to each other? 
• What blessings do we receive when we follow the doctrine of Christ?

What would you add to this lesson?   I'd love to hear your thoughts on it too!    And let me know if you end up using any of these ideas in your lesson.  :)

Why is Joseph Smith’s mission important to me?

When I read through the YW and Aaronic Priesthood lesson for Sunday, I was stopped up by the question it posed, “How did you gain your testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith?” I thought for a long time and realized that I’ve never really had a huge moment where I just knew. My testimony of Joseph Smith, much like my testimony of the gospel in general, has come to me piece by piece, as if I were putting together a puzzle.

My puzzle definitely still has many missing pieces, but the more I read and study, the more the pieces fall into place. When I was younger, I used to feel like I might be broken or missing something important, when I didn’t feel anything big or earth shattering when others around me were visibly moved by the spirit. It took me many years to understand that tears and emotion are not generally how I feel the spirit and that’s okay. For me, it’s much more subtle--more like just a sense that that concept makes sense to me.

When I talk to my kids and teach youth classes, I like to make sure that they know that different people feel the spirit in different ways, and that’s totally okay. I don’t ever want a young person to wonder if they have a testimony just because they don’t cry or feel anything huge. Also, I want them to know that it’s not only okay, but completely normal to still have missing pieces of that testimony puzzle. You don’t have to know everything to have a testimony. In fact, I don’t believe there’s a person alive whose testimony is perfect. We all wonder about some things that don’t make sense to us and that’s okay, as long as we don’t focus so much on those missing pieces that it distracts us from the things we do know.

“When problems come and questions arise, do not start your quest for faith by saying how much you do not have, leading as it were with your “unbelief.” That is like trying to stuff a turkey through the beak! Let me be clear on this point: I am not asking you to pretend to faith you do not have. I am asking you to be true to the faith you do have."   

Jeffrey R. Holland

One of the other things I feel like we need to talk about in our class are some of the lessons we learn from the First Vision. It really was a remarkable event that changed so much of what we knew about God. And it’s many of those lessons that are a foundational part of my testimony. Is there anything you’d add to this list?


     1. We learn the Heavenly Father and Jesus are separate beings.
     2. We learn that Heavenly Father and Jesus have a body of flesh and bones.
     3.  We learn that we can be influenced by Satan.
     4.  We learn that prayers are answered and God knows us by name.
     5.  We learn that answers come by exercising faith.
     6.  We learn that the true church had been taken from the earth and had not been restored yet.
     7.  We learn that Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead and still lives.
     8.  We learn that the scriptures provide guidance and answers for us.
     9.  We learn that God’s power is stronger than Satan’s.


The class I’m teaching is young, but I’m hopeful we can have a good discussion about testimonies, Joseph Smith, and his mission. Though we know that Joseph Smith was not perfect, his mission definitely was divine.

“Though Joseph was young and inexperienced, he had been foreordained from before the foundation of the world to be God’s prophet at this particular time. Joseph was tutored, trained, and prepared by heavenly beings." 

Russell M. Nelson

One more thing I just discovered that I want to talk about in our class too...check out Page 15 in the February 2020 edition of the "New Era".     "A Pattern for Seeking Truth" is a great way to apply what we learn about Joseph Smith to our daily lives. And isn't that what learning the gospel is all about?  Seeking truth, and then making it mean something in our everyday life. 

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8 Quotes on Faith

Quote #1 “It is never too late to strengthen the foundation of faith. There is always time. With faith in the Savior, you can repent and plead for forgiveness. There is someone you can forgive. There is someone you can thank. There is someone you can serve and lift. You can do it wherever you are and however alone and deserted you may feel.”  Pres. Henry B. Eyring

Quote #2  "Immersing oneself in persistent doubt, fueled by answers from the faithless and the unfaithful, weakens one’s faith in Jesus Christ and the Restoration. “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him.” Elder Neil L. Andersen

Quote #3 “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel and is more than mere belief. 4 Faith is a “hope for things which are not seen, which are true.” 5 “Faith always moves its possessor to … physical and mental action.” 6 “To have faith in Jesus Christ means to have such trust in him that we obey whatever he commands. There is no faith where there is no obedience.”  Elder L. Whitney Clayton

Quote #4   “Your faith will grow not by chance, but by choice.      How we live our lives increases or diminishes our faith. Prayer, obedience, honesty, purity of thought and deed, and unselfishness increase faith. Without these, faith diminishes. Why did the Savior say to Peter, “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not”? Because there is an adversary who delights in destroying our faith! Be relentless in protecting your faith.” Elder Neil L. Andersen

Quote #5 “No matter who we are or where we live, there is much about our daily lives that is routine and repetitive. As we go about this dailiness, we must be deliberate about doing the things that matter most. These must-do things include making room first for the minimum daily requirements of faithful behavior: true obedience, humble prayer, serious scripture study, and selfless service to others. No other daily vitamins strengthen the muscles of our faith as fast as these actions. We also must remember that genuine fasting fosters strong faith. This is especially important as we faithfully seek to fix deeply embedded character flaws which go “not out but by prayer and fasting.” Elder L. Whitney Clayton

Quote 6:  “I have never witnessed the removal of an actual mountain. But because of faith I have seen a mountain of doubt and despair removed and replaced with hope and optimism. Because of faith I have personally witnessed a mountain of sin replaced with repentance and forgiveness. And because of faith I have personally witnessed a mountain of pain replaced with peace, hope, and gratitude. Yes, I have seen mountains removed”  Bishop Richard C. Edgley

Quote 7:  “When faith is properly understood and used, it has dramatically far-reaching effects. Such faith can transform an individual’s life from maudlin, common everyday activities to a symphony of joy and happiness. The exercise of faith is vital to Father in Heaven’s plan of happiness. But true faith, faith unto salvation, is centered on the Lord Jesus Christ, faith in His doctrines and teachings, faith in the prophetic guidance of the Lord’s anointed, faith in the capacity to discover hidden characteristics and traits that can transform life. Truly, faith in the Savior is a principle of action and power.”  Elder Richard G. Scott

Quote #8 “Because of the conflicts and challenges we face in today’s world, I wish to suggest a single choice—a choice of peace and protection and a choice that is appropriate for all. That choice is faith. Be aware that faith is not a free gift given without thought, desire, or effort. It does not come as the dew falls from heaven. The Savior said, “Come unto me” (Matthew 11:28) and “Knock, and it shall be [given] you” (Matthew 7:7). These are action verbs—come, knock. They are choices. So I say, choose faith. Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the unknown and the unseen, and choose faith over pessimism.”  Richard C. Edgley

7 Quotes on the Atonement

Quote #1 “For some reason, we think the Atonement of Christ applies only at the end of mortal life to redemption from the Fall, from spiritual death. It is much more than that. It is an ever-present power to call upon in everyday life. When we are racked or harrowed up or tormented by guilt or burdened with grief, He can heal us. While we do not fully understand how the Atonement of Christ was made, we can experience “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding.”    Elder Boyd K. Packer  

Quote #2   “Most of us clearly understand that the Atonement is for sinners. I am not so sure, however, that we know and understand that the Atonement is also for saints—for good men and women who are obedient and worthy and conscientious and who are striving to become better and serve more faithfully.” Elder David A. Bednar

Quote #3  “It is my testimony that many of the deepest regrets of tomorrow can be prevented by following the Savior today. If we have sinned or made mistakes—if we have made choices that we now regret—there is the precious gift of Christ’s Atonement, through which we can be forgiven. We cannot go back in time and change the past, but we can repent.”   Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Quote #4 “Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely… He Loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken.”   Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Quote #5 “The Atonement has practical, personal, everyday value; apply it in your life. It can be activated with so simple a beginning as prayer. You will not thereafter be free from trouble and mistakes but can erase the guilt through repentance and be at peace.”  Elder Boyd K. Packer

Quote #6 "The gospel of the Savior is not simply about avoiding bad in our lives; it also is essentially about doing and becoming good. And the Atonement provides help for us to overcome and avoid bad and to do and become good. Help from the Savior is available for the entire journey of mortality—from bad to good to better and to change our very nature."  Elder David A. Bednar

Quote #7 "The Savior has suffered not just for our iniquities but also for the inequality, the unfairness, the pain, the anguish, and the emotional distresses that so frequently beset us. There is no physical pain, no anguish of soul, no suffering of spirit, no infirmity or weakness that you or I ever experience during our mortal journey that the Savior did not experience first. You and I in a moment of weakness may cry out, “No one understands. No one knows.” No human being, perhaps, knows. But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He felt and bore our burdens before we ever did."  Elder David A. Bednar 

"Why Do the Choices I Make Matter?" Lesson and Handout

I am a very kinesthetic learner, so when I teach I like to employ  a variety of different methods of teaching to increase the likelihood that the lesson will actually connect with each of the students.   I often create a simple worksheet to go along with the lesson--not to make it feel like school, but to give them a place to jot down answers and ideas throughout the lesson.  I have found that employing this simple idea has made our discussions more meaningful and made it easier for every person to be involved in the discussion.   Since they've already taken a few moments to write down their ideas, they're less likely to have been caught off-guard or feel put on the spot. 

For an attention getter at the beginning of the class, I taped a large 'V' onto the floor and told them to try to walk down both "paths" at the same time.   They could for a little bit, but eventually the "paths" got far enough apart that they could no longer keep a foot on each path.   They had to choose one or the other.   Then I asked them to go back to the beginning and pick the correct path, without telling them which one was correct.  They acted confused and each picked their own correct way…one of them even walking down the middle of the two.    

We then read this  quote from President Monson:  

Let us not find ourselves as indecisive as is Alice in Lewis Carroll’s classic "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland."  You will remember that she comes to a crossroads with two paths before her, each stretching onward but in opposite directions. She is confronted by the Cheshire cat, of whom Alice asks, “Which path shall I follow?”
The cat answers, “That depends where you want to go. If you do not know where you want to go, it doesn’t matter which path you take.”⁷Unlike Alice, we all know where we want to go, and itdoes matter which way we go, for by choosing our path, we choose our destination.

And read this scripture (Matthew 6:24):   

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

We talked about the importance of knowing our path before embarking on it and that while each individual's path in life will vary from the next person's, but  that in the end we should all have the final goal the same--eternal life.

Then they each filled out on the worksheet, some of the goals they had for their lives.

We then read Proverbs 3:5-6:

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall directthy paths." 

We talked in more details about how to make choices and discussed President Monson's three "R"s of choice.

If you have time, you could have the girls write on the illustrated part of the worksheet things that they can do better at to help them reach their ultimate goal of eternal life.

Lastly we talked about the importance for making time to feel God's help and direction in our lives.  I showed them this picture and quote and talked about how easy it is fill our lives with things--not necessarily bad, but in the long run that are completely meaningless.   I encouraged them to allow themselves time to "Be still" and allow God's influence into their lives.  

I ended by bearing testimony of the importance of looking at the big picture, to not getting caught up in the day-to-day fluff and lose sight of what our end goal really is.  I encouraged them to go home and write some of their goals into their journals and what they would do to reach them.

I also emphasized that if we ever were to find ourselves on a wrong path in life, that  through Christ's atonement and the gift of repentance, that we can get back on the right path again.   It's easier to stay on the right path in the first place, but it's NEVER too late to change direction, and that God is always there with his arms outstretched to help us to find our way back again.

Why Do the Choices I Make Matter?

QUOTES ABOUT MAKING CHOICES:  

#1 “As I’ve contemplated the various aspects of choice, I’ve put them into three categories: first, the right of choice; second, the responsibility of choice; and third, the results of choice. I call these the three Rs of choice.  President David O. McKay, ninth President of the Church, said, “Next to the bestowal of life itself, the right to direct that life is God’s greatest gift to man.”1  We know that we had our agency before this world was and that Lucifer attempted to take it from us.

Next, with the right of choice comes the responsibility to choose. We cannot be neutral; there is no middle ground. The Lord knows this; Lucifer knows this. As long as we live upon this earth, Lucifer and his hosts will never abandon the hope of claiming our souls.

I speak of the results of choice. All of our choices have consequences, some of which have little or nothing to do with our eternal salvation and others of which have everything to do with it.   Whether you wear a green T-shirt or a blue one makes no difference in the long run. However, whether you decide to push a key on your computer which will take you to pornography can make all the difference in your life.”  Thomas S Monson


#2  “How do we make correct choices? A choice involves making a conscious decision. To make an intelligent decision we need to evaluate all available facts on both sides of an issue. But that isn’t enough. Making correct decisions involves prayer and inspiration.” 1  James E Faust

#3  “And lastly, we must examine our motives. A good check and balance in decision making is to look at our motives for making our decisions. We should ask ourselves, “Are my motives selfish, or is there charity in the decision I am about to make? Is this decision in keeping with the commandments, both in the spirit and the letter of the law? Is my decision basically right, honorable, and compatible with the golden rule? Have I considered the impact of my decision on others?””  Robert D. Hales


#4  “And we do not need to achieve some minimum level of capacity or goodness before God will help—divine aid can be ours every hour of every day, no matter where we are in the path of obedience….
...beyond desiring His help {though}, we must exert ourselves, repent, and choose God for Him to be able to act in our lives consistent with justice and moral agency. My plea is simply to take responsibility and go to work so that there is something for God to help us with.”   Elder Todd Christofferson

#5  “The Lord has given us a spiritual safety net that can strengthen decision making. That support may come through many means, including a patriarchal blessing, counsel from parents, a father’s blessing, a bishop’s counsel, prayer, temple worship, scripture study, and conversation with faithful friends. However such support comes, it is usually accompanied by the whisperings of the Holy Ghost.”