How can I find solutions to my challenges and problems?

I created this lesson and worksheet for a YW lesson, but easily adapted it to a Family Home Evening lesson for my family as well. It ended up being a very meaningful lesson for both groups.    

How can I find solutions to my challenges and problems?  
( from the Come, Follow Me YW curriculum)

Purpose: to teach us to turn to God when we face challenges and problems in our lives

Preparation: 
*read through 1 Nephi 16 (the story of Nephi and the broken bow) and refamiliarize yourself with the details
*prayerfully study one or all of the following talks: Like a Broken Vessel (Elder Holland), Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority (Elder Scott), We Never Walk Alone (Pres. Monson), Of Things That Matters Most (Pres. Uchtdorf)
*make copies of one or more of those talks
*think of a story from your own life when you faced a problem. Be prepared to tell about the problem and some of the process you went through to resolve it. (Remember that you're looking to engage the student and help them to see themselves in that situation, so take care not to make the story too long or or too grandiose. I recommend about 3-5 minutes for this.)

Opening Song: "I Need Thee Every Hour," Hymns, page 98

Opening Prayer:  

Share a personal story about when you faced a difficult challenge and what you did to overcome it. I shared about when I was so poor as a college student I didn't know if I could continue going to school.

Ask the students (or your family) to each think of difficulty or challenge they've faced in their life and write it down on the worksheet.

Tell them that you're going to look at the story of Nephi and the broken bow in a minute, but ask them if they can think of any other examples from the scriptures where someone was faced with a difficulty. Take a few minutes and discuss their answers, which may include Joseph in Egypt, Moses, Nephi and his brothers going back for the brass plates, Abinadi, Joseph Smith, Samuel the Lamanite, Moroni, etc. In the discussion, focus on the process they went through to solve their problem. For example, if they say Abinadi as their answer. Ask what was the problem he faced? What did he do to solve it? (he went to the Lord and fulfilled what he was asked to do, then knew that beyond that it didn't matter what became of him)  

Review the story of Nephi and the broken bow (or have a student retell it), then have them list and share with the class first the things they can learn NOT to do when facing difficulties, then have them list the things the story teaches them they should do. Expound on answers as you feel inspired.  

WHAT TO DO

1. Ask for help from trusted sources--like Nephi went to his father for guidance, sometimes we need to turn to trusted people in our lives to help us
2. Pray for answers 

3.  Be prepared to ACT on those answers 

4. Do something  productive (facing difficulties requires action) 

5. Be faithful

WHAT NOT TO DO
1. Let discouragement overwhelm you into not doing anything
2. Complain
3. Blame others
4. Harden your heart and get angry at God and others
5. Give up or run away from the problem

Have someone read QUOTE #4
  “Being self-reliant does not mean that I am alone as I try to finish and endure. It means that I have studied, prayed, and pondered as I work to gain confidence in my ability to gain wisdom (both spiritual and temporal) and that I use that wisdom to know when to rely on my own strength and testimony and when I turn to resources outside of myself to continue to grow and progress"

Share this story from Pres. Uchtdorf about ballpoint pens not working without gravity:  

"For example, it wasn’t long after astronauts and cosmonauts orbited the earth that they realized ballpoint pens would not work in space. And so some very smart people went to work solving the problem. It took thousands of hours and millions of dollars, but in the end, they developed a pen that could write anywhere, in any temperature, and on nearly any surface. But how did the astronauts and cosmonauts get along until the problem was solved? They simply used a pencil." (Pres. Uchtdorf)

Ask: Do we look too hard for complicated solutions or getting paralyzed by things that don’t matter? 

Have someone read QUOTE #3: “Solutions often come at us sideways. We don't often find solutions. They find us while we are doing some other task. If we are living the Sunday school answers, scripture study, prayer, service... (and allowing others to serve us) change happens. Your burdens can become manageable, as long as you don't wallow in a pity party. When in doubt serve others.” paraphrased from Jeffrey R. Holland

  
If you have time, pass out copies of some of the talks you read in preparation to teach this lesson.  

Have them briefly skim the talks for answers of what our church leaders teach us about facing our problems--prayer, scripture study, attend the temple, have FHE, go to church, etc. (have them write the answers on the worksheet)
(NOTE: If you don't have time to complete this exercise, summarize it for them. Tell them how all those talks, from all those church leaders essentially had the same simple guidance for us.)

Conclude: (DON'T SKIP) Just as a newborn baby recognizes the sound of its mother’s voice, because of its proximity to her while in the womb, we should be living our lives in such a way that God's voice is familiar to us. We gain this familiarity when we live those simple "PENCIL answers" we've known our whole lives. We don't need expensive, fancy answers, we simply need to draw near to God and listen.

"How Can I Find Solutions to My Challenges and Problems?" Worksheet by Lara Goold

Printable Georgetown Photo Scavenger Hunt

In the summertime, it's fun to mix things up and have a mutual activity that we wouldn't normally be able to do on a school night.  My Laurels decided that an excursion to Georgetown would be just the ticket for our last summer mutual before our stake's family friendly month kicked in.  We'd explore a little together, then get a treat.    I researched at length to find a pre-made scavenger hunt that we could use as our framework for exploring,  but all I could find were hunts created by tour companies that charged for them.  So I decided to create one myself and share it here on the blog....easily printable and totally free!    Perfect for youth groups, families, and tourists!    

We  just had a great time just exploring Georgetown together, but  for larger groups you could split into teams and add a competitive element to it.   Either way, this would  make for a fun family home evening activity for YSAs or families with older kids in the DC area.      Have fun!    

Georgetown Photo Scavenger Hunt by Lara Goold

Easy Last Minute Youth Activity or FHE Lesson

Need an idea for a last minute youth activity or FHE lesson that doesn't take much prep work?   This activity is easy to pull off,  fun for the participants, and thought provoking enough to make it meaningful as well.

Gospel Analogy Skits

Prep:   (5 minutes) Gather about 15 random items from around the house.    Some good items might include a flashlight, bottle of aloe vera, a clock, a baby bib, a towel, a can of food, a blanket, a hat, an eraser, etc.

Divide  into groups of 2-3 people, or if doing with a small group, have individuals do it themselves.

Without giving any directions, have every group/individual come pick one of the random items.

Watch the first two minutes of this talk from Women's Conference, about the soda can analogy:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2015/04/filling-our-homes-with-light-and-truth?lang=eng

Talk for just a minute about the soda can analogy, then challenge them to find their own gospel analogy  with the object they've picked and then present it to the group as a 2-minute skit or commercial.   Emphasize that it does not need to be long.  

Give them pens, paper, and 10-15 minutes for planning.

Have them come to the front of the room and perform their skits. I highly recommend doing your own skit too.   They love watching their leaders act silly and it gives them a glimpse of how to do it!  Encourage group participation, clapping, etc….make it fun.

We got some very insightful gospel analogies and even had time to do another round, which we deemed the "speed round" because everyone only got 2 minutes to plan.

It was a great last-minute activity that was also fun and memorable!

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Here are some of the analogies we came up with:

Slinky--When you pull it too far it is weak and shapeless, but when you push it together it is strong and has a point of focus.   If we prioritize our lives well, we can be like the strong and focused slinky.

Flashlight--We can bring light to a dark world with our good examples.

Bib--When we wear the "Super Duper Handy Dandy Bib of the Gospel" we can resist the stains of the world.

Aloe vera--The gospel can bring us soothing and healing when we are feeling spiritually burned.

Clock--We sometimes get caught up in the world's timing and thinking that God is not answering our prayers, etc., but when we understand the eternal perspective of God, we know that God's timing is all we need to worry about.

Bubbles--The atonement of Christ can take away the burden of sin and help us to feel the lightness of forgiveness.

Can of pumpkin--The can doesn't look like much and neither does the pumpkin inside, but when you follow a recipe and mix it up with the right ingredients,  you can make a delicious treat.   This was compared to how our lives are and when we follow the "recipe" for living the gospel, God will bless us and make our lives so much sweeter.

First aid kit--When we are feeling hurt, we can turn to the first aid kit of the gospel and find healing for our spiritual wounds.   

Developing Christlike Attributes Lesson

This lesson is based on this lesson from the Come Follow Me youth curriculum and the activity is based on pages 115-126  in the Preach My Gospel manual.  I used it in a YW lesson I recently taught and felt like the girls really connected with the concept of it and the visual nature of the lesson.  There is a fair amount of writing required for this lesson, but it could also be easily  used for a FHE lesson for school age children, teens, or adults.  I believe that the success of this lesson depends on them following through with the goals they set and as such  I encouraged everyone to tape their page into their journals and refer back to it often.

Scroll to the bottom of the post to get to the printable version of the lesson, including pictures.  If you prefer only the lesson without pictures, click here.

Overcoming Weaknesses and Developing Christlike Attributes

Materials Needed:  picture of Christ (see below), one copy of activity per person(see below), colored pens or pencils for everyone, pictures of branch and hole on roof (optional)

SONGS:  

"I'm Trying to be Like Jesus," page 78 of Children's Songbook

"Be Thou Humble," page 130 of the Hymn book

HOLE IN ROOF STORY:    (use our real life story or tell your own) 

Tell a story (with included pictures if desired) of a house that has a branch fall on their roof during a storm.  It's not a particularly large branch and it doesn't appeared to have caused any damage.  

But the next time it rains, water starts pouring through their roof, soaking the insulation in the attic, and pouring water into their dining room.  Although the branch didn't seem likely to have done much damage at first glance, unbeknownst  to the owners it had weakened the defenses of their roof enough allow the elements in and cause much greater damage than just a small hole in the roof.   

RELATE:   That like that little branch on the roof,  our little sins can become holes of weakness in our defenses against the “rains and storms of life”.    Talk about how once the roof was repaired, it became a strong point in our roof.   We can do the same with our "little" sins and weaknesses....we can fortify ourselves and diligently work to overcome them and they, like the repaired roof, can actually become our strengths.  

READ ETHER 12:27:  briefly discuss why we have been given weaknesses and how God will strengthen us as we strive to overcome them.

SHOW picture of Christ (see below) and talk about how God is always there to lift us up and to help us in our day-to-day struggles.  

DEVELOPING CHRISTLIKE ATTRIBUTE ACTIVITY

1.  Pass out the activity sheets and multicolored pens and pencils.  

2.  Start off by pointing to  THE GIRL ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PAPER.  Explain that she is to represent each of them personally during this lesson.  Encourage everyone to think of potential little “branches” of weaknesses in their lives  and to write at least 5-6 things surrounding the girl on the paper (encourage them to make it colorful) .  Some examples of things they could write:  Not studying the scriptures as diligently as they should, an ongoing irritation at a sibling, or how they're treating their parents, forgetting to say their prayers, etc.   

 

3.  Refer briefly back to Ether 12:27 and talk about how we are now going to talk about a way that we can start making those weaknesses into strengths.

4.  Point out the scriptures that are listed around the edge of the paper.  Have them look up a few of the  scriptures  and each think of a couple attributes of Christ.  

 

5.  Go around the room and have each person share a couple of attributes of Christ that they have found (or thought of on their own.)

6.  HAVE THEM WRITE DOWN THE ATTRIBUTES all around the drawing of Christ on the right side of the paper.  

7.  Have them circle/highlight ONE weakness they'd like to overcome and/or one attribute of Christ that they would like to start working on developing.

8.  HURDLES – along the vertical line that goes down the center of the page, have them write down a couple of the challenges they will  face in developing that attribute.  Have them be very specific....  These hurdles could include  fatigue, lack of time, not feeling motivated, etc.

 

9.  In the LARGE ARROWS in the middle of the page, read the scriptures and then write 3 specific ways that they can work on overcoming those hurdles and  start developing that attribute in to make it a strength instead of a weakness.

These should be very SPECIFIC ideas.  Not just I will read the scriptures more often.  But 3 specific and measurable ways that they can improve themselves:  (see example)

1.  I will read at least one page every night before supper.  

2.  If I am not home at supper, I will read it before bed.  

3.  I will place my scriptures on my pillow each morning to help me not to forget.   

10.  At this point their paper should be very colorful and filled with personal and meaningful instructions for developing a Christlike attribute.    Refer once more back to the story of the repaired roof and remind them this activity was their own personal instruction for fortifying the weaknesses in the roofs in their lives.   Encourage them to tape the sheets into their journals and to refer back to them often for encouragement in their quest.  Also encourage them to reread the scriptures and repeat the activity frequently.  

11.  PAPER AIRPLANE—drop an unfolded sheet of paper and point out how it flutters without direction or purpose.  Then, as you fold a piece of paper into an airplane, remind them that changing can sometimes be painful, but when we make the effort and allow ourselves to be pliable enough to be folded and changed, we can make weak things become strong and have enough wind beneath our wings to fly.  Throw the plane and point out the difference now that it has direction and purpose.

CLOSING PRAYER:  

REFRESHMENTS:  Homemade Twix Bars

Developing Christlike Attributes FHE Lesson

Why is it Important to Listen to and Follow the Living Prophets?

I typed this up as an outline of a Sunday YW lesson, but it was also easily adapted to our family's FHE lesson the next night.  For both the young women and my children, I found that the process of highlighting and subsequently writing the prophet's words on the wall surrounding a picture of President Monson was a very powerful and memorable illustration. Click here for printable version of all images.
 Why is it Important to Listen to and Follow the Living Prophets? 
Lesson by Lara Goold

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE PICTURES

Suggested Songs:
"We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet,"  Hymns, page 19
"Latter-day Prophets," Children's Songbook, page 134
 "Follow the Prophet," Hymns, page 110

Lesson Purpose:  To help the young women to understand what a great blessing it is to have a living prophet on the earth to give us guidance and direction for these latter-days.

Scripture:  "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."  Amos 3:7

PREPARATION: 
1.  print enough copies of the talk,  Believe, Obey, and Endure for every YW (or member of your family)
2.  gather pens or pencils for every YW, also chalk and tape 
3.  Print off large picture of President Monson
4. (optional) print off wallet size pictures of President Monson for each of the YW to tape into their notebooks while they take notes

OPENING PRAYER:

ANALOGY OF THE GARDEN MAZE (see this link for printable version of pictures):     Imagine you are in a maze that is made up of tall hedges.  The bushes are too thick to see through, too tall to see over, and you can't tell whether you are heading towards a dead-end until you are right there. (SHOW PICTURE OF PEOPLE INSIDE THE MAZE) You start off knowing the approximate direction of where the exit is, but quickly lose your bearings and can't do anything more than wander aimlessly until you find the correct path out.  Then you notice a little look-out tower.  (SHOW PICTURE OF MAZE FROM THE LOOKOUT) You climb the tower and you can regain your bearings again and  plot a path to the exit.

Relate being lost in the maze to being lost in the maze of our lives.  Talk about how easy it is to get caught up in the "maze of life" and focus only on what is right in front of us.

ASK:  What are some of the concerns that are in your maze of life?  (you're looking for answers like a hard physics test, getting into college, boys, friends,  etc)

WRITE:  Have one of the YW come write on the picture of the people inside of the maze, some of the answers received.

TEACH:  There is someone we can look to who has been given the keys to be on the look-out  for our day and time.  They have the perspective of being able to see all the twists and turns in the maze and give us guidance and direction that will help us to the finish line (eternal life).

SHOW PICTURE OF PRESIDENT MONSON and tape to the top of the chalkboard.

DRAW a simple watchtower underneath the picture and explain that God has given him the authority to see.

BELIEVE, OBEY, and ENDURE: 
Hand out a pen and copy of the article to each student:  Divide the YW into groups and assign each  group a page of the article to read and to circle important messages that President Monson has given to the YW for this day and this time.

HAVE EACH PERSON SHARE SOMETHING THEY'VE CIRCLED IN THE ARTICLE:   and ask for a volunteer to come make speech bubbles around the prophet and write in the words of the prophet that the YW shared from the article.   If the girls have class journals, have them glue in a  wallet size picture of President Monson and reproduce this in their notebooks while you go around the room.

 Here are some of the things that our girls came up with:  Decisions determine destiny, seminary changes lives, they are a daughter of Heavenly Father, pray for guidance, fan the flame of your testimony, choose to obey, there is a way back!  

VIDEO:   watch this video  and discuss. 

SHARE A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF FOLLOWING THE PROPHET:  and the blessings you received.  Bear your testimony about what a remarkable blessing it is to live in a day and a time that there is a living prophet.

CLOSING PRAYER:


HANDOUT (printable version below):

Additional Reading Material: 
YW Lesson:  Why is it Important to Listen to and Follow the Living Prophet?


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Why We Need a Prophet Printable Pictures by Lara Goold

Using Time Wisely FHE Lesson

We actually used this as a mini YW lesson to help the girls pass off a choice and accountability value experience, but as I was teaching it I thought that it would make for a great family home evening lesson for older kids and teens as well.  A printable version of the handout can be found here. 

Opening Prayer:

Opening Song: Hymns #266, "The Time is Far Spent"

Scriptures:  Ecclesiastes 3:1, Doctrine and Covenants 60:13, Article of Faith #13

Materials Needed:  A clock, the video, and handout (click here to get it in a printable version)

Discussion:  Imagine for a second that each and every day, your bank account is credited with $86,400.    But at the end of each day the money disappears.    What would you do?

You would try to use up every penny of it every day.

Show:  Show them a clock and tell them that each and every day they are given exactly 86,400 seconds  to use as we choose.   We can't save them for another day.  Once the seconds are passed, they are gone and it is up to us how we use them.

Discuss:  According to studies, the average person spends 35-40 hours in front of a television or computer screen.  That is an average of 5-6 hours (=18,000 seconds) per day, which equates to approximately 20% of every day.    Think of what we could accomplish if we tried to cut that time down by half or fourth.

Quote:  
If you have a twenty-hour-a-week television habit and would repent and convert in into a gospel study habit, in one year you could read the Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, The Pearl of Great Price, and the entire Bible.  In addition, you could read Jesus the Christ, Gospel Principles, the Relief Society manual, Preach my Gospel, the Miracle of Forgiveness,  and this would still leave you time to read the Ensign, New Era, and Friend each month.  This is based on your ability to read only ten pages an hour.
paraphrased from Elder William Bradford


Video:  Choose This Day (embedded below)

Recite Article of Faith #13 (emphasizing "seeking after praiseworthy pursuits"):
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Discuss:  What kinds of things qualify as "praiseworthy"?  The answers could be reading scriptures, serving others, developing a talent, being a better friend, sharing the gospel, writing letters to grandparents or missionaries, helping a family member, staying caught up in school, doing family history, etc.

Conclude:  Encourage students to try to prioritize their time in such a way that they can use a greater portion of their time each day in more praiseworthy pursuits.  Bear your testimony  of how you've been blessed as you've tried to use your 86,400 seconds each day more wisely.

Closing Song: Scripture Power

Closing Prayer:


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Missionary Trivia Game and Letter Writing Activity

I created this letter writing activity and missionary trivia game for a YM/YW combined activity about missionaries.   It turned out well and I think the youth genuinely enjoyed the opportunity to show support to the missionaries in this way. There were some very sweet notes written and I know that the missionaries will be thrilled with their shower of letters.  I'm thinking we might try to do something similar a couple of times a year. 

This activity could also be easily adapted into a FHE lesson. 

Opening prayer:

Opening song:  "Called to Serve" and/or "I Hope they Call Me on a Mission"

Welcome/Brief intro to the night:

Trivia Game (see game below):    I had the trivia questions printed onto two sheets of paper and had the YW president and YM president take turns reading off the questions.   Each correct answer was rewarded with a small piece of candy.   We were pretty liberal with the candy and would reward them for close answers (especially for the ones with very specific numbers for answers).  We had a large group (about 40-50 youth) and I felt like the candy throwing was a good way to keep their attention.  

Short Discussion:  We talked briefly about showing support for missionaries and about the great work they do.  We had intended to also have a convert give a 2-minute spiel about how grateful they were for the missionaries who had found them, but we ran out of time. 

Letter Writing:  (see pictures below) After the trivia game was complete, we talked briefly about supporting the missionaries, then wrote letters to those that were serving from our ward.  We have 9 missionaries currently serving from our ward, so we placed the long tables around the edge of the room, had a picture of each missionary hanging on the wall, then a large envelope with each missionary's name sitting on the table in front of the picture.  I distributed 4 quarter sheets of paper and a pen to each youth and asked that they write letters to 4 of the 9 missionaries. 

Missionary ID game:  (see picture below) I had ward members send me pictures of themselves as missionaries.  I printed  off the pictures  and put their name, their mission, and the years they served ON THE BACK, then hung them up on a wall.  It was great fun trying to identify the old pictures and perfect as a filler for those who finished early. 

Tie Tying (I had this planned as a filler activity, but didn't end up having time for it):  We'd divide into teams and have the girls (with only the boys' verbal instructions) tie a necktie.  Whichever team could do it the fastest would win. 

This was what we hung up on the walls around the room.  The pictures of the missionaries, with a "What can I write?" sheet  (see below) in between each one. 

Here you can see how we set up the tables in front of their pictures.  Large envelopes with each missionary's name were on the table in front of their pictures, so that the youth could place their letters in there as soon as they were done. 

I collected old missionary pictures from ward members and had them hung up on the wall.  It was great fun trying to identify who was who, before looking on the back where I'd labeled them with the name, mission, and years served.   

A glimpse at the letters for one of the missionaries:

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Here is the printable version of the missionary trivia game:
LDS Missionary Trivia Game




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I knew that some of the youth would think that they had nothing to write in their letters, so I hung up the following list of ideas by each table. 

 What can I write to the missionaries? 

Your favorite scripture

A recent missionary experience you’ve had

What you’ve been doing in school lately

How your sports’ season has gone

Ask about their mission

Spiritual insights you’ve had during seminary/Sunday lessons

Ask about who they’re teaching

Talk about current events—baseball playoffs, presidential debate (without getting political)

Share an appropriate joke

Something fun that you’ve done lately

A funny antic that your younger sibling or pet has done

BE POSITIVE!!!!!!

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ADVANCE PREPARATION

Find out the answers to the personalized questions in the Missionary Trivia Game. 

Ask missionary parents for pictures of their missionaries and their current addresses.

Ask ward members for pictures of themselves as missionaries. 

Have sheets of paper cut into quarters.   I figured the smaller size would seem less intimidating to fill than entire sheets of paper. 

Gather enough pens for everyone.

Optional:  Print off some missionary clipart and provide scissors and glue for decorating the letters, for those who feel so inclined. 



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Staying Morally Clean FHE Lesson

I'm trying to publish my lessons without using Scribd.  What do  you think?  I've included the link to a printable version of the lesson to make printing it a little easier.  You'll have to right click on the pictures and copy and paste them into a word processing document before printing.  Please let me know if you prefer this method or publishing them ready-to-go on Scribd.   Click here for my entire FHE lesson index.   

Staying Morally Pure
click here for printable version ( mini versions of the pictures are included and the videos are removed)
Lesson by Lara Goold

Suggested Songs:
"True to the Faith,"  Hymns, page 254
"I Will Follow God's Plan," Children's Songbook, page 164
 "Choose the Right," Hymns, page 239

Lesson Purpose:  To help family members  understand that the effort it takes to stay morally clean is well worth the great rewards that will await them. 

Scripture:  "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul - We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of  good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."  Article of Faith #13
PREPARATION: 
1.  Gather items for the object lesson. You'll need a food item that they like, but is not very exciting to them (like a saltine cracker or a plain biscuit)  and some kind of treat that they will really enjoy (ice cream sundaes would fit with the lesson perfectly)
2.  Print off the Mormonad pictured below (or recreate it in real life)
3.  Print off picture of human cell (below)
4.  Find the  two videos mentioned in the lesson and have them opened, loaded and ready to show your family. 
5.  Prayerfully study:  Today's Family:  Protect the Power to Create Life


OPENING PRAYER:


OBJECT LESSON:   Offer your family a simple treat that they would like, but not be very excited about (a saltine cracker, a plain biscuit, a slice of bread, etc).  Hand it to them, let them hold it through the lesson, and tell them that they are welcome to eat that treat now.  But if they are willing to wait until the end of the lesson, then they won't be able to have the first treat but instead can have another more appealing treat (like an ice cream sundae).   Don't make a big deal about it...just make sure they understand that if they eat the treat now that they won't be able to have the one at the end of the lesson. 

LESSON:  
Banging on the piano:  If you have a piano in your house, have someone briefly sit down and play it loudly and poorly.  If you don't have a piano, then ask your family to imagine what it sounds like when an untrained person (like a baby or toddler) plays. 

Then show this video:

Talk about how amazing the performance was and how much you enjoyed it. 

Point out that although it was the same instrument, that there were some pretty big differences between the two performances.   Have them elaborate what was the difference between the two (it's all about playing the right notes, in the right order, with the right timing).  

RELATE:  Relate this concept to physical intimacy.  When done at the right time and right place and right order (as part of a loving marital relationship), then it is beautiful and sacred.  If played out of order and without the right timing, it turns ugly.  If you feel inspired, you can further elaborate on what the ugliness of physical intimacy out of wedlock entails (hurt feelings, possible STD's, possible baby being born without the privilege of coming into a stable, loving family, skewed sense of what a healthy commitment is, damaged self-esteem, jealousy, desensitization to the spirit, etc.)

SHOW this MORMONAD (or recreate it with a real ice cream sundae and a real bug): 

right click on picture, then copy and paste it into a word processing document
where you will be able to adjust it to the desired size before printing. 

Ask them if they would like to eat the sundae.  Play it up and emphasize that it's a really big sundae and there's only a tiny bit defiled by the bug and the possible poison that might be on their bodies. 

DISCUSS: about how easy the decision is to make when it has to do with the food we put in our bodies, but how easily Satan would have us believe that playing with sacred things (dressing immodestly, viewing pornography, too much physical contact before marriage, etc) is fine if you don't "go all the way".    Emphasize how important it is to steer clear of "bugs" in our life that might be sneaking their way into our conduct and how worth it, it is to wait for the right time and the right place, so we can have the whole beautifully delicious ice cream sundae without the corruption of "spiritual bugs"! 


SHOW PICTURE OF HUMAN CELL: 

right click on picture, then copy and paste it into a word processing document
where you will be able to adjust it to the desired size before printing.

Ask your family if they know what it the picture is of.  They will probably guess a cell of some sort, so ask them to guess what kind of cell. 

When they guess or you tell them that they are human cells, talk about how amazing it is that our bodies are made up of so many tiny particles. 

DISCUSS:  Just how our bodies are made up of millions of tiny cells, that our lives are made up of all the small and large decisions we make on a day-to-day basis.  The music we listen to, the people we spend our time with, the movies we watch, the way we treat our siblings, etc  are the core of what makes us into the person that we are. 

RELATE:  If we have a goal of a temple marriage, then we should be making all of the small, seemingly insignificant decisions we face each day, reflect that goal. 

CONCLUDING VIDEO and TREATS:   Watch this video while you eat the long-awaited ice cream sundae (or whatever treat you have prepared).  


TESTIMONY:  Bear your testimony of the importance of staying morally clean and pure.  If inspired, share some of your personal feelings. 

CLOSING PRAYER:  


REFRESHMENTS:   ice cream sundaes


Display for the week: 

download full size image here

Additional Reading Material: 

YW Manual #1, Lesson 32:  Personal Purity through Self Discipline

Article from lds.org:  Protect the Power to Create Life

lds.org article on Chastity

lds.org/youth article:  Personal Purity

Display of 13th Article of Faith:  Mormonshare

For the Strength of Youth:  Sexual Purity








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YW Manual 1, Lesson 29--Second Coming

As I've recently been called to be the YW president in our ward, I thought I'd use this blog to share some of the lessons and ideas that we use along the way.  This lesson could easily be adapted to a family home evening as well.   Be sure to check out the resource list at the bottom of the lesson. 

Objective: 
Each young woman will recognize the responsibilities her generation has to prepare for the Second Coming.

Preparation: 
1. Hide a paper crown under one of the seats or in the room
2. Gather items from the spiritual 72-hour kit (flashlight, roadmap, first aid kit, wipes, water, food, cash, radio) and tape the scriptures onto them. (see below)
3. Find a picture of a young girl (someone from your family preferably) dressed up as a princess
4. Print off quotes so that they can be read
5.  Make hand-outs  for them to take home


Introductory activity:  Hide paper crown underneath a seat, then have the person find it be the queen for the day.  They get to pick the people who give the prayers, choose songs, hand out items, etc. 
Talk briefly about modern kings and queens and how they don’t do much today.

Briefly mention (or have them mention) some righteous and wicked kings through history. 
Righteous (Benjamin, Mosiah, Limhi, Lamoni, Jehoshaphat, Josiah, Hezekiah)
Wicked (Noah, Coriantumr, Laman)

Summarize Mosiah 29:13, 16-17, 21, 26--when King Mosiah talks about how the ideal form of government is a righteous king, but because the evil that a wicked king perpetuates is so great and they're so difficult to overthrow without a lot of bloodshed, that it's better to be ruled by the people.  

What are the characteristics of a righteous king?  

Show picture Savior at the Second Coming and discuss how he is “the King of Kings”, which means that we are a royal generation. 

Explain that the generation the YW are a part of has been called a royal generation because the valiant among them will help prepare the world for the 2^nd coming. 

Read QUOTE #1:

“My dear friends, you are a royal generation.  You were preserved  to come to the earth in this time for a special purpose.  Not just a few of you, but all of you.  There are things for each of you to do that no one else can do as well as you…If you will let Him, I testify that our Father in Heaven will walk with you through the journey of life and inspire you to know your special purpose here.”   Elder H. Burke Peterson

Show picture of a young girl as a princess.  Talk about how most of us come to this earth with an innate sense of our divinity. 

…then we seem to forget.  

Royal generation?   What does it mean?  Who is our king?   What is a generation? 
Kate Middleton
what would you do if she accepted an invitation to come to  lunch at your house?  Would you wait until the last minute to prepare?  Would you put out paper plates and hot dogs?  Would you leave your dirty dishes in the sink? 

Of course not…you’d be honored and do your best to use your manners, clean your house, and prepare a delicious meal served on your finest table settings. 

Imagine how honored we’d be with Kate Middleton allowing us to serve her lunch.   Think of the great honor it is to be among the royal generation to usher in the King of Kings. 


Except we don’t know when he is coming.

What are some of the signs that we’ll see before His coming (don't focus on the signs, keep it positive)? 

Signs:   restoration of the gospel, priesthood, gospel preached throughout the world, destruction of wicked, book of mormon . 

Share experience about someone being scared of the second coming.   

Ask:  Do we need to be scared?  
Read Dallin H Oaks Quote:  
“We are surrounded by challenges on all sides.  But with faith in God, we trust the blessings He has promised those who keep His commandments.  We have faith in the future, and we are preparing for that future.  To borrow a metaphor from the familiar world of athletic competitions, we do not know when this game will end, and we do not know the final score, but we do know that when the game finally ends, our team wins.  We will continue to go forward “till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”  

Christ is our King of Kings and when we live like we believe it,   there is No Need to Fear! 

WE just need to be prepared.  

Doctrine and Covenants 38:30 —if we are prepared, we shall not fear. 

What do we usually think of when we think of being prepared? 
Food storage, 72-hour kits, batteries, etc.

Show 72-hour kit and go through item by item and compare to spiritual preparation.    (see below for items and scriptures to have prepared)

D & C  87:8
Discuss its meaning
Talk about Holy Places
What it is.  What it isn’t. 

Simply put, you are a royal generation and have been held back for thousands of years to come forth in this day.   You  are the leaders of tomorrow and as we’ve been promised, you are strong enough to withstand any temptation before you.  You are the daughter of a King. 

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Here is the front of the handout, you can download it here (I added a text box that said, "You are a royal generation."): 

the back: 

A royal treat:  Greek Yogurt Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting with Princess Cupcake Picks

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CUT OUT THE FOLLOWING STRIPS AND TAPE THEM TO THE CORRESPONDING ITEMS IN YOUR 72-HOUR KIT AND THEN PLACE THEM IN A BACKPACK  (source:  That Good Part):

• Water – Jesus Christ
  • “Jesus answered and said unto her, if thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. … But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” – John 4:10, 14
• Flashlight – The Light of Christ
  • “12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” – John 8:12
• Radio – The Gift of the Holy Ghost
  • “3 And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn. 4 And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and they understood it not.
    5 And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.”- 3 Nephi 11:3-5
• Map – The Scriptures
  • “3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.” – 2 Nephi 32:3“
• First Aid Kit – Faith
• “22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.” – Matthew 9:22
• Wipes (sanitary/antibacterial wipes) – Repentance
• “86 Abide ye in the liberty wherewith ye are made free; entangle not yourselves in sin, but let your hands be clean, until the Lord comes.” – Doctrine and Covenants 88:86
• Swiss-Army Knife or multi-purpose tool – Spiritual Gifts
• “8 Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given; 9 For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me, that ask and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts.” – Doctrine and Covenants 46:8-9
• Cash – Knowledge
• ” 19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.” – Doctrine and Covenants 130:19
• Clothes – Priesthood
• “17 Which priesthood continueth in the church of God in all generations, and is without beginning of days or end of years. 18 And the Lord confirmed a priesthood also upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations, which priesthood also continueth and abideth forever with the priesthood which is after the holiest order of God.
  19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
  20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
  21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;
  22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.” – Doctrine and Covenants 84:17-22
  
  
  

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Resources: 

• YW Manual 1, Lesson 29

• "Preparation for the Second Coming" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks  (mentions a spiritual 72-hour kit)

• "Preparing the World for the Second Coming"  by Elder Neil L. Andersen 

• "Preparing for the Second Coming FHE Lesson" (with  visuals for Spencer W. Kimball's quote about drop-by-drop spiritual preparation) 

• "A Royal Generation"  by Elder Dean Larson

• handout by Storytime Handouts

• Spiritual 72-hour kit idea from That Good Part

• Princess Cupcake Picks (from Amazon)

• Greek Yogurt Cupcakes with amazing Strawberry Frosting

• Picture download of Savior at the Second Coming