FHE LessonsLessons and ideas for family home evening!

Another Witness of Jesus Christ

The scriptures show us a pattern of using multiple witnesses to establish truth in Christ’s Church. The Book of Mormon adds a second witness to the Bible as a testimony of Christ. Elder Mark E. Petersen (1900–84) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles once said, “The chief reason we have the Book of Mormon is that in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall all things be established. (See 2 Cor. 13:1.) We have the Bible; we also have the Book of Mormon. They constitute two voices—two volumes of scripture—from two widely separated ancient peoples, both bearing testimony to the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ.” President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) has added, “We must not forget that the Lord Himself provided the Book of Mormon as His chief witness.”

The Fulness of the Gospel

We know that “plain and precious things … have been taken away from” the Bible throughout time (1 Nephi 13:40). The Book of Mormon clarifies Christ’s doctrine and brings the fulness of the gospel to the earth once again (see 1 Nephi 13:38–41). For example, the Book of Mormon helps us know that baptism must be performed by immersion (see 3 Nephi 11:26) and that little children do not need to be baptized (see Moroni 8:4–26).

Central to the Restored Church

Joseph Smith testified that the Book of Mormon is “the keystone of our religion.” Since we know this, it does not seem a coincidence that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized on April 6, 1830, just 11 days after the Book of Mormon was first available for public sale on March 26, 1830. The Church was not organized until its keystone scripture was available for its members.

A Blessing in Our Lives

Regarding the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith taught that “a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” It has the power to change lives—including yours and those you share the Book of Mormon with. President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, has testified, “The effect of the Book of Mormon on your character, power, and courage to be a witness for God is certain. The doctrine and the valiant examples in that book will lift, guide, and embolden you. … Prayerful study of the Book of Mormon will build faith in God the Father, in His Beloved Son, and in His gospel. It will build your faith in God’s prophets, ancient and modern. … It can draw you closer to God than any other book. It can change a life for the better.”

Join the Conversation

Throughout April you’ll be studying about the Apostasy and the Restoration in your priesthood quorums and Young Women and Sunday School classes (if your ward or branch has the new lessons in your language). The coming forth of the Book of Mormon was an important part of the Restoration. After reading this article, think about how your life is different because you have the Book of Mormon. You could write down your feelings in your journal and consider sharing them with others by testifying at home, at church, or on social media.

Two Witnesses

“The Bible is one witness of Jesus Christ; the Book of Mormon is another. Why is this second witness so crucial? The following illustration may help: How many straight lines can you draw through a single point on a piece of paper? The answer is infinite. For a moment, suppose that single point represents the Bible and that hundreds of those straight lines drawn through that point represent different interpretations of the Bible and that each of those interpretations represents a different church.

“What happens, however, if on that piece of paper there is a second point representing the Book of Mormon? How many straight lines could you draw between these two reference points: the Bible and the Book of Mormon? Only one. Only one interpretation of Christ’s doctrines survives the testimony of these two witnesses.

“Again and again the Book of Mormon acts as a confirming, clarifying, unifying witness of the doctrines taught in the Bible.”

Trifle in a Jar

Ingrediens:

Activity

1- Write your testimony in a Book of Mormon and pray for an opportunity to share it with someone

2. Play Hide and Seek, Capture the Flag, or Kick the Can

Scripture

D&C 109: 14-15

14 And do thou grant, Holy Father, that all those who shall worship in this house may be taught words of wisdom out of the best books, and that they may seek learning even by study, and also by faith, as thou hast said;

15 And that they may grow up in thee, and receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost, and be organized according to thy laws, and be prepared to obtain every needful thing;

Hymn

Search, Ponder, and Pray - Primary Songbook #109 or As I Search the Holy Scriptures- Hymn #277

Search, Ponder, and Pray

1. As I search the holy scriptures,
Loving Father of mankind,
May my heart be blessed with wisdom,
And may knowledge fill my mind.

2. As I search the holy scriptures,
Touch my spirit, Lord, I pray.
May life’s myst’ries be unfolded
As I study day by day.

3. As I search the holy scriptures,
May thy mercy be revealed.
Soothe my troubled heart and spirit;
May my unseen wounds be healed.

4. As I search the holy scriptures,
Help me ponder and obey.
In thy word is life eternal;
May thy light show me the way.

How far away are these two places from each other? What would Jonah have to do to travel to each place? It was a long, difficult trip. How does this knowledge change your understanding of the story?

 **Share points from the article below**

Do you sometimes find it hard to study—really study—the scriptures? Here are some ideas you can use to add more life to your scripture study and make the most of your reading time.

 Goblin Feet

Ingredients:

Activity

1- Make a Scripture Rock.
(See the Lesson for Younger Children above.)

2- Make a Bookmark for your scriptures.

3- Play Scripture Charades.
(Have everyone come up with several names of people from the scriptures & write on slips of paper. Place the pieces of paper in a cup or a bowl. Have everyone take turns drawing a slip of paper and acting out the person from the scriptures until someone guesses who it is. Take turns until all of the slips of paper have been acted out.)

Scripture

3 Nephi 23:1-5

15 And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.

Hymn

Search Ponder and Pray- Primary Song 109 or As I Search the Holy Scriptures – Hymn 277

Search Ponder and Pray

1. I love to read the holy scriptures,
And, ev’ry time I do,
I feel the Spirit start to grow within my heart—
A testimony that they’re true.

2. So, prayerfully I’ll read the scriptures
Each day my whole life through.
I’ll come to understand.
I’ll heed the Lord’s command
And live as he would have me do.

Chorus
Search, ponder, and pray
Are the things that I must do.
The Spirit will guide, and, deep inside,
I’ll know the scriptures are true.

As I Search the Holy Scriptures

1. As I search the holy scriptures,
Loving Father of mankind,
May my heart be blessed with wisdom,
And may knowledge fill my mind.

2. As I search the holy scriptures,
Touch my spirit, Lord, I pray.
May life’s myst’ries be unfolded
As I study day by day.

3. As I search the holy scriptures,
May thy mercy be revealed.
Soothe my troubled heart and spirit;
May my unseen wounds be healed.

4. As I search the holy scriptures,
Help me ponder and obey.
In thy word is life eternal;
May thy light show me the way.

Lesson

*For Younger Children* Explain the importance of reading the words of our Heavenly Father in the standard works. Tell the story of Jesus in 3 Nephi 17. Testify of the scriptures.

Hold each of the four standard works, one at a time, in a way that shows your appreciation and reverence for it as you tell the children its name. Explain that they are very special books because they contain the words of our Heavenly Father. They contain true stories and tell us about Jesus and how we can be happy. They tell us how much our Heavenly Father loves us and that he will always help us.

Sing “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus” with your children. Then tell them the story of Jesus blessing the Nephite children (see 3 Nephi 17:18–25). Show them where this story is located in the Book of Mormon.

Next tell them your favorite Old Testament story, and show them where it is found in the Bible.

To study the scriptures with your younger children, read or tell bedtime stories from the scriptures. Remember to tell your children which book the story comes from each time you read or tell a story so that they will become familiar with the standard works.

Testify of the importance of reading scriptures daily.

. Read and discuss 1 Nephi 19:22-24. Establish a goal of family scripture study. Testify of the importance of studying the scriptures daily.

Have each family member tell his favorite scriptural passage, story, or parable. Stimulate their thinking by first telling one of yours. After everyone has had an opportunity to respond, ask why they chose that particular verse or story. Responses should show different ways the scriptures can teach and help us.

Have someone read 1 Nephi 19:22–24. Identify the three basic reasons why Nephi exhorted his people to read and ponder the scriptures. Use the regular lesson to discuss these three reasons, adapting it to the interests of your family.

If you do not have a regular program for scripture study in your family, use the following personal experience related in the April 1975 general conference by Bishop H. Burke Peterson to help your family begin one:

“May I relate a personal experience from the Peterson family. Several years ago after wrestling with the problem for some time, my wife and I, sensing the urgency of our parental charge, devised a new battle plan. You see, up to that point, Satan had been winning the battle of ‘Should we or should we not read the scriptures together in the Peterson home?’ We had tried off and on for years with no sustained success. Our big problem was that someone or something always interrupted our schedule. With a 17-year spread in our children’s ages, we felt we had a special challenge.

“As we studied and prayed over it, we concluded that the best time for our family of girls to read would be when no one else wanted our time. Since the older girls had to be in seminary by 7:00 a.m., our controllable time had to be early. We decided on 6:15 in the morning. We knew it would be a challenge to get teenage support. The idea was good, but its implementation was most difficult and it still is. Our family is still struggling.

“Our great new plan had its birth one hot August day in Phoenix, Arizona. My wife suggested we give them a whole month to think about it and prepare for it. We went about their mental preparation in a very positive way. The plan was to start the first day of school in early September. To their protests that it was impossible to have their heads all filled with rollers in time, or that it was not likely they would feel happy so early in the morning, or that they might be late to seminary, or not have time to eat breakfast either, we replied very cheerfully that we knew they were clever enough to cope with any minor problems that might arise.

“At its announcement, we also told the girls we had been praying for guidance in this family problem. This made it easier, because they had been schooled in prayer and had been taught not to question its results.

“The historic first morning finally came. My wife and I got up a little early so we would be sure to be wide awake and happy. Our initial approach must meet with success. We entered each bedroom singing and happy at the thought of the prospects before us. Purposely we went to one special bedroom first. Here slept a daughter who would be able to get up early but who couldn’t wake up before noon. We sat her up in bed and then went to the others and started them all into the family room. Some stumbled, some fell, some had to be carried in, some slept through that first morning—and I might say through subsequent mornings too.

“Little by little, we have learned over the years what reading the scriptures 15 minutes each morning can do for our family. You should know that we don’t try to discuss and understand each point we read. We try to pick out only a couple of thoughts each morning to digest. You should also know we still have to struggle with the plan’s performance, even though we now have only two children at our home.

“Can you imagine how a parent would feel to ask a little girl, ‘What did King Benjamin mean when he said, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God”?’ (Mosiah 2:17.) And she would respond, ‘I suppose he means that I shouldn’t be selfish and should do little things for my sisters because it makes Heavenly Father happy—and Daddy, I want him to be happy with me, so I’m going to try harder.’ Innumerable are the blessings that will accrue to the family that persists in this noble effort of reading the scriptures together daily.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1975, pp. 79–80; or Ensign, May 1975, p. 54.)

Encourage your family to set up a program of scripture reading as discussed in the final section of the regular lesson.

Testify of the importance of studying the scriptures daily.

Treat

Valentine’s Creamy Jigglers or Cupid’s Cherry Cheesecakes

Valentine’s Creamy Jigglers

Ingredients:

Instructions:

STIR boiling water into dry gelatin mix in large bowl at least 3 min. until completely dissolved. Cool 30 min. at room temperature.

POUR milk into medium bowl. Add dry pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk 1 min. Add to gelatin; stir until well blended. Pour into 13×9-inch pan.

REFRIGERATE 3 hours or until firm. Dip bottom of pan in warm water 15 sec. Cut into 24 decorative shapes using 2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutters, being careful to cut all the way through gelatin to bottom of pan. Lift JIGGLERS® from pan. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator.

Cupid’s Cherry Cheesecakes

Ingredients:

Instructions:

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Place 1 wafer in bottom of each of 12 paper-lined medium muffin pan cups; set aside.

BEAT cream cheese and sugar in small bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing just until blended after each addition. Spoon evenly into prepared muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full.

BAKE 30 minutes. Turn off oven; open oven door slightly. Let stand in oven 30 minutes. Remove from oven; cool completely. Top with pie filling. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. Store leftover cheesecakes in refrigerator.

(Recipes taken from KraftRecipes.com)

Scripture

1 Nephi 19:23

23 And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.

Hymn

Search Ponder & Pray–Primary Song #109 or  The Iron Rod Hymn 274

Search Ponder & Pray

1- I love to read the holy scriptures,
And, ev’ry time I do,
I feel the Spirit start to grow within my heart—
A testimony that they’re true.

Chorus
Search, ponder, and pray
Are the things that I must do.
The Spirit will guide, and, deep inside,
I’ll know the scriptures are true.

2. So, prayerfully I’ll read the scriptures
Each day my whole life through.
I’ll come to understand.
I’ll heed the Lord’s command
And live as he would have me do.

The Iron Rod

1. To Nephi, seer of olden time,
A vision came from God,
Wherein the holy word sublime
Was shown an iron rod.

Chorus
Hold to the rod, the iron rod;
’Tis strong, and bright, and true
The iron rod is the word of God;
’Twill safely guide us through.

2. While on our journey here below,
Beneath temptation’s pow’r,
Through mists of darkness we must go,
In peril ev’ry hour.

3. And when temptation’s pow’r is nigh,
Our pathway clouded o’er,
Upon the rod we can rely,
And heaven’s aid implore.

4. And, hand o’er hand, the rod along,
Through each succeeding day,
With earnest prayer and hopeful song,
We’ll still pursue our way.

5. Afar we see the golden rest
To which the rod will guide,
Where, with the angels bright and blest,
Forever we’ll abide.

Lesson

*For Younger Children* Read this story and discuss the questions at the end. You may also want to use clipart to help tell the story.

Seth was confused when Mom and Dad announced that they were going to read the Book of Mormon as a family. He was only four, and his brother Caleb was two. They were too little to read. So how could they read as a family?

After Seth and Caleb climbed into bed that night in early autumn, Mom and Dad sat by the bedroom door with their scriptures open.

“This is just how my mom read the Book of Mormon to me when I was little,” Mom said. “There are no pictures for you to look at in this book. But you can imagine the pictures in your minds.”

Seth’s parents took turns reading. Sometimes they stopped to explain things. They read from the Book of Mormon every night. Some nights, Seth fell asleep before they finished reading. Caleb almost always did.

“That’s OK,” Dad said. “Just listen as long as you can, and enjoy the peaceful feeling.”

Seth did feel peaceful listening to the Book of Mormon, most nights. Other times, he didn’t feel like listening. Sometimes he interrupted with stories about preschool, or ideas he had for Halloween or Christmas or his birthday in February.

“Seth,” Dad said, “you can ask questions, but they have to be about the Book of Mormon.”

Seth wanted to talk. He didn’t want Mom and Dad to do all the talking. So he started to listen and tried to think of questions to ask. He started to imagine the pictures in his mind—Nephi building a boat, Lehi blessing his sons. Soon, he realized there really were things he wanted to know.

“Who is Satan?” he asked one night.

Mom and Dad closed their scriptures and explained how Satan was a son of Heavenly Father who would not obey. He was so angry at Heavenly Father he couldn’t live with Him anymore. Then he was so mad that he wanted everybody else to feel miserable like him.

“Satan wants us to make bad choices so that we’ll feel bad inside,” Dad explained. “Sometimes he will try to tempt you to do bad things. But you can tell him no. You can choose the right.” Seth felt strong, knowing that he could tell Satan no and follow Jesus instead.

A few months later, on a rainy winter night, Seth listened to the story of the Lamanites being taught by the great missionary, Ammon. The Lamanites buried their weapons and promised Heavenly Father that they wouldn’t fight anymore. Seth thought about how he sometimes argued with Caleb, who was already asleep in his bed. Suddenly, he had an idea.

“Dad,” he asked, “how can I make a promise to Heavenly Father?”

Dad stopped reading and looked up at Seth. “You can pray to Him and tell Him you want to do better,” he replied. “You can make a promise to Him anytime. And when you are eight, you’ll make a really big promise. That’s when you’ll be baptized, and promise to try to do what’s right for the rest of your life.”
“But I can still promise now?”

“Sure you can.”

One night, after Seth’s fifth birthday, Dad started reading the story of 2,000 young men, the stripling warriors, who decided to fight to defend their parents, the people of Ammon. As Mom began to read, her voice got quiet. When Seth looked over at her, she was crying.

“Why are you crying, Mom?” he asked.

“I started reading about these boys and how good they are, and how Heavenly Father took care of them. And I looked at you listening to the Book of Mormon, and I thought about how much you want to be good and make promises to Heavenly Father.”

“And you got sad?”

“No, I got happy! I think you are like the boys in this story. You are determined to do what is right! You will have hard battles in your life. Remember how Satan wants you to feel bad?” she asked. Seth did remember. “But you will fight against him, and Heavenly Father will take care of you, just like He took care of the boys in this story.”

They read about Jesus visiting the Nephites. Seth was very quiet as Dad read about Christ taking each little child in His arms and blessing him or her. Seth had a picture in his room of Jesus surrounded by little children. He could imagine himself right there, hugging Jesus and feeling His hands on his head blessing him, just like Dad blessed him when he was sick with the flu.

Seth was so quiet that Mom thought he was asleep. “Seth, are you awake?” she whispered.

“Yes. Keep reading,” Seth replied.

Near the end of the summer, Seth’s family had a special family home evening to read the last chapter of the Book of Mormon.

“I first read the Book of Mormon when I was getting ready to go on a mission,” Dad said. “The Holy Ghost told me it was true. But you boys are learning about the Book of Mormon while you are young. You can learn that it is true right now.”

Mom said that since they had been reading as a family, she felt happier in their home. “I’ve noticed Seth and Caleb are more obedient. And I don’t feel like yelling or scolding. I think the Book of Mormon has helped our family.”

Seth remembered the stories he had heard and the pictures he had imagined. He remembered the peace he felt as he went to sleep every night listening to Mom and Dad read. He remembered being able to imagine himself with Jesus. “I feel good about the Book of Mormon,” he said.

(Ana Nelson Shaw, “Seth’s Family Scripture Study”, Friend, Sept 2005)

*Discuss these questions as a family*
1- When did Seth’s parents read the Book of Mormon (What time of day)?
2- What did Seth do while his parents read?
3- What parts did Seth talk about?
4- Why was his mom crying?
5- How did Seth feel when he listened to his parent read the Book of Mormon?
6- How do you feel about the Book of Mormon?

*For Teenagers or Adults* Share the following story or make a cake similar to the one in the story. Discuss why scripture study is important. (Marie Elwood-Hendricks, “The Worst Cake Ever”, New Era, May 2011)

It was family home evening, and Dad was teaching the lesson. I slouched into a comfortable chair and glanced around the room at my sisters and brothers. We were there, prepared to listen—halfway—before rushing back to the really important things in our lives.

Suddenly Dad disappeared into the kitchen. I raised my eyebrows at Anna, my sister. She shrugged, silently communicating, “How do I know what he’s doing?”

He came bouncing out of the kitchen with an apron on, a large mixing bowl and an old cookbook in his hands. “Today for our lesson, we are going to make a cake. Then, for a treat, we will eat it.”

That sounded good to me. I could always handle a few extra snacks between meals.

“But,” Dad said, “we’re not going to use this cookbook.”

“Why not?” asked my sister Katie.

“Well, this book was written a long time ago,” he said as he checked the copyright date in the front. “1979. I’m sure they knew how to make a 1979 cake, but I really doubt the authors know anything about making a cake right now, in this century. The pressures that we’re under, the technology, it’s all really different.”

“But cake making doesn’t really change,” protested Anna.

“No book,” said Dad. He threw the cookbook squarely onto the kitchen table. “This is our cake, and we’re going to make it our way. We don’t need anyone to tell us how to make it. Let’s go around and each person can pick an ingredient to put in the cake.”

He started with me. “Um, OK, flour?”

“How much?”

“Two cups?” I hazarded a guess. “Really, Dad, I think it would be better if …”

He held up his hand to silence my protest as Mom rushed to get the flour and add it to the mixing bowl.

Joe was next. “Butter? One stick?”

We went around the circle. We added salt, sugar, milk, and eggs. I breathed a sigh of relief when Katie added baking powder. She bakes more than I do, and I had known it needed some kind of leaven, but I was unsure what.

It was Anna’s turn. “Cocoa powder,” she declared. I smiled. Chocolate cake is my favorite. This cake was turning out to be OK after all.

When we were all finished, it looked like cake batter and smelled good, too.

“Let’s grease and flour the pan,” suggested Katie.

“One moment,” said Dad. “I just thought of something that would be really good to add.” He handed the bowl to Mom and came back with some … was that Worcestershire sauce?

Amidst howls of protest, Dad added two large tablespoonfuls of the black sauce to our batter. We all looked on in shock and dismay.

Dad smiled benignly. “Were you going to grease and flour that pan?” he asked Katie.

“I guess so,” she replied uncertainly.

Dad looked at our crestfallen faces. He said, “I know most successful cakes don’t have Worcestershire sauce in them. In fact, if we looked in the instructions, there might be some kind of warnings against adding things like Worcestershire sauce. But,” he said with a sneer, “that cookbook is old-fashioned and ancient. We don’t need anyone telling us what to do. It’s our cake. We can do what we want with it. Also, I hear that everyone who is anyone is putting Worcestershire sauce into their cakes these days.”

Dad popped the cake into the oven and removed his apron. In stunned silence, we returned to our seats. Dad sat down, too. When he began to speak, the sneer was gone. He held up a set of scriptures, and his tone was reverent.

“When you pictured the cake we were going to make, you probably pictured something wonderful, maybe a chocolate cake with white frosting. You did not picture something disgusting.

“Right now I want you to picture the life you have ahead of you. Picture the ingredients you know you need to return to your Father in Heaven. Picture serving a mission. Picture marriage in the temple. Picture the career of your choice. Picture yourself making good choices and being a force for good in the world. These are the positive ingredients you put into life.

“But there are certain things that do not belong in a successful life, just as Worcestershire sauce never belongs in a cake, like drug use, sexual immorality, or dishonesty. No matter how Satan tries to disguise them, they are guaranteed roads to failure.

“Of course, our cake would have turned out better if we had read and followed the instructions.”

He held up his scriptures. “Your life will turn out better if you follow the teachings in here. It’s true that the scriptures were written a long time ago. It’s true that some of the values may seem old-fashioned to some of your friends. But, like Anna said, cake making doesn’t really change much over time, and neither do the rules for living a happy and successful life. Also, we have living prophets and apostles. They are the experts, just like the authors of the cookbook are experts. We all would do well to follow their teachings.

“If you keep sight of your eternal goals, you won’t let people talk you into putting destructive ingredients into your life. But if you just drift along, adding whatever yucky things are ‘in’ at the moment, you won’t make the cake—or the life—that you picture for yourself.”

We were quiet for a moment. Then Mom said, “Of course, we do have repentance.”

“That’s true,” said Dad. “Unlike cakes, lives get second chances.” The timer buzzed. Reluctantly, Katie went to the kitchen and removed the cake from the oven. It smelled terrible. Were they really going to make us eat that?

“Let’s go have a treat,” said Mom. As we got up to leave, my brother Joe put his hand on my dad’s shoulder.

“Good lesson, Dad,” he said.

We were pleasantly surprised to find another cake, white with chocolate frosting, that Mom had made using the cookbook. We all had a small bite of the nasty cake, however, just to see what it tasted like. It was as disgusting as it smelled.

For the price of a few wasted ingredients, Dad made a huge impact. For years now, I have remembered his lesson, and I have always been blessed when I have tried to avoid the undesirable ingredients of life.

Cake making doesn’t really change much over time, and neither do the rules for living a happy and successful life.

Treat

Spring Puzzle Cake or Grilled Pound Cake with Berries & Ice Cream

Spring Puzzle Cake

Ingredients:

Ready-to-bake sugar cookie dough
Frosting
10- by 14-inch jelly roll pan
Rolling pin

Instructions:

1- Press ready-to-bake sugar cookie dough (found in the refrigerated section of the supermarket) into a 10- by 14-inch jelly roll pan.

2-Roll it out to a 1/4-inch thickness. (If your rolling pin is too long to use in the pan, roll out the dough on a large piece of aluminum foil first, then place it in the pan.)

3- Use a knife to cut the dough into about 15 randomly shaped pieces, then bake it according to the package directions. When it’s done, recut the lines if necessary.

4- Allow the cookie to cool, then pipe on frosting flowers, leaves, and vines..

Grilled Pound Cake with Berries & Ice Cream

To make, you will need:

Pound cake
Ice cream of your choice
Berries of your choice

Instructions:

1- Heat slices of pound cake on the hot (clean) grill grates for 2 to 3 minutes per side or until you have visible grill marks.

2- Top each slice with ice cream and 1/2 cup of fresh berries.

(Recipes taken from Familyfun.go.com)

Scripture

Article of Faith 6

6- We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers,evangelists, and so forth.

Hymn

We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet Hymn 19 or Latter-Day Prophets–Primary Song #134

We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet Hymn 19

1- We thank thee, O God, for a prophet;
To guide us in these latter days.
We thank thee for sending the gospel
To lighten our minds with its rays.
We thank thee for every blessing
Bestowed by thy bounteous hand.
We feel it a pleasure to serve thee
And love to obey thy command.

2. When dark clouds of trouble hang o’er us
And threaten our peace to destroy,
There is hope smiling brightly before us,
And we know that deliv’rance is nigh.
We doubt not the Lord nor his goodness.
We’ve proved him in days that are past.
The wicked who fight against Zion
Will surely be smitten at last.

3. We’ll sing of his goodness and mercy.
We’ll praise him by day and by night,
Rejoice in his glorious gospel,
And bask in its life-giving light.
Thus on to eternal perfection
The honest and faithful will go,
While they who reject this glad message
Shall never such happiness know.

Latter-Day Prophets–Primary Song #134

Lesson

*For Younger Children* Display pictures the Latter-Day Prophets (pictures can be found on lds.org or ldsclipart.com). While looking at the pictures of the prophets, discuss some of the questions listed below.

Discuss these questions as a family:
1- How many prophets have beards?
2- Who has the longest beard?
3- What color are the prophets ties?
4- Who is the prophet today?
5- Do you remember any prophets from the scriptures? Who?
6- Are prophets important? Why? (Testify)

*For Teenagers or Adults* Share and discuss ancient prophets throughout history (See how many prophets you can name).  Also name and discuss the teaching of the prophets of the latter-days and the questions listed below.

Brainstorm ancient prophets and what they did. Here is a list to get you started:
Adam – first man
Noah – built Ark
Jonah – swallowed by whale

Be sure to discuss prophets such as: Lehi, Nephi, Abinadi, Alma, Enoch, Abraham, Samuel, David (and Goliath), Elijah, Jesus, etc.

Name as many Latter-Day prophets as you can as a family. Display pictures of the Latter-Day prophets (pictures can be found on lds.org or ldsclipart.com). Share the main quotes from each of the Latter-day prophets.

Joseph Smith - “Surely I have contemplated the things of God.”

Brigham Young - “’Mormonism’ has made me all I am; and the grace, the power, and the wisdom of God will make me all that I ever will be, either in time or in eternity.”

John Taylor - “I would rather trust in the living God than in any other power on earth.”

Wilford Woodruff - “We are willing to stand by the revelations of God.”

Lorenzo Snow - “As a servant of God, I bear witness to the revelations of His will in the nineteenth century.”

Joseph F Smith - “We desire it distinctly understood that ‘Mormonism’, as it is called, has come to the world to stay.”

Heber J Grant - “No matter in what land we may dwell the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ makes us brothers and sisters, interested in each other, eager to understand and know each other.”

George Albert Smith - “I would not be an enemy to any living soul.”

David O McKay - ”Every member a missionary!”

Joseph Fielding Smith - “Our mission is to preach the doctrines of salvation in plainness and simplicity as they are revealed and recorded in the scriptures.”

Harold B Lee - “I only ask to go where the Lord would have me go, and only to receive what the Lord would have me receive, knowing that more important than sight is the witness that one may have by the witness of the Holy Ghost to his soul that things are so and that Jesus is the Christ, a living personage.”

Spencer W Kimball - “We must lengthen our stride and must do it now.”

Ezra Taft Benson - “I have a vision of the whole Church getting nearer to God by abiding by the precepts of the Book of Mormon.”

Howard W Hunter - “It is the deepest desire of my heart to have every member of the Church worthy to enter the temple.”

Gordon B Hinkley - “The time has come for us to stand a little taller, to lift our eyes and stretch our minds to a greater comprehension and understanding of the grand millennial mission of this, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

Thomas S Monson - “There are many out there who plead and pray for help. There are those who are discouraged, those who are beset by poor health and challenges of life which leave them in despair. I’ve always believed in the truth of the words, ‘God’s sweetest blessings always go by hands that serve him here below.’ Let us have ready hands, clean hands, and willing hands, that we may participate in providing what our Heavenly Father would have others receive from Him.”

(Quotes Taken From: http://lds.org/churchhistory/presidents/leaders.jsp)

*Discuss these questions as a family*
Who is your favorite prophet? Why?
What do prophets teach us?
Are prophets important? Why? (Testify)

Treat

Key Lime Pie or Sweet Shamrock Pretzels

Key Lime Pie

Ingredients:

Scripture

2 Nephi 4: 15

15 And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.

Hymn

Scripture Power or As I Search the Holy Scriptures Hymn 277

Scripture Power

1- Because I want to be
like the Savior, and I can,
I’m reading His instructions,
I’m following His plan.
Because I want the power
His words will give to me,
I’m changing how I live,
I’m changing what I’ll be.

[Chorus]
Scripture Power keeps me safe from sin.
Scripture Power is the power to win.
Scripture power! Everyday I need
The power that I get each time I read.

2- I’ll find the sword of truth
in each scripture that I learn.
I’ll take the shield of faith
from these pages that I turn.
I’ll wear each vital part of
the armor of the Lord,
And fight my daily battles,
and win a great reward.

As I Search the Holy Scriptures

1. As I search the holy scriptures,
Loving Father of mankind,
May my heart be blessed with wisdom,
And may knowledge fill my mind.

2. As I search the holy scriptures,
Touch my spirit, Lord, I pray.
May life’s myst’ries be unfolded
As I study day by day.

3. As I search the holy scriptures,
May thy mercy be revealed.
Soothe my troubled heart and spirit;
May my unseen wounds be healed.

4. As I search the holy scriptures,
Help me ponder and obey.
In thy word is life eternal;
May thy light show me the way.

Lesson

*For Younger Children* Read this story and discuss the questions at the end. You may also want to use clipart to help tell the story.

Sammy liked to memorize scriptures. He couldn’t read yet, but he already knew six articles of faith and many verses from the Book of Mormon and Bible. Mom wrote a scripture on a card and drew a picture on the back to help Sammy remember. Sammy knew scriptures about the Savior, gratitude, service, the stripling soldiers, and Nephi. He felt good inside because he was learning the scriptures.

One Sunday before Primary opening exercises, Sammy waited reverently on the CTR 5 bench beside his teacher, Sister Taylor. He folded his arms and listened to the music. Then he heard Sister Hunter, the Primary president, talking to Sister Taylor.

“I just found out that the boy who was going to give the scripture is sick today,” Sister Hunter said. “I’m going to see if an older child can read a scripture for us on short notice.”

Sammy quickly thought about all the scriptures he knew. “I can give a scripture today,” he told Sister Hunter.

“That would be great, Sammy,” Sister Hunter said. “Can Sister Taylor help you find and read a scripture?”

“I don’t need any help,” Sammy said.

Sister Hunter and Sister Taylor looked surprised. “Are you sure?” Sister Taylor asked.

“I have lots of scriptures memorized,” Sammy said. “I just learned a scripture about King Benjamin. I could say that one.”

“OK,” Sister Hunter said. “Will you please come sit up front?”

Sammy felt his heart beat faster as he walked to the front of the room and sat down. He was a little nervous, but he was confident he could say the scripture.

After singing “Book of Mormon Stories,” Sister Hunter said that Sammy would give the scripture.

Sammy walked to the pulpit and stood on the step stool. He took a deep breath and then spoke into the microphone: “Mosiah 2:17. When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”

Sammy stepped down and went back to his seat, smiling the whole way. A warm feeling came over him. He was grateful that he had helped Sister Hunter in Primary. And he was grateful that even though he couldn’t read, he could still learn the scriptures.
(Jill Jensen, “Sammy’s Scriptures”, Friend, Jan. 2011, 36–37)

*Discuss these questions as a family*
1- Sammy’s mother wrote something and drew a picture to help Sammy memorize what?
2- Why did Sister Hunter want to find an older child to help her?
3- What did Sammy tell Sister Hunter he could do?
4- How did Sammy help Sister Hunter?
5- How did Sammy feel when he sat back down in his seat?
6- How would you feel if you were Sammy?

*For Teenagers or Adults* Share and discuss the following story.
(Jeff B. Marler, “Finding My Second Wind”, New Era, Nov. 2010, 40–42)

I was a senior in high school and had joined the cross-country team mainly to get in shape for track and field events that took place later in the year. As part of our training, every morning before school our coach would have us run to his home, which was four miles from the school, and then run back again.

Several times after having made the eight-mile run my coach asked me if I’d “found my second wind yet?”

I’d always ask, out of breath, “What’s a second wind?”

To which he would reply, “You’ll know it when you find it.”

After several weeks of arduous training we finally had our first cross-country meet. It was well over eight miles long, with no stops and only an orange cone indicating the halfway mark. Knowing how difficult the last four miles had been for me every morning, I began to doubt myself even before the race began. But out of respect for my coach and with my competitive spirit, I positioned myself at the starting line.

The gun went off and we were on our way, trying to pace ourselves so we would have enough energy to finish. As usual, I could feel the burn and fatigue starting to build up with every stride I was taking. Well into the race I wobbled around a corner looking up a hill that seemed to be Mount Everest, only to see the halfway sign marked by the orange cone. I was exhausted. By this time I was feeling the temptation to quit. But relying on competitive drive still left in me, I made it to the top, with a weak, staggering run.

Suddenly something happened that I can’t explain fully. As I reached the crest of the hill, the words of my coach came to my mind, “Hey, Marler, have you found your second wind yet?”

At that moment, the question and the answer, “You’ll know it when you find it,” all came to light. As the burn, aches, and pains flooded through my body, as I was gasping for every breath, my whole body suddenly felt as if I had never started the race. I felt as if I was at the starting line, waiting for the gun to go off. I knew for the first time what a second wind was. I was able to finish the race and assist our team in winning the overall competition.

After the race I found my coach, and seeing the expression on my face, he said, “You found your second wind, didn’t you, Marler?” I will never forget the moment or the feeling I had. I know that anyone else who has experienced a second wind during a race can relate and will know what I have experienced.

I compare gaining a sure witness of the Book of Mormon to that experience of finding a second wind during a race. There is a parallel between hard physical exercise and hard spiritual exercise that eventually helps us reach a goal. I had trust and faith in my coach and knew that something good would come from his instruction. The same applies during our spiritual exercise and training. We don’t have to have a perfect knowledge of the things related to our study of the gospel; we put our faith and trust in the Lord through prayer, scripture study, attending our meetings, and worthily partaking of the sacrament. We also hearken to the words from His chosen servants.

I remember distinctly the time and place I found my spiritual second wind, my more sure witness of the Book of Mormon. I was in Scotland in my first assignment as a missionary in a little town called Barrhead just outside of Glasgow. I had been challenged by a Scotsman asking me how I knew the Book of Mormon was true. It was at that point I realized I had never received a sure witness or even put the book to the test as Moroni challenges us in Moroni 10:3–5. You first have to have a sincere desire to read the Book of Mormon; then you study and ponder the message with real intent and pray in faith, asking the Lord if it is true—something I had not yet done.

It was later one evening as I was kneeling by my bed in humble prayer that I received a feeling so powerful, so sweet, and so warm that it was as if I had just reached the crest of a hill in my spiritual race for truth and understanding. The Holy Ghost bore witness to my soul that the Book of Mormon was true. Like my physical second wind, no one can tell me that I imagined this witness. It was real! I knew it, and no one could take it away from me. From that point on, I had no problem bearing testimony of the Book of Mormon, living prophets, and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I could never deny it!

With physical exercise, you must continue working or your body becomes weak and endurance becomes a challenge. The same applies with spiritual exercise; it must be constant. If you stop, your spiritual endurance will become weak.

We all need to be persistent in our desire to know for ourselves the truth of the living Church restored in these the latter days. My spiritual second wind continues to be just as invigorating now as the day I received my first witness of the Book of Mormon in Scotland. I will never forget that moment in my life.

Treat

Polar Bear Cubcakes or Hot Chocolate Cones

Polar Bear Cubcakes

Ingredients:

Light-colored cupcakes, 1 regular and 3 mini
White frosting
Shredded coconut
3 large and 2 small white gumdrops
1 Junior Mint candy
Chocolate chips, 4 regular and 4 mini

Instructions: (How To Video)

1- First, frost the top, sides, and bottoms of both a regular-size cupcake and a mini cupcake with white frosting. For each cupcake, frost the bottom first; then use a fork stuck into the bottom to hold the cupcake while you frost the rest of it.

2- Roll the cupcakes in shredded coconut; then, working on waxed paper, set the cupcakes on their sides with the top of the smaller cupcake stuck to the bottom of the larger one to form the bear’s head.

3- Add 2 horizontal slices from a large white gumdrop for ears, a Junior Mint candy for a nose, and 2 chocolate chips for eyes. For each cub, frost a mini cupcake and a large gumdrop, then roll them in coconut and arrange them on their sides as shown. Add 2 horizontal slices from a small white gumdrop for ears, a chocolate chip nose, and 2 mini chocolate chip eyes.

Hot Chocolate Cones

To make, you will need:

3/4 cup cocoa mix
2 (6- by 12-inch) cone-shaped cellophane bags (available at party stores)
2 clear rubber bands (we used ponytail holders)
Scissors
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
3/4 cup mini marshmallows
1 large red gumdrop

Instructions:

1- Pour the cocoa mix into one of the bags. Close the bag with a clear rubber band, then trim the end of the bag 1 inch above the band.

2- Place the cocoa-filled bag into the second bag and flatten its top so the end doesn’t stick up.

3- Layer the chocolate chips and the marshmallows, then top with the gumdrop. Secure the bag with the other rubber band.

(Recipes taken from Familyfun.go.com)