Monday, May 31, 2010

Family Home Evening Lesson #61: THE HOLY GHOST TESTIFIES OF THE TRUTH OF ALL THINGS

1. Opening Prayer

2. Sing "The Still Small Voice" Children's Songbook, pg. 106

3. Read Moroni 10:5  And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

4. Read and discuss the following from Boyd K. Packer in the July, 1995 Friend:

Following baptism, in the ordinance of confirmation, you received, or will receive, the gift of the Holy Ghost.

While the Holy Ghost may inspire all mankind, the gift carries the right to have it as a “constant companion” (see D&C 121:46). It is “by the power of the Holy Ghost [that you] may know the truth of all things” (Moro. 10:5).

The Holy Ghost speaks with a voice that you feel more than you hear. It is described as a “still small voice” (see D&C 85:6). And while we speak of “listening” to the whisperings of the Spirit, most often one describes a spiritual prompting by saying, “I had a feeling …”

The scriptures are full of such expressions as “The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened” (D&C 110:1), “I will tell you in your mind and in your heart” (D&C 8:2), and “Speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts” (D&C 100:5).

The prophet Enos said, “While I was thus struggling in the spirit, behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind” (Enos 1:10). Enos then related what the Lord put into his mind.

The voice of the Spirit speaks gently, prompting you what to do or what to say, or it may caution or warn you. Ignore or disobey these promptings, and the Spirit will leave you. It is your choice—your agency.

The Savior said: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide [stay] with you for ever;

“Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (John 14:15–17.)

I bear witness of the power of the Spirit and thank God that this wonderful gift is given to you, our youth, to guide you as you move forward to a happy life.

5. Closing Prayer

Additional Resources: Learning to Recognize the Spirit (FHE Resource Book, Lesson 15)
Gaining a Testimony Through the Holy Ghost (FHE Resource Book, Lesson 16)
The Holy Gost Testifies of the Truth of All Things (Friend, June 2010)

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Family Home Evening Lesson #60: PRINCIPALS AND ORDINANCES OF THE GOSPEL LEAD ME TO JESUS CHRIST

1. Opening Prayer

2. Sing "The Fourth Article of Faith" Children's Songbook, pg. 124

3. Read Articles of Faith 1:4  We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

4. Read and discuss the following from the March, 2000 Friend:

Do you know what a covenant in the Church is? It is a sacred promise, an agreement between Heavenly Father and His children. Since the time of Adam and Eve, Father in Heaven has made covenants with His children to help us live righteously and be worthy to live with Him again.

In the scriptures, we learn about many people who made covenants with the Lord. When the people of Alma gathered at the waters of Mormon, he invited them to be baptized, to make a covenant (see Mosiah 18:8–13). The people were so happy that they clapped their hands with joy. They wanted to show their love for Heavenly Father, and their desire to keep His commandments, by being baptized.

Alma taught his people what they must do to keep and honor their baptismal covenant. He said that they must be willing to be called God’s people and to obey His commandments. He told them that they should help one another and comfort one another. They were to be “witnesses of God” (Mosiah 18:9). That means that they would tell others about Heavenly Father and about how much He loves each of His children. If they did these things, the Lord would bless them with His Spirit. Alma’s people learned that Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to make a sacred covenant with Him.

We begin our journey back to Him by making a covenant and being baptized. When Jesus was baptized, He made a covenant that He would be obedient to Heavenly Father’s commandments (see 2 Ne. 31:5–8). When you are baptized, you make that same covenant to serve Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Then, when you are confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you covenant to take His name upon you, to always remember Him, and to keep His commandments. Just like the people of Alma, you promise to be a witness of the Savior—to tell others about, or testify of, Him. When you keep your part of the baptismal covenant, you will always have His Spirit to be with you. That is God’s promise to you.

5. Closing Prayer

Additional Resources: My Faith in Christ Can Grow (FHE Resource Book, Lesson 11)
Principals and Ordinances of the Gospel Lead Me to Jesus Christ (Friend, May 2010)
A Sacred Promise (Friend, March 2000)
Be Not Afraid (Friend, Jan. 2007)