Family Home Evening Lesson #29: YOUNG WOMEN VALUES--CHOICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

1. Opening Prayer

2. Sing "Choose the Right" Hymns pg. 239

3. Read Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

4. Read and discuss the following from "Young Women Personal Progress"

I will choose good over evil and will accept responsibility for my decisions.

Then read and discuss the following from L. Tom Perry:

The Book of Mormon is filled with accounts of what happens to people who make both right and wrong choices. During Alma’s first year in the judgment seat, a large and strong man by the name of Nehor was brought before him to be judged. According to the scriptures, Nehor “had gone about among the people, preaching to them that which he termed to be the word of God, bearing down against the church; declaring unto the people that every priest and teacher ought to become popular; and they ought not to labor with their hands, but that they ought to be supported by the people.

“And he also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life” (Alma 1:3–4).

Nehor’s words appealed to many people. But his doctrine, while popular, was incorrect. As we face the many decisions in life, the easy and popular messages of the world will not usually be the right ones to choose. It will take courage to choose the right.

Another example comes from the land of Ammonihah where Amulek and Alma also found a people following false teachings. Amulek attempted to convert them to the true and living gospel. Zeezrom, a man who was expert in the devices of the devil, challenged the teachings of Amulek. Zeezrom asked Amulek, “Shall he [Christ] save his people in their sins?” Amulek answered and said, “I say unto you he shall not, for it is impossible for him to deny his word” (Alma 11:34).

Then Zeezrom taunted Amulek, but Amulek’s response was marvelous as he explained the plan of redemption: “And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins.

“And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else.

“Therefore the wicked remain as though there had been no redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death; for behold, the day cometh that all shall rise from the dead and stand before God, and be judged according to their works” (Alma 11:37, 40–41). Later, after considerable tribulation and a blessing of healing, Zeezrom joined the Church.

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught us, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God.”

5. Closing Prayer

Additional Resources: We Can Choose (FHE Resource Book, Lesson 8)
Agency and Accountability (For the Strength of Youth)
Freedom to Choose (Gospel Principles, Chapter 4)

Family Home Evening Lesson #8: FOR THE STRENGTH OF YOUTH--AGENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY

1. Opening Prayer

2. Sing "Know This, That Every Soul is Free" Hymns pg. 240

3. Read 2 Nephi 2:27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

4. Read and discuss the following from "For the Strength of Youth"

Your Heavenly Father has given you agency, the ability to choose right from wrong and to act for yourself. You have been given the Holy Ghost to help you know good from evil. While you are here on earth, you are being proven to see if you will use your agency to show your love for God by keeping His commandments.

While you are free to choose for yourself, you are not free to choose the consequences of your actions. When you make a choice, you will receive the consequences of that choice. The consequences may not be immediate, but they will always follow, for good or bad. Wrong choices delay your progression and lead to heartache and misery. Right choices lead to happiness and eternal life. That is why it is so important for you to choose what is right throughout your life.

You are responsible for the choices you make. You should not blame your circumstances, your family, or your friends if you choose to disobey God’s commandments. You are a child of God with great strength. You have the ability to choose righteousness and happiness, no matter what your circumstances.

You are also responsible for developing the abilities and talents Heavenly Father has given you. You are accountable to Him for what you do with your abilities and how you spend your time. Do not idle away your time. Be willing to work hard. Choose to do many good things of your own free will.

5. Closing Prayer

Additional Resources: Questions and Answers (New Era, Nov. 2007)
We Can Choose (FHE Resource Book, Lesson 10)
Freedom to Choose (Gospel Principles, Chapter 4)