Showing posts with label Family Proclamation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family Proclamation. Show all posts

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Family Home Evening Lesson #46: THE FAMILY: A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD,TEACHES ME ABOUT FAMILIES

1. Opening Prayer

2. Sing "I Am a Child of God" Children's Songbook pg. 2

3. Read Moses 1:39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

4. Read and discuss The Family: A Proclamation to the World:

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

5. Closing Prayer

Additional Resources: Love At Home (FHE Resource Book, Lesson 17)
Family Unity (FHE Resource Book, Lesson 21)
Together Forever (Friend, Feb. 2002)
Young Couple Going to the Temple (Gospel Art Picture Kit)

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Family Home Evening Lesson #11: FOR THE STRENGTH OF YOUTH--FAMILY

1. Opening Prayer

2. Sing "Love at Home" Hymns pg. 294

3. Read Ephesians 6:1-3 Children obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

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

Being part of a family is a great blessing. Your family can provide you with companionship and happiness, help you learn correct principles in a loving atmosphere, and help you prepare for eternal life. Not all families are the same, but each is important in Heavenly Father’s plan.

Do your part to build a happy home. Be cheerful, helpful, and considerate of others. Many problems in the home are created because family members speak and act selfishly or unkindly. Concern yourself with the needs of other family members. Seek to be a peacemaker rather than to tease, fight, and quarrel. Remember that the family is the most sacred unit of the Church.

Honor your parents by showing love and respect for them and by being obedient. Be willing to help in the home with chores that need to be done. Participate in family activities and traditions, including family prayer, family home evenings, and family scripture reading. These traditions strengthen and unify families. Set a good example for other family members.

Strengthen your relationships with your brothers and sisters. They can become your closest friends. Support them in their interests and help them with problems they may be facing.

Then read and discuss the following from The Family Proclamation:

Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.

5. Closing Prayer

Additional Resources: Love at Home (FHE Resource Book, Lesson 10)
Family Unity, (FHE Resource Book, Lesson 21)
Gospel Art Picture Kit: Family Togetherness

Family Home Evening Lesson #6: FAITH, PRAYER, REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS STRENGTHEN ME AND MY FAMILY

1. Opening Prayer

2. Sing "Seek the Lord Early" Children's Songbook pg. 108

3. Read the following from "The Family Proclamation" paragraph 7: Successful … families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, [and] forgiveness.

4. Read the and discuss the following from "Foundation for Happines" in the June 2009 Friend

A foundation gives a sure, firm base upon which something can be built. Most buildings and homes are built on foundations.

When the Latter-day Saints began building the foundation of the Salt Lake Temple, they used layers of sandstone blocks. It took them five years to build the eight-foot-deep foundation. When they heard that soldiers were coming, the Saints covered the foundation with dirt to hide it. When the dirt was later cleared off, the foundation had cracked and shifted. The Saints knew the cracked foundation could not support the temple. So they removed the sandstone foundation and replaced it with large blocks of granite. When that strong foundation was in place, workers began building the walls of the temple.

Just as the temple needed a strong granite foundation, you and your family need a strong foundation to build on. The Lord said, “Build upon my rock, which is my gospel." (D&C 11:24). The gospel of Jesus Christ includes faith, prayer, repentance, and forgiveness. Building on these principles will give you a firm foundation to help you and your family stand strong.

Then read and discuss the following from Ezra Taft Benson:

Your most important friendships should be with your own brothers and sisters and with your father and mother. Love your family. Be loyal to them. Have a genuine concern for your brothers and sisters. Remember, the family is one of God’s greatest fortresses against the evils of our day. Help keep your family strong and close and worthy of our Father in Heaven’s blessings. As you do, you will receive faith and strength which will bless your lives forever.

5. Closing Prayer

Additional Resources: A Shield of Faith (Friend, Aug. 2004)
Love at Home (FHE Resource Book, Lesson 17)
Family Unity (FHE Resource Book, Lesson 21)
Gospel Art Picture Kit: Family Prayer

Family Home Evening Lesson #3: FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Opening Prayer

2. Sing "Love Is Spoken Here" Children's Songbook pg. 190

3. Read D&C 88:119 Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.

4. Read and discuss the following from "The Family Proclamation"

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.

By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

5. Closing Prayer

Additional Resources: "Mine House Is a House of Order" (Friend, Mar. 2009)
A House of Order (FHE Resource Book, Lesson 20)
Family Responsibilities (Gospel Principles, Chapter 37)

Family Home Evening Lesson #2: I CAME TO EARTH AS PART OF A FAMILY

1. Opening Prayer

2. Sing "Families Can Be Together Forever" Children's Songbook pg. 188

3. Read the following from "The Family Proclamation" paragraph 7: The family is ordained of God.

4. Read and discuss the following from "My Eternal Family" in the Feb. 2004 Friend

Adam and Eve established the first family on this earth. Heavenly Father commanded them to have children and to worship Him. As children were born to Adam and Eve, they taught them the gospel. This is Heavenly Father’s plan for families—He has sent us to earth so that we can learn from our parents and, someday, teach our own children.

Elder Richard G. Scott said, “Through the restored gospel we learn there is an ideal family. It is a family composed of a righteous Melchizedek Priesthood bearer with a righteous wife sealed to him and children born in the covenant or sealed to them."

When families are sealed in the temple and live worthily, they can be eternal families in the celestial kingdom. Not all of us have been sealed to our families yet, but we can work toward having an eternal family by doing our best. Elder Scott said, “Do the best you can. We cannot say whether that blessing [temple sealing] will be obtained on this side of the veil [in this life] or beyond it, but the Lord will keep His promises. In His infinite wisdom, He will make possible all you qualify in worthiness to receive." We can do our best to have an eternal family by living worthy of temple blessings and loving, serving, and praying for our families.

Then read and discuss the following quote from Henry B. Eyring:

It is the sealing power and our knowledge of it which changes and transforms our family life here and our expectations for the joy of family life in the world to come. The thought and the hope that I can have eternal relationships carries me through the trials of separation and the loneliness which are part of mortal existence. The promise to the faithful in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that we may have associations and an expansion of families in the eternities. That assurance changes forever and for the better all of our associations in families.

5. Closing Prayer

Additional Resources: I Will Be a Strong Link (Friend, Feb. 2009)
Gospel Art Picture Kit: Family Togetherness
The Family Can Be Eternal (Gospel Principles, Chapter 36)