FHE Idea

[5ft Diva]

Erudite, this may be helpful to your question about how do we create stripling warriors.

I was running on the treadmill today while listening to President Hinkley's address to the brethren during the Priesthood session in October 2006. I was impressed with the idea that I wasn't listening to President Hinkley the Prophet, I was listening to President Hinkley the General. It reminded me so much of Captain Moroni, Helaman, and Mormon. "General" Hinkley was rallying the troops for the spiritual battles that are taking place in our world today. He wasn't yelling at his troops or anything like that, but spoke softly and firmly (just like the Spirit does). So, here is the FHE idea.

Talk about the important role that the military plays in our lives. Talk about how they are trained to go to battle. Explain how they must be exact in everything they do because it may one day save their life.

Then, talk about the leaders of the Book of Mormon who led warriors into war such as Captain Moroni, Helaman and Mormon. Talk about their military tactics and why they were fighting and what they fought for. Talk about what kept them from harm.

Then using President Hinkley's talk from the November Ensign in the Priesthood session, talk about how "General" Hinkley rallies the troops of today. Explain the enemy's tactics, why we're fighting and what we're fighting for. Explain how we must be exact in everything we do because it may one day save our spiritual life.

This is just an idea...a seed. Find the parallels and teach them - if you want to, that is. There are so many directions you can go with his talk. Have fun!

[bates]

Wow...great idea. I am impressed

[5ft Diva]

Thanks! Wish I could take the credit.

[Erudite]

Those are some cool connections! I'll give it a try. I have a couple of successful lessons for you all too, if you'd like!

Start with D&C 59:7. Discuss the meaning of "confess his hand in all things" as gratitude.

Pass out brown paper strips and have everyone write on them what they're grateful for. Then fan fold the strips and put them in a small bowl with tallish sides. You're trying to create a base that will other strips can be stuck into and stand up, so you need the fan folding against the sides so there is give and support...if that makes sense.

Then have someone look up Alma 37:37 and D&C 78:19. On green strips of paper, write down the blessings that come from gratitude. Stick the green strips into the brown strips and point out that the brown are the things we are grateful for and they form the "dirt" which other things can grow from. The green is what grows from our gratitude. Add other things that may come from being grateful, such as knowing that someone appreciates us, or understanding the good, or peace in having acted right.

I also talked about other "foundation" principles and asked if any one else could think of the principles that we follow that grow other things. Faith and tithing were two that came up. This lesson a visual way to show kids that being obedient (or grateful as the case may be) has rewards that come from it. It could be done about any of the principles of the gospel.

I didn't do it, but you could make the green strips stuff that we get immediately, like good feelings and good relationships, and then stick on flowers that represent attributes we have built or eternal rewards...that all come from gratitude. I got this idea from Elder Bednar's article in the December Ensign about being quick to observe is the foundation for developing the power of discernment.

[Erudite]

I have another cool one that my daughter and I came up with. She wanted to do her lesson on Captain Moroni. We went to Alma 48:11-13 and read about him. Then we made pieces of "armor" out of paper: 2 arm pieces and 2 breast plate pieces and a helmet (crown) and wrote down the items that made Capt. Moroni great:
- Perfect understanding (on the helmet)
- joy (on a breastplate)
- thanksgiving (on an arm plate)
- serving others (on an arm plate)
- Faith in Christ (on the other breastplate)

We asked for a volunteer and taped on the pieces as we read the scripture. Then we talked about how these different types of armor can be a protection to us. Then we read vs.17 and discussed how this armor can help in the battle against Satan.

Quick, easy, visual.

Does anyone else have any ideas like this? I'm always looking for easy ideas that work for kids (10, 8, 6, 4).
THANKS!

[5ft Diva]

Interesting. I need to read his talk. You keep telling me about it.