December 13–19
The Family: A Proclamation to the World
“The Family Is Central to the Creator’s Plan”
Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Home Evening
Song:
“Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth,” Hymns, no. 298
Prayer:
Thought/Scripture:
- “Happiness in family life.”
To discuss how to achieve more “happiness in [your] family life,” you could sing together a song about families, such as “Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth” (Hymns, no. 298). What do we learn from the song and from the family proclamation that would bring more happiness to our family? How can we make sure our family is “founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ”? Consider picking one teaching you want to work on this week.
Lesson:
- “Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.”
If it would be helpful for your family to discuss doctrine related to gender and same-sex attraction, the following resources might help: Dallin H. Oaks, “Truth and the Plan,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 25–28; Gospel Topics, “Same-Sex Attraction,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
- “The divine plan of happiness.”
To help your family see the importance of families in Heavenly Father’s plan, you might write premortal life, mortal life, and life after death on three sections of a piece of paper. Search the proclamation together, and write on the paper what you learn about each of these parts of God’s plan. Why are families so important to God?
- “Families [can] be united eternally.”
You could watch the video “Plan of Salvation—We’re Still a Family” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Search the family proclamation for truths that the young man in the video understood and that helped him have faith.
- “Strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.”
How is Satan trying to weaken families in the world? How can we do our part to strengthen families? For ideas, see President Bonnie L. Oscarson’s message “Defenders of the Family Proclamation” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 14–17).
For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Teaching Stripling Warriors Come, Follow Me—For Primary.
Prayer:
Treat:
CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER BARS
- 1 cup ritz crackers, crushed (about 1 sleeve of crackers)
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips
- Grease a 9×13 inch pan. Set aside.
- To crush the crackers, place them in a zip top bag, and use a rolling pin to crush. Or you can use a food processor.
- Mix the crackers, peanut butter, butter and powdered sugar together in a medium sized bowl. Once combined, press the mixture into the prepared pan.
- *For no-bake bars, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave according to package directions then spread over the bars. Or you can sprinkle the chocolate chips over the mixture and place in a 400 degree oven for 5 minutes. Once the chocolate chips look melted, remove from the oven and spread the chocolate evenly across the bars with a spatula. Let the chocolate set up in the fridge (or freezer if you are impatient like me) then cut into squares and enjoy!
For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.
Suggested song: .
Improving Personal Study
Find God’s love. President M. Russell Ballard taught, “[The] gospel is a gospel of love—love for God and love for one another” (“God’s Love for His Children,” Ensign, May 1988, 59). As you read the family proclamation, consider noting or marking evidences of God’s love that are especially meaningful to you.
