After viewing the most recent General Conference session last April, I felt impressed that I needed to review the messages that were shared with my children. What better time and place to do that then during Family Home Evening?
This week I am sharing the lessons that we have done in the last few months which were related to the April 2011 General Conference. In most cases I focused on one or two quotes from the talk, and then had a coloring page or activity for the children to do. The highlighted quote and activity page are displayed on our wall throughout the week as a reminder of the lesson. In addition, I make sure to show a picture of the General Authority whose words we are studying, so my children can connect a face with the words.
“To you parents of young children, may I share with you some sage advice from President Spencer W. Kimball. Said he: “It would be a fine thing if … parents would have in every bedroom in their house a picture of the temple so [their children] from the time [they are] infant[s] could look at the picture every day [until] it becomes a part of [their lives]. When [they reach] the age that [they need] to make [the] very important decision [concerning going to the temple], it will have already been made.”
Thomas S. Monson, “The Holy Temple–a Beacon to the World”, April 2011 General Conference
Note
We had this lesson the Monday after our family attended the open house of the Atlanta, Georgia temple.
Lesson Plan
Talk about our recent trip to Atlanta and our experience in visiting the temple. What do you remember about the temple? How did you feel inside? etc. Help the children to write down their feelings and impressions about the temple, then color the page.
In the words of the Ant Bug and the Sweet Bee
“I felt happy in the temple.”
“I saw the water.”
“I liked the lights in the temple.”
“I remember the pretty chandeliers with all those colorful lights in them.”
“The temple was white.”
Activity
Watch the following video clip about the blessings of the temple.
Additional quotes that stood out to me
“If you have been to the temple for yourselves and if you live within relatively close proximity to a temple, your sacrifice could be setting aside the time in your busy lives to visit the temple regularly. There is much to be done in our temples in behalf of those who wait beyond the veil.”
“The world can be a challenging and difficult place in which to live. We are often surrounded by that which would drag us down. As you and I go to the holy houses of God, as we remember the covenants we make within, we will be more able to bear every trial and to overcome each temptation. In this sacred sanctuary we will find peace; we will be renewed and fortified.”
“My beloved brothers and sisters, may we make whatever sacrifices are necessary to attend the temple and to have the spirit of the temple in our hearts and in our homes” (Monson, source).