Stay in the Boat and Hold On (FHE plans and quotes from Elder Ballard)

Tonight for FHE we are focusing on Elder M. Russell Ballard’s talk from the October 2014 General Conference. The imagery of a boat passing through hazardous river rapids is a great metaphor for life for children and youth (and adults!) to understand.

Lesson Plan

Watch the video introduction of Elder Ballard’s talk, up to the 2:30 time point (available here).

Give each child a copy of the following printable from Life’s Journey to Perfection.

fhe Raft

 

Read the quote from Elder Ballard:

“The Lord in His goodness has provided help, including a boat, essential supplies such as life jackets, and experienced river guides who give guidance and safety instructions to help us make our way down the river of life to our final destination.”

Use the lesson plan as follows from Life’s Journey to Perfection:

Discuss with your family member what the BOAT symbolizes?  (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Discuss with your family how each family member can STAY IN THE BOAT? What are some things that can be done each day?  Invite family members to write on the boat,  “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” as well as examples of things they can do each day to help them stay in the boat.

Discuss with your family member what the LIFE JACKET symbolizes? (The Scriptures/Word of God) Discuss with your family how daily scripture study can be like a Life Jacket and help us to hold on tight. Invite family members to write “the scriptures” next to the life jacket.

Discuss with your family members what the RIVER GUIDES symbolize? (The Apostles, Prophets, and Local Church Leaders)  Discuss how the Prophets, Apostles and local church leaders can direct us and guide us through our journey. Invite family members to write next to the river guide, “Church Leaders”.

Additional Reading

“We need to experience a continuing conversion by increasing our faith in Jesus Christ and our faithfulness to His gospel throughout our lives—not just once but regularly” (Ballard).

“We should focus on studying, living, and loving the doctrine of Christ” (Ballard).

“And they said unto me: What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree? And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction. Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things” (2 Nephi 15:23-25).

“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life” (2 Nephi 31:20).

 

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