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An Index to Resources about the Sabbath Day

February 4, 2016February 5, 2016 Nurture Mama Leave a comment

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is focusing on the Sabbath Day, encouraging all people to observe the Sabbath and find delight in the day. We have been teaching our children about the Sabbath Day in a few different ways, and I have taught a Sunday Relief Society lesson and a monthly enrichment lesson on the topic. Today I am sharing the resources that I have found helpful in preparing lessons. Hopefully they inspire you to teach your family and reflect on the quality of your own Sabbath Day.

The Doctrine of the Sabbath

Elder Russell M. Nelson, “The Sabbath is a Delight.” April 2015 General Conference.

Elder L. Tom Perry, “The Sabbath and the Sacrament.” April 2011 General Conference.

General Authorities Reflect on Sabbath Day: Eleven short video clips of training by apostles and auxiliary leaders that was given in October 2015.

Teachings about the Sabbath Day from the October 2015 General Conference.

Sabbath Day topic on lds.org: doctrinal overview, links to teachings of prophets, scriptures, video clips, etc.

Scriptures

Exodus 20:8; Exodus 31:16-17; Mark 2:27; Ezekiel 20:20; Mosiah 18:23; Isaiah 58:13-14; D&C 59: 11-14; D&C 68:29; Moses 3:1-3.

Blog and other Online Resources

lds.org/blog: Click on the Sabbath tag on the left side of the page. There are a number of helpful posts that would spark great discussions. Many of the articles include downloadable printables. For example, after reading “There’s Really No Such Thing as a Sabbath Cannot”, you might be inspired to make your own family “Sunday Can.”

How Would Your Family describe the Sabbath?

Making a Sabbath Day plan

A Dad’s guide: Making Sacrament Meeting special for your wife and kids

Five Ways to Celebrate the Sabbath as a Family: includes images for how the Sabbath should sound, feel, look different, etc.

80 Ideas for More Satisfying Sundays

Small Refinements from Raising Lemons

Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy One Hour at a Time from beinglds.blog

Helps from Sugardoodle: includes quotes, story of Olympian Eric Liddel (Chariots of Fire movie), and 1110 things to do on the Sabbath

Media

The Sabbath is a Delight: new Mormon Message released in January 2016

Short video clips (some like commercials) from the LDS media library

Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy by John Bytheway

Family Home Evening Lessons

Sabbath Day Puppet Story: includes a story and word strip game

FHE Lesson from Deseret Book: includes a Sunday plan maze

Teachings about the Sabbath from October 2015 General Conference

The Sabbath is a Delight: lesson based on Elder Nelson’s address in April 2015

Object Lesson found on Sugardoodle: We did an object lesson regarding the Sabbath day… We had told them we were going to be having ice cream Sundays and … we gave them their bowls and spoon and started dishing out the ice cream… as this was being done I started putting out the toppings such as: Pepperoni, chopped onions, grated cheese, BBQ sauce and some cheeze whiz….. they started grossing out. I asked them why what’s wrong, don’t you like cheese? or onions, pepperoni etc. they came back with “Yeah, but not on Ice cream” so we talked about the Sabbath day and how it is exactly like the same. Some activities we do during the week are not bad activities just not appropriate for Sundays.

Book Notes: The Picky Eating Solution

February 4, 2016February 4, 2016 Nurture Mama Leave a comment

I have been feeling the need to increase the health and wellness of my family by increasing the health of our diet. A few of my children are very limited in the kinds of foods that they eat, and we all need to eat more vegetables! I have been reading a few different resources and recently read The Picky Eating Solution by Deborah Kennedy. The book had some helpful ideas, so I am sharing my notes here.

As I keep researching I have the feeling that one of my children may actually be beyond just a picky eater, moving into the realm of a resistant eater or perhaps some sensory issues. So I am not sure if all of the ideas in the book will actually work for him. However, we are working on our own variation of dinner rules.

“Not allowing dessert until enough dinner is eaten, especially vegetables, is a consequence, not a reward. So is have having your child each the healthy stuff before he can have the unhealthy part of his snack. This is really just a “this then that” technique you probably use every day, whereby you teach your child that he must first do one thing before he can get what he wants: exercise before playing video games, finish homework before playing outside, or cleanup your room before going to a friend’s house. If you take away the consequence, how in the world are you ever going to motivate your child to eat the healthy stuff?” (p. 59).

“Do not serve a snack within two hours of meal-time.”

Six Simple and Effective Food Rules to Live By

Eat then treat. Ex: No dessert until the meal is eaten. No treat at snack time until a fruit or veggie is eaten. Not treats at all if enough healthy food was not eaten that day. Say “Oh, I see you haven’t eaten your carrots. We are having ice cream for dessert. You can have some once you eat your carrots. The choice is yours.”
Establish the one-bite rule. She just has to take one bite (of a new food), then she can spit out if she does not like it. If there is not an intense reaction, then next time she can try two bites, then three, etc. Remain calm and don’t overreact. For extremely resistant children try the touch-smell-lick approach.
Serve a fruit or veggie with every meal and snack. Children need at least two whole fruits and three vegetables a day. Consequence–if they don’t eat the 5 servings, then they do not get any processed treats.
Limit food waste.
Serve only one dinner. Give children the chance to offer input on what is served (pick the vegetable or the main dish).
No “yuck” is allowed at the table. Consequence is a time-out in their room. They can say “This is not my favorite”.

Four Table Rules to Prevent Mealtime Chaos and Encourage Family Connection

Everyone has a job to do at mealtime. Kids can help plan, pick, prep, and cook.
Eat at the table.
Electronics are not allowed at the table when eating.
Whoever raises his or her voice leaves the table.

Teachings about the Sabbath Day from the October 2015 General Conference (FHE plans)

January 27, 2016January 27, 2016 Nurture Mama Leave a comment

One of the current Prophetic Priorities set by the Prophet and First Presidency of the Church is to focus on Sabbath Day observance to strengthen individuals and the family. During the October 2015 General Conference I asked my children to specifically listen for speakers who mentioned the word Sabbath. We counted at least nine talks! For a recent FHE lesson I compiled all of the references into one sheet. We picked one to really focus on for the week, and an accompanying scripture (we say it every morning during the drive to school). For the rest of the week at dinnertime we picked an additional quote to discuss.

Our focus quote for the week came from Elder Claudio R. M. Costa: “The Sabbath and the Sacrament become much more enjoyable as we study the stories of Christ.”

Scripture of the week: “And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God” (Ezekiel 20:20).

To help our family remember I created a poster using this meme, and also included the scripture on the bottom.

Here is the compilation of teachings about the Sabbath day from the October 2015 General Conference.

Elder M. Russell Ballard
Another important doctrine that we should cling to is to observe the Sabbath day. This helps us remain unspotted from the world, provides us with physical rest, and gives each of us the spiritual refreshment of worshipping the Father and the Son every Sunday. When we delight in the Sabbath day, it is a sign of our love for Them.

Elder Quentin L. Cook
For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, honoring the Sabbath is a form of righteousness that will bless and strengthen families, connect us with our Creator, and increase happiness. The Sabbath can help separate us from that which is frivolous, inappropriate, or immoral. It allows us to be in the world but not of the world. In the last six months, a most remarkable change has occurred in the Church. This has been in the response of the members to renewed emphasis on the Sabbath by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve and to President Russell M. Nelson’s challenge to make the Sabbath a delight. Many members understand that truly keeping the Sabbath day holy is a refuge from the storms of this life. It is also a sign of our devotion to our Father in Heaven and an increased understanding of the sacredness of sacrament meeting. Still, we have a long way to go, but we have a wonderful beginning. I challenge all of us to continue to embrace this counsel and improve our Sabbath worship.

President Henry B. Eyring
If you receive a spiritual impression to honor the Sabbath day, especially when it seems difficult, God will send His Spirit to help.

Elder Kim B. Clark
Simple obedience brings the Spirit into our hearts. In our homes, we pray in faith, search the scriptures, and keep the Sabbath day holy. In our chapels, we partake of the sacrament and make sacred promises to our Heavenly Father in the name of Christ.

Sister Neill F. Marriott
When we open ourselves to the Spirit, we learn God’s way and feel His will. During the sacrament, which I call the heart of the Sabbath, I have found that after I pray for forgiveness of sins, it is instructive for me to ask Heavenly Father, “Father, is there more?” When we are yielded and still, our minds can be directed to something more we may need to change—something that is limiting our capacity to receive spiritual guidance or even healing and help.

Elder Randall K. Bennett
Two essential weekly signposts that mark our journey back to our Father in Heaven are the perpetual covenant of the ordinance of the sacrament and our Sabbath day observance… If, in remembering Him each Sabbath, we turn our hearts to the Savior through these two important signposts, our efforts are again more than matched by the Lord by His promised blessings. We are promised that, with devoted Sabbath day observance, the fulness of the earth will be ours.

Elder Claudio R. M. Costa
I believe that starting a tradition of telling the stories of Jesus to our children and families is a very special way to keep the Sabbath day holy in our homes…I am grateful for our leaders, who are constantly teaching us about Christ, about keeping the Sabbath day holy, and about partaking of the sacrament each Sunday in honor of the Savior. The Sabbath and the sacrament become much more enjoyable as we study the stories of Christ. In so doing, we create traditions that build our faith and testimony and also protect our family.

Sister Carole M. Stephens
Recently, living prophets have counseled us to “remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy,” and to live the law of the fast. Obedience to this prophetic counsel provides a way for us to be obedient to God’s commandment to love Him and our neighbor as we increase our faith in Jesus Christ and extend our hand to love and care for others.

Great videos about Gratitude

November 26, 2015November 26, 2015 Nurture Mama Leave a comment

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has produced a number of videos that tie in to the theme of gratitude. Here are some of my favorites. You can find links to these and more videos about Gratitude here.

Finding Happiness and Gratitude

My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love.

Posted by Thomas S Monson on Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Thanksgiving Study Days 7-10

November 26, 2015November 26, 2015 Nurture Mama Leave a comment

It has been helpful this week to read and study a little about gratitude everyday, to keep myself focused on what Thanksgiving is really all about, and not get to caught up with turkeys and pies. I have much to be grateful for! Here are the highlights from the study plan for days 7-10.

“Gratitude requires awareness and effort, not only to feel it but to express it…As we pray and express gratitude to a loving but unseen Heavenly Father, we are also expressing our faith in Him. Gratitude is our sweet acknowledgment of the Lord’s hand in our lives; it is an expression of our faith” (Sister Bonnie D. Parkin).

”Let a spirit of thanksgiving guide and bless your days and nights. Work at being grateful. You will find that it yields wonderful results” (source).

An Attitude of Gratitude by President Thomas S. Monson
1. We can lift ourselves and others when we cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude.
2. Let us show gratitude for:
Our mothers
Our fathers
Our teachers
Our friends
Our country
Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
3. By emulating the Lord’s example and obeying His word, we give to Him the gift of gratitude.

A FHE Lesson on Gratitude

November 23, 2015November 26, 2015 Nurture Mama Leave a comment

My five-year-old son taught our FHE lesson tonight. With it being Thanksgiving this week, of course he chose the theme of gratitude. First we watched this video. Then he presented our scripture for the week:

D&C 98:1 “…rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks;”

For our activity we each filled up a sheet of paper with things that we are grateful for. We used this activity to give us ideas as needed. I think my 8-year-old enjoyed this activity the most–she filled her page and didn’t leave any white space at all!

Thanksgiving Study Day 5 & 6

November 22, 2015November 22, 2015 Nurture Mama Leave a comment

Today I reviewed “Grateful in Any Circumstance” by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, as part of the 2 Weeks of Thanksgiving Study plan. Here are the quotes that especially stood out to me:

Those who set aside the bottle of bitterness and lift instead the goblet of gratitude can find a purifying drink of healing, peace, and understanding.

I’m suggesting that instead of being thankful farthings, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances—whatever they may be.

We can choose to be grateful, no matter what.

We sometimes think that being grateful is what we do after our problems are solved, but how terribly shortsighted that is. How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain?

Gratitude is a catalyst to all Christlike attributes! A thankful heart is the parent of all virtues.

I also read “O Remember, Remember” by President Henry B. Eyring, and wanted to remember the following thoughts:

Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?

My point is to urge you to find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness. It will build our testimonies.

Thanksgiving Study Day 3 & 4

November 21, 2015November 22, 2015 Nurture Mama Leave a comment

Here are some of my favorite scriptures about thanksgiving. Get the full reading assignment here.

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

“…rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks;” (D&C 98:1).

“…O how you ought to thank your heavenly King!” (Mosaic 2:19).

“..live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you” (Alma 34:38).

“Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things” (D&C 59:7).

“And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more” (D&C 78:19).

This short video clip from Elder Nelson about recognizing blessings from Heavenly Father is really great.

Thanksgiving Study Day 2

November 19, 2015November 22, 2015 Nurture Mama Leave a comment

Today I reviewed “The Divine Gift of Gratitude” by President Thomas S. Monson, as part of the 2 Weeks of Thanksgiving Study plan. Here are the quotes that especially stood out to me:

My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love.

Gratitude is a divine principle.

A prayerful life is the key to possessing gratitude.

A grateful heart, then, comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives. This requires conscious effort—at least until we have truly learned and cultivated an attitude of gratitude. Often we feel grateful and intend to express our thanks but forget to do so or just don’t get around to it. Someone has said that “feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it”.

My brothers and sisters, to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven.

Interesting+how+the+more+gratitude+we+show,+the+more+we+are+blessed.+#livethanksdaily

A Thanksgiving Scripture Study Program

November 18, 2015November 18, 2015 Nurture Mama Leave a comment

Today I came across Two Weeks of Thanksgiving Scripture Study at Chicken Scratch N Sniff. I browsed through a few of the reading outlines and I really like the content. Each day’s study session includes a song, scriptures or General Conference talks to read, a link to a short movie to watch, discussion questions, and children’s activity ideas. I think this program is just what I need right now to help inspire an attitude of gratitude in my life.

I am planning to do the reading assignments personally on my own, and then share the highlights and video clips with my family in the evening. I am a few days behind, but should be able to catch up and finish the readings by the end of November.

The author has the whole program available for purchase here, or you can just go back each day to find the day’s assignment here (which is what I plan to do). Would you like to join me?

Today I read about The Ten Lepers, and then one of my favorite talks by President Monson, Finding Joy in the Journey. One of my favorite quotes that I have hanging in a prominent place in my home is “what is most important almost always involves the people around us”. I also thought these words were profound: “If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues.”