FHE Lesson: The Holy Ghost
The Holy Ghost is perhaps the most under-estimated power that members of the church receive after baptism and is a gift to those who can remain worthy of its constant influence throughout our day-to-day lives. The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead.
President Gordan B. Hinckley said, "The Holy Ghost stands as the third member of the Godhead, the Comforter promised by the Savior who would teach His followers all things and bring all things to their remembrance, whatsoever He had said unto them (see John 14:26). The Holy Ghost is the Testifier of Truth, who can teach men things they cannot teach one another. In those great and challenging words of Moroni, a knowledge of the truth of the Book of Mormon is promised “by the power of the Holy Ghost.” Moroni then declares, “And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things” (Moro. 10:4–5). I believe this power, this gift, is available to us today." (Gen. Conference, April 1986)
Elder Joseph B. Worthlin taught, "In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord calls the gift of the Holy Ghost “the unspeakable gift.” It is the source of testimony and spiritual gifts. It enlightens minds, fills our souls with joy, teaches us all things, and brings forgotten knowledge to our remembrance. The Holy Ghost also “will show unto [us] all things what [we] should do.” ("The Unspeakable Gift" Ensign, May 2003)
The prophets have always made an effort to help teach us how the Holy Ghost works within us. Another example by an ancient prophet is found in Alma 32.
Alma, teaching the poor people who were not allowed to attend the churches they helped construct-- he wanted to give them a lesson on faith. During this lesson on faith, Alma also helps us know how to recognize the some of the aspects of the Holy Ghost so that we can recognize those feelings and know where they come from.
Alma teaches: It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding; yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. (Alma 32:28)
Discussion:
1. What are some ways that you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost?
2. Why do you think the Holy Ghost is referred to as the "Unspeakable Gift?"
3. What are the three ways Alma teaches us about being able to recognizing the Holy Ghost?
Scripture: John 14:26
Song: "Let the Holy Spirit Guide"
Activity:
Option A: Inside a room, turn out all the lights. Find a single lamp to turn on and talk about how the light gives off warmth, helps us to see and provides a beacon in the darkness. (Great for young children who understand turning lights off and on)
Option B:Blindfold a member of the family or FHE group. Assign two other people to lead them around the home, outside and so on. One leader acts as the Holy Ghost--giving right directions and the other acts as the adversary--giving wrong directions. Allow the blindfolded person to rely on their own choices on who to follow. Talk about how important it is to listen to the small voice of the Holy Ghost and how easy it is to drown out the righteous help He tries to offer.
Treats:
Apple Crumble & Hot Chocolate
FHE Service Project-- Give Warmth to Others
Purpose:A Family Home Evening Service Project lesson on helping those who are in need. This lesson is about helping others find warmth in the cold winter months and at the same time, have the family members (or ward) feel the warmth of serving our fellow man.
Hymn: "Have I Done Any Good"
Scripture: Jacob 2:19
Lesson:
There is something about this time of year--- the fast approaching holiday season, that tends to motivate people to do more service. Serving others is one of the teachings our Savior, Jesus Christ, taught constantly by his example.
Service others helps us become better people. There are lessons and feelings we learn and experience from service that cannot be duplicated any other way.
Here are some great thoughts about service:
"Service changes people. It refines, purifies, gives a finer perspective, and brings out the best in each one of us. It gets us looking outward instead of inward. It prompts us to consider others’ needs ahead of our own. Righteous service is the expression of true charity, such as the Savior showed."
"Service helps us establish a righteous tradition. This is so necessary, particularly among young people. Wise parents will provide service opportunities in the home for their children from an early age. Growing up with this tradition will blossom into community service and Church service. It will develop a spirit of volunteerism in a world where people more often ask, “What’s in it for me?” The Lord has counseled: “For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; …
“Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness.” (D&C 58:26–27.)
Excertps from: "The Spirituality of Service" by Elder Derek A. Cuthbert, formerly Of the SeventyService Project Activity:
Talk with family, friends, neighbors and even merchants and seek donations of jackets and coats to donate to local shelters, needy families or even police or fire stations who may be able to use them to take on calls. Search those closets, storage units and so forth for possible donations of items. (Be sure to contact shelters and police/fire stations to find out their needs and let them know of the donation you're looking to make and if they're currently accepting donations)
You can even make this a Young Men, Young Women, Relief Society, Elder's Quorum or an entire ward service project.
Treat:
Pumpkin Bread
FHE Fav Links
Religion & Personal Enrichment~
"Going to the temple": Modern Molly Mormon
"Value of Work" printable: Emma's Place
Lesson on Tithing: LDS Activity Day Ideas
FHE Service Project Lesson: Family Home Evening Blog
Batteries Re-charged: Visiting Teaching
*The Greatest Printable & More Church Site*: Sugar Doodle
Book of Mormon for Toddlers (Tell them the FHE Blog sent you)
Recipe of the Week~
Devilishly Delicious Ranch Dip (for your Halloween party!): Hidden Valley
Volunteer Opportunity~
Family Search Indexing: Family Search
Home~
Hand-made Halloween Costume Ideas: Make and Takes
EZ Budget Planner: Zions Bank
Consumer Information: Clark Howard
Food Storage Tip of the Week~
Week #4 Tip: Food Storage Fridays~ Family Home Evening Blog
Date Night Idea of the Week~
Love Debit Card: Love Actually
Church Video of the Week~
"You're Never Alone"
Sponsor of the Week~
Hand Picked Daisy~ Visiting Teaching Kits
Hand Picked Daisy sponsored a Give-Away not too long ago here on FHE! Her great, adorable kits add that special touch to Visiting Teaching. Not only are the kits and other crafts SO CUTE, but they're SO AFFORDABLE!!
Be sure to check out Hand Picked Daisy!
Food Storage Fridays- Hit those sales!
What sales you're asking??
The answer: those WONDERFUL after Halloween sales! They mark candy down 50% or more!!
Now many people... including myself.... are thinking... "WHY would I want to stock up on candy?!"
For Food Storage silly!! :)
Did you ever think to put candy in your food storage?? It's a very important item!
Reasons to keep candy in your food storage and 72 hour kits:
* it will give you much needed sugar in an emergency
* it is pocket sized and therefore easy to grab and store!
* candy is something your kids are almost guaranteed to eat!
While most women may want to head for the chocolate section (me included!) The best candies to keep in your storage are hard candies. Chocolate melts and doesn't keep for very long. Hard candies can last in your storage for up to 10 years... that is if your kids or husbands don't find them first! :)
Good ideas for food storage candies:
* starburst
* butterscotch or cinnamon disks
* root beer barrels
* starlight mints
* smarties
* tootsie rolls
* lollipops
* jolly ranchers
* etc, etc, etc....
I keep large bags of hard candies in my food storage bins and then a small Ziploc bag full of candies in each 72 hour kit.
This is a fun week to spend your allotted amount... HAVE FUN!! :)
General Conference FHE: Moral Discipline
"Moral discipline is the consistent exercise of agency to choose the right because it is right, even when it is hard." - Elder D. Todd ChristoffersonSong: "Choose the Right"
Scripture: Joshua 24:15
Brief Lesson: During my freshman year in high school, there was a boy across the room from me who was surrounded be some peers prior to class beginning. They were asking him to say a curse word. He repeatedly turned down their "offer" to say such words. I turned to the person sitting next to me in my desk and asked why there were wanting this guy to say a bad word. Their quick response struck a very strong cord in me: "That's David. He's Mormon and they don't cuss."
That was the first time I had heard of a "Mormon."
From that one example, I became friends with David. I wasn't LDS-- but for the rest of my four years in high school-- I spent watching those that were "Mormon" and I wanted to know more about the religion that each of them lived-- not just believed.
I was baptized a few months after graduating high school.
Because of David's moral discipline and deciding to choose the right in what may have seemed really simple to follow the crowd in saying ONE WORD... my life has been eternally blessed.
General Conference Talk: "Moral Discipline" ~ Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Activity:
Pumpkin Carvin' time!!! It's the time of year to carve those orange balls of Fall bliss into scary faces that light up! While you carve pumpkins, discuss examples in your lives that have helped shaped who you are. When has someone shown their moral discipline? How can you show it this week and each day?
Pumpkin Carving 101
Treat:
Take those pumpkin seeds and toast them in the oven. Try it with some vanilla ice-cream, too!
How to Toast Pumpkin Seeds
