Scriptural reference: D&C 68:25-28 “and they shall also teach their children to pray”

Materials : Picture of Daniel from picture packet (I-14), Bible, flannel board characters

Daniel was a young man of Jerusalem who depended on the Lord to guide him. When his country was invaded, he had been among those taken captive by the conquerors. The king of these lands liked Daniel because of his great wisdom. Darius, King of Persia, set 120 princes over all his vast kingdom with 3 presidents at their head, of whom Daniel came first.
The Persian princes resented having Daniel, a Hebrew captive, rule over them; so they spied on him to report to King Darius any wrong he did. But they could not find anything wrong with Daniel. They did notice tho, that 3 times every day he went to his room, kneeled and prayed to his God in whom they did not believe.

Finally they worked out a plan. They wrote a rule that any person making a petition or request to anyone but the King should be cast into a den of lions. They took it to the king Darius who was pleased and signed the decree, and it became law.

Daniel knew what had happened, but he trusted the Lord and continued to pray as before. The princes watched, and then ran to the King saying, “Daniel regardeth not thee, O King……he maketh his petition (to his God) three times a day.”

When Darius saw that he had been tricked, he worked until evening to save Daniel. But the law was unchangeable; so Daniel was thrown into the den of lions. The king was so upset that he neither ate nor slept that night. Early the next morning, he went in haste to the den of lions and called out, ” O Daniel….is thy God, who thou servest continually able to deliver thee from lions:” Daniel replied “My God hath sent his angel, and he hath shut the lion’s mouth that they have not hurt me.”

Daniel was released immediately. Then King Darius made a law that all the people should respect the God of Daniel for he said, “…….he is the living God….(who) worketh wonders in heaven and in earth.” (Daniel 1:1-6, 5:31, 6:1-28)

Activity: (NEEDED phones from steps of prayer FHE packet, and prayer tests)

Discuss with your kids that each prayer should be different. Saying the same prayer over and over is not truly praying. Demonstrate using the phone, how awful it would be to have the same things said over and over no matter what the conversation. Use the following “Prayer test” to help them change their prayer habits.

1. Do I feel near or close to Heavenly Father while I pray?
2. Do I use common phrases that mean little to me?
3. Do I feel a need to talk to my Heavenly Father several times a day?
4. Do I feel that my Heavenly Father is listening?
5. Do I take my specific needs, problems, desires to the Lord?
6. Do I feel I receive the help I need?

Encourage a discussion of ideas to improve these areas.

Make prayer rocks, prayer charts or some other reminder system (we have a poster on each door of our house that says “Ere I left this room, did I think to Pray?”) to remind us to pray. Hold Family prayers morn and eve, personal, prayers on food, etc. Make sure each child gets a chance (even if they are little and you have to “pretend” they are saying the prayer…..e.g. Mother or Father says Repeat after me, Dear Heavenly Father, etc.) It doesn’t take long for them to love doing this! All of our kids have started at 18 months or so, mumbling along…….(and yes we have funny memories of words like Jeesa Triste. or blessing the food at EVERY PRAYER! Our 3 year old still does!

Dessert: Chocolate Peanut butter cookies

1 can of frosting (chocolate 1 cup peanut butter
1 egg 1 1/2 cups flour
Sugar

Heat oven to 375. Lightly grease cookie sheets. Reserve 1/3 cup frosting. Combine frosting, peanut butter and egg. Stir in flour by hand. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Flatten to 2 inch diameter with glass dipped in sugar. Bake at °375 for 4 to 7 minutes. Do not over bake. Cool and frost lightly with remaining frosting. Makes 4 dozen

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We have also had “Italian”, “Mexican” and “Biblical” nights. Going to the library to find videos and books to do the research is part of the fun in preparing for these special evenings.

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Our family had a wonderful Family Home Evening the other night; we made caramel apples, then ate supper, 2 of us cleaned up
the kitchen quickly and then we all played UNO (a mattel game) for about 45 minutes while we ate the caramel apples. It was
so much fun and even Katie (almost 4) could join in–she helped me play and she can match the colors. Plus, the teenage boys
enjoyed it too! (A definite plus!)

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This activity demonstrates that it is difficult to judge what’s inside something by how it looks and feels. We can see what people do but we can’t see inside to understand why they do things or how they feel.

Tell the following story:

While picnicking in the desert with some friends, a teenage girl was bitten by a rattlesnake. Instead of immediately taking care of the bite and trying to get the poison out of her system, the girl and her friends chased after the snake. It took them fifteen minutes to find the snake and kill it, and by this time the poison had penetrated deeply into the girl’s tissue and blood. Because of her desire for revenge, she ended up having her leg amputated just below the knee. It was a high price to pay.

What does this story have to do with forgiveness?

The most deadly poison of all is the poison of unforgiveness. Other poisons damage the body, but being unforgiving can damage the soul. Just as in the story the girl should have immediately gotten the poison out of her system, when we are offended we need to immediately begin the process of forgiveness. The longer we wait, the harder it is and the more damage we may suffer. Ask your family what we can do if it just seems like we can’t forgive someone. God has promised us that if we try he will give us the strength to forgive others. Sometimes it happens quickly and sometimes it takes time. Have your family think privately if they need to forgive someone and encourage them to ask Heavenly Father to help them forgive.

Thought treat:
Give each person a small butter mint or candy that dissolves easily (hard tack). Tell them “As you forgive someone who has hurt you, or someone who has made you angry, those ugly feelings will disappear just as the hard candy disappears.”

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Music: Hymn 303 Keep the Commandments (many times we just read the words)

Lesson/Activity. If you stored your food back in the 70’s and haven’t used much of it since, or you have used a lot of it but have not replaced it all, this is a good time to assess what is really usable and what isn’t. We had stored some nitrogen packed food that was supposed to be good for 20-25 years back then that the company we bought it from now says is good for 15 years for sure, after that who knows. A note: The company also advised us that the canning techniques used 20 years ago were not as good as now and the nitrogen leaked out of the cans long, long ago within as little as 6 months after canning. If you open a can that is not good, don’t assume all your cans are not good, many of them can be fine. Many of your cans will be usable, however, the food value may have degraded some. We did an inventory of what we had against the new information of what we need and did not include any of the nitrogen packed foods in the inventory since we can’t count on them now.

Once we completed our inventory, we made a list of what we were lacking and determined when, over the next 3 months, we would buy what we needed. Our goal was to be prepared within that time.

FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY 1: We also decided to be better at rotating our food storage. One Home Evening, we took markers and put dates on everything we have so we know when we purchased it. Anything we purchased at an undetermined time in the past we put an X on so we knew we needed to use those first.

FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY 2 We downloaded a 72 hour emergency kit list and spent one Home Evening making sure we had a kit for both of us. We put ours in an old duffel bag and keep it in our car. Here’s what we used:

BASIC 72 HOUR KIT

This kit is the basic, starter kit that contains food, water and minor first aid supplies. If you already have a kit, it can serve as an auxiliary kit for each child in a family in addition to a more complete family kit. Each kit will contain the
following:

6 spoons Cocoa Mix
1 1/2 cups trail mix
3 pieces beef jerky
3 fruit rolls
1/2 cup hard candy
2 packets Apple Cider mix
1/2 cup Kool-Aid
3 packets oatmeal
3 packets soup
6 crackers
2 packs of gum
Matches (1 dozen dipped in wax)
3 Band Aides
4 water purification ts
Candle
Water
3 days supply of prescription drugs (vacu-seal or rotate per
expiration date)

IF THERE IS A PRIESTHOOD HOLDER IN YOUR HOME INCLUDE CONSECRATED OIL.

This pack should be rotated every 2 years if stored in a dry place.

Other items to add for a family kit:

Tents
Rain Ponchos
Space blankets or sleeping bags
Garbage bags (large black)
Spare clothing
Propane single camp stove
First Aid Kit
Light stick
Flashlight
Extra batteries
Compact fishing kit
Compass
Pocket knife
Paper or cards
Feminine hygiene supplies
Spare glasses
Cards
Pen or pencil
Small scriptures
Small game or toy
Money
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Comb
Mirror
Razor
Soap
Lip balm
Bandana (used for hat, washcloth, mask, sling, tourniquet)
Por radio with batteries
Tylenol
Duct tape

Treat: We take turns deciding what we’ll have. Since there is just the two of us, and we are free from having to set a good example for our kids, we choose whatever decadent things our doctors have told us to avoid — like fatty stuff or sugary stuff. Our favorite remains ice cream but we’ll also visit deli’s for a slice of cake or pie. This prevents us from bringing home a whole one and eating too much of it.

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I think I said before that every month our Relief Society has a sister prepare a FHE lesson and ideas to share with our sisters during Homemaking.

This last meeting we received on about emergency preparedness. We have 3 lesson ideas.

The first one is about having a fire plan. Try putting a match near a smoke detector in your home. When the alarm starts to go off, explain to your family that there is a pretend fire and they must get out of your home. This activity will help you determine how ready your family is for a fire emergency. Then set down as a family and show a smoke detector ( for small children it can be called “buzzy”) and how it works. Also show a fire extinguisher (”Reddy”) and older children can be shown how to use one. Talk about stop, drop, and roll, and crawling through smoke. Discuss how to dial 9-1-1 (say this is an emergency, who, what, where) and what types of emergencies require a 9-1-1 call. Make a list of emergency numbers. Then make a fire escape plan with an established meeting place and try the fire drill again.

To cool down after a pretend fire, try popsicle or ice cream.

Lesson 2 We need a 72 hour kit.
Explain to your family that we are going to pretend that there is a flood heading this way and we have been asked to evacuate our home so everyone grab what they need and we are leaving in two minutes. After a few blocks inspect provisions -

Do we have food?
Do we have a source for light?
Do we have a first aide kit?
Do we have any source of warmth or shelter?

Go home and assemble a 72 hour kit using the lists found in FHE manual , page 338. Make a list of items that need to be purchased.

Lesson 3 Food storage to use

Tell your family that you’re going to pretend that Dad/Mom has lost a job and your family will need to eat what is in storage. Go to you storage closet/room. Ask your family to make a list of meals to eat for a month. Determine if your family will want to eat what is stored and what they would like added to you food storage. Make a meal using only your food storage.

Additional Ideas:

practice first aide on dolls or each other
plan a campout and use 72 hour kit or first aide kit
pretend to have a blackout and sing songs around candles or flashlight

songs:

(tune: Yankee Doodle)

v1
Our prophet’s told us to prepare for famine and disaster.
If we obey, our family will live happy ever after.

chorus:
Be prepared, our prophet said. Store your wheat and honey.
Plant a garden; learn first aide; and don’t forget some money!

v2
When Father Noah built an ark, the people laughed and shouted.
But when the rain began to pour those people never doubted.

chorus

v3
We have been warned in latter days there will be floods and earthquakes.
So put your house in order and prepare before the dam breaks.

chorus

v4
Please do not procrastinate. Excuses have no muscle.
You’ll never find a better time than Now! So better hustle.

repeat chorus.

I know this is kind of long, but if it sounds like something that would be fun for you and your little ones, try it. My son and daughter want to try the fire plan. We will do that one this Monday night. Saturday, we plan on going to the fire station. We have a friend that is a fireman.

Around here where we live close to the Mississippi River, some of these things have already been put to use! We have our own “tornado alley” in this part of the state, too, so you just never know!

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“Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you” (3 Nephi 17:7).

Showing compassion is having love, respect, and understanding for another for a child of God. We all have a special part in Heavenly Father’s plan even though we may not be able to walk, hear, or learn things as easily as other people. All Heavenly Father’s children have the ability to feel love, to feel the Spirit and want to have an opportunity to serve others, just as you do.

Treat a person with disabilities just as you would any other friend! If you have questions about their disability ask them. Asking questions is part of getting to know someone, and they will probably have questions for you too! If the person has the type of disability where it may be difficult for them to understand you, or you to communicate with them, or if you feel uncomfor in any way, you may want to talk to a family member, teacher, or church leader about them. This way you will find out what their needs and abilities are. As you spend time with them and feel of their spirit, you will feel more comfor with their differences, and learn that people are more similar than they are different.

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1. Jesus was COMPASSIONATE, Luke 7:1-17 (discuss compassion)
2. Jesus was FORGIVING, Luke 7:36-50; Matthew 9:1-9 (discuss forgiveness)
3. Jesus had POWER TO HEAL, Mark 1:14-45; John 4:46-53
4. Jesus OPPOSED WICKEDNESS, John 2:13-17
5. Jesus was the CREATOR with power over the elements, John 1:1-14; Mark 4:35-41
6. Jesus LOVED LITTLE CHILDREN, Mark 10:13-16
7. Jesus was WISE, even when He was a child, Luke 2:42-49
8. Jesus was SUBMISSIVE to the will of the Father, Luke 22:39-45; John 4:31-34
9. Jesus was HUMBLE, John 13:3-17; Matthew 20:25-29
10. Jesus was PRAYERFUL, Luke 6:12-13; Luke 9:28-36; Matthew 14:22-33
11. Jesus OFFERED SALVATION to all, John 3:1-17
12. Jesus was OBEDIENT to God, Matthew 3:13-17; Hebrews 5:5-9
13. Jesus was a TEACHER of righteous principles, Matthew 5:1-16 & 43-48
14. Jesus RESISTED EVIL and was SINLESS, Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrews 4:14-16
15. Jesus TAUGHT BY TELLING STORIES, Luke 8:4-15; Luke 10:25-37
16. Jesus TAUGHT US HOW TO PRAY, Matthew 6:5-15
17. Jesus was LOVING and taught others to love, John 15:9-17; 13:31-35; 1 John 4:7-11
18. Jesus came to earth to SERVE mankind, Mark 10:35-45
19. Jesus SENT THE HOLY GHOST to His followers, John 14:15-31
20. Jesus PERFORMED MANY MIRACLES, John 2:1-11; Matthew 14:15-21
21. Jesus had POWER TO RAISE THE DEAD, John 11:40-44; Luke 8:41-56
22. Jesus was THE SON OF GOD, Luke 1:26-35; John 9:35-38
23. Jesus came to HELP SINNERS REPENT, Luke 15-3-10; Matthew 9:10-13
24. Jesus’ birth FULFILLED PROPHECY, Luke 2:1-20; Matthew 2:1-23

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You’ll need: Pictures**, Bible

Lesson:

Day #
1. (Turn all the lights off) Read Genesis 1:1-3 (we had the hall light on)
Turn on the lights and continue with verses 4-5.

2. Genesis 1:6-8 Pictures of water (waves) and clouds

3. Genesis 1:9-13 Pictures of oceans, earth, trees, grass, etc.

4. Genesis 1:14-19 Pictures of sun, moon, stars

5. Genesis 1:20-23 Pictures of birds, fish, whales

6. Genesis 1:24-31 Pictures of animals, Adam & Eve (mankind)

7. Genesis 2:1-3 Talk about how we should rest and make the Sabbath
Day holy.

Refreshments: We made banana splits using five ingredients (ice cream, syrup, banana, whip cream & cherry) and then we (#6) ate them. Just them “create” their own!

**During the week before you can have the children draw the pictures to be used in the lesson.

~Anita
“R.A.Romrell”

As a certified middle school science teacher, I have a *great* love for science, particularly earth science and astronomy! Through the years, I’ve developed a number of labs and other fun activities for kids in my classes. A few years ago, I was hired by a South Florida planetarium to develop their elementary school science programs, and had a terrific time working on recipes for slime, demonstrating static electricity, teaching kids how to observe a solar eclipse, and many other exciting scientific concepts. I find that I *often* use these activities with my own kids. I’ve also found that numerous gospel concepts can be related through object lessons that I’ve developed from my science demonstrations.

When I was working for the planetarium, I frequently traveled with the mobile planetarium, a huge air-filled bubble that holds about 35 kids. The mobile planetarium utilizes a small star projector similar to the much larger one in the planetarium so that I could demonstrate the motion of the stars as the earth rotates in its revolutionary orbit around the sun. Anyway, here is one demonstration that would certainly be a fun family activity if your lesson is on the creation. Check out the Hubble Telescope’s images of the birth of new planets:

Stellar nurseries for baby planets - Dramatic new Hubble Space
Telescope images show vast stellar disks where planets are born.

If you or your children have an interest in astronomy (as I do), you can see with a pair of strong binoculars on a very clear night a cluster of baby stars in the constellation of Orion the Hunter (in the US, this is the large visible hour-glass shaped figure high overhead throughout the winter season). Look at the belt of Orion (the line of stars passing through the midsection of the hour-glass) for a small cluster of tiny flickers … what you are seeing is a stellar nursery! Whenever I used to show this image in the mobile planetarium or in the planetarium itself and talked about stellar nurseries and the birth of new planets, there was always dead silence in the room, and *always* it was followed by, “aaahhhhh”s as the children realized they were witnesses to the creation of new worlds. What an incredible lesson to teach our children … to tell them that not only is life eternal but that new life is constantly being generated throughout the universe through all time and eternity! Not only is the lesson itself significant, but they can see it happening right before their very eyes in the stellar nursery right up there in the belt of Orion on a winter’s night.

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