Family Home Evening . . . Tonight!

Today's Family Home Evening Lesson

is actually supposed to be a

Safety and Preparedness FHE, but since we have

a member of the Stake Presidency coming
next Sunday

to talk about Reverence . . . maybe a quick reminder
during FHE Tonight

will help us to be a little more prepared for that!

Opening Prayer:

Opening Song:

"Reverence is Love," Children's Songbook, page 31

Scripture:

"Remember that that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and constraint of the Spirit . . ."

Doctrine and Covenants 63:64

Thought:

When the names of God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, are used with reverence and authority, they invoke a power beyond what mortal can comprehend.

(Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, May 1986, p. 51.)

Purpose:

To help family member understand that reverence is a feeling of love and respect for Heavenly Father and His Church.

Object Lesson:

Materials Needed:

A pot, a large serving spoon, a delicate goblet or glass, and a small teaspoon.

Application:

Take the large spoon and bang the pot loudly several times.  Then use the teaspoon to carefully tap the glass, producing a delicate ringing sound.  Compare this to irreverent/reverent behaviors and attitudes.  Irreverent actions can distract and interfere with the feelings of the Spirit.  Reverent actions create an atmosphere that invites the Spirit.

Story:

I have fond memories of working with my father on our family farm.  I admit I didn't enjoy digging ditches or checking the irrigation at two o'clock in the morning,

but I loved being with my father and working with the animals and plants.  I believe the farm helped me learn reverence for God's creations and for God Himself.

I remember going out with Dad to examine our fields after the early spring planting.  He would locate a seed with his fingers and carefully push away the soil, looking to see if germination was occurring.  "See," he would say to me, "this is the stem starting to emerge that will seek sunlight, and note the primal root that will sink down into the soil for moisture and nutrients. It's alive, Keith. "Then, almost as if he were tucking a child into bed, he would gently place the soil around the seed again.

I also developed reverential respect for God's handiwork as I worked on our dry farm in the low hills above Lehi, Utah.  from my perch on the tractor I could see Utah Lake, Mount Timpanogos, and the western mountains.  I enjoyed the company of hawks and other wildlife.  As I gazed at the brilliant sunsets, I would marvel at the beauty God has provided for us during our journey on earth.

Experiences such as these were so indelibly implanted on my mind that when the prophet of my youth spoke on reverence, I could relate.  In April 1967 President David O. McKay (1873-1970) said:

"Reverence is profound respect mingled with love."

Reverence is more than being quiet. It encompasses being in awe of our Father in Heaven and all with which He has blessed us.  Our regard for sacred things, our behavior in the home and at church, and our attitude toward those who hold the priesthood all serve as measures of our reverence.

(Keith L. Smith, "Reverence," Ensign, July 2003, p. 60.)

Activity:

Ask each family member to bring a "Treasure" to Family Home Evening.

Have them show their treasure and tell why it's so important to them.

Discuss how we treat things we treasure.

Do we hold them differently?

Do we speak in a different way about them?

How do we want other people to hold our treasure?

Do we want them to be careful or careless?

Tell the children that how we treat our treasures is a way of showing respect and reverence.

Heavenly Father has given us many things that He treasures. 

List on a paper or poster some of the treasures that Heavenly Father allows us to take care of.

(Examples)

Earth

Scriptures

Family

(Show pictures of your family.)

Home

Church

Others by Giving Service

Ourselves . . . etc.

(Show pictures of each of the members of your family.)

Ask:

How does Heavenly Father want us to take care of His treasures?

How can we show respect and reverence for what Heavenly Father loves?

Extra's:

Talk about preparing for the Sabbath on Saturday, so there is a more reverent mood on Sunday.

As parents, we must show by example what it means to be reverent.

Speak Jesus Christ's name with great reverence and love at the end of every prayer.

Never mumble the name of Christ or skip over it, or miss the opportunity to use descriptive words such as Savior, Friend, Brother, Beloved, Loving Kind, Merciful, Gracious, Compassionate, in connection to his name.

(Melody Webb, 250 Ways to Connect with Your Family, page 7.)

Closing Prayer:

Here's the Family Home Evening Lesson PDF:

Reverence Family Home Evening Lesson and Recipe PDF

Don't Forget to add to your Family Home Evening Journal!

Time for TREATS!

Strawberries and Blueberries are always on sale in July,

so I thought we might as well take advantage of that with this

Big Fella!

Red, White, and Blue Parfaits

This recipe is included in the FHE PDF!

You Will Need:

Strawberries

Washed and Sliced

Blueberries

1 8-ounce carton Vanilla Low-Fat Yogurt

1/4 tsp. Almond Extract or 1/2 tsp. Vanilla

Cool Whip

In a large bowl, stir together yogurt and almond extract or vanilla.

Fold in whipped topping.

Layer the ingredients in the order shown.

Blueberries, Yogurt and Cool Whip Mixture, Strawberries, Yogurt, Cool Whip,

and Repeat!

Have a GREAT NIGHT!