Lehi's Dream - FHE Activity

Lehi's Dream

Do you remember the picture Jeremy chose at the Church Museum of Art. We were on a trip to Utah and let him pick out a poster. The one on Lehi's dream is the one he picked. So, here is the drill: Gather the family round about the kitchen table for this activity. Come stocked with pencils, markers, crayons, stickers etc. You will also need a large poster board or piece of butcher paper and the scriptures.

As you read the story of Lehi's dream (1 Nephi 8) to the family, have everyone take part in recreating the vision on paper. All the family will enjoy participating in this. The youngest children are skilled enough to scribble in a believable mist of darkness. Everyone can add a piece of fruit to the tree. If you have an aspiring artist, let him or her create the large and spacious building with intricate architecture. The mathmetician in the family can make sure the strait and narrow path is precise. And so on for all the parts of the dream.

It really doesn't matter if the youngest kids add their touch to the entire paper. Just ask the older kids to figure out creative ways to incorporate the little scribbles and odd markings into their design. When the poster is done, it can be hung up as a good reminder of the lesson for the week. Hopefully upon seeing it, everyone will remember to hold to the rod!

While the story is being told, or after the picture is completed, discuss Nephi's experience with Lehi's dream (1 Nephi 11)so that all can know the interpretation of each item drawn.

A good treat for this activity would be some new types of fruit that your family hasn't tried before or doesn't get to have often. Make sure that it is a good, yummy sweet fruit!

A good song choice is "The Iron Rod" on page 274 of the hymn book.

Lehi's Dream Is For All Of Us

Here is an assignment for each of you. First I'll tell you a little about our experience this week.

We gathered with Elder Bednar and Elder Gonzales (of the presidency of the 70) and their wives as well as the Caribbean Area Presidency from Sunday evening through Wednesday lunch. It was a wonderful and needful experience for our missions as well as our families. There are some things we need to be doing to stay safe - I mean spiritually safe during the times ahead.

Here is the question I tried to find answers to during our training:

How can we stay steadfast, firm, and immovable during challenging times?

By challenging, I don't just mean difficult, I mean times when our beliefs will be challenged.

This, of course, relates to our children as well as ourselves - how do we help them become firm?

We spent most of our time learning how to learn by the spirit. Elder Bednar said that members of the church are pretty good at understanding what it means to teach by the spirit, but we rarely think about learning by the spirit. We actually did it rather than talk about it. He firmly believes that the best way to learn by the spirit is to act. That means when we are teaching classes or our children we need to invite them to do things rather than just sit and listen. Elder Bednar got us to act by having us share questions we had, answering questions he posed, reading scriptures, and sharing our ideas based on those scriptures. He didn't at all mind standing quietly waiting for us to contribute. He didn't jump into uncomfortable silences - he just waited. He also gave us homework (application) assignments to do during each break and at the end of each session - mostly to work on answering questions or figure out how to take what we learned back to our missions. We can do these same things in our families.

Why did we spend so much time learning to learn by the spirit? Because that is what will protect us. That is the way we receive our own testimonies and understanding of gospel truth.

We need that.

The children need that.

So - in keeping with that method of teaching, here is a way each of you can 'act' in order to learn by the spirit what we need to do to stay firm:

Read 1 Nephi 8 as couples or families. Go through it carefully verse by verse and figure out what the difference is between people who stayed firm and those who didn't. Share what you learned in comments. You may be lead to do answer new questions or find more scriptures - go for it!

I think it would be fun to work as families and draw a picture or make a list about what each group did as they approached the tree. Acting out each groups actions might help find differences.

Here is something to give you a jump start - Elder Bednar said the tree is Christ and the fruit is the Atonement. If you read on into 1 Ne 11 and 12, you will get more definitions of the symbols.

I think it is a perfect story for the kids to enjoy and analyze. You could ask them things like:

• Why do you think those people ate the fruit and then fell away?
• What is the large and spacious building?
• What would you do if someone made fun of you for being a Mormon?

Our Youngest Son is a Star

Family Home Evenings are fun! The grandchildren will love this as Jamie's fame grows and grows!

Who says bands are bad? This one is clean and very, very good!

They're Here! My Semi- Annual Glue-ins from General Conference

Every General Conference time, I love the Thursday following General Conference for that is when the talks are on line. Here are my take-away glue'ins for October 2008.

Elder Andersen - Be Steady

We (must)remain steady and patient as we progress through mortality. At times, the Lord’s answer will be, “You don’t know everything, but you know enough”—enough to keep the commandments and to do what is right. Remember Nephi’s words: “I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things. (First Nephi 11:17)

Elder Andersen - Faith is a Decision

"As I laid my hands upon his head, I felt to tell him something that I had not thought about in exactly the same way before. The impression that came to me was: Faith is not only a feeling; it is a decision. He would need to choose faith.
My friend did not know everything, but he knew enough. He chose the road of faith and obedience. He got on his knees. His spiritual balance returned." (Mark 5:36)

Elder Holland (quoted by Elder Oaks) - Wear White Shirts

“May I suggest that wherever possible a white shirt be worn by the deacons, teachers, and priests who handle the sacrament. For sacred ordinances in the Church we often use ceremonial clothing, and a white shirt could be seen as a gentle reminder of the white clothing you wore in the baptismal font and an anticipation of the white shirt you will soon wear into the temple and onto your missions” (“This Do in Remembrance of Me,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 68). (D&C 20:77)

Elder Oaks - How to Stay Clean

How can we have the Spirit of the Lord to guide our choices so that we will remain “unspotted from the world” and on the safe path through mortality? We need to qualify for the cleansing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We do this by keeping His commandment to come to Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and in that wonderful weekly meeting partake of the emblems of the sacrament and make the covenants that qualify us for the precious promise that we will always have His Spirit to be with us (D&C 59:9).

Elder Uchtdorf - Hope

“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.” This is the quality of hope we must cherish and develop. Such a mature hope comes in and through our Savior Jesus Christ, for “every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as [the Savior] is pure.” (2 Nephi 31:20)

Elder Wirthlin - Principle of Compensation.

The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude. (Ether 12:27)


Elder Christofferson - Our greatest object - Build Zion

The Prophet Joseph Smith said, "We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object" (Teachings: Joseph Smith, 186). In our families and in our stakes and districts, let us seek to build up Zion through unity, godliness, and charity, preparing for that great day when Zion, the New Jerusalem, will arise. he Lord called Enoch's people Zion "because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them" (Moses 7:18). Elsewhere He said, "For this is Zion—the pure in heart" (D&C 97:21).

Elder Bednar - Counsel with Lord in Everything

Principle #1. Prayer becomes more meaningful as we counsel with the Lord in all our doings (see Alma 37:37).

Elder Bednar - Express Gratitude in our Prayers More Often

Principle #2. Prayer becomes more meaningful as we express heartfelt gratitude. (Mosiah 26:39)

Elder Bednar - Pray with real intent

Principle #3. Prayer becomes more meaningful as we pray for others with real intent and a sincere heart. (1 Nephi 1:15)

Elder Scott - Respect Women

In some cultures, tradition places a man in a role to dominate, control, and regulate all family affairs. That is not the way of the Lord. In some places the wife is almost owned by her husband, as if she were another of his personal possessions. That is a cruel, unproductive, mistaken vision of marriage encouraged by Lucifer that every priesthood holder must reject. It is founded on the false premise that a man is somehow superior to a woman. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The scriptures confirm that Father in Heaven saved His greatest, most splendid, supreme creation, woman, to the end. Only after all else was completed was woman created. Only then was the work pronounced complete and good. (Moses 4:17-19; Moses 5:10-11.)

Elder Jensen - Arms of Safety - The Sacrament

The section heading to Doctrine and Covenants 110 gives the context for one of our most relevant verses about enjoying arms of safety. Following this sacred ordinance (passing the Sacrament), Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery retired to pray in private. Following the prayer, the Savior appeared to these two men and said, "Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice" (D&C 110:5). The sequence of events in the Kirtland Temple in 1836 parallels our day and is likened to us. Sabbath after Sabbath, you (who)administer the sacrament to the Saints, who come to sacrament meeting prayerfully, hungering for spiritual healing, hoping, pleading to hear in their minds and hearts these words: "Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice" (D&C 110:5).


Elder Uchtdorf - Lift Where We Stand

Although it may seem simple, lifting where we stand is a principle of power. Most ... live by this principle. They are eager to roll up their sleeves and go to work, whatever that work might be. They faithfully perform their priesthood duties. They magnify their callings. They serve the Lord by serving others. They stand close together and lift where they stand. However, there are those who sometimes struggle with this concept. And when they do, they seem to fall into one of two camps: either they seek to lead, or they seek to hide. They covet a crown or a cave.No calling is beneath us. Every calling provides an opportunity to serve and to grow. The Lord organized the Church in a way that offers each member an opportunity for service, which, in turn, leads to personal spiritual growth. Whatever your calling, I urge you to see it as an opportunity not only to strengthen and bless others but also to become what Heavenly Father wants you to become. May we cease to aspire and cease to retire! (Matt 20:27)

President Monson - Always Accept Callings

President Harold B. Lee said: “When one becomes a holder of the priesthood, he becomes an agent of the Lord. He should think of his calling as though he were on the Lord’s errand.” Now, some of you may be shy by nature or consider yourselves inadequate to respond affirmatively to a calling. Remember that this work is not yours and mine alone. It is the Lord’s work, and when we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Remember that the Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it. (D&C 107:99)

Elder Holland - Angels Go Before Us

From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children. The scriptures or our own latter-day history, are filled with accounts of angels ministering to those on earth. Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times. (D&C 84_88)

Family Discusson on October 2008 General Conference

Here are some glue-in type quotes and personal impressions I had during October 2008 LDS General Conference. (Please add yours.)

President Monson - Be good citizens and neighbors and reach out to those of other faiths.

President Uchtdorf - Whether moving a grand piano from the chapel to the cultural hall, or serving in some other capacity, "Lift where you stand". (I appreciated the counsel he gave of cease to aspire...cease to retire.)

President Eyring - Skillful peacemakers search for anything on which opposing parties agree. (This is like finding 'safe space' in crucial conversations.)

Elder Ballard - Our challenges are not any more severe than those of the early saints--they are just different. We're not required to walk across the continent for the church, but rather just across the street to share the gospel message with our neighbors. (Do we open our mouths where ever we go and ask about the Church? Remember those golden questions - would you like to know more about the Church? Or what about the referral dialogue - who do you know and who else do you know who would be interested in our message?)

Elder Hales - We should answer contention with kindness. We should communicate using such means as letters to newspaper editors and blog comments to correct errors of fact, but we should always be cordial. We should speak out to help others understand the truth, but never to score points or to defend our egos. (This is correlated to Elder Ballard's directive last December to get involved in blogs by pronouncing our message to the world.)

Elder Scott - Husbands should show respect to their wives by taking charge of Family Home Evening and other activities. We should pay them more compliments. Bishops should show more respect for the insights of women on the ward council. Priesthood leaders should respect women's opinions and perspectives as much as their husbands'. (I particularly remember the reference to bad culture. We live in a society in the Caribbean where women have not been respected as they should have been and often are down-trodden. We need to show by example and how we speak that this is wrong and is not God's culture.)


President Monson - told the story of a man who cancelled an emergency business appointment because 'the circus keeps coming back, but childhood doesn't. Also said that the fingerprints on those things around the home that you have just cleaned will disappear all too soon, so cherish them while they're there. (There is not a day that goes by where I do not long for the days when the 5 J's were young and at home. I loved the close-knit feeling of being with our family.)

Elder Cook - With the current economic crisis, there is great concern throughout the world. There will in the future be more lean years as well as plentiful years, but if we're prepared in either event, everything will be alright for us. (This is great comfort to me in light of what is happening to our savings right now in the financial crisis experienced in the Stock Market.)


President Packer - During July 24th, 1849 celebration, the Saints in the Salt Lake Valley celebrated their patriotism to the United States despite the fact that Congress had not come to their assistance when they were losing $2 million in property and had otherwise been been persecuted for their faith. (It is not 1830 and there are not just 12 of us is what President Hinckley used to say. We have made alot of progress is moving forth the work of God.)

Bishop McMullin - Told the story of Chinese official who visited LDS Welfare Square and was so impressed with the integrity of the Church that he paid his fast offering in a "red pocket" envelope. He said "If the world loved like this, it would be a much better place." (But each of us can do our part in our own way to set that example by the lives we lead.)

Elder Bednar - Expressing gratitude should be an important part of prayer. "The most meaningful prayers I have experienced contained many expressions of thanks and few if any requests." Ingratitude invites the wrath of God. (I love the example of connections patterns and themes demonstrated in this talk by comparing temporal creation being linked to and a continuation of the spiritual creation. In this way, Elder Bednar suggests that meaningful morning and evening prayers are linked to and are a continuation of each other.)

Elder Oaks - May I suggest that wherever possible a white shirt be worn by the deacons, teachers and priests who handle the sacrament. For sacred ordinances in the Church we often use ceremonial clothing, and a white shirt could be seen as a gentle reminder of the white clothing you wore in the baptismal font and an anticipation of the white shirt you will soon wear into the temple and on to your missions. (This was a quote Elder Oaks endorsed that was given by Elder Holland 13 years ago. It is a message that needs to be received by all Priesthood holders in the Church in preparation for attending Sacrament meeting. We should all be prepared and worthy at all times to officiate in the blessing and passing of the Sacrament if asked.)

Elder Andersen - said that "we don't know everything, but that we know enough." We each have moments of spiritual power, moments of inspiration and revelation. We must sink them deep into the chambers of our soul. As we do, we prepare our spiritual home storage for moments of personal difficulty. Jesus said: “Settle this in your hearts, that ye will do the things which I shall teach, and command you.” (To strengthen our own testimonies, I remember the teaching of President Packer who said that a testimony is to be found in the bearing of it.

As you have Family Home Evening this week, why not have each member of the family tell their favorite General Conference memory? Remember that tradition in our family? Your posts and reactions are welcome....

My Best for the Kingdom

My Best for the Kingdom

(Note: at the conclusion of his autobiography, John Lowe Butler wrote his personal testament affirming he had given his best for the Church.)

“I fear that I have seen my best days, but I can say that I have done my best to help to roll forth the kingdom of God.

I have seen and been through many trials and close places, and my family has suffered from want, and I have always felt to give God praise for all things which came unto us for our good.

And I can bear my testimony to this work, I know that it is the Kingdom of God for the Lord has bless me with the knowledge thereof.

I have seen the sick healed under the power of the Priesthood.

I have seen the power of God displayed in many places.

And I have always felt to do my best in all things that I have had to do.

My prayer is that all of us who are in the Kingdom of God may be led to do what is right in the sight of God at all times, is the prayer of your humble servant. Amen.”

John Lowe Butler

John Lowe Butler is the Great Great Great Grandfather of Grandpa Reid A. Robison on his Grandfather Thomas Adams' side of the family. (His mother - Gloria Dawn Adams'father).
His grandfather Adams’ mother was Maria Luella Redd Adams and her mother was Keziah Jane Butler Redd.
Keziah Jane Butler Redd’s father was John Lowe Butler

Excerpt from Autobiography

"The Saints there were much persecuted, and they went and laid out a county and called it Caldwell County. The Saints all moved there and called it Far West. I moved there myself and assisted in making the first settlement; but first we moved into Clay County and stayed there a little while, and from there into Caldwell County. We moved there in the fall and stayed there two winters and from there we moved to Davies County.
I went with Brother Gee, he lived close by us, and we went to the election [Gallatin] in Davies County when the Saints were refused the privilege of voting, and rescued some of the Saints from a furious mob, and the Lord did strengthen my body far beyond the strength of man. Just after I joined the Church, I took a second growth and grew two inches and a half and grew very stout indeed, and my health became strong, and I felt as if I could handle any two men on the earth. When myself and Brother Gee got there, there was a large crowd of folks. Soon after the election commenced it was rumored around that the Mormons should not vote and that drew the brethren together. They commenced talking about how there had been a man going around among us finding out who the Mormons were going to vote for and when they heard it made them mad. They said that the Mormons should not vote because the Mormons did not vote to suit them; they must not vote at all. Now this the Saints did not like to be deprived of, their liberty and rights, so some were determined to go and put in their vote. Now for my part, I felt like backing everyone for it was our right.

There was Riley Stuart, Hyrum Nelson and myself and another man that I can't think of his name just now, but we all started to go and put in our votes. I was about the last one and the brother that was on ahead got knocked down and then Brother Riley Stuart interfered for him and one of the mob rushed at him with a knife. Riley turned and ran when he saw the man draw his knife. I then ran after the ruffian and as it happened, I saw an oak stick lying in the road; it was split, one of those sticks that they have to build chimneys with and just as the fellow struck Stuart, I struck him and as I struck him there had been another fellow running after me with a loaded horsewhip and struck me right between the shoulders, but it did not seem to hurt me much only I felt that I could take them all if they would come along. Just as the fellow struck me, I turned around and struck an underhanded lick and just fetched it under his chin and broke his jaw in two places and down he came; we had no more trouble with him.

There was so much excitement after that, that I could hardly tell what did transpire, but one of the brethren had a large cotton handkerchief full of earthenware and some fellow broke some of them with a stick, and he then made a weapon of them and commenced breaking the rest of them over their heads. I know that I knocked them right and left, every one that came in my reach and I know that there were over eight or ten. There was one fellow commenced bawling when he saw one of his companions lie motionless on the sod. He said that they had killed poor (Dick Wilkdin) [Weldon] Bill, and a brother hearing the poor fellow wailing for his companion thought that he would give him something else to cry for, it was Washington Vorus. He came up with a rock and threw at him and struck him right in the mouth. He boohooed and cried out what d--nd hard licks those d--nd Mormons do hit. They then commenced carrying off the men that had been knocked down and some killed and some were standing up against the fence and against the house with the blood running from their heads and faces, and I expect that some of them were from the effects of the teacups and saucers. However, they looked pitiful objects indeed, and when it was all over, Brother Vorus looked at the crockery ware and there was not a piece left the size of an inch and the handkerchief and all was covered with blood.

The officer then came up to me and said that we could come and vote, but I told him that I did not care whether I voted or not, but he said that I'd better come and put in my vote, so I started on behind. I had not yet put down my stick and he saw it and said, "For God's sake put down your stick, there is no use for it now." But I told him that I had no weapon and I did not care about leaving it, for it had been a good friend to me. "For God's sake don't come here then." So I turned back and he kept on. It was only a bite to draw me in and then they would have taken me or used me up and then Brother Samuel H. Smith came up to me and said let us go home, but when I got to where I had left my wagon, I found it gone, so Brother Smith said, "Come and go home with me," which was about three miles from my house. Brother Gee started home with the team and my wife going out of doors saw the team and started to meet it, but there was but one man in the wagon and he was standing up and had the whip in his hand laying it onto the horses and horses going at full speed.

My wife had gotten some distance from the house when she met him and she said to him, "Who was [Why?] Brother Gee, what in the world is the matter, where is Mr. Butler?" "Why," said he, "hasn't John Butler come home? I thought that he would have been home by this." "Why," said he, "he has killed five or six men at the election," and on he drove past my wife and stopped at the house and got out and started for home, leaving the horses all hitched up and leaving my wife to take care of them. She took them off the wagon and fed them and then waited anxiously for my return, but I returned not until the next morning after breakfast from Brother Smith's.
I concluded to ride over to Far West some fourteen miles from where we lived and I saw Brother Joseph Smith. He resided there. He asked me if I had removed my family. I told him no, I had not. "Then," said he, "go and move them directly and do not sleep another night there." "But," said I, "I don't like to be a coward." "Go and do as I tell you," said he. So I started back again and got home about two hours after dark. I then said to my wife, "We must pack up our things and leave here directly, for Brother Joseph has told me to." My wife was very glad for she had been wanting to move for a long time. So we loaded up one wagon load and took it down to Brother Taylor's about one mile and a half and my wife and Malinda Porter, a young woman that was boarding with us, who was keeping school. They packed up another wagon load by the time I got back and we all started off just about the break of day.

Now about sunrise, or a little while after, Brother Gee saw in the distance a large body of men. He said that he thought there was about thirty-odd. He watched them come toward the house and surround it. He then ran down to Taylor to tell them that we were all killed, I suppose, and when he saw us, he said, "Oh, I am so glad that you are here for there are about thirty men around your house to kill you all." I then saw the hand of the Lord guiding Brother Joseph Smith to direct me to move my family away. If he had not, why in all probability we should all have been murdered, and I felt to thank God with all my heart and soul."

Partaking of the Sacrament

This picture reminds us that Jesus loves us and was willing to suffer great pain and even death so that we could live with Him and with Heavenly Father.

Matthew told us about the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26:34-44

Jesus asked Peter, "What could you not watch with me one hour? (Matthew 26:40) Could this question also apply to those people who do not think about Jesus during the Sacrament?




Jesus was betrayed, taken by soldiers, and put through many trials. He was beaten and spit upon.

Why did Jesus submit to the trials, the beatings and even the Crucifixion? (He had committed himself to fill a mission. Going through these terrible things showed us His love for Heavenly Father and for each of us.)






When he was hung on the cross, he said "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

What do we learn about Jesus when we think about this statement? (We learn that he had love, even for those people were ignorant and very bad.)



When Jesus died on the cross, he was laid in a tomb.

How do you think the people that took Him down from the cross and laid Him lovely in the tomb felt?

How might you have felt?







Jesus could take up his body again. He was resurrected, rose from the dead on Sunday, and was the first person ever to be resurrected so that we could be resurrected.

Does everyone who comes to earth have to die?

Will we all be resurrected?

Do you have to believe in Christ be be resurrected?









Jesus taught us that to be with Him in Heaven, we needed to be baptised. We are baptized when we are 8 years old. So far Julia, Rachel and Dallin have all been baptized? Who will be the next person baptized? Can you guess?




After you are baptized, you will be confirmed. Do you remember what happens when you are confirmed?




Each week, you able to come to Church and partake of the Sacrament. Before it is passed, a special prayer is given for the bread and a special prayer is given for the water. Do you remember anything from those prayers?



Now comes the most important part of the Sacrament. It is passed to you after it is blessed. What do you think about during the passing of the sacrament?


Activities:

Display a picture of Jesus next to the table where you sit to eat breakfast or dinner.

On Sunday morning, during breakfast talk aobut Jesus. Have each child tell one thing about Jesus. Then have each child tell something that Jesus wants us to do. Remind the children that they will be taking the Sacrament during sacrament meeting.

Ask: What can you think about during the Sacrament.

As you travel to Church, ask the children to sing a song about Jesus to help them remember what we should think about during Sacrament meeting.

Give each child a little picture of Jesus on a piece of construction paper. Help the child write "I will think about Jesus" on it. Have the children take it to Church to look at during the Sacrament.

On the way home, ask each child what they thought about during the Sacrament. Start by telling them what you thought about. (Praise their efforts.)