FHE Lesson based on Examples of Righteousness, President Thomas S. Monson April 2008 General Conference
Activity
Make a matching game using pictures as stories of Latter-Day prophets found in the November 2000 Friend Sharing time article.
Play the matching game.
Discussion
Show a picture of Christ.
"Not to be overlooked—and in fact our primary example—is our Savior, Jesus Christ. His birth was foretold by prophets; angels heralded the announcement of His earthly ministry. He "grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him."3
"Baptized of John in the river known as Jordan, He commenced His official ministry to men. To the sophistry of Satan, Jesus turned His back. To the duty designated by His Father, He turned His face, pledged His heart, and gave His life. And what a sinless, selfless, noble, and divine life it was. Jesus labored. Jesus loved. Jesus served. Jesus testified. What finer example could we strive to emulate?" Thomas S. Monson
We can and should be examples, too. President Monson said:
"My young friends, be strong. The philosophies of men surround us. The face of sin today often wears the mask of tolerance. Do not be deceived; behind that facade is heartache, unhappiness, and pain. You know what is right and what is wrong, and no disguise, however appealing, can change that. The character of transgression remains the same. If your so-called friends urge you to do anything you know to be wrong, you be the one to make a stand for right, even if you stand alone."
Case studies:
1. You are at a friends' home and they start watching a TV show that you know you are not supposed to watch. What do you do to be an example?
2. You see some kids picking on another student in your class. What do you do to be an example?
3. Your teacher leaves the room and tells everyone to sit quietly and finish the worksheet. What do you do to be an example?
4. Someone says something about our church that is not true. What do you do to be an example?
Story
"Many years ago I spoke of one who took his example from the Savior, one who stood firm and true, strong and worthy through the storms of life. He courageously magnified his priesthood callings. He provides an example to each of us. His name was Thomas Michael Wilson, the son of Willie and Julia Wilson of Lafayette, Alabama.
"When he was but a teenager and he and his family were not yet members of the Church, he was stricken with cancer, followed by painful radiation therapy, and then blessed remission. This illness caused his family to realize that not only is life precious but that it can also be short. They began to look to religion to help them through this time of tribulation. Subsequently, they were introduced to the Church, and eventually all but the father were baptized. After accepting the gospel, young Brother Wilson yearned for the opportunity of being a missionary, even though he was older than most young men when they begin their missionary service. At the age of 23, he received a mission call to serve in the Utah Salt Lake City Mission.
"Elder Wilson's missionary companions described his faith as unquestioning, undeviating, and unyielding. He was an example to all. However, after 11 months of missionary service, illness returned. Bone cancer now required the amputation of his arm and shoulder. Yet he persisted in his missionary labors.
"Elder Wilson's courage and consuming desire to remain on his mission so touched his nonmember father that he investigated the teachings of the Church and also became a member.
I learned that an investigator whom Elder Wilson had taught was baptized but then wanted to be confirmed by Elder Wilson, whom she respected so much. She, with a few others, journeyed to Elder Wilson's bedside in the hospital. There, with his remaining hand resting upon her head, Elder Wilson confirmed her a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"Elder Wilson continued month after month his precious but painful service as a missionary. Blessings were given; prayers were offered. Because of his example of dedication, his fellow missionaries lived closer to God.
"Elder Wilson's physical condition deteriorated. The end drew near, and he was to return home. He asked to serve but one additional month, and his request was granted. He put his faith in God, and He whom Thomas Michael Wilson silently trusted opened the windows of heaven and abundantly blessed him. His parents, Willie and Julia Wilson, and his brother Tony came to Salt Lake City to help their son and brother home to Alabama. However, there was yet a prayed-for, a yearned-for blessing to be bestowed. The family invited me to come with them to the Jordan River temple, where those sacred ordinances which bind families for eternity, as well as for time, were performed.
"I said good-bye to the Wilson family. I can see Elder Wilson yet as he thanked me for being with him and his loved ones. He said, "It doesn't matter what happens to us in this life as long as we have the gospel of Jesus Christ and live it. It doesn't matter whether I teach the gospel on this or the other side of the veil, so long as I can teach it." What courage. What confidence. What love. The Wilson family made the long trek home to Lafayette, where Elder Thomas Michael Wilson slipped from here to eternity. He was buried there with his missionary tag in place."
Discussion
How was Elder Wilson an example?
Who was he an example to?
What blessings did he receive from being an example?
Scripture for the week
1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity
Quote
"Nothing will bring greater joy and success than to live according to the teachings of the gospel. Be an example; be an influence for good. . . ." President N. Eldon Tanner
Challenge
Commit to be a better example this week. Plan a way you are going to do this.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Monday, June 9, 2008
Repentance
Scripture: “Wherefore teach it unto your children, that all men, everywhere, must repent, or they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God, for no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence” (Moses 6:57).
Preparation:
1. Obtain a baby picture of each member of the family, including parents. Do not identify the pictures.
2. Prepare quiz questions
3. Cut out six foot shapes from construction paper and write down a step of repentance on each footprint. Hide the footprints around the room.
4. Gather pictures of Jesus at Gethsemane and on the cross.
When you were a baby/We all make mistakes and sin
Display the baby photographs of each family member. Children, especially younger ones, will enjoy guessing who the different family members are in the pictures.
Discuss with your family what your youngest child was like as a baby. Explain that he was very special. He was pure and innocent of wrongdoing because he had just come from Heavenly Father and his heavenly home. Point to each of the other pictures. Explain that all of you were pure when you left Heavenly Father's presence, that you didn't have any sins.
Show a baby picture again, and explain that Heavenly Father knew that we would not always stay as pure as we were when we were babies. Explain that he knew that we would all grow up and that while we were learning to do right we would make some mistakes and sin. Of course it would be better if we never did sin and could remain innocent like a little baby, but all of us are tempted and all of us sin.
Explain that Heavenly Father knew that the burden of our sins would keep us from growing spiritually and from reaching our greatest potential here on earth.
Explain that we also would not be able to return to live with our Heavenly Father if our sins could not be taken away or removed, for no unclean thing or sinful person can live with him.
Why could a sinful person not live with Heavenly Father again? 1 Nephi 15:3335, 2 Nephi 9:23
Jesus Paid for Our Sins
Show the pictures of Jesus in Gethsemane and Jesus on the cross. Explain that Heavenly Father sent Jesus to help us overcome sin. Jesus suffered and died to pay for our sins. He was the only one who could pay for our sins. We could not be forgiven by our own efforts alone.
Because of Jesus' sacrifice and atonement, we can repent and become pure again. We can be free to progress and be clean to live with our Father in Heaven again one day. Read Doctrine and Covenants D&C 58:42 aloud.
We Can Repent and Grow
Have a family member read aloud Doctrine and Covenants D&C 19:16, "I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent."
Explain that if Jesus had not atoned for our mistakes we could not be forgiven and would have to continue to suffer for them. However, because he suffered for us, we can be forgiven if we repent. To help illustrate this process, have someone read or tell the following story by President David O. McKay:
"One day, a group of small boys were swimming. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say, they were learning to swim; for none could take more than a few strokes. Just below them a short distance down the stream was a treacherous hole much beyond their depth. Into this, either through bravado or accident, one daring youngster either plunged or fell. He became helpless to save himself; and for a moment his companions were powerless to aid him. Fortunately, one with presence of mind and quick action, jerked a long stick from a willow fence and held one end of it toward the drowning lad. The latter grasped it, held on tightly, and was saved.
"All the boys declared that the venturesome lad owed his life to the boy who furnished the means of rescue." ("The Gospel of Work," Instructor, Jan. 1955, p. 1.)
Explain to your family that Jesus is like the rescuer and his atonement is like the stick. Jesus offers us the Atonement as the way to receive forgiveness. When we repent, we reach out to accept the Atonement just as the drowning boy reached out to grasp the stick. If we accept the Atonement by repenting, we will be forgiven and not have to continue suffering for our sins. We can learn from our mistakes and continue to progress. We will be stronger and wiser if we have overcome our faults and have learned from our experiences.
To help your family understand more about the gift of repentance, pass out papers and pencils, and take the following true-false quiz as a family. You may want to divide your family into two teams. Small children could work with older children in answering the questions. Choose ahead of time whether you will discuss the answers after each question or after you finish the entire quiz.
1. The suffering and death of Jesus nearly two thousand years ago does not affect our lives. (False. If Jesus had not atoned for our sins, we could not repent and grow. We could never return to live with our Heavenly Father again. Every person that has ever lived or will live upon the earth is affected by Jesus' sacrifice.)
2. When we make a mistake or sin, Jesus stops loving us. (False. Jesus never stops loving us. It is because of his love that we have the gift of repentance.)
3. Because Jesus suffered and died for our sins, they are automatically forgiven. (False. Jesus can forgive only those who are sorry for their sins and who repent of them.)
4. When we repent of a sin, we are completely forgiven and we do not need to worry about it any more. (True. When we have repented of a sin the Lord not only forgives us, but our sin is also forgotten [see Isaiah 1:1618, D&C 58:42].)
5. When we repent of our sins, we can learn through correcting our mistakes and continue to grow and progress spiritually. (True. When we repent of our sins, we are free to go on and not be held back because of them. Our weaknesses can even become our strengths. See Ether 12:27.])
How Do We Repent?
Elder Spencer W. Kimball declared: “There is no royal road to repentance, no privileged path to forgiveness. Every man must follow the same course whether he be rich or poor, educated or untrained, tall or short, prince or pauper, king or commoner. … There is only one way. It is a long road spiked with thorns and briars and pitfalls and problems” (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 149).
Have children find footprints, put them in order and discuss the steps.
We Must Recognize Our Sins
The first step of repentance is to admit to ourselves that we have sinned. If we do not admit this, we cannot repent.
Alma counseled his son Corianton, who had been unfaithful in his missionary calling and had committed serious sins: “Let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance. … Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point” (Alma 42:29–30). The scriptures advise us further not to justify our sinful practices (see Luke 16:15–16).
We cannot hide any act of our lives from ourselves or from the Lord.
We Must Feel Sorrow for Our Sins
In addition to recognizing our sins, we must feel sincere sorrow for what we have done. We must feel that our sins are terrible. We must want to unload and abandon them. The scriptures tell us, “All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and … have truly repented of all their sins … shall be received by baptism into his church” (D&C 20:37).
We Must Forsake Our Sins
Our sincere sorrow should lead us to forsake (stop) our sins. If we have stolen something, we will steal no more. If we have lied, we will lie no more. If we have committed adultery, we will stop. The Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, “By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them” (D&C 58:43).
We Must Confess Our Sins
Confessing our sins is very important. The Lord has commanded us to confess our sins. Confession relieves a heavy burden from the sinner. The Lord has promised, “I, the Lord, forgive sins, and am merciful unto those who confess their sins with humble hearts” (D&C 61:2).
We must confess all our sins to the Lord. In addition, we must confess serious sins, such as adultery, fornication, and robbery, which might affect our standing in the Church, to the proper priesthood authority. If we have sinned against another person, we should confess to the person we have injured. Some less serious sins involve no one but ourselves and the Lord. These may be confessed privately to the Lord.
We Must Make Restitution
Part of repentance is to make restitution. This means that as much as possible we must make right any wrong that we have done. For example, a thief should give back what he has stolen. A liar should make the truth known. A gossip who has slandered the character of a person should work to restore the good name of the person he has harmed. As we do these things, God will not mention our sins to us when we are judged (see Ezekiel 33:15–16).
We Must Forgive Others
A vital part of repentance is to forgive those who have sinned against us. The Lord will not forgive us unless our hearts are fully cleansed of all hate, bitterness, and bad feelings against other people (see 3 Nephi 13:14–15). “Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin” (D&C 64:9).
We Must Keep the Commandments of God
To make our repentance complete we must keep the commandments of the Lord (see D&C 1:32). We are not fully repentant if we do not pay tithes or keep the Sabbath day holy or obey the Word of Wisdom. We are not repentant if we do not sustain the authorities of the Church and do not love the Lord and our fellowmen. If we do not pray and are unkind to others, we are surely not repentant. When we repent, our life changes.
Elder Kimball said: “Repentance means not only to convict yourselves of the horror of the sin, but to confess it, abandon it, and restore to all who have been damaged to the total extent possible; then spend the balance of your lives trying to live the commandments of the Lord so he can eventually pardon you and cleanse you” (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 200).
Bear testimony of repentance.
Refreneces:
FHE Resource Book, lesson 10
Gospel Essentials, lesson 19
Preparation:
1. Obtain a baby picture of each member of the family, including parents. Do not identify the pictures.
2. Prepare quiz questions
3. Cut out six foot shapes from construction paper and write down a step of repentance on each footprint. Hide the footprints around the room.
4. Gather pictures of Jesus at Gethsemane and on the cross.
When you were a baby/We all make mistakes and sin
Display the baby photographs of each family member. Children, especially younger ones, will enjoy guessing who the different family members are in the pictures.
Discuss with your family what your youngest child was like as a baby. Explain that he was very special. He was pure and innocent of wrongdoing because he had just come from Heavenly Father and his heavenly home. Point to each of the other pictures. Explain that all of you were pure when you left Heavenly Father's presence, that you didn't have any sins.
Show a baby picture again, and explain that Heavenly Father knew that we would not always stay as pure as we were when we were babies. Explain that he knew that we would all grow up and that while we were learning to do right we would make some mistakes and sin. Of course it would be better if we never did sin and could remain innocent like a little baby, but all of us are tempted and all of us sin.
Explain that Heavenly Father knew that the burden of our sins would keep us from growing spiritually and from reaching our greatest potential here on earth.
Explain that we also would not be able to return to live with our Heavenly Father if our sins could not be taken away or removed, for no unclean thing or sinful person can live with him.
Why could a sinful person not live with Heavenly Father again? 1 Nephi 15:3335, 2 Nephi 9:23
Jesus Paid for Our Sins
Show the pictures of Jesus in Gethsemane and Jesus on the cross. Explain that Heavenly Father sent Jesus to help us overcome sin. Jesus suffered and died to pay for our sins. He was the only one who could pay for our sins. We could not be forgiven by our own efforts alone.
Because of Jesus' sacrifice and atonement, we can repent and become pure again. We can be free to progress and be clean to live with our Father in Heaven again one day. Read Doctrine and Covenants D&C 58:42 aloud.
We Can Repent and Grow
Have a family member read aloud Doctrine and Covenants D&C 19:16, "I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent."
Explain that if Jesus had not atoned for our mistakes we could not be forgiven and would have to continue to suffer for them. However, because he suffered for us, we can be forgiven if we repent. To help illustrate this process, have someone read or tell the following story by President David O. McKay:
"One day, a group of small boys were swimming. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say, they were learning to swim; for none could take more than a few strokes. Just below them a short distance down the stream was a treacherous hole much beyond their depth. Into this, either through bravado or accident, one daring youngster either plunged or fell. He became helpless to save himself; and for a moment his companions were powerless to aid him. Fortunately, one with presence of mind and quick action, jerked a long stick from a willow fence and held one end of it toward the drowning lad. The latter grasped it, held on tightly, and was saved.
"All the boys declared that the venturesome lad owed his life to the boy who furnished the means of rescue." ("The Gospel of Work," Instructor, Jan. 1955, p. 1.)
Explain to your family that Jesus is like the rescuer and his atonement is like the stick. Jesus offers us the Atonement as the way to receive forgiveness. When we repent, we reach out to accept the Atonement just as the drowning boy reached out to grasp the stick. If we accept the Atonement by repenting, we will be forgiven and not have to continue suffering for our sins. We can learn from our mistakes and continue to progress. We will be stronger and wiser if we have overcome our faults and have learned from our experiences.
To help your family understand more about the gift of repentance, pass out papers and pencils, and take the following true-false quiz as a family. You may want to divide your family into two teams. Small children could work with older children in answering the questions. Choose ahead of time whether you will discuss the answers after each question or after you finish the entire quiz.
1. The suffering and death of Jesus nearly two thousand years ago does not affect our lives. (False. If Jesus had not atoned for our sins, we could not repent and grow. We could never return to live with our Heavenly Father again. Every person that has ever lived or will live upon the earth is affected by Jesus' sacrifice.)
2. When we make a mistake or sin, Jesus stops loving us. (False. Jesus never stops loving us. It is because of his love that we have the gift of repentance.)
3. Because Jesus suffered and died for our sins, they are automatically forgiven. (False. Jesus can forgive only those who are sorry for their sins and who repent of them.)
4. When we repent of a sin, we are completely forgiven and we do not need to worry about it any more. (True. When we have repented of a sin the Lord not only forgives us, but our sin is also forgotten [see Isaiah 1:1618, D&C 58:42].)
5. When we repent of our sins, we can learn through correcting our mistakes and continue to grow and progress spiritually. (True. When we repent of our sins, we are free to go on and not be held back because of them. Our weaknesses can even become our strengths. See Ether 12:27.])
How Do We Repent?
Elder Spencer W. Kimball declared: “There is no royal road to repentance, no privileged path to forgiveness. Every man must follow the same course whether he be rich or poor, educated or untrained, tall or short, prince or pauper, king or commoner. … There is only one way. It is a long road spiked with thorns and briars and pitfalls and problems” (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 149).
Have children find footprints, put them in order and discuss the steps.
We Must Recognize Our Sins
The first step of repentance is to admit to ourselves that we have sinned. If we do not admit this, we cannot repent.
Alma counseled his son Corianton, who had been unfaithful in his missionary calling and had committed serious sins: “Let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance. … Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point” (Alma 42:29–30). The scriptures advise us further not to justify our sinful practices (see Luke 16:15–16).
We cannot hide any act of our lives from ourselves or from the Lord.
We Must Feel Sorrow for Our Sins
In addition to recognizing our sins, we must feel sincere sorrow for what we have done. We must feel that our sins are terrible. We must want to unload and abandon them. The scriptures tell us, “All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and … have truly repented of all their sins … shall be received by baptism into his church” (D&C 20:37).
We Must Forsake Our Sins
Our sincere sorrow should lead us to forsake (stop) our sins. If we have stolen something, we will steal no more. If we have lied, we will lie no more. If we have committed adultery, we will stop. The Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, “By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them” (D&C 58:43).
We Must Confess Our Sins
Confessing our sins is very important. The Lord has commanded us to confess our sins. Confession relieves a heavy burden from the sinner. The Lord has promised, “I, the Lord, forgive sins, and am merciful unto those who confess their sins with humble hearts” (D&C 61:2).
We must confess all our sins to the Lord. In addition, we must confess serious sins, such as adultery, fornication, and robbery, which might affect our standing in the Church, to the proper priesthood authority. If we have sinned against another person, we should confess to the person we have injured. Some less serious sins involve no one but ourselves and the Lord. These may be confessed privately to the Lord.
We Must Make Restitution
Part of repentance is to make restitution. This means that as much as possible we must make right any wrong that we have done. For example, a thief should give back what he has stolen. A liar should make the truth known. A gossip who has slandered the character of a person should work to restore the good name of the person he has harmed. As we do these things, God will not mention our sins to us when we are judged (see Ezekiel 33:15–16).
We Must Forgive Others
A vital part of repentance is to forgive those who have sinned against us. The Lord will not forgive us unless our hearts are fully cleansed of all hate, bitterness, and bad feelings against other people (see 3 Nephi 13:14–15). “Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin” (D&C 64:9).
We Must Keep the Commandments of God
To make our repentance complete we must keep the commandments of the Lord (see D&C 1:32). We are not fully repentant if we do not pay tithes or keep the Sabbath day holy or obey the Word of Wisdom. We are not repentant if we do not sustain the authorities of the Church and do not love the Lord and our fellowmen. If we do not pray and are unkind to others, we are surely not repentant. When we repent, our life changes.
Elder Kimball said: “Repentance means not only to convict yourselves of the horror of the sin, but to confess it, abandon it, and restore to all who have been damaged to the total extent possible; then spend the balance of your lives trying to live the commandments of the Lord so he can eventually pardon you and cleanse you” (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 200).
Bear testimony of repentance.
Refreneces:
FHE Resource Book, lesson 10
Gospel Essentials, lesson 19
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