Patriarchal Blessings

Song: “For Thy Bounteous Blessings”
Scripture: Genesis 49:28
D&C 124:92, 124
Alma 36:3

Lesson: Discussion questions

What is a patriarchal blessing?

Why are patriarchal blessings important?

When do you get a patriarchal blessing?

Are they sacred?

Who gives patriarchal blessings?

Activity: Color code your patriarchal blessing(email me at merrymittons@msn.com for the file to do this) and share special excerpts with your family from your patriarchal blessings.

Treat: Sweet is the Promise Cake from Book of Mormon Family Night–Lessons that Teach with Treats—you can call it the Patriarchal Promise Cake.

1 box German Chocolate cake mix
14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 jar caramel fudge topping
3 Skor or Heath candy bars, grated
1 tub frozen whipped topping, thawed

Let whipped topping thaw in refrigerator. Bake the cake according to the package in a 13×9 pan and let cool for 20 min. Poke holes all over the cake and pour in the condensed milk. Next pour caramel fudge over cake. Fold candy bars into whipped topping and spread over top of cake. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serves 12.

Keeping the Sabbath Day

Song: “Remember the Sabbath Day”
Scripture: Exodus 20:8
D&C 59:9
D&C 68:29

Lesson: Discussion questions

How do we keep the Sabbath day holy?

Why do we rest on the Sabbath day?

Why is it important to attend Church on Sunday?

Activity: Make a family poster of activities to strengthen the family on the Sabbath Day. You can let the children pick out pictures from old copies of The Friend or the Ensign and glue them to the poster.

Treat: Sabbath Day Sundaes. Get your favorite ice cream and topping flavors. Enjoy!

Cartoon courtesy: http://www.9thwardcartoons.com/2008/03/hed-probably-be-more-quiet-than-kids.html

Temple Work


Song: “I Love to See the Temple”
Scripture: D&C 110:9,15
D&C 124:39

Lesson: This lesson would be great to do near your temple if you live near one.

Baptisms for the Dead–What is it? Why is it important?
This is an opportunity for those in the Spirit prison to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ and receive a remission of their sins. Those accept the gospel will also receive the baptismal covenant:
“When I was baptized I made a covenant to take upon me the name of Jesus Christ and to serve Him and be obedient. Heavenly Father has given me the Holy Ghost. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I can be forgiven of my sins when I repent. If I keep my baptismal covenant, I can return to live with Him. When I take the sacrament, I renew my covenant to take upon me the name of Jesus Christ, to always remember Him, and to obey His commandments. When I do this, I can feel the Holy Ghost guiding me.”(Faith in God books)

Endowments–What is it? Why is it important?
It is a covenant made with Heavenly Father to continue living a righteous life, wearing the protective garment as a reminder, learn more about our purpose here on earth. We covenant(promise) to obey the law of consecration, law of sacrifice, law of chastity. We promise to keep the things we learn sacred. It is the next step to preparing for celestial marriage. It is not just for the living, but also the dead.

Sealings–What is it? Why is it important?
D&C 131:2
It is the new and everlasting covenant. It is needed to live in the presence of God and all can achieve it by being baptized, receiving their endowments, and marrying/being sealed in the temple. Their covenant in a sealing is bound in heaven and on earth. It binds our families together for eternity so that we might all live with Heavenly Father. We not only perform sealings for the living, but also the dead.

The blessings of temple work can help us to be closer to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We desire to return to their presence and by performing our own temple work and that of others gives us the opportunity to do so and give that opportunity to others.

Activity: List ways to prepare to be worthy of being in the temple to do temple work. Look at pictures of temples around the world.

Treat: Temple blocks—aka rice krispie treats.