FHE Mini Lesson

What is a Mini-Lesson: These lessons are to help jump-start more couple, family and ward discussion and planning. These are generally used to introduce new ideas with more complete lessons to follow on similar topics.

Scripture: Doctrine & Covenants 38:30

Hymn: “As Zion’s Youth in Latter Days”

Lesson: Becoming Self-Reliant

“We become self-reliant,” explains Julie Beck, president of the Church’s organization for women, “through obtaining sufficient knowledge, education, and literacy; by managing money and resources wisely, being spiritually strong, preparing for emergencies and eventualities; and by having physical health and social and emotional well-being.”

Church leader Elder Robert D. Hales outlines ways we can become self-reliant:

Discussion Topics:

What areas are you or your family weakest?

From the list above, list the item that needs to most attention first and so on.

How can you become self-reliant in this area?

Goal Setting: Make a goal to actively work on 1-2 of these areas over the next three months. Write down specific things you will do to achieve this goal towards becoming more self-reliant. Post this paper of your goals in an area you will see if EVERY DAY.

Activity: Make a goal board and cut and paste pictures out to emphasize your goals for this New Year.

Examples include: Cut out photos of wheat, rice, etc. if you’re wanting to start or increase your food storage. Cut out pictures of a house if you’re wanting to pay off debt to own your own home. Cut out job titles you’d like to have and photos of the schooling or training it will take you to get there.

We currently have FHE lessons to help with some of these areas. Please use these in follow-up FHE lessons to see how to you can better work on these goals to becoming more self-reliant.

Hymns: “For the beauty of the Earth” pg #92, “Beauty Everywhere” pg 232 (Children’s)

Fill two glasses or small bowls with water. Set them somewhere they can be easily seen everyday. For one, set rule the “Do not drink, Keep clean”. For the second, “Drink and refill”. Observe them for a week and take notes as the days go by.

Does anyone drink from the glass? Does the glass get refilled? Does dust gather on top of either one?

Heavenly Father created a perfect world. It’s up to us to ensure that it continues that way. Keep it clean, use it wisely and replenish the earth.

“Living within our means”

Purpose: To teach family members the importance of having a budget, sticking to a budget, controlling our finances and avoiding unnecessary debt.

Hymn: “Count Your Blessings”

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Lesson: In a message from President Ezra Taft Benson in 1987, he shared the scripture story found in 2 Kings of a women who had a debt and almost had to sell her children. The wise counsel he gives us in the message is, “Pay thy debt and LIVE!”
This timeless counsel is the same for us today. It is clear to see the effects of greed and misuse of funds that we are blessed to have. Many families have lost homes, jobs and the comforts we enjoy daily. Living in debt is binding— getting out of debt is freedom.

We have been counseled from church leaders throughout the history of the church to live within our means. There are many things families can do together and individually to help rid ourselves of excessive debt and learn principles of control to avoid future debts.

Pay Tithing~ The Lord has promised that we will not have room to receive the blessings of heaven as we faithfully pay our tithing. When we begin to budget our finances, it is important we remember this commandment and pay an honest and faithful tithe.

Budget~ There are many free budget and debt worksheets that are available online. One site that I love provides easy-to-use worksheets for various financial goals. The worksheets were created by one of my favorite professors at Utah State University.

Click on this link: Financial Worksheets

There are also free financial counseling places in communities everywhere. Search out the non-profit organizations that will help teach you correct financial principles and budget help– for free!

Activity:

Individuals/families/teens/tweens~

Print off a budget sheet for all family members or individuals who are able to create and keep budgets. Also use the tracking worksheets to see where your money is spent. This is a powerful, eye-opening exercise. It’s also great for teens who don’t have good savings and spending habits.They’ll see how much money they spend on clothes, gas, eating out and hopefully encourage them to slow their spending.

Coupon together: Visit coupon Web sites, use your newspaper and mailer coupons and together plan your next grocery store trip by using the coupons you find, print or clip. Add up all the money you save and put it into a family savings account for a vacation, Christmas, charitable donations or for a rainy day. This can become a weekly ritual of savings that can truly add up quickly and teach great money lessons, too!

Helpful materials/sites: USU Housing & Financial Counseling Worksheets

Mint.com

Couponmom.com

Couponsuzy.com

RetailMeNot.com

RedPlum.com

***Leave a comment with your favorite coupon/shopping blog or Web site and tips below!!!***

Treat:

Fried Apples

**Be sure to leave comments about your Family Home Evening experiences. If you have any tips on how to budget or budgeting with your children– leave a comment on the FHE Blog or visit the FHE Forums!!**

(image from The Friend)

The Holy Ghost is perhaps the most under-estimated power that members of the church receive after baptism and is a gift to those who can remain worthy of its constant influence throughout our day-to-day lives.

The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead.

President Gordan B. Hinckley said, “The Holy Ghost stands as the third member of the Godhead, the Comforter promised by the Savior who would teach His followers all things and bring all things to their remembrance, whatsoever He had said unto them (see John 14:26). The Holy Ghost is the Testifier of Truth, who can teach men things they cannot teach one another. In those great and challenging words of Moroni, a knowledge of the truth of the Book of Mormon is promised “by the power of the Holy Ghost.” Moroni then declares, “And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things” (Moro. 10:4–5). I believe this power, this gift, is available to us today.” (Gen. Conference, April 1986)

Elder Joseph B. Worthlin taught, “In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord calls the gift of the Holy Ghost “the unspeakable gift.” It is the source of testimony and spiritual gifts. It enlightens minds, fills our souls with joy, teaches us all things, and brings forgotten knowledge to our remembrance. The Holy Ghost also “will show unto [us] all things what [we] should do.” (“The Unspeakable Gift” Ensign, May 2003)

The prophets have always made an effort to help teach us how the Holy Ghost works within us. Another example by an ancient prophet is found in Alma 32.

Alma, teaching the poor people who were not allowed to attend the churches they helped construct– he wanted to give them a lesson on faith. During this lesson on faith, Alma also helps us know how to recognize the some of the aspects of the Holy Ghost so that we can recognize those feelings and know where they come from.

Alma teaches: It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding; yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. (Alma 32:28)
Discussion:

1. What are some ways that you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost?

2. Why do you think the Holy Ghost is referred to as the “Unspeakable Gift?”

3. What are the three ways Alma teaches us about being able to recognizing the Holy Ghost?

Scripture: John 14:26

Song: “Let the Holy Spirit Guide”

Activity:

Option A: Inside a room, turn out all the lights. Find a single lamp to turn on and talk about how the light gives off warmth, helps us to see and provides a beacon in the darkness. (Great for young children who understand turning lights off and on)

Option B:Blindfold a member of the family or FHE group. Assign two other people to lead them around the home, outside and so on. One leader acts as the Holy Ghost–giving right directions and the other acts as the adversary–giving wrong directions. Allow the blindfolded person to rely on their own choices on who to follow. Talk about how important it is to listen to the small voice of the Holy Ghost and how easy it is to drown out the righteous help He tries to offer.

Treats:

Apple Crumble & Hot Chocolate

Here’s a simple lesson for busy fingers and creative minds.

Have Fun!