Hymn: opening – Oh, What Songs of the Heart pg 286 or Hum your favorite Hymn pg 152 (Children’s)
closing – Come, Let Us Sing an Evening Hymn pg 167 or Sing your way home pg 193 (Children’s)

Lesson: Finding Joy in Music, use any of the quotes, articles or ideas below to open a dicussion on the music in your lives and it’s relation to your spiritual, mental and emotional health.

Scripture: D&C 25:12 For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.

For the Strength of Youth “Music is an important and powerful part of life. Don’t listen to music that drives away the Spirit, encourages immorality, glorifies violence, uses foul or offensive language, or promotes Satanism or other evil practices”

Open a discussion about the music you listen to, within your home, with friends and by yourself. What do you like about it? Does your taste in music reflect your mood/attitude on life? Do you use music to relax, get into a better mood, when you’re angry, or as escape?

What does your taste in music have in common with others taste in music? Are they all fast tempo? Do they use similar instruments? Are the lyrics uplifting, fun or energetic?

Take turns sharing the lyrics to your favorite song(s). Discuss whether they are in tune to the counsel found in the Strength of Youth and in the qoute below by Boyd K. Packer

“A wise man once said, “Music is one of the most forceful instruments for governing the mind.” Whether it governs in a positive way or a negative way is determined by what it brings onto the stage of your mind. If you can say that a song is spiritually inspiring or that it urges you to see yourself in a more noble perspective, the music is worthwhile. If it merely entertains or lifts your spirits, then it also has a useful place. But if it makes you want to respond in a carnal, sensual way or to consider unrighteous desires, then that music should be avoided. It is not worthy.” Boyd K. Packer (April 2008, New Era)

Is there ever a sound war in your home? Do your tastes in music drive other people crazy? Open a discussion following the advice found in the New Era and by Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, listed below.

“Whenever my dad and I talk about music, we get into a fight. How can I persuade him that it’s sometimes not a question of good or evil but of personal taste?,” New Era, Jan. 2009, 35

“Let there be music in the home. If you have teenagers who have their own recordings, you will be prone to describe the sound as something other than music. Let them hear something better occasionally. Expose them to it. It will speak for itself. More appreciation will come than you may think. It may not be spoken, but it will be felt, and its influence will become increasingly manifest as the years pass.” President Gordon B. Hinckley (Liahona Sept 2004)

For more guidelines on finding music to enjoy that is in harmony with the guidelines of The Church read Cream of the Crop from the 1986 Liahona.

Activity:

• Name that tune - take your list of songs and cut them into strips. Place them inside a bowl or hat. Take turns pulling out a title and humming the tune while everyone else guesses the song. You can divide into teams or score points individually.
• Musical improv – two people open the scene in the ER, class room, work place or playground. Using only the title of songs create a diaolog. Each have 15 seconds to respond. If one can’t think of a title someone else takes their spot. ex. In the ER, person 1,”Help” (The Beatles) person 2 “Achy Breaky Heart”(Billy Ray Cyrus) , person 1 “I Wanna Hold your Hand” (Yesturday) person 2 “Love Hurts” (Nazareth), person 1 “I know, I know, I know” (Tegan and Sara) person 2 “Make it all better” (The Gifted) ….
• Play a selection of music and make faces according how the music makes you feel; angry, happy, scared, excited, sleepy, crazy…
• Dance party – have fun, jump around and dance together listening to your favorite songs.

Treat – S’more Brownies

Hymn: There is Sunshine in my Soul Today pg 227
Come Rejoice pg 9
I Will Follow God’s Plan pg 164(Children’s)
I am Glad for Many Things pg 151 (Children’s)

Scripture: And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold, they were faithful until the dend; therefore they were saved. Alma 5:13

“One of the discoveries that our Father in Heaven would have us make is to learn that we have far more control over our happiness than we sometimes think we do. How we see life’s glass—half-full or half-empty—is primarily a choice. And with our Father in Heaven’s help, our faith, hope, and optimism can grow. The story of Nephi, Laman, and Lemuel in the Book of Mormon is an interesting case study in choosing or looking for happiness. …

Even when trials come, the wise choose happiness. They are lovely people to be around. Conversely no cosmetic, perfume, or wardrobe can ever compensate for the unpleasantness of a complainer or pessimist. “But what if that is the way I am?” someone might ask. Or “what if I don’t feel like smiling?” Ben Franklin referred to pessimism as a “bad habit” to be broken and advised avoiding people so “infected.”” Elder Lynn G. Robbins (True Beauty – Nov. 2008 Ensign)

Read the talk by Pres. Thomas S. Monson as well as the quote above, either all together or before FHE.

Discuss the changes that have come into your life, from the big move to turning another year older.

• How did you react to them?
• What did you do about them?
• Was it a planned change or unexpected?
• Thinking back on them, do you notice any clues as to how these changes came about?
• Have you learned anything from them?
• What can you do to accomplish peace, happiness and strength the next time change comes into your life?
• For young children discuss the changing of seasons, birthdays, new friends, first day of school, and new family members.

Activity: Play anyone of the board games listed above or any game that creates changes. At the end of each turn have every player voice their thought or feelings about what just played out. The point is not the fully complete the game but to understand ones own thoughts on change, planned or unexpected. A bonus to this is that not only should we come to a small understanding of what our first reactions are but that as every one takes their turn we’ll gain insight to those around us and learn to empathize and bare each others joys and burdens.

Treat: Humble Pie – any pie of your choice or this simple recipe found at foodnetwork.com: take a ready to eat pie crust and line it with your favorite fruit; bananas, berries, peaches… then take one packet of instant pudding – chocolate or vanilla, prepare as instructed and pour over the fruit. Let it chill and firm in the fridge for 3-4 hours. Serve with whipped cream.