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The scriptures are full of inspiration that can strengthen us, even during our most discouraged times. Tonight’s FHE combines both a craft and the scriptures to support your efforts as a parent to increase a love for these valued words. Time for some FHE Fun!

Opening Song. Children’s Songbook: “Follow the Prophet,” p. 110

Opening Prayer. By invitation.

Time to Celebrate. What happy moments did your loved ones have this past week? You might take one or two minutes at the beginning of each FHE to celebrate successes. This way your children will notice they do have strength sufficient to face challenges and to serve others.

Emergency Prep Minute. Just a little bit of weekly preparation can empower your children as they mature. What emergency tip could you share or work on with your family this week?

Favorite Scripture Time. When kids and adults share favorite verses or scripture stories, they help each other find joy in scripture reading. You could include a few moments at the beginning of each FHE to share any new “favorite” scriptures found the previous week. This brief devotional also helps bring the Spirit and helps settle the children for the lesson.

Activity. We offer a suggested FHE activity, but do feel free to choose what you feel is most suited to your family’s needs this week. And if you have young children, feel free to adapt. Enjoy this weekly time with your loved ones!

Items Needed.

• Pre-cut bookmarks (you can do an online search for free printable bookmark templates)
• Crayons or other art pieces
• Scriptures
• Pre-read Adam C. Olson’s article, “Scripture Power“

Introduction.

You could begin tonight’s lesson with the following questions:

• What is your favorite movie ever?
• What if you’d never seen the movie but everyone else here had? Would it be the same if they just told it to you? Why or why not?
• Why does actually experiencing a movie bring excitement? Why isn’t it the same just hearing about it?
• How is this like the scriptures? How is opening these holy books and “stepping inside” by reading their stories and verses the same as stepping inside a theater and watching a new movie?

Share one of the two stories (or both) found in the April 2011 Liahona article, “Scripture Power,” written by Adam C. Olson. Invite each family member to look for what sticks out to them as you read the story(ies).

Again, how is it that scripture study could be the same as being inside a theater? If we’ve not “gone” to the scriptures – just like going to the movies – are we able to be as excited about the stories and truths within them?

Before beginning the activity below, you may want to read the following questions offered at the LDS.org website section, “How the Scriptures Can Change Your Life.” As you lead the following discussion, you may want to appoint a family scribe to record in a family journal the valuable thoughts shared:

• What do the scriptures mean to us?
• How do we gain a testimony of them?
• How can we better understand them?

Pass out a bookmark and art materials to each person. (You may want to cover the table with paper to protect its surface.) Give the family about ten minutes to look up a scriptural topic in the Topical Guide or in the Index and explore the various references. Invite them to read out loud several of the scriptures they discovered. Once they have found one that is particularly meaningful, invite them to write a phrase from the scripture and the reference on their bookmark. After recording the valuable phrase, they then can decorate their new scriptural bookmark as beautifully as possible.

Closing Thought:

“The Book of Mormon and the holy scriptures are given of me for your instruction.” (D&C 33:16)

There are profound principles of strength and peace that come from understanding that we must “go” to the scriptures – just like going to the theater – to be able to get excited about the teachings therein. What goal could your family set this week to explore the strength that comes from a renewed effort in scripture study?

Closing Song. Hymn #274: The Iron Rod

Closing Prayer. By invitation.

Refreshments: Pears Covered With Chocolate. This yummy dessert would be a great extension of the lesson. You could mention how the chocolate covering is like the cover of the scriptures, and that it’s not until you’ve moved into the sweet center that you can taste all of its wonderfulness!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

A family’s finest hour is when it stands united. As parents, it is imperative we gently offer a steady beacon of love and guidance, so that our children will want to be part of that unified family unit. When we build upon the gospel of Jesus Christ, as parents seeking to obey His commandments with exactness and integrity, He will aid us in building an eternal family.

In fact, one of the family’s finest hours each week could very well be during Family Home Evening. Put all those “finest hours” together and you have created a powerful family — one that lasts unitedly throughout the eternities!

C.S. Bezas obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Communications with an emphasis in training programs and human resource development. She earned her Master’s in Adult/Organizational Learning and Leadership with a focus on using transformative learning in dealing with life’s challenges. She is the author of Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers and the creator of soothing-music found at CSBezasMusic.com. She and her husband have four children.