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Come celebrate the power of one. Tonight let’s explore the difference that one smile, one act of kindness, one thoughtful deed can do for our weary world. Time for some FHE Fun!

Opening Song: #223 Have I Done Any Good?

Opening Prayer: By invitation.

Time to Celebrate. What happy moments did your loved ones have this past week? You might take a moment 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 do you want to share with your family this week?

Favorite Scripture Time. Why not jumpstart this week’s FHE with a few minutes of “favorite scripture” sharing time? Not only will it bring a sweet spirit to FHE, but it will show your children you value the scriptures and what they have to offer. These few minutes during FHE each week can bring a powerful spirit to your home.

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. Here are a few ideas you might try with your family…or you may have a different lesson to teach. Regardless of the method, enjoy this weekly time with your loved ones!

Items Needed:

  • Scriptures
  • 1 sheet of paper
  • 1 pen or pencil

Quote:

Read the following quote given by President Monson at the October 2009 General Conference:

“A few years ago I read an article written by Jack McConnell, MD. He grew up in the hills of southwest Virginia in the United States as one of seven children of a Methodist minister and a stay-at-home mother. Their circumstances were very humble. He recounted that during his childhood, every day as the family sat around the dinner table, his father would ask each one in turn, ‘And what did you do for someone today?’  

“The children were determined to do a good turn every day so they could report to their father that they had helped someone. Dr. McConnell calls this exercise his father’s most valuable legacy, for that expectation and those words inspired him and his siblings to help others throughout their lives. As they grew and matured, their motivation for providing service changed to an inner desire to help others” (Thomas S. Monson, “What Have I Done for Someone Today,” November 2009 General Conference).

Scripture: Mosiah 2:17; Luke 9:24

If there are sufficient people, divide the family into two groups. Give each group one scripture reference to look up and discuss with the family what the scripture means to their group:

Discussion:

Ask the family how the story illustrated the message of the scriptures. Then invite the family to think about the person President Monson mentioned (Jack McDonnell). Let them know that little Jack went on to accomplish the following acts of service for others when he was grown up. President Monson said:

“Besides Dr. McConnell’s distinguished medical career—where he directed the development of the tuberculosis tine test, participated in the early development of the polio vaccine, supervised the development of Tylenol, and was instrumental in developing the magnetic resonance imaging procedure, or MRI—he created an organization he calls Volunteers in Medicine, which gives retired medical personnel a chance to volunteer at free clinics serving the working uninsured.

“Dr. McConnell said his leisure time since he retired has ‘evaporated into 60-hour weeks of unpaid work, but [his] energy level has increased and there is a satisfaction in [his] life that wasn’t there before.’ He made this statement: ‘In one of those paradoxes of life, I have benefited more from Volunteers in Medicine than my patients have.’ There are now over 70 such clinics across the United States” (Thomas S. Monson, “What Have I Done for Someone Today,” November 2009 General Conference).

Further questions you might ask to stimulate discussion might be: “What does serving do for others? What will serving others do for you? What do you want said about you when you are an adult? What ideas do you have to help us as a family serve more?”

Activity: Write down all ideas on a piece of paper and post it on the refrigerator as a reminder that there is no time like “today, today, today” to serve another. Finish FHE by sharing your love and testimony of the power of love when love is shared like Christ did for all.

Closing Song: #255 Carry On

Closing Prayer: By invitation.

Refreshments: These “3 Ingredient Cookie” recipes are so simple, yet yummy, that everyone will want to get in on helping to bake them. Service has never tasted so good! (These also can be prepared ahead of time and frozen.)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Here is the link  to the rest of President Monson’s talk, “What Have I Done for Someone Today.” It is well worth reading with inspirational ideas ready for family members to apply.

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.