Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read “Having the Vision to Do,” by O. Vincent Haleck, Ensign, May 2012, 101.
Thoughts:
As we gain a vision of ourselves as the Savior sees us and as we act on that vision, our lives will be blessed in unexpected ways.
(O. Vincent Haleck, “Having the Vision to Do,” Ensign, May 2012, 101.)
Song:
“Seek the Lord Early,” Children’s Songbook, p. 108.
Scripture:
Therefore, ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for he that asketh, receiveth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened.
(3 Nephi 27:29)
Object Lesson:
Materials Needed:
A jar with a lid, white rice, a coin, a key, a piece of hard candy, a marble, and a CTR ring. (Other small items can be substituted.)
Preparation:
Fill the jar three-fourths full of rice. Add the small objects to the jar. Use a spoon to push them down into the rice so they are not visible from the outside of the jar. Place a lid on the jar.
Procedure:
Display the jar of rice and mention that at first glance only rice appears to be in the container. However, if we search carefully, we will find more than rice. Post a list of the items that are also in the jar.
Have a group member tilt the jar and move the rice to uncover each of the hidden items.
Compare this to our perspective in life. Often we must seek out and look for the best things in life, situations, or people. As a group, discuss blessings that may go unnoticed in our lives.
(Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, Object Lessons Made Easy, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2010], p. 84.)
Story:
I read the story of an old missionary couple from a Protestant denomination who had been working in Africa for many years and were returning to New York City to retire in the early years of the twentieth century.
With no pension and broken in health, they were discouraged, fearful of the future.
They happened to be booked on the same ship as Teddy Roosevelt, who was returning from a big-game hunting expedition. They watched the passengers trying to glimpse the great man, the crew fussing over him. . . .
At the dock in New York a band was waiting to greet the President. . . . But the missionary couple slipped off the ship unnoticed.
That night, in a cheap flat they found on the East Side, the man’s spirit broke. He said to his wife, “I can’t take this; God is not treating us fairly.” His wife suggested he go into his bedroom and tell the Lord.
A short time later he came out of the bedroom with a face completely changed. His wife asked, “Dear, what happened?”
“The Lord settled it with me,” he said. “I told him how bitter I was that the President should receive this tremendous homecoming, when no one met us when we returned home. And when I finished, it seemed as if the Lord put his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘But you’re not home yet.’”
Do you think that change in perspective made the old missionary feel differently about God and his relationship to him? Did he feel an increase in thanksgiving and rejoicing in this remembrance of God’s love?
(Chieko N. Okazaki, Sanctuary, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1997], p. 119.)
Activity:
Play "Ship in the Fog."
Blindfold everyone except for one person. He is the captain.
Mark off a harbor on the far side of the room, create a route to the harbor with pillows or other obstacles. Line up the family members single file with team members’ hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them.
The captain is not in the line but will call out instructions from a distance. He calls out signals to the “ship” to help them navigate across the room among the pillows and into the harbor.
Explain that the Lord has a better perspective of our lives than we do and we should heed his signals.
(Adapted from George and Jeane Chipman, Games! Games! Games!, [Salt Lake City: Shadow Mountain, 1983], p. 41.)

Refreshment
Butter Crumscious Cake
Crumb Topping
1⁄4 cup butter or margarine
1⁄2 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
Cake
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs, unbeaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup nuts, chopped (optional)
Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan. In a small mixing bowl, prepare topping first by cutting butter into flour and sugar until a crumb texture forms. Set aside.
For cake: In another bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. In a large mixing bowl, blend the cream cheese until smooth, gradually adding sugar. Blend in the unbeaten eggs and vanilla. Alternately add milk and dry ingredients to the batter.
Turn batter into baking pan; sprinkle with crumb topping, along with chopped nuts (optional). Bake for 30 to 40 minutes.
(Elaine Cannon, Five Star Recipes from Well-known Latter-day Saints, [Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2002] p. 225.)