Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic, read “What Shall a Man Give in Exchange for His Soul?” by Elder Robert C. Gay, Ensign, Nov. 2012, 34.
Thought:
This is the exchange the Savior is asking of us: we are to give up all our sins, big or small, for the Father’s reward of eternal life. We are to forget self-justifying stories, excuses, rationalizations, defense mechanisms, procrastinations, appearances, personal pride, judgmental thoughts, and doing things our way. We are to separate ourselves from all worldliness and take upon us the image of God in our countenances.
(Elder Robert C. Gay, “What Shall a Man Give in Exchange for His Soul?” Ensign, Nov. 2012, 34.)
Scripture:
O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. (Alma 22:18)
Lesson:
Bring several miscellaneous items to family scripture study. Have your family guess the retail cost of the items. Talk about how items receive a “value.” How does our willingness to give more money for something affect its value?
Now display a picture of the Savior. Ask, “How valuable is a testimony of the Savior. What would you be willing to give to know Him better?”
Have a family member review Alma 20:23 and remind the family what King Lamoni’s father was willing to give to save his life when Ammon threatened to kill him. Then have the family compare Alma 22:15 with Alma 22:18. Ask:
• What was Lamoni’s father willing to give up for eternal life?
• Is that what the Lord requires? (We may not be asked to give up everything, but we do have to be willing to. See JST, Mark 8:37–38.)
• What was he willing to give up to come to a knowledge of Jesus Christ?
• Do you think the price he was willing to pay was adequate? Why or why not?
• What does his offering tell you about the value he began to place on the Savior?
• What can we learn from the example of King Lamoni’s father?
Perhaps family members could write in their journal what specific steps they want to take so that they can come to know the Savior better.
(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Book of Mormon, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003], p. 118.)
Story:
I remember well one morning waking to the sound of rain. A leak in the roof had developed near my feet, and they were wet. Everything felt and smelled dank and dark. No one was moving, and I sat up and thought, “I can’t stay here any longer under these circumstances. Something has to change. I must get out of here. I can’t stand it any longer!” It was still dark. I got up and lit the kerosene lantern. I swatted at the swarming mosquitoes and tried to read some scriptures.
I opened the Book of Mormon and read a little. Eventually my eyes fell on some verses from Ether that seemed to irresistibly pull at my attention. I read over and over again Ether 12:27: “If men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”
If anyone was weak, I was. If anyone needed strength, I did. For some reason this verse seemed to kindle a determination in me to either “do or die” and find out whether I should even be here. I guess part of humility is knowing that you don’t know everything, and there were lots of things I didn’t know. I felt I had to receive an assurance that I was doing what God wanted me to do and I was where He wanted me to be, no matter what it cost. I don’t know why or how that feeling came, but it came and it came very strongly.
I determined I would fast and pray and read the scriptures all that day. It was raining and I didn’t know that I could do any good visiting the people anyway. I told Feki of my decision. He just smiled and said, “Okay,” and went about his work.
I neither can nor should go into detail as to what happened over the next few days. The thing that is important is that I learned, as all people can learn, that God hears and answers prayers. It may not always be in the way we hope, but it is always in the way that is best for the person praying.
If we anticipate voices or visions or things spectacular, we will likely not receive them. But if we humble ourselves before God and sincerely ask for His help, He will help us.
(John H. Groberg, In the Eye of the Storm, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1993], p. 38-9.)
Activity:
Inflate enough balloons so each person playing can have one. Tie a three-foot length of string to each balloon. Have each person tie a balloon to one of his ankles. Leave about a two-foot leader string between the balloon and the foot. You may divide the group into two teams or have everyone play for himself. When the command to begin is given, the players try to pop the other people’s balloons by stomping on them. As soon as someone has his balloon popped, he is out of the game. The winner is the last person with an unpopped balloon.
(George and Jeane Chipman, Games! Games! Games!, [Salt Lake City: Shadow Mountain, 1983], p. 66.)
Refreshment
Scotch Shortbread
2 cups (1 pound) butter, softened
1 cup sugar
4 cups flour
Cream butter and add sugar; beat until light and fluffy. Add flour and mix well. Chill several hours. Roll out about 1⁄4-inch thick on floured board. Cut into 2x2-inch squares and place on ungreased baking sheet. Prick each cookie several times with fork. Bake at 325 degrees about 30 minutes, until cookies are delicately brown. Cool slightly before removing from cookie sheet. Makes about 40 cookies.
(Lion House Classics, [Salt Lake City: Shadow Mountain, 2004], p.108.)