Get all the Article of Faith FHE lessons here.
Thought: “The Church does not endorse any political party or any political candidate, nor does it permit the use of Church buildings and facilities for political purposes. We believe that the Church should remain out of politics unless there is a moral question at issue. And in the case of a moral issue we would expect to speak out on our view. But, in the matter of everyday political considerations, we try to remain aloof from those as a Church, while at the same time urging our members, as citizens, to exercise their political franchise as individuals. And we believe, likewise, that it is in the interest of good government to permit freedom of worship, freedom of religion.”
—Gordon B. Hinckley, former President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Song: “Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words,” Hymn #232
Scripture:
Articles of Faith 1:11: “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.”
(This would be a good time to teach the family where the Articles of Faith are found in the scriptures, at the conclusion of the Pearl of Great Price.)
Lesson:
- Watch Zack & Zoey Explore The Articles of Faith, Eleventh Article of Faith clip:
-Discuss why it’s important to allow all men and women the same privilege of worshiping God “according to the dictates of [their] own conscience.”
Activity:
Make six cards with the following information. Take turns drawing a card. Read the information on the card and discuss the case presented and come up with possible ways to handle each situation. Have family members act out what they would do in each situation.
- A new family moves into your neighborhood. They are not members of your church. What will you say when you go welcome them to the neighborhood?
- You are having a birthday party. Describe the friends you will invite. Do you only include members of our church? Why or why not?
- A boy in your classroom at school seems lonely. No one ever plays with him at recess. He does not “look” like a member of your church. How will you treat him?
- Your neighbor smokes cigarettes. Do you think of him as a “bad” person? Describe your feelings toward him.
- You invite a less-active member to attend church with you. She chooses not to attend. How will you feel about her?
- Your group of friends does not invite anyone else to play, except those children who are like them.
- You have noticed others who would like to play games at recess with the group. What will you do?
(Christena C. Nelson, Sharing the Articles of Faith, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1994], p. 55.)
Get the PDF version of this lesson here.
Lead image from Getty Images.
To learn more about the Articles of Faith, check out the full DVD of Zack & Zoey Explore the Articles of Faith, available at Deseret Book.
Sing along with the children's choir and orchestra as you learn the Articles of Faith with Zack and his sister, Zoey. Golden-Globe nominated composer Lex de Azevedo teams up with the producers of Signing Time to create fun new songs for you to remember, enjoy, and understand the Articles of Faith.