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“We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” paragraph eight).
Thought: “So vital is the family to the cycle of human life and the renewal of each generation that it is fair to say that if the family breaks down, everything breaks down. If families do not fulfill their divinely appointed purpose of carrying on the light of truth and the torch of civilization to the next generation, then we can throw any amount of money or ideas or programs at our world’s problems, and we will assuredly fail.” —Elder Bruce C. Hafen
Thanks to @UUtah Commuter Services for having finals snacks near the parking lots since I don’t usually make it to many other parts of campus! pic.twitter.com/x9tbvdPB7R — Sheena (@sheenak2) April 30, 2018
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Song: “Here We Are Together,” Children’s Songbook #261
Scripture: “And this is not all, my son. Thou didst do that which was grievous unto me; for thou didst forsake the ministry, and did go over into the land of Siron among the borders of the Lamanites, after the harlot Isabel. Yea, she did steal away the hearts of many; but this was no excuse for thee, my son. Thou shouldst have tended to the ministry wherewith thou wast entrusted. Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?” (Alma 39: 3–5)
Lesson:
Read the paragraph together. Talk about how the family can be a strong foundation, but when we don’t fulfill our responsibilities to our family members, it can bring down our families.
Use a line of dominoes to represent the importance of a family. Explain that the first domino represents one person in a family, the next domino is their family, the next is their neighborhood, the next their community, the next their nation, the next the world. Have a family member push down the first domino and watch as the rest fall. Explain that one person not fulfilling their obligations to their family can affect not only themselves and their family, but their actions can extend to affect their communities and nations. The fall of the family means the fall of society.
Discuss the following: “What should each family member do to keep the family strong and united?”; “How can we help strengthen other families in our community?”
Testify of the importance of the family for individuals and for all of society.
Activity: Imagination Vacation
1. Plan a family “imagination vacation” party. Set up a row of chairs, and pretend to ride in an airplane or car together to different locations.
2. Family members take turns picking which location the family will arrive at next (Hawaii, Disneyland, France, etc.).
3. When you “arrive,” spend a few minutes pretending you are at the location (using props or costumes, if you have them), then get back in the “vehicle” and journey to the next place. Have a cost-free, stress-free family vacation in your own home!
Refreshments: Strawberry Delight
1 angel food cake
1 (3-ounce) package strawberry gelatin
1 ¼ cups boiling water
1 (10-ounce) package sliced frozen strawberries
1 tablespoon sugar
Dash of salt
1 cup whipped cream, whipped with 1 tablespoon sugar
1. Purchase or prepare an angel food cake. Cut cake into bite-sized pieces.
2. Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Stir in strawberries, sugar, and salt. Cool until gelatin is thick and syrupy.
3. Fold in whipped cream, reserving about ¼ cup for garnish.
4. Place half the cake pieces into a 2- or 3- quart serving bowl.
5. Pour half the strawberry cream mixture over cake. Add another layer of cake pieces and then remaining strawberry cream mixture.
6. Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours or until set.
7. Top each serving with a dollop of whipped cream. Makes 10 servings
[Lion House Cakes and Cupcakes; compiled by Brenda Hopkin; Deseret Book; 2011]