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“We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan” (The Family: A Proclamation to the World, paragraph five).
Thought: “The joining together of a man and a woman to be legally and lawfully wed not only is preparation for future generations to inherit the earth, but it also brings the greatest joy and satisfaction that can be found in this mortal experience. This is especially true when the powers of the priesthood proclaim a marriage to be for time and for all eternity. Children born to such marriages have a security that is found nowhere else.” —Elder L. Tom Perry
Song: “Each Life That Touches Ours for Good,” Hymn #293
Scripture: “Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed” (3 Nephi 18:21).
Lesson:
Read the paragraph together. Teach of the importance of life in God’s plan. Discuss how sins such as murder and abortion are so serious because they can take away a life.
Emphasize how wonderful life can be if we follow God’s plan. Use a sheet of paper and a clear glass to demonstrate how we should be grateful for our lives. Hold up the sheet of paper and liken it to our lives. Explain that life holds many challenges, problems, and occasionally, disappointments. As a family member names a specific problem, tear off a small piece of paper and put it in the glass. When you are done, show the glass filled with torn paper. Explain that some people would look at these scraps of paper and say, “Look at this. My whole life has been nothing but problems.” Yet others would look at the same papers, toss them in the air, and celebrate what has been overcome. As a family member names a specific blessing, take a piece of paper out of the glass and toss it in the air.
Testify of the sanctity of life.
[Object Lessons Made Easy, Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson; Deseret Book; 2010]
Activity: Who’s That Animal?
1. One person is "it" and comes to the middle of the room and closes their eyes. Everyone else runs around and switches spots with each other until the "it" person says to stop.
2. The "it" points to someone (with their eyes still closed) and tells them what animal sound to make (cow, sheep, dog, etc.).
3. The "it" guesses who made the sound; if they guess wrong, they move on to a different person. If they guess right, that person is "it" for the next round.
Refreshments: Cherry Pineapple Cake
1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling
1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple
1 (18.25-ounce) package yellow or white cake mix
¾ cup butter
Whipped topping or ice cream, optional
1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch pan.
2. Pour pie filling in the bottom of pan and spread as evenly as possible.
3. Pour crushed pineapple, juice and all, evenly over pie filling. Sprinkle cake mix evenly over the fruit. Do not stir.
4. Slice butter thinly and place pieces on top of cake mix, or melt butter and drizzle over top of cake mix, covering as much as possible. Do not stir or mix.
5. Bake 45 minutes. Serve with whipped topping or ice cream, if desired. Makes 12 servings.
[Lion House Cakes and Cupcakes, Compiled by Brenda Hopkin; Deseret Book; 2011]