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“The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife” (The Family: A Proclamation to the World, paragraph four).
Thought: “Secondly, may I stress that human intimacy is reserved for a married couple because it is the ultimate symbol of total union, a totality and a union ordained and defined by God. From the Garden of Eden onward, marriage was intended to mean the complete merger of a man and a woman—their hearts, hopes, lives, love, family, future, everything. Adam said of Eve that she was bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh and that they were to be ‘one flesh’ in their life together. This is a union of such completeness that we use the word seal to convey its eternal promise. . . . But such a total union, such an unyielding commitment between a man and a woman, can only come with the proximity and permanence afforded in a marriage covenant, with solemn promises and the pledge of all they possess—their very hearts and minds, all their days and all their dreams.” —Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Song: “Family History – I Am Doing It,” Children’s Songbook #94
Scripture: “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:28).
Lesson:
Read the paragraph together. Watch this Mormon Messages video on chastity. Ask what family members learned and felt from watching the video.
Discuss the following questions: Why is it so important that we keep the law of chastity? Like the pilot in the video, why is it important to stay far away from danger and temptation? Why are the powers of procreation only to be employed between husband and wife? Why are husbands and wives commanded to ‘multiply and replenish the earth’?
For younger children, show a picture of each child as a baby. Talk about how pure and innocent babies are and how important it is for them to be born to a worthy father and mother.
Testify of the importance of following God’s commandments in a marriage and family.
Activity: Family Tree
To remember the importance of their own family and the significance of those who came before and of those who will come after, have each family member make their own copy of a family tree.
1. Download and print copies of this family tree.
2. Have each family member fill out and color their own copy of the family tree. Younger children can draw pictures of the family.
3. Have each family member hang their family tree (or family picture) on their bedroom wall.
Refreshments: Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
1 ½ cup quick-cooking oats
¾ cup coconut
½ cup chopped peanuts
¼ cup butter
½ cup evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
¾ cup chunky peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1. In a large bowl, mix oats, coconut, and peanuts. Set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine butter, milk, and sugar; bring to a boil and stir for 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla. Pour over oatmeal mixture and mix thoroughly.
4. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto waxed paper. Let stand for about an hour or until set. Makes 12–18 cookies
[Favorite Family Recipes, Erica Walker, Emily Walker, Elise Donovan, and Echo Blickenstaff; Covenant Communications, Inc.; 2012]
Lead image from Thinkstock