Family Home Evening 4th Article of Faith

Opening Prayer:
Family Business:
Scripture: Fourth Article of Faith "We believe the first prinicples and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Song: The Fourth Article of Faith (Children's Songbook, page 124)
Poem/Thought: [We] are given the four requirements...which are essential to membership in Christ's Church; viz., faith, repentance, baptism, and the reception of the Holy Ghost, ...
There are many roads being point out as leading to the kingdom of God, but there is only one gate through which entrance and citizenship therein may be obtained. Christ plainly pointed this out when He was among men; and he has again revealed it through the Prophet Joseph Smith. The way is simple and easy to find." The Teachings of David O. McKay, page 21
Lesson: "The first principles and ordinances of the Gospel" What is a prinicple? A prinicple (not principal) is a teaching that comes from God. God's prinicples are true. What is a ordinance? An ordinance is what we do when we believe God's prinicples.
The principles listed in this Article of Faith are what? Faith and repentance. Faith means to believe strongly in something you can't see but still believe is true. It is important to have faith in Jesus Christ. Repentance is being sorry for something we have done, trying to make it right and not doing it again.
The ordinances listed in this Article of Faith are what? Baptism and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. Baptism is done by immersion. Immersion means to go completly under the water. We are baptized when we are eight because by then, we are able to tell if something is good or bad. Children under eight do not need to be baptized. The laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost is done when we are confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are commanded to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. That means we have to live worthily to have his spirit with us to guide us.
Because son is working on memorizing this and daughter should know it too, I have a hint to help us all remember this Article of Faith. Number 4 has 4 parts to it. Go back over the Article of Faith and point out the four parts.
Closing prayer;
Refreshments: Mint Brownies

Preschool Fun Kool-aid Playdough

As we are learning about senses, I thought this project would be appropriate and fun because it combines smell, sight and touch. We made Kool-aid playdough.
Kool-Aid Playdough
2 1/2 c flour ( I actually used more)
1/2 c salt
1 T alum (in the spices aisle)
2 envelopes Kool-aid (or generic)

Mix in heavy duty mixer (I used my kitchen-aid), then slowly add 2 c. boiling water + 3 T. vegetable oil. This is hot. Let mixer knead until smooth. Let cool. Stores well in fridge.

The children loved it. We split the amout in fourths because it makes a huge batch.

Family Home Evening Sabbath Day

Advance Prep: Gather paper and pencils.
Opening Prayer:
Family Business:
Scripture: Mosial 13:16 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Song: Remember the Sabbath Day (Children's Songbook, page 155)
Poem/Thought: "There is a growing tendency throught the land to disregard the observance of the Sabbath day. The command: ‘Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy,’ is as much the law today as it was when it was given to Israel on Mount Sinai.” President Joseph F. Smith
Lesson: God has commanded us to keep the Sabbath Day holy. Of the 10 commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai, keeping the Sabbath day holy is number four. What blessings do we receive from keeping this commandment? We can find some answers in D & C 59.

1. "Keep thyself unspotted from the world" (verse 9). Though there are numberous interpretations, I think spots represent sins. The Sabbath can help us develop our strenghts and help us overcome temptations.
2. "rest from your labors, . . . pay thy devotions unto the Most High" (verse 10) It is not just a day of rest but a day of rest from our everyday labors. This is the day to show our devotion to God.
3. Verse 11 says we should be righteous everyday not just on the Sabbath.
4. "Offer thine oligations . . . unto the Most High" (verse 12) In the 1981 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants says that obligations are "offerings, whether of time, talents or means, in the service of God and fellowman," The Sabbath is a day to offer our time in the service of God. (Home teaching and visiting teaching is a great way to do this).
5. Verses 16-20 says the fullness of the earth is made available to those who strive to keep the Sabbath holy as well as to obey the other commandments of God.
6. Verse 23 promises us that righteousness brings "peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come."

Many people focus on the "Can't"s of the Sabbath. Instead of focusing on "I can't do this" or "I can't do that" we should focus on what we can do and what would help us grow closer to God. If we want to keep the Sabbath day holy, what can we do?

Activity: Divide into groups. Give each group a pencil and paper. Give everyone ten minutes to list things that would be appropriate to do on the Sabbath. If you have Finch Family Games you could also play Fishing for Sunday Activities.

Closing Prayer:

Refreshments: No Bake Choco-Peanut-Oatmeal Cookies

Need ideas for Sunday activities? Here is a list of 22.

1. Write letters to missionaries, grandparents, friends, servicemen, etc.
2. Read the scriptures, Church magazines and other uplifting materials.
3. Have Family Home Evening.
4. Play quiet games as a family.
5. Prepare lessons and work on other Church materials. (children could prepare FHE using The Friend.)
6. Visit family members, shut-ins, widows, elerderly neighbors, lonely people, etc.
7. Prepare and inspirational program. Present it to those listed in #6.
8. Write in a journal or do other family history work.
9. Sing songs together and have family talent shows.
10. Do home teaching and visiting teaching.
11. Attend Church meetings, including special broadcasts and firesides.
12. Share lessons taught at church.
13. Look at family pictures.
14. Take gifts to those who are sick.
15. Study the lives and teachings of the prophets.
16. Hold family council meetings.
17. Read with the younger children.
18. Hold interviews with family members.
19. Visit the temple grounds. (Salt Lake is the only one you can visit, isn’t it?
20. Watch uplifting videos, movies, etc. at home.
21. Go on a nature walk.
22. Do a secret act of service for someone.

No Bake Choco-Peanut-Oatmeal Cookies

No Bake Choco-Peanut-Oatmeal Cookies (makes 4-5 doz enough to share with others for FHE)
1/2 cup milk
2 cups white sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa
3 tablespoons peanut butter
1/2 c butter or margarine
3 cups rolled oats
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Wipe 1 inch wide band of butter around the rim of a 3-quart pan to prevent boil over.
Combine milk, sugar, cocoa, peanut butter and butter or margarine.
Stir and bring to boil over medium heat. Let boil for 1 1/2 minutes, do not stir.
Remove from heat. Stir in oats and vanilla. Stir until oats are evenly distributed.
Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper. Cool.

Family Home Evening Clean Minds

Most of the ad slogan list came from Marika @ http://www.completeleeblog.blogspot.com/

Clean Minds
Opening Prayer:
Family Business:
Scripture: D& C 88:118 And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out the the best books words of wisdom; yea, seek learning, even by study and also by faith.
Song: Hum Your Favorite Hymn (Children’s Songbook, page 152)
Lesson: Things that are repeated to us over and over again tend to stick with us. For instance, Can you complete these ad slogans:
Melts in your mouth, not in your hands..........M&M's
Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is ..........Alka Seltzer
Nobody doesn’t like..........Sara Lee
Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese..........McDonalds Big Mac
Mmm, mmm, good..........Campbell's Soup
Just do it..........Nike
With a name like _____; it has to be good..........Smuckers
Be all that you can be..........U.S. Army
Breakfast of champions..........Wheaties
It keeps going, and going, and going..........Energizer
Just as we keep our bodies clean and healthy by following the Word of Wisdom, we should keep our mind clean by giving it nourishing “food”.
Though it is okay to occasionally have something that tastes good but may not be that good for you, your mind is not the same. You must be careful about what goes in to your mind. Once you’ve seen something, you can never go back. It can come back into your consciousness at any time. You don’t always have control over what comes into your head but you do have control over what stays. You should always be prepared to have something good to put in to your mind in case something bad pops in. Good music is a good way to do this.

We also need to be careful what books we read, what TV shows and movies we watch.

Closing Prayer: Closing prayer before the activity so we don’t forget after the movie.

Activity and Refreshments (combined for the night): This could also be used as family home evening in itself Family Night at the Movies- Give each family member 3 tickets for refreshments: popcorn, drink and a cookie-each item individually packaged and wrapped of course.

Crock Pot Baked Potatoes

After my daughter's baptism, we had a baked potato bar. We cooked the potatoes in the crock pot. You wash and dry them then cover them with aluminum foil. Don't add water. They were small so they were only in there about 3 hours. It is now the perfered way to cook baked potatoes in my house. My son is even willing to help make them.

Daughters Baptism

Introducing the newest member of our ward!

Last Saturday, April 10, my oldest daughter was baptized. She was kinda afraid to go under the water but she did great. She was so excited. She was up around 6:30 am which is amazing because its hard to get her up for school at 7:30 most mornings.

She was baptized and confirmed by my husband. Many family member were there to show support. My nephew had broken his leg on his mission and had to come home until he could walk so many miles without pain so he was able to come also which was awesome.

We had a potato bar afterwards. It was fun to have so much of the family there. We missed those who weren't able to come.

We are happy with her decision. She has also expressed how happy she is.