Meridian Magazine : : Print

A Family's Finest Hour
By C.S. Bezas

A family's finest hour is when it stands united. Remember the expression, "United we stand; Divided we fall"? Nowhere is it more true than within the family unit.

So what can be done to strengthen the family? What can be done to unify our loved ones? What can be done so that at some mighty point in the future, all are focused and rejoicing toward the same direction — the kingdom of God — through personal choice, not external force?

The answers most likely are as varied as the number of families on this earth. But there is one sure factor — our families are more likely to succeed when based upon the gospel of Jesus Christ.

When so many voices seek to destroy God, seek to claim He is not present, seek to remove Him from all aspects of public life, we as Latter-day Saints proclaim that not only He lives, but He is highly involved in our lives.

But how do we incorporate this knowledge into daily living for our children? And how do we increase the desire for unity? This week's Meridian Magazine FHE contains a fun object lesson on unity. From this you then can create any parallel lesson you see as important for your family. So let's get started!

FHE Fun

Opening Song. #236 — "'Give,' Said the Little Stream" (Children's Songbook). Click here for the music.

Opening Prayer: By invitation.

Devotional. This is a wonderful time to ask any in the family for a scriptural passage he or she encountered during the week. Invite individuals to share the scripture and how or why it strengthened him or her. Sharing, explaining, and testifying strengthen both the listener and the "sharer"; this can be a beautiful time for family members to look forward to during each FHE.

Theme. Read and discuss the following FHE theme. Make sure to break it down into simpler concepts for young children:

Just before the Savior carried out the Atonement, He prayed for His disciples, whom He had sent into the world to teach the gospel. He also prayed for those who would believe in Him because of His disciples’ words. He pled for unity: “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:21).

From this prayer we learn how the gospel unites us with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and with each other. When we live the gospel, receiving the saving ordinances and keeping our covenants, our natures are changed. The Savior’s Atonement sanctifies us, and we can live in unity, enjoying peace in this life and preparing to dwell with the Father and His Son forever" ("Unity", Gospel Topics, Gospel Library, LDS.org).

Activity.

Items Needed:

paper clips
pack of 100 index cards
poster board

The goal is to construct something from all 100 index cards. The family can decide how to evolve the structure. There are only two rules:

Only paper clips can be used to join the cards, but the cards can be bent, folded, or shaped in any way.
Only kind voices can be used during the process.

Allow about fifteen to twenty minutes for the completion of the structure.* If all of the cards are not yet used, invite the kids to continue to add to the structure throughout the week. (If you have younger children, consider building the structure on a solid surface that can be placed out of reach of little hands. Otherwise, paperclips could be a choking hazard.)

Application:

Ask the kids to process the experience. How challenging was it to decide what structure to build? Or did it evolve naturally? If so, why? What helped the activity? Was it difficult to speak only with kind voices? How is constructing this project like real life in a family? What helps families? What hurts families?

(If you decide as a family to continue to add to the structure during the week, ask the kids how it feels to be working on a project together, all with the same goal, beyond just one day? What else in life can be like this?)

Ask the kids to brainstorm what one unifying goal or spiritual structure could be selected for the family. Write that on a poster board. If each index card symbolized individual "supports" for that goal, what would some of those "supports" be? Illustrate those on the poster board as supporting or sustaining the unified family goal.

Invite family members to contemplate during the week what they would desire from other family members to help the family feel more unified. In pondering those ideas, then turn it around and ask them to be ready to share at the next family meeting what they themselves are ready to do to bring about a more united family. Ask, "Why does it need to start first within our own hearts?"

Congratulate the family on a project well done!

Closing Song: #198b — "When We're Helping We're Happy" (Children's Songbook). Click here for the music.

Closing Prayer: By invitation.

Refreshments: Constructing ice cream splits would be a fun refreshment activity. Assign each family member one part of the process. Set up an assembly line so that each family member gets to add helpful parts to all the ice cream splits. (Remind them of the rule, "Only kind voices can be used during the process.") While chatting-n-chowing afterwards, brainstorm on other ways your family has successfully helped one another. It's all too easy to focus on what we're not yet doing well; why not spend refreshment time celebrating the times the family has pulled together and in unified fashion accomplished great things!

Summary

A family's finest hour is when it stands united. As parents, it is imperative we gently usher forth a steady beacon of love and guidance, so that our children will want to be part of that unified family unit. When we build upon the gospel of Jesus Christ, as parents seeking to obey His commandments with exactness and integrity, He will aid us in building a unified and eternal family.

In fact, one of the family's finest hours each week could very well be during Family Home Evening. Put all those "finest hours" together and you have created a most powerful family unit — one that lasts united throughout the eternities!

[* Idea taken from "Index Cards: Spatial Construction," Fast Ideas for Busy Teachers, p. 84.]

C.S. Bezas' book is now in LDS bookstores and has been described as perfect for youth leaders and parents of teens. Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers: Helping Youth Find Their Spiritual Wings is also available by clicking here.