Striving For Family Unity
By C.S. Bezas

When we work willingly together as a family, for any objective, joy increases and family life becomes better. Here is a simple object lesson to teach a timely message of family unity. It's time for some FHE fun!

FHE Fun

Opening Song: “They, the Builders of the Nation”

Opening Prayer: By invitation.

Devotional:  Why not allow a few minutes at the beginning of each FHE for individuals to share a new scripture they found during the week? This small moment does much to strengthen individuals and families while scriptures are shared and the Spirit comes. It also provides encouragement for consistent, daily scripture study so that these priceless jewels can be found!

Activity*:

Here is a great activity to help children understand the concept of family unity. It is best played outdoors and works well with several families participating. Why not make it a special FHE by inviting several families? Make sure that each "team" has at least one representative from every family present.

Items Needed:

• 2-3 buckets (for 2-3 teams)
• sand (sufficient to fill each bucket)
• 2-3 paper plates
• a food scale
• 2-3 toys or small-sized items

Round #1.

Explain that the goal is to see which team can pass the most sand down the line and onto the plate.

1. Ask for one volunteer from each team to hold a toy (or item) in their hands. Let the volunteer from each team know they must keep the toy in their hands at all times during the game.
2. Fill both buckets HALFWAY with sand.
3. Divide group into teams, each team standing in its own line, with the sand bucket on one end and paper plate on the other end.
4. Upon the word "Go!", the first individual in each line pours his bucket of sand into the hands of the next teammate in line. He or she then passes the sand into the hands of the next player (and so on).
5. Have the last player dump the sand into the paper plate.
6. Once the teams finish, weigh the plates to see which team successfully passed the most sand onto the plate.

Now remind the group that the goal was not speed, but quality. Let the teams know they can try again, this time slow down and concentrate on working together. And have the volunteers get rid of the toy (or item) so their hands are better able to help the process.

Round #2.

1. Re-fill buckets HALFWAY. (Empty plates of sand from Round #1.)
2. Upon the word "Go!" the first individual pours his bucket of sand into the hands of the next teammate. And so it goes on down the line, each working with the next person not to let sand fall onto the ground.
3. Have the last player dump the sand from his hands onto the waiting paper plate.
4. Once all teams finish, weigh the plates to see which team successfully retained the most sand.

Lesson:

The Lord has said, “If ye are not one ye are not mine” (D&C 38:27). Ask the group what that scripture means to them. How was working to pass the sand like being "one"? How did having an obstacle or distraction (like the toy in the first round) make success more difficult?

In the Book of Mormon, Alma saw what it was like to live with wickedness and to live selfishly. No wonder, after fleeing King Noah, Alma encouraged his people to have their hearts “knit together in unity and in love one towards another” (Mosiah 18:21).

Why is it important to be united as families? How does setting aside self-interests help bring about unity? How is sand like the challenges in life? How does it feel when we're helping each other throughout life?  How will it feel when we finally reach our goal of heaven together?

Bear testimony that all individuals who seek the Lord, will be able to remove their personal challenges and be more able to "carry the sand" for their brothers and sisters. And remind the group that when another is struggling, we can carry his or "sand" until he or she is strong enough to carry it again. Together we will arrive as a family to receive the following promise:

This Comforter is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom (D&C 88:4).

Closing Song: #198b When We're Helping

Closing Prayer: By invitation.

Refreshments: This Apple Cobbler dessert would offer a terrific ending to your FHE. Its sliced apples are reminiscent of open helping hands, extended to one and all. Enjoy snuggling with your family and telling them of their goodness and richness they bring to your life while you eat this tasty treat!

Additional Resources:

Elder Staheli's excellent talk on "Striving for Family Unity," Ensign, Sep 2007, 9-13.

Church resources on the subject of Unity. www.lds.org

* Based on "Pass the Sand" from Ideas & Inspiration for Family Fun Nights, p. 44.

Struggling with your teens? C.S. Bezas' book has been described as an essential aid for youth leaders and parents. Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers: Helping Youth Find Their Spiritual Wings is available in LDS bookstores and by clicking here. 

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C.S. Bezas graduated from BYU in communications, with an emphasis in human resource development and training programs. She also took seminary teacher-training classes while studying at BYU, looking forward to the day when she might join the ranks of the Lord’s seminary teachers. She now teaches early-morning seminary in the southeastern portion of the United States. Additionally, she has conducted trainings and workshops for audiences on a variety of topics and has won recognition for her writings and stage musicals.

C.S. Bezas has appeared as a keynote speaker and before audiences on television, stage, and film. Her book Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers has been called essential for those who work with teens and for parents. She is the creator of a soothing-music CD series found at CSBezasMusic.com. She and her husband have four children and relish the gospel of Jesus Christ.