Troubled by conditions in the world? Are your children struggling? Meet the newest apostle in this simple FHE lesson and at the same time, give your children strength to face trial or temptation.

FHE Fun!

Opening Song: #297 From Homes of Saints Glad Songs Arise

Opening Prayer: By Invitation.

Devotional: This is a sweet opportunity to share a few verses that held meaning during private scripture study from the past week. Anyone who cares to share may do so during this spontaneous portion of FHE.

Activity: Items Prepared (in advance):

• Print out one copy per family member of this Ensign article: “Elder D. Todd Christofferson.
• Inexpensive journal for each member. (Hopefully family members already have their own journal/diary. Have these ready to distribute. Otherwise, the dollar store usually offers spiral bound notebooks for sale.)
• Pencil.
• Scriptures for each family member.

Pass out a pen and a copy of the brief article, “Elder D. Todd Christofferson,” to each person (see link above). Invite family members to take turns reading out loud and to underline sentences or words that impact them during the reading.

Once done, invite the family to take turns sharing a thought they'd underlined that had impressed them. (If time allows, go one more round. Invite each person to share an additional idea he or she feels is urgent from what they read and how it could help a youth in today's world if they felt lost, scared, or tempted.)

Application:

Pass out journals for each family member. Explain that each family member may experience the individual “burning into their hearts” that Elder Christoffersen felt as a youth. With individual effort everyone can receive their own conversion to, and an understanding of, God's truths. And there is no better way to remember these things than to record those experiences in personal diaries or journals.

Invite the family now either to record privately in their journal what it is that they know to be true regarding the gospel or to write down questions they have for Heavenly Father. Allow five minutes or so.

Distribute the scriptures. (Ideally, each member in the family should have their own set of scriptures to read and ponder on during the week. Inexpensive sets can be purchased for future use here.)

Invite individuals to look up a scripture that goes along with what they recorded. If they, for example, wrote about the joy they feel from the Sabbath and how it draws them nearer to the Savior, invite them to find a scriptural verse along that theme and record it in their journal. On the other hand, if they wrote that they are sad that (for example) “Grandpa passed” and want to know why, invite them to look up a scripture on the topic of loss, sorrow, or death and record that verse near their written question.

Close by witnessing that God blesses a searching heart. Let your children know that as they faithfully keep a journal and consistently look up scriptures to study on topics that interest them, they too can grow to be like Elder Cristofferson. The Lord will lead them to a knowledge of the Savior that will be so “burned into their hearts” that they will find great joy and comfort throughout their lives. Additionally, they will be aided to provide service for loved ones just as Elder Cristofferson did. Just think how awesome family life will be with each one looking out for each other!

Should there be any who would like to share their testimony of journals or scriptures, close with those thoughts.

Closing Song: #41 Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise

Closing Prayer: By Invitation.

Refreshments: This yummy Baklava recipe is a sure hit and a great “theme” treat for this FHE lesson, due to its many paper-like layers of phyllo dough. Just as Baklava is made of many paper-thin “sheets”, a successful life is created by taking time to journal each day and ponder on choices, blessings, and challenges.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

1. For Young Children: Personally read in advance the article about Elder Christofferson. Pick out the most important points. During FHE, invite your young children to draw a picture as you tell a story from Elder Christofferson's life. Afterwards, let them share what they drew. Find a scripture that goes along with their drawing (whatever it may have been). Testify that Heavenly Father loves them. As the weeks and months continue, consistently remind them the scriptures will help answer their questions about life.

For this particular lesson, give them a small “journal” for them daily to record a picture of that day. Each night before bed, help them find a scripture to match their daily drawing. Each night read that new verse together and write the reference near their drawing for that day. As they grow, this day-in, day-out foundation of journaling and scripture study will strengthen them to face the rigors of their world. They will grow to love the power of daily journaling and scripture study that matches and sustains their life.

2. Excellent Article on the Power of Journaling: Salli Hollenzer, “My Journal, My Testimony,” Ensign, Apr 2008, 51-53. LINK:

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