Come celebrate the power of one. Tonight’s Family Home Evening explores the difference that one smile, one act of kindness, one thoughtful deed can do for our weary world. Time for some FHE Fun!
Opening Song: #223 Have I Done Any Good?
Opening Prayer: By invitation.
Emergency Prep Tip: A little bit of emergency prep done each week creates a household of calm and peace. Children will be prepared and adults will be able to lead calmly…should anything untoward occur. Carolyn Nicolaysen’s article, “Surviving a House Fire,” contains must-know information to help protect you and your loved ones. Take time this week to read and discuss this article with your family.
Devotional: Why not jumpstart this week’s FHE with a few minutes of “favorite scripture” sharing time? Not only will it bring a sweet spirit to FHE, but it will show your children you value the scriptures and what they have to offer. These few minutes during FHE each week can bring a powerful spirit to your home.
Activity:
Items Needed: 1 sheet of paper / 1 pen or pencil
- Read the following quote given by President Monson at the October 2009 General Conference:
“A few years ago I read an article written by Jack McConnell, MD. He grew up in the hills of southwest Virginia in the United States as one of seven children of a Methodist minister and a stay-at-home mother. Their circumstances were very humble. He recounted that during his childhood, every day as the family sat around the dinner table, his father would ask each one in turn, ‘And what did you do for someone today?’
“The children were determined to do a good turn every day so they could report to their father that they had helped someone. Dr. McConnell calls this exercise his father’s most valuable legacy, for that expectation and those words inspired him and his siblings to help others throughout their lives. As they grew and matured, their motivation for providing service changed to an inner desire to help others” (Thomas S. Monson, “What Have I Done for Someone Today,” LDS.org website).
- If there are sufficient people, divide the family into three groups. Give each group one scripture reference to look up and discuss with the family what the scripture means to their group:
Application:
Ask the family to think about the person President Monson mentioned (Jack McDonnell). Let them know that little Jack went on to accomplish the following acts of service for others when he was grown up. President Monson said:
“Besides Dr. McConnell’s distinguished medical career—where he directed the development of the tuberculosis tine test, participated in the early development of the polio vaccine, supervised the development of Tylenol, and was instrumental in developing the magnetic resonance imaging procedure, or MRI—he created an organization he calls Volunteers in Medicine, which gives retired medical personnel a chance to volunteer at free clinics serving the working uninsured.
“Dr. McConnell said his leisure time since he retired has ‘evaporated into 60-hour weeks of unpaid work, but [his] energy level has increased and there is a satisfaction in [his] life that wasn’t there before.’ He made this statement: ‘In one of those paradoxes of life, I have benefited more from Volunteers in Medicine than my patients have.’ There are now over 70 such clinics across the United States” (Thomas S. Monson, “What Have I Done for Someone Today,” LDS.org website).
Then ask: “What will serving others do for you? What will it do for others? What do you want said about you when you are an adult? What ideas do you have to help us as a family serve more?”
Write down all ideas on a piece of paper and post it on the refrigerator as a reminder that there is no time like “today, today, today” to serve another. Finish FHE by sharing your love and testimony of the power of love when it is shared as Christ did for all.
Closing Song: #255 Carry On
Closing Prayer: By invitation.
Refreshments: These “3 Ingredient Cookie” recipes are so simple, yet yummy, that everyone will want to get in on helping to bake them. Service has never tasted so good!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: Here is the link to the rest of President Monson’s talk, “What Have I Done for Someone Today.” It is well worth reading, with inspirational ideas ready for family members to apply.
