How does one teach children that choices do matter? Here's a simple way. Time for some FHE Fun!

Opening Song:  #78 I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus

Opening Prayer: By invitation.

Devotional: Want to bring a sweet spirit to FHE and show your children you value the scriptures? Try starting each week’s Family Home Evening with a “favorite scripture sharing time.” These few minutes of short-verse-reading-and-testimony-sharing can bring a powerful spirit to your home and help settle the children for the FHE activity and lesson.

Activity:

Items Needed:

* an old fashioned tape recorder
* a cassette that can be recorded on

Bring out the old fashioned tape recorder. Explain that prior to cable TV, before cell phones, before MP3 players, people could listen to music through tape recorders like the one being displayed. Not only could a person buy cassettes for the players, but he could also record his own music or his own voice.

Ask for a volunteer to come forward. Put the cassette in the tape recorder and show the buttons on the player. Point out the button that is labeled "Record". Explain that if you push down both the Record button with the Play button at the same time, the tape recorder will begin to record every sound that is made in the room.

Invite the helper to push down those two buttons at the same time and let the family begin making sounds. Time and record 30 seconds of sound. Press the Stop button. Then press the Rewind button until the cassette tape stops rewinding.

Ask for another volunteer to come forward. Show them the Play button and ask them firmly to push it. Let the family listen to the sounds they made.

If the family would like to record another segment, let them do so.

Application:  Explain to your children that the Lord uses recorders of different kinds.

1. Each ward has a "recorder."

2. The Judgment Day will use "recorders".

3. The scriptures are "recorders."

4. The temples use "recorders."

But most importantly, our lives are being recorded right now! But how is this possible? The tape recorder is not on!

Have your family sing all verses from hymn #96, "Dearest Children, God Is Near You." Ask your family to look for what is being recorded, by whom, and what the solution is if our previous choices would embarrass, if they were played back on some giant celestial tape recorder.

Close by bearing testimony that the Lord is merciful. He, in essence, throws away old "recordings" as soon as we've sincerely repented. When we fill our lives with the solutions mentioned in the hymn, our future choices will be bright ones!

Closing Song:  #164 I Will Follow God's Plan

Closing Prayer: By invitation.

Struggling with your teens? C.S. Bezas' book is an essential help for parents and youth leaders. Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers teaches you how to create powerful change. Visit your local LDS bookstore or get your copy online here.