Writing Your Personal Family History

 Directions:

Start with either the first chapter or any of the others that may interest you. Pick a question to answer and begin to write! You can write just a sentence or two, a paragraph, or a whole page if you want. Remember, you don’t have to answer every question!

You can write your personal family history by hand or on a computer, just make sure to back up your work if you do!

Put each page in a notebook, such as a 3 ring binder. You can even include a copy of the questions you answer to help organize your personal family history. 

Optional items you can include in your binder are:

• Charts (pedigrees, graphs, tables, maps)
• Pictures, drawings
• Lists of names and birthdays
• Letters to/from family and friends
• Copies of certificates, awards, and achievements
• And anything else you’d like to include in your personal family history

Index of Family History Chapters:

1. Ancestry
2. Home and Childhood
3. Teen Years
4. Continuing Education
5. Love and Marriage
6. Children
7. Employment
8. Church Service
9. Community Service
10. Grandchildren
11. Memories of Significant Events
12. Testimony

Chapter One: Ancestry

1. Who was the first of your ancestors to come to America? (Or the country of your residence)
2. Write about your father’s heritage.
3. Write about your mother’s heritage.
4. Write about your pioneer heritage. (If you don’t have any, how do you feel about being the “pioneer” in your family)
5. Write about the oldest relative you remember.

Chapter Two: Home and Childhood

1. Write about your father. (Birth, upbringing, talents, education, occupation, appearance, church and community service)
2. Write about your mother.
3. Draw a detailed floor plan of your home.
4. Write about your brothers and sisters.
5. Write what you know about your birth and first year. 
6. Write about your elementary school. (Teachers, first day of school, bomb drills, favorite activity at recess, etc.)
7. Who was your best friend in elementary school?
8. Did you have a pet?
9. How did you do laundry? (By hand, wringer washer, cloths line, automatic?)
10. What radio programs, TV shows, cartoons, and movies do you remember?
11. Tell about family vacations and visits to grandma.
12. What ward did you live in? Who was your Bishop? Tell about Primary activities. (If you weren’t a member at the time, write about spiritual aspects or traditions from your childhood and family life)
13. Do you have a favorite Primary or Sunday School teacher or favorite lesson?
14. Write about your baptism.

Chapter Three: Teen Years

1. Write about your Junior High/Middle School. Who was your favorite teacher and class?
2. Write about your best friend.
3. Who/what was popular in fashion, music, TV, movies?
4. What High School did you attend? (Size of school, favorite teacher, class, activities, student government)
5. Did you participate in Young Women/Young Men activities? Girls camp/scout camp?
6. Tell about stake conference.
7. Have you ever met a general authority or prophet?
8. Did you participate in a dance festival?
9. Did you attend General Conference?
10. Did you attend Seminary?
11. Write about your first boy/girl friend, first kiss. 
12. Did you work during your teen year as?
13. Were you in school plays or musicals?
14. Did you take private lessons for music, singing, sports?
15. Tell about your senior year.
16. How was your testimony then?
17. Write about your most traumatic experience.

Chapter Four: Continuing Education

1. Did you go to college or a trade school? 
2. Were you active in church during your college years? 
3. Did you have roommates? What were they like? Do you still keep in contact?
4. Write about your first real job in your career field.
5. Did you continue education to a Master’s or PhD?
6. Do you have any published works?

Chapter Five: Love and Marriage

1. Tell about meeting your future mate. Describe him/her.
2. What kind of dates did you have?
3. Was it love at first sight?
4. Write about your engagement. (Proposal, parties, showers, wedding plans)
5. Write about your wedding day, marriage/sealing, and reception.
6. Write about your honeymoon. 
7. Draw a floor plan of your first apartment. 
8. Was yours a match made in heaven or did you work toward blissful peace?
9. Were there subsequent marriages? 
10. What was your spouse’s most important quality then and now? Is it different?
11. Were there years of sacrifice? How did you get through them?
12. Did you travel or take vacations?
13. Draw a floor plan of subsequent homes.

Chapter Six: Children

Answer these five questions for each child.

1. Tell about your (or your wife’s) pregnancy. (Sickness, spiritual experiences, food cravings, etc.)
2. How was the delivery? Quick or bad, was your husband (or you) there? Did you/your wife breast feed or use a bottle?
3. Write about your baby’s blessing, first word, step, tooth.
4. Experiences with: primary, school, baptism, blessings, priesthood, mission, college, marriage, work. 
5. Write of other important experiences about your child. 
6. What are they doing now, their special talents, skills.

Chapter Seven: Employment and Leisure

1. Tell about your day job. Have you moved up the ranks? Do you still have passion for your work? 
2. What do you enjoy the most? The least?
3. Do you ave plans for retirement? Or are retired?
4. What are your favorite hobbies and pastimes?
5. What is your favorite book and why?
6. What is your favorite movie and why?
7. Have you traveled abroad?
8. If your had a free day to spend on yourself, what would you do?

Chapter Eight: Church Service

1. What was your first calling?
2. Subsequent callings?
3. Did your serve a mission?
4. Who did you teach?
5. Who did you serve with?
6. Who was your mission president and his wife?
7. What were your most spiritual experiences?
8. What was your hardest trial?
9. Write about the people, culture, and customs of the area you served in.
10. Write your testimony about missionary work.
11. How was your testimony at 25? 
12. Have you witnessed miracles?
13. When did you received your testimony of the Church?
14. When did you first read the Book of Mormon?
15. Have you seen prophecy fulfilled?
16. Write down the spiritual experiences you want your family to know about. 

Chapter Nine: Community Service

1. Did you participate in PTA, VPO, Booster club, or other community service?
2. Have you ever run for a government office?
3. Did you serve in the military, Air Force, etc.?
4. What is your view on politics?

Chapter Ten: Grandchildren

1. Write about your first grandchild. Did you attend the birth?
2. Tell about him/her: healthy, happy, appearance, talents. (Write about each grandchild)
3. What do you do to be a good grandmother/grandfather?
4. How is it different than being a mom/dad?

Chapter Eleven: Memories of Significant Events

Write about any of the following

1. The Depression, WWII, Korea, Vietnam
2. The release of POWs, Pueblo incident, Cuban Missile Crisis.
3. The assassination of JFK, RFK, and Martin Luther King Jr.
4. Do you remember the National Guard being called in to integrate schools in the south?
5. Do you remember the first man in space, first man on the moon, Apollo 13, Challenger?
6. The Berlin Wall coming down, Hostages in Iran.
7. Visits to significant historical church sights.
8. Visits to other significant history sights.
9. Fairs, theaters, amusement parks, Disneyland, Disneyworld, or other significant locations.
10. What did you do about food storage and emergency preparedness?
11. 9/11
12. The loss of your parents and/or other relatives.

Chapter Twelve: Testimony

1. Summarize your patriarchal blessing.
2. Write about other blessings you have received, given, or witnessed.
3. Write your testimony. 
4. What do you want your family to know and remember about you?
5. When you meet the Savior on the other side, what do you hope He will say?

Isaiah an Open Book

AIDS to Uncover the Treasure of Isaiah

Key #1: Have a positive attitude—I can understand Isaiah

    2 Nephi 25:8

Key #2: Know the time periods in which he wrote

    His day

    Dispensation of the meridian of time (Christ’s day)

    The Latter-days, 1,800 to present and future events

Key #3: Realize that Isaiah wrote in symbols

    Ask yourself questions such as “How is this like . . . ? What can that be compared to?” etc. 

Key #4: Use other scripture as you study

    The best commentary on Isaiah is the Book of Mormon

Key #5: Know Isaiah’s chief doctrinal topics

    Historical commentary of his day

    Prophecies of Christ and his day

    Prophecies of the Latter-days

    Prophecies of the second coming of Christ and millennium

Key #6: Liken the scriptures unto yourself

    “Since I realize that Isaiah knew many things concerning my time, what could he be trying to tell me?” (1 Nephi 19:23)

Key #7: Keep in mind the plan of salvation

    Isaiah assumes we know the plan and how the house of Israel fits in that plan

Key #8: Read commentary by modern prophets

    Look for interpretations given by the Brethren to help understand Isaiah’s writings

Understanding Isaiah

As taught in the Book of Mormon

Basic Principles

1. God dispenses (reveals) his gospel to prophets and they teach it to the people (Amos 3:7 and Romans 10:13-17)
2. Each time God re-reveals his gospel it is called a Dispensation. There have been seven major dispensations in the history of the earth (that we know of). (Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith)
3. With each dispensation there has been a warning: Keep my commandments and you will prosper in the land—break my commandments and you shall be swept off the land (scattered and smitten)
4. God has held true to his covenant: (Were these not smitten and scattered?)
1. People in Noah’s day
2. Jaredites
3. Lost 10 tribes
4. Jews
5. Lamanites and Nephites
5. During Isaiah’s day the people had been warned and they had rejected the warning. Therefore, they were scattered and smitten (Lost Ten Tribes).
6. Lehi, Nephi, and Jacob see the same comparison in their family in America. Laman and Lemuel had rebelled against the Lord and had been cut off (2 Nephi 5).
7. Jacob and Nephi saw the parallel with Isaiah’s day and so they likened the writings of Isaiah to their people as a warning. 
8. Since we are living in the same Prommised Land and are under the same covenant, we too should see the parallels to Isaiah, the days of Nephi/Jacob, and our day. 
9. By reading the words of Isaiah (as recorded in the Book of Mormon) we should look for the ways: (a) in which the Lord warned the people, (b) how the people reacted to the warnings, (c) the consequences that followed either obedience or disobedience and (d) how these may show up in our lives.
10. In light of the “Likening Principle” we would be wise to ask the following questions while reading the Isaiah writings: What is he saying to me? How is this like my day? What warning is he giving and am I listening to that warning? What happened to them for failing to listen and will it happen to me? Does any of this match up with what our current leaders are saying today?
11. Don’t worry so much about the details of Isaiah’s writings, but rather look for this match up with what our current leaders are saying today?
12. Along with the scattering that comes from disobedience, there has always been a promise of a gathering back following the scattering (once the people had been sufficiently humbled and had fully repented).
13. Since today all the house of Israel has now been scattered, the gathering is occurring with the restoration. So, as you read Isaiah also look for gathering principles and you will see the nature of God revealed. You will see his yearnings for his people, his willingness to forgive, and his constant reaching out for them to come back to him. Here too you can see a likening. Have we not all drifted to some degree and have a need of his yearnings and reaching out to bring us back?

Background on Isaiah and his day

1. Isaiah lived around 700 B.C. In the land of Canaan (in NT times called Palestine and today called Israel)
2. His people had divided into two groups—10 tribes living in the north of the country and 2 tribes living in the south. The ten in the north had taken up on themselves the name Israel. They had become very wicked and were worshipping idols and were steeped in immorality. The two tribes in the south called themselves Judah or Jews. They were led by a king named Hezekiah. Isaiah lived in Jerusalem and also traveled and taught in both lands. 
3. The people in the north (Israel) did not give heed to Isaiah and his warnings. The people in the south (Judah) did obey. 
4. The Assyrian army entered their land, beginning at the north and conquered all the cities of the people of Israel. They were smitten and scattered as God had warned and promised through his prophet Isaiah.
5. The army proceeded south and encircled the city of Jerusalem. Isaiah resided in the city and had prepared the people spiritually to withstand the attack of the invading army. 
6. Because the people listened and obeyed the prophet Isaiah the city was spared in a miraculous way. One night a plague went throughout the Assyrian army and over 185,000 men died. The king fled to his homeland and there was assassinated. They were never again a powerful nation. 
7. God had kept his covenants with the people. He had scattered the northern tribes and spared the southern tribes based on their disobedience or obedience. 

Our Day

1. We have a prophet in our midst that is teaching, testifying, and warning us of the evil of our day. We too are under covenant to obey or be swept off.
2. One day powerful armies will gather to destroy the righteous.
3. One day the righteous will be gathered into places for safety and prophets will reside to protect and strengthen.
4. The message will be the same as that of Isaiah (and all the prophets throughout each dispensation).
5. Failure to heed the words of the prophets will bring the same consequences as experienced by Isaiah’s people and those of the Book of Mormon. We too will be destroyed and not be able to enjoy the millennial presence of Jesus Christ in the Promised Land.
6. We have all the words of the prophets (because this is the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times) and so if we read, ponder, liken, and listen to the Spirit we will be gathered back to our God and his land (the Celestial Kingdom).
7. To make all this work we must come unto Christ—which was also Isaiah’s message, as well as, Jacob’s in the Book of Mormon. 

Our Hands Can Serve

 An old Jewish legend tells of two brothers, Abram and Zimri, who owned a field and worked it together. They agreed to divide both the labor and the harvest equally. One night as the harvest came to a close, Zimri could not sleep, for it didn’t seem right that Abram, who had a wife and seven sons to feed, should receive only half of the harvest, while he, with only himself to support, had so much. 

So Zimri dressed and quietly went into the field, where he took a third of his harvest and put it in his brother’s pile. He then returned to his bed, satisfied that he had done the right thing. 

Meanwhile, Abram could not sleep either. He thought of his poor brother, Zimri, who was all alone and had no sons to help him with the work. It did not seem right that Zimri, who worked so hard by himself, should get only half of the harvest. Surely this was not pleasing to Good. And so Abram quietly went to the fields, where he took a third of his harvest and placed it in the pile of this beloved brother.

The next morning, the brother went to the field and were both astonished that the piles still looked to be the same size. That night both brothers slipped out of their houses to repeat their efforts of the previous night. But this time they discovered each other, and when they did, they wept and embraced. Neither could speak, for their hearts were overcome with love and gratitude. 

This is the spirit of compassion: that we love others as ourselves, seek their happiness, and do unto them as we hope they would do unto us.

Dating & Virtue

 Ten things parents can do to help their children prepare for dating.

As worldly morals continue to degenerate, they challenge and even threaten traditional beliefs of dating and marriage. These threats are aimed forcefully at the rising generation. Particularly when it comes to relationships with the opposite sex, members of the Church need to hold to the iron rod This has never been more true with the principles of dating than it is now, say the leaders of the Church’s youth organizations. 

“There’s a big challenge today, just being in the world,” explains Brother David L. Beck, Young Men general president. “Do we need to teach? Do we ever! We’ve got to counteract all the wrong messages that are coming, not only though the media, but also through associates and friends. Parents have a solemn responsibility to teach. It starts in the home.”

Here, Brother Beck and Sister Elaine S. Dalton, Young Women general president, share 10 ideas to help parents teach their children appropriate methods of dating and help safeguard young people from the pitfalls of the world.

1. Understand the doctrine of dating and celestial marriage

“The first thing parents need to do is understand the doctrine,” says Sister Dalton. “The doctrine is the plan of salvation and includes celestial marriage, family, and parenthood. ‘The Family: A Proclamation to the World’ states that ‘marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God.’ That’s why we’re here on the earth—to form eternal families.”

“I agree,” says Brother Beck. “The family proclamation also declares that ‘the family is central to the Creator’s plan . . . [and] is ordained of God.’ Marriage between a man and a woman is essential to His eternal plan and our eternal possibilities. The proclamation also has the doctrine for dating; it describes the boundaries on our physical relationships in that ‘the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between . . . Husband and wife.’” 

Sister Dalton adds that young people also need to understand the role of agency and their own identity. “In the premarital council in heaven, all of us fought to have agency. But when you step over the line into immortality, you've compromising the agency of another person. You’re actually tampering with a power that God has entrusted us with to create other lives. If Satan can get youth to break the law of chastity, he can frustrate the purposes that we fought for valiantly in the premarital realm. 

“If we could see each other for who we really are—children of our Father in Heaven—we would treat each other with the reverence, respect, and dignity that our spiritual heritage demands,” says Sister Dalton. “When we understand our divine identity, it will define all of our relationships with each other.”

2. Don’t be influenced by the ways of the world

The world, especially the media, would have us violate or ignore Heavenly Father’ teachings on dating and marriage. We don’t have to do that, says Brother Beck. “When we cross a line and engage in immoral behavior, we offend the Spirit, and when we lose that influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives, all those wonderful things that the Spirit provides to us are lost. Immoral behavior destroys faith. Nothing I’ve seen seems so destructive to faith as immoral behavior.”

That’s one of the main reasons parents have to be so careful about what messages their children receive. “We’re just immersed in incorrect worldly messages through the media. It’s an overflowing scourge. You can’t spend an hour on television without getting false messages that create distorted views of reality which are against God’s purposes for us here on earth. That’s why pornography—and all the immorality it portrays—is so destructive to relationships. It dehumanizes. Be very careful with the media you let into your home.”

3. Teach that virtue is not outdated

With all those messages, parents have to remain their children that prophetic counsel hasn’t changed. “The prophets and seers have been telling us this for years,” says Sister Dalton, “and we have the words of current prophets, seers, and revelatory as well. That is why we added the value of virtue to the Young Women theme and values. The word ‘virtue’ means chastity. The core of a virtuous life is chastity and sexual purity.

“Parents, teach your children that the body is a temple. Make sure they understand that we must be pure in heart to have the guidance of the Holy Ghost. That means we need to live so that we are worthy to enter the temple—now!

“When young men and young women start dating, teach them to ask themselves, ‘Will this person in this relationship lead me to the temple?’ If they can’t honestly answer yes, then they ought to think about what they are doing and make some changes.” 

4. Teach the appropriate seasons of dating

In the Young Men and Young Women programs, youth receive guidance in addition to what they may receive in the home on interacting with the opposite sex, explains Brother Beck. To help youth interact properly and successfully, “the Church sponsors group activities. We hold mutual and combined activities for youth beginning at age 12. These teach youth the fundamental lessons about respect. At age 14, youth start having youth conferences, dances, and other activities. For the Strength of Youth clearly points out that dating can occur at age 16 under conditions such as group and double dates that are positive and help maintain self-respect.”

Dating in these circumstances doesn’t mean youth can’t or won’t have fun, according to Sister Dalton. “I’ve watched a lot of stake and ultimate dance festivals, as well as mutual and service activities. Both the girls and the boys are excited to attend. And while they are having a good time, they learn appropriate social interaction and how to be respectful of one another, how to be careful about the way they dress. Even the Beehives and deacons learn how to honor one another in these wholesome settings. I believe that is why our prophet, President Thomas S. Monsoon, says that he is an advocate of these activities.”

5. Encourage good friendships

Proper dating and developing wholesome friendships are really about being a disciple of Jesus Christ, says Sister Dalton. “When I talk to young women about dating, I like to ask them to define what a friend is. I married by best friend. We became friends first. And he’s still my best friend.

“I love Elder Robert D. Hales’s definition of a friend,” Sister Dalton continues. “‘True friends make it easier to live the gospel.’ It is pretty simple. A person who brings out righteous qualities in you makes you better.” 

Brother Beck says, “Teach young men about their priesthood responsibilities in the context of dating and how they should treat young women. Doctrine and Covenants 20 explains that a teacher should watch over the Church always and be with and strengthen the members. To the young men, I would say, “Think about that in the context of a relationships with a young woman You are watching over. You have this priesthood responsibility to watch over her when you are in her presence, to strengthen her. When you are with her, how are you strengthening and inviting her to come unto Christ?”

Sister Dalton adds, “I call that being a guardian of virtue. i believe that these young men with priesthood power must be guardians of virtue. They must be virtuous themselves so that they can access that priesthood power and exercise it in purity and in holiness, and they also need to protect others’ virtue. And the young women also have to be guardians of their own virtue and guardians of the boys.”

6. Set a positive example of dating and relationships

“One of the most important thing is parents can do,” says Brother Beck, “is set the example by the respect they show each other and the joy they have in their relationship—seeing that it really is a wonderful thing. I don’t know that we could overstate what a motivator that is. Parents should try to model what a marriage can and should be.”

“I agree,” says Sister Dalton. “Those things make a big difference when we start dating and looking for qualities we want in an eternal relationship. I think parents can teach and model respect in their homes.”

7. Use Church resources

Brother Beck explains that in addition to the Church programs already mentioned, there are a number of excellent resources to help parents teach their children. “Parents can use For the Strength of Youth to teach what the prophets have written to us about dating. Don’t just read or memorize it. Take these standards and appreciate them as words from the Lord’s anointed, and really listen to make sure our children understand them. For the Strength of Youth will provide a great protection for them.”

Sister Dalton concurs. “I think every parents would be wise to use For the Strength of Youth as family home evening resource, especially with teenagers.”

“There’s also the Family Guidebook,” adds Brother Beck. “It teaches the organization and purpose of a family. We also need to point out that families bring happiness to Heavenly Father’s children by teaching them correct principles in a loving atmosphere. Those principles are best taught by example in the home.”

“There’s another powerful resource—the Book of Mormon,” says Sister Dalton. “Dating practices and principles are contained right there. For example, Alma 39, with Alma’s advice to his son Corianton, is a very good place to start. Also in Doctrine and Covenants 88:40, the scripture says that light cleaveth to light and virtue love the virtue. I think that’s a relationship scripture. We need to remember that good attracts good.”

8. Teach and influence by listening and spending time together

Every point of teaching works better when we listen, says Brother Beck. “We need to emphasize the ability to listen to the Spirit so parents can really understand and have the kind of relationship in which a child will want to talk and open up.

“As a priesthood leader, I spend the vast majority of my time just listening. Sometimes you don’t need to say anything. It’s the same for parents. Parents need to teach, but they also need to listen and invite their children to express their feelings about what is going on.

“This can happen in family home evening, family council, at mealtimes, and in interviews,” Brother Beck continues. “During those times, listen and also express how you view these standards. Share your commitment, understanding, and appreciation for them.

“In addition, we need to spend time with our children and do things with them that they like to do—not just the things we want to do. This builds confidence and trust.”

9. Prepare in advance to deal with difficult situations

“Parents can also teach what I call ‘refusal skills,’” says Sister Dalton. “Discuss with your children what situations might occur on dates and how they would react. Ask: ‘So what if you get in this situation? What will you do?’ Then let them actually act it out. Chances are good that they will do what they actually planned to do.

“The other thing is to help youth make ‘preplanned decisions and commitments.’ There are certain things you can decide right now, and you don’t ever have to decide them again. Then, in the heat of the moment, you don’t have to make that decision again. It’s made! When I was a teenager, if someone offered me liquor or a cigarette, I’d respond, ‘Are you kidding? I made that decision when I was 12. I’m not doing that.’ I made those decisions once. I never had to remake them.

“But make sure you teach them to believe in the power and principles of repentance. They are young. They will make mistakes. But they need to believe they can repent and get back on track.”

10. Let them know their parents and leaders trust them

“Our youth need to know we believe in them,” says Brother Beck. “We need to encourage them to do hard things and sometimes to take the path that stretches them. When each of us as individuals confronts our fears, we discover who we are. We discover God in our lives and we develop confidence. Go forward in faith, knowing that the Lord will support you. His grace is sufficient to help us through challenging situations.”

Sister Dalton adds: “This generation of youth is the most noble and incredible ever. They’re uniquely positioned in the world right now to make a difference. And they are full of hope. They want to be validated for who they really are. They come with such nobility inside. We need to provide opportunities that foster authentic relationships and help them develop the feeling and knowledge of their own divine identity. Parents, you can do that. Teach them to focus on the temple and on being worthy to make and keep covenants. Teach them with love and respect, and they will develop those same patterns.” 

The Signs of the Times of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ

Like other Christians, Latter-day Saints believe and look forward to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It was prophesied in the Bible and the Book of Mormon that there will be certain signs that will precede His coming for the faithful to watch for. The following is a list of signs and events that were foretold by Jesus, ancient prophets, and Latter-day prophets that would need to happen before that “Great and dreadful day” (Doctrine & Covenants 2:1).

Has Happened

Apostasy

Wars and rumors of wars

Restoration of gospel

Restoration of the Priesthood

Coming forth of the Book of Mormon

Elijah returning

Persecution of the Jews

The Spirit shall be poured out on all flesh

Discovery and the use of printing

The Protestant Reformation and renaissance

The discovery and colonization of America

Establishment of the American Nation

Translation and printing of the Bible

Establishment of the U.S. Constitution

Latter-day Revelation

Opposition to the Book of Mormon

Messengers are to precede the second coming

Church and Kingdom of God are set up again

Growth of the Church

Building of Latter-day temples

The Lord is to come suddenly to the temple

Genealogical research will be increasing

Persecution of the saints

Worldly knowledge will increase

Strikes, anarchy, violence increases

Peace taken from Earth

Angels are now reaping the Earth

The American Civil War

Depression and economic turmoil

Many false churches arise

Refusal of men to believe in signs of times

Is Happening

Love of man shall wax cold

Iniquity shall abound

All things in commotion

People shall live in fear

Increased earthquakes

More diseases

More famines

Great storms, lightning and thunder

Hailstorms destroying crops

The Lamanites will become a great nation

The Jews will rise to be a great nation

Latter-day Revelation

Opposition to the Book of Mormon

Messengers to precede the Second Coming

Growth of the Church

The spiritual and physical gathering of Israel

Times of gentiles being fulfilled

The Jews will begin to believe in Christ

Building of Latter-day temples

Worldly knowledge to increase

Scientific and inventive progress

Elements in commotion/seasons shifting and changing

Disasters and calamities to abound

Strikes, anarchy, violence increases

Latter-day wickedness; including: murder, robbery, rape, whoredoms, every form of sexual immorality, increased juvenile delinquency, crimes against persons and property

Birth control is a major issue

Spirit ceasing to strive with the wicked

Peace taken from Earth

Depressions and economic turmoil

Many false churches arise

Refusal of men to believe in signs of the times

Signs on earth and in heaven

Will Happen

Missionaries will be in every country of the world

The building of the new Jerusalem in Missouri

The Jews will assemble in Jerusalem

The Lost Ten Tribes of Israel shall return

A temple will be built in Independence, Missouri

The gathering at Adam-Ondi-Ahman

Final Great War involving 200,000,000 forces and armaments will last for 3 years

Two prophets will lie dead in Jerusalem street for 3 days and then will rise for everyone to see

Christ to win war for the Jews to fulfill the Jewish role as the Messiah

The Jews will acknowledge Christ as the Messiah and will know He was the same one that was crucified 

The wicked will be burned as stubble

Christ will come from the East 

I Can Be Happy When I Help

 Purpose: To help children realize that our attitude about helping our family and neighbors is often determined by our words and tone of voice.

Technique: Role play

Materials Needed:

• Laundry basket full of towels
• Rake, lawnmower, or outdoor broom
• Trash can
• Small table with placement, napkin, silverware, glass
• Word strips (tape underneath children’s chairs with the label #1, #2, etc. visible)
• Black poster board representing negative attitude; yellow poster board representing positive attitude

1. Can’t it wait until after this TV show?
2. Why do I always have to do it?
3. It seems like I just did that yesterday.
4. I’m too tired.
5. It looks like the trash is piling up. Can I take it out for you?
6. Can I help with dinner?
7. Is there anything I can do to make your day any easier?
8. It looks like the yard/patio needs to be moved/swept. Can I help out?

The four “chores” should be arranged in four different areas. A member of the primary board will role play the mother and walk into primary looking overwhelmed, hurried, tired, . . . Or any other emotion that might be appropriate. She could be talking to herself and going over her checklist of things to get done for the day. Then she stops and looks at the kids and says, “you know, I could share use some help around here today.” She looks at the trash can heaped with trash. “Let’s see . . . Who is helper #1?” (Helper raises hand.) “______, would you mind emptying the trash. The trash man should be here any minute.” (Helper #1 whines as he/she reads response.) Mother looks discouraged. A second primary board member asks children if this child is happily helping. If not, the word strip is placed on the black poster board. Role Play continues and repeats as outlined:

Chore/Response:

Setting the Table/#2

Folding Clothes/#3

Cleaning Yard/#4

By this time, mother is completely discouraged. Second primary worker asks Helper #5 if he/she could please say something that would make mother feel better. Helper #5 reads response and takes trash out into hall. Mother has a smile creep over her. Second primary worker continues asking Helper #6–he goes over and sets table. Helper #7 folds towels, and Helper #8 pretends to rake leaves. By this time, Mother is genuinely happy and comments on how much happier home is when children have a positive attitude about helping.

Children are given the following calendar and are asked to draw/color a picture of them helping someone in their family or neighborhood. Be sure that their picture shows them smiling! They can take chart home and have either parent or themselves fill in the chart daily. 

We Can Prepare to Go to the Temple By Paying Our Tithing

 Materials: Prepared chalkboard and chalk, scriptures, 20 small pieces of fruit, play money totaling $600.00, signs to represent businesses and expenditures. 

Chalkboard: Prior to the beginning of this sharing time, prepare chalkboard with the following scriptures and answers.

• Nehemiah 13:12 (Abraham)
• 2 Chronicles 31:5 (Jacob)
• Genesis 28:20-22 (Children of Israel)
• Alma 13:15 (People of Judah)

Read each scripture and by drawing a line, have the children match each scripture with the person or persons to whom it refers.

Ask what one thing all these people had in common (each paid tithing). Ask the question: What is tithing? (Ten percent of our total income.)

Ask the children if they know why we pay tithing. Explain the law of tithing is a commandment of God and that it has always been a part of the gospel. Explain in your own words that when we pay tithing we show our love for the Lord and help to build His kingdom. Tell them it is required of us before we can be worthy to go to the temple and that by learning to pay our tithing now we are preparing to go to the temple when we are adults. 

Ask the children to name possible reasons for paying tithing and write their answers on the chalkboard. If necessary, help them list the answers below. 

1. Show our love for the Lord.
2. Rewarded with many blessings.
3. Gain spiritual power.
4. Become closer to our families. 
5. Increases our faith in God.

Explain that all these blessings received when we pay our tithing will help prepare them to go to the temple some day. 

We Learn About Tithing

 Materials: Scissors, crayons, and a container for the bank (an empty potato chip can might be used, or a similar container)

Directions: Let your child color the play money and cut each piece out. Explain to him the principle of tithing and the blessings we receive when we practice this principle. Use the play money to help illustrate this concept. 

Suggestions: You may wish to prepare a story that illustrates the blessings of paying tithing. The story might be told using a flannel board or with stick figures similar to those used in the activity on priesthood blessings. 

The Stage of Your Mind

     The mind is like a stage—the curtain is always up except when we are asleep. There is always some act being performed on that stage. It may be a comedy, a tragedy, interesting or dull, good or bad; but always there is some act playing on the stage of the mind.
    Have you noticed That without any real intent on your part, in the middle of almost any performance, a shady little thought may creep in from the wings and attract your attention? These delinquent through to will try to upstage everybody. 
    If you permit them to go on, all thoughts of any virtue will leave the stage. You will be left, because you consented to it, to the influence of unrighteous thoughts. If you yield to them, they will enact for you on the stage of you mind anything to the limits of your toleration. They may enact a theme of bitterness, jealousy, or hatred. They may be vulgar, immoral, or even depraved. 
    When they have the stage, if you let them, they will devise the most clever persuasions to hold your attention. They can make it interesting all right, even convince you that it is innocent—for they are but thoughts. What you do at a time like that, when the stage of your mind is commandeered by the imps of unclean thinking? Whether they be the gray ones that seem almost clean or the filthy ones that leave no room for doubt?
    If you can control your thoughts, you can overcome habits—even degrading, personal habits. If you can learn to master them, you will have a happy life. 
    I would teach you this. Choose from among the sacred music of the Church a favorite hymn, one with words that are uplifting and music that is reverent, one that makes you feel something akin to inspiration. Go over it carefully in your mind. Memorize it. Even though you have had no musical training, you can think through a hymn. 
    Now, use this hymn as the place for your thoughts to go. Make it your emergency channel. Whenever you find that these shady actors have slipped from the sidelines of your thinking onto the stage of your mind, put on this record, as it were. 
    As the music begins and as the words form in your mind, the unworthy thoughts will slip shamefully away. The hymn will change the whole mood on the stage of your mind. Because it is uplifting and clean, the baser thoughts will disappear, for while virtue, by choice, will not associate with filth, evil cannot tolerate the presence of light.

    In due time you will find yourself, on occasion, humming the music inwardly. As you retrace your thoughts, you discover that some influence from the world about you has encouraged an unworthy thought to move on stage in your mind, and the music has almost automatically begun. 

    Once you learn to clear the stage of your mind from unworthy thoughts, keep it busy with learning worthwhile things. Change your environments so that your have things about you that will inspire good and uplifting thoughts. Keep busy with things that are righteous. 

    Young people, you cannot afford to fill your minds with the unworthy hard music of our day. It is not harmless. It can welcome onto the stage of your mind unworthy thoughts and set the tempo to which they dance, and to which you may act.

    It is easier, so very much easier, when we take such elusive things as thought and compare them with something the students already know about, in the case the actors on a stage. It is more interesting, particularly to the young people. They remember it, and teaching has taken place. 

Reach for Your Dream

 Reach for your dream

Plan each step from the start.

Reach for your dream

Keep it close to your heart.

Only you are the one

Who can make it come true.

Only you can accomplish

The things you must do.

As you dream of the one

That you long to be,

Christ-like, talented

With an Inner Beauty.

Dreams are exciting

And they can come true.

But you must take charge

Of what happens to you.

So set your goals high

Make wise use of your time.

Choose what is right

Avoid habits that bind.

You can overcome difficulties

Meet challenges too.

Develop hidden talents

Become the very best you.

But today is the day

For you to being.

To develop those talents

To start from within.

To draw close to our Savior

To feel His great love.

To know of your worth

To our Father above.

Each moment is precious,

You mustn’t delay—

To live life to its fullest.

To make use of each day.

Reach out—take His hand,

Our father will help you

Accomplish the mission

You’ve been sent here to do.

Handout for Resisting Temptation

 We become was we sow...

Your character is determined by what you stand for—your reputation is determined by what you fall for.

Here are some scriptures for you to study at home. They will give counsel for overcoming Satan’s influence:

• Proverbs 3:5-6
• Alma 31:35, 37
• Moroni 7:16-17
• Doctrine & Covenants 18:18

‘Twas the Night Jesus Came

 ‘Twas the night Jesus came and all through the house

Not a person was praying, not one in the house.

The Bible was left on the shelf without care,

For no one thought Jesus would ever come there.

The children were dressed to crawl into bed,

Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.

And Mom in her rocker with baby in lap

Was watching the late show while I took a nap.

When out of the east there arose such a clatter,

I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash

Tore open the shutters and lifted the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here!

The light of His face made me cover my head—

It was Jesus returning, just as He said.

And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,

I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in his hand

Was written the name of every saved man.

He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;

When he said, “It’s not here,” my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love

He gathered to take to His Father above.

With those who were ready He rose without sound

While all of the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;

I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.

I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;

Oh, if only I’d know that this was the night. 

Testimony Object Lessons

 Materials Needed:

1. A heavy rock labeled “testimony”
2. Inflated balloon labeled “testimony” 
3. Small board with a nail driven through it labeled “temptation” or “trials”

Presentation: 

1. Show the rock—point out that it has a few rough places.
2. Show the balloon—points out that it seems smooth and nicer than the rock.
3. Use the nail to scratch the rock slightly.
4. Use the nail to pop the balloon. 

There are two kinds of testimonies. One is strong like the rock, while the other is full of hot air, like the balloon. We have to work hard to get a “rock” testimony. It comes by searching the scriptures, praying, obeying the commandments, etc. It takes time to develop just like the rock took time to form. The balloon testimony is easy to have. It is the “Brother-so-and-so-said-it-was-tree-so-I-believe-it-is-true” kind of testimony. It is not strong. When we have worked hard to gain our own “rock” testimony, temptations and trials will come but our testimony will stay strong. With a balloon testimony, we won’t be able to withstand the trials and temptations. 

Materials Needed:

1. A bottle of perfume or cologne

Presentation:

1. Have one or two people smell the perfume and then try to explain its fragrance to the others.
2. Now pass the bottle around and let everyone smell it. 

Others can tell us about their spiritual experiences and that can help us to strengthen our testimony, but it is through our own experiences and our own feelings that we actually gain our own testimony. 

Testimony

 When we have a testimony, we know that God lives, that Jesus is our Savior, and that the Church is true.

Scripture Reader Resource

Book of Mormon Stories, chapter 17; Doctrine & Covenants Stories, page 97

Discussion

Procedure

Ask the students what they think a testimony is. Tell them that some of the things we know when we have a testimony are that God lives, that Jesus is our Savior, and that the Church is true. 

Activity

Procedure

Ask the students to tell how they feel about God, Jesus, and the Church

Activity

Procedure

Tell the students that some of the things a person with a testimony knows are that God lives, that Jesus is the Son of God, and that the Church is true. Bear your testimony to your students, and ask them to share their testimonies with you. 

To get and keep a testimony we should obey God, study the gospel, and pray. 

Scripture Reader Resource

Book of Mormon Stories, chapter 25; Doctrine and Covenants Stories, chapter 16

Discussion

Procedure

Ask the students to tell some things that people can do to get a testimony. Then ask them to tell some things that we should do to keep our testimonies. Ask the students why they think we have to do things to keep our testimonies. 

Chalkboard Activity

Preparation

Prepare the chalkboard with the heading “How to Get and Keep a Testimony”

Procedure

Ask the students to tell some things that we need to do to get the keep a testimony. Write on the chalkboard the things they say. Then ask the students if the things written on the chalkboard can be put under the headings. Obey God, Study the Gospel, and Pray. Write on the chalkboard these three headings and have the students tell which things already on the chalkboard should go under each heading. Rewrite these things under the correct headings. 

__

Using the Testimony Formula

Discussion

We have great examples in our lives of those who have used the formula for a testimony. 

• Which prophet at about your age wanted to know which church was right? (Show the picture of Joseph Smith)
• How did Joseph Smith use the steps we have discussed to find out which church was right?

1. He had a strong desire to know which church was right.
2. He searched the scriptures to find the answer.
3. His mother reported that Joseph was a good boy and always tried to do what was right.
4. He went to the grove of trees and asked in faith. 

Bear your testimony of this experience and that a testimony can come through the steps suggested. 

Quotation

How did President Joseph F. Smith, one of the latter-day prophets, gain his testimony?

“When I as a boy first started out in the ministry I would frequently go out and ask the Lord to show me some marvelous thing, in order that I might receive a testimony. But the Lord withheld marvels from me, and showed me the truth, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, until he made me to know the truth from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, and until doubt and fear had been absolutely purged from me. He did not have to send an angel from the heavens to do this, nor did He have to speak with the trump of an archangel. By the whispering of the still small voice of the Spirit of the living God. He gave to me the testimony I possess.” 

Several may have experienced these feelings already. As they continue using these steps, their testimonies will be strengthened like President’s Smith’s. Some have tried to gain testimonies without following all the steps, but they have learned the importance of each step.

Pictures and story

Tell the following in your own words, showing the pictures of the Three Witnesses. 

Martin Harris’s was called to be one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon. He went to the woods with Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Joseph Smith to pray and gain a revelation of the truthfulness of the work. They earnestly prayed for some time, but no answer came. Finally, Martin explained that he hadn’t followed all the steps completely. He hadn’t been living all the commandments and needed to repent. He left the group, telling everyone how sorry he was. Shortly after he left, an angel appeared to the other three, showed them the plates, and told them the work was true. Later Joseph found Martin in the woods, and together they pled with the Lord to forgive Martin. It wasn’t easy, but after Martin had repented, he and Joseph received the same wonderful revelation of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. (History of the Church 1:54-55)

• Which step had Martin Harris left out in the process of gaining a testimony? (Keeping the commandments)
• What happened after he sincerely repented? (He received an answer)

How to Gain a Testimony

Obtaining a testimony is important. It can bring us great happiness. 

How can we obtain a testimony?

Following the discussion, emphasize that first we must want a testimony. On the chalkboard under Testimony, write: Desire.

Explain that Elder McConkie has shared his testimony with people all over the world. He wrote a plan or formula to help others get a testimony. Have the girls listen to the Elder McConkie’s formula:

“Would you like a formula to tell how to get personal revelation? . . . My formula is simply this: 1) Search the scriptures, 2) Keep the commandments, and 3) Ask in faith.”

• What does it mean to search the scriptures? (Read intently, study with all your heart, apply the teachings to your own life). Emphasize that this means much more than just reading.
• Why is it important to keep the commandments if we desire a testimony? (So we can be in tune, worthy, and ready to listen for an answer.)
• What does it mean to ask in faith? (With our whole heart.)

These important steps can prepare us for a revelation that the Church is true and help us open the way to receiving regular direction from our Heavenly Father. 

Tell the following story in your own words. Listen for ways the athletes were strengthened by their testimonies:

A week after registration, eight football stars checked into their seminary class. They had stayed out so they could rearrange their school schedules to be in the same seminary class. They didn’t have testimonies. They just wanted to have fun in seminary. They thought having muscle was all that was important.

Then they heard about Joseph Smith. They learned he was a great wrestler, and stick puller (a sport popular in his time). They also heard about Joseph’s experience in Richmond jail when he was chained to the wall. The guards arrived and began to brag about killing and torturing Mormons. Finally, Joseph couldn’t stand it any longer. He rose to his feet. Though chained to the wall, he commanded the guards in the name of the Savior to be silent or they would die. Because Joseph Smith had power much greater than his muscles alone, the guards dropped to their knees in front of the chained prisoner and sat silently. Joseph had the power of the priesthood and a powerful testimony. 

The football players decided there was more to being a real man than just muscle. They started to get up early in the mornings to read the scriptures together. They loved it. They tried harder to obey the commandments. 

One night one of their close friends was in a terrible accident and died. The next day at school, when the principal announced the boy’s death, many ran from their classes crying. These young athletes testified to others that they knew there was a life after this and that their friend was alright. The testimonies of these young men not only helped them through a difficult experience, but helped them lift and strengthen others. 

• How did the boys gain testimonies? (Scripture study, obedience, and prayer)
• How did their testimonies help them face their friend’s death? (They believed in life after death and were comforted by prayer.)
• How did they help others? (Shared their testimonies.)

A Father’s Prayer

 Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory. 

Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son who will know thee and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge. 

Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn a compassion for those who fail.

Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past. 

And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength.

Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, “I have not lived in vain.”

By Douglas Mae Arthur

Honor Thy Father & Mother

 Read Exodus 20:12

Honor - means to respect greatly, regard highly, show deference - courteously yield to his judgment

Why do you think the Lord gave us this commandment?

1. Our parents brought us into the world. They provided physical bodies for our spirits. Without them, we couldn’t have lived on the earth. 
2. Our parents care for us. 

Why do we need a father and mother after we are born? Show pictures.

1. Who took care of you
2. Who tended you when you were sick
3. Who earned money for food, house, clothes
4. Who fed you, put you to bed, changed your clothes

Honor your fathers through your actions: speak and act kindly, not criticize, obey

Mother’s Day

 Sometimes you get discouraged

Because we are so small

And always leave our fingerprints

On furniture and wall.

But everyday we’re growing up

And soon we’ll be so tall

That all those little handprints

Will be difficult to recall.

So here’s a current handprint

That you can put away,

You’ll know just how our fingers looked

This year for Mother’s Day.

(Include a handprint from the child)

I am a Child of Royal Birth

 By Anna Johnson

I am a child of royal birth,

My Father is King of heaven and earth. 

My spirit was born in the courts on high,

A child beloved, as princess (or prince) am I. 

I was nurtured there; I loved by his side,

In a home where patience and love abide. 

My mother was there in that glorious place,

Blessing her children with queenly grace.

I grew to the stature that spirits grow, 

I gained the knowledge I needed to know. 

I was taught the truth and I knew the plan,

That God and the Christ laid out for man.

I was there when the stars of morning sang,

I mingled my voice when the heavens rang.

I was there to rejoice, to praise and applaud,

The shouts of joy from the sons of God.

I waited my turn and I came to earth,

Through the wonderful channel of human birth.

Then the curtains were closed and the past was gone;

On the future too, the curtains were drawn.

I live on the earth, and God willed it so,

With freedom to choose the way I should go.

I must search for the truth, I must serve and obey;

I must walk by my faith or fall by the way. 

Some day I’ll go back; I will answer the call;

I’ll return with my record to the Father of all.

The books will be opened and so will my heart,

There will be rejoicing if I’ve done my part.

My Father, the King, with His infinite love

Will welcome me back to the mansions above.

The curtains will part and eternity

In its light and glory will open for me.

Father’s Day Activities

 Time Capsule

By Ruth Iman

For a Father’s Day activity, put together a time capsule. Make a list of suggested items to put in. It might include:

• List of your favorite foods
• Picture of yourself or family
• List of favorite shows
• List of favorite family activities or hobbies
• Names of best friends, teachers, or baby-sitters
• Titles of favorite books
• Mementos of special events
• Your favorite scripture or scripture story and why it is important to you
• Newspaper headlines or clippings that mean something special to you
• List of personal or family goals
• Something funny that happened to you
• Pictures of family pets
• Drawing of something special you’ve done recently
• Small toy, special rock, seashell, etc. that you like
• List of favorite school subjects

Find a box with a lid to put all of the items in. During the activity, have each person in the family talk about the items he is putting into the box. When all of the items are in the box, put the lid on it and tape it shut. On the outside, write the date on which it was sealed and the date it is to be opened, then store the box somewhere. Remember that all the things put into the time capsule will be sealed up until the time your family decides the box should be opened. You might want to do this activity once every year, opening last year’s box, then filling a new box. 

Bookends

To make a set of bookends for your father or someone else special, you will need: 2 empty, rinsed and dried half-gallon (2 liter) milk or juice cartons; scissors; glue; construction paper or contact paper; old magazines you may cut up; and pebbles. 

1. Cut off the bottom 4” (10 cm) of each carton. Discard the top portion. 
2. Cut construction paper or contact paper to fit the sides of the cartons. Glue or stick in place. Let dry. 
3. Cut out pictures of animals, cars, scenery, sports, or other things of interest to your father from the old magazines. Glue the pictures onto the front or all sides of each bookend. Fill with pebbles.