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Aug 2008 Issue
by Alison Palmer
Scripture: D&C 68:27
Song: “When Jesus Christ Was Baptized,” Children’s Songbook, 102
Preparation: Gather embroidery floss, thin string or yarn (multiple colors can be fun if available). Prepare the string by cutting it into 9 long pieces and divide them into 3 sets of 3.
Lesson:
Read the focus scripture together and ask the family why it is important to be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. Begin a discussion about the importance of the covenants associated with baptism and its related ordinances. Clarify the meaning of “covenant” as needed.
Read Mosiah 18:8-10 together. Call attention to the three most important covenants made at baptism.
These are: become a member of the church (come unto the fold and be called His people), serve God, and keep His commandments. Each of these things will be represented by one strand of yarn or string.
The other items listed are important parts of the covenant, but for the most part they can fall under one of these three types of promises. For instance: bearing another’s burden is serving God by serving those around us, standing as a witness is an example of keeping the commandments no matter where we are, etc.
Take the three strands and braid them together as you discuss how these covenants work together and ways they can be implemented in our lives. Moroni 6:4-9 can add to your discussion as needed.
Explain how you took something thin and fairly fragile to create something bigger and stronger than each piece could have been on its own. This is the way covenants work. When we make and honor them through our faith, they can strengthen our lives through the blessings Heavenly Father gives us in return. Return to Mosiah 18:10 and remind the family what blessings are promised by Heavenly Father at baptism.
Explain that one benefit of the baptismal covenant is a gift that can be thought of as another covenant. When we receive the Holy Ghost, Heavenly Father is introducing us to someone who can be a very good friend. After we have been “introduced,” each person decides what kind of friendship we will have with the Spirit. We make a promise to nurture a good relationship with Him and He promises to stay with us if we do.
Discuss the types of blessings that can come from keeping close to the Spirit.
Show the next three pieces of string and use 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (respecting our bodies and morality), 3 Nephi 11:29 (avoiding contention) 3 Nephi 18:17 (remember Christ) to show ways we honor that covenant. Braid the pieces together while discussing other ways we can keep close to the Spirit.
Return to 3 Nephi 18:17 and identify the method of remembering Christ that is called out. Taking the sacrament is also a covenant. Each time we take the sacrament, it is a reminder and renewal of the covenants we made at baptism. It’s also a time to help us correct any mistakes we may have made through repentance.
Use D&C 20:77 to identify your last three strands of promises made and renewed during the sacrament:
take Christ’s name, remember Him, and keep the commandments.
We promise that we will continue to obey the Lord’s commandments. If we keep our promise, the Lord has promised us that our sins can be forgiven and we can continue to have the Holy Ghost with us.
Now braid the individual covenant braids you created together and explain that honoring these covenants and gifts keep us safe and strong in the gospel now, but they also prepare us to keep the greater covenants of the temple when we’re older. The more we make promises with our Heavenly Father and try to do what is right, the stronger our faith and testimony becomes.
End with your own testimony, encouraging your family to work at keeping their covenants every day.
Activity:
Younger children— Play with string mazes- take turns using a ball of string to mark an obstacle course path through home or yard that other family members must follow the trail of the string (rewinding the ball as they go, as able). Reinforce the importance of following the covenants and paths that the Lord has laid out for us in order to make it back home to Him.
Older children— Any type of string or yarn craft your family is familiar with. Or, challenge each other to braiding races or creating the longest single braid possible.
Refreshments:
Braided breadsticks and pizza sauce
