By Alison Palmer
Scripture:Doctrine and Covenants 19:23

Song:“Reverence is Love,” Children’s Songbook, 31

Preparation:Gather a few pieces of paper, a marker, and tape. Write a couple of polite phrases such as “I’m sorry,” “excuse me,” or “thank you” on the sheets of paper.

If possible, find a picture of a woodland animal such as a rabbit, deer, or bird.
Prayerfully read “Respect and Reverence,” Margaret S. Lifferth, Ensign, May 2009, 11-13 and consider which thoughts and passages you would like to share with your family.

Lesson:Show the picture of the animal. If applicable, relate it to a time when such an animal has been observed by your family. If you wanted to get close to a rabbit to observe it, how would you act? What would happen if you were playing and running so loudly that you did not see the deer before you’d scared it away? What kind of feelings can observing one of these animals in nature cause?

Do we ever take this type of preparation and quiet respect when we approach other types of people and places? Discuss your family’s ideas on how you prepare to go to church, the temple, to school, or even the store. Why are these types of preparations important? What is expected of us when we arrive in these places?

Read the following statement, “Respect invites reverence, and reverence invites revelation.” Discuss what you think it means and relate these thoughts back to the incident with a deer or rabbit. We are trying to make a quiet connection with Heavenly Father that can grow deeper every day. If we are always loud or boisterous, or aren’t respectful of the people and things around us, the Spirit can flee just as the woodland animal would.

Discuss the following statement from Sister Lifferth’s talk.

“I remember a talk that President Boyd K. Packer gave in conference almost 20 years ago entitled ‘Reverence Invites Revelation.’ That phrase has remained in my heart all these years. It reminds me that we must create in our hearts, our homes, and our meeting places [a reverence] that will invite the Spirit to comfort, guide, teach, and testify. Because when the Spirit testifies to each of us that God is our Father and Jesus Christ is our Savior, it is that revelation that will invite true reverence born of love and profound respect.”

The more reverence we can bring into every aspect of our lives, the closer we can come to a connection with our Heavenly Father. Discuss the kinds of things that can promote or take away the Spirit in your home. Then, tell your family that you will discuss one simple thing everyone can do to bring more reverence into their lives.

Call a family member to the front of the room. Without letting the person see what the paper says, tape one of your signs to his back. Have him face his back to the rest of the family as they take turns trying to get the person with the sign to say the words on it without telling him what they are.

Talk about why remembering to use manners in every situation is a valuable tool for increasing respect and reverence. Discuss specific situations that relate to your family in which paying closer attention to acting with respect will promote greater peace for individuals and your family.

End with a family challenge to try remembering to use the types of “polite words” that were demonstrated in your activity during the coming week in order to increase reverence and respect in your home.

Activity:

Young Children: Play “Mother, May I?”

Older Children: Use the following thought questions from Sister Lifferth’s talk to role play situations and how to respond to them respectfully.

“Am I an example of respect in my home by the way I treat those I love most?”

“What is my demeanor during a sports event?”

“If [someone] has a disagreement with a teacher, coach, or peer, do I listen to both sides of the issue?”

“Do I show respect for the property of others as well as take care of my own?”

“How do I respond to others with whom I disagree in matters of religion, lifestyle, or politics?”

Consider adding any other scenarios that are of particular concern for your family.

Treat:

Heart-shaped or bird’s nest cookies.