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Jun 2010 Issue
By Alison Palmer
Scripture:Doctrine and Covenants 76:5
Song:“Nephi’s Courage” Children’s Songbook, 120
Preparation:
Gather a stack of paper and pencils for all family members. Research paper airplane models in a book or on the internet at sites such as: http://www.paperairplanes.co.uk/planes.php. Practice making one type that matches your children’s skill level in order to show your family how it is made.
Prayerfully read “When the Lord Commands,” Elder Bruce A. Carlson, Ensign, May 2010, 38-40.
Lesson:
Begin with an object lesson on following directions. Give each family member a piece of paper and tell them they need to listen very carefully and watch you in order to learn how to make something special. Explain how to make your chosen paper airplane and let the family follow along with you. After the planes are completed and tested, discuss what the outcome would have been if someone had not paid attention to the directions.
Share Elder Carlson’s opening story about the fishermen and the plane. Explain that some rules and directions need to be followed exactly if we want to get a positive outcome. Ask the family to brainstorm a list of times when they think it would be important to follow advice, instructions, rules, etc. they have been given precisely. How does this exactness affect the outcome they are hoping for?
Introduce the quote by Harold B. Lee: “The safety of the Church lies in the members keeping the commandments. . . . As they keep the commandments, blessings will come.” Discuss what kinds of things might keep us from following the commandments in general terms.
Talk about the three excuses Elder Carlson identifies.
This Commandment Doesn’t Apply to Me
This Commandment Is Not Important
This Commandment is Just Too Hard
As each topic is brought up, share the corresponding story from Elder Carlson’s talk in terms appropriate for your family. Then, discuss situations that might occur in the world today that would be comparable to those faced by the individuals from the scriptures. What other scriptural and modern comparisons can they think of that follow this theme?
After all three areas have been discussed have each family member write down one commandment. It can be anything we’ve been asked to do, whatever comes to their mind. Next, have each person introduce the commandment they thought of. As a family, discuss which of Elder Carlson’s three excuses someone might be most likely to use in order to justify their action or inaction on the subject. Next, discuss what kind of answers or council could be given to such a person. Discuss the true benefits and blessings of following the Lord’s command in each situation.
End by challenging each person to be more mindful of times in their own lives when they might be tempted to use an excuse instead of action regarding the Lord’s commandments. If these can be replaced with a willingness to follow, even if we don’t understand where the Lord is taking us, we can find greater peace in our lives.
Activity:
Hold paper airplane contests. Experiment with different styles and papers to see which fly the best. For older children: can you determine which laws of flight and physics account for your observations?
Treat:
Work together and follow the directions to make a new recipe as a family.
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