President Monson- Lesson 7- Service Project

Thomas S. Monson- Lesson 7- Service Project
by: Deborah Pace Rowley

For this family home evening lesson, perform a service in honor of President Monson. Choose a project as family from the list below or come up with your own idea following the example of the prophet.

*Visit a widow in your neighborhood.
*Invite a widow or widower over to dinner and a family talent show.
*Go to a local nursing home to sing, play musical instruments or read and visit with the residents.
*Send cards and pictures in a care package to elderly grandparents or great grandparents that live far away.
*Deliver an anonymous plate of goodies to anyone who might be feelings lonely in your ward or neighborhood.
*Invite a single mother and her children over for a special family game night.
*Call an elderly friend or relative on the phone to express your love and appreciation.
*Interview an elderly relative about their childhood and memories. Record the interview with a video camera.

Thomas S. Monson- Lesson 6- Prophet of God

Thomas S. Monson- Lesson 6- Prophet of God

By: Deborah Pace Rowley

Story: 

Being by sharing this story that President Monson told in the April 2008 General Conference Priesthood Session. 

“As I have pondered how we might best provide such examples, I have thought of an experience I had some years ago while attending a stake conference. during the general session, I observed a young boy sitting with his family on the front row of the stake center. I was seated on the stand. As the meeting progressed, I began to notice that if I crossed one leg over the other, the young boy would do the same thing. If I revered the motion and crossed the other leg, he would follow suit. I would put my hands in my lap, and he would do the same, . I rested my chin in my hand, and he also did so. Whatever I did, he would imitate my actions. This continued until the time approached for me to address the congregation. I decided to put him to the test. I looked squarely at him, certain I had his attention, and then I wigged my ears. He made a vain attempt to do the same, but I had him. He just couldn’t quite get his ears to wiggle. He turned to his father, who was sitting next t o him, and whispered something to him. He pointed to his ears and then to me. As his father looked in my direction, obviously to see my ears wiggle, I sat solemnly with my arms folded, not moving a muscle. The father glanced back skeptically at his son, who looked slightly defeated. He finally gave me a sheepish grin and shrugged his shoulders. (President Thomas S. Monson, Examples of Righteousness, Ensign May 2008, pg. 66) 

Activity: Mirror Game

Have the family play the mirror game to illustrate this principle of example. Have each family member choose a partner. The partners sit facing each other. One person is the leader. They do an action such as pretending to brush their hair or touch their nose or scratch their ear. At the same time that they do an action, they say a different action. For example, as I pretended to brush my hair, I could say, “Scratch your nose.” The mirror or the person sitting across from he has to do what I say and not what I am dong. change actions as quickly as possible to try to trip up your mirror. When the mirror copies the actions instead of the spoken words, he or she is out and gets a turn at being the leader. Play a few rounds and then ask the family what they learned. This game illustrates the principle that it is easier to follow someone’s actions than to follow someone’s words. This is true in life also. We are more likely to follow someone’s example in their actions more than just their words. The phrase, “Do what I say and not what  do,” is never effective. 

Follow the Prophet: 

The last few lessons we have been learning about President Monson and his life. What things has he taught us to do by his example? Create list as a family of things that President Monson does in his own life that we should try to follow. Hang this list in a prominent place so that family members can look at it frequently. 

Testimony: 

Have each family member share their feelings about the prophet and the blessings that have come to them as they have followed his example and teachings. 

Treat: Stained Glass Windows

Buy prepared sugar cookie dough or make a batch of homemade dough. Roll the dough into ropes 1/4 inch wide. Then shape the ropes into open circle or square-shaped windows, gently sealing the edges where they meet. Lay these shaped pieces of dough on a greased cookie sheet. Parchment paper also works very well. Place finely crushed Life Saver candy pieces in the middle of each window. Bake at 375 for 6 to 8 minutes. The candy pieces will melt and spread out into a thin layer inside the cookie. Allow them to cool before removing from the cookie sheet. This has created a stained glass window. Explain to the family that the best examples in our lives are those that are windows to Jesus Christ. They are humble and keep the focus off themselves so that we can see the love of Jesus Christ through them. 

President Monson- Lesson 5- Family Man

Thomas S. Monson- Lesson 5- Family Man

by: Deborah Pace Rowley

Activity: Draw a Happy Home

Write each statement listed below on a 3/5 card before the lesson. 

for this activity one member of the family will choose a card. They will then have 1 minute to draw pictures to get the rest of the family to guess the word on the card. Before the game begins, give the family this clue: All these words have to do with a talk that President Monson gave called, “Hallmarks of a Happy Home.” 

Books   Library Love

Learning Treasure Pattern

Testimony Prayer Faith

Jesus Christ Scriptures Holding Hands

Family Home Heaven

Story: Hallmarks of a Happy Home

after the game, share with the family President Monson’s four keys to a happy home.
1. A library of learning

1. A pattern of prayer
2. A legacy of love
3. A treasure of testimony

Write these on four pieces of paper and put them on the floor or table in front of the family. President Monson is a great example of all of these characteristics in his own home.He is married to Frances Johnson Monson and together they have created a home filled with all these characteristics. Ask different family members to share the stories listed below and then decide which of the four categories the story illustrates. 

Example 1: 

President Monson’s father was a printer and worked hard and long every day of his life. He set a great example of his son. President Monson tells this story: On a Sunday afternoon Dad would say to me, “Come along Tommy; let’s take Uncle Elias for a short drive. Boarding the old 1928 Oldsmobile, we would proceed to Eight West, where, at the home of Uncle Elias, I would wait in the car while Dad went inside. Soon he would emerge from the house, carrying in his arms like a china doll his crippled uncle. I then would open the door and watch how tenderly and with such affection my father would place Uncle Elias in the front seat so he would have a fine view while I occupied the rear seat. My Father never read to me from the Bible about the good Samaritan. Rather, he took me with him and Uncle Elias in that old 1928 Oldsmobile along the road to Jericho. (President Thomas S. Monson, “Hallmarks of a Happy Home”, Liahona October 2001, pg 3) 

Example 2: 

Several years ago we took our grandchildren on an escorted tour of the Church Printing facilities. There, all of us saw the missionary edition of the Book of Mormon coming off the delivery line- printed, bound, and trimmed, ready for reading. I told my grandchildren “The operator says that you can remove one copy of the Book f Mormon to be your very own. You select the copy, and it will then be yours. Each removed one finished copy and expressed his or her love for the Book of Mormon. I really don’t remember other events of that day, but I shall never forget the honest expression of love for the Book of Mormon--expressions which came from the hearts of those children.

(President Thomas S. Monson, “Hallmarks of a Happy Home,” Liahona, October 2001 pg 3) 

Example 3: 

My wife, Frances, and I have been married 53 years. Our marriage took place in the Salt Lake Temple. He who performed the ceremony, Benjamin Bowring, counseled us: May I offer you newlyweds a formula which will ensure that any disagreement you may have will last no longer than one day? Every night kneel by the side of your bed. One night, Brother Monson, you offer the prayer aloud on bended knee. The next night you, Sister Monson, offer the prayer, aloud, on bended knee. I can then assure you that any misunderstanding that develops during the day will vanish as you pray. You simply can’t pray together and retain any but the best of feelings toward one another. 

(President Thomas S. Monson, “Hallmarks of a Happy Home, “Liahona, October 2001 pg 3) 

Example 4: 

When I was a boy, I enjoyed reading Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson. I also saw adventure movies where several individuals had separate pieces of a well-worn map which led the way to buried treasure if only the pieces could be found and put together. I recall listening to a 15-minute radio program each weekday afternoon- Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy. As it began, a voice filled with mystery would emanate from the radio: “We now join Jack and Betty as they approach the fabulous secret entry to the elephant’s burial ground, where a treasure is concealed. But wait, danger lurks on the path ahead.” Nothing could tear me away from this program. It was as though I were leading the search for hidden treasure of precious ivory. At another time and in a different setting, the Savior of the world spoke of treasure. In his Sermons on the Mount, He declared. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor ruth doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal. for where your treasure its, there will your heart be also.” (President Thomas S. Monson, Treasure of Eternal Value, Ensign ,April 2008 pg. 4)

Quiz: How is our family doing? 

Give each family member a piece of paper and a pencil. Have them fold the paper into four sections. In the top left hand section have the family members draw a small book. This represents “a library of learning.” In the top right-hand section have family members draw a mouth. This represents “a pattern of prayer.” In the bottom left-hand section have the family members draw heart. This represents “a legacy of love.” In the bottom right-hand section have the family draw a treasure box. This represents a “treasure of testimony.” Now have the family take their paper and write a number in each box that represents how the family is doing in that area.  1 would be poor/needs improvement and 5 would be excellent/a real strength in our family. 2 through 4 would be somewhere in the middle. After each person has rated each area, discuss your answers and write down a few ideas of how you could do better in each area. 

Testimony: 

Share testimony of one of the principles that makes a happy home or how you have learned the gospel in your home and the blessings of eternal families. 

Treat: Graham Cracker Houses

For refreshments, make some little graham cracker houses together. They work best when you attach the graham crackers with frosting to a small milk carton. Then you can add pieces of candy to decorate the house. Eat some graham crackers with frosting and save the finished masterpieces on the kitchen counter for a week. As you look at the houses they will remind you of the things you are working on as a family. 

President Monson- Lesson 4- Apostle

Thomas S. Monson- Lesson 4- Apostle

by: Deborah Pace Rowley

Story: An Impression Unheeded

Twenty-three-year old Tom Monson, relatively new bishop of the Sixth-Seventh Ward in the Temple View Stake, Salt Lake City, was unusually restless as the Stake Priesthood Leadership meeting progressed. He had the distinct impression that he should leave the meeting immediately and drive to the Veteran’s Hospital high up on the avenues of the city. Before leaving home that night he had received a telephone call informing him that an older member of his ward was ill and had been admitted to the hospital for care. Could the Bishop, the caller wondered, find a moment to go by the hospital sometime and give a blessing? The busy young leader explained that he was just on his way to a stake meeting but that he certainly would be pleased to go by the hospital as soon as the meeting was concluded. 

Now the prompting was stronger than ever, “Leave the meeting and proceed to the hospital at once.” But the Stake President himself was speaking at the pulpit! It would be most discourteous to stand in the middle of the presiding officer’s message make one’s way over an entire row of brethren, and then exit the building altogether. Painfully he waited out the final moments of the Stake President’s message, then ran for the door even before the closing prayer had been said. 

Running the full length of the corridor on the fourth floor of the hospital, the young bishop saw some extra activity outside the designated room. A nurse stopped him and said, “Are you Bishop Monson?” 

“Yes,” was the anxious reply. 

‘I’m sorry,” she said. “The patient was calling your name just before he died.” 

Fighting back the tears, Thomas S. Monson turned and walked back into the night. He vowed then and there that he would never again fail to act upon the prompting from the Lord. He would acknowledge the impressions of the Spirit when they came, and he would follow wherever they led him, ever to be “on the Lord’s errand.” (Jeffry R. Holland, “President Thomas S. Monson: Always on the Lord’s Errand.” Liahona, October 1986, pg. 14)

Activity: Blindfold Road

This activity will illustrate how the Holy Ghost can guide and direct us in our life. Blindfold one member of the family. Then have another member of the family draw a winding road on a piece of paper. The road should be made of two lines with a path in the middle rather than a single line down the paper. Hand the blindfolded person a  pencil and put their hand on the piece of paper. Tell them that their job is to draw a line down the road. Do not give them any direction or tell them when their pencil is on the road or when it has moved off the road. Remove the blindfold and have them see how they did in staying on the road. 

Now blindfold this person again. Have another family member draw a second road. This time place the person’s pencil at the start of the road and give them instructions as they move down the road. If the pencil starts to veer off the road, say “Errt!” This is the signal to stop suddenly and wait for further instructions. The road designer can then say, “Move to the right a little bit” or “Turn left”etc. After they have successfully moved to the end of the road, remove the blindfold and compare the two attempts. How much easier was it to stay on the road when you had someone to guide you? Let everyone have a turn being blindfolded and designing a road then discuss what you have learned. 

This is just like the Holy Ghost in our lives. The Holy Ghost can let us know when we are on track or when we are starting to veer off the straight and narrow path. He can let us know when to turn and where to go. President Monson is a great example of following the Holy Ghost.

Scripture: Following Nephi’s Example

Have the family open their scriptures to 1 Nephi. Ask if there is one scripture in the first few chapters of Nephi’s writing that describes President Monson. The family may suggest that President Monson was born of goodly parents which is true, or that President Monson warns us like Lehi warned the people of Jerusalem. All these things are true, but President Holland says that President Monson is like Nephi and 1 Nephi 3:7 has been a guiding force in his life. Read this statement by Elder Holland followed by the scriptures in 1 Nephi: 

“You cannot understand President Thomas S. Monson without understanding the repetition of such promptings in his life and the absolute loyalty with which he has kept that early promise to obey them. Indeed, his life seems something of a sacred manuscript upon which the Holy Ghost has written --and is still writing-- one remarkable spiritual message after another. In this and so many other ways he is much like Nephi of old. President Monson is most like young Nephi in his humility and in his faith. In all that he has so successfully accomplished, he has been firm in his commitment to “go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded”, regardless of the obstacles in the way. Furthermore, he has done it as Nephi himself did it-- “led by the Spirit not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. “(I Nephi 4:6) Little wonder that such as these are enlisted to “bring forth my Zion- for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost.”(1 Nephi 13:37) In light of that promise, surely no Stake Patriarch has been more prophetic than was Brother Frank B. Woodbury that day in March 1944 when he placed his hands on 16-year-old Tom Monson’s head and said: 

The Holy Ghost has been conferred upon you to be your inspiration and your guide, to direct you in your labors, and to bring to your mind the things that have passed and to show unto you the things to come. You shall be indeed a leader among your fellows. You shall have the privilege of going into the world to proclaim the message of the gospel and you shall have the spirit of discernment. Seek the Lord in humility to guide and direct you, that you might know the proper course to pursue-- in the high and holy callings unto which you shall be called. (Jeffry R. Holland, “President Thomas S. Monson: Always on the Lords’ Errand, Liahona, October 1986, page 14) 

Testimony: Have family members share their testimonies of the Holy Ghost and how it has guided them in their own lives. You may wish to share specific times when you had a prompting of the spirit and what happened when you heeded that prompting. 

Treat: Fried Ice Cream

The Holy Ghost often prompts us with thought in our minds and warm feelings in our heart. These warm feelings make everything in life better. We are happy. We can do more. We can endure hard things better and overcome every obstacle. Tell the family that warmth even makes ice cream better. They may be surprised but you can make  ice cream more delicious by adding a little bit of heat. Demonstrate this by making fried ice cream together. See the recipe here: 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/fried-ice-cream-recipe/index.html

President Monson- Lesson 3

Thomas S. Monson- Lesson 3 Mission President
by: Deborah Pace Rowley

Object Lesson: The Rocky Road of Life
At the beginning of the lesson, lay a road down the middle of the family room. This can be made with long pieces of fabric, sheets, tablecloths, a roll of butcher paper, or even pieces of newspaper spread out end to end. Give each family member a piece of paper and have them design their own car to travel down this road When each person has drawn and colored their personalized car, cut them out and lay them at the beginning of the road. Then read this story told by President Monson. Ask the family to listen for what the road represents.

Story: Canadian Roads
In 1955, not long after I began my service as president of the Canadian Mission, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, I met N. Eldon Tanner, a prominent Canadian who just months later would be called as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, then to the Quorum of the Twelve, and then as a counselor to four Presidents of the Church.
At the time I met him, President Tanner was president of the vast Trans-Canada Pipeline, LTC, and president of the Canada Calgary Stake. He was known as "Mr. Integrity" in Canada. During that first meeting, we discussed, among other subjects, the cold Canadian winters, where storms rage, temperatures can linger well below freezing for weeks at a time, and where icy winds lower those temperatures even further. I asked President Tanner why the roads and highways in western Canada basically remained intact during such winters, showing little or no signs off cracking or breaking, while the road surfaces in many areas where winters are less cold and less severe developed cracks and breaks and potholes.
Said he, "The answer is in the depth of the base of the paving materials. In order for them to remain strong and unbroken, it is necessary to go very deep with the foundation layers. When the foundations are not deep enough, the surfaces cannot withstand the extremes of weather."
Over the years I have thought often of this conversation and of President Tanner's explanation, for I recognize in his words a profound application for our lives. Stated simply, if we do not have a deep foundation of faith and a solid testimony of truth, we may have difficulty withstanding the harsh storms and icy winds of adversity which inevitably come to each of us. Mortality is a period of testing, a time to prove ourselves worthy to return to the presence of our Heaveny Father. In order for us to be tested, we must face challenges and difficulties. These can break us, and the surfaces of our souls may crack and rumble---that is, if our foundations, our testimonies of truth are not deeply embedded within us. (President Thomas S. Monson "How firm a Foundation", Ensign Nov 2006 pg. 62)

Activity: Bring on the Obstacles
Have the family share what the road represents. The road is life. According to President Monson, what else does our road of life need? The purpose of life is to test us, so our road needs obstacles and challenges. Send the family on a hunt for different obstacles to put on the road. Obstacles can be a stack of books on the road or a kitchen bowl to climb over or a stuffed animal to go around. Let the family be creative in creating their obstacles. Then have the family label some of the obstacles that they are facing in their own lives right now or the obstacles the family is facing. Write these challenges on small pieces of paper and tape these labels to the obstacles in the road.

President Monson told us what we need to make it past these obstacles. What do we need? We need a strong foundation of faith and testimony. Listen to the three things that President Monson says will help us build a strong foundation. Ask three different family members to read these quotes. As you finish each quote label one or two cars with the key ideas and have those family members drive their cars down the road and over the obstacles.
1. First fortify your foundation through prayer. As we pray, let us really communicate with our Father in Heaven. It is easy to let our prayers become repetitious, expressing words with little or no thought behind them. When we remember that each of us is literally a spirit son or daughter of God, we will not find it difficult to approach Him in prayer. He knows us. He loves us. He wants what is best for us. Let us pray with sincerity and meaning, offering our thanks and asking for those thing we feel we need. Let us listen for his answers, that we may recognize them when they come. Let us not neglect our family prayers. Such is an effective deterrent to sin, and thence a most beneficent provider of joy and happiness. That old saying is yet true: The family that prays together stays together." By providing an example of prayer to our children, we will also be helping them to begin their own deep foundations of faith and testimony which they will need throughout their lives."
2. My second guideline: Let us study the scriptures and meditate therein day and night as counseled by the Lord in the book of Joshua.
3. My third guideline for building a strong foundation of faith and testimony involves service. While driving to the office one morning, I passed a dry-cleaning establishment which had a sign in the window. It read, "It's the Service that counts." The sign's message simply would not leave my mind. Suddenly I realized why. In actual fact it is the service that counts-- the Lord's service.... Along your pathway in life you will observe that you are not the only traveler. There are others who need your help. There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save."
(President Thomas S. Monson, 'How Firm a Foundation," Ensign Nov 2006, pag 62)

Testimony: Share these statements with the family and then have each family member choose a statement that they want to bear testimony about.
Prayer helps us overcome the obstacles in life.
The scriptures help us in traveling the road of life.
Service to others really strengthens us.

Treat: Rocky Road Bars
For the treat, you will be building a road with many layers. As each layer is put on, remind the family about each layer that we need in our spiritual foundation.
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
1 to 1/12 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 to 1 1/2 cups peanut butter chips
1 cup chopped nuts
Melt the butter and pour in to a clear 13x9 baking dish.
Sprinkle vanilla wafer crumbs over the butter. Pour condensed milk evenly over the crumbs. Layer the remaining ingredients evenly over the top. Press down gently. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Let cool, then cut into bars.