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.