Faith #6- The Plan of Salvation and Glow Party

February, Month of Faith

Month: February

Value of the Month: Faith

Color: White

Value Experience #6 

Increase your understanding of the plan of salvation. 

Resources for study include 1 Corinthians 15:22; Revelation 12:7–9; 2 Nephi 9:1–28; 11:4–7;

Doctrine and Covenants 76:50–113; 93:33–34; Moses 4:1–4; and Abraham 3:24–27. 

Draw or obtain a picture that depicts the plan of salvation, including the premortal existence, 

birth, mortal life, death, judgment, and life after judgment. 

Using this picture, explain the plan of salvation to your class, your family, or a friend. 

Discuss how knowledge of the plan affects your actions, helps you understand your identity, 

and has strengthened your faith.

Menu: 

(Glow Food)

Rice Krispies Treats topped with melted white chocolate

Sliced Apples with white fruit dip 

(1 container Marshmallow Creme and an 8 oz. carton of cream cheese)

White Popcorn

Lemonade mixed with Tonic Water (quinine in Tonic Water glows)

We started off by taking pictures.  Then when everyone thought we were going to be having a super spiritual all white lesson, we flipped off the lights and had a glow light.  Our lesson was all done by the light of glow. The girls thought it was so cool and the food was glowing too!

We started the discussion by talking about Faith, more specifically what is to have faith in something or someone. To have faith in someone or something, we need to get to know that someone or something.  See if they're trustworthy . Understand their heart.  So in order to have faith in Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father we need to get to know them. Understand what they want for us and what their plan for us is.  

Understanding the Plan of Salvation will help us, in a sense, understand them, their nature and purpose. 

Then we watched this movie.

Click here for the whole link.

We paired off and each girl received a scripture to read from the value experience #6.  They needed to then figure out who went in what order for how their scripture fit into the Plan of Salvation.

Afterward we gave them each their own Plan of Salvation kit. What they were to do was cut it all out and teach it as a lesson or as Family Home Evening.  They had 3 weeks to accomplish it and record it online, and then they received the jar filled with white items.  Here is the Plan we used.

I found this Plan of Salvation on the Brightly Street Blog.

As a bonus I thought I'd show you I even painted my toenails white!  We always get into the spirit!

Divine Nature #2- Daughter of a King -Personal Progress

“Who Am I, and Who Can I Become?”

Come Follow Me January Lesson

Before We Go On: This is a lesson I taught on the first Sunday as a Presidency Member, 

but it doubled as our introduction for their Value of the Month and Jar.  Normally we do a 

colored Personal Progress Night where we do a lesson like this. But the lesson was a good one to teach on a Sunday. You'll see below where we ended the lesson. Then on the Personal Progress Night, everyone still dressed in blue, but they worked on the worksheet.  I just kept this post as both of those lessons just in case you want to do it all on a Sunday.

Month: January
Value of the Month: Divine Nature
Color: Blue
Value Experience: Divine Nature #2
 "As a young woman you are blessed with divine feminine qualities. Increase your understanding of and appreciation for womanhood. Read Proverbs 31:10–31 and two talks on womanhood from a conference issue of the Church magazines. Review what “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” says about being a wife and a mother. Then ask your mother or another mother you admire what she thinks are important attributes for being a mother. List the attributes in your journal. Then choose one of those attributes and strive to develop it. After two weeks report your success to a parent or leader."

Introduction: “I wanna ask each of you to tell me who you are… 
what's your name, how old are you, what are your interests?  That kind of thing."

Explanation: Those things are their Individual qualities they were born with in this earthly life.  But let’s go back even further than that.  Before we were born, we lived with whom? (Heavenly Father and Mother)

So if we have a Heavenly Father and Mother, then we are heavenly, divine beings ourselves, right?  Thus, just like our earthly father and mother of whom we have received attributes from, we have received attributes from our Heavenly Father and Mother.  Heavenly attributes that were born in heaven before we came to this earth.

What was it like in Heaven?  Here is how one woman wrote a poem about what it was like in heaven before we came.

Give them the poem “I Am A Child of Royal Birth”  and have one girl read out loud.

So, I ask again, who are we?  And who can we become??? The Family Proclamation tells us…

Quote 1- Family Proclamation... (Fill in the blanks on your binder sheet) ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.

In your own words: We all have a divine destiny, given to us before we came to earth.  And we were given special qualities, gifts, talents and promises if we stay on the right path.  This is what we study in Personal Progress with Divine Nature.  We will be learning what our divine birthright is.

READ Psalms 47:7 (God is King)

In your own words: This is your destiny.  We are all daughters of a king.  We are all princesses, destined to be a queen.  We will inherit more treasures than we could ever have here on earth.  But just in case you still don’t believe me, we are going to have a coronation ceremony to dub thee royal eternal princesses.

Make them each a crown (I just used Burger King crowns and used someone else's clipart glued to the front. Despite the picture below they all thought it was awesome.   

Or if you want to make each of them a crown, go here.  http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/young_explorers/create/paper_crown.aspx 

Coronation Ceremony:  As your placing the crown on their head, say “I dub thee, Princess ____(name)_______.”  Then afterward say to all of them… “I give thee this crown so you may see your worth, your divine nature, and your royal lineage.  You are the daughter of a King.  You must act and present yourself like the princess you are.  In your conduct. In your demeanor. In your actions.  You must stand for what God stands for at all times, and in all things, and in all places.  With or without your crown, you will always be princesses and should act as such.   Always wear your invisible crown.”

This was really important that I did each girl by name. It was actually really eye opening for the girls.  

At this point I gave them each a blank piece of paper and glue sticks to glue their handouts on them to see their binders can be used as scrapbooks.  They were made by other people. I'll try to find the links again.  But the one I gave out here was the one about wearing your invisible crown.  The other ones are further down.

Question 1: Do you think it’s important to know your divine heritage and where we came from?  Would that change your life or change your future?

Quote 2- (Have someone read from lesson)… By divine design, we have unique gifts and talents that will help us fulfill our destiny as daughters of God. Knowing who we are gives our lives purpose and helps us make the right decisions.

Scriptures   Let’s review some of our divine qualities and promises?

Genesis 1:26–27 (We are created in the image of God)

Abraham 3:22–23 (Our divine potential is to inherit eternal life)

1 Peter 5:4 (Crown of glory)

James 1:12 (Crown of life)

D&C 59:2 (Crown in the mansions)

Revelations 2:2

Watch video by President Uchtdorf video called “Our True Identity” on the Mormon Channel

 Earthly Princess?  So, “knowing who we are gives our lives purpose and helps us make the right decisions…”  Let me put it this way… if you were an earthly princess, say Princess Kate, or one of the Dutch or Spanish princesses, do you think you would conduct yourself in a special way?  What ways? (This was eye opening for the girls.  They said things like, "Yes, I'd need to talk differently, walk better, dress better.)

I said, "Well you are!  You are real princesses.  So, act the part!"

Read this Story

In a speech President Harold B. Lee gave in 1973 as a BYU Devotional, he said, “One of our Latter-day Saint men during World War II was over in England. He had gone to an officer's club where they were holding a riotous kind of celebration. He noticed off to the side a young British officer who didn't seem to be enjoying himself at all. So he walked over to him and said, "You don't seem to be enjoying this kind of a party." And this young British officer straightened himself a few inches taller than he was before and replied, "No, sir, I can't engage in this kind of a party, because, you see, I belong to the royal household of England."

As our Latter-day Saint boy walked away he said to himself, "Neither can I, because I belong to the royal household of the kingdom of God." Do you realize that, you young people? There are things that you cannot and must not do if you remember your heritage.

I am reminded of the old court jester who was supposed to entertain his king with interesting stories and antics. He looked at the king who was lolling on his throne, a drunken, filthy rascal, doffed his cap and bells, and said with a mock gesture of obeisance, "O king, be loyal to the royal within you." And so I say to you young people today, remember your heritage, and be loyal to that royal lineage that you have as members of the church and kingdom of God on the earth.

Hand out "Be Loyal to the Royal in You" (see above)

Watch Video: “Significant in Every Way,” (2:40)

END-- 

Personal Progress Party Night

At this point we ran out of time so we saved the worksheet and talk for our Personal Progress Night.  Basically to get the jar, they need to read the talk and fill out the worksheet.  The talk is pasted below.  I cut out a few stories to make it easier for them and bolded the portions that there were questions about.  Then at the end they need to interview a mother to find out what divine qualities they have and then choose one of those as a royal princess and work on it for two weeks.  When they report back they get a blue jar.

Worksheet-For New Beginnings last year, we made binders for each of the girls with tabs and worksheets to help them work through some of the experiences.  Some were a little daunted by it so we thought we would sit with them and show them how easy they were.  At this point we gave them the worksheet for Divine Nature #2 with the talk “Your Happily Ever After,” Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Ensign May 2010.

Good Works #3- Service Scavenger Hunt- Random Acts of Kindness

For this mutual night, it was the week after our Operation Christmas Kindness was introduced. We felt like the girls could use a little help since they were so busy with the Christmas season. So we did a Service Scavenger Hunt. We split into two teams and made it like a Mission Impossible.  The girls showed up to mutual and were given a bag with supplies to carry out some of the acts.  They then were given a letter explaining about the night.  

Operation: Christmas Kindness.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, involves spreading Christmas cheer for all to hear. You will receive 5 random acts of service to be completed by your team. Remember, this is a team effort, each team member must participate in at least one service for your mission to count. You will need to work fast, not only will you be racing the clock with only 30 minutes to accomplish all 5 services in Operation: Christmas Kindness, but you will also be racing the other team.  Remember to take a picture of each service as proof.  This bag is filled with each service and supplies in the order you should do them.  When you complete your mission you will need to meet at ________________________ for hot chocolate and brownies. This message will self-destruct in five seconds.

Bonus: Say thank you at least 15 times during the entire night.  Not to each other.

In each back there were envelopes with clues for the next stop.  They were numbered on the front and then had items.  I don't have pictures of the envelopes but they were cute.  The girls totally loved this activity.  Here are the activities they did:  I tried to keep them all in the same area.  And I only received pictures from the first group.

Group 1:

1.    Smile to at least 10 strangers-You will be traveling more than the other group so you have an easy one to start with… throughout the night, you must smile or say thank you to at least 10 strangers. Read Service #2 now.

2.    Hot chocolate and treats to army base security guards-Go to Pond security guards and deliver a treat and hot chocolate and mugs (NEED hot chocolate in a big thermos and sign and treats…maybe brownies or something easy… Also need Styrofoam cups)… “You need to finish this in 5 minutes.” Leave the pot of hot chocolate with the security guards.

3.    Quarters on vending machines-Tape a few bags of quarters onto the vending machines at the food court and Coke machine outside of the shoe shop… ”You need to finish this in 5 minutes”… NEED bags of quarters and signs to attach and Tape

4.    Grocery Store Candy Canes – Drive back up to grocery store and each girl hand out candy canes to those who have served us and say thank you… to the front door people, checkers, baggers and stockers.  As many as you can find.  Each group needs 30.  NEED candy canes and signs…”You need to finish this in 10 minutes…”

5.    Caroling-Run to apartments near the grocery store and carol two Christmas songs and give them a plate of treats… “You need to finish this in 10 minutes…” 

Group 2 (px area):

1.    Quarters on vending machines-Tape a few bags of quarters onto the washers and dryers at the laundromat… “You need to finish this in 5 minutes.”  (NEED bags of quarters and signs to attach and tape)

2.    Convenience Store candy canes – Go to px (Walgreens type store) and each person hand out candy canes to the workers, go to the bookstore, go to the food court, go to the shoppette?  As many as you can find. “You need to finish this in 10 minutes.” NEED candy canes and signs.

BONUS: Diapers & Wipes on changing table- “Before you leave the px area, run to the px bathroom and leave diapers and wipes on the changing table with sign… “You need to finish this in 2 minutes…” (NEED Diapers, wipes and sign)

3.    Candy canes and signs on cars-Run around to the cars in the parking lot and leave notes with mini candy canes on the cars. NEED mini candy canes and signs. “You need to finish this in 5 minutes.”

4.    Caroling-Run to apartments near the px and carol two Christmas songs and give them a plate of treats… “You need to finish this in 10 minutes…”

EXTRA NEEDS:  Need gift bags for each group with their clues and supplies in it.

Hot chocolate afterwards then cut papers and put in jar…NEED supplies for hot chocolate and papers and jar. 

Good Works #3- Operation Christmas Kindness- Random Acts of Service

Month: December

Value of the Month: Good Works

Color: Yellow

Value Experience: #3 

"Read Mosiah 18:7–10, and in your journal list three ways you can comfort others 

or help them bear their burdens. Do the things on your list, and 

tell a family member or leader about the experience and 

how your attitude and understanding have changed."

Menu: 

Lemon Pudding Packs (we're going easy this month)

Spray Whipped Cream

Yellow Fruit to Decorate (bananas, pears, apples, bell peppers, squash, lemons)

Lesson:

We started the night off with the normal picture taking and mingling.  Then as we sat down, I had the girls pull out their scriptures and read Mosiah 18:7-10"

 7 And it came to pass after many days there were a goodly number gathered together at the place of Mormon, to hear the words of Alma. Yea, all were gathered together that believed on his word, to hear him. And he did teach them, and did preach unto them repentance, and redemption, and faith on the Lord.

 8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

 9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

 10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

We went on to discuss these scriptures in detail.  What does it mean to mourn with those that mourn?  To comfort those who stand in need of comfort?  Who are some of these people?  (They answered: "our friends, our parents, our siblings...")  

Why is it important to uplift others?  Who are people we can help and uplift?  (they gave lots of really good answers.  Family, friends, community.)  What are some things we can do in our community to help (lots of good answers of service).  I then told them how much of a difference they can make in people's lives. 

Object Lesson:  I took some lotion and put some in my hand. Then I asked one of the girls to come up. I put some lotion in her hand but some was still left on mine. I said to the girls, "Just like I gave her some lotion, there was still some left on me.  When you give of yourself, you're not only giving to others, you are being uplifted too."

I then showed this video about some youth who started a club.  It was really amazing for our girls to see.

I then introduced to them the concept of "Random Acts of Kindness." (From Wikipedia: "A random act of kindness is a selfless act performed by a person or people wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual person or people.")  We talked about what some random acts of kindness might be.  It could be anything from giving hot chocolate to someone who works in the cold, or leaving diapers on a changing station, or leaving a big thank you note for the trash collectors, leave cookies in your mailbox for the mailman, pay for the car's order behind you in a drive through, hand out food to homeless people, leave change on a washing machine at a laundromat, rake someone's leaves, write a note on someone's driveway.)

Then I said, "This is your mission, should you choose to accept it..." And then I handed out all the envelopes you see in the picture above.  Each envelope had the little label with the "operation" I coined. It's called Operation Christmas Kindness.  Each envelope then had their name on it. They were all excited to open the envelope.  Inside were the two papers you see below. It was a list I put together of all the different things they could do for their "three acts".  

They were to choose 3 of these acts or write in their own and then cut off the strip and put them in the empty jar.  But one catch! They had to take pictures of themselves or the actual act of kindness.  Then after they did their three things, they would get their yellow jar.  At the bottom of the list were even notes they could cut out and leave for people explaining what we were doing.  They seemed super excited about it.

I also told them I wanted to "step it up" a bit. I told them if they each did 5 things we would have a pool party at the bishop's house. They were cheering and so excited.  

 The bishop then asked if he could say a few words.  Do you see he's wearing a yellow tie? He has been doing this every Personal Progress Night.  It's pretty awesome.

Afterward I gave them each an easy thing to start with.  They each got 5 candy canes and 5 slips of paper. They took a few minutes to attach the slips onto the candy cane and then they were to hand them out to random people and say thank you or smile.  And of course they had to document by taking a picture of themselves doing it.

Then we had pudding!  They had a great time with the whipped cream and it was just a really fun night!

Integrity- Attitude of Gratitude - Purple Personal Progress Party

Month: November

Value of the Month: Integrity

Color: Purple

Value Experience: Personalized #8 "Learn about the value of being grateful and 

keep a Gratitude Journal for two weeks.  

Write 5 things each day of what you are grateful for.  

Do not repeat any item on your list from day to day. 

You must think of something new."

Menu: 

Sugar Cookies w/ Purple Icing & White Sprinkles

Purple Hawaiian Punch

Purple Grapes

Everyone dressed up again!  We've decided to make this a tradition.  

Every month they dress in the color of the value experience! They love it.  

Here are the pictures of our girls, just to get it out of the way. :) 

Prior to the Mutual:  Ask the girls to bring their Young Women Journal. If they don't have one, you can build in making a journal (see below). Also, ask one of the girls to read the story of the Ten Lepers in Luke 17 and be ready to retell it to the girls.

Object Lesson: (From Mormon Share)... When the girls first arrived they were given a pebble to put in their shoe and a candy cane to eat while they mingled with the friends and during opening exercises.  

The girls mingled, we had Opening Exercises with the Young Men (Opening Song: Count Your Many Blessings), we took fun pictures... all while the girls were hobbling around with a pebble in their shoe and eating their candy cane.  The girls then all took their seats.

Gratitude Definition: I asked the girls what they thought the definition of Gratitude was...

Definition (from Webster's Dictionary): "the state of being grateful.... feeling or showing thanks to someone for some helpful act... appreciative of benefits received."

Ask these questions:

"Why is it important to be grateful?"

"Who does it benefit" (both people, you and the person/thing you are grateful to)

Object Lesson Define:  I asked them what were their thoughts about our object lesson at the beginning.  All their responses were how bad the rocks in their foot hurt and "can we pleeeease take them out?"  And not one of the girls said how good their candy cane was and how thankful they were.  I then pointed out that sometimes we cannot recognize our sweet blessing because we are dwelling on the "pebble in our shoe."

Sometimes we are like the pessimists of the world, only seeing the glass as half empty, rather than half full (You could actually do this as an object lesson if you want).  I explained how when we are grateful we receive more things to be grateful for.  

I asked them, "How do you feel when you have put a lot of work into a gift and when you give it to the person, they only nonchalantly thank you or don't even thank you at all?"  (They all answered, "That stinks!" Or "I'd be hurt.")  "Do you think you'd put as much effort into their gift the next time?" (No.) 

On the flip side: "How do you feel when someone makes a big deal about a gift you've given them?" "Do you want to keep doing things for them?"  (Yes!)  Well, that is how your parents, your friends, your teachers, random people on the street, and even God feel when you aren't thankful for all they've given you. If you aren't grateful for things, they don't want to keep giving to you.  If you are grateful, you will begin receiving more positivity and more from others and God.

The Glass is Half Full

Luke 17:  I had the girl tell about the story of the Ten Lepers in Luke 17.  Jesus had healed them all but only one came back to thank Him.  Jesus then said "There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.  And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole).  

I explained to the girls that yes, even if you don't say thank you, life will go on.  You will still have positive things happen to you, but when you have faith in God and thank Him for things, you will be made whole.  If they are struggling at school, or struggling with depression or sadness, or confusion for their life, or any other problem.  If they can just be grateful for what they do have, and not focus on the bad too much, God and Christ will make them whole. They will help them find answers.  

Read this quote: "Like the leprosy of yesteryear are the plagues of today. They linger; they debilitate; they destroy. They are to be found everywhere. Their pervasiveness knows no boundaries. We know them as selfishness, greed, indulgence, cruelty, and crime, to identify but a few. Surfeited with their poison, we tend to criticize, to complain, to blame, and, slowly but surely, to abandon the positives and adopt the negatives of life." [An Attitude of Gratitude, Thomas S. Monson, Ensign April 1992]

Another quote from the same talk: "We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues."

Another object lesson: (We didn't have time for this but it's a great one if you want to do it.

Web of Gratitude
KRISTIN W. BELCHER
Ensign June 2006
________________________________________
We feel it is important for our family to visualize the many things we are grateful for. A simple activity that helps us to remember our blessings is called “the gratitude web.” One person holds a ball of yarn or string and identifies one thing for which he is thankful. Holding onto part of the yarn, he then tosses the yarn ball to someone else in the circle. That person then repeats the process, also holding onto a portion of the yarn. The activity continues until everyone has had at least one turn. Depending on the size of your family, you may want to play several times until a web is formed, connecting the group.  Sometimes life’s challenges can hinder our ability to focus on our blessings. Activities and lessons that help us realize how much Heavenly Father loves us can bless us individually and as families.

Gratitude Journal

This concept of a Gratitude Journal is one that I first heard of from Sarah Ban Breathnach but I have seen many times since.  I read to them from her book Simple Abundance, A Dailybook fo Comfort and Joy.

"While many tools I give you will help you become happier and more content and will nurture your creativity, this first tool could change the quality of your life beyond belief: it's what I call a daily gratitude journal.  I have a beautiful blank book and each night before I go to bed, I write down five things that I can be grateful about that day.  Some days  my list will be filled with amazing things, most days just simple joys."

I then told them, this is your value experience mission… Your task is to keep a Gratitude Journal for 2 weeks.  Each night write 5 things you are grateful for.  Easy, right? The catch? You cannot repeat anything you've written down.  Why do you think this is? (Let them answer). Then say something like “because once you get the typical, but still great, things you are thankful for (family, friends, church, school, house), you’ll have to start getting really creative and seeing the little things you are grateful for, things you might normally overlook.  What are some things you think you are grateful for but you might overlook each day? (Some of our answers were: mom making dinner, the flowers, the bus driver, toilet paper). After the 2 weeks, write online or in your journal how you felt about this activity, whether it changed you and then bring your Gratitude Journal to show one of your leaders.  Then you will get your jar.

Having an attitude of gratitude is a complete attitude shift.  Sometimes it’s really hard when things are going wrong. But choosing to have a happy attitude about things is something that will change your life 

We had asked each girl to bring their camp journal because they already had one, but if you needed your Young Women to make a journal, this is what I did.  It’s the typical Composition Notebook covered with paper then print the words “Gratitude Journal”, cut it out then paste it on the front.  On the inside I pasted cutouts of gratitude quotes you’ll see below. I've made these for my Visiting Teachers but I forgot to take a picture.

At that time, we had them write their first entry.  They each took a few moments to write 5 things they were thankful for.  

End with this Quote and Bear Your Testimony:

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.

Melody Beattie

Mormonad

The struggle ends when gratitude begins.

Be So Full

Keep Calm & Have an Attitude of Gratitude

Gratitude is what turns what we have into enough.

The More you are Thankful, the More You Attract Things to Be Thankful For

Attitude of Gratitude

Never Let the Things You Want Make You Forget the Things You Have.

Start Each Day with a Grateful Heart

Gratitude is heaven itself.