November: How can I find answers to my own gospel questions?

All Printouts and Videos found HERE

1. Introduction

• Alexa/Siri/Cortana/Google Activity
• Ask the class what questions they could search on the internet and find instant answers to. Give them the opportunity to ask those questions using an voice activated device such as Alexa, Siri, Cortana, or Google.
• Elder W. Mark Bassett of the Seventy said, "In this modern age, we have come to expect that knowledge can and should be obtained immediately." But can all knowledge be obtained this way?
• What are some questions people might ask about life or the gospel?
• Ex: Is there life after death? Does God answer prayers? Is the Book of Mormon true? What college should I go to?
• Can we ask the internet for these answers?
• Yes, they can probably provide insight and opinions. But most require us to seek knowledge through study and prayer.
• So... How can we find answers to our gospel questions?

2. Learn Together:

• Elder Bassett continued his talk by using Nephi's example to show us how we can find answers.
• Read 1 Nephi 2:16: 19-20
• Traits that Nephi exemplified
• (1) sincere desire, (2) humility, (3) prayer, (4) trust in the prophet, (5) faith, (6) diligence, (7) obedience

3. Teach Others/Liken the Scriptures

• Pass out the Examples in the Scriptures worksheet
• Have the class read the scriptures listed on their worksheet for Joseph Smith, Alma, Laman and Lemuel, or Brother of Jared. 
• Give them time to answer the questions and be prepared to share their findings with the class.
• How did Joseph Smith, Alma, and the Brother of Jared's experiences differ from Laman and Lemuel's?

4. Making it Personal

• Is there a difference between questioning and asking questions?
• This link has great info: https://www.lds.org/youth/article/when-you-have-questions?lang=eng
• Share Video Clip from President Uchtdorf's 2009 CES Fireside (found in the link at the top of the post)
• Why are there times when the Lord doesn't answer our questions completely or immediately?
• "Be obedient, remember the times when you have felt the Spirit in the past, and ask in faith. Your answers will come, and you will feel the love and peace of the Savior. It may not come as quickly or in the format you desire, but the answer will come. Do not give up! Never give up!" - Elder James B. Martino
• "Elder Neil L. Anderson... has said that as we 'remain steady and patient' through our lives, 'at times, the Lord's answer will be, 'You don't know everything, but you know enough' - enough to keep the commandments and to do what is right" - "You Know Enough" from Nov 2008 Ensign.

5. Conclusion

• "Have ye inquired of the Lord?" story from John Hilton III (found in the link at the top of the post)
• Share with the youth the page on LDS.org that is dedicated to helping us find answers to gospel questions: https://www.lds.org/topics/answering-gospel-questions?lang=eng
• Finish with testimony and 1 Nephi 15:11 - "Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said? - If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things [will] be made known unto you."

September: How can I inspire others to obey the commandments?

All Printouts and Videos found HERE

1. Introduction:

• Think of someone you know, whom you wish you could inspire to keep the commandments.
• What inspires people to live the gospel? What inspires you?

2. Likening the Scriptures & Learning Together:

• Read Matthew 5:16 & 1 Timothy 4:12
• How are these scriptures related?
  
• Build a Lighthouse Activity
• I cut out each part of the picture of a lighthouse to the right. Using the scriptures that were just read, discuss how we can be examples in word, in conversation, in charity, etc. (Save Bear Your Testimony for later in the lesson)
• Use the talk "Be an Example and a Light" by President Monson to assist in the discussion.
• Go through each of the traits and have the youth ponder if that is something that they could work on or is it something that they have down. 
• Can you think of someone who exemplifies one of these traits?
• Watch "Leave the Party" video
• While they watch, ask the youth to look for how the power of being an example influences others to obey or disobey the commandments.
• I shared an example of going to party when I was their age. I knew that I should leave, but I didn't. Nothing bad happened, but I still wish I would have stood up and left. Then I shared another example of going to a movie with a friend who was an example and we left when we didn't feel comfortable.
• Ask the youth to share any examples that they might have.

3. Teach Others:

• Read Alma 4:19
• What does "bearing down in pure testimony" mean?
• How can it help us and others obey the commandments?
• Have you ever been influenced by someone's testimony?
• Speed Sharing Activity (aka Speed Dating)
• There are a few ways that you can organize this... I had the class sit in two rows of chairs facing each other. Then I handed out the scriptures in a way that #1 was across from #5, #2 across from #4, etc. 
• Give the youth about 3-5 minutes to read their scripture and formulate what inspires them about the testimony they read:
• Matthew 6:13-19
• Mosiah 3:17
• Alma 5:45-48
• Alma 7:13
• D&C 76:22-24
• Then they will have about 45 seconds to share with their partner.
• Have all the #1's get up and move to the other end of the row, with everyone scooting down a seat. Repeat.

4. Make it Personal:

• Bearing Your Testimony Checklist (General information found in Preach My Gospel)
• Not only did they read the testimonies, but they bore testimony of their own. 
• Go through the checklist and point out that what inspired them was a testimony of their own. That it was direct and heartfelt, it wasn't eloquent or lengthy, and it didn't start with "I'd like to bear my testimony"
• What opportunities do you have to bear your testimony in a similar manner?

5. Conclusion:

• Think back to the beginning of class, when they thought of someone who they would like to inspire to obey the commandments. Did they learn something that they can do to be a lighthouse?

September: What blessings does Heavenly Father promise if I obey the commandments?

All Printouts and Videos found HERE

1. Introduction

• Traffic Sign Analogy
• Show the youth the paper full of traffic signs
• Do Not Enter sign - What is the point of this sign? But what if I really want to go in, can I? So why should I obey this sign?
• What do commandments have in common with traffic signs?
• Quote #1 from Tad R. Callister - "Commandments are no more restrictive to the spiritual man than street signs are to the motorists. Neither prohibits our progress; on the contrary, the enhance it by serving as guideposts or directional signs to help us find our destination."

2. Learning Together & Likening the Scriptures

• What other commandments have we been given? (List these on one side of the board under the heading "Commandments"
• What do we get in return for keeping these commandments? (Blessings)
• What are some blessings we get for keeping the commandments we listed on the board? (List their responses on the other side of the board under the heading "Promised Blessings"
• Pass out scriptures cards to the youth to find blessings to specific commandments and discuss

3. Teaching Others

• Using the topical guide under "Commandments of God", have the youth find an example of keeping the commandments and how that person was blessed. Have the youth share with the class.
• Example: D&C 95:8-9 - Commanded to build a temple

4. Making it Personal

• Show the video "A Shower of Heavenly Blessings"
• Have the youth ponder the following while they watch the video... "Summarize in one sentence what they learned from the video about blessings of keeping the commandments."
• What role does faith play in being obedient and receiving blessings?
• How can keeping the commandments help our testimonies grow?
• Quote #2, #3, #4 from Elder L. Whitney Clayton

5. Conclusion

• What blessings have you received as a result of keeping the commandments? Or your parents, family, or friends?

August: How can I teach others how to do family history work?

All Printables and Videos found HERE

1. Introduction

• Did the youth do any family history work with week?
• Have you ever taught someone how to use technology?
• Quote from Elder Bednar, “Your fingers have been trained to text and tweet to accelerate and advance the work of the Lord—not just to communicate quickly with your friends.”

2. Learning Together

• What are some ways you can use your technology skills to help others learn about family history?
• Quote from Generations Linked in Love by Elder Russell M. Nelson found in the printables

3. Teaching Others

• During the lesson, "Why is it important to learn about my family history?", the youth mentioned different ways that they find names to take to the temple. I had them teach their tips to the class.
• Watch "Preserve your Photos and Family Memories" video. When I watched this video, it really touched me and I knew that this was what we needed to focus on in this lesson.
• I hooked my laptop up to a tv and showed the youth how to add photos and stories to their ancestors "Memories" section of their profile. As well as how to tag other ancestors in the photo.
• I went to my grandma's house in preparation and she let me take a book full of stories and pictures. She even had cassette tape recordings of President Monson interviewing my Great-Grandparents that need to be transcribed. How cool is that!? Let's just say I'm hooked on learning about my ancestors and I brought all the life histories, some photos and those cassette tapes to show my class, hoping that they will find the enthusiasm for learning about their ancestors.
• I also showed them how to use the Memories app on their phones. It links to the Family Tree (Family Search) app. You can store pictures, recordings, and documents on the Memories app while you are meeting with grandparents and others who can share stories and pictures of ancestors. There is a really cool feature on the Family Tree app called "Relatives Around Me". If two people have this screen open on their phone, Family Tree will find how you and their other person are the most closely related. I found out my husband is my 6th cousin!

4. Making it Personal

• Watch "Help Others Add Photos and Documents the Their Family Tree" video
• Think of someone that you could share what we have learned today with (FHE, Grandparents, sibilings)
• I bought copies of "My Family: Stories that Bring Us Together" booklet from the distribution center. You can also order them online HERE
• Let the class share their family stories

5. Conclusion

• You might not remember all of their names, but they will never forget yours.
• SoulSavers treat (I put a piece of paper over the "Life" part of "LifeSavors")

August: Why is it important to learn about my family history?

All Printable and Videos found HERE

1. Introduction

• Have the youth try to fill out a pedigree chart. (Some are going to be able to fill it out and other's might not know past their parents)
• I let the class share how well the class did. Then I had them hold on to the chart until the end of the lesson.

2. Likening the Scriptures

• Why do we do family history?
• What is the spirit of Elijah?
• Malachi 4:5-6
• D&C 128:18
• Read the "Redeeming the Dead" section in True to the Faith
• Watch The Time is Now Video

3. Learning Together

• How can we do family history work?
• Interviewing family members, recording memories (such as journals that were talked about last week), Learning about ancestors, adding photos and stories to FamilySearch.org, doing indexing, Completing temple ordinances
• Read "Redeeming the Dead" quote by Elder Richard G. Scott
• What family history work have you done? Or family members?

4. Making it Personal

• Read "An Invitation to the Rising Generation" by Elder David A. Bednar

(So this part of the lesson can be done many ways. My husband is a tech junkie, so we just happened to have a couple, okay quite a few, Kindle Fires. You could also ask the class to bring their own electronic device. Or you might have a few laptops and tablets lying around. Or if that isn't an option, you could set up a projector and laptop to show the class.)

• Give the youth a tour of the FamilySearch Indexing program
• Give the youth a tour of the FamilySearch website/app
• This was my main focus 
• How can I find ancestors who need ordinances completed?
• How do I reserve ordinances?
• How do I print them off and take them to the temple?
• In the link above, I provided some FamilySearch articles for help in navigating their site
• I also showed them the "Take A Name" app. This is my favorite, especially since I can't easily find ancestors to do work for since my immediate ancestors have had their work done already. This app will find people like my 1st cousin 7 times removed that needs their work done.

5. Conclusion

• On an index card, I had them write down one thing that they would do this week to do family history. (Ex: Complete the pedigree chart if they weren't able to, learn about an ancestor, or find a name to take to the temple.)

July: How can I prepare to receive temple ordinances?

All Printouts and Videos are HERE

(Things to get in advance: For the Strength of Youth Pamphlets)

1. Introduction:

• I displayed a picture of the Salt Lake Temple on the table before class.
• Have the youth take turns reading the introduction in the For Strength of Youth.
• My church library only had 3 copies, so I had to ask around to get enough for my class. You could always have the youth share pamplets or you could print out the front cover and the intro.
• Ask the youth, "Why do you think that they chose a temple for the front cover?"

2. Learn Together

• Watch the "Temples" video
• Ask the youth what the temple means to them, whether it is doing baptisms for the dead, attending temple open houses, or visiting temple grounds.
• Temple Statistics
• When President Monson was called as an Apostle in 1963, there were 12 operating temples in the word. As of today, there are 156 operating temples. When all of the announced temples are dedicated there will be 182 temples. Wow!
• With the Cedar City and Saratoga Springs temple, there will be 18 temples in Utah alone.
• List of Temples by Year
• I found this awesome table of all of the temples sorted by year of dedication. I had to add my own page to update it to current. Make sure to print out part 1 and part 2.
• How many temples were there when you were born?
• How many temples were there when Mom and Dad or Grandpa and Grandma were born?
• Is there anything that sticks out to you? (I thought it was interesting how there were times when there was no temple or how there was a lot dedicated in 2000.)
• I told a story about my great grandparents who were married in North Carolina in 1934. They drove all the way to Salt Lake to be sealed in 1935. There were only 7 temples in the world.

3. Likening the Scriptures

• Elder Russell M. Nelson said, "As temples are prepared for the people, the people need to prepare themselves for the temple."
• Read Psalms 24:3-4
• What does this teach us about preparing to receive temple ordinances?
• Write a list on the board of other ways we can prepare to receive temples ordinances.

4. Teach Others

• Watch the first 3 minutes of Elder Quentin L. Cook's talk "Shipshape and Bristol Fashion: Be Temple Worthy—in Good Times and Bad Times" 
• Divide the class up into 4 groups. Have three of the groups study one of the principles listed in his talk. Have the last group study the article "Making the Temple a Part of Your Life".
• Have each group teach the class about their findings.

5. Making it Personal

• Let the youth write down three goals that they can work on to help them prepare for temple ordinances.

6. Conclusion

• Watch the "Always in our Sights" video
• I shared the special feelings I had when I was able to gather with my family in the Celestial Room for the first time and bore my testimony that it really is worth it.

Additional Resources:  I also printed off a copy of the "Commonly Asked Questions" about the temple from the Liahona. I thought it had some great explanations, just in case the kids asked questions.

July: How can I deepen my understanding of covenants?

All Printouts Found HERE

1. Introduction

• Making, Breaking, or Keeping Covenants Picture Activity
• Pass out the pictures representing making, breaking or keeping covenants
• Have each youth explain which category their picture(s) fall under

2. Learn Together

• As a class, read the section from True to the Faith titled "Covenants" 
• I have created a worksheet that has this section and the following questions for the youth to answer.
• What is a covenant?
• Why do we make covenants?
• What blessings do we receive when we keep them?
• Discuss answers
• Object Lesson from http://www.ambermaybe.com/2012/06/11/26-weeks-of-fhe-week-9/
• I didn't worry about the rubber ducky on top. I gathered three white cups and one red one. Then I told them that the red cup had to stay in the middle of the white cups. And the white cups couldn't move.
• Hand out "The Covenant Path" printout 
• I found this and I really liked how each of the covenants were laid out as we go through life. I wanted the youth to be able to keep a copy, so I sized it to fix in a standard set of scriptures.

3. Likening the Scriptures & Teaching Others

• Have the youth pick a covenant to learn about and teach to the class. If you have more than six youth, you could print off multiple copies or have them work in groups. (To be fair, I had my class roll a dice to see who got to pick first.) 
• For this activity, the youth are asked to read scriptures as well as excerpts from True to the Faith and a few other articles. If you want to save on printing, you could always bring True to the Faith books for the youth to use instead of the print outs from the True to the Faith.
• Also, if you wanted to save paper, you could always print out the Covenant worksheet from earlier in the lesson and the covenant they are going to learn about and teach double-sided. 

4. Making it Personal

• Pass out index cards and have the youth answer the following question: "Why is making and keeping covenants important to me?

5. Conclusion

• Read the quote from Elder Russell M. Nelson on the back of the Covenant Keeper Kit Kat handout from RuthAnne Strong.