We had our monthly family home evening/family dinner yesterday. I had the opportunity to present the lesson. I chose the subject of Scriptures and scripture study. I explained a little bit about what each of the standard works were and their origin. I gave the kids coloring pages to keep them occupied. I had my musician brother help me teach the songs I learned in seminary to remember the books in the Old Testament and book of Mormon and he also taught them the New Testament song. I made a matching game to match the books in the scripture with the appropriate standard work. I even made open book because I really just wanted people to learn and be familiar with the standard works in the books included in each. Then we had a fun scavenger hunt which I think everybody enjoyed. And I issued a challenge to each family to read the book of Mormon together as a family and gave them a chart to record their progress. And also I issued an individual challenge and give everybody their own chart to mark their progress printed on colored card stock. Here is my lesson plan: Tammy’s family home evening lesson -- Scriptures -- June 5, 2011 Opening song: The Iron Rod #274 Opening prayer: Dad Give kids coloring page. Explain history of and short synopsis of each of the standard works. Teach song of the books of the Old Testament. Teach song of the books of the Book of Mormon. Read story about family scripture study. Give scripture study matching test. Do scripture scavenger hunt. Closing song: Book of Mormon Stories Closing prayer: Mercedes Notes: From gospel principles: President Ezra Taft Benson helped us understand how the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. He said: “There are three ways in which the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. It is the keystone in our witness of Christ. It is the keystone of our doctrine. It is the keystone of testimony. “The Book of Mormon is the keystone in our witness of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the cornerstone of everything we do. It bears witness of His reality with power and clarity. … “[It] broadens our understandings of the doctrines of salvation. The Book of Mormon … was written for our day. In [it] we find a pattern for preparing for the Second Coming. … “The Book of Mormon teaches us truth [and] bears testimony of Jesus Christ. … But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called ‘the words of life,’ and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. … ‘Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit’ ” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, pp. 4–7; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, pp. 5–7). The Doctrine and Covenants is a collection of modern revelations. In section 1 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord reveals that the book is published to the inhabitants of the earth to prepare them for his coming: This book contains the revelations regarding the Church of Jesus Christ as it has been restored in these last days. Several sections of the book explain the organization of the Church and define the offices of the priesthood and their functions. Other sections, such as sections 76 and 88, contain glorious truths that were lost to the world for hundreds of years. Still others, such as sections 29 and 93, shed light on teachings in the Bible. In addition, some sections, such as section 133, contain prophecies of events to come. God has commanded us to study his revelations in this book: “Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled” (D&C 1:37). The Pearl of Great Price contains the Book of Moses, the Book of Abraham, and some inspired writings of Joseph Smith. The Book of Moses contains an account of some of the visions and writings of Moses, revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith in June and December 1830. It clarifies doctrines and teachings that were lost from the Bible and gives added information concerning the creation of the earth. The Book of Abraham was translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith from a papyrus scroll taken from the Egyptian catacombs. This book contains valuable information about the Creation, the gospel, the nature of God, and the priesthood. The writings of Joseph Smith include part of Joseph Smith’s inspired translation of the Bible, selections from his History of the Church, and the Articles of Faith. From the family home evening resource manual: If you do not have a regular program for scripture study in your family, use the following personal experience related in the April 1975 general conference by Bishop H. Burke Peterson to help your family begin one: “May I relate a personal experience from the Peterson family. Several years ago after wrestling with the problem for some time, my wife and I, sensing the urgency of our parental charge, devised a new battle plan. You see, up to that point, Satan had been winning the battle of ‘Should we or should we not read the scriptures together in the Peterson home?’ We had tried off and on for years with no sustained success. Our big problem was that someone or something always interrupted our schedule. With a 17-year spread in our children’s ages, we felt we had a special challenge. “As we studied and prayed over it, we concluded that the best time for our family of girls to read would be when no one else wanted our time. Since the older girls had to be in seminary by 7:00 a.m., our controllable time had to be early. We decided on 6:15 in the morning. We knew it would be a challenge to get teenage support. The idea was good, but its implementation was most difficult and it still is. Our family is still struggling. “Our great new plan had its birth one hot August day in Phoenix, Arizona. My wife suggested we give them a whole month to think about it and prepare for it. We went about their mental preparation in a very positive way. The plan was to start the first day of school in early September. To their protests that it was impossible to have their heads all filled with rollers in time, or that it was not likely they would feel happy so early in the morning, or that they might be late to seminary, or not have time to eat breakfast either, we replied very cheerfully that we knew they were clever enough to cope with any minor problems that might arise. “At its announcement, we also told the girls we had been praying for guidance in this family problem. This made it easier, because they had been schooled in prayer and had been taught not to question its results. “The historic first morning finally came. My wife and I got up a little early so we would be sure to be wide awake and happy. Our initial approach must meet with success. We entered each bedroom singing and happy at the thought of the prospects before us. Purposely we went to one special bedroom first. Here slept a daughter who would be able to get up early but who couldn’t wake up before noon. We sat her up in bed and then went to the others and started them all into the family room. Some stumbled, some fell, some had to be carried in, some slept through that first morning—and I might say through subsequent mornings too. “Little by little, we have learned over the years what reading the scriptures 15 minutes each morning can do for our family. You should know that we don’t try to discuss and understand each point we read. We try to pick out only a couple of thoughts each morning to digest. You should also know we still have to struggle with the plan’s performance, even though we now have only two children at our home. “Can you imagine how a parent would feel to ask a little girl, ‘What did King Benjamin mean when he said, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God”?’ (Mosiah 2:17.) And she would respond, ‘I suppose he means that I shouldn’t be selfish and should do little things for my sisters because it makes Heavenly Father happy—and Daddy, I want him to be happy with me, so I’m going to try harder.’ Innumerable are the blessings that will accrue to the family that persists in this noble effort of reading the scriptures together daily.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1975, pp. 79–80; or Ensign, May 1975, p. 54.) Quotes President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) “If I were a bishop or stake president today, what would I do? … I would encourage my people to read the scriptures, to read the Book of Mormon, to read the New Testament. I would urge them with all the capacity I have to read quietly and thoughtfully and introspectively.” “I hope that for you this will become something far more enjoyable than a duty; that, rather, it will become a love affair with the word of God.” February 2009 Ensign, David B. March “Getting the Most Out Of Your Scripture Study” Cheryl C. Lant-general primary president: And what of our children? How blessed is the child whose parents base their lives on the teachings in the scriptures! There is absolutely nothing more important we can do for our families than to strengthen them in the scriptures. Parents, call your families together to read the scriptures, and work to make it possible in your busy family schedules. Children, respond quickly and happily when you are called to scripture study. President Gordon B. Hinckley gave us an invitation, but he also gave us promises if we choose to accept. He promised “an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God.” October 2005 general conference, Cheryl C. Lant Elder Howard W. Hunter : “Many find that the best time to study is in the morning after a night’s rest has cleared the mind of the many cares that interrupt thought. Others prefer to study in the quiet hours after the work and worries of the day are over and brushed aside, thus ending the day with a peace and tranquillity that comes by communion with the scriptures. “Perhaps what is more important than the hour of the day is that a regular time be set aside for study. It would be ideal if an hour could be spent each day; but if that much cannot be had, a half hour on a regular basis would result in substantial accomplishment. A quarter of an hour is little time, but it is surprising how much enlightenment and knowledge can be acquired in a subject so meaningful” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1979, 91–92; or Ensign, Nov. 1979, 64). Scriptures Matching Game Name:_____________________ Scriptures Matching Game Match the following books of Scripture with the following: A. Old Testament B. New Testament C. The Book of Mormon D. The Doctrine and Covenants E. The Pearl of Great Price 1 Leviticus 2. Helaman 3. Matthew 4. Abraham 5. Haggai 6. 1 Corinthians 7. Ether 8. Job 9. Omni 10. Deuteronomy 11. Revelation 12. Malachi 13. Section 76 14. Moses 15. Joshua 16. Luke 17. 2 Thessalonians 18. Jarom 19. The Articles of Faith 20. 3 Nephi 21. Ezekiel 22. Official Declaration -- 2 23. John 24.Joseph Smith History 25. Mosiah 27. Esther 28. Official Declaration -- 1 29. Zechariah 30. Hosea 31. Jacob 32. Genesis 33. Ruth 34. Words of Mormon 35. Hebrews 36. Enos 37. Moroni 38. Jonah 39. Nehemiah 40. Proverbs 41. Mormon 42. Section 137 43. Joseph Smith -- Matthew 44. Philemon 45. Judges 46. 2 Nephi 47. Titus 48. Exodus 49. Acts 50. Isaiah 51. Alma 52. Colossians 53. Ecclesiastes 54. Ezra 55. Section 43 56. James 57. 4 Nephi 58. Galatians 59. 2 Samuel 60. Romans Scripture Scavenger Hunt by Kimberly Hicken Here is a game that you can play during family home evening, scouts or youth. Divide into two teams. [We had four teams] Give each team a copy of the scriptures listed, a copy of the standard works of the Church, and a bag to put their "treasures" in. Each team looks up the first scripture and reads it carefully to discover what they need to find that will fit into their sack. After they find the first object, they read the second scripture and find that object, and so on. Each scripture will tell them what they need to find, except number ten, which has special instructions. The first team to collect all nine items and complete clue number ten wins. 1. Matthew 7:25 2. Psalm 102:11 3. Jeremiah 8:8 4. Doctrine & Covenants 45:37 5. Mark 10:38 6. Ezekiel 37:16-17 7. Matthew 10:30 8. Exodus 3:5 9. Moses 1:41 10. Mosiah 2:17-18 To finish the game, do something this scripture is talking about. After both teams have finished, share what you did for number ten with the other team. Book of Mormon reading chart I can't get the other chart to load onto my blog so here is a link where you can download it.Cartoon Book of Mormon Reading Chart Key to scripture matching game Name:_____________________ Scriptures Matching Game Match the following books of Scripture with the following: A. Old Testament B. New Testament C. The Book of Mormon D. The Doctrine and Covenants E. The Pearl of Great Price 1 Leviticus A. 2. Helaman C. 3. Matthew B. 4. Abraham E. 5. Haggai A. 6. 1 Corinthians B. 7. Ether C. 8. Job A. 9. Omni C. 10. Deuteronomy A. 11. Revelation B. 12. Malachi A. 13. Section 76 D. 14. Moses E. 15. Joshua A. 16. Luke B. 17. 2 Thessalonians B. 18. Jarom C. 19. The Articles of Faith E. 20. 3 Nephi C. 21. Ezekiel A. 22. Official Declaration -- 2 D. 23. John B. 24.Joseph Smith -- History E. 25. Mosiah C. 27. Esther A. 28. Official Declaration -- 1 D. 29. Zechariah A. 30. Hosea A. 31. Jacob C. 32. Genesis A. 33. Ruth A. 34. Words of Mormon C. 35. Hebrews B. 36. Enos C. 37. Moroni C. 38. Jonah A. 39. Nehemiah A. 40. Proverbs A. 41. Mormon C. 42. Section 137 D. 43. Joseph Smith -- Matthew E. 44. Philemon B. 45. Judges A. 46. 2 Nephi C. 47. Titus B. 48. Exodus A. 49. Acts B. 50. Isaiah A. 51. Alma C. 52. Colossians B. 53. Ecclesiastes A. 54. Ezra A. 55. Section 43 D. 56. James B. 57. 4 Nephi C. 58. Galatians B. 59. 2 Samuel A. 60. Romans B.