Family Home Evening Ideas

This issue contains articles and activities that could be used for family home evening. The following are some examples.

“Self-Reliance and Gospel Learning,” page 14. To illustrate the importance of gaining your own spiritual light, consider this activity. Turn off the lights and ask family members to draw a picture. Have someone with a flashlight or candle use it only for their own picture. After a few minutes, turn the lights back on. Talk about the difference in being able to complete the task and then discuss the principles found in the article.

“The First Vision: Key to Truth,” page 60: Consider selecting a family member to tell about a life experience. Have him or her tell the story several times, but each time have the storyteller pretend to address a different audience (such as a five-year-old, a grandparent, a teacher, or a friend). Then discuss how the retellings were different and how they were the same. Compare this activity to how Joseph Smith gave different accounts of the First Vision as described in Elder Maynes’s article. Talk about how the different First Vision accounts work together to give a clearer picture of Joseph’s experience.

Teaching Songs to Children

Primary songs enhance gospel learning, and family home evening is an ideal time to teach them to children. Here are some methods to try:

Review the lyrics. Talk about what the song means and explain any words that might be difficult to understand.

Experiment with rhythms. Have children clap, tap their feet, or conduct to help them feel the song’s meter.

Use visuals. Visuals can be simple drawings, pictures, puppets, or hand actions.

Repeat with variety. Reinforce the song with fun activities. Have children stand or march as they sing.

Help children feel the song’s message. Invite them to talk about how they felt while singing.

Astrid Terri Simmermon, Alberta, Canada