Guide to the Friend

The Guide to the Friend can help you find stories or articles for preparing lessons or talks for church or for family home evening. Look for the FHE symbol on the [original magazine] pages mentioned in Family Home Evening Ideas. The Primary theme for February is “My family can be together forever through the blessings of the temple.”

Family Home Evening Ideas

1. Read “Timmy’s Temple Trip” (pages 4–6) and ask a parent to talk about some of the things Timmy and his family needed to do to be worthy to go to the temple. What are some of the things you can be doing now?

2. Discuss the importance of living the gospel in your home after reading “Family Traditions” (page 7) by Elder L. Tom Perry. List the things that he says will help you become a forever family. Begin this week to do the ones you are not yet doing. Ask a family member to end by reading the poem “Wintertime Joy” (page 13).

3. Make the flannel-board figures and tell the story “The Open House” (pages 18–19, 21). If a family member has been to a temple open house or a temple dedication, invite him or her to tell about it. Sing “I Love to See the Temple” (Children’s Songbook, page 95).

4. Cut out the pieces and play the game “Family History ABCs” (pages 24–25). Then make a copy of Journal Page (page 40) for each family member. Fill out the pages and add them to your journals.

5. Gather all the materials you will need for family members to make “Family Valentine Pockets” (page 41). When they are made, hang them up; remember to fill them with love notes during the week. Use the poem and the pictures for “Special Sign” (page 20) to learn how to sign “I love you.” During the week, sign those words every time you see another family member.

6. Tell the story “Jeans and the Six Bs” (pages 46–48). Together memorize the six Bs and then read the statement by President Hinckley.

7. Make a favorite recipe from a past issue of the Friend for refreshments.