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 the Family Home Evening Ideas. The Primary theme for April is “The temple brings the blessings of heaven to earth.”

Family Home Evening Ideas

1. Celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the Church (April 6, 1830) by reading “Joseph, the Seer” (page 7) by Elder Neal A. Maxwell and then telling the story “From a Log Farmhouse” (pages 2–3) by President Gordon B. Hinckley. Invite each family member to share how he/she is helping or plans to help build the kingdom of God on earth. You may wish to make the poster “Small Beginnings” (page 40).

2. Invite a parent to tell about some of the “Important People” (pages 8–9) in Elder Val Rigby Christensen’s life. Who are the people who have helped you? Make a copy of Journal Page (page 13) for each family member; fill them out together.

3. Ask a younger family member to learn and present the poem “With the Savior” (page 27). Then, while looking at the pictures, read together “The Lost Son” (pages 14–18). Talk about the lessons we can learn from this teaching of the Savior.

4. Tell the story “A Prophet’s Example” (pages 28–30). Read Elder Robert J. Whetten’s quote at the end of the story and then decide on one way each of you can help someone else during the coming week.

5. Learn about the Kirtland Temple by studying “First Latter-day Temple” (pages 36–37). Tell your family about it. Ask an older family member to learn about the temple closest to where you live and tell about it. How should you live your lives so you can be worthy of temple blessings?