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. The Primary theme for July is “Temples unite families.”

Family Home Evening Ideas

Look for the FHE symbol on the [original magazine] pages mentioned below.

1. Read President James E. Faust’s message “Knowing Who You Are” (pp. 2–3). What does he say we need to do to feel good about ourselves? Read some of the examples of children doing things that make them feel good in the Trying to Be Like Jesus section (pp. 42–43). Try harder this week to notice and help someone in need.

2. Cooperate to make “Frozen Fun Suns” (p. 33). Then read about another family working together in “Preserving Jam (and Families)” (pp. 4–6). What can you learn about temple sealings from this story? As a family, complete “Family History ABCs” (p. 29) or make copies for each family member. Then enjoy your dessert!

3. Read “Courage and a Kind Word” (pp. 10–13). Have you ever been nervous about doing something important? Discuss ways you can overcome fear (by remembering what really matters, praying for help, etc.). Remember to follow the example of Brigham Young and give encouragement to friends and family members.

4. The children in “Acting Like Pioneers” (pp. 14–17) put on a play about pioneers sacrificing to build temples. Do you have ancestors whose sacrifices have made a difference in your life? You may wish to act out skits about their lives. Discuss ways you can act like a modern-day pioneer (by preparing to enter the temple, making sacrifices to help others, etc.). Then play “Pioneer Puzzle Game” (pp. 24–25).

5. President Heber J. Grant understood the importance of good music. Read “Learning to Sing” (pp. 40–41). Then, to learn more about the Mormon Tabernacle Choir radio broadcast he helped establish, read “Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of Music and the Spoken Word” (p. 13). Have each family member choose a favorite hymn to sing and, if possible, take turns practicing leading the music (see Hymns, pp. 384–385, to learn the beat patterns).

6. For more ideas, see page 18.

The Friend can be found on the Internet at www.lds.org. Click on Gospel Library.

To subscribe online, go to www.ldscatalog.com.