“They Spoke to Us,” Friend, Dec. 2006, 28–29

They Spoke to Us

As you make the October 2006 general conference a part of your own and your family’s life, you might consider using the following ideas for personal study and family home evening. Or you may wish to create your own questions, activities, and discussion ideas. (Page numbers refer to the beginning of the talks in the November 2006 Ensign.)

Search the Words Activity

What object did President Hinckley show while he was speaking on Sunday morning? (Clue: Search President Gordon B. Hinckley’s talk on p. 82.)
What school subject did Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf dislike as a boy? What changed his mind? (Clue: Read Elder Uchtdorf’s talk on p. 37.)
Like Pahoran in the Book of Mormon, what should we say when someone is rude to us? (Clue: Search Elder David A. Bednar’s talk on p. 89.)
Fill in the blank: “I testify to you that the Resurrection is not a _______.” (Clue: Search Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin’s talk on p. 28.) What does this mean? How does it change the way you live each day?
What did the hikers do when it was time for general conference? (Clue: Read Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk on p. 104.) What can you do when it is time for general conference?
What did Brigham Young and others wave as “an ensign to the nations”? (See President Boyd K. Packer’s talk on p. 85.) How can you and your family be an ensign, or an example, to the world around you?
Which principle can we learn best from the stories of three towels and a 25-cent newspaper—tithing, honesty, or kindness? (Clue: Read Bishop Richard C. Edgley’s talk on p. 72.)

Quotes and Activities

President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “Faith is not demonstrated only in big heroic events, such as the coming of the handcart pioneers. It is also demonstrated in small but significant events.” He then told the story of a woman who lost something important to her but found it after she prayed. Each time you pray, remember that you are showing faith in Heavenly Father, just as handcart pioneers did. Picture Heavenly Father listening to your prayers as you speak to Him. Ask Him to help your faith continue to grow.
Sister Elaine S. Dalton, Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, said: “To the youth of the noble birthright, look into the windows of eternity! See yourselves in the Lord’s holy temples. See yourselves living worthy and pure lives. Generations are depending on you!” Draw a picture of yourself near the temple or attach a picture of a temple to a mirror that you look into each day. Remind yourself daily of future goals and how you can stay worthy to achieve them.
President Thomas S. Monson taught: “We can rely on the faith and testimonies of others only so long. Eventually we must have our own strong and deeply placed foundation, or we will be unable to withstand the storms of life.” He explained that the reason some roads crack and others stay smooth is that some roads have deeper foundations than others. Using objects or toys found around the house (blocks, cans, plastic cups), build towers with weak foundations. Demonstrate how easily they fall. Think of ways to strengthen your spiritual foundations so that the difficult things you face won’t “chip away” at your testimony.
President James E. Faust taught that being a disciple means obeying the Savior. He said, “The blessings of discipleship are readily available to all who are willing to pay the price.” Fold a piece of paper in half. On one side write what you must “pay” in order to be a disciple of Christ, such as studying the scriptures, attending church, telling the truth, and being kind. On the other side write the blessings that come from following Christ, such as guidance, peace, eternal family relationships, joy, protection, and eternal life. Each time you must make a choice between right and wrong, remember your list of blessings and how valuable they are to you.
Ask some family members to hold out their hands, palms up. Ask the other family members to keep their hands closed. Place a small item in the open hands. Why could they receive the item? Brother A. Roger Merrill, Sunday School General President, taught that we must act to receive the Spirit. He said, “Remember, receive is a verb.” Discuss with your family how we each decide to receive the Spirit during our church meetings, scripture study, and personal prayer.
Elder Marcus B. Nash of the Seventy shared two lessons he learned as a boy while fishing. What were they? How do they apply to us? As you pray, ask to be surrounded by the influence of the Holy Ghost and to avoid Satan’s lures that would pull you away from a “happy, gospel-centered life.”

Stories to Read and Share

Are you preparing a talk or lesson? In the conference talks beginning on the pages listed below, you’ll find stories you can tell.
Father and son go bowling at 5:00 a.m., 9
Father is patient with son who knocks over motorcycles, 15
Martyrdom of Rafael Monroy and Vincente Morales, 20
Deacon takes recording of priesthood lesson to another deacon, 43
Father sacrifices to buy an ironing machine for his wife, 46
Marcus B. Nash catches a fish, 49
Boy blessed after a fall from a diving board, 51
Priest gives collected food to a single mother, 53
Boy finds king’s emerald while doing his duty, 56
Thomas S. Monson prompted to visit and bless hospitalized friend, 56
Young women carry Jami Palmer on a hike, 62
Waitress talks about the gospel with a truck driver, 69
Richard C. Edgley returns three towels he had taken, 72
Rich man takes newspapers from a vending machine, 72
Martha Paxman finds her lost wedding band, 82
Handcart companies rescued on the plains, 82
Pioneer leaders raise an ensign to the nations, 85
Man inspired to help blind farmer, 97
Woman listens to general conference on a hike with friends, 104
Young mother feels unworthy of God’s love, 108
Woman prompted to visit a grieving Relief Society sister, 113
Anne C. Pingree seeks forgiveness from one she offended, 113
Single mother with seven children prays for a night off, 115
Young couple pays tithing and does not go hungry, 115

Photographs by Les Nilsson, Dustin Fife, and Emily Leishman