Hero of the Month

By Ruth Ann Cosby

At the beginning of the year, we choose 12 “heroes of the month” as monthly family themes. Then we assign family members to prepare family home evenings centered on these heroes. Each month we memorize a scripture and participate in lessons, games, and activities that help us learn more about each month’s hero and his “powers.”

Our heroes have included the following:

• Nephi and the power of obedience (see 1 Ne. 3:7).

• King Benjamin and the powers of service and gratitude (see Mosiah 2:17, 19).

• Abinadi and the power of faith in Christ (see Mosiah 16:9).

• Alma and the power of baptism (see Mosiah 18:8–10).

• Ammon and the power of missionary work (see Alma 26:22).

• Captain Moroni and the power of example (see Alma 48:17).

• Jesus Christ and the power of doing the Father’s will (see 3 Ne. 27:13–15).

• Mormon and the powers of hope and charity (Moro. 7:41–48).

• Moroni and the power of testimony (see Moro. 10:4–5).

We divide each month into four separate topics—but allow each person to choose his or her own topic if preferred. Some topics during the month we focus on Nephi might be: (1) Nephi followed the prophet; (2) Nephi kept a journal; (3) Nephi learned the plan of salvation; (4) Nephi honored Heavenly Father through keeping covenants. We also choose a hymn or Primary song for the month.

Our hero-of-the-month family home evenings have been interesting, and the children look forward to studying about these heroes and their examples.