We Are Disciples of Jesus Christ

Dear Parents,

The Lord loves your children and wants them to be able to hear Him. The articles in this issue can guide you as you teach your children how to receive and recognize personal revelation. You can use these ideas to help your children build a closer relationship with their Heavenly Father and the Savior.

Gospel Discussions

How Do We Achieve Unity?

President Nelson’s article on page 2 outlines seven principles that will help us fulfill the Lord’s commandment to “be one” (Doctrine and Covenants 38:27). Which of these principles could you discuss with your children? For example, how does making and keeping covenants create unity with others?

Take His Name upon You through Ministering

The article on page 8 by Elder Villar teaches how the Savior ministered during His time on earth. As a family, you could pray to know who needs help and how they need to be ministered to. Discuss with your children how they feel after the prayer. Help them recognize the answers they received.

The Lord Wants to Speak to You

Use the article “Because of Thy Faith Thou Hast Seen” (page 20) to teach your children about receiving revelation. The author mentions how the Lord can give us guidance for our life’s mission through a patriarchal blessing. You could share how your patriarchal blessing has guided you.

Come, Follow Me Family Fun

3 Nephi 12:6; 21:2; 28:11

Jesus Christ taught that we need the direction of the Holy Ghost in our lives. This hand shadow puppet activity helps children visualize this principle.

Write down on slips of paper different figures that can be made as hand shadow puppets (for example, a bird, a wolf, a snake).
Have each child take a slip of paper. Turn off the lights in the room, and have one person shine a flashlight on the wall, symbolizing the Light of Christ.
Ask your children to take turns placing their hands in front of the light so the shadow of their hands forms the figure noted on the paper. Allow them to struggle without any help from you.
Symbolizing the Spirit’s guiding voice, offer to help teach your children, step by step, how to place their hands to make the shadow puppet.
Once each child has taken a turn, read a scripture about the Holy Ghost such as 3 Nephi 12:6. Ask your children if it was easier to form the figure with or without your help. Help them see the parallels between this activity and the guidance of the Holy Ghost.

Discussion: How can we improve our ability to recognize when the Spirit is speaking to us?