Reader’s Guide

Creative ideas for uses of this issue of the New Era.

Family Home Evening Ideas

• Read together “What Will I Give Him?” on page 8, but leave off the last two paragraphs. Have everyone write down what they would give to Jesus Christ as a present. After discussing your family’s answers, read the final paragraphs aloud.

• Like the family in “Celebrating the Prophet” on page 12, have a family home evening devoted to the life of Joseph Smith. Read together the account of the First Vision in JS—H 1:1–20, in the Pearl of Great Price. Sing “Praise to the Man” (Hymns, no. 27).

Personal Improvement

• Read the Q&A on page 16 about chastity. Review the sections Dating and Sexual Purity in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet. Also review the 13th article of faith.

Young Women and Young Men Mutual Activities

• Check with local charitable organizations to see if any of them need help decorating for Christmas. Like the group in “Christmas in July” on page 28, see if you can arrange an activity to provide decorations or put up decorations the organization already owns.

• Check out a copy of the Church video The Lamb of God from your meetinghouse library. Watch it together. Read aloud the testimony of Elder Richard G. Scott in the last paragraph of “He Lives” on page 4.

Seminary Devotional Ideas

• Read “With Wondering Awe” on page 10. Give class members each a small star sticker to place in their lockers at school or on their seminary books. When they see the star, they can be reminded of Christ’s coming and His promise to come again.

• Read aloud the words from the song “Let It Come Quietly” on page 51. If someone plays the piano well, have the music played softly in the background.