Sit down as a family and come up with one goal each of you would like to accomplish in 2009. Decide on a reward once everyone reaches their goal. Follow up with family members twice a month at Family Home Evening, and if anyone reaches their goal early, come up with something new.

D&C Lesson 1: “Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History”

INTRODUCTION:

When Joseph Smith announced that the heavens were again opened and that the famine of Amos 8:11-12 had come to a sudden and permanent end, many of the Christians of the United States were offended. Centuries of sectarianism and parental traditions had convinced them that divine communication with God’s children had come to a sudden and permanent end with the last chapter of the Bible.

But Joseph not only had the temerity to speak of divine communication to a world that had rejected the possibility, but then to write such communications for his followers and to make them available for the world to examine and attack. Among those written collections is the Doctrine and Covenants, a selection of revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith and a few others.

Consider these words:

• OLD [blank]

• NEW [blank]

• ANOTHER [blank]

• OUR [blank]

Read more here >

Young Women Lesson 1: "A Daughter of God"

Be a woman of Christ. Cherish your esteemed place in the sight of God. He needs you. This Church needs you. The world needs you.

Father Time played a rude trick on me just a few months ago. I arose one morning all bright eyed and bushy tailed, greeted the dawn with a smile—only to realize suddenly that with the birthday to be celebrated that day I now had a teenage grandchild. I thought about it for a minute and then did what any responsible, dignified adult would do. I got back in bed and pulled the covers over my head.

Traditional joking aside about the harrowing experience of raising teenagers, I want to say to my own granddaughter and the vast majority of the youth of the Church whom I meet around the world how extraordinarily proud we are of you. Moral and physical danger exists almost everywhere around you and temptations of a dozen kinds present themselves daily, yet most of you strive to do what is right.

Read more here >

Young Men Lesson 1: "The Priesthood"

Times may change, circumstances may alter, but the marks of a true holder of the priesthood of God remain constant..

Brethren, as I gaze from one end to the other of this majestic building, I can only say, you are an inspiring sight to behold. It is amazing to realize that in thousands of chapels throughout the world, others of you—holders of the priesthood of God—are receiving this broadcast by way of satellite transmission. Nationalities vary and languages are many, but a common thread binds us together. We have been entrusted to bear the priesthood and to act in the name of God. We are the recipients of a sacred trust. Much is expected of us.

We who hold the priesthood of God and honor it are among those who have been reserved for this special period in history. The Apostle Peter described us in the second chapter of 1 Peter, the ninth verse: “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”

Read more here >