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FHE: Patriotism

by Shuana Gibby



Conference Talk:

For more information on this topic read "The Test," by Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, Nov 2008, 88-91.

Thought:

The Saints knew that the Lord had told them to be "subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law." That commandment, revealed then, is true now of our members in every nation. We are to be law-abiding, worthy citizens.

(Boyd K. Packer, "The Test," Ensign, Nov 2008, 88-91.)

Song:

"My Country," Children's Songbook, p.78, verse 2.

Scripture:

We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. (Articles of Faith 1:12)

Lesson:

Read the following statement to your family:

"In this election year we urge Church members to register to vote, to study the issues and candidates carefully and prayerfully and then vote for those they believe will most nearly carry out their ideas of good government. Latter-day Saints are under special obligation to seek out
and then uphold leaders who will act with integrity and are 'wise,' 'good,' and 'honest' (see Doctrine and Covenants 98:10)." (Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, and James E. Faust, Priesthood Bulletin, 30 August 2002.)

Have a family member express in his or her own words what the First Presidency wants us to do about elections. How might following this counsel bless us as a people? As a family, read Alma 2:1-7. Ask:

• What kind of a man was Amlici?
  
• How did he want to change the government?
  
• What did he want to do to the Church?
  
• What was the outcome of the election?
  
• What might have happened if enough Nephites had chosen not to get involved?
  

Invite your family to mark footnote 7a in their scriptures; then read Mosiah 29:25-27.

Discuss why it is important that members of your family make sure their voices are heard.

(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Book of Mormon, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003], p. 155.)

Story:

A new nation needed a new banner. So "The Makers of the Flag" chose red and white stripes. But, instead of using a cross that represented countries across the sea, they chose stars to be the emblems of a new country.

"We take the stars from heaven," declared George Washington, "the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing liberty."

A grouping of glorious white stars in a flag was a new design, and, as Washington said, they took the stars from heaven. Stars have always been the emblems of high thoughts and high ideals. Very beautiful are the stars in the dark blue sky, glowing with their calm and steady light.

It was these wonderful blue-white stars that gave the fathers of our country a pattern for the flag.

And that is how the flag was made,
And how it came to be,
The stars and glorious stripes arrayed
To wave on land and sea.

All of us should remember that one who loves the flag will always honor the law, whether the law of his home, his church, his town, or his state. He will be loyal and "true blue."

Your flag and my flag -
And how it flies today
In your land and my land
And half a world away.

(A Story to Tell, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 366.)

Activity:

Choose one or more of the following activity ideas.

Give each person paper and markers or crayons. Have them make a paper hat and flag. Have a family parade.

Gather neighbors or friends and have a neighborhood parade. Decorate bikes, strollers, wagons, and wheelbarrows with crepe paper, balloons, and streamers. Wear hats and have some traditional patriotic music accompany you as you march up and down the street.

Lie on blankets outside as a family and look up at the stars in the sky. Have each person express a wish for the country and for the family as they "wish upon a star."

(Kimberly L. Bytheway and Diane H. Loveridge, Traditions, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003], p. 46.)

Refreshment

Wagon Wheel Ice Cream

CRUNCHY COOKIES

• 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
  
• 1 cup granulated sugar
  
• 1 cup lightly packed brown sugar
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
  
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
  
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  
• 2 cups oatmeal
  
• 2 cups crispy rice cereal
  
• 1 cup coconut
  

ICE CREAM

• 1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream, slightly softened
  

FROSTING

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  
• 2 tablespoons shortening
  

Make the cookies by creaming together the butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking powder, and soda. Add oatmeal, cereal, and coconut, and mix well. Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet immediately. Cool completely.

Line a cookie sheet with wax paper; place in freezer until chilled. To assemble ice cream sandwiches, lay one cookie bottom side up and spread on 1 slightly rounded tablespoon of vanilla ice cream. Top with another cookie, top side up. Press cookies together slightly. Place cookie on chilled cookie sheet. Repeat until all cookies are assembled, then place cookie sheet immediately back into freezer. Freeze 2 to 3 hours, or until firm.

Heat chocolate chips and shortening in small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted. Cool mixture for 2 minutes. Dip half of each frozen ice cream sandwich into chocolate mixture to coat. Place sandwiches back into freezer and freeze until chocolate is firm. Wrap sandwiches in plastic wrap and store in freezer until ready to serve. Makes 3 dozen cookie sandwiches.

(Lion House Entertaining, [Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2001] p. 138.)

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