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My Great Idea: LDS Bachelor Parties

Chris McClellan - As the oldest of six now-married brothers, I had to adapt the traditional bachelor party idea to our Latter-day Saint family. By the time the youngest was engaged, we'd learned to use this traditional male bonding experience to celebrate my brother's spiritual growth and commitment to his sweetie. We didn't just have a great time - we strengthened our relationship as brothers. Party Fun It was important to treat the probably high-strung groom to casual, light-hearted, and relaxing entertainment. At our last party, the evening started out with pizza, pop, and video games. This didn't win us any awards for originality...

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Family Etiquette Dinner

LDS Living Staff - Plan a nice, sit-down dinner for your family and make sure everyone participates in the preparation; include rolls, salad, appetizers, a main course, and dessert. Set the table with nice plates, glasses, and silverware if you have them (food dishes are set to the left of a setting; glasses to the right), and instruct your children in common eating etiquette. Some things may seem basic, but remember: your kids probably don't know them! Some habits include: Unfold (don't shake) your napkin when you sit down, and use it for wiping your mouth and fingers (licking is only acceptable when you are...

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May 2009 Sharing Time: To Be Baptized

Shauna Gibby - This sharing time will help children learn more about baptism. Preparation: Obtain a flannel board and cutout pictures of a mother, a father, and two sisters from Primary Visual Aids Cutouts, Set 7-Pioneers and the Restoration; two missionaries from Primary Visual Aids Cutouts, Set 2-People; and a winter scene from Primary Visual Aids Cutouts, Set 3-Nature. Put tape or flannel on the back of each picture. Make enough copies of the baptism coloring page on page 111 of the Nursery Manual for each Junior Primary child. Write one letter on seven separate sheets of paper to spell B-A-P-T-I-S-M. Post the papers...

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FHE: Humility

Shauna Gibby - Conference Talk: For more information on this topic read "Our Hearts Knit as One," by Henry B. Eyring, Ensign, Nov 2008, 68-71. Thought: Pride is the great enemy of unity. (Henry B. Eyring, "Our Hearts Knit as One," Ensign, Nov 2008, 68–71.) Song: "I Need My Heavenly Father," Children's Songbook, p. 18. Scripture: And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. (Matthew 23:12) Object Lesson: Materials needed: A lump of soft clay and a lump of hardened clay. Application: Demonstrate how the soft clay can be molded into any shape that you...

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Layoff or Makeover?

Dave Ramsey - Dear Dave, The company where my husband works recently told everyone that massive layoffs are coming, and they should start looking for other jobs. Right now all of his options are out-of-town. A real estate agent told us we'd have to remodel our kitchen in order to sell the house. We've got $3,500, but remodeling would take about $2,000. Should we get a second mortgage to get the work done? Pamela Dear Pamela, You might want to get another opinion. Sure, a new kitchen would be nice, but is that the end-all, be-all? Either way, there's no way I'd go into...

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Viatical Debacle

Dave Ramsey - Dear Dave, Could you explain, and comment on, investing in Viaticals? I've been hearing offers that guarantee 10 percent. Does that sound fishy to you? Lee Dear Lee, Everything about Viaticals is fishy. Stay away from them! A Viatical investment is when you buy a position in a terminally ill person's life insurance policy. Mathematically, you're betting on when they will die. A tremendous number of scam artists are involved in these things, and even the ones who go by the book have a lot of trouble, because you really can't predict when someone's going to die. Viaticals are a disaster....

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D&C Lesson 16: 'Thou Shalt . . . Offer up Thy Sacraments upon My Holy Day'

Ted L. Gibbons - INTRODUCTION: The Lord commanded: "Go ye out from among the wicked. Save yourselves. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord." A critical element in observing this commandment is to "remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy." The Sabbath lasts all day! In a revelation "especially applicable to the saints in Zion," the Lord states that the Sabbath was given that we might keep ourselves "unspotted from the world." It is a day to partake of the sacrament, a day "to pay [our] devotions unto the Most High," a day of "fasting and prayer," a day to offer...

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Demand Note Dud

Dave Ramsey - Dear Dave, My parents asked me if I know anything about GMAC demand notes. Apparently, they're thinking about getting into these to diversify their portfolio. What do you know about these, and is this a good idea? Eric Dear Eric, Your parents need to run as fast as they can from whoever is pitching this idea to them. A note is a debt. So, the next question goes something like this: Would you want to be in the position of having General Motors owe you money right now? I don't think so! Basically, people who invest in this kind of thing...

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How to Avoid Foreclosure: Loan Modification

Jared N. Garrett - WeXL Business Solutions - There's no doubt about it: the economic outlook of our country seems quite grim. Corporations that generations have grown up with are struggling to make ends meet, and it sometimes seems like there is no way that we can stay ahead of the curve. Worse, many people are struggling to make ends meet themselves and worry that foreclosure looms in their future. The good news is that there is plenty of good news! Because of the unique financial climate, a few powerful strategies have cropped up and can help people avoid foreclosure. Of course, the best way to steer clear of...

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Young Women Lesson 16: Women and Priesthood Bearers

Elaine S. Dalton - There has never been a better time to live on the earth than this. These are "days never to be forgotten." 1 These are your days, and they are amazing. You are amazing! As I look into your eyes and see your shining faces, I marvel that you can be so good, so strong, and so pure in a world that is so challenging. I am reminded of a poem my grandfather used to say to me when I was about your age. He said: You don't have to tell how you live each day; You don't have to tell if...