Lesson Helps

FHE: Light

Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read “The Spirit of Revelation,” by David A. Bednar, Ensign, May 2011, 87.

Thoughts:
The gradual increase of light radiating from the rising sun is like receiving a message from God “line upon line, precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30).

(David A. Bednar, “The Spirit of Revelation,” Ensign, May 2011, 87.)

Song:
“I Love to See the Temple,” Children’s Songbook, p. 95.

Scripture:
That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

(Doctrine and Covenants 50:24)

Lesson:
Turn out your house lights, light a candle, and read D&C 14:9–11 to your family by candlelight. Ask:

• What did Jesus testify about himself? (He is the Son of God, the creator, and a light in the darkness.)

• What will this “light” bring forth? (The gospel.)

• How is that “light” or “gospel” to be brought forth?

Review with your family the section heading for D&C 14 and the historical background above. Then read D&C 14:11 and ask:

• Who is this revelation to? (David Whitmer.)

• Why was it given?

• What did the Lord want David to assist in doing? (Bringing forth the gospel.)

• What blessing was David promised if he faithfully assisted the Lord?

• How can we also be blessed both temporally and spiritually?

Share your testimony of how the Savior has brought light into your life and of the blessings that have come as you also have assisted in the work of bringing the light of the gospel into the world.

(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Doctrine and Covenants, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 29.)

Story:
“Revelation: A Light from Heaven”
Harold B. Lee

I was sent several years ago to New York to select a patriarch. We decided upon a certain man and went to his home. He had been out with his sons on the welfare farm, pitching manure all day, and was tired and weary. . . . After he changed his clothes and came in, I made him more weary when I told him what it was that I had come for—that he was to be called as the patriarch to that stake.

The next morning in conference he bore a remarkable testimony. Then afterwards we went to the Manhattan Ward, where I was to ordain him. The office was down in the basement, where there was no natural light. . . .

This is the story as told to me by the stake president’s wife: “As you walked over to put your hands on the patriarch’s head, I thought to myself, this is a man with whom we socialize; we have gone on trips with him, and he has been in our social group. Now part of his responsibility is to declare in patriarchal blessings the lineage from which each one has come. He hasn’t been a student of ancient languages—how is he going to know?

“With these thoughts in my mind, I saw you walk over and put your hands on his head, and a light came from behind you and went right through you and into him. I thought to myself, ‘Isn’t that a strange coincidence that the sunlight has come in just at this moment.’ Then I realized that there was no sunlight; I was witnessing the answer to my question. That light came from somewhere behind you, Brother Lee, and went through you into the patriarch. Then I knew where he was going to get that information: from the revelations of Almighty God.”

(Leon R. Hartshorn, Classic Stories from the Lives of Our Prophets, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1971].)

Activity:
Show the players an article to be hidden. Explain the game and then ask them to leave the room.

Hide the object ‘in plain view,’ that is, place it in an out-of-the-way spot where it may be easily seen when a player flashes his flashlight upon it if standing in just the right spot.

When the object is ‘hidden’ call the players back to start the hunt. As soon as a player sees the object, he sits down. The hunt continues until everyone spots the object and is sitting down.

Note: A flashlight is needed for each player or team them in pairs with one flashlight to a pair.

Variation: One player with a flashlight hunts for the object while the group watches, calling out HOT, COLD or WARM as the player gets closer or farther from the hidden object.

Refreshment
Quick Lemon Pie

  • 1 quart vanilla ice cream
  • 1 (6-ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate
  • 1 prepared 8- or 9-inch graham cracker pie crust

Soften ice cream and mix with lemonade concentrate. Spoon into pie crust and refreeze. Soften 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
Serves 6.

(Janet Peterson, Remedies for the “I Don’t Cook” Syndrome, [Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2001] p. 300.)

Click here to access the PDF version of this lesson.

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