FHE: Setting Priorities

For more information on this topic read "Who's on the Lord's Side?" by Charles H. Dahlquist, Ensign, May 2007, 94.

"Who's On the Lord's Side?" Hymns, 260.

"Choose you this day whom ye will serve; . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).

Materials needed:

A yellow felt-tip pen. A marked book.

Procedure:

Show the pen to the class and a page from the book that has been marked. Explain that you used the marker to emphasize important passages. This helps you to recognize essential points when you review for a test. In our everyday lives, many things demand our time and attention.The gospel gives us the perspective we need to emphasize those things which are truly important. If we use the gospel to set priorities, we will be able to pass the "test" of this mortal existence. (Alma Heaton, Tools for Teaching, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1979], p.35.)

"It Sounded True, It Sounded Real" (Bishop Robert L. Simpson)

"Let me tell you about a good man in California a few years ago. He would stand on fast and testimony Sunday and bear a fine testimony. He would tell us how he would willingly give his life for the Church when the persecutions come upon us again—someday. It sounded true, it sounded real. Then we would meet this good brother out in the foyer afterward and shake his hand and thank him for sharing his testimony with us.

We would say something like, "Now, Brother So-and-so, how about home teaching next Tuesday night?"

"Well," he would reply, "I am sorry, but I have been watching [my favorite TV show] on Tuesday nights, and I will not be able to make it. But some day I am going to give my life for this great Church, some day I am going to make the great sacrifice, but I cannot be available next Tuesday night. I have some personal interests to take care of!"

My dear young friends, you know as well as I that when that someday might come, this good man will not be available to his Heavenly Father. He will not be standing in defense of what he believes because he will perhaps have a personal interest that will take priority. (Leon R. Hartshorn, Outstanding Stories by General Authorities, vol. 2, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1971].)

Play "Who's the Leader?"Players stand in a circle. One player leaves the room. A leader is selected, and the whole group of players begin to clap. This is the signal for the player who left the room to return. he goes to the center of the circle and tries to find out which player is leading the group in its action. In the meantime, the leader changes from clapping to jumping, hopping, patting his head, and immediately the players do the same thing. Sometimes it takes quite a while for the player in the center to discover who the leader is, especially if the group members do not watch the leader. They can watch others in the circle and get the next action as quickly as watching the leader. This game is good played to music.(Alma Heaton, The LDS Game Book, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1968], 299.) Explain that if we know what our priorities are and are determined to do good, we will be able to follow good examples (and ignore those that are bad).

Quick Caramel Corn

- 2 gallons popped corn (1 cup unpopped)

- 1/2 cup butter

- 2 cups packed brown sugar

- 1/2 cup light corn syrup

- 1 tablespoon water

- Pinch baking soda

Place popped corn in a large pan; set aside. Melt butter in saucepan. Add brown sugar, corn syrup, and water. Cook and stir until mixture reaches a hard boil. Add a pinch of baking soda. Remove from heat and pour over popcorn. Stir to coat thoroughly. Cool; then break into clusters. Store in covered container. Makes 12 to 18 servings (Lion House Christmas, [Salt Lake City: Shadow Mountain, 2006], 136.)