LDS Object Lesson and Attention Getters for Lesson Openers

2ND ANNUAL FHE MUTUAL & PIE-EATING CONTEST

JOLLY ROGERS June 19, 2014

Last night we had our 2nd Annual Family Home Evening Mutual Combined YM/YW Activity! Unlike our other Mutual activities, the leaders plan & carry out this whole activity so the kids can just enjoy (and see how its supposed to go). We star…

Feed Items, Object Lesson

combined mutual activity, fhe, Games, LDS Young Women

Peculiar People

Jennifer Smith March 12, 2014

Dress up in strange clothes. Pants, long skirt and a short skirt, Long sleeve shirt and a fishing vest, funny hat and have half your hair up and the other down, wear a snow boot and a high heel (be extravagant). Teach your lesson like you dress like this all the time. Then at the end of the lesson, explain that we, as Mormons, do things that seem strange to…
Read more

Object Lesson

Peculiar People

Diamonds in the Rough

Terri January 8, 2014

With the 2014 mutual theme being, “Come Unto Christ and be Perfected in Him…” I have had overwhelming email requests and comments on this particular post. Most of you are requesting a copy of the talk. Just so you know… I have made a request for the talk that was used, but not sure if she still has a copy. This particular New Beginnings was held a few years ago, back in 2010. I will let you know if and when it becomes available.

*

Original 2010 post:

*

This year our ward’s New Beginnings theme was, “Diamonds in the rough: Come unto Christ and be perfected in Him” .
*

*

INVITATION
*
Invitations were hand delivered in a simple black envelope, tied with black ribbon. Each name was written in metallic silver on the front of the envelope.

*

Needed Supplies: simple printout of invitation on white copy paper, black card stock, black envelopes, clear rhinestone stickers, double-sided tape or glue stick, and a silver metallic Sharpie.

*

Other ideas:

*

Square Bracket Cards

You can purchase them here

I saw these cute Square Bracket Cards and thought they might be a bit more “girlie” than the straight edge we used on our invites.

*

AMBIANCE/DECOR
*
The Relief Society room was transformed into our Young Women’s Diamond Boutique

Décor included: black and white table coverings and drapes, black tulle, topiaries, lighting, large acrylic crystals, and a simple vase filled with faux beautiful soft pink roses (which were given to our new and incoming Beehives during the program).

The Young Women Medallion was displayed on a black velvet neck display. And the new Personal Progress booklet, Strength of Youth pamphlet and Guidebook for Parents and Leaders of Youth, each received a “bling, bling makeover”, using clear rhinestone stickers. the YW values were also displayed.

My daughter’s dress form was transformed into our daughter of a king, complete with a few of the large acrylic crystals around the neck and a sparkly “Diamonds in the Rough” sash, which I made using a piece of black scrap material and felt letters stickers I found at a local fabric store (simple, yet adorable!).

Along with the bling was a large piece of coal, a simple rock we found at the lake recently, spray painted black.
*

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

*

I do not have an exact program outline. But our program included Personal Progress updates, Spotlights on our newest Beehives, a couple musical numbers, and talks from our Young Women’s President (Amy) and our Bishop. They each tied in the theme nicely. Amy started out her talk with the cutest object lesson… “How to make a diamond”.

*

OBJECT LESSON IDEAS

*

1) I recall Amy standing in front of the group in a darling apron. Holding a recipe card. She took a piece of coal (could be a simple rock painted black) and placed it in a frying pan. She asked the young women how long it would take her to turn that piece of coal into a diamond. I believe this is when she pulled out the blow torch. She didn’t use it of course. Just a visual aid. :) After some discussion, she bridged over to what it takes to be perfected in Him.

*

2) Another idea would be to use a tarnished piece of silver and polish it while explaining how our Savior helps refine us – in the end the silver will shine.

*

photo credit here, from The Creek Line House

*

3) Diamonds, an object lesson.

*

RESOURCES FOR TALK PREPARATION

*

The process to create diamonds is completely natural. The diamonds start out as a simple piece of coal, until a molten rock heats pure carbon under tremendous pressure. This causes the diamond crystals to be formed. Volcanic activity will, over time, push the diamonds to the earth’s surface, where they can be found buried in the earth. The diamonds still have to get cleaned and polished before they shine.
*

The Lord’s Pattern for Peace, Elder Christoffel Golden Jr., Ensign April 2008

“Then, as I looked at his almost transparent countenance, I recalled many of the small and great deeds he had done. It was in the small deeds that I discovered the greater joy. Through his renewed life of submission and service, this noble servant of the Lord had received the approval of heaven. He was no longer a rough diamond but rather a refined, polished shaft.

*

Opposition in Order to Strengthen Us, Eldred G. Smith, General Conference October 1973

“We all have our trials of life to strengthen us. Each thinks he has the hardest or most severe trials. It may be that they are the most difficult only because they are the hardest or most difficult for you. The diamond is enhanced and made more valuable with polishing. Steel is made harder and more valuable through tempering. So also opposition builds the character of man.”

*

James E Faust uses the story of a man’s search for diamonds to teach a few different lessons:

Happiness and Our Search For Happiness, James E. Faust, Liahona October 2000

“How many times do we look for our happiness at a distance in space or time rather than right now, in our own homes, with our own families and friends?”

The Truth Shall Make You Free, James E. Faust, Liahona September 1998

“Where can truth be found?”

*

http://www.lds.org/media-library/images/mormonads/trials-and-adversity?lang=eng

*

How Diamonds are Formed, National Geographic

As I watched this I was intrigued with the idea that once a diamond is formed beneath the earth’s surface, it still needs to be transported. Just as we need our Savior.

*

MUSICAL NUMBER SUGGESTIONS

*
Brie sang her first solo in public. She and one of our beehives sang “Daughter of a King“, by Jenny Phillips. They each sang a verse on their own and sang the chorus together. Brie was so nervous, but she did wonderful.

*

TAKE-A-WAY/GIFTS
*
After the program, the Young Women were directed to the back of the room. There they found two tables which were set-up with supplies for each of them to make their own “Be Strong and of Good Courage” tiles – because that was the mutual theme for 2010. (supplies: 4×4 tiles, prepared vinyl lettering, and Pampered Chef scrapers)
*

*

REFRESHMENTS
*
We served up Chocolate Mousse Parfaits with Brownies and Caramel Sauce, Amy’s creation.

*

TAKE AWAY IDEAS

*

Each of the young women were given a small bag, tied with a black ribbon, holding a ring pop inside as they were leaving.

*

(1) Small Black Velvet Drawstring Pouches, purchase here ($2.93 for a pack of 12)

(2) Clear treat bags, found at your local craft stores

(3) Black Organza Bags,purchase here ($1.50 for a pack of 10)

*

Here are a few other ideas…

*

Ring Pop Popsicles

idea found here, from Make It Cozee

*

Edible Sugar Diamonds

Multiple colors and shapes. Great to top cupcakes or cookies with!

You can purchase them here, at Fancy Flours

*

*
Gem Candy Molds

Have a candy making activity beforehand.

Candy molds found here

photo from Make It Love It

*

MUTUAL or F.H.E. ACTIVITY IDEAS

*

Rock Hounding, Family Home Evening Resource Book

Feed Items, Object Lesson

2014 mutual theme, Diamonds, diamonds in the rough, general conference, girls camp, jewels, LDS Young Women, new beginnings, treasure

starburst temple work

Jennifer Smith August 15, 2013

Bring a small candy like a starburst, set it on the table and ask “who wants the candy? Who REALLY wants the candy? ” Whoever seems most eager, pick for the example. Say, “Joey, (or whoever) you really want the candy. It’ll make you very happy. So you can have it, but you can’t use any part of your body to pick it up or unwrap it, you can only…
Read more

Object Lesson

baptism for the dead, family history, Family History Specialists, Family Home Evening, LDS Primary, LDS Seminary, LDS Sunday School, Primary Presidency, Teacher (youth/children), temple work, Young Men Presidency, Young Women Leaders

Stand Ye in Holy Places

Jennifer Smith March 18, 2013

You’ll need a stool and some Youth Leaders. Have a youth stand on the stool. Demonstrate that with a little effort, if the person stands alone, you can knock him/her off the perch. Put the person Ask the group what you can do to keep yourself in position when you Stand in Holy Places. Scripture study, Prayer, Good Friends, etc, will be common responses. Have the responders come up and…
Read more

Object Lesson

Camp/Youth Conference Director, LDS Young Men, LDS Young Women, Melchizedek Priesthood Leaders, Priesthood, stand ye in holy places, steadfast and immovable, strength in numbers, Teacher (youth/children), Young Men Presidency, Young Women Leaders

Q&A: How To Teach a Song From Scratch

Brittney February 25, 2013

Q: I would love a post on how to teach a song. I am a newly called chorister and being a college-age convert to the church I never experienced primary as a child. I’m just not sure how to teach a song from the beginning …..thanks!A: Yes. …

Feed Items, Object Lesson

LDS Primary, qanda, singing time

Hypocrisy – What’s on the Inside Matters

Jennifer Smith February 20, 2013

I used this object lesson to teach about hypocrisy to my Seminary class. First, I printed chewing gum inserts on card stock. Each insert was 140mm x 18mm and fit inside a Juicy Fruit wrapper. On each was written the following references and words: “Thou Whited Wall” Acts 23:3 and “Full of Dead Men’s Bones” Matthew 23:27. After cutting them out, I put the “fake” gum in the center section…
Read more

Object Lesson

hypocrisy, judging, judging others, LDS Seminary, scripture mastery

Craft Sticks – Notches

Jennifer Smith February 20, 2013

Handed out one of these [craft sticks] to each one [student. After the lesson], … they handed their stick back to me. I talked about how each of us may be weak (like the notches in the stick can weaken the stick) but together, the sticks can build a wonderful strong structure. All of us sharing our testimonies can strengthen each other…. If you have never tried this sort of lesson,…
Read more

Object Lesson

strength, testimony, unity, weaknesses

Lesson 34 ~ Manual 1

Tiffany September 7, 2012

Lesson 34 Worthy Thoughts

I actually get to teach this lesson so there will be a second post with my quotes and printable things that I used for the lesson.

This lesson is mostly a talk from Boyd K Packer which is amazing. What an important lesson especially for today’s youth when they always seem to have their earbuds in.

I am going to start off my lesson with the object lesson I found on Sugardoodle by Sue Curtis “Don’t think about M&M’s”

image source

I think it makes a great point that what we listen to does fill our minds even if we don’t want it to.

I also thought I would explain what garnish means.

garnish

verb

garnish the dish with chopped parsley: decorate, adorn, ornament, trim, dress, embellish; enhance, grace, beautify, prettify, add the finishing touch to.

noun

keep a few sprigs for a garnish: decoration, adornment, trim, trimming, ornament, ornamentation, embellishment, enhancement, finishing touch; Cooking chiffonade.

and see if they could make a connection with the scripture “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly” (D&C 121:45)

Also on my table I will have some things that “garnish”.

The rest of the lesson is the talk from Boyd K Packer that I will divide up for reading and attached to that I will put two candy eyeballs which works great since the Halloween candy is already coming out.

image source

To make it not quite so long a reading I will show THIS video which is the first part about the irrigation and water.

After they have read through and answered the questions following I thought that THIS object lesson was a great way to reinforce how much we are influenced by what we hear.

Or I read somewhere that someone used their phone ringtones and played a few and asked the girls how they felt when she played them to show how we’re influenced by music.

While I was reading through this lesson IPod’s kept coming to my mind and then I remembered seeing an IPod Valentine on line.

I will put a quote about music in the screen and on the back the scripture “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts”

Instructions to make these can be found HERE

I am also considering having the girls bring their IPods and maybe do a little cleaning on their playlists.

Have a great lesson!!

***added 9/10/12

I also added another object lesson about garnish. After we read the definition of garnish I pulled out two glasses. The first I dipped in hot fudge and then sprinkles. I then filled the glass with milk and added a small doughnut which I’d made a slit in to the rim of the glass and finished with a cute stripy straw. The second glass I dipped the rim in maple syrup that had dirt in it and then in paper scraps. I then added the milk and added a brown banana slice to the rim and a chewed up straw. We talked about how both glasses were ganished but what the garnish was made a difference. Just like our thoughts should be garnished with virtue not garbage.

Feed Items, Object Lesson

LDS Young Women, worthy thoughts

Lesson 29/Manual 1

Tiffany August 20, 2012

The Second ComingThis lesson is to help the YW understand that they are a Royal generation. So of course crowns and tiaras were the first thing that hit my brain. image sourceI’ve seen and used these little tiaras in the party favor section at Par…

Feed Items, Object Lesson

daughter of a king, daughter of god, LDS Young Women

lesson 33/manual 1

Tiffany August 8, 2012

Avoiding Degrading Media Influences What a great lesson and a very important one. With all the media that we’re exposed to today we have to be very careful what we allow into our minds. A few of the stories that I used in the previous lesson …

Feed Items, Object Lesson

inappropriate media, LDS Young Women, media

Lesson 30/Manual 1

Tiffany July 19, 2012

Lesson 30 Service

So many fun things to do with this lesson. I got some great ideas from Sugardoodle, some of my favorites are:

First was this great handout idea about doing all you “can”.

She made a label and attached it to a soup can. I would take it one step further and make that can into a treat can. I’ve done these cans before as a Visiting teaching treat for my ladies.

here is the can I made

and here’s where I learned to do them.

What you do is cut off the bottom of the can and empty and clean it out then refill it with treats and reseal the bottom back on. Be sure to use pop top cans and for the lesson I would find the small cans, like lunch snack size.

The label from Sugardoodle read:

Do all the GOOD you can
By all the MEANS you can
In all the WAYS you can
To all the PEOPLE you can
At all the TIMES you can
For as LONG as you can

Helping comes in CANS not in CAN’TS
May your cupboard be filled with CANS!!

* Updated 7/26/12~ I’ve created a can label that should fit the small fruit cans. If it’s too big just trim to fit, too small and you can back it with a solid paper first.

you can download it here

* update~ I’ve added a new label because the white writing is too hard to see when you print them out.

I also found a great little story about service from This ‘n’ That

The story goes:

One day a man said to God, “God, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.

God showed the man two doors. Inside the first one, in the middle of the room, was a large round table with a large pot of stew. It smelled delicious and made the man’s mouth water, but the people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.

The man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. God said, “You have seen Hell.”

Behind the second door, the room appeared exactly the same. There was the large round table with the large pot of wonderful stew that made the man’s mouth water. The people had the same long-handled spoons, but they were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.

The man said, “I don’t understand.”

God smiled. “It is simple,” He said, “Love only requires one skill. These people learned early to feed one another. Those who are hungry are greedy people, and they think only of themselves.

It would be cute to attach this little parable to a cute wooden spoon. I found some ideas for decorating a wooden spoon.

Tape off the handle and paint stripes

image source

Just dip the handles in bright colors.

image source

you could also use some ribbon and twirl it around the handle. This is a spoon I made for a Christmas treat and you could see that you could attach the story and maybe a little treat.

A great object lesson on how we give our service, is it with a grudge or with a smile?

source

image source

Display nice cake. Ask who would like a piece. Sometimes no one will take a piece as they smell a rat! I’ll then cut a nice piece for one of the leaders – given on the china with a nice napkin and fork. They usually tell me how tasty it is and then the girls all want a piece. I then slash a hunk of cake off ;and toss it in the paper napkin squishing it a bit and handing it over without a smile. The object is how it’s how we serve not what we serve. The cake is the same cake but tasted so much better when served in a kind thoughtful, manner.

I’ve actually seen this done and it leaves a big impact.

There was also this great idea of leaving a calling card after you’ve done an act of service.

I’ve made up a card you can print out and give a few to the girls to leave behind after they’ve done a good deed.

you can download this card here

I also have found some great sites with ideas for service.

This one has 52 great ideas. I would print out the list and give it to the girls with the sneaky service calling cards.

This one was more geared toward Christmas time but you could adapt some of her ideas

I always like to break up the lesson a bit with a video so they can hear someone else testify to what it is I’m trying to teach. This is a great video by Pres. Monson that I would use.

Definitely read the additional resources on the side bar of the lesson, so many good talks to take from.

Hope I was helpful and please don’t feel you need to do it all just take what works for you.

Have a wonderful lesson!

*if you have trouble downloading my printables please email me at the email address on my sidebar and I would be happy to get them to you directly. : )

Feed Items, Object Lesson

Christmas in Seminary, LDS Young Women, lessons, service