I had a student who’s father died this AM after a long illness. I think tomorrow’s lesson will need some adjustment…

Kendra Holmstead :

A couple ideas: Did the youth in your class know the father? Perhaps they could write experiences they had with him and how he had made a difference in their lives. It would be a comfort for his family. You could put together a freezer meal or two to deliver to the family. At times of grieving, it can be a comfort to just pull something easy from the freezer that you pop in the oven or slow cooker. And know that it was made with love by someone who cares.

(1 day ago)

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Donna Maynard Herring :

Oh wow, I couldn't imagine. Everyone get ready to hug the student when he/she comes back to seminary. Kendra, had some great suggestions up above. If you need more time, spend each day the rest of the week doing something each day.

(1 day ago)

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Cathy Pope Noel :

I would go with some ideas but let the kids take the lead on this one. I suspect that they will have really good insight as to how to best help.

(1 day ago)

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Wendi Gunn :

My father died of cancer when my brothers were all young. Two were on missions and one of them was still in high school and it was the love and support of his friends that ultimately kept him from exploding with anger at the unfairness of the situation. They kept him close enough that although he started making poor choices, he never lost his connection to the church. He needs to have friends that he can express himself to without being judged and he needs love... lots of unconditional love. Especially after the funeral when things calm down. That is when he will need the most support. Cards and notes express love in a way that he can read them in private and break down if he needs to without feeling ashamed for crying in front of others. .. just my two cents based on personal experience!

(1 day ago)

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Maggie Grover Bacher :

i think this talk really covered it well www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/because-i-live-ye-shall-live-also?lang=engi know that you wonder why the world is still turning. it seems impossible that life is still going on when such a tragedy has happened. one of the important things for the other kids to know is that nothing you say will make it ok. is is never going to be ok. don't try to make it ok. you do learn to live differently. you adjust to them not being physically there. that is ok.

(1 day ago)

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Stacey Coons :

D&C 42:45-46 "Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die...And it shall come to pass that those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them"My cousin died this last year and these scriptures brought me such comfort. My class had a really good discussion about the sorrow and the beauty of death and the joy of the gospel. It's okay to be sorrowful, in fact we should be at times. I think kids need to know that just as much as they need to know that we move forward by letting go of our sorrow and focusing on the light of the resurrection

(1 day ago)

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Marsha Newman Nuttall :

How about having the class look for scriptures of comfort regarding loss and trial and write testimonies or their thoughts with the scripture. They could then be put together in a book for the student.

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Kent Barney :

How about Elder Uchtdorf. "In light of what we know about our eternal destiny, is it any wonder that whenever we face the bitter endings of life, they seem unacceptable to us? There seems to be something inside of us that resists endings." www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/grateful-in-any-circumstances?lang=eng

(1 hour ago)