Learning to Obey the Lord

FHE Lesson exchange, author unknown

Preparation:
1- Gather items to make banana splits (bananas, chocolate sauce, ice cream, ect)
2- Scriptures

Song:
Nephi's Courage

Lesson:
Turn to 1 Nephi 17-18

Tell the story of Nephi building the boat; One day the Lord told Nephi to build a boat to carry him and his family to the promised land. Nephi didn't know how to make a boat, but he made tools and trusted in the Lord that he would be able to do it.

His brothers Laman and Lemuel didn't believe the Lord told Nephi to build this boat, so they refused to help. Nephi told them that they should repent and obey Heavenly Father because he knew the Lord would help them if they were humble. This made Laman and Lemuel very angry, and they tried to throw Nephi into the sea, but the power of the Lord was with them. The Lord told Nephi to touch Laman and Lemuel, and when he touched them, the Lord shook them so they knew without a doubt, that the Lord was helping Nephi. Nephi then told them to repent and obey the Lord and their parents.

Because they were afraid, Laman and Lemuel repented and helped Nephi build the boat. When Nephi needed help, he asked the Lord, and the Lord helped him and taught him how to build the boat. Finally, the boat was finished.

The family loaded the boat and climbed aboard. For many days the wind blew them towards the promised land. The Laman and Lemuel and Ishmael's sons got angry with Nephi because Nephi told them once again to obey the Lord. They tied Nephi with roped and wouldn't let him go. Because Laman and Lemuel were so wicked, the Liahonna stopped working and they didn't know which way to go.

Lehi, Sariah and Nephi's wife and children begged Laman and Lemuel to untie Nephi, but they would not listen. Because of their wickedness, a storm blew the ship backwards for three days. On the fourth day the storm became very bad, and the ship almost sank. Laman and Lemuel were afraid for their lives, and they knew the Lord was angry with them, so they untied Nephi. Nephi picked up the Liahonna and it worked again, pointing the way towards the promised land.

Nephi prayed and the storm stopped. Then they were able to sail the ship to the promised land following the Liahonna.

Ask you children the following questions:

1- Why did Nephi build the boat?
2- How did Nephi build the boat?
3- What did Laman and Lemuel say to Nephi when they say him building the boat?
4- What happened when they tried to throw Nephi into the sea?
5- Does the Lord protect those who are doing good for him?
6- What did Laman and Lemuel do to Nephi on the ship?
7- What happened when they untied him?

Explain to your children that Heavenly Father blesses us when we do what we are supposed to. Just like he blessed and protected Nephi.

Activity:
Coloring page

Treat:
Make banana split "boats"

Picture The Friend, www.lds.org

Nephi Was Courageous

FHE Exchange, author unknown

Preparation:
1. Cut/print game pieces for Nephi Game.
2. Make or purchase waffles

Opening Song:
Nephi's Courage

Scripture:
1 Nephi 3:7
"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

Lesson:
Using the scriptures re-tell your children the story of Nephi and the brass plates.
1 Nephi: 3-4

Activity:
Play the game "Help Nephi Build His Boat"

Treats:
Wilderness Waffles
Take a waffle and cut it into small triangles. Place the triangles with the larger end on the bottom and the smaller end at the top, they should be on opposite sides so they will stand up. It should look like fire or a t-pee. Serve with warm syrup or powdered sugar.

I Will Go And Do The Things The Lord Commands

Preparation:
1. Gather plastic swimming pool, straws, sticks, paper and scraps of cloth
2. Copy/print clipart

Song:
Nephi’s Courage

Scripture:
1 Nephi 3:7

Lesson:
Read the interview from Elder Lowell D. Wood of the Seventy. Use the clipart to help with the story.
Rebecca M. Taylor and Lowell D. Wood, “Friend to Friend,” Friend, May 1995, 6
I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded (1 Ne. 3:7).

As a young boy growing up in Cardston, Alberta, Canada, I had to travel two miles to get to school. That was quite a distance to walk, so my parents bought me a little Shetland pony named Brown Bess that I could ride.

Over the next two or three years Bess had some offspring. I had a close friend who didn’t have a pony, so my parents suggested that I give one of Bess’s foals to him. I was happy to do that, because then we were able to ride through the river bottoms and explore them together.

Giving the pony away didn’t make much of an impression on me until many years later, after my friend and I had gone our separate ways. He came for a visit, and in a high priest meeting one Sunday, he shared with the other high priests the story of what I had done for him and what it meant to him. I was touched, and I knew more strongly than ever that friendships are much more important than possessions.

One day when I was quite young, I became unhappy with my mother and father and told them that I was going to run away. My wise parents helped me put together a little pack—a handkerchief with some clothes in it—and let me go. I walked down from the hill a little way from the house, feeling very brave. But the farther I got, the slower I walked. We lived out in the country, and it started to get dark and I started to get hungry. I decided home was pretty good. I turned around and went back home.

I’ve always admired my parents for allowing me to learn that lesson by myself. When my mother tells the story, she describes watching me go and crying. But she wanted to let me have that experience. When I got home, there was no punishment, just a loving welcome. I never needed to try that again, and I gained a greater appreciation for my parents and home.

The experience of Nephi in 1 Nephi chapter 4 has meant a great deal to me. The Lord commanded Lehi to send Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi to get the brass plates from Laban. After two unsuccessful tries, Laman and Lemuel became discouraged and wanted to quit and return to their families. But Nephi had faith in the Lord, and he desired to obey the Lord’s command. In verse 6, [1 Ne. 4:6] he said, “And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.”

I think that’s a wonderful thing to remember—that there are many times in our lives when we don’t know how to do the things that are asked of us. We may be asked to do things by our parents or our church leaders that we don’t understand, but if we have faith and if we let the Spirit guide us, then we can be successful and have good experiences.

I know that we can do the things that Heavenly Father wants us to do. The Lord has helped me with my calling as a General Authority, and he will help you with your schooling, your friends, your preparation for a mission, or any other worthwhile thing. If you will do what the Lord has asked of you, with faith in him, he will help you to do it.

Ask your children how they can follow the commandments of Jesus Christ.
-By following the prophet, going to church, prayer, etc.

Sometimes Heavenly father may ask us to do things that maybe difficult or we don’t know how to do them. But if we get down on our knees, he is always there to help. He may even send a primary teacher, parent, friend or someone else to help us with our task at hand.

Activity:
Have your children make paper boats (talk about needing to follow directions as Nephi followed the Lord’s directions). As they follow directions (paper bowl stapled in a ‘v’ shape, pieces of cloth attached to stick to make a sail) tell them how Nephi followed the Lord’s directions and was blessed. When the paper boats are made, have the plastic swimming pool filled with 2-3 inches of water. Using the straws for wind, sail the paper boats across the promised land. (idea from Sugardoodle.net)

Treat:
Smore boats
Supplies needed: graham cracker, marshmallows, chocolate covered pretzels or graham sticks, fruit roll-ups
Take graham crackers, melt a marshmallow on top in the mircowave 10-15 sec. Using the fruit roll-up mold a sail, stick it to the pretzel or graham stick and place in the softened marshmellows.

Nephi

DeseretBook.com, author: Shauna Gibby, 2007

Thought:
Nephi was that rare combination: a great prophet who is also a founder of a nation. As prophet, he succeeded his father Lehi as spiritual leader in ancient America and laid the groundwork for the heights of righteousness later achieved. As ruler of a new nation, he was so beloved of his people that . . . [they] insisted on calling his successors "second Nephi, third Nephi, and so forth." Allen E. Bergin, "Nephi, a Universal Man," Ensign, Sep 1976, 65

Song:
"Nephi's Courage," Children's Songbook, p. 120

Scripture:
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.
(1 Nephi 3:7)

Lesson:
Play the "favorites" game with your family. Choose a topic such as food, movies, animals, colors, or friends. As family members to tell who or what they favorites are. Ask them why something or someone becomes a favorite. Next, ask if they think the Lord has favorites. Read 1 Nephi 3:4-6 and look for who might be "favored of the Lord." Why does Lehi say that Nephi would be so favored? Read 1 Nephi 17:32 and find who else is "favored" of the Lord. Why do you think the Lord favors the righteous? What can you do to be "favored of the Lord"?
(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter- day Saint Families: The Book of Mormon, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003], p. 15.)

Story:
After a long and difficult trip through the wilderness, the sons of Lehi finally arrived at Jerusalem. They drew lots to see who would have to go to Laban's home and ask him for the brass plates, which contained the scriptures. Laman was chosen to go. When Laman asked Laban for the plates, Laban told his servants to kill him. Laman had to run for his life.
Laman and Lemuel wanted to give up, but Nephi convinced them to try again. He told them that God would help them, because it was God who had asked them to get the plates.
Laman, Lemuel, Nephi, and Sam thought of all the riches they had left behind in their home. They decided they might be able to trade their riches for the plates. They went back to their home and got their gold and silver and went again to Laban's house.
Laban was such a wicked man that he took their gold and silver and sent his servants to kill all four of the brothers. Once again they had to run for their lives. They hid in a cave outside the city.
Laman and Lemuel were angry, and they began to hit Nephi and Sam with a stick. While they were hitting their brothers, an angel appeared and told them to stop. The angel promised them that they would be able to get the plates if they tried again.
Laman and Lemuel were still afraid, so Nephi told his brothers that he would go back to Laban's house alone and get the plates. Nephi didn't know how he was going to do it, but he planned on trusting in the Lord and listening to the Holy Ghost. Nephi waited until it was dark and then went into the city. As he approached Laban's house, he found King Laban lying on the ground, drunk. The Holy Ghost commanded Nephi to kill Laban and put on his clothes, and Nephi obeyed. When he approached the servant Zoram, who was guarding the plates, Zoram thought Nephi was Laban, and so he gave Nephi the plates.
Zoram walked with Nephi until they were out of the city. When he realized that Nephi was not Laban, Zoram began to run. Nephi captured Zoram and promised him that he would be a free man if he joined their family in the wilderness. Zoram decided he would join them, and he lived with them from then on.
(Allan K. Burgess and Max H. Molgard, Fun For Family Night: The Book of Mormon Edition, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1990], p. 30.)

Activity:
Give each member of the family a sheet of paper and a pencil or pen. Younger children can be assisted by parents or older children.
Tell them you are going to read several things that God has asked us to do. Ask them to write down the two things they think are, or will be, the hardest for them to do. Tell them not to let anyone see what they write.
Read the following items and add some of your own if you desire: Serve a full- time mission; Pay a full tithing; Forgive others even if the don't act as if they are sorry; Keep the Sabbath day holy; Obey their parents; Be unselfish and share with others; Live the Word of Wisdom; Avoid bad language.
Once everyone has written down two things that they feel are most difficult for them, tell the family that you are going to see how well you know each other. Choose one family member and have each person guess one thing that they think this member wrote down. Then have the person read the two things they are written. Each family member that correctly named one of the things receives on point.
Then choose another family member and do the same thing until all members have shared what they wrote on their papers. The person with the most matches wins.
Note: The purpose of this activity is not to single out family members and make them feel discouraged, rather, it is to provide all family members with the opportunity to become better acquainted and to help them, through increased family support, to faithfully keep the commandments. If you feel uncomfortable identifying negative traits, have each family member write down the commandments that he or she feels are the easiest to live.
Discuss when we are asked to do things we feel hard, we can remember how God helped Nephi and we can ask him to help us also. Discuss how the Lord can help them with the commandments that the family members feel are difficult to keep.
(Allan K. Burgess and Max H. Molgard, Fun For Family Night: The Book of Mormon Edition, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1990], p. 29.)

Refreshment:
Sour Cream Poundcake
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
2 ¼ cups sugar
6 eggs
3 cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon soda
1 cup dairy sour cream
½ teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon lemon extract
½ teaspoon orange extract
Cream butter until soft. Add sugar gradually, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each. Sift together flour, salt, and soda; add to batter alternately with sour cream, beating until smooth. Add flavorings. Prepare fluted (bundt) cake pan by coating generously with vegetable oil spray, then sprinkling with granulated sugar; or grease pan heavily. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until done. Cool cake for 10 minutes; remove from pan.
(Winnifred C. Jardine, Mormon Country Cooking, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1980] p. 269.)
© 2005 Deseret Book Co.