Putting Good Things in Our Minds

Author: Marika @ www.completeleeblog.blogspot.com

Things that are repeated to us over and over again tend to stick with us. For instance, have family members see if they can complete several ad slogans, like these:

Melts in your mouth, not in your hands........................M&M's
Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce.................McDonalds Big Mac
Yo Quiero......................................................Taco Bell
Mmm, mmm, good.............................................Campbell's Soup
Just do it.....................................................Nike
With a name like _____....it has to be good.................Smuckers
Be all that you can be.......................................U.S. Army
Breakfast of champions............................................Wheaties
It keeps going, and going, and going..............................Energizer

Teach that you must be careful about what goes in to your mind. You should always be prepared to have something good to put in to your mind in case something bad pops in. Music is a good way to do this.

There is a talk by Boyd K. Packer (April 2008) that mentions how the mind is like a stage and how to get rid of bad thoughts. He also suggests music as a means to help. Great article to draw from for this lesson.

Demonstrate the idea of the mind being like a stage by using a small, simply constructed stage and finger puppets. Visually show the family Boyd K. Packer's words by acting it out as you share the idea. Have some puppets designated as bad thoughts, others as pure thoughts. Show how the pure thoughts can oust the bad ones.

Spend time memorizing Church hymns and children's songs here. Memorize scriptures using songs here. (all scripture songs are free)

Christmas Music and Jesus Christ

FHE lesson exchange, author unknown.

Preparation:
1- Gather Hymnbooks, Children's Songbook and Scriptures.

Opening Prayer

Song:
Skip this for now. You will be singing for the activity.

Lesson:
Read D&C 136:28.

Music is a very important part of worship. It invites the spirit into our hearts. Unfortunately, often we sing songs without really knowing or paying attention to the words. Turn to the Christmas songs in the Hymnbook an Children's Songbook. Allow a family member to pick a favorite song. sing and enjoy the song. Then go through the song verse by verse. Understand what that song is about. Sing and review a song choice for each family member.
Christmas is all about the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Singing and understanding these beautiful songs will help us to focus and keep the true spirit of the holiday season.

Use this discussion to challenge your children to keep the true focus of Christmas this year on Christ and not toys or other things that commercialize the holiday.

Closing Prayer

Treat:
Holiday Peppermint Slices
1 package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract, divided
red food coloring
green food coloring

Remove dough from the wrapper. Cut the dough into thirds. Combine 1/3 of the dough, 1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract and red food coloring. Beat until tinted. Repeat with the second 1/3 of dough, remaining 1/8 teaspoon of peppermint extract and green food coloring.

To assemble, shape each portion of dough into 8-inch rolls. Place the red beside the green; press together. Add the plain roll on top. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut the dough into 1/4 inch slices and bake 8-9 minutes.