YOUTH GOAL ACTIVITY. HOLD FAST TO THE LORD’S STANDARDS word find. Youth can realize the Lord’s ways will keep them from the fierce winds of change and keep them safe. Fill in missing statements, e.g., “I listen for and act on the impressions that the Holy Ghost gives me.”
Use for COME FOLLOW ME Young Women, Young Men, Seminary, Family Home Evening, Sunday School
LESSON LIFESAVERS Activity
Hold fast to the Lord’s Standards word find
OBJECTIVE: Help youth realize the importance of holding fast to the Lord’s standards and to cling to the gospel “when the winds of change blow fiercely” at us, as the poster quote reads by Spencer W. Kimball. He tells us “we have a tree or rod of principle to which we can cling for safety . . . the gospel.”
Have youth fill in the missing word to identify ways they can hold fast to the Lord’s standards. Principles are on the word find puzzle (see below*).
WORDS TO PLACE IN THE STATEMENTS: counsel, Holy Ghost, commitment, patriarchal, prophets, act, before, chastity, scriptures, influences, strength, protection
For example, “I know from the scriptures what the Lord’s standard of chastity is? See all answers below**.
TO MAKE Print activity in color or black and white.
ACTIVITY:
1. REVIEW QUOTE
*Review the quote by Spencer W. Kimball found on the HOLD FAST word find: “When the winds of change blow fiercely and the waves sweep over us, we have a tree or rod of principle to which we can cling for safety. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ which has been restored to the earth in its fullness.”
2. FILL IN MISSING WORDS IN STATEMENTS
** ANSWERS TO Questionnaire discussion
I know from the scriptures what the Lord’s standard of chastity is?
I know what the prophets have said about how to deal with evil influences?
I read and ponder my patriarchal blessing?
I pray for strength and protection?
I seek and listen to the counsel of my parents?
I listen for and act on the impressions that the Holy Ghost gives me?
I have made a commitment to cling to the Lord’s standard before I am faced with temptation?
But We Heeded Them Not | David A. Bednar
Holding Fast to the Iron Rod
Our covenant connection with God and Jesus Christ is the channel through which we can receive the capacity and strength to “heed not.” And this bond is strengthened as we continually hold fast to the rod of iron. But as Nephi’s brethren asked, “What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw … ?
“And [Nephi] said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.” 1 Nephi 15:23-24
Please note that the ability to resist the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary is promised to those individuals who “hold fast to” rather than merely “cling to” the word of God.”
*THOUGHT TREAT: Butterfinger Bars. As youth take their first bite of the candy bar, observe that the candy looks like a tree. Tell them the quote from Anatomy of a Tree: “‘(A) The outer bark of a tree is its protection from the outside world. (B) The inner bark, or “phloem”, is a pipeline through which food is passed to the rest of the tree.’ What are we putting into our pipeline to nourish our spiritual tree? How can we protect ourselves from the outside world like the tree?”
Review the actions found on the HOLD FAST word find (above) to help us develop a firm bark to protect us from “the winds of change” that blow fiercely (see quote above*): scriptures to learn standards, prophets words to resist temptations, ponder patriarchal blessing, pray for strength and protection, seek counsel from parents and bishop, listen to the Holy Ghost, commit to cling to the Lord’s standards.
MUTUAL NIGHT ACTIVITIES (Or, Sunday School, Seminary, Family Home Evening):
TALK ABOUT THE TREE OF LIFE: “In that very well-known vision found in 1 Nephi chapter 8, we are reminded of the difficulty of staying on the strait and narrow path that leads to eternal life. Father Lehi described to his sons the challenges facing different groups of people seeking the tree of life, “whose fruit was desirable to make one happy” (v. 10). This tree represented the love of God (see 1 Nephi 11:21–22).” Read More . . . A Virtuous Life—Step by Step – Mary N. Cook – First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency
Source YW2.34
Lehi Sees a Vision of the Tree of Life | 1 Nephi 8 | Book of Mormon
In the wilderness, Lehi has a vision filled with symbolism that includes the tree of life. In his vision, he struggles for some time in the dark before finally making his way to the tree. He eats or partakes of its fruit and desires his family to do likewise. He sees a rod of iron, a strait and narrow path, and the mists of darkness that enshroud men. Sariah, Nephi, and Sam eat the fruit, but Laman and Lemuel refuse.
MAKE SOME OBEDIENCE COOKIES: Choose a terrific cookie recipe and make it with the youth. Follow the recipe exactly and bake. With the same recipe omit the sugar and salt or the baking soda or half the flavoring or sweet ingredients, e.g., vanilla, or chocolate chips. Bake and keep separate from the Obedience Cookies (that are perfect).
DISCUSS THE DIFFERENCE: Have a discussion around the table with milk and one each of the Obedience Cookies and Disobedience Cookies. Talk about what can happen in life if you choose not to obey certain commandments. Life can be sweet and full, or it may lack certain wonderful ingredients. As the Spirit directs, choose some scriptures to make the point. Bear testimony.
CLICK HERE to listen to the Radio Commentary: The Iron Rod – Episode 23 – Description: The vision of the tree of life is one of the most well-known visions recorded in the Book of Mormon. There have been commentaries, talks, and artistic renditions on the vision of the tree of life. One of the most important symbols in that vision is the iron rod and the straight and narrow path. But what does it mean to hold to the rod? How do we know if we are on the straight and narrow path? Listen to this episode of Q&A and hear the teachings of prophets and apostles in our time and times past for the answers.
SING ABOUT GOD’S PLAN “I Will Follow God’s Plan (CS, 164) using the song visuals (HERE or below)
NOTE: The words: “I will follow God’s plan for me, Holding fast to his word and his love.” emphasize the HOLD FAST word find the activity (above).
THIS ACTIVITY CAN BE USED FOR Come Follow Me
• FEBRUARY Lesson 5 “Why do we have adversity?”
• MAY Lesson 6 “How can a patriarchal blessing help me?”
• SEPTEMBER Lesson 1 “How can I be in the world but not of the world?”
