POST-AND-PRESENT ACTIVITY. “TIP-TOE TO THE TEMPLE” preparation and blessings review. Through the tulip gardens, youth can learn the importance of preparing to enter the temple by living My Gospel Standards and the blessings that come from attendance and worthiness. For example, “I will remember my baptismal covenant and listen to the Holy Ghost.”
USE FOR: COME FOLLOW ME, Young Women, Primary and Home, Family Home Evening, Seminary, Sunday School, Activity Days
POST-AND-PRESENT Activity
“Tip-Toe to the Temple”
Preparation and Blessing Review
OBJECTIVE: (see above)
TO MAKE VISUALS: Print/copy, color, and cut out the temple and temple grounds and tulips that follow. Mount all images except the tulips on a poster (as shown) and then laminate the entire poster. Laminate tulips and cut out, placing double-stick tape on the back to mount on the poster.
ACTIVITY
1. Tell the youth that the temple is Heavenly Father’s house and He wants us to enter the temple as His guests. We can enter the temple with a temple recommend.
The Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley said to “live worthy to hold a temple recommend, . . . go to the house of the Lord and partake of the spirit and blessings to be had therein” (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 53).
The Prophet Russell M. Nelson said, “To enter the temple is a tremendous blessing. But first, we must be worthy.” Talk “Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings” (Ensign, April 2001). You can start attending the temple when you are 12 with a temple recommend given to you by your bishop. To obtain this special recommend, He will ask you questions to see if you are worthy. The standards to enter the temple are My Gospel Standards that we are asked to live every day. Later when you are old enough and you continue to be worthy, you can go to the temple before going on a mission or when you are married there.
2. Let’s first take a trip to the temple through the tulip gardens to see if we are ready and to see what blessings await those who prepare for and attend the temple. Show youth the signs on the left and right and where to place the tulips they will take turns drawing and matching up as follows.
3. Have youth take turns coming up, drawing a tulip, and reading it aloud. Then have them place the tulip in the left garden under the sign that reads: How I Will Be Temple Ready. Or they can place the tulip in the right garden under the sign that reads: How the Temple Blesses Me.
4. As youth post each action or blessing, talk about them, asking why we do these things to prepare or talk about blessings.
THOUGHT TREAT: Cookies and Tulip Milk (color with food coloring to match flowers).
Source 2016.7
LESSON IDEAS (for the activity above):
• My Gospel Standards (found HERE in the Faith in God Activity Days booklet), D&C 138:47-48 (plant in the hearts of the children the promise made to their fathers);
• Gospel Principles, chapter 36 (“The Family Can Be Eternal”);
• Primary manual 3, lesson 35 (“Temples and Eternal Families”)
I will follow Heavenly Father’s plan for me.
I will remember my baptismal covenant and listen to the Holy Ghost.
I will choose the right. I know I can repent when I make a mistake.
I will be honest with Heavenly Father, others, and myself.
I will use the names of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ reverently. I will not swear or use crude words.
I will do those things on the Sabbath that will help me feel close to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
I will honor my parents and do my part to strengthen my family.
I will keep my mind and body sacred and pure, and I will not partake of things that are harmful to me.
I will dress modestly to show respect for Heavenly Father and myself.
I will only read and watch things that are pleasing to Heavenly Father.
I will only listen to music that is pleasing to Heavenly Father.
I will seek good friends and treat others kindly.
I will live now to be worthy to go to the temple and do my part to have an eternal family.
I Am a Child of God
I know Heavenly Father loves me, and I love Him.
I can pray to Heavenly Father anytime, anywhere.
I am trying to remember and follow Jesus Christ.