For the STRENGTH OF YOUTH
AUGUST – Doctrine and Covenants 95:8
“TEMPLE ORDINANCES AND COVENANTS GIVE YOU GREATER ACCESS TO GOD’S BLESSINGS“
CHURCH & HOME – LESSON PLAN
(In 20 minutes you can review the lesson (that YOUTH CAN TEACH). Then send youth home with a handout to place in their journal/notebook to reinforce gospel learning. Use one per week (printing all fro the bundle or individually below.
YOU’LL FIND:
#1 Activities BUNDLE For Lesson-Match Activities (shown right)
#2 “Strength of Youth” lesson TEMPLE ORDINANCES … (below or here)
#3 Mutual Night ACTIVITIES (shown below)
BUNDLE Includes:
Activities:
1. “Sacred ordinances and covenants …” Family Proclamation scripture posters and card
2. “Celestial Marriage is a pivotal part of … eternal live …” ColorQuote
3. Trip to Temple: Strength of Youth standards puzzle
4. Dating Standards (ColorQuote)
LESSON LIFESAVER Lessons and Activities
Temple ordinances and covenants give you greater to God’s blessings.
Some of Heavenly Father’s blessings are so sacred, He has commanded us to set aside special, holy places where we can receive them: temples. In the temple, the house of the Lord, you can receive His highest ordinances—the endowment and sealing—and receive His greater promises.
Eternal Truths
The endowment is a gift of knowledge and power. In the ordinances of the temple endowment, you take the Savior’s name upon yourself more fully. You covenant to obey God, sacrifice to do His will, live the gospel of Jesus Christ, obey the law of chastity, and consecrate—or dedicate—your life and all that God has given you to His Church. These are your promises. God promises to bless you with greater knowledge, protection, and access to His power. He also promises to give you eternal life with Him. As part of the endowment, you receive the sacred privilege of wearing the garment of the holy priesthood. The garment is a symbol of Jesus Christ and a reminder of your temple covenants.
The temple sealing unites couples and families for eternity. In the ordinance of the temple sealing, you and your spouse will make a covenant with God and with each other. You will promise to be completely loyal to God and to one another, to love and serve each other, and to work together to keep God’s laws. This is your promise. God promises that your relationship with your spouse and your children can last forever. He also promises that you can receive the highest glory with Him in the celestial kingdom as you keep your covenants. This blessing is called exaltation.
SCRIPTURE MEMORIZATION. “THE FAMILY: A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD” paragraph 3 scripture poster/card set. Youth can learn “Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.” SEE MORE . . .
ColorQuote CELESTIAL MARRIAGE poster. Youth can memorize this quote to know that a temple marriage will prepare us for eternal life to live in the Celestial Kingdom (where God lives). “Celestial marriage is a pivotal part of preparation for eternal life. It requires one to be married to the right person, in the right place, by the right authority, and to obey that sacred covenant faithfully.”– Bruce R. McConkie SEE MORE . . .
Invitations
Always have a temple recommend. Meet with a member of your bishopric to receive one. He will ask you questions about how you’re living the Lord’s standards for entering His holy house. Review these questions often. (You can find them in the appendix to this guide.) Even if you live far from a temple, let your recommend be a symbol of your love for the Lord and your commitment to live His standards.
Go to the temple as often as you can. With your temple recommend, you can enter the Lord’s house and be baptized and confirmed for your ancestors, so they can receive the blessings you’ve been given. Take advantage of every opportunity to be in the temple. Seek the Lord in His house. Look for Him in the ordinances, the symbols, and the Spirit you feel. You will find Him.
Prepare to make covenants in the house of the Lord. One of the best ways to do this is to keep your baptismal covenant. Make it one of your guiding goals to receive the temple ordinances and to be a lifelong covenant keeper. Start now to live the laws you will promise to obey in the temple: obedience to God’s commandments, sacrifice, the gospel of Jesus Christ, chastity, and consecration. Your family, bishop, and other Church leaders can help you.
YOUTH POST-AND-PRESENT ACTIVITY. TRIP TO THE TEMPLE “For the Strength of Youth” car puzzle. Youth (ages 11-19) learn that by making these right choices they can travel toward the temple, a mission, and eternal marriage. They can talk about broken parts (actions) that need repair; through repentance, they can get back on the right road again. SEE MORE . . .
ColorQuote (Marriage & Family) poster
“In a world of shifting values, staying true to our standards is critical to spiritual survival. Sincerely committing ourselves to honoring our covenants can strengthen us against temptation. …Act now, so that a thousand years from now, when you look back at this moment, you can say this was a moment that mattered—this was a day of determination.” –Neal A. Maxwell, “Why Not Now? SEE MORE . . .
Promised Blessings
You can become more like Jesus Christ. He will help you become a greater follower of righteousness. Temple ordinances and covenants will teach you how to enter God’s presence and receive eternal life with Him.
You will be armed with God’s power. Temple covenants come with the promise that the power and glory of God will be upon you. His angels will watch over you.
Time in the temple will connect you more closely to Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. You will feel God’s peace and rest. You will hear His voice with greater clarity. The heavens will open to you, and you will better understand His ways. You will have greater strength to face your challenges because your heart is connected to His.
POST-AND-PRESENT ACTIVITY. CELESTIAL BLESSINGS Sunshine Show-and-Tell. Youth complete the sentences after the word “because …” found in the sun’s rays. For example, “When I see the temple I feel Heavenly Father’s love because … “I know that in His temple I can make covenants to return to Him.” SEE MORE . . .
SCRIPTURE MEMORIZATION. TEMPLE COVENANTS – OVERCOMING TRIALS ColorQuote. “As you and I go to the holy houses of God, as we remember the covenants we make within, we will be more able to bear every trial and to overcome each temptation. In this sacred sanctuary we will find peace; we will be renewed and fortified.” President Thomas S. Monson, “The Holy Temple–a Beacon to the World” SEE MORE . . .
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.
These Mutual Night Activities were written by Fern Law, a Young Women leader of six years – these are her experiences with the YOUTH. Collect them all; there are over 200 in this series.
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.” SEE MORE . . .
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YOUTH CAN TEACH
So, please let them teach as it helps them learn the gospel and grow their testimony as they share it.
Use this BRIGHT IDEAS LESSON Planner to plan lesson objectives, activities, and discussions (included with each activity).
