'Principles Of A True Fast' Handout

I am teaching Relief Society tomorrow and decided to make a handout for all the sisters. Since it's the first Sunday, I can pick what topic to teach

I thought about something patriotic, but that just didn't feel right. Then I thought about temples or prayer, but I still didn't feel like that is what I needed to teach the sisters about.

I prayed and decided to read some Ensign articles to see if I had any inspiration.

I decided to take a look at last year's July Ensign. I read an article that talked about fasting and I knew that that is what I needed to talk about.

I have truly enjoyed reading all the scriptures, and talks about Fasting. It has helped me realize that I need to be better at fasting. I am excited for fast Sunday tomorrow and a little nervous to teach. :)

One talk that I really loved and got alot of material from was

 "Fasting With Power" by Elder Shayne M Bowen. 

In his talk Elder Bowen discusses 5 principles of True Fasting. As I read his talk I realized I was denying myself and my family blessings by not always having a proper fast. I decided to make a handout for all the sisters in my ward to keep in their scriptures or somewhere in their home to help remind them what a True Fast really is. 

There are 2 sides to my handout: the front side has the 5 principles listed and the back side is ways to incorporate the principles into your fast.

Click Here to Print my Fasting Handout

I thought that some of you may want to use these for your own Relief Society, YW, Primary lessons, or for yourself. :)
I was also going to give each sister a small little notebook to use as 'Fasting Journals'. When I was searching for ideas this is actually the article of read that inspired me to teach on Fasting:

Fasting Journal

Renee Harding, North Carolina, USA

Fasting used to be difficult for me—until I began keeping a fasting journal. Now, before I begin each fast, I write down a specific purpose for my fast. For example, I might write, “Because I am so nervous about my new calling as Beehive adviser, I am fasting and praying that the Lord will bless me to be calm, confident, and composed tomorrow when I teach my first lesson.”

Throughout my fast, I jot down relevant things that transpire; thoughts, feelings, and impressions that come into my mind and heart; and scriptural references that especially pertain to the purpose of my fast.

As I share my desires with Heavenly Father, He often blesses me in ways I had not imagined. What might otherwise seem to be random events in my life are clearly linked when I write them down and see how they all contribute to my growth and development. Since 1996, when I first began keeping a fasting journal, I have seen how Heavenly Father has blessed my life. I testify of the incredible spiritual power of fasting and praying and consider fasting an opportunity for “rejoicing and prayer” (D&C 59:14)

I loved the idea of a Fasting Journal. And wouldn't that be so cute to give to each sister? You could get some plain notebooks and cover them with some cute scrapbook paper. Attach it with the above handout and give one to each sister or Young Woman.I never was able to find any small notebooks cheap enough to use, but I'll make one for myself and try to post a picture. :)
I hope you enjoy my little handout! And I hope all of you have a wonderful Fast Sunday.

Fasting & Prayer can strengthen my testimony: 1st Week Sharing Time Idea for July 2012

Sharing Time Idea from 2012 Primary Outline

IDENTIFY THE DOCTRINE (seeing an object lesson): Prepare two wordstrips: Fasting and Prayer.  Invite two children to stand close together, and give each child one of the wordstrips.  Have another child walk between them.  Ask the first two children to securely link their arms, and ask the other child to try to walk between them again.  Point out how much stronger the children are when they are linked together.  Explain that fasting and prayer are more powerful when we use them together.  Write "Fasting and prayer can strengthen my testimony" on the board, and have the children repeat it together.

ENCOURAGE UNDERSTANDING (listening to scriptures and participating in an object lesson): Ask the children to listen for things the sons of Mosiah did to become strong in the gospel as you read Alma 17:2-3.  Invite the children to flex their muscles each time they hear something that helped the sons of Mosiah become strong.

Lead a discussion on fasting by asking several questions such as:
- "What is fasting?" 
- "Why should we fast?"
- "When should we fast?" 
- "Why should we pray when we fast?"
(See Joseph B. Wirthlin, "The Law of the Fast," Ensign, May 2001, 73-75).

Let every child who adds to the discussion hold on to one end of a piece of yarn or string.  Hold the other end of each piece of string in your hand.  At the end of the discussion, ask the children holding the strings to come to the middle of the room and twist all of their pieces of string together, making a strong rope.  Explain that each piece of string we add to the rope makes the rope stronger.  Help the children understand that in a similar way, each time we fast and pray we add strength to our testimony.

Ideas from Little LDS Ideas

I wasn't going to post anything this week. My sister had to go to girls camp in Utah, so her kids were up here with me for the week. We had a full week of fun activities, so that means no time to post.

But then I decided that I better post something. So here I am.....on Friday.....posting my ideas for Sunday. :)

I just took a look at Sugardoodle and saw this idea from a reader. When I saw her idea I loved the idea. The idea came from Emmalee Hammond (posted on Sugardoodle). Here is what Emmalee shared:

"I am using Joseph B. Wirthlin's red wagon story from "The Law of the Fast". I'm going to bring a red wagon to fill. I will tape quotes about prayer and fasting (when we fast, the examples of the sons of Mosiah and Nephites, why we fast, etc.) onto cans and boxes of food and a blanket. The children will pick one item at a time, discuss the quote, then place the item in the wagon to fill it by the end. Here is the wagon story: How well I remember my father, the bishop of our ward, filling my small red wagon with food and clothing and then directing me—as a deacon in the Church—to pull the wagon behind me and visit the homes of the needy in our ward. I remember visiting one family in particular: a sickly mother, an unemployed and discouraged father, and five children with pallid faces, all disheartened and hungry. I remember the gratitude that beamed in their faces when I walked up to their door with my wagon nearly spilling over with needed supplies. I remember how the children smiled. I remember how the mother wept. And I remember how the father stood, head bowed, unable to speak. Brothers and sisters, in a sense, you too can bring to a needy family a wagon brimming with hope. How? By paying a generous fast offering. -JOSEPH B. WIRTHLIN"

This is such a cute idea.

There's even a Mormon Message of Elder Wirthlin's talk:

Click Here for the Mormon Message

Just show a short clip of the above video. Then discuss fasting and prayer (use some ideas from the outline). Then pull in your little wagon and use EmmaLee's idea from above. Have different things on each item that talks about Fasting.

For Senior Primary:

This week I am teaching Relief Society and I'm actually teaching on Fasting. So, I've been studying and reading alot about fasting. I thought these scripture references would be great for Senior Primary:

Why We Fast:

Doctrine and Covenants 88:76—To obey God’s commandment.

Luke 2:37—To serve God.

Alma 45:1—To worship God and show gratitude to him.

Mosiah 27:22–23—To receive special blessings, such as healing.

Alma 5:46—To gain a testimony.

Alma 17:3—To gain the spirit of prophecy and revelation and the ability to teach.

Alma 6:6—For the conversion of people who are not yet members of the Church.

Isaiah 58:6–7—To feed the hungry and clothe the naked.

Joel 2:12—To draw closer to God.

If you're looking for a patriotic theme have some 'Fasting Fireworks'. Make some fireworks out of toilet paper rolls and have these scripture references inside each one. You could even have a few other stories, scripture stories, etc. inside too.

But if you're not into the 'patriotic theme' then just do something simple using these scriptures. You could place them in balloons. Or split the primary into groups and have each group look up and discuss each scripture. You could then close with the above video of Elder Wirthlin's talk.

Sorry I don't  have any other ideas, but I thought I would at least pass these along. Sorry they're late, but I hope they can be of some help.

Have a great weekend and a great Sharing Time. :)

When I dress modestly, I respect my body as a gift from God.

Sharing Time Idea from the 2012 Primary Outline

IDENTIFY THE DOCTRINE (seeing a picture and reading scriptures): Write the following on the board, "My __________ is a  ___________."  Show a picture of a temple.  Ask, "Why are temples so special?"  Have the children turn to 1 Corinthians 6:19.  Ask them to look for what it says about their bodies as they read the scripture out loud with you.  Ask the children what words will complete the sentence on the board (body, temple).  Invite the children to stand and say the sentence together.

ENCOURAGE UNDERSTANDING AND APPLICATION (singing a song and discussing): Tell the children that our bodies are temples where the Holy Spirit can dwell.  Sing the first verse of "The Lord Gave Me a Temple" (CS, 153).  Invite the children to share how Heavenly Father wants us to dress and why.  Explain that prophets of God have always counseled His children to dress modestly.  Invite the children to listen for what parts of their body should be covered as you read from the "Dress and Appearance" section in For the Strength of Youth.  Ask the children to think of one way they can dress modestly.  Toss a soft object to a child and invite that child to share his or her idea.  Ask that child to toss the obejct to another child, who will share his or her idea.  Continue with other children.

Sharing Time Idea from Little LDS Ideas

So, I've been thinking about this Sharing Time for a little while, but haven't had a chance to sit down at my computer. I had the idea of using a clothesline, but that was about it. But then this morning an idea came to me. :) See what you think.

As I looked at the topic for this week: "...I respect my body as a gift from God" I thought of a way to begin your lesson. 

Have a wrapped gift at the front of the room. Inside the gift have a picture or an outline of a person. Ask the children if they like gifts. Then ask them 'When you receive a gift how do you take care of it? Do you do your best to keep that present in good condition?"

Then explain that our Heavenly Father has given us all a gift and he wants us to take care of it.

Invite a child or adult to come to the front and open the gift. Have them show the 'gift' to all the children. Discuss how our body is a gift from Heavenly Father and how we can take care of it. Explain that our body is a temple.

Modesty Games:

Modesty Laundry: Using a small box, construct a small washing machine. You could cover it in white paper and then cut a door in the top or the front. Draw dials and buttons, etc. to make it look like a real Washing Machine. You could even name your washing machine. :)

Next you will need to cut out several paper shirts, pants, shorts, etc. On the back of each you could have a picture of different clothing or just simply write 'sleeveless shirt', 'clean pants', 'low cut shirt' etc. You could also write some scenarios on the back of the clothes along with specific articles of clothing.

If you're using pictures just remember that we were told to use church approved pictures. I would probably try to draw the clothes or find some clothes clipart without people wearing the clothes.

Have a clothesline at the front of the room and your washing machine filled with 'clothes'. Tell the children that today you are going to do some laundry.

To Play: Invite a child up to the front and have him/her open the washing machine and pick out an article of clothing.

Have him/her tell you what the article of clothing is. Next have them decide if it's modest or immodest. If it's modest have them hang it up on the clothesline. If it's immodest have them throw it in a garbage can.

Another way to play: Instead of the clothes being in the washing machine, have all the clothes in a laundry basket. Have the children pick out an article of clothing. If it's modest have them hang it up, but if it's immodest tell them that they need to 'clean' it. Have them throw it in the washing machine. While it's 'washing', have them tell you how they could change that article of clothing so that it's modest.

Again you could use scenarios, pictures, etc.

You could even talk about what clothes we wear to certain places or events.

Examples:

The Beach: swimsuit or snowsuit

Church: Dress or Pajamas

Soccer Game: Flip flops or cleats

Past Ideas from Little LDS Ideas
Here are 3 ideas that I shared last year that you can use for this week's Sharing time. They are simple and easy, but will be fun for the children and teach them the importance of modesty.

Idea #1- Fishing for Modesty (from a Sugardoodle reader last year):

Here is what Wendy shared:

"For an activity I am going to "Clean the Room" (like going fishing)I will have words written on the shirts that are on the floor (like, low cut shirt, clean pants, long shorts, too short shirt etc.) 

As the kids fish the shirts up they will have to decide to keep the shirt and hang it up, or throw it away."

The children love 'fishing', so as soon as I saw this comment I knew it was a great idea. Thanks Wendy!

Fishing For Modest #2: I thought of another way you could do the 'fishing'. On pieces of paper write different scenarios, for example: going to the beach, going to church, going to sleep, etc. Place the papers ina bag or small container. Then on some other pieces of paper have a picture of an outfit that goes with each scenario (you could also cut out each oufit using colored paper), for example: a bathing suit (one piece for going to the beach), a dress for going to church, pajamas for going to sleep, etc.

To begin ask the children this: "Would you go to a warm beach wearing snow boots? Would you get ready for your soccer game by putting on pajamas? Of course not! There are certain times when you would wear those clothes—like when you are building a snowman or going to bed.

Today we are going to learn the importance of modesty and what kind of clothing is appropriate to wear for different activities. As you think about all of the things you need to do, remember to wear your best clothes when you go to church on Sunday. Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “When we go to worship in a temple or a church, we put aside our working clothes and dress ourselves in something better. This change of clothing is a mark of respect” ("What Should I Wear" Feb. 2007 Friend Magazine).

Today we are going to go fishing, but not for fish, for modest clothes! In this bucket I have different activities. You are going to pick one piece of paper and read it and then you are going to have to decide what should be worn for that activity. Then you will have to fish for that outfit.

To play: place the 'outfits' on the floor in the front of the Primary room. Pick a child to come to the front and pick the first activity, (Let's say they pick going to my soccer game). Once they have picked their activity have the child look at the outfits on the ground and 'fish' for the appropriate outfit.

Once they have 'hooked' the correct outfit have them show the other children. Explain why we would wear that and why it is modest (you may not have to explain that for each outfit).

Idea #2- Modesty Memory: Last month we played a few memory games and the children really loved it. This game that I had in mind is really similar to memory, and it's sure to be a hit!

On small cards have several pictures of modest clothing (below the picture you might write what each one is). Then on a few other cards have a picture of a Frowny face or write 'Immodest!!'

To begin your sharing time discuss what Modesty means, you could read a little bit from the "For the Strength of Youth". Tell the children to listen because after you are done reading you are going to play 'Modest Memory'.

To Play: have the cards attached to a chalkboard,poster-board, or bulletin board. Show the children the cards and tell them that on the back of each card is an article of 'modest clothing'. They will need to take turns finding the match for each article of clothing. But beware! Some of the cards are Bad! On the back of some of the cards is a Frowny Face or 'Immodest'. When one of these cards is chosen the cards will get mixed up.

As you find the match to each article of clothing you could discuss why it's modest and why it is important to wear modest clothing. You could include a picture of a boy or girl without tattoos and talk about why we should not have tattoos. I saw another comment on Sugardoodle where she is going to compare tattoos with drawing on the walls. 

This idea was from Lisa and here is what she said:

"Since we have some children in our ward that are the only members in their families, I feel a great responsibility to be sensitive to their situation.... Do we draw on the walls of the temples? No, just like we don't draw on ourselves with pens and markers (credit to my husband who pointed out Primary-aged children generally don't have issues with tatoos, but rather color on themselves with markers and pens-teach the principle)."

I loved that comparison!

Also have a picture of earrings and tell the children that President Hinckly encouraged all Young Women to wear only one pair of modest earrings.

This is a simple game, but I think the children will love it! And they will be looking out for those 'frowny face' cards and I'm sure they'll get so excited when one is turned over.

Idea #3- Musical Modesty: (I'm having a hard time coming up with names, haha)

For this game have several scenarios written on pieces of paper and placed in a bag or container, example:

"It's almost time for school to begin. Your best friend

invites you to go to the mall with her to do some

school shopping. While you're looking through clothes

your friend comes up to you with a sleeveless shirt

and encourages you to buy it. What should you do?"

"Your friend invites you to go to the beach/pool.

But what should you wear?"

You could even have a few quotes from 'For the Strength of Youth' with a question or just the quote

You could also have pictures of different articles of clothing on each one. Have some modest and some immodest (You could also just write what they are, 'short shorts', 'sleeveless shirt', etc.) Have a poster split into two columns, with one side labeled 'Modest' and the other side 'Immodest'.

You could also do a combination of all of these.

To Play: Have the papers in a bag or container. Tell the children that they are going to sing 'The Lord Gave Me a Temple'. While they sing they are going to pass around the bag/container. When the music stops, whoever is holding it must pick out a piece of paper.

If it's a question, they must answer it. If it's a quote, they must read it. If it's an article of clothing they must decide if it's modest or immodest. Once they have finished their task continue playing the game by singing and passing it around.

 When I first saw this topic and the idea in the outline I wasn't sure what I was going to share. But as I thought about it and saw a few ideas these are what I came up with. I know modesty is a sensitive subject and might be a little too 'over their heads', but it's important for them to learn now. I think about my Son and I'm pretty sure he has no idea what a tattoo even is, haha. But if he learns now and learns that we should not have them, then he'll have a better chance of resisting temptation when confronted with it.

Have a wonderful week and a great Sharing Time!

I obey the Word of Wisdom by eating and drinking that which is good and avoiding that which is bad: 3rd Week Sharing Time Idea for June 2012

Sharing Time Idea from the 2012 Primary Outline

ENCOURAGE UNDERSTANDING (reading scriptures and playing a game): Read together 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.  Invite the children to share what this scripture means to them. Explain that Heavenly Father wants us to take care of our bodies.  Place pictures of various foods, drinks, and other items that are either good or bad for our body (such as fruits, vegetables, bread, alcohol, and tobacco) in a container.  Make a copy of page 43 in the Nursery manual, and cut it into puzzle pieces.  Have the children take turns taking pictures from the container.  If the item in the picture is good for us, have the child place a puzzle piece on the board.  If the item is bad, remove a puzzle piece.  Continue playing until the puzzle is complete (you will need to have more good things in the container than bad things).  Ask an adult or child to share some of the blessings that he or she has received by obeying the Word of Wisdom (see Doctrine and Covenants 89:18-21).

Sharing Time Idea from Little LDS Ideas

I have a few ideas that I shared last year that will go right along with this week's theme that I thought I would share. But then I remembered it's Father's Day next Sunday, so I thought I would take a look over at Sugardoodle to see if anyone had an idea for this week with a little Father's Day twist, and I found one that I thought was really cute. Here it is:

JaneMI shared this idea:

"I asked each of the kids Dads what their favorite food/snack is. I will have the children pull pictures out of a box of the things their Dads like to eat as well as some things that are not good for our bodies and I will hang up a big "Dad" cut out and a trash can and they will decide if it's something Dads should eat or go in the trash. We will also learn who's dad like what."

Love it! When I read that I thought it was perfect for this week. You could even pick a few of the Dad's favorite treats and make little goodie bags. Then after Sharing Time have the children take the goodie bags to all the men in the ward.

For the Dad cut-out you could draw it on a poster-board and then cut out the mouth. Have a bag or box attached to the back and have the children 'feed' the Dad the healthy food. And then of course throw away the 'bad' food/drink/etc.

Here are some cute ideas you could use as treats for those special Dads:

 I wish I could say I came up with these adorable little treats, but sadly I didn't. But seriously, aren't these the cutest!?! And they're so easy to make!

-Here are the ladies that came up with these (Click for the tutorial).

-And here's another version from Amy of 'Then She Made...' and a few changes she made.

Picture from Bliss Bloom Blog

And then we have the cute little goodie bags. Who would have thought by adding a cute little tie to a bag could make white lunch bags so cute. 

Just fill up these bags with some favorite treats and you're good to go.

And one more Father's Day Treat Bag:

 

Jen over at Twiddler House created these cute bags. She added a collar and  then printed part of the song, "Daddy's Homecoming" onto the tie.

Then she filled up each bag with Hershey Kisses.

LOVE it!

 And she even shared a free printable of the ties, so head on over and take a look!

Click Here to visit Twiddler House.

And I have to include my little Tie Treats:

Click here to read how to make these little 'Tie Treats'.

And if you're searching for a poem to go along with a goodie box, then

Click here to view one I shared last year.

I hope all of you have a wonderful week & a great Sharing Time!

When I pay my tithing, Heavenly Father will bless me: 2nd Week Sharing Time Idea for June 2012

Sharing Time Idea from the 2012 Primary Outline

IDENTIFY THE DOCTRINE AND ENCOURAGE UNDERSTANDING (seeing a demonstration): Explain that tithing is giving one-tenth of the money you earn to the Lord through His Church.  Show the children 10 coins.  Ask them how many of the coins should be used to pay tithing.  Show a tithing envelope and a donation slip, and explain that we pay tithing by filling out the donation slip, putting it in the envelope with our tithing, and giving it to the bishop or one of his counselors.

ENCOURAGE APPLICATION (playing a game and hearing testimonies): Display pictures and objects that represent blessings that come from paying tithing, such as temples, meetinghouses, a hymnbook, the Children's Songbook, a Primary Manual, and the scriptures.  Tell the children that because of tithing funds the Church can provide these things.  Cover the pictures and objects.  Take away one or two.  Remove the cover and ask the children to guess what is missing.  Repeat several times.  Explain that there are other blessings that come from paying tithing that cannot be seen (see 3 Nephi 24:10).  Have one or two adults tell about blessings they have received from paying tithing.

Sharing Time Idea from Little LDS Ideas

What you will need:

• Have a board with different envelopes attached (have the flap facing out). Inside the envelopes you will have different dollar amounts or different scenarios about earning money. At the end of each scenario ask 'How much tithing should I pay?'
• A 'Tithing' Box- a box with a slit cut in the top. This will be for the 'tithing' to go in. You can label it and decorate it if you would like. :)
• A 'Blessing Box'- a large box/bag/bucket with different picture or objects that represent blessings that come from paying tithing (temples, meetinghouses, manuals, songbooks, scriptures, etc.) You could also label this one.

Begin your lesson by using the idea from the outline (Identify the Doctrine & Encourage Understanding). You could make large coins out of poster-board or cardstock and have 10 children represent the coins. Have 10 children come to the front and hold up the large coins.Then invite another child to come to the front and show you how much one-tenth is.

After you have explained what tithing is and how much we are asked to pay, begin the tithing game.

You will invite a child to come to the front and pick an envelope. Have them get the piece of paper from inside the envelope and read it aloud. 

"You mowed the lawn and earned $2.00

How much tithing should you pay?"

Then have them tell you how much tithing they would need to pay. Have them fill out a tithing slip (I would make copies of an actual tithing slip, so you aren't wasting the real ones) and add their money to the envelope and place it in the 'Tithing' box. 

You can then tell the children that the tithing was given to the Bishop who sent it to our church leaders in Salt Lake, who then decided what to do with this special money.

Have the child pick an object out of the 'Blessing Box' and have them show it to all the children. Explain that his/her tithing helped build this temple, meetinghouse, etc.

To discuss the other blessings we receive from paying tithing, have several stories or ask some adults to share a story. For the object have a smiley face or just write on a index card: 'When I pay my tithing, Heavenly Father will bless me.' Whenever one of these papers are chosen from the blessing box you will read a story or have an adult share a personal story about blessings that have received from paying tithing.

Continue picking envelopes until all the envelopes have been opened.

For the younger ones you could have several envelopes with the same amount. I think it would be good to practice figuring out one-tenth.

For the older ones I think you could do any dollar amount.

Another fun idea to use instead of envelopes would be the Punch-A-Box. Just have the scenarios and dollar amounts in each punch-a-box. Have the children come to the front and punch it and then retrieve their paper.

Not sure what a Punch-A-Box is, no problem! 
Just Click here to view how to make a punch-a-box.

And that's my idea for this week. Hope you like it! Have a great week and a great Sharing Time. :)