While reading/studying Elder Ballard's General Conference talk
The Trek Continues, I felt inspired to base this week's Family Home Evening lesson around it. Here's the outline of the lesson I prepared.
(And in all honesty and disclosure, the lessons around here are often less than perfectly executed. It was kind of cold outside and so there was plenty of whining and wishing that we could go home. And it made me quite cranky. But after I lost my temper, we stopped, talked about why we were having this lesson, sang a song, and I said a couple of silent prayers the lesson ended up being a good one. I wish I were better at enduring whining and complaining during FHE/scripture study without losing my temper. I also wish there were less whining and complaining during such efforts).
Anyway, here's the outline of what I did:
Opening Song: Families Can be Together Forever or Pioneer Children Sang as they Walked or Come, Come Ye Saints
Go outside and take a short walk through the neighborhood. Each time you reach a new street, roll a die to determine whether to turn right or left. (Odds turn right, even numbers turn left). After a few turns, talk about how life has lots of detours, twists and turns. Sometimes things don't go as we plan. Then talk about how we are all on a journey...a journey back to our heavenly home.
Explain that Elder Ballard spoke about the pioneers and their trek. They faced some difficult challenges, but it was worth it to arrive in the Salt Lake Valley and be able to practice their religion as they desired. We, too, are on a trek....a trek back to our Heavenly Parents who President Uchtdorf explained we knew and cherished before this life.
As you approach another corner, ask, "If we continue to roll the dice and leave it up to chance are we likely to make it back home?" (No, of course not!) We must carefully plan our route to return to our earthly home. So, too, we must carefully choose so that we can return to our heavenly home.
Elder Ballard said,
"Many of us are on amazing journeys of discovery—leading to personal fulfillment and spiritual enlightenment. Some of us, however, are on a trek that leads to sorrow, sin, anguish, and despair.
In this context, please ask yourself: What is your final destination? Where are your footsteps taking you? And is your journey leading you to that “multiplicity of blessings” the Savior has promised?
A trek back to our Heavenly Father is the most important trek of our lives, and it continues each day, each week, each month, and each year as we increase our faith in Him and in His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
We must be careful where our footsteps in life take us."
Similarly, President Uchtdorf spoke of
A Yearning for Home. He began by telling of Bobbie, the wonder dog who got lost during a family vacation in Indiana. The family searched for him but couldn't find him and returned to Oregon sorrowfully. Six months later, Bobbie made it home. President Uchtdorf spoke of other animals that create long migrations. He said, "
When I read of this powerful instinct in animals, I can’t help but wonder, “Is it possible that human beings have a similar yearning—an inner guidance system, if you will—that draws them to their heavenly home?”
President Uchtdorf said:
"When you walk the path of discipleship—when you move toward Heavenly Father—there is something within you that will confirm that you have heard the call of the Savior and set your heart toward the light. It will tell you that you are on the right path and that you are returning home."
President Uchtdorf continued:
Do you want to experience abiding joy?
Do you yearn to feel within your heart the peace that passes understanding?
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Then turn your soul toward the light.
Begin your own wonderful journey home.
As you do so, your life will be better, happier, and more purposeful.
On your journey back to Heavenly Father you will soon realize that this journey isn’t just about focusing on your own life. No, this path inevitably leads you to become a blessing in the lives of God’s other children—your brothers and sisters. And the interesting thing about the journey is that as you serve God, and as you care for and help your fellowmen, you will see great progress in your own life, in ways you could never imagine."
As we walked toward home, I asked my girls to name what we can do that will help us consciously make the journey home and not leave it to chance. (Some of their answers included scripture study, prayer, attending church, being humble, serving others, going to the temple, forgiving others, repenting.)
I ended with a quote from Elder Ballard, who said, "
Stay on the gospel path by having “faith in every footstep” so you can return safely back to the presence of Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord is our precious Savior. He is the Redeemer of the world. We must honor His sacred name and not misuse it in any way, always striving to keep His commandments. If we do so, He will bless us and lead us safely home."
Then I told them I loved them and hoped that all of us will make the effort to make the journey home. It was far from a perfect FHE, but I think that in the end, the spirit was there thanks to the wonderful words of apostles and we can refer back to this to help us consciously choose to stay on the gospel path and make the journey home.
