Proclamation FHE Chart

It is the 3rd day of the 3rd Annual Celebration of The Family: A Proclamation to the World.   Have you joined in or checked out the  wonderful blog posts that have been written?  They are all testimonies of how others are applying the principles of the Proclamation into their families!  LOVE it!

Here are the blogs hosting this family celebration:   

We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice in Christ

Diapers and Divinity

Chocolate on my Cranium

Middle-Aged Mormon Man

 

Today is a blog-hop sharing any crafts, Family Home Evening ideas, or other creations inspired by the Family Proclamaion. Here is mine, and this comes from a previous post. 

I really wanted a Family Proclamtion FHE Chart

to make  the Proclamation the focus of our Family Home Evenings.

 

 

Our previous Family Home Evening board was out-dated and was needing a face-lift.

I am not the most creative crafter out there by any means. I am not a scrap-booker, although I have a thing for buying scrap-book paper. The desire is there, I just don't know what to do with it all.

I knew I wanted the Proclamation on our chart, front and center.

I grabbed my scrapbook paper and pretty much let the creative juices flow.

I used my same FHE board and painted it black. 

My board is 9 X 24 to accomodate our family of 10. 

 

 

You will notice my previous hook holes, which I will need to use again.

Grab some Mod Podge and sponge paint brushes. You will notice that I have something under my black board. Don't forget this. Mod Podge is not Elmer's Glue, and will not come off of your wood tablIe. I found  that it does come off of the counter, but why  give yourself another job? If you keep your surfaces covered you are safe.

Your next step, if you haven't already done this, is to pick out the scrapbook paper you want to use on your board. This is the pack I used. I bought it at Wal-Mart for $5.

After you have selected your paper, cut your bottom piece to the right size and set it aside. You want to have it ready. Paint Mod Podge on your board. Work fast because it dries quickly. 

 

Adhere your bottom piece of paper to your board.

I think I actually did mine the hard way and cut my paper after I "adhered" it.

Craftiness to me is living and learning as I go along.

Mod Podge has a way of bubbling-up. This roller worked extremely well with the bubbles. Mod Podge did get on the roller part, but it came off easily.

Select your contrasting paper and cut your Proclamation into parts.

You will need to cut your contrasting piece in half, and use just one of them.

I like the torn edge look, so next I tore my edges and Mod Podged it (that is a verb) to my paper.

Next you need to decide how you want it to look, so play around with different layouts, then Mod Podge that layer.

You will need to cut some paper for the names of your family. I wanted a border, so

this is how I did mine. Add those to your board along the bottom edge, and

Mod Podge those before you write on them.

When you are done, sand the edges down a little. This gives it a cool antique look and also gets rid of any messy paper edges you may have

Screw small cup hooks in and add your FHE pieces and you are done!

Putting on the Whole Armor of God/FHE

This was a family home evening lesson we did when we had grade school age children and teenagers. It was a great visual that worked on both age groups on teaching about putting on the armor of God.

Lesson: 

What is going to happen when we put these oranges into the water?

 Are they going to sink or are they going to float?

[the younger kids will probably answer SINK, because an orange looks heavy enough to sink in water]

But, instead....the oranges FLOAT because they have their ARMOR on

What happens when you peel the oranges?

Without their ARMOR on, they sink! We can compare these oranges to us and how important it is to put on our full armor everyday.

Here is on oldie but goodie seminary video from the 80's: 

 "Putting on the Armor of God" and symbolically what can happen if we take off our armor even for a minute.

Scripture: Ephesians 6: 11-17

11 Put on the whole ^aarmour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we ^awrestle not ^bagainst ^cflesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the ^drulers of the ^edarkness of this world, against spiritual ^fwickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins ^agirt about with ^btruth, and having on the ^cbreastplate of ^drighteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of ^apeace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of ^afaith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery ^bdarts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of ^asalvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

We identified and discussed

• What each part of the armor represented spiritually
• The fiery darts around us
• What we can each do to put on our armor of God
• How to be and stay prepared

We especially like the symbolism of the sword representing the Spirit and how the spirit and the sword both can pierce our souls.  One of the Seminary students remembered talking about this in seminary last week and she looked up this scripture:

Alma 31:5

5 And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.

Family Proclamation Application:

"the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life."

"Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them..."

"Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities." 

__________________________________________________________________

 extra reading.....Putting on the Armor of God, Ensign January 2001--here are a few thoughts from this article:

“Each of us, no matter who we are, no matter where we serve, must arise and make the most of each opportunity that comes. We must follow the counsel given by the Lord and His servants and make our homes houses of prayer and havens of security and safety. We can and must deepen our faith by increasing our obedience and sacrifice” (“Rejoice, Daughters of Zion,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 94).

Sometimes it may seem difficult to rise above the world to that level of righteousness. But as we strive to “take unto [ourselves] the whole armour of God,” we will “be able to withstand in the evil day” (Eph. 6:13).

How to Put on the Armor of God

President N. Eldon Tanner (1898–1982), First Counselor in the First Presidency, observed that “those who are clothed in such armor, which means keeping all the commandments of God, are able to withstand the adversary.”

He continued: “Are we studying the scriptures so that we can increase our knowledge and faith and testimony regarding the gospel? … Are we honest and truthful in our dealings? Do we keep the Sabbath day holy? Do we observe the Word of Wisdom? Do we pay an honest tithing? … Are we virtuous and clean and pure in heart and mind and deed?

“Do we fight against the evils around us … ? Do we have the courage to stand up for our convictions? Can we truly say we are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ? Do we live peaceably with our neighbors and avoid gossip and backbiting and spreading unfounded rumors? Do we truly love our neighbors as ourselves?

“If we can answer yes to these questions, then we will have on the whole armor of God, which will protect us from harm and preserve us from our enemies” (“‘Put on the Whole Armor of God,’” Ensign, May 1979, 44, 46).

Daily Spiritual Renewal

"Lucile Johnson of the Timpanogos Park First Ward, Orem Utah North Stake, now in her 80s, learned early in life to don her spiritual “armor” at the beginning of each day. She remembers “arising early in the morning, before my husband and children were up. I found that kneeling in the stillness of my living room, I could begin pleading with our Father for my needs for that day. This brought me great peace, and I learned that He was my helper and protector. Then I would open my scriptures and partake of their inspiration and guidance. Each morning, before I began whatever I had to do—alone, with little children or teenagers, or with my husband in the military and off to war—I knew I would be equal to it."

“That is why I believe in taking the time in the quiet of the early morning hours to study and pray. You will begin your day with a renewing of your spirit. Then you will be truly ready for whatever might come that day.”

Proclamation FHE Chart

 

I really wanted a Family Proclamation FHE Chart

and to make that the focus of our family home evenings.

To read my Proclamation Series go {here}

Our previous Family Home Evening board was out-dated and was needing a face-lift.

I am not the most creative crafter out there by any means. I am not a scrap-booker, although I have a thing for buying scrap-book paper. The desire is there, I just don't know what to do with it all.

I knew I wanted the Proclamation on our chart, front and center.

I grabbed my scrapbook paper and pretty much let the creative juices flow.

I used my same FHE board and painted it black.

You will notice my previous hook holes, which I will need to use again.

Grab some Mod Podge and sponge paint brushes. You will notice that I have something under my board. Don't forget this. Mod Podge is not Elmer's Glue, and will not come off of your wood table if you get it on there. I did find that it does come off of the counter a little better, but why risk d give yourself another job?  If you keep your surfaces covered you are safe.

Your next step, if you haven't already done this, is to pick out the scrapbook paper you want to use on your board.  This is the pack I used.  I bought it at Wal-Mart for $5.

 After you have selected your paper, cut your bottom piece to the right size and set it aside.  You want to have it ready.  Paint Mod Podge on your board.  Work fast because it dries quickly. 

Adhere (not a word I use everyday) your bottom piece of paper to your board.

I think I actually did mine the hard way and cut my paper after I "adhered" it. 

 Craftiness to me is living and learning as I go along. 

Mod Podge has a way of bubbling-up.  This roller worked extremely well with the bubbles.  Mod Podge did get on the roller part, but it came off easily. 

Select your contrasting paper and cut your Proclamation into parts.

You will need to cut your contrasting piece in half

I like the torn edge look, so next I tore my edges and Mod Podged it (that is a verb) to my paper.

Next you need to decide how you want it to look, so play around with different layouts, then Mod Podge that layer.

You will need to cut some paper for the names of your family. 

 This is how I did mine.  Add those to your board along the bottom edge, and

Mod Podge those before you write on them.

When you are done, sand the edges down a little.  This gives it a cool antique look and also gets rid of any messy paper edges you may have

Screw small cup hooks in and add your FHE pieces and you are done!

Gospel Outcomes

Have you noticed your family or personal scripture study starting to slip?

Amazon.com

I know we have our moments.  Can I tell the difference?  Definitely yes.   

I bumped into a very interesting "study" that has made a difference in my motivation to read and have our family read. 

 It is found in the book Searching the Scriptures by Gene R. Cook. 

  -The Study-

Part 1:  Several years ago the Church did a study in which they interviewed hundreds of young men (also could work and be applied to young women) to discover:

 What determines their faithfulness in the gospel?
 

This is the list that the parents came up with which they named:

  "Gospel Outcomes"

This is what they most wanted for their boys (I apply this to the girls as well) 

1. Ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood
2. Receive temple endowment
3. Serve a full-time Mission
4. Marry in the temple

[What does your list look like?]

Having young men who honor their priesthood, dress like they honor their priesthood, and are anxiously looking forward to holding the Melchizedek Priesthood is very important to young women who are also seeking these blessings. 

Part 2:  The boys were then grouped into two obvious categories...

1. Those who received these gospel outcomes &

2. Those who didn't

What made the difference?  Why did the boys in one category have the gospel outcomes their parents desired and the boys in the other category didn't?

What was the role of seminary? Peers? Church leaders? Family?

"The answer was strikingly simple that many struggled to comprehend it...

lds.org Media Library

Personal prayer and personal scripture study"

"Could it be that simple?

...That the young men and young women who pray and read their scriptures will have the gospel outcomes we all desire.

I believe in large measure that is so." 

Part 3Next question we all have as parents...

How do we get our kids to pray and  study the scriptures?

3 answers came back that they categorized under

Family Worship of God

"1. Have family prayer.  Show us a family that is having family prayer, and we'll show you a boy who is learning how to have his personal prayers.

2. Have family scripture study and Family Home Evening Show us a family that's regularly reading the scriptures together, and we'll show you a boy who's reading the scriptures on his own.

3. Teach and exemplify the Lord's values.  Somehow the values of the Lord have to transfer from one generation, the adults, to the young people.  The families that learn to do this are those that have gospel outcomes."
 

"The church helps and supports parents in their teaching, but the real battle is won in the home--the home is what asserts the greatest influence on our youth"

How important is family scripture reading?

How important is family prayer? 

 How important is the teaching and example of parents? 

They are vital

If we are consistent in these things, our children will be much more likely to read scriptures and to pray on their own-and when they do that they will be much more likely to receive their temple endowments, go on missions

lds.org Media Library

and be married in the temple"

_______________________________

 "A promise from the Lord"

"If we will begin or continue to faithfully read the scriptures as a family, the Lord will deliver us from bondage--it may not happen immediately, but in time, the Lord will answer our prayers."