*Chapter 29- The Proclamation:

Proclamation Principle:  A Guide, A banner, and a Doctrinal Summary of the Church’s Emphasis on the Family

Lesson Objective:  Many people in the world today do not believe the principles in the Proclamation.  Some even think these teachings are incorrect BUT these words come from God. By learning about and better understanding the principles in the Proclamation we can teach our children how to discern the false teachings of the world in regards to the sanctity of marriage and of family!

Opening Song:  Families can be together forever.

Quote/Scripture of the Week: 

When President Hinckley presented the proclamation, he explained,“The world we are in is a world of turmoil, of shifting values. ...With so much of deception concerning standards and values, with so much of allurement and enticement to take on the slow stain of the world, I have felt to warn and forewarn” (Stand Strong against the Wiles of the World, Ensign November 1995, 99-100).

"Strong eternal families and Spirit-filled homes do not just happen.  They take great effort, they take time, and they take each member of the family doing his or her part."  Cheryl A. Esplin. General Primary Presidency

Jenga Activity:  (You will need a box of Jenga building block as well as For the Strength of the Youth booklet for this activity). Before setting up the blocks, open to the section on Family in For  the Strength of the Youth.  Have each person pick out different things that strengthen the family.  Attach a little paper to each one of the blocks listing one of those ideas.  Build a tower (jenga formation), and talk about how the tower represents the home.  Removed one block at a time and relate how the missing block represents things that come into our home to weaken our family (selfishness or unkind actions, teasing, fighting, quarreling, disobedience, etc.)  If we strive to support our family members, our family will be stronger and better able to stand firm. (adapted from sugardoodle.net)

Mission statement Activity:  Now that the family has discussed how to strengthen the family,  make a list of WHO your family is, WHAT is most important to your family, and list the GOALS of your family.  Devise a mission statement that can be displayed in the home as a reminder of the values and goals we have set for a happy, successful family life. Allow each family member to  contribute to this activity.

(our family mission statement that we put together last year)

ALTERNATE ONGOING ACTIVITY:  Or if you are feeling up to the challenge, this is a fantastic activity where the family is able to memorize the Proclamation in the course of 12-weeks with these fantastic FREE printable guides here.  She breaks it down and does a few parts of the Proclamation each week so that it's not so overwhelming. By the end of the 12-weeks, you've got it mastered.  This could be a worthwhile opening activity to each home evening lesson and then a review each night at scripture study.

Refreshments:  Just as your family mission statement will be unique to YOUR family, your taste preferences will be unique as well.  For dessert, serve whatever your family's favorite dessert is and you will have a house full of happy people! :)