lesson plan: “come what may, and love it”

Powerfully TeachingYour Children

Gospel Principles

Each lesson contains 5 timed activities:(Choose the activities that fit your family’s schedule.

Additional resources are provided as extra time may be available.)

Reverence Time: Song, prayer, scripture and video clip Lesson Time: Lesson summary and points to ponder Story Time: Story Activity Time: Object lesson or activity Treat Time: Prayer, theme related recipe & music video

Objectives:

www.ldsfamilyfun.com ©2008 Living Scriptures, Inc. All rights reserved. May be used freely for personal, non-commercial purposes.

Reinforces Principles of:

Talk about how adversity can bring spiritual growth. Emphasize that how we react to adversity will bring us happiness or misery.

CompensationEnduring Well

Lesson Plan: “Come What May, and Love It”


Sing Together:

Prayer:

Scripture Time:

Video Clip:

Approximate Time:

Children’s Songbook #164, “I Will Follow God’s Plan”If you wish to have an online music file to accompany you visit:http://www.lds.org/churchmusic(Note: Navigate to the Interactive Church Music Player where you can listen to and print Church hymns and chil-dren’s songs.)

Genesis 39: 21

21. But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

Watch chapter 7 from The Complete Learning System Joseph in Egypt DVD.


Lesson Summary:

The word adversity means hardship, suffering or an extremely unfavorable experience or event.

What are some of the hardships Joseph in Egypt experienced? (Discuss ideas.)

Will we face adversity during our lives? (Discuss ideas.)

“As part of Heavenly Father’s plan of redemption, all people experience adversity during their lifetime. Trials, disappointments, sadness, sickness, and heartache are a difficult part of life...” Richard G. Scott, Ensign, Nov. 1995 © Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Why does a loving Heavenly Father want us to experience adversity? (Discuss ideas.)

“The test a loving God has set before us is not to see if we can endure difficulty. It is to see if we can endure it well. We pass the test by showing that we remembered Him and the commandments He gave us. And to endure well is to keep those commandments whatever the opposition, whatever the temptation, and whatever the tumult around us.” Henry B. Eyring, Liahona, May 2004 © Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

“As you overcome adversity in your life, you will become stronger. Use your ingenuity, your strength, your might to resolve your challenges. Do all you can do and then leave the rest to the Lord. ... Living the gospel does not mean the storms of life will pass us by, but we will be better prepared to face them with serenity and peace.” Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, May 2000 © Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

What does it mean to “Do all you can and then leave the rest to the Lord” ? (Discuss ideas.)

As you face adversity and hardships in your life, remember that you are not alone. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

“Because Heavenly Father is merciful, a principle of compensation prevails.... The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude.” Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, Nov 2008 © Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Approximate Time: 10-15 minutes


Points toPonder:

Do you think Joseph endured adversity well? (Discuss ideas.)

“If anyone ever had reason to feel that God had abandoned him it would be Joseph, rejected and sold into slavery for teaching what God had told him through his dreams, falsely accused and cast into prison for attempting to keep the commandments of God, remaining in that prison for more than two years. ...Yet, there is no evidence in all of the record that he ever let his faith waver. Instead he continued to sense the hand of God in every incident of his life.” Arthur R. Bassett, Ensign, Sep 1980 © Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

What are some of the ways that the Lord compensated Joseph for enduring adversity well? (Discuss ideas. For additional help watch chapter 11 from The Complete Learning System Joseph in Egypt DVD.)

“And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?” (Gen. 41:38)

“Even though making the right choices did not free Joseph from the challenges he faced in life. ...In each situation in which Joseph found himself the Lord was with him. It was easy to recognize the special spirit in him because of the way he lived and heeded the voice of the Lord to direct him.” L. Tom Perry, Liahona, Jul 2002 © Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

We will probably never have to experience hardships and adversity as great as Joseph did, but we can pray for help to bear our burdens well, like Joseph did, and know that a loving Heavenly Father will be there for us, too.

“As we look for humor, seek for the eternal perspective, understand the principle of compensation, and draw near to our Heavenly Father, we can endure hardship and trial. We can say, as did my mother, ‘Come what may, and love it.’” Joseph B. Wirthlin, Oct 2008 General Conference © Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Quote:


Kayla rushed to her room after school. Plopping down on her bed, she covered her head with her pillow and cried, “Why does this always happen to me?”

Mother knocked softly on Kayla’s bedroom door. “Can I come in?”

Kayla wiped away the tears and hid her face behind a book before answering, “Come on in.”

Mother sat next to Kayla on the bed. “Is something wrong, honey?” she asked. “You seemed upset when you got home from school.”

“I think I’m coming down with a cold,” Kayla lied. “I think we better cancel my party.”

Mother felt Kayla’s forehead. “You’re not running a fever. Does your throat or ears hurt?”

“No, I’m just all stuffed up,” Kayla sniffled.

Mother put her arm gently around Kayla’s shoulders. “I sometimes get that way when I’ve been crying.”

“Oh, Mom,” Kayla cried. “Look,” Kayla said showing her mother the pretty invitation. “Jillian’s having a party the same day as mine. I sent my invitations out first, but I just know everyone’s going to go to Jillian’s party instead of mine. It’s just not fair!”

Mother handed Kayla a tissue. “Oh, Kayla. I’m sorry, but sometimes life just isn’t fair and I don’t think Jillian is trying to hurt you. After all she did invite you.”

“But, Jillian knew that’s when my party was,” Kayla blurted. “How come she’s so mean? She should’ve had her party on another day. Oh, I hate her so much.”

“Kayla, that’s not like you! You’re usually more Christ like,” Mother admonished.

Kayla hung her head. “I’m sorry. I don’t really hate Jillian. I’m just so mad.”

“Kayla, do you remember Elder Wirthlin’s talk in conference? The one about how his mother taught him to face disappointment and adversity?”

(Approximate Time: 2 minute)


“I do remember,” Kayla answered. “She said, ‘Come what may and love it!’ But Elder Wirthlin said that didn’t mean we couldn’t be sad.”

“That’s true, but he did say how we handle adversity will determine whether you are miserable or happy. So, you can mope around and be miserable and no one will want to come to your party or you can figure out how to make the best of it. Now, how are you going to turn that frown upside down and ‘come what may, and love it?’”

Kayla continued to frown. “I don’t know, but after I tell Heavenly Father how sorry I am for saying I hate Jillian, I can ask Him what to do and I know He’ll help me.”

Mother kissed the top of Kayla’s head. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”

After spending some time on her knees praying, Kayla had an idea. She quickly ran to find mother. “Mom. After I prayed, the Holy Ghost told me what to do. I’m going to ask Jillian if we cancombine our parties. That way, no one will have to choose which party they are going to go to.”

Mother smiled, “I’m so proud of you for listening to the spirit, Kayla. Would you like me to go over to the Kirkhams together to talk to Jillian and her mother?s”

“I was praying you’d come with me. Oh, Mom. I have a really good feeling inside that Jillian will agree and this is going to be the best party ever!”

by Margie Nauta Lee © 2008 Living Scriptures, Inc.


What you need: A copy of the “Turn That Frown Upside Down” activity (artwork included with this lesson) scissors, glue and cardstock.

Preparation 1. Print out the artwork. 2. Glue artwork onto cardstock. 3. Cut out. Activity: (Younger children will need help from an older sibling or parent.)

1. Explain: When Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin was a young boy his mother taught him to endure adversity well. “Joseph,” she said, “come what may, and love it.”

2. Explain: Elder Wirthlin’s mother was not trying to teach him to suppress his sorrow or to hide his pain, but to handle adversity without anger or resentment.

3. Explain: Those who learn from difficult times become stronger, wiser and happier. Elder Wirthlin taught us four things in October 2008 conference that can help us through difficult times:

a. Learn to Laugh. Instead of getting angry or depressed, look for the humor in the situation.

b. Seek for the Eternal. Ask yourself: What is Heavenly Father trying to teach me from this experience?

c. The Principle of Compensation. Remember that the Lord compensates the faithful for every loss.

d. Trust in the Father and the Son. Handle your burden the best you can and then leave the rest to them.

4. Sing Children’s Songbook #267, “Smiles.” 5. Ask: How can smiling make the world a better place and make difficult times better? (Discuss ideas.)

6. Play the “Turn That Frown Upside Down” activity.

Turn That Frown Upside Down

One person is chosen to be the orator. The first player holds the smiling/frowning face with the frown showing. The orator reads one of the adverse situations in the list or make up your own that can make you feel sad, mad, angry, etc. Example: Someone tripped you in the hall.

The player then turns the frown upside down and gives a positive reaction to the situation that will bring them happiness. Example: I can be happy because I didn’t knock out a tooth when I fell.

Then give an example of what Heavenly Father is teaching you. Example: I am learning how not to treat others.

There is an example for each incident in parenthesis if you need help.

1. You were playing a game with friend and you lost. (I can be happy because I know I didn’t cheat. I am learning how to be happy for others when they win.) 2. Your Grandma broke her hip and now she can’t take you to the zoo.(I can be happy spending time with Grandma and doing things for her that she can’t do while she’s recuperating. I am learning to serve others.)

3. A group of kids have been teasing you because you’re a member of the church.(I can be happy that I’m living my religion. I am learning to not persecute others for their religion.)

4. You can’t go to the movies with my friends because you have to baby sit your sister.(I can be happy because I am helping my parents. I am learning to honor my parents.)

5. The boy who sits behind you in class is always pulling your hair.(I can be happy because I have hair. I am learning to treat others the way I would want to be treated.)

6. You don’t want to wear your new glasses because you think they make you look nerdy. (I can be happy because I will now be able to see the questions on the board. I am learning to not be vain.)

7. You ran a marathon race and came in last.(I can be happy because I finished the race. I am learning humility.)

8. You were late to your recital because your mom followed the wrong directions.(I can be happy because I still got to perform my number and we aren’t lost any more. I am learning patience.)

9. Someone you love passed away.(I can be happy [after I am done mourning] because I know families can be together forever. I am learning to live worthy so that I can live with them and Heavenly Father again someday.)

10. You hit your head on the cupboard door that you left open.(I can be happy because I controlled my tongue. I am learning to not leave the cupboard door open.)

11. We missed our exit because another car cut us off.(I can be happy we didn’t get in a wreck. I am learning to be understanding when others make mistakes.)

12. Your Dad lost his job because the company he worked for went out of business.(I can be happy because my parents listened to the prophets and although we will have to make sacrifices we are prepared for hard times. I am learning to listen to the prophet.)


Approximate Time: 15 minutes

Prep Time: 5 minutesBake Time: 8 minutes

“Peanut Butter” Smiley Face Cookies

1 cup peanut butter 1 cup white sugar 1 egg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine ingredients until smooth.

Treat Time: Let children roll dough into 1 inch balls and put on ungreased baking sheets. Lightly flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass. Use a toothpick or skewer to draw a smiley face on each cookie. Bake for 8 minutes.

Closing Prayer and blessing on the food.

lesson plan: “come what may, and love it”

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