This Family Home Evening lesson is based on the November 2007 General Conference address given by Elder Russell M. Nelson entitled “Scriptural Witnesses.” It was put together by Jenn M., another member of my FHE Swap Group. As with the other FHE lessons, I’ve posted part of the lesson outline so you have an idea of what you are getting when you download the pdf file.
Preparation: For the standard works Scripture Think-a-thon Activity Game, there is a cube that needs to be assembled-just attach corresponding Velcro strips. Read directions for the activities/games. Make copies of the reading chart. For the Scripture Specs- get yarn, crayons, and glue. Also, see receipt idea-get needed ingredients,
Objective: Help the family member’s develop and/or strengthen their love of the scriptures “To help the family understand that the scriptures of the restoration do not compete with the Bible they compliment it.” Elder Nelson.
Opening Song: Ideas: As I Search the Holy Scriptures- Hymn Book pg 277 Book Of Mormon Stories-Children’s Song Book pg 118
Opening Prayer: By invitation
Scriptures: 8th Article of Faith,-(see printed sheet in lesson). John 5:39
Discussion: Suggested Points to discuss…
1. Refer to the 8th Article of Faith-talk about how the scriptures help teach us of the Savior and that they are the word of God.
2. Refer to the scriptures/text highlighted in yellow in the November 2007 Conference address. Discuss how the scriptures work together to help us learn of the Savior of the world. Talk about how God brought forth the Book of Mormon as another witness that corroborates and strengthens the Bible’s testimony of the Savior. The Book of Mormon does not replace the Bible, it expands, and illuminates our knowledge of the Savior. Express your gratitude and love of the scriptures-Have Mom and Dad bear their testimony’s of the scriptures. Ask the children to share their feelings about the scriptures as well.
***These are the quotes from Elder Nelson’s talk that are needed for the lesson but are not included in the pdf file ***
“The Bible and the Book of Mormon are both witnesses of Jesus Christ. They teach that He is the Son of God, that He lived an exemplary life, that He atoned for all mankind, that He died upon the cross and rose again as the resurrected Lord. They teach that He is the Savior of the world.
“The scriptural story of Jesus Christ is indeed a two-hemisphere story.18 While Mary and Joseph in the East were making preparations for the holy child’s birth in Bethlehem,19 Nephi in the West was being taught by the premortal Messiah. To Nephi the Lord said, “Be of good cheer; … on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.”20
“How do scriptures of the Restoration clarify the Bible? Many examples exist. I will cite but a few, beginning with the Old Testament.”
“Isaiah wrote, “Thou shalt … speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.”25 Could any words be more descriptive of the Book of Mormon, coming as it did “out of the ground” to “whisper out of the dust” to people of our day?26″
“But Isaiah was not the only Old Testament prophet who foretold the Book of Mormon. Ezekiel wrote:
“Take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel … : then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel … :
“And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.”27
Today, Saints living in many nations of the earth gratefully hold the Bible (the stick of Judah) and the Book of Mormon (the stick of Ephraim) bound as one in their hands.”
“What about the New Testament? The Book of Mormon also stands as a scriptural witness to its teachings. Examples include the miraculous birth of the babe in Bethlehem,28 His Sermon on the Mount,29 and the intense suffering of the Savior.30 The doctrine of the Resurrection is mentioned more frequently in the Book of Mormon than in the Bible.31″
“The need for the Holy Ghost was mentioned by Paul. He asked, “Have ye received the Holy Ghost … ? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.”32 That doctrine is clarified by another scriptural witness, conveyed through the Lord’s prophet of the Restoration. He taught us to “believe in the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.”33 That precious and powerful gift is again available to children of God.”
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