FHE: Safety
SHAUNA GIBBY - 4 DAYS AGO
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Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read “We Follow Jesus Christ,” by Quentin L. Cook, Ensign, May
2010, 83–86.
Thought:
As we met with the families in Samoa [where a tsunami had hit], the significance of spiritually going to the higher ground, living a better life, and clinging to saving ordinances was abundantly clear.
(Quentin L. Cook, “We Follow Jesus Christ,” Ensign, May 2010, 83–86.)
Song:
“Sing Your Way Home,” Children’s Songbook, p.193.
Scripture:
The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders. (Deuteronomy 33:12)
Lesson:
Read Alma 52:6 together as a family. Ask:
- How did Teancum have his men prepare to defend and protect themselves?
- What are “places of resort”? (Fortifications.)
- What “places of resort” do we have today to help us in the battle against evil?
Share these statements with your family:
“Our Heavenly Father has organized us into families for the purpose of helping us successfully meet the trials and challenges of life. . . . Our family is our safety place, our support network, our sanctuary, and our salvation.” (Rex D. Pinegar, “Home First,” Ensign, May 1990, p. 9.) “Our homes should be the strong place to which children can come for the anchor they need in this day of trouble and turmoil.” (Harold B. Lee, His Servants Speak, p. 154.)
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(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Book of Mormon, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003], p. 230.)
Story:
Some time ago I participated in a survival camp with a group of young people in the High Sierra
Mountains. After three days of physically challenging and spiritually strengthening experiences, we faced one of the last activities—that of rappelling down an eighty-foot cliff.
When my turn came, I surveyed the setting. Overhead the sky was blue and clear. Over the edge of the cliff was a long, long way down, and I could not see the landing place below or the people who would welcome me or pick up the pieces. The instructor securely wrapped a strap around my legs and waist, placed the rappelling rope in my hand, and proceeded with instructions. It’s fascinating how much better we listen and concentrate when we know that what is being said really matters. He had previously explained the skill of rappelling and the importance of the safety rope with each individual who went down the cliff ahead of me, but when it was my turn, I listened more intently. I wanted to know all that he knew. I didn’t want any of the rules overlooked or minimized. If I followed the instructions, I’d get down safely; if not, I would suffer varying degrees of discomfort according to my ability to follow the instructions. I learned right away that his instructions were accurate when I experienced some discomforting rope burn on my hands.
Without looking down, but always looking up and straining to listen for instructions, advice, and
encouragement, I began my descent. About halfway down, as I pondered my position, I was reminded of the teachings of President George Q. Cannon: “When we went forth into the waters of baptism and covenanted with our Father in heaven to serve Him and keep His commandments, He bound Himself also by covenant to us that He would never desert us, never leave us to ourselves, never forget us, that in the midst of trials and hardships, when everything was arrayed against us, He would be near unto us and would sustain us. That was His covenant.” (Gospel Truth, 1987, p. 134.)
The Savior bound Himself to us. He is our safety rope. He throws out the lifeline—literally our
lifeline. Through obedience to His laws and commandments, we tie ourselves securely to Him. The rope I held was the safety rope. I had my agency. I could hang on or I could let go. Or if I wanted, I could take out my pocket knife, exercise my agency, and cut just one fine strand at a time. Surely one strand at a time would present no risk.
I likened the rope to the commandments. I can break one commandment at a time. Surely one commandment at a time won’t hurt. Would we ever consider letting go of a rope and challenging our ability to survive against the law of gravity? Or would we ignore the commandments of God and pit our resistance against the power of the adversary? If we choose to hold onto the rope, we are limited, restricted, curtailed, but through that very process our Father in heaven has said that He will make us free. Only after we are tried and tested can we be trusted with our inheritance as heirs to the kingdom of God. If we choose to let go of the rope and release ourselves from the laws and the commandments, we also choose the consequences, because even God obeys the law. Through disobedience to laws, we will fall.
(Ardeth Greene Kapp, My Neighbor, My Sister, My Friend, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1990], p. 32-34.)
Activity:
Play Walking Statues. Designate one person as the watchman and divide the people into two teams.
Send each team to opposite ends of the room and position the watchman in the center.
The object is to be there first to sneak up to the watchman and touch him without the watchman
seeing the person move.
When the watchman turns to face a team, that entire team becomes motionless like statues. If the
watchman detects any movement, the person who moved must go back to the end of the room.
The first person to touch the watchman without getting caught wins for his team and becomes the
new watchman for the next round of play.
(George and Jeane Chipman, Games! Games! Games! [Salt Lake City: Shadow Mountain, 1983], p. 57.)
Refreshment
A Bunch of Crunch
- 1 package (any size) cornflakes
- 1 package (any size) oven-toasted rice cereal
- 2 cups flaked coconut
- 1 lb. (4 cups) salted peanuts
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups white corn syrup
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
In a large bowl mix together cereals, coconut and peanuts. In medium saucepan combine sugar, corn
syrup and milk; cook and stir until mixture reaches soft ball stage, washing down sides of pan. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over cereal mixture; stir until entirely coated. Turn out onto counter top; separate into pieces to cool. Store in a cool dry place.
(Winifred Jardine, Mormon Country Cooking, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1980] p. 302.)
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