General Conference Accordion Book

General Conference is upon us again!  Here is a sweet little General Conference craft we made during Family Home Evening last week that you could easily replicate.

I used this 12 apostles template by Sara J Creations.  You can download and print it for free here or create one yourself by hand.

Sara's accordion book has drawings representing the original 12 apostles from Christ's mortal ministry that children can color in and paste or tape onto the accordion book.

My kids were delighted to do this while listening to this cute song about the names of the original apostles: link here.

When I got my printer working again, I printed off photos of the current apostles and we pasted them to the flip-side of our books.  Because there are currently 15 apostles (12 + 3 who make up the Prophet and 1st Presidency), you will need to cut an additional section to lengthen your accordion book to fit the full fifteen.) 

We played the apostles song (which is set to the tune of "Jesus Loves Me), talked about the apostles then and now, and played a "guess who" game where I would give a clue and the kids would have to find the photo of the correct apostle.

This was a fun activity, but what was even more fun for me was watching my 3-year old carry his 12 Apostles Book around in his back pocket for the next few days.

If you wanted to, you could make it a "face" book of the current Apostles only and allow your children to write the main teachings from each Apostle as they listen to General Conference this weekend.

Looking for more ideas for General Conference-watching with children?  See my Best General Conference Ideas Page.

 

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New Apostles Name Board

Fun Fact:  Our family's apostles name board has lasted for 3 years and been a wonderful and fun way to learn the names and faces of all of the Apostles and 1st Presidency!

With all it's use, I'm amazed at how well it's stood the test of time.  It has even been on the front page of the Friend website...but now it's time to make a new one to reflect the recent addition of new apostles.

I decided to make one using the same type of foam re-enforced poster board, but this time, it's foldable, which is great since we move our board around a lot.

Since I believe it's against copyright for me to offer the photos is one big file, I will just direct you to the page on LDS.org where I get the photos.  I basically just copy and paste them into a Word document, print and laminate them, then tape (the names) and use detachable velcro for the photos.  I like the names to stay stationary.  To help us memorize the names and faces of the Brethren, I take away the pictures (or just a few at a time) and we take turns matching them up to the correct name.  There's all sorts of uses for this board, and you can see more of how we use them on our General Conference Lessons PAGE.

Here's our old board in use in our home.  I am looking forward to learning from and studying the lives of these new leaders with my children.  Bring on General Conference!

PS - One more thing: If you've got young ones attending the General Women's Broadcast this Saturday evening, there is a free coloring journal to use during that meeting.  Click here to download it.

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The Need for Apostles and the Family Proclamation Today by Colin Booth

As I was scrolling through social media recently, I came across the post from a friend and neighbor of mine, who could be described as a less-active member of the Church.  It was a meme depicting the Savior sitting at a table with Thomas S. Monson.  The caricature of Jesus was holding a copy of The Family: A Proclamation to the World and chastising President Monson because the Proclamation contained some concepts that Jesus Christ never specifically mentioned in the Biblical account of his ministry.  I won’t mention which particular social issue was being touted in this meme, but suffice it to say, it’s a hot-button issue that has been in the news a lot lately.

    

I consider myself fairly thick-skinned and can usually laugh along with people making fun of the LDS Church and its peculiarities.  However, this meme bothered me enough to comment.  While it’s true that Christ never mentioned that particular topic Himself in the Bible, the apostle Paul addressed it quite clearly.  I mentioned this in the comments and pointed out a few other modern topics that were never specifically discussed by Christ during his earthly ministry.  My friend never responded to my comment and later removed the post entirely.

This experience caused me to do some thinking and reflecting.  There are a lot of things wrong with that meme (the least of which is that Monson wasn’t even president when the proclamation was given.  Gordon B. Hinckley was).  But the major underlying error is the philosophy that if Jesus didn’t say it, then it must not be true or a part of His gospel.  That fallacy completely discounts the mission and authority of the prophets, who preceded the Savior, and the apostles and prophets who succeeded Him after his death and resurrection.  I have rarely come across someone who believes in Christ but not in the apostles or the rest of the New Testament, but apparently they exist, as least when believing so helps them justify their world view.

 

The fact is: Jesus never intended His mortal ministry to be the end of the gospel.  He hand-picked and trained his apostles to carry on the work after His ascension.  That’s where the concept of authority becomes key.  In Luke chapter 9, the Lord gave his apostles “power and authority” “and he sent them to preach the kingdom of God.”  Even in Amos in the Old Testament, the relationship between God and his servants was clear, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”  Preaching the gospel is a collaborative effort.  Could Jesus accomplish his work without the help of mortals?  Of course, but that’s not the point.

 

From the beginning of time, God has called prophets to teach others about his gospel.  Each of those prophets spoke to the people in their day and age and in their language.  While some prophets, such as Isaiah, John the Revelator, and Moroni prophesied mainly for future generations, for the most part, prophets and apostles speak to the current generation (although their words apply universally).  This is beneficial, because as a product of those same generations, they know exactly what challenges, trials, and temptations people are struggling with. 

For the most part, during his mortal ministry, Jesus set forth universal truths and principles.  He didn’t address all the problems future generations would face.  He left the interpretation of those principles to his subsequent apostles and prophets.  Fast forward to the early 1800s.  All of the authorized prophets and apostles of Jesus’ time had died,  and the world had fallen into apostasy due to a lack of organization, continual direction, and priesthood authority.   

Again a prophet and apostle was called, even Joseph Smith.  Priesthood authority and organization was restored.  Again, God spoke through man on earth.  A new council of 12 apostles was called.  Old commandments were reemphasized.  Truths and principles were restored.  New scripture was brought forth.  New and specific revelations were received to guide and direct the people in modern times.  The world had changed and new counsel was required.  I’ll highlight a few of these changes.  In consequence of conspiring men and new technologies, a Word of Wisdom was given to counsel the people to avoid unhealthy and addictive substances. Missionaries were called to preach the gospel around the world.  Temples were built and ancient holy ordinances were again performed in righteousness.  The 19^th century ended with Christ’s restored Church thriving and growing.

 

Around 2/3 of the way through the 20^th century, a revelation was received and restriction of priesthood authority for men of African descent was removed.  

Twenty years ago this month, then president Gordon B. Hinckley, as a part of the general Relief Society Meeting, read a proclamation to the world from the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles.  I was in high school at the time, and I had no idea how prophetic that proclamation would be.  In 1995, it just seemed to me like common sense and something that most people believed and understood.  The last 7 years have shown how quickly public sentiment can change.  Never in the history of mankind, was a document like The Family: A Proclamation to the World more needed than today. 

The Savior didn’t give this message in the Bible, although the principles he offered permeate throughout.  He relayed this important message through modern apostles in preparation for a time when His people would need it the most.  That time is now.  The family is under attack.  Never has the definition of the family been so misconstrued, distorted, or so trodden under foot.  Never before have solid families been more pivotal and necessary in the Church and society as a whole.

 

Whenever I read that sacred document, I am again impressed by how perfectly it’s worded, and of the depth of the meaning.  The family proclamation is scripture as surely as the Holy Bible, or the standard LDS works.  Not only is it scripture; it’s also Church doctrine.  I had an interesting online discussion last year with a purported member of the Church whom I came across on social media.  I was defending the Church’s stance on a particular social issue and used The Family: A Proclamation to the World as evidence of the Church’s doctrine on the matter.  She claimed that the proclamation was not Church doctrine but rather a guideline.  I couldn’t disagree more.  The family proclamation is most assuredly Church doctrine.  I have some understanding of the review process of the materials distributed by the Church.  I know that everything that has a Church logo has been thoroughly reviewed for content and doctrine.  You can bank on any official statement by the prophet at general conference, which is later also printed in the Ensign, especially a statement with the full endorsement of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles, all of which the proclamation has. 

Not only is it doctrine, the proclamation is truth.  Pure truth, unadulterated.  There is no question of translation or interpretation.  It stands on its own and is beautiful in its simplicity.  When I study it, I can feel the presence of an intelligence much higher and more divine than even that of those 15 exemplary apostles.  This document is inspired of God.  It contains the words of Jesus Christ. 

I am no one important.  I don’t have a blog or a lot of social media followers.  I don’t speak for the Church.  I’m just a family man and a member of the Church, trying to be more like Jesus and do what’s right.  And I have a testimony of The Family: A Proclamation to the World.  I know it is true.  It may not be convenient; it does not conform to society’s standards, but it is still true.  I invite you all to read and study it again.  If you have supported causes in opposition to the doctrine contained in the proclamation, abandon those causes.  If you are seeking truth, you will find it there.  Pay attention to how you feel when you read it.  If you diligently seek to find Christ’s message for you in the proclamation, you will find it.           

Here's your chance to find out what we're all talking about!  Click here to read The Family: a Proclamation to the World! 

And if you enjoyed this post, by Colin, please feel free to share it on Facebook or share your own love of family with a photo using the hashtag #ILovetheFamilyProclamation! And be sure to check out the other host blogs today for more wonderful posts and testimonies about family and check out this LINK to ENTER today's GIVEAWAY, which you can read more about below!  

Here are links to the other wonderful blogs:

CranialHiccups

and

A Thing Called Love

  

***************** GIVEAWAY *****************

We often find The Family: A Proclamation to the World hanging on the wall next to the picture of a temple. Juju Lane has taken it a step further by creating this beautiful gold foil temple using words from the Proclamation!

•        

 Enter below for your chance to win this lovely print for your home! a Rafflecopter giveaway.

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Loving Others and Living with Differences by Elder Oaks

In my last post, I told you guys how my dear, dear friend is picking up and moving to Idaho--off for new adventures in midwifery!  So, last night we had them over for dinner and had a rip-roaring good time.

I really love her kids too!  So while they were here killing time on a Sunday, we decided to do a craft after dinner that related to a lesson I wanted to do on Elder Oaks' talk Loving Others and Living with Differences.

Honestly, it was just thrown together on the spot, but we are running out of time to get all of our lessons in before the next General Conference, so we keep moving along, plugging in spiritual thoughts/lessons whenever we have a moment.

We started by making these rain clouds...six children, making rain clouds!  They did great.  We tried to listen to Elder Oaks' talk as we worked, but it was a little hard to hear, so while we did talk about the concept I was trying to teach, we had to talk about it again this morning to get in more of the actual point of our lesson!

And the point that I was attempting to get across was this: Sometimes, people we have relationships with will disagree with us on matters great and small.  These moments can feel like rain clouds, but good things can come out of these interactions if we are wise and know how to conduct ourselves in a loving manner. To prepare ourselves for what we would do in these types of situations, we brainstormed about what we might say or do if we found ourselves in disagreement with someone we know.

One of the children, earlier in the day, had followed her mother's counsel to "walk away" when her brother started making her mad.  We said that was a good thing to do, but it's even better if we can stay with our friends when we disagree and show our love for them.  

We made raindrops that could "fall" from our clouds, and on the back of each rain drop, we wrote some things we would do to show love to someone with whom we may not agree.

Scarlett's list is above: "I will be happy.  I will be kind.  I would not be blue.  I will be loving.  I will not be greedy."  She also wrote, "I will laugh," which I think means she'd find a way to lighten the mood, which is also a good way to nourish a relationship.

These are pretty good mantras to have in our mind as we interact socially with people with whom we strongly disagree on matters of importance to us.

Here is my list: "Express love and admiration often. Play nicely together. Always be kind. Focus on the things on which we do agree. Say, 'I don't agree with you about this, but I love you anyway. And serve those with whom we might have disagreed in the past."  

I know that when we do these things, we can often gain a friend, instead of losing one.  And although it often seems more comfortable to gravitate toward people who think like we do, if we are strong enough to show love for those with whom we disagree, we may find a friendship that can weather any storm!  This is yet another way that we can emulate the Savior.

So that was our semblance of a lesson.  I normally like to get more in-depth with my children, but talking about it over a number of days also helps to peel back the layers of meaning in a talk.  I think this is an important topic for children and adults...an important skill to have in relationships in general.  So, I'm sure we'll talk about it more as the days go on.

Alright, I've got some work to do.  Hope you have a great Monday!

You can find the rest of our General Conference lessons here.

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General Conference Crafts

Through much work and effort over the last few years, General Conference has really become the core of how we talk of Christ and rejoice in Christ in our family for a while now.

We have shared a ton about how we do this on our General Conference Lessons page and our General Conference Ideas page, which I hope you will check out!!

I think you'll be glad you did!

Since we "talk of Christ" through the teachings of the prophets basically on a daily basis, I am always looking for ways to 1) solidify what we've learned, 2) celebrate another round of General Conference learning, and 3) have fun.

The craft that I am sharing with you today does all three.  

There are lots of different General Conference viewing traditions our there, particular to each family.  We are always tweaking ours.  

I've heard that some families choose to work on a craft project during General Conference weekend to keep little hands occupied.  (Last year, we did this when we made this easy General Conference Mosaic using contact paper and tissue squares!)  If you're one of those families, the project I am sharing with you today would definitely fit the bill.  It requires minimal materials, can be done by little hands, and only requires a little prep-work.

Here are our General Conference Apostle Blocks:

I hope you adore them as much as I do!!

I loved the "Special Witness" cards put out by the Friend this last month.  They are so handy.  You could print them out (or cut them out) and use them as a memory game or lots of other ways this weekend.  I decided to use them (and some 2x2 wood blocks I had lying around) to create Apostle Blocks that my kids can make and/or use before, during, and after Conference.

Materials you will need:

2x2 wooden blocks (15 count)

The Special Witness Cards from the Friend (printed on card stock)

ModgePodge (glue)

Scissors

Instructions:

- Prepare your wood blocks by lightly sanding the edges.  (I had my children do this with me, which they enjoyed!)

- Cut the Apostle Cards and Pictures into 2-inch squares to fit your blocks. (Kids can also help!)

- Glue them to your blocks.  Coat with additional glue to protect and let dry.

Voila!

We also used pictures from our family's General Conference lessons to remind us of the teachings from previous General Conferences which we have already learned.  You could easily grab your favorite FREE General Conference printables online to use as well.  Just shrink them to 2x2 inches.

Each block contains the photo of an Apostle and their information (from the Friend) plus their previous teachings.  Since each block contains the teachings of just one Apostle, these blocks can be used in so many ways to review the teachings of the prophets and they are just right for little hands.

(These little hands, to be exact!  Honor: You finally get your own special thing!)

  

Anyway, you'll notice we left some sides open to add the teaching of this and future General Conferences.

We are not quite done yet, since we just started them today.  Plus I need to run out and buy three more blocks! We will be using this in so many fun ways, including as an activity to help us sit reverently through lots of hours of Conference this weekend!

And when it's done, it's going to also make a nice decoration for Conference time and year-round!

I'm in a crafty mood recently (needing craft therapy, I guess) so I'll be back with a few more quick, easy, creative, and kid-friendly crafting ideas before the week is out!

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