I'm Sorry, Please Forgive Me

Topic:
We should say "I am sorry" when we make mistakes and "I'm sorry, please forgive me" when we do something wrong purposefully.

Scriptures:
James 5:16
3 Nephi 12:23-24

Materials:
Scriptures
Children's Songbook
Four pieces of paper
Picture of Jesus
Pictures of people (optional)

Song Suggestion:
I'm Trying to be like Jesus (Children's Songbook, 78-79)

Lesson:
Show picture of Jesus. Jesus wants us and others to be happy. He has taught us some ways to make ourselves and others happy. One of these ways is to say we are sorry and to ask for forgiveness.

Whenever we make a mistake we should say we are sorry. Whenever we do something wrong purposefully, we should say we are sorry and then ask for forgiveness from the person we wronged (this second idea is just a suggestion).

When we say these kind words to others we make ourselves and others feel happy. Have everyone repeat after you, "I'm sorry and if you want, "I'm sorry, please forgive me". Emphasize that there is no reason to feel embarrassed to say "I'm sorry". We are a bigger person for doing this and should feel proud not ashamed.

Next you can tell of a story in the scriptures where someone did something wrong, felt bad about what they did, apologized, and then were happy. You could also tell of a personal experience where this happened.

Activity Ideas:
Gather four pieces of paper. On one piece draw a smiley face, on another draw a frown, on another piece write "I'm sorry" and on the last piece write "Please forgive me". Depending on your number of children old enough to participate either give all the pieces of paper to one child, or hand them out to different children. Tell of some stories of people making mistakes or doing something purposefully wrong (show pictures of people if desired). When you get to the sad part where someone does something wrong, have the child with the frown hold it up. When you get to the happy part, have the child hold up the happy face. Continue from there with the other pieces of paper.

Have your children act out different situations where someone makes a mistake or does something wrong making sure that they say the words "I'm sorry" and "Please forgive me" where appropriate. Discuss how they would feel (sad/happy) if these situations really happened to them.

Weekly Challenge:
Challenge your children to say "I'm sorry" and "Please forgive me" when appropriate this week.

I'm Sorry, Please Forgive Me

Father's Blessing

As summer winds down and activities such as school, dance, music lessons, sports, etc. start up again, it is a great time to discuss the Priesthood and a Father's Blessing.

My suggestion is that you have a lesson on the priesthood followed by each child who wants to (along with Mom) getting a Father's Blessing.

Here are some great resources to study as you prepare for this lesson. The first is "The Priesthood"--chapter 13 in Gospel Principles (the manual being used by Priesthood and Relief Society this year). Second is a talk "The Power of the Priesthood" by President Boyd K. Packer given in the April 2010 General Conference. Third is also a talk. This is by Elder Dallin H. Oaks and is titled "Healing the Sick, " and was also given at this past April's Conference.

For the purpose of this lesson, I like the part of Elder Oak's talk that discusses faith. "...the greater responsibility is with him who is blessed...The major element is the faith of the individual when that person is conscious and accountable." This is a quote by President Kimball. These talks mesh together well because President Packer discusses that the father is to preside over the blessings of his family no matter who else is present, and Elder Oaks quotes President Kimball who points out that it doesn't matter who is giving the blessing; the Priesthood is the same. What matters is the faith of the receiver. So receiving a blessing from your father is no less spectacular than if you were to receive it from the Prophet. Elder Oaks says, "...the effect of the blessing is dependent upon faith and the Lord's will, not upon the words spoken by the elder who officiated." This quote is found under the heading "Words of Blessing."

Fourth, you might enjoy reviewing the lesson "Fathers' Blessings" in the Young Women Manual 2.

Song Suggestion: Priesthood Power in Children's Songbook

Father's Blessing

Sister Beck Quote

"I have said lately that women are like lionesses at the gate of the home. Whatever happens in that home and family happens because she cares about it and it matters to her. She guards that gate, and things matter to that family if they matter to her. For example, if the lioness at the gate believes in the law of tithing, tithing will be paid in that family. If that family has a humble little portion of ten pesos coming in, that lioness will safeguard the one peso if tithing is important to her. If that lioness at the gate knows about renewing her baptismal covenants with God, she will be in sacrament meeting on Sunday, and she will prepare her children to be there. They will be washed, cleaned, combed, and taught about that meeting and what happens there. It isn’t a casual event, but it is serious to her, and it will be serious to them. The lioness at the gate ensures that temple worship is taken care of in the family. She encourages that participation. She cares about seeking after her ancestors. If the lioness at the gate knows about and understands missions, missionaries, and the mission of the house of Israel, she will prepare future missionaries to go out from that home. It is very difficult to get a lion cub away from a lioness who doesn’t believe in missions, but if the lioness believes in a mission, she will devote her life to preparing the cub to go out and serve the Lord. That’s how important she is. Service happens if she cares about it." -Julie B. Beck, Women's Conference 2010

She didn't say it specifically, but if family home evening is important to us, the lionesses at the gate, then it will happen and it will bless our families.

(See the whole talk here).

Sister Beck Quote

Individual Worth

Purpose: to help each child know they are special and of worth to our Heavenly Father

Materials: Mirror, magnifying mirror (or some kind of mirror that distorts the reflection), scissors, paper, crayons or markers

*Have each child cut out a snowflake with the white paper (you can have them color/decorate it too)

Discussion: snowflakes are wonderful. Each is beautiful and yet not one is the same. (Have each child show their snowflake and how different it is but how they are all beautiful).

Just as snowflakes are beautiful but different, so is each of us. As children of God we are very important and precious. We are also different from each other. We have different thoughts, ideas, talents, and needs. We can all be different and also be important.

Lesson: Pass both mirrors around for the children to look at themselves. Explain that the magnifying mirror gives a distorted image of ourselves. If we thought we looked like that we would become very discouraged. The ordinary mirror reflects the true image.

Liken the magnifying mirror to how the world can make us see ourselves. It’s a distorted view but if we believe it, like relying on other people’s opinions about us we would become discouraged. People can be negative, critical, and untruthful. The world will tell us that we need to dress and act in ways that don’t reflect our values and standards in order to fit in.

Heavenly Father offers us the true reflection of ourselves like the ordinary mirror. He sees our strong points and our talents. He loves us for who we are and who we can become. He wants to help us in all we do.

Conclusion: Read Isaiah 13:12. Help your children understand that they are very special in Heavenly Father’s sight. His opinion of them is the one to value.

Individual Worth

Scriptures

Opening Song: Book of Mormon Stories

Scripture: James 1:5

Lesson: Tell the story of the first vision.

Activities:

For younger kids: Scripture coloring page

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=21bc9fbee98db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=d1191cc1c81b7110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1

For older kids: Scripture Treasure Hunt

http://ldssplash.com/fhe/scripture1/scripture.htm

Scriptures