Purpose: In this new Family Home Evening series, you/family/group/ward will create and/or journal items according to the lesson to stick in your time capsule. You can create a time capsule for yourself, as individuals in the family or one family time capsule.

Song: "Testimony"

Scripture: Psalms 119:111

Lesson: Once a month during a Sacrament meeting we meet together for a Fast and Testimony meeting. People from the audience stand to share their feelings, or their testimonies, of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with others that are gathered. Often, on other occasions we can share our testimonies of Christ, the Plan of Salvation, Faith, Baptism, the Holy Ghost, Joseph Smith, Latter-day Prophets, The Book of Mormon and any other topic.

What is a testimony? According to lds.org, a testimony is a spiritual witness given by the Holy Ghost.

"The foundation of a testimony is the knowledge that Heavenly Father lives and loves His children; that Jesus Christ lives, that He is the Son of God, and that He carried out the infinite Atonement ; that Joseph Smith is the prophet of God who was called to restore the gospel; that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Savior's true Church on the earth; and that the Church is led by a living prophet today. With this foundation, a testimony grows to include all principles of the gospel." (from lds.org)

How does one acquire a personal testimony?

Study the words of Moroni. He lived more than 1,500 years ago. This prophet had watched as his people were slaughtered and utterly devastated by civil war. His nation in ruins, his friends and loved ones slain, his own father—a great general and a righteous man—killed.

This great prophet, Moroni, having lost all that he loved, stood alone. The last of his people, he was the lone witness to the desolation and heartbreak that results from hatred and rage.

He had precious little time and space on his plates to write a few final words. His own people destroyed, Moroni wrote for our day. To us, he inscribed his precious words of farewell—his final words of counsel:

“Behold, I would exhort you,” he wrote, “that when ye shall read these things … ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men. … Ponder it in your hearts.

“And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Would that every ear could hear the last testimony of Moroni, this giant among men, this humble servant of God.

Do you want to know the truth of the holy scriptures? Do you wish to break the barriers that separate mortals from the knowledge of eternal verities? Do you wish to know—really know—the truth? Then follow Moroni’s counsel and you will surely find what you seek.

Be sincere. Study. Ponder. Pray sincerely, having faith.

If you do these things, you too will be able to stand with the millions who testify that God once again speaks to man on earth.

A testimony of the truth of the gospel does not come the same way to all people. Some receive it in a unique, life-changing experience. Others gain a testimony slowly, almost imperceptibly until, one day, they simply know. ~from Joseph B. Wirthlin "Pure Testimony"

Discussion:

What does it mean to have a testimony?

How can we gain a testimony of the gospel?

How do we nourish our testimony?

What are some ways we can share our testimony with others?


Activity: This FHE has several activities planned that are inter-related.

1. Create Your Own Time Capsule

Materials: A container (i.e. an oatmeal can, a jar, shoe box and so on), construction paper, glue, markers, stickers and any other item you want to use to decorate your time capsule.

You can also include the date that you made it and a date that you want to wait until you open it.

**Keep your time capsule open for a year to include enough items to be able to enjoy looking back on. We will provide monthly FHE Time Capsule Lessons for you to work on this project to complete your year.**

2. Watch the Testimony video on the Home Page of this blog (if the video has changed since viewing this lesson, click on Mormon Messages on YouTube and watch Elder Jeffery R. Holland's testimony of The Book of Mormon.


3. Journal Your Own Testimony of The Book of Mormon~ this will be your first item in your newly created time capsule.

Treat:

Muddy Buddies

9 Cups of Corn, Rice, Wheat or Chocolate Chex cereal (or a combination)
1 Cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 C. peanut butter
1/4 C. butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 C. powdered sugar

1. Measure cereal in a large bowl and set aside.
2. In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
3. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.