May 19-25, Youth Lesson helps, YM & YW, Come Follow me.

Doctrine and Covenants 49:15–17

Marriage between man and woman is essential to God’s plan.

In an effort to undermine Heavenly Father’s plan, Satan seeks to create confusion about marriage. The Lord, on the other hand, continues to reveal truth about marriage through His prophets. You can find some of this truth in Doctrine and Covenants 49:15–17; Genesis 2:20–24; 1 Corinthians 11:11; and “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” Make a list of the truths you find. Why is marriage so important to God’s plan?

A statement I make to my youth to break the ice with lessons like this. "Raise your hand if you never want to get married." Use your own discretion, but usually everyone is planning on it. Then you can say something like "Great, if we are all planning on it, then it shouldn't be awkward to talk about it." (:

What are some things that worry you or concern you about marriage?

I remember asking my YW this question, and their answers broke my heart. But most of them worry that they might get married to someone who seems nice and then isn't, which is a legitimate concern.

In situations like this, I ask them if they know the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Daniel chapter 3. God could deliver them, but even if He didn't, they would not bow down. 

I cannot promise that if you are obedient and faithful, nothing bad will happen to you. But if you build your faith in God now, like these three Men, you can create "even if" phrases. I am happily married, and I still use "even if" phrases. For example, "Even if all my children lose their testimonies and leave the church, I will stand firm in my covenants and relationship with God." Or "Even if my husband dies tomorrow, I will hold tight to the knowledge that we are sealed forever." Satan loves fear. Do you see what happens when we replace that fear with truth? Truth is a powerful thing, which leads us into our lesson.

Set up your board like this:

Pass out cards like this:

(They are in my store)

Truth cards and Lie cards.

When you print these cards, I recommend printing two of them. One on card stock and one on plain paper. So you can cut the cards out and keep one, allowing you to read and reference where the truths come from and correct the lies.

There are 29 cards total. I wanted to give you plenty of information. If you dislike any of the cards or feel that something might be offensive, remove them. I promise you won't hurt my feelings.

However, I think putting them in a big container and letting people pass it around to choose a card is a fun way to cover the material.

After they randomly pick their cards, tell them that some of the cards have questions. Since there won't be a lot of time for them to plan an answer to their questions, they can ask for help from the class if they don't know.

They will sort the Truth from the lies. It will look similar to this:

Close with your testimony, or share this testimony, or both.

This is a Free Print.

Print Here

Elder Ulisses Soares taught that “the restored gospel of Jesus Christ proclaims the principle of full partnership between woman and man, both in mortal life and in the eternities” (“In Partnership with the Lord,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 42). You might study his message, looking for principles “that strengthen the partnership between man and woman.” How can you apply these principles in your life? If someone of another faith asked you why marriage is important, how would you respond? Why are you grateful for this understanding?

See also Topics and Questions, “Marriage,” “Family,” Gospel Library; David A. Bednar, “Marriage Is Essential to His Eternal Plan,” Ensign, June 2006, 83–84; “Renaissance of Marriage” (video), Gospel Library.

I've also included this game, where the youth can match up the general authorities with their wedding day. This is a free print.

Click on the image to take you to the page to print it.

Also, I think it would be fun to play MASH if you have time. Or you can send the sheets home with the kids. It is probably the one printable that won't go in the garbage. Your youth will know how to play, even if you don't(:

This is a free Print.

Print Here

This is available in the lesson bundle, but you can purchase it separately by clicking on the picture below.

Doctrine and Covenants 50:23–25

“That which is of God is light.”

As you ponder the Savior’s words in Doctrine and Covenants 50:23–25, think about how you receive God’s light in your life and how you “chase darkness” away. For example, how do these verses guide your choices about how to spend your time? what entertainment or media to seek? which conversations to engage in? What other decisions can these verses help you with? A hymn like “The Lord Is My Light” (Hymns, no. 89) might inspire additional thoughts.

See also “Walk in God’s light,” For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices, 16–21.

I added this section because I love it. I think it would be fun to turn out the lights and incorporate glow sticks. When a youth thinks of a way to spend their time and increase the light in their life, they can break their glow stick. Or they can bear witness to how they have seen God's light in their lives.

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Summer Reading Challenge

I just wanted to share with you something we are doing in my family with my youth, and we are seriously seeing miracles. Revelation is real, and the scriptures play a big part in that.

It all started with the BYU women's conference. And a challenge from Wendy Nelson.

I created this printable and attached it to notebooks from Dollar Tree, along with a pen that slid into the side.

This is a Free Print.

Print Here

Here is a picture of my son's notebook in his messy room.

We've been doing this longer than 3 days, but I will have some grace(:

I love our family scripture study now. My children and I share the miracles and revelations we have received.

I have to share my 13-year-old daughter's revelation. Her question was why we had to go to the second hour of church. She feels like it's annoying and she already knows everything (Humility, we are working on that). She opened her scriptures to Philippians and read about gathering and uplifting. She said she probably needs to see who she can help and uplift during that time. I didn't have to say a word. The spirit and the scriptures did all the teaching.

I have been deeply moved by my own personal study of scripture.

So I have decided to do it with my Sunday School class. Maybe we can have a swim party and BBQ for those who participate, or something similar. I'm still thinking about that.

I would love for you to share your experiences. We can enjoy this summer in the scriptures.

Crystal