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Stand in Holy Places
By
C.S. Bezas
Last week we found “safety in the fire” during Family Home Evening. Let's explore next what it really means to “Stand in Holy Places.” Time for some FHE Fun!
Opening Song: #300 Families Can Be Together Forever
Opening Prayer: By Invitation.
Devotional: This week, why not have a “scripture chase” for FHE devotional? Invite the family to take their scriptures and go on a hunt for a temple scripture verse. Give them 120 seconds to see what they can find. Enjoy sharing the temple scripture verses as a way to bring the Spirit for tonight's FHE!
Lesson:
Review with the family the FHE lesson from last week: that we must do the “fireman crawl” to stay below “physical” smoke when it is really bad. With “spiritual” smoke or fire, we must remain above the sin in the world. One of the best ways to do this is through temple worship. When we “stand in holy places”, we are safe. We stand in “holy places” by the “holy choices” we make. The most holy of places on earth are the Lord's temples.
Read this scripture:
“And there shall be men standing in that generation, that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land.
“But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die” (D&C 45:31-32).
Latter-day prophets, and ancient ones, have spoken of the Lord's temples as holy places, refuges of safety. But why? Take turns reading the following verses from Malachi 4 (Old Testament) and ask your children if they can figure out the answer:
1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.
Explain that Heavenly Father waits and waits and waits for His children to repent. Yet at some point, He will remove the wicked. But what does temple worship have to do with spiritual safety? Read the following two verses from the same chapter:
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord :
6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse (Malachi 4: 1-3, 5-6 ).
Explain that when we do our genealogy we are turning our hearts to our ancestors and potentially theirs to ours. It acts as a fortress for families; it strengthens individuals. But why does it protect us from spiritual fires? Ask for ideas. Affirm each one who shares. Then summarize by reading this quote slowly from the prophet Joseph Smith. Make sure to explain the significance of each phrase:
“The spirit, power, and calling of Elijah is, that ye have power to hold the key of the revelation, ordinances, oracles, powers and endowments of the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood and of the kingdom of God on the earth;
and to receive, obtain, and perform all the ordinances belonging to the kingdom of God, even unto the turning of the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the hearts of the children unto the fathers, even those who are in heaven.”
(Joseph Smith, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith 2007, 311, emphasis added).
The prophet Joseph Smith explained further what Malachi meant. Print out following paragraph and cut it into individual sentences. Pass out one strip for each person to read and then discuss:
I might have rendered a plainer translation to [Malachi 4], but it is sufficiently plain to suit my purpose as it stands. (Have the individual read and explain what they feel this means.)
It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? (Have the next person read and explain what they feel this means.)
It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; (Etc.)
for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. (Etc.)
And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times (Etc.) (D&C 128:18) .
In addition to tithing being the perfect fire insurance (see D&C 64:23-25), preparing to make and keep temple covenants is one of the most powerful things a family can do to stay safe from the spiritual smoke and fires of this world.
Make sure to close with your testimony and love for each family member. Invite each one to practice standing in “holy choices” during the week in preparation for next week's fun genealogy activities!
Closing Song: #289 Holy Temples on Mount Zion
Closing Prayer: By Invitation.
Refreshments: Refreshments provide a warm, gentle time to enjoy one another's company as a family. No pressure, no correction, just good old fashioned love found by way of enjoyment as a group. And these divinity treats would be perfect!
Struggling with your teens? C.S. Bezas' book is an essential help for parents and youth leaders. Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers teaches you how to create powerful change. Visit your local LDS bookstore or get your copy online here.
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