No matter the age of your children, agency is an essential part of growing up. Come learn what the First Presidency has taught about choice. It’s time for some FHE Fun!

Opening Song:  #160 Choose the Right Way

Opening Prayer:  By invitation.

Emergency Prep Tip: Emergency preparedness experts recommend having emergency phone numbers and an identifying photograph of the family in emergency kits. Work this week to add to your 72-hour kits a photograph with family names and emergency phone numbers written on the back. Laminate it (if possible) to make it water proof. Place one in each individual 72-hour kit. (Keep the kits stored near the front or back door in a coat closet or other easily accessible location.) Click here to see previous weeks’ 72-hour kit additions.

Devotional:  How ‘bout some cool spontaneous scripture sharing! What scripture moved you this week? Did a scripture help any of your children? Let them share and say why. Talking with each other during FHE Devotionals makes strengthening each other easier as a family. Devotionals needn't be more than five minutes or so, but wow, are these scriptural minutes potent when done kindly and tenderly!

FHE Lesson Scripture:  Read 2 Nephi 2:27:

“Wherefore, men . . . are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death.”

• Piece of paper
• Pen or pencil
• Ruler (or some form of a straight edge)

Ask for a volunteer. Give them the paper and the pen. Stress that they are to draw the straightest line possible. At the last moment before they begin drawing the line, hand them the ruler. Invite them again to draw the straightest line possible. Then let them choose how they will make their line.

Ask the family how easy or difficult is it to draw a flawlessly straight line without a ruler or a guide. How does having a straight edge make it easier? Enjoy their responses.

Application:  Explain that Heavenly Father gives us the Holy Ghost as a form of a straight edge. The purpose of the Holy Ghost is to help us walk in safe paths, paths that lead straight back to heaven. But at the same time, Heavenly Father does give choice whether or not we will stay next to the Holy Spirit’s guiding presence.

Ask the family to listen as you read the following paragraph on “Agency” (taken from the “For the Strength of Youth” pamphlet published by the church). Invite them to look for how the Holy Ghost is like a straight-edge or ruler that we can use to draw spiritually straight lines:

“Your Heavenly Father has given you agency, the ability to choose right from wrong and to act for yourself. You have been given the Holy Ghost to help you know good from evil… consequences may not be immediate, but they will always follow, for good or bad. Wrong choices delay your progression and lead to heartache and misery. Right choices lead to happiness and eternal life. That is why it is so important for you to choose what is right throughout your life.”

“You are responsible for the choices you make. You should not blame your circumstances, your family, or your friends if you choose to disobey God’s commandments. You are a child of God with great strength. You have the ability to choose righteousness and happiness, no matter what your circumstances.”

• D&C 6:33-34
• Moroni 7:13-14
• D&C 58:27-28
• D&C 98:3, 11
• D&C 35:12, 24
• D&C 59:3, 17

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.