Friday, April 28, 2017

Youth Sunday School: Truth and Error

How can I recognize the difference between truth and error?

We know that during the Great Apostasy many of the gospel truths were changed or lost.  Truth was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith.  We can study the word of God and listen to the Holy Ghost so we can recognize the difference between truth and error.


We started the lesson by taking a TRUE or FALSE quiz, you can find the free printable below.  We made this quiz with common falsehoods and topics that the youth would be at least a little familiar with.  It was so funny to hear the youth talk about each one and say how they knew it was one way or another.  They eventually caught on that every answer was false!  We talked about how even though this quiz was just for fun, we can be mislead to believe truth from error. 


We watched the You Will Be Freed video, but only the first minute and a half or so because then it goes into addiction.  This was a great video to share how just like a fisherman carefully crafts and designs his lures to ensure he can catch and trap the fish, Satan does that to us until we are not able to decide for ourselves and our view of truth and error is skewed. We then read Moses 4:3-4. 

We then talked about some of the Gospel or everyday lies we encounter.  Especially the youth!  I found loads of good ones in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet.  Common lies or error they see every day included:  dress immodestly, date before your 16, watch rated R or bad movies, cheat in school, don't keep the Sabbath day holy.  This list could go on and on, but I wanted to show them that everyone is surrounded by falsehoods, and they need to be aware of what is actually good for them and what isn't.

I also loved the story in Neil L. Anderson's talk, "Beware of the Evil Behind the Smiling Eyes".  If we had more time I would have read the story about his FBI friend to the class.


It's so important that we can recognize the difference between right and wrong, truth and error.  The best way to do that is stay close to Heavenly Father and study and listen to His words. We read Moroni 7:12-19, to remind them that anything good comes from God, and he can always help us find the truth in all things!


This is seriously one of my favorite handouts to date!  I wanted to incorporate the lure analogy.  I made the cutest little fishing rods with some really thin wooden dowels, twine and super tiny pom poms.  I just hot glued the pom poms on the bottom and it worked like a charm!  Fill the bag with Swedish Fish or Goldfish or any "fish" related snack and you're set.  I love that it looks like the fish is going after the lure! Ah so cute!! 

If you'd like the free printables for this lesson you can find them below:



Watch out for Satan's lures!!


Thursday, April 27, 2017

Youth Sunday School Lesson: Easter Lesson

How can I share my testimony of Jesus Christ's Resurrection?

Last year I was able to give the Easter lesson too (you can find it HERE).  I kind of goofed and thought I HAD to teach 2 topics, but I think it worked out pretty well even considering the mix up.

This year there wasn't any mix up in schedules or teachers
so I was able to fully focus on Easter in all it's greatness.


His Life

We focused on our Savior Jesus Christ, His incredible life and His resurrection.

We started the lesson by watching the video Because of Him.  Just a reminder to always download your videos before you get to church.  It makes it such a breeze when you go to play it.

After I asked them for descriptive words about our Savior and wrote them on the board.

The Master not only foresees perfectly the growing power of the opposing forces but also knows what it is like to be mortal.  He knows what it is like to have the cares of life press upon us.
-President Henry B. Eyring

We then talked about how we can always turn to him in moments of joy or sadness because he knows what it's like.  He can relate.

The Resurrection

After talking about His life we went on to talk about the resurrection.  We watched the video Sunday Will Come to introduce it.

And God shall wipe away all tears form their eye; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:  for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21:4

We then talked about how the knowledge of Jesus Christ's Resurrection makes a difference in our lives.  I love this quote from President Monson, "I know that my Redeemer lives!" May the whole world know it and live by that knowledge."  This brought so many new topics like why we do things here on earth, perception of daily challenges, temple work, death of loved ones, and living together in love with our families.


Testimonies of the Apostles

Which led us into testimonies of the apostles.  We watched He Lives:  Testimonies of Jesus Christ, which is really awesome.  It is a perfect compilation of so many amazing testimonies of our Savior.  Then read D&C 76:22-24.

The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it." 
-Joseph Smith


We talked about the importance of having living prophets and apostles that bear witness of the Resurrection and why that's so important, then talked about how we can share our own testimony of Jesus Christ's Resurrection.


We also did this fun marking activity with The Living Christ, find the idea and printable HERE!


The youth love when I bring treats so I made a batch of Rice Krispy Treats, find the recipe HERE!  Along with this little pass along card, which so happens to be one of my favorite pictures, I added a little thought to the back and encouraged the youth to write their testimonies of the Savior or the descriptive words we discussed about Him earlier on the back of the card. I hoped the youth would put this picture somewhere they look often to remind and remember to share their testimony of Jesus Christ.


The talks I used:


I Know That My Redeemer Lives!-President Thomas S. Monson


He is Risen!-President Thomas S. Monson


If you are interested in the printable for this lesson you can go HERE!

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Cupcakes and Callings

We were SO happy to get a new calling in our ward.  And its one of our favorite callings because Dallin and I get to work together and work with some amazing youth!




We are the new Youth Sunday School teachers of the cute 15 year olds in our ward.  It's so crazy that we have almost 15-15 year olds in our ward and in our old ward in SLC we only had 1 young man as the only youth that actually lived in our ward! No matter if we have 1 or 25 we are so happy to teach these awesome young kids.



So of course we had to bring a treat our first lesson in, and of course with my luck I made the best treat just in time for Fast Sunday. Ha!  I've learned that anything can be packaged and taken home though so don't fret!





I made the most delicious Coconut Nutella Cupcakes and jazzed them up for Spring with some toasted coconut and Cadbury egg bird nests!



We wrapped them and added a simple little tag to let the youth know how excited we were to be their new teachers.


We also passed out these Get to Know You cards to help get to know them.  Its so nice to look back on them and get an easy refresh of their names if needed.




It's the simplest tag, but if you'd like the free printable you can find the "We are excited to be your Sunday School Teachers"-tag HERE!


And find the Sunday School Get to Know You! cards HERE!




Friday, April 14, 2017

Bunny Tags


Give me all the adorable little bunnies!  For the final round of Easter gift ideas I had to have something bunny themed.


It all started with these super cute bunny ring holders.  I found them a little after Christmas and just knew I had to use them.  How cute are they!?


Find these cute little bunny ring holders on Amazon HERE and HERE!  Attach the equally cute Some bunny loves you! tag and you're set.  Perfect for visiting teachers, friends, and family!

 
Another thing I found were these fun bunny boxes and table runners at Target.  I mean look at those fluffy little bunny tails!

 
Or if you want something food related I've got a few ideas for you!  Have you seen these Annie's Bunny Grahams and Cheddar Bunnies?  They are so cute and festive.  You can never go wrong with some Dairy Milk or Lindt bunnies.  How cute would those little Raffaellos be for some little bunny tails?!


For the second tag it's just as adorable and perfect for anything you decide to give!  Now hop to it!

If you'd like the free printables you can find them below!



Thursday, April 13, 2017

"Egg"cellent Easter Tags


I had so much fun finding eggs all around! Some of my very favorite include those gold speckled decorative eggs I found at Target, and all the yummy chocolate I found at Pirate O's!


I love that this tag can be attached to anything and everything egg themed!


I even whipped up some little chocolate and shredded wheat nests topped with Cadbury eggs that would make a perfect neighbor treat!  



Or some plastic eggs full of goodies would be so adorable!  
Who is getting excited for Easter!? I know we are!

If you'd like the free printable you can find it HERE!

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

I car-rot about YOU!


When I found this saying on Instagram I just knew it was too cute to pass up!  


So of course I went to town with all things carrot!  Carrot cake, carrot cookies, adorable little carrot containers at Dollar Tree, and even carrot shaped chocolates! 


I thought it would be so cute to give a slice of carrot cake or even a cupcake with this adorable little tag. 


I got this little cutie at Tulie Bakery in SLC.


Just remember I car-rot about YOU! 


Find the free printable tags HERE!

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Easter Young Women Personal Progress Motivator

Hop to your Personal Progress!

Easter isn't all about chocolate eggs and Easter bunnies.  Help your Young Women remember to work on some Personal Progress experiences with this adorable free printable!


I mean can you even handle how cute this bunny banner is?!  


On the back of each bunny you can put the value experience they are still needing to complete or give them all the bunnies and let them decide which experience they would like to do this month for each value.  

You can write what that value means, a brief description of that value experience and the number, or even a scripture they can read to go with that value.


When you print coordinate the colors for the Young Women Personal Progress values:

Faith-White
Divine Nature-Blue
Individual Worth-Red
Knowledge-Green
Choice and Accountability-Orange
Good Works-Yellow
Integrity-Purple
Virtue-Gold

I love the idea of the banner, but if you aren't feeling a banner you could even use an album ring to keep them all together.  


Make sure to attach the tag to go along with it so they can remember what they have to do.  They could hang this in their room or on a mirror!  Anywhere they see frequently so they will remember to work on it!


If you didn't want to do any bunnies you could always give a little easter treat with the main tag.  I used some leftover chocolate covered Peeps from my Peep Tags project earlier this week, but their are so many amazing and inexpensive treats at the grocery stores this time of year the possibilities are endless.


Or goodness give them both.  
Wrap up the banner all ready to go with a bow and give it in a cute little box. 


When they have read the instructions they will be able to HOP to their Personal Progress in no time and hang up this cute banner for a reminder all month long!

I'm considering doing my Personal Progress again just so I can have these cute bunnies around a little longer!

Find all the FREE printable goodness HERE!

Find more Personal Progress Motivators HERE!

Monday, April 10, 2017

Cute Peep Tags

I know Peeps are not well loved by quite a few people, but honestly what's not to love about a marshmallow covered in colored sugar?!


So personally I think they are pretty delicious and adorable!


I have to start with tags of course!  Grab some peeps and attach one of these cute tags.


How cute are these bunnies!  They would make a great little tag to throw onto a Easter or "Thinking of You" gift.  I even printed off a few plain ones to attach to the package of Peeps as a name tag.  How adorable would it be to put their name in calligraphy!?


Put the Peep with the saying behind it so they know just how you feel.


I think this next one might just be my favorite!



Both of these can be attached to a package of peeps or dipped peeps!


For the Peeps with the decorative straws I just popped in some straws before I dipped them.



Or even add an adorable little bunny tail sprinkle!


No matter which way you give it, it's bound to be adorable! 



Are you a Peep lover or hater!?  

Find the free "You are one of my favorite PEEPS!" tag HERE!

Find the free "Out of all my peeps, you're my favorite!" tag HERE!