Article of Faith # 8

Purpose: To help the family understand that the commandments are found in the scriptures, and to increase their desire to learn them and follow them.

Opening Song: The Iron Rod (Hymn # 274)


Scripture: “We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly, we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God” Article of Faith #8

PREPARATION: Gather the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and several other books such as a cookbook, a story book, a school book, scrapbook, or others. Place them around the room before FHE starts with the scriptures in the center of the room.

LESSON: Point out the books around the room telling a little bit about each one as you do.
Ask the family members questions to help them identify what each book is about. (Note: You may need to alter the questions depending on your family needs)
1. Which of these books tells me how to make cookies?
2. Which of these books tells a pretend story?
3. Which of these books teaches me how to do a math problem?
4. In which of these books will I find pictures of our family?
5. Which of these books has teachings of the prophets that will help us keep the commandments?

Heavenly Father spoke to His prophets and had them write down his teachings in the scriptures. They teach us His commandments so we can learn what we need to do to return to live with Him someday.

Ask the family why the 8th Article of Faith states that “we believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. . . …“
Explain that when the Bible was written a long time ago it was written in a different language. It has been copied and translated (re-written in another language) many times.

GAME
GOSSIP: To show how easily things can change when re-told many times play the gossip game. Choose a simple phrase such as “I will obey Heavenly Father’s commandments” and have the family sit in a circle. Have the family member that knows the phrase start by whispering it to the next. Have it go all the way around back to the person that started it and see if it changed as it went around the circle. If it does not change compliment the family on how well they did and choose a longer phrase.

Explain that the Bible was translated many times by people that were not prophets. The Book of Mormon was translated once by the Prophet Joseph Smith. Heavenly Father was able to talk to Joseph and help him make sure he translated it correctly.



SCRIPTURE ACTIVITES:
1. Read the following scriptures with your family and have them identify what commandment is being taught in each reference.
B of M- 3 Nephi 11: 33 (Baptism)
OT- Exodus 20: 8-11 (Sabbath day observance)
NT- John 13: 34 (Love one Another)
D & C- D&C 59: 23 (Good works)

2. Act out the story of The Good Samaritan


3. Read the story of Nephi getting the plates of Brass (1 Nephi Chapters 3 & 4)

Ask questions such as; Why was it important for Lehi’s family to have the scriptures? Could you remember all of Heavenly Fathers commandments if you didn’t have the scriptures?


Closing Song: The Eighth Article of Faith (Children Songbook pg 127)