Guide to the Friend

If your parents ask you to help plan a family home evening, you may want to use an idea from the Friend. Here are some ideas in this issue that you may like (look for the FHE symbol on the [original magazine] pages mentioned):

1. Read “Growing into the Gospel” (IFC) by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin. Ask your parents to each share an important truth that they have learned while trying to live the gospel. Invite each family member to choose one principle to work on during the week.

2. Tell the story “Watermelon Test” (pages 2–5). What helped the girl in the story make the right choice? Resolve now to choose the right, even if you have to stand alone.

3. Discuss the experiences of Elder Wayne M. Hancock (Friend to Friend, pages 6–7). List some of the helps Heavenly Father blesses us with as we learn to choose the right—parents, leaders, special priesthood blessings, the word of God in the scriptures. Express thanks to your parents and other family members who have helped you make good choices.

4. Make the flannel-board figures and use them to tell the story of “Enos and the Power of Prayer” (pages 14–15). Talk about how prayer can help us. You might have one family member tell the story “No Bulls in the Ditch” (pages 36–38), and ask another to memorize and present the poem “When I Pray” (page 30).

5. Talk about how the scriptures can help us to keep promises and covenants we make to our Father in Heaven. Then remove the poster from the center of the magazine (pages 24–25) and post it where family members will notice it every day. Do the scripture activities “Book of Mormon Times and Today” (page 31) and “King Benjamin’s Tower” (page 46).

6. Read “Bishop Larson” (pages 42–43). Discuss some of the ways your own bishop has blessed your family. Write a thank-you note to your bishop and deliver it as a family.

7. Make “Bananas Gloria” and “Iced Fruit Drink” (page 16) for refreshments.