Thomas S Monson spoke last General Conference encouraging us to be an example and a light. I love the example he is to me. I love the light in his eyes when he speaks. It’s humbling to think about him spending time focusing on scriptures. What a great example for us on pondering and thinking continually about the scriptures we are reading. In his talk he teaches us 6 ways we can more fully be an example and a light to our families and others. I wanted to share this lesson with you as I thought it would be a perfect family night lesson.
Opening Prayer: by invitation
Opening Song: The Lord is My Light hymn number 89
Be an Example and a Light Lesson
(Taken from the General Conference Talk Be an Example and a Light by President Thomas S. Monson)
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
President Monson shares the best way for us to let our light shine is my following the council given from 1 Timothy.
We become examples of the believers by living the gospel of Jesus Christ in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. As we do so, our lights will shine for others to see.
Being an example in word and in conversation.
- How can our family be an example in word and conversation when at home?
Take time to listen to everyone and brainstorm on ways your family can be better at being an example in word and conversation. Ideas can include being loyal to family members when they aren’t present, using kind tones when speaking to each other, avoiding name calling even when you are frustrated.
- How can our family be an example in word and conversation when outside the home?
Again these answers can be the same, but it might help us think about the words we use when we leave our home. Outside of our home we may hear the names of Deity being used casually or even when someone is upset. When I was working and others would use The Lord’s name in vain or use other crude language. I would remind them with love that I was there. Someone might say, ” I can’t stand that (Bleepy Bleep) show!” and I would say, “Don’t say show!” as a way of reminding others I didn’t like hearing bad language. Obviously ‘show’ wasn’t the word I was talking about. It was a light and funny way to remind others that I really appreciated when they censored their language. I really appreciated others showing respect for me. And I tried to model kindness and appreciation when they did.
- What can we do when we are faced with poor language choices? Examples: taking The Lord’s name in vain, swearing, gossiping, or yelling.
(Share a way you have personally dealt with one of these opportunities. Make sure to praise your children’s efforts to avoid being around bad language)
Example of Charity
Paul teaches that Charity is the “pure love of Christ”. President Monson continues, “I am confident there are within our sphere of influence those who are lonely, those who are ill, and those who feel discouraged. Ours is the opportunity to help them and to lift their spirits. The Savior brought hope to the hopeless and strength to the weak. He healed the sick; He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life. Throughout His ministry He reached out in charity to any in need.”
- How can we reach out to those who are lonely?
(Spend time listening to your children’s thoughts on seeking out the lonely, ill, or discouraged. Ideas might be inviting kids to play, visiting an elderly neighbor, doing our home teaching or visiting teaching, or smiling at people you meet. Talk about how we can pray to find people to help in our daily prayers and the Holy Ghost can let us know who to help.)
Example in Spirit
To me that means we strive to have in our lives kindness, gratitude,forgiveness, and goodwill. These qualities will provide for us a spirit which will touch the lives of those around us.
- How can we have more kindness, gratitude, and be more forgiving towards others.
- When has someone shown you kindness? How did it make you feel?
(Make sure to listen to other family members and validate the great acts of kindness shown to them.)
Example of Faith
“To be an example of faith means that we trust in the Lord and in His word. It means that we possess and that we nourish the beliefs that will guide our thoughts and our actions. Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in our Heavenly Father will influence all that we do. Amidst the confusion of our age, the conflicts of conscience, and the turmoil of daily living, an abiding faith becomes an anchor to our lives. Remember that faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other.”
President Monson teaches us here that “it is essential that we read and study and ponder the scriptures. Communication with our Heavenly Father through prayer is vital. We cannot afford to neglect these things, for the adversary and his hosts are relentlessly seeking for a chink in our armor, a lapse in our faithfulness. Said the Lord, “Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good.”
(If it was not mentioned in the section above encourage your children to read and study the scriptures and pray everyday. If your family needs to work on family scripture study or family prayers share this idea now and invite them to join you as you work on one of these things. I am trying to encourage my older children to read personally. I found these great charts I want to print up for them. Our family is reading the New Testament and I have invited them to read the Book of Mormon in their personal study. )
- How can our family be better at saying prayers and reading our scriptures?
Examples in Purity
“Finally, we are to be pure, which means that we are clean in body, mind, and spirit. We know that our body is a temple, to be treated with reverence and respect. Our minds should be filled with uplifting and ennobling thoughts and kept free from those things which will pollute.”
- How can we strive to have the Holy Ghost with us always?
“As we prove to be examples in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity, we will qualify to be lights to the world.
May I say to all of you, and particularly to you young people, that as the world moves further and further away from the principles and guidelines given to us by a loving Heavenly Father, we will stand out from the crowd because we are different. We will stand out because we dress modestly. We will be different because we do not use profanity and because we do not partake of substances which are harmful to our bodies. We will be different because we avoid off-color humor and degrading remarks. We will be different as we decide not to fill our minds with media choices that are base and demeaning and that will remove the Spirit from our homes and our lives. We will certainly stand out as we make choices regarding morality—choices which adhere to gospel principles and standards. Those things which make us different from most of the world also provide us with that light and that spirit which will shine in an increasingly dark world.
My brothers and sisters, our opportunities to shine surround us each day, in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. As we follow the example of the Savior, ours will be the opportunity to be a light in the lives of others, whether they be our own family members and friends, our co-workers, mere acquaintances, or total strangers.”
(Close with your testimony that as we strive to follow our Savior we can be a light to others and glorify our Father. Invite your children to try and be a better example in word and conversation, charity, spirit, faith, and purity.)
Closing prayer: by invitation
Treat Idea: Sugar cookies that are decorated like Suns or Stars. Remind your family that our light can shine when we choose the right.
For more Family Night Ideas from General Conference Click the links below…
God is at the Helm
