As Jesus Christ unfolded the restoration of His Church, He gave a commandment to early leaders that they needed to “be one.” The need to follow this commandment is just as relevant today as it was in Joseph Smith’s time. This Doctrine and Covenants FHE lesson teaches us how to come together in unity in a world full of contention.
Scripture
I say unto you, be ; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.
Hymn
1. I know you, and you know me.
We are as diff’rent as the sun and the sea.
I know you, and you know me,
[Chorus]
And that’s the way it’s supposed to be.
2. I help you, and you help me.
We learn from problems, and we’re starting to see.
I help you, and you help me,
3. I love you, and you love me.
We reach together for the best we can be.
I love you, and you love me,
Lesson
FOR CHILDREN
Begin the lesson with the following object lesson. Gather together apples of different colors. Ask the children to describe what makes them different. Cut the apples open. Ask the children what is the same about all the apples.
Read aloud: We are like these apples. We all have our differences, but at the core, we are all children of God. He loves us all the same. People often want to fight over our differences. People judge others because of their skin color or how they look. Some people don’t want to be kind to people who make different choices than they would make.
Ask: Have you ever seen someone treating something bad because they were different?
Share a personal experience where you saw someone bullying or treating someone badly and how it made you feel and what you did about it.
Read aloud: When Jesus Christ restored the Church through Joseph Smith, he gave a commandment that the Church needed to “be one.” This means we need to treat everyone with charity, including those who don’t believe or think the same way we do. We work together to serve others and share the gospel.
Ask: What are some ways we can work together to do good things?
Finish with your testimony.
FOR TEENS & ADULTS
Begin the lesson by watching the following video. Before pressing play, ask everyone to think about how our differences are a blessing to the Church.
Read aloud: As Jesus Christ unfolded the restoration of His Church, He gave a commandment to early leaders that they needed to “be one.” The need to follow this commandment is just as relevant today as it was in Joseph Smith’s time. We face a world full of contention and division. We are quick to anger and forget that the commandment to be one doesn’t just apply to those who think or act the same way we do.
Ask: What are some ways you’ve overcome the contention in our world today? How can we follow Christ’s command to “be one.”
Share personal experiences & close with your testimony.
FOR SINGLE STUDY
Read or watch the talk, “By Union of Feeling We Obtain Power with God.”
Write down what you learn about being one with others. Ponder any changes you can make.
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Treat
Treat
Frozen Banana Pops
Ingredients:
-Bananas
-Spread (softened cream cheese, yogurt, melted chocolate, peanut butter, Nutella, Biscoff, etc.)
-Toppings (oats, granola, chocolate chips, nuts, graham crackers, cookie crumbs, shredded coconut, sprinkles, etc.)
-Popsicle sticks
Directions:
1. Prepare a cookie sheet with a layer of parchment paper.
2. Peel bananas and cut off each end. Cut the bananas in half or thirds, depending on the size. Carefully insert a popsicle stick into the banana.
3. Using a knife, spread your desired topping onto the banana. (For melted chocolate, yogurt, or thinner spreads, dipping may be more practical.)
4. Roll the banana in your toppings (a shallow bowl or plate works well), using your hands to add more topping if your banana is curved. Place on the parchment paper. Repeat with remaining bananas.
5. Freeze the bananas for 2-4 hours. Serve or place in a freezer bag for up to a week.
(Courtesy of Modern Parents, Messy Kids)
Activity
Make applesauce together as an object lesson. Use the video below.
Aleah is a graduate of Southern Virginia University, where she studied English, Creative Writing, and Dance. She now works full time as a marketing and product manager, writer, and editor. She currently hosts the podcast “Single to the Glory” about singlehood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aleah served a mission in California and loves baking, Lang Leav poetry, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and Bollywood movies.
