FHE HOPE

Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read "The Infinite Power of Hope," by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Ensign, Nov 2008, 21-24.

Thoughts:
We learn to cultivate hope the same way we learn to walk, one step at a time.

(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Infinite Power of Hope," Ensign, Nov 2008, 21-24.)

Song:
"Hope of Israel," Hymns, #259

Scripture:
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God. (Psalms 146:5)

Object Lesson:
Read Ether 12:29 together and have family members identify the three important attributes Moroni writes about. (Faith, hope, and charity.) Ask how hope can bring us to Christ.

Story:
Hope for a Discouraged Missionary
As a mission president, I was afforded the privilege of guiding the activities of precious young men and women, missionaries whom the Lord had called. Some had problems, others required motivation; but one came to me in utter despair. He had made his decision to leave the mission field when but at the halfway mark. His bags were packed, his return ticket purchased. He came by to bid me farewell. We talked; we listened; we prayed. There remained hidden the actual reason for his decision to quit.

As we arose from our knees in the quiet of my office, the missionary began to weep almost uncontrollably. Flexing the muscle of his strong right arm, he blurted out, "This is my problem. All through school my muscle power qualified me for honors in football and track, but my mental power was neglected. President Monson, I'm ashamed of my school record. It reveals that 'with effort' I have the capacity to read at but the level of the fourth grade. I can't even read the Book of Mormon. How then can I understand its contents and teach others its truths?"

Activity:
Have your family divide into pairs and sit closely, facing each other. Explain that you want them to play a game called Mirror. Pick one person to be the leader and the other to be the mirror. Tell the leader to slowly move his hands, body and face. The person acting as a mirror will try to do the exact same thing as the leader. As the two move slowly enough and in unison, it will become difficult for an observer to tell the difference between the leader and the mirror. After a time have them switch roles.



Refreshment:
Cox Honey Cookies

1 1/2 cups shortening
2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup honey

4 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup sugar

3 teaspoons cinnamon

In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening, 2 cups sugar, eggs, and honey. Sift together flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Stir into creamed mixture. Combine H cup sugar and 3 teaspoons cinnamon. Form heaping teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and roll each ball in sugar/cinnamon mixture. Place balls on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Do not overbake. Makes 3 dozen cookies.