Thought:
Life does not begin with birth, nor does it end with death. Prior to our birth, we dwelled as spirit children with our Father in Heaven. There we eagerly anticipated the possibility of coming to earth and obtaining a physical body. Knowingly we wanted the risks of mortality, which would allow the exercise of agency and accountability. “This life [was to become] a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God.” (Alma 12:24.) But we regarded the returning home as the best part of that long-awaited trip, just as we do now. Before embarking on any journey, we like to have some assurance of a round-trip ticket. Returning from earth to life in our heavenly home requires passage through—and not around—the doors of death. We were born to die, and we die to live. (See 2 Cor. 6:9.) As seedlings of God, we barely blossom on earth; we fully flower in heaven. (Russell M. Nelson: The Doors of Death)
Object Lesson:
Make 10 word strips which say the following: The Celestial Kingdom; Living Valiantly; Making and Keeping Our Covenants; The Terrestrial Kingdom; Having a testimony (if you had the chance), but being only lukewarm in your devotion; Living a clean and honorable life, but not valiant in faith; The Telestial Kingdom; immorality; lying; pride & rebelliousness. Place the word strips with the 3 kingdoms on them on a table or on the ground. Then take 3 pieces of string and lay them out so that they are leading to each kingdom. Explain to your family that the strings represent the pathways that lead to each of the kingdoms. The choices that we make win this life will determine which pathway we are on and which kingdom we will be worthy to attain. Remind your family that those who pass on from this life without having an opportunity to learn the gospel will have that chance in Spirit Prison prior to the judgement day and Resurrection. Then have your family members choose from the remaining word strips and place them along the appropriate pathways. (This idea is adapted from an FHE lesson plan done by Jenny Phillips in 2011 that is no longer available. Jenny Phillips has made several FHE lesson plans available for free download to her fans.)
Video: Until We Meet Again
Prior to watching this video discuss with your family how difficult it can be for people who have no knowledge of the plan of salvation to cope with the loss of a loved one. Acknowledge that even those with a testimony of the plan of salvation experience grief and even depression, but generally the pain from the loss is lessened by their testimony. Once the video is over invite your family members to share ideas regarding how we can comfort others when the are grieving over the loss of a loved one. Remind your family once again that "Men are that they might have joy." Bear testimony to your family of the eternal nature of families and what glory our Father has in store for us.
Activity:
Consider preparing hand puppets for younger children using this activity from The Friend (March 1986)
For the older members of your family consider the following activity from the Come, Follow Me curriculum.
Invite family members to write down their questions, thoughts, or fears about death, and then have them search for answers in Elder Russell M. Nelson’s talk “Doors of Death.” Encourage them to note in particular scriptures or statements that highlight the Savior’s role in helping us overcome death. Ask them to share what they find. Invite them to share their feelings about what the Savior has done for us.
This weeks challenge: As a family prayerfully consider someone you may know who has lost a loved one that could use comfort at this time. Find a way to comfort that individual or family by providing service or bearing testimony of the plan of salvation.
If there is no one that you know that you could do this for then consider praying as a family that you will have an experience this week to bear testimony of the plan of salvation to someone (especially about where we are going after this mortal life).
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