Our third activity was a huge success, and it was oh so fun!!!! Since we have more months than themes, we have decided that two months a year we will focus on the Articles of Faith and one month on Testimonies!
We really wanted to emphasize how important passing their articles of faith are so we designed a church house treasure hunt that centered on the articles of faith.
FLIP BOOK
Before we began, the girls received a flip book with each article of faith and a quote. At each stop the girls had to figure out which article of faith and where the next location was. . . when they figured out the article of faith, we briefly talked about it and read the quote in their flip books.
THE ULTIMATE TREASURE
Before they moved on, the girls got to pick out two pony beads to eventually make a bracelet at the very end. . . their treasure to remind them of the articles of faith.
Here are the clues (we posted each of these clues on a large jewel):
TREASURE CLUE # 1 Article of Faith One is about God the Father and His Son. Where can we find this Holy One? (1, a picture of Christ)
Treasure Clue #2 One, two, three, four are the first steps to evermore ((4, stairway)
Treasure Clue #3 One day the Earth will return to a paradisiacal one, but for now, we will enjoy all His creations that we can. ((10, outside)
Treasure Clue #4 All men have the privilege as we do every Sunday (11, chapel)
Treasure Clue #5 All the world is a stage, but we must learn to obey its laws. (12, stage)
Treasure Clue #6: Although the philosophy of our church has not change, the physical aspects are anything but primitive, especially with modern plumbing. (6,bathroom)
Treasure Clue #7 A fork is used at meal time, but we use these as our spiritual utensils every Sunday.((8, kitchen)
Treasure Clue #8 A visit to this person’s office often results being called to teach the gospel. ((5, Bishop’s Office)
Treasure Clue #9
We all have different gifts… some at basketball, some at singing, but that is what makes us unique. (7, cultural Hall)
Treasure Clue #10 Our father has given us a fountain of information that continues to flow. (9, drinking fountain)
Treasure Clue #11 Laws and ordinances aren’t easy, but we must learn his plan.(3, (3, library)
Treasure Clue #12 A hymn is a song that uplifts, but we seek after all of these things. ( (13, hymnbook or piano)
TREASURE CLUE # 13 Our testimonies can burn like a fire in our chests, but ultimately it is our own choices that determine who we are. (2, fire place)
When the girls finished chasing all of these down, they made their bracelets. Then we talked about the importance of learning the articles of faith.
Here are some of my notes!
Just a little bit of history….
Joseph Smith Jr. wrote the Articles of Faith in letter at the request of Mr. John Wentworth, the editor and proprietor of the Chicago Democrat, March 1, 1842. The letter later became known as the Wentworth Letter and is the first time the prophet wrote in words “the rise, progress, persecution and faith of the Latter-Day Saints.”
The Articles of Faith are pretty awesome because not only did they represent the values of the early saints, but are a clear declaration of our beliefs today.
How important do you believe it is to know the Articles of Faith?
President Spencer W. Kimball told the following story:
“Some years ago a young Primary boy was on a train going to California in the days when we traveled on trains. He was all alone. He sat near the window watching the telephone poles go by. Across the aisle from him was a gentleman who also was going to California. The attention of the gentleman was called to this very young boy traveling all alone without friends or relatives. He was neatly dressed and well-behaved. And this gentleman was quite impressed with him.”
After a little way the gentleman approached the young boy asking him questions about his destination and where he was from. From this, the gentleman learned that the boy was from Salt Lake City, Utah. And easily determined that he was a Mormon. This is the conversation that pursued.
“The gentleman said, “Well, that’s interesting. I’ve wondered about the Mormons and what they believe. I’ve been through their beautiful city; I’ve noticed the beautiful buildings, the treelined streets, the lovely homes, the beautiful rose and flower gardens, but I’ve never stopped to find out what makes them as they are. I wish I knew what they believe.”
“And the boy said to him, “Well, sir, I can tell you what they believe. ‘We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost’ ” (A of F 1:1).
The businessman was a bit surprised but listened intently, and the boy continued,
“ ‘We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression’ ” (A of F 1:2).
And the traveling companion thought, “This is rather unusual for a mere boy to know these important things.”
The boy went on: “ ‘We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel’ ” (A of F 1:3).
And the gentleman was amazed at the knowledge and understanding of a mere boy—he was yet to be a Scout. But he continued and gave the fourth article of faith and said, “ ‘We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.’ ” [A of F 1:4” (Spencer W. Kimball, “Articles of Faith: Know What We Believe,” New Era, Jun 2005, 11).
This young boy went on to relate all 13 of the Articles of Faith. It inspired this man to seek more information regarding the gospel.
Each of us will have a time in our lives where we may be asked what we believe in. . . and if we have each of these learned not only will you have an answer to that question, but it will strengthen your own testimony.
As members of the Church, we need to know what our beliefs are. . . they become our values and standards with which we can base our answers by. If we learn each of our articles of faith, they can strengthen our testimonies and help us make good choices in our lives.
Finally we talked about how each month they can pass off the article of faith of the month... if they do it the first activity of the month, they get a small prize. If not, and pass it off the second time that month, there is no prize. Finally when all 13 are completed, they will get a large candy bar.
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