Joseph Smith--Matthew 1; Matthew 25; Mark 12-13; Luke 21 (May 27-June 2)

This week, we're going to attempt two things.

1. Joseph Smith--Matthew 1:22, 37. The suggested activity asks you to think about what it means to treasure up the word of God? And asks How can we do this as a family? Well, we've been trying to incorporate gospel lessons with our toddler in accordance to Come Follow Me. We read scriptures when he's awake and close by, though we don't force him to sit still for it or even listen. BUT, we want to be better. So, in our bedtime routine, which already includes reading books, we're incorporating reading a chapter from a Book of Mormon reader we have. We did it last night for the first time and it did not go very well, but we did it and I'm hoping as we try to be consistent that it will get better and maybe he'll even sit or be quiet for half of it tonight. For any who are interested and don't have a physical one with pictures to read with your toddler, we're using a print version of the one in the Gospel Library app. The "videos" I've linked to before are the ones from the New Testament one. The books are also pretty cheap. I don't know if it's my favorite, but it's more complete than some others and is good with the amount of pictures to scripture. HERE'S a link to the one we have from Deseret Book for $4.30.

2. Then the parable of the 10 virgins. Matthew 25:1-13. I don't think we're going to bother with trying to explain symbolism but it's one I want my son to be familiar with. We can tell the story briefly with the picture in the Come Follow Me manual and then attach "drops" to objects that can strengthen our testimony that are around the house. We'll go on a scavenger hunt and fill a "lamp" or probably a play teapot is what we have. I don't know if he'll understand why certain things give us drops, but it'll still give me an idea of where to put them and help familiarize my son with the story so we can go into more detail next time around. Examples of items to put them on from the manual include: scriptures, church clothes or a picture of the temple. Or a picture of Jesus Christ, if you have a bank for tithing (not everyone does) or church magazines if you have some- whatever you have lying around that is gospel related.

Videos: Gospel Library app -> children -> New Testament Stories: Chapters 45-48. The Widow's Mite; The Second Coming; The Ten Virgins and The Talents.