The vision of the tree of life teaches us the importance of the choices that we make and the importance of continuing down the correct path, though the things around us may distract us. This is an excellent story from the Book of Mormon to base a family home evening on. Before you teach the lesson be sure to read 1 Nephi 8 and 1 Nephi 11.
You can open the lesson by telling the story of the tree of life. You can do this by reading out of the scriptures, using the pictures from the Gospel Art Kit or by using the scripture story version. There are also several depictions of the tree of life that you can find here. You can also set up an obstacle course that you can have your family go through. You will want to find things that can represent the mists of darkness (you may want to turn out the light), the iron rod (the railing on a staircase works well), the great and spacious building (have one family member taunt the others on the path), the tree of life (this could be a plant or a picture you have drawn) and the fruit of the tree (refreshments for the evening). You can have each family member go through the obstacle course. When you are finished you can talk about what each thing symbolizes. There is a great handout that goes over the symbols here. After you do this you may want to talk about what happened to Laman and Lemuel because they would not take the fruit. Talk about how it is important that each member of the family partakes of the fruit (embraces the gospel) so that we can all be together in eternity. You can discuss ways that you can help each other stay true as a family.
If you are teaching primarily youth you may want to use this Mormonad as well. “In Search of the Tree of Life,” “Hold On,” and “I Want My Life Back” all contain good illustrations of the importance of staying on the gospel path. These articles are on topics, which many of the youth may be struggling with right now.
If you are teaching primary adults you may want to use “The Iron Rod,” “Coming Through the Mists,” and “Coming unto Christ by Searching the Scriptures.” You may also want to open the discussion to include how to withstand the mists of darkness and how to avoid the great and spacious building. You may want to ask for personal stories about how this story has affected them.
You can use “I Will Follow God’s Plan for Me” p 164 and “Families Can Be Together Forever” p 188 from “The Children’s Songbook.” From “Hymns” you can sing “The Iron Rod” p 274 and “True to the Faith” p 254 as opening and closing hymns. Be sure to include an activity and refreshment with your lesson.
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