Priorities

by Shauna Gibby

Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read “Good, Better, Best,” by Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, Nov 2007, 104–8.

Thought:

We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the
Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.
(Dallin H. Oaks, “Good, Better, Best,” Ensign, Nov 2007, 104–8.)

Song:
“Choose the Right Way,” Children’s Songbook, p. 160.

Scripture:
Say unto this people: Choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who made you. (Moses 6:33)

Lesson:
Show your family a picture of the Savior, some money, and an article of clothing. Ask your family to think about how
they would rank these three items in importance. Have a family member read Matthew 6:24 and then discuss the
following questions:

• What is mammon? (See footnote 24e.)

• How can worldly possessions get in the way of gaining a strong testimony?
• How might the Savior rank these three items in importance?

Explain to your family that riches can be used for good if we seek God first. Ask a family member to read Jacob 2:18–19
and Matthew 6:33 (include footnote 33a). Share your feelings regarding putting God first and how that priority has
blessed your life.
(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The New Testament, [Salt
Lake City: Deseret Book, 2006], p. 14.)

Story:

It was a very hot summer day. Five-year-old Joshua was riding his bike in the park. He was hot and tired, so he stopped to
rest. At the snack stand, Joshua saw some other boys buying ice cream cones. He wished he had an ice cream cone too.
One of the boys saw Joshua and asked, “Do you want some ice cream?” Joshua nodded. “I’ll trade you my ice cream cone
for your bike,” the boy offered. Joshua looked at his bike and then at the ice cream, trying to decide what to do. Just then,
his older brother came looking for him. What do you think happened?

After the family has finished the story, explain that to trade the bike for the ice cream would not have been a fair trade.
The bike was more valuable. Joshua was tempted to trade because he was hot and the ice cream looked so good. Satan
tempts us in a similar way, He tries to tempt us to be disobedient to Heavenly Father’s commandments. If we choose to
follow Satan’s temptations, we trade the blessings Heavenly Father has promised us. They are much more valuable than
the momentary pleasures Satan tries to tempt us with.

Challenge the family to think of things that Satan tempts them to do. Compare them with the blessings Heavenly Father
offers them. Ask them if it would be a good trade.
(Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, Sharing Time, Family Time, Anytime: Book Two [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book,
1997].)
Activity:
Play “Slide Right”
All players, except one, are seated in a closed circle which contains one empty chair. One player is “it” and stands in the
center. He tries to seat himself in the vacant chair that is continually being taken by the person next to it. “It” calls “slide
right” or “slide left” and thus controls the direction the group moves. When he calls “slide right,” the person who finds the
chair on his right empty, must slide into it. When “slide left” is called, each player is responsible for occupying the vacant
chair on his left. When “it” gets a chair, the person who should have taken the chair becomes “it.”
Discuss how Satan is constantly trying to get into our lives.
(Alma Heaton, The LDS Game Book, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1968], p. 43.)

Refreshment
Peanut Butter Cookies They’ll disappear!
 1 cup butter or margarine
 1 cup sugar
 1 cup packed brown sugar
 2 eggs
 1 cup peanut butter
 1 teaspoon vanilla
 3 cups flour
 2 teaspoons baking soda
 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
 Sugar
 Hershey’s® candy kisses (optional)
In a bowl, cream together butter or margarine, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, peanut butter, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, stir
together flour, baking soda, and salt; add to creamed mixture and beat together. Roll dough into 11⁄2-inch balls and roll in
sugar. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. While still warm, place Hershey’s candy kiss on top, if desired. Makes 5
dozen cookies.
(Julie Badger Jensen, Essential Mormon Celebrations, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2005], p. 66.)
Deseret Book
Priorities
by Shauna Gibby
Each day of your life you will make choices, the result of which will land Conference Talk:For more
you either on one side of that line or on the other. And so I issue the information on this topic read
challenge: . . . live your life in such a way that when you are faced with a “Who’s on the Lord’s Side?” by
choice between good and evil and when deep inside you can hear the Charles H. Dahlquist, Ensign, May
question, “Who’s on the Lord’s side?”—you will be prepared to answer 2007, 94.
with all your strength, “I am!”
Song: “Who’s On the Lord’s
Side?” Hymns, 260.

Scripture: Choose you this day whom ye will serve; . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua
24:15)

Object Lesson:
Materials needed: A yellow felt-tip pen. A marked book.

Procedure: Show the pen to the class and a page from the book that has been marked. Explain that you used the marker
to emphasize important passages. This helps you to recognize essential points when you review for a test. In our everyday
lives many things demand our time and attention.

The gospel gives us the perspective we need to emphasize those things which are truly important. If we use the gospel to
set priorities, we will be able to pass the “test” of this mortal existence.(Alma Heaton, Tools for Teaching, [Salt Lake
City: Bookcraft, 1979], p.35.)

Story: “It Sounded True, It Sounded Real” (Bishop Robert L. Simpson)

Let me tell you about a good man in California a few years ago. He would stand on fast and testimony Sunday and bear a
fine testimony. He would tell us how he would willingly give his life for the Church when the persecutions come upon us
again—someday. It sounded true, it sounded real. Then we would meet this good brother out in the foyer afterward and
shake his hand and thank him for sharing his testimony with us. We would say something like, “Now, Brother So-and-so,
how about home teaching next Tuesday night?” “Well,” he would reply, “I am sorry, but I have been watching [my
favorite TV show] on Tuesday nights, and I will not be able to make it. But some day I am going to give my life for this
great Church, some day I am going to make the great sacrifice, but I cannot be available next Tuesday night. I have some
personal interests to take care of!”

My dear young friends, you know as well as I that when that someday might come, this good man will not be available to
his Heavenly Father. He will not be standing in defense of what he believes, because he will perhaps have a personal
interest that will take priority.(Leon R. Hartshorn, Outstanding Stories by General Authorities, vol. 2, [Salt Lake City:
Deseret Book, 1971].)

Activity: Play “Who’s the Leader?”

Players stand in a circle. One player leaves the room. A leader is selected, and the whole group of players begin to clap.
This is the signal for the player who left the room to return. he goes to the center of the circle and tries to find out which
player is leading the group in its action. In the meantime the leader changes from clapping to jumping, hopping, patting
his head, and immediately the players do the same thing. Sometimes it takes quite a while for the player in the center to
discover who the leader is, especially if the group members do not watch the leader. They can watch others in the circle
and get the next action as quickly as watching the leader. This game is good played to music. (Alma Heaton, The LDS
Game Book, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1968], 299.)

Explain that if we know what our priorities are and are determined to do good, we will be able to follow good examples
(and ignore those that are bad).