FHE: To Do AND to Be

I really enjoyed Elder Lynn G. Robbins talk in April 2011 General Conference entitled "What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?"

Discussion:
We often talk about things that we should do to try to be like Jesus.  List some of these things we "do".

Discuss the importance of "being" in addition to "doing" using examples from some of the things listed above.  (For example: reading scriptures daily is great, but if we don't learn and apply what we read, it doesn't help us become better.  Taking the sacrament is meaningful when we not only "do", but also "be" by applying the atonement in our lives.  If we go through the motions of saying our prayers without really thinking about what we're saying or who we're talking to, it isn't effective.)

What makes our actions (or the things we "do") meaningful and worthwhile is when we do it for the right reasons--when it is part of who we are (the "be").  When we help others because we care, when we go to church because we want to take the sacrament and learn about Jesus, etc. we aren't just "doing" good things, we are "becoming" more like Jesus Christ. "Do" and "be" go hand in hand.  As we "do" good things for the right reasons, we will "become" better people.

Following Jesus Christ's example and "doing" what He asks (keeping the commandments) is important, but in addition to "doing", we need to focus on trying to "become" like Him. 

Scripture Story:
Review the story of the Stripling Warriors (GAK 313, Alma 53:20-21; 56:44-48; 57:21, 26-27; 58:40) and what kind of people they were.  What did they do?  What were they like?  What attributes did they have that you would want to have?

Goal:
Make a list of things that we want to be and discuss how we can practice "being" or applying these attributes.  Heavenly Father wants us to become like Him and will help us.  We can pray for help to develop Christlike attributes.

Have each person take a few minutes to write down one attribute they want to work on and how they will practice that attribute throughout the week. 

I want to be ______________.
Things I can do this week:
1.
2.
3.

Testimony:
-it is important to do good things, but we need to think about why we do them and focus on becoming like the Savior
-Christlike attributes are gifts from our Heavenly Father and we can pray for help to develop them

Activity:
Find a small picture of a bee and make enough copies for everyone to have a couple.  Work together to place the bees around the house in spots where they will be seen often to remind everyone to work on their goals.