Lesson 12

Lesson Title: "Fathers' Blessings" (page 43)

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Resource Guide for Young Women Manual 2 at lds.org.

OBJECTIVE:

Each young woman will understand and desire the priesthood blessings she can receive through her father.

PREPARATION:

1. Picture 8, A Father's Blessing, located at the back of the manual.
2. Optional: Prepare the following wordstrips: Naming and blessing babies, Baptizing, Confirming, Administering to the sick, Ordaining to priesthood offices, Setting apart, and (on another color of paper) Father's blessing.
3. Write on a card or piece of paper for each young woman the scriptural references and questions suggested under "A Father Can Bless His Children through the Priesthood."
4. Assign young women to present any scriptures, stories, or quotations you wish.

ATTENTION GETTER:

Ask each young women to close her eyes. Have them picture them doing something like, snow skiing, jogging, playing basketball or something that is applicable to them. Then have them picture hurting their ankle. You can't walk now. You have friends that are comforting you and that is good but you need someone who can carry you home. Then all of the sudden you feel strong arms picking you up. It is such a comfort. you look to see who it is and it is you father. He is strong with enough power to pick you up and carry you to safety. Have them open their eyes. Just as this could happen to you physically, your fathers can help you spiritually also. They have the strong power of the priesthood.

LESSON:

CONCLUSION:

If you desire, tell about a time when you or a member of your family received guidance and encouragement from a father's blessing.

LESSON APPLICATION:

1. Encourage each young woman to discuss fathers' blessings with her father and family, perhaps during a family home evening.
2. Encourage each young woman to prayerfully consider how a father's blessing could benefit her life and then ask for one at an appropriate time.
3. Suggest that each young woman talk with her father, expressing her desire to receive a father's blessing. She might do this during a personal interview or by requesting a special time to talk. (Be sensitive to young women who have nonmember fathers or no father in the home. You might suggest that they talk to the bishop.)

HANDOUT:

Make a set of (miniature) "Barbells" for each young women by taking a pointed end toothpick and two big black gumdrops. Poke each of the gumdrops on an end. TaaaDaaa. Cute hu??

Then attach the note that says:
"Never forget how "Strong" the power of a fathers' blessing is."

MID-WEEK ACTIVITY IDEA: