Title: “Raising Missionary-Minded Children”
Exhibitor: Dawn Meeves
Description: It is never too early for children to think about, prepare for,
and get excited about missionary service. Special projects and activities can be developed to show support for missionaries currently in the field and to help others who might be interested in the Church. Ideas include family home evening, service projects, prayer, music, example, and other ways to behave in “mission-minded” ways.
How To’s: Activities to Do As a Family
Write to missionaries currently serving in the field
Sing and listen to missionary songs (at bedtime, in the car, while cleaning, etc.)
“Adopt” a missionary to whom you can write, support, send packages, etc.
Hang pictures that remind us of missionary service.
Invite the local missionaries over for dinner.
Have them go on splits with the missionaries when old enough.
Invite returned missionaries over for FHE to “report” their mission
Have special cultural FHE’s where you learn about other countries/cultures. If
possible, invite an expert or native or someone who lived there.
Pray for the missionaries in every prayer as a family.
Talk about missionary activities.
Be active in member missionary/friend-shipping activities
Attend baptisms regularly.
Practice testimonies in FHE and encourage them to share them at church.
Read the scriptures regularly and focus on missionaries in the scriptures.
Do service projects for others and discuss afterward.
Create a “missionary box” where they can gather various items.
Memorize scriptures and quotes.
Give them action figures, games, and books that are from/about the scriptures.
Keep journals.
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Their divine potential
Enthusiasm for the gospel
Personal responsibility
Important personal skills (cooking, sewing, laundry, ironing, cleaning house, etc.)
Social etiquette
Gratitude
Hard work
Interpersonal skills
The joy of service
Respect for others
To recognize the gospel as a great gift
The responsibility of sharing the gospel
Integrity
Courage
Humility
Tolerance/love
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Start early
Actions speak louder than words – be an example
Encourage/require seminary attendance
Encourage them to always have missionary haircuts (for the boys)
Emphasize importance of Duty to God, Young Men/Women, and Scouting
Plan to serve a mission later as a couple and talk about it regularly
Raise them with excitement for vs. pressure about missionary service.