Title of Liberty Family Home Evening


 

Objective: To understand the symbolism of a flag and its importance to a nation.

Opening Song: My Flag, My Flag (CS 225)

Opening Prayer:

Scripture Reference:  Alma 46:1-37

Lesson:

A flag is a wonderful thing.  Every nation has a flag that is a symbol of the people who live there and what they hope to be.  We see lots of flags waving so beautifully in the air as we drive around our town.  When we see the American flag (show American flag)  we are proud of our country and thankful to live here.  When we look at our nation's flag we should feel happy and blessed for our freedom to be able to make our own choices- our liberty .

The Book of Mormon tells us about a very special flag called the "title of liberty".  It was made by a great leader named Moroni, who became the general of the Nephite army when he was only 25 years old!  With the help of the Lord, Moroni was successful in winning many battles against the Lamanites.

Most of the Nephite people loved the Lord and wanted to serve him, but there was one man named Amalickiah who wanted to become King.  He was a wicked man and I want to tell you a story about him and Moroni.

Flannel Board Presentation:  (www.lds.org search "Title of Liberty")

These captions go with the pictures from "Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty" Tambulilit, Nov. 1994,2

1  Amalickiah, a wicked man, wanted to be king over the Nephites. Many people left the church to follow him. Alma 46:1, 4-5,7

2  If Amalickiah became king, he would try to destroy the church of God and take away people's liberty.  Alma 46:9-10

3  When Captain Moroni, the leader of the Nephite armies, heard of Amalickiah's plan to become king, he was angry.  Alma 46:11

4  Moroni tore his coat to make a flag.  On it he wrote, "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children." Alma 46:12

5  Moroni put the flag on a pole and called it the title of liberty. Then, holding it, and dressed in his armor, he knelt to pray.  Alma 46:13

6  He asked God to protect those who believed in Jesus Christ, and prayed for freedom in the land, calling it a land of liberty.  Alma 46:16-18

7  Then Moroni went among the people.  Waving the title of liberty, he called them to come and help protect their freedom.  Alma 46: 19-20

8  People came from all over the land.  They promised to obey the commandments of God and to fight for their freedom.  Alma 46:21-22, 28

9  When Amalickiah saw how many Nephites had come to fight for freedom, he was afraid.  He and his followers left to join with the Lamanites.  Alma 46:29-30

10 Moroni took his army to stop them, but Amalickiah and a few of his men escaped.  Alma 46:31-33

11 Moroni had a title of liberty placed on every tower in Nephite Land.  The Nephites remained free and began to have peace again.  Alma 46:36-37

Moroni's Title of Liberty had awakened the hearts of the Nephite people a renewed love for their country.  As a reminder of their great blessings, Moroni caused "the title of liberty to be hoisted upon every tower… which was possessed by the Nephites".  Alma 46:36-37

Activity:
Work as a family to create your own title of liberty. Use regular crayons to decorate the plain flag.  (Glue white material to a dowel rod for a plain flag).  Ask family members what principles would help us to take the name of Christ upon ourselves.  What pictures could we draw on our flag that would show what we want to be and how we can be our very best.

For example:
Draw a heart- we want to always show our love for one another.
Draw hands working together- we want to work together towards a common goal.
Draw the church in the center of the flag- we want to always keep our beliefs in Jesus Christ at the center of our family.

Display your family flag this week as we remember our love and hope for our country  as well as our family.  The same love and hope that Moroni had for his people when he flew the title of liberty upon every Nephite tower in the land.

Extension for older children:
Discuss ways of handling earthly conflict-
- fight only for righteous reasons (self defense)
- have no hate toward your enemy- seek their best interests as well as your own
- live righteously and trust in God
- Follow righteous and wise leaders

List ways we could act to keep harmony as Jesus would want us to do:
- share
- show love and kindness
- think nice thoughts of others

Finger Play: 

Idea from Book of Mormon Whiz Kids:

Captain Moroni raised flags in the air, (point up)
So they could be seen by every Nephite, (hand to brow)
When the Nephites remembered why they were there, (finger on forehead)
They were reminded to fight for the right. (hold up fist)
What were they fighting for?  Say if you please,
Safety and freedom for their families!

Closing Song:  My Country (CS 224)

Closing Prayer: Assign

Treat:  "Strawberry Sparklers"

Dip clean strawberries in melted white chocolate bark leaving part of the red showing, then quickly dip the tip of the strawberry in blue glitter sprinkles.  Allow to cool on wax paper.  These simple red, white and blue treats are a festive favorite in our home!