Be Extraordinary
by Shauna Gibby

We, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ, have chosen not to be ordinary men and women.

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Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read “After All We Can Do,” by Claudio D. Zivic, Ensign, Nov 2007, 98–99.

Thought:
We, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ, have chosen not to be ordinary men and women.

(Claudio D. Zivic, “After All We Can Do,” Ensign, Nov 2007, 98–99.)

Song:
“I Am Like a Star” Children’s Songbook, p.163.

Scripture:
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:31)

Lesson:
Have family members search Alma 1:25–33 and mark or list each place that describes the righteousness of members of the Church. After reading the verses, have your family share the things they marked. Now, as a family, read Alma 1:32 and mark how those who were not members of the Church were different.

Ask, “Can that same contrast be seen today between faithful Church members and those who do not believe? Are we becoming more like the world?”

Share the following quotation from President Gordon B. Hinckley: “I lift a warning voice to our people. We have moved too far toward the mainstream.” (“Look to the Future,” Ensign, November 1997, p. 69.) Share with your family what that statement means to you. As a family, identify ways members of Christ’s church should be different from the world.

(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Book of Mormon, p. 155.)

Story:
When I was 12 years old, my mother died, leaving my father with six children. There were few educational opportunities in our area, and many people were satisfied with a fourth-grade education. But I wasn’t. I held on to a dream of finishing my studies.

My opportunity came when I moved to the city of Santarém, Brazil, at age 17. My father arranged for me to live with some people he knew, and I began taking a few classes. My work barely paid for the school materials I needed.

During my first year there, the people I lived with asked me to affiliate with their church. I repeatedly refused their request. The third year came, and I still hadn’t joined their church. Then one day they asked me to find another place to live. I was devastated. The next day I didn’t go to work or to school. I remembered my stepmother’s friend who lived close by and resolved to talk to her.

When I arrived, Maria Jose welcomed me. After I explained my situation, she asked that I go and get my things and come stay at her home. There seemed to be something extraordinary about her kindness.

After a few days, as she was preparing food, she told me that missionaries from her church were coming to eat lunch. Her goodness made me curious about her beliefs. I spoke with Elder Riggs and Elder Marcio during lunch and set up a time to hear a discussion. By the appointment the next day, I had read the Book of Mormon and prayed about it but hadn’t felt anything unusual. But before the missionaries began, they promised me that if I would open my heart I would know that the things they would teach were true. They didn’t need to say anything more, because while they spoke I knew by a strong feeling that this was the Church of Jesus Christ. Three weeks later I became a member.

I later served full time in the Brazil Curitiba Mission. I love this gospel and the opportunity I had to do for others the same work those missionaries did for me. I couldn’t join one church—even when my decision left me homeless. But in finding a home and Christlike friend, I found the true Church of Jesus Christ.

(Loucas Soares Nobre, “Not Really Homeless,” New Era, Sep 2004, 39.)

Activity:
Mark a line on the floor with tape. Place four or five obstacles on the line. Each family member is blindfolded one at a time and must walk this line. Other family members help by telling when he is off the line and when he is about to come to an obstacle.

Explain that as we go through life it is important to “walk the straight and narrow.” Our leaders and family members can help us stay on the straight path.

(adapted from Alma Heaton, The LDS Game Book, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1968], p. 122.)

Refreshment

Chocolate Cheesecake
2 cups Oreo® cookie crumbs, rolled fine
3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup chocolate syrup
1 pint sour cream
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Chocolate chips

Crush whole Oreo cookies, including frosting centers, to make 2 cups of fine crumbs. Press evenly into the bottom and sides of a 10-inch springform pan.

Whip cream cheese in a mixer bowl; gradually add sugar; then add eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla. Stir in chocolate syrup. Pour filling into crust. Bake 40 minutes.

Whip sour cream; add sugar and vanilla. Spread on top of cheesecake and return to oven. Bake for 10 more minutes. Cool before removing sides from springform pan. Garnish with a few chocolate chips. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Makes 10 to 12 servings.

(Lion House Desserts, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1997] p. 124.)

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Deseret Book

Comments on this article	ADD COMMENT
Empty Calories! Posted by Sunny from California The recipe you recommend to follow the discussion on this article is precisely why so many Mormons are overweight. The spirit of the Word of Wisdom is to take care of this temporal body.
Following gospel principles Posted by Lorna from Orem, Ut. I am 72 yrs of age. I have 5 grandchildren (all girls) arriving to spend a month. I have been keying into your fam. Home eve. lessons with anticipation of sharing with my grandchildren. They are wonderful. Thank you for the good ideas. I also teach Seminary part time in the Provo, Orem area and these help me create lessons for my students. Good ideas are always wonderful. Thank you, Lorna Barney
just what I needed! Posted by winegar from sandy Utah I have 12 young people from Belgium who are staying here in utah for 3 weeks. We prepare devotionals for them to build their testimony foundation. It is an enduring experience to be a youth member of the church in Belgium. They are truly young modern pioneers! This family home evening will be one of many devotionals that we will give these teenagers to take back to there families. If you have any others prepared about standing strong and immovable while being ridiculed at school let us know.
Oh, come on.... Posted by Helen from Arizona Yes, and we all should be eating in moderation and exercising, too. This will take care of the extra calories. Enjoy the treat! It's part of FHE!