Some of the sweetest truths in the gospel are about family — that love doesn’t end when this life does, and that God’s plan connects us across generations.
This hands-on family lesson helps kids see and feel that truth through stories, art, service, and reflection. It’s inspired by the early Saints who learned that God’s plan of happiness extends to both the living and the dead, but it’s designed to be used anytime your family wants to talk about connection, eternal families, or how Jesus helps love last forever.
Whether you use it for Family Home Evening, homeschool, or a Come, Follow Me companion, this week is all about building a voice of gladness in your home — a celebration of families, past and present.
🌿 Overarching Theme:
Because of Jesus Christ, our families can be together forever — and our love can reach beyond this life.
🏠 Day 1 – God’s Plan Connects Families
Focus: Predicting + Sorting
Key Thought: Our actions help strengthen the “welding link” of family love.
Read Together:
Show your kids a picture of your family or an ancestor.
Ask:
“What makes a family strong?”
“How can we help our family feel close to each other — and close to God?”
Activity – Family Connection Sort:
Cut out or write simple cards with words like:
- Saying sorry
- Helping each other
- Arguing
- Sharing
- Praying together
- Ignoring someone
- Saying kind things
- Fighting
Sort them into two baskets:
❤️ Things That Strengthen Our Family
💔 Things That Hurt Our Family
Then talk about how every kind word or loving act is a “link” that connects your family more tightly — like an eternal chain of love.
Optional Extension:
Tape your “strengthening” cards into a paper chain to symbolize your family connection.
✋ Day 2 – F Is for Family
Focus: Letters + Gratitude
Key Thought: Families are a gift from God — and we can choose to fill them with love.
Craft – “F Is for Family” Page:
Draw or print a large letter F. Decorate it with:
- Family photos
- Handprints
- Paper hearts
- Drawings of family members
As you decorate, say together:
“Families are forever because of Jesus Christ.”
Gratitude Activity – Counting Family Blessings:
Give your kids 10 small objects (beans, coins, Legos).
For each one, name a blessing that comes from family.
Stack or line them up as you count.
💬 Ask:
“What do you love about being part of our family?”
“How can we show love to each other this week?”
💦 Day 3 – Serving Others Brings Joy
Focus: Predicting + Measuring
Key Thought: Helping others brings happiness to us — and to heaven.
Object Lesson – Joyful Water:
Fill a bowl with clean water and drop in blue marbles, one at a time.
Each marble represents an act of service or kindness.
Say:
“Every time we serve or love others, we bring a little more gladness to the world — like adding more light and color to God’s water of life.”
Optional Craft – Joy Ripples:
Draw a bowl or pond on paper.
Use blue crayons or markers to make ripples.
Inside each ripple, write something kind you can do for someone this week.
📖 Day 4 – Remembering and Sharing Gladness
Focus: Letters + Reflection
Key Thought: Writing down our blessings keeps joy flowing — on earth and in heaven.
Activity – Family Gladness Journal:
Create a simple family notebook or printable journal.
Each day, everyone adds one small entry:
- “Something that made me happy today…”
- “How I saw God’s love today…”
- “Someone I prayed for today…”
By week’s end, you’ll have a record of the gladness you’ve built as a family.
Conversation Starter:
“Why do you think God wants us to remember the good things?”
“How can we help other people feel glad too?”
💛 Add this quote to your journal:
“Whatsoever you record on earth shall be recorded in heaven.”
🔗 Day 5 – Love Connects Heaven and Earth
Focus: Recall + Retell + Shapes
Key Thought: God’s love connects us with those we love — here and in heaven.
Activity – Family Chain Craft:
Cut colorful paper strips and write family members’ names on them (living and passed away).
Link them together to make a Family Chain.
Talk about how every person is part of your eternal family story — and how love keeps everyone connected, even when we can’t see them.
Optional Add-On:
Write “Because of Jesus, our family is forever” on the final link.
Closing Thought:
“Every act of love strengthens the chain that binds us together forever.”
✨ End-of-Week Reflection
Gather your Family Chain and Gladness Journal.
Look through your notes and links and talk about how you felt.
Ask:
“What helps you feel close to God and to our family?”
“How can we share that love with others?”
End with a family prayer thanking Heavenly Father for His plan of eternal families.
