FHE: Pioneers, Seagulls and Crickets, and Faith

We've spent a good portion of this month traveling and visiting with family, so our annual pioneer themed Family Home Evening lesson is a little late this year. But, better late then never, and perhaps this will help some of you who are a little late like me!

Scripture/Song of the Week
"A marvelous work has begun to come forth among all the children of men.
O ye that embark in the service of God, give heart, mind, and strength unto him;
For prophets have spoken and angels have come to lift the world from sin,
That Christ may reign over all the earth and bless his gathered kin.

'With faith in ev’ry footstep, we follow Christ, the Lord;
And filled with hope through his pure love, we sing with one accord."
(Faith in Every Footstep, by K Newell Dayley)

Lesson Plan
Watch "Faith in Every Footstep: The Epic Pioneer Journey" from the Church History Collection DVD. (We watched this during dinner)

Give a quick recap of the story of the pioneers leaving Nauvoo and reaching the Salt Lake Valley. We talked about my 3rd Great Grandfather, John R. Young, who was a nephew to Brigham Young and traveled in the first vanguard company with the prophet when he was 10 years old.

Share the story of the crickets and the seagulls. We used a picture from the Gospel Art Picture Kit to illustrate the story. I was thrilled to discover the words of my ancestor included in the summary on the back of the picture:

Their prayers were answered on a clear afternoon when seagulls began to appear in the sky. John R. Young described the event:

“There must have been thousands of them. Their coming was like a great cloud; and when they passed between us and the sun, a shadow covered the field. …

“At first we thought that they, also, were after the wheat and this thought added to our terror; but we soon discovered that they devoured only the crickets” (Memoirs of John R. Young, as quoted in William E. Berrett, The Restored Church [1961], 285; see also 283–84).

Play Seagulls and Crickets Memory Game.

Discuss the faith of the pioneers and sing "Faith in Every Footstep".

Refreshments: Homemade Lemon Ice Cream (our annual July tradition, find the recipe here)