Luck vs. Work

Preparation: Print picture for the Ant and the Grasshopper story. Print out “What if?” pictures and glue

corresponding questions to the back of each. Print off “rewards” and glue or tape to fake or real coins for the

Lucky Treasure Hunt. Place coins in a small bag. Print off clues for Lucky Treasure Hunt. Print off Thomas

Jefferson quote to hang on fridge for a reminder of the lesson this week.

Objective: To see that work directly affects how much “luck” you may or may not have.

Song: As Zion’s Youth in Latter Days, Hymns 256

Story:

For younger children – Tell the story of the Ant and the Grasshopper using the figures when needed.

For older children – Read Moroni Prepares the City together Alma 50 :1-6

Discussion: Did Ant/Moroni wait for winter/war before preparing? What would have happened if Ant/Moroni

had not prepared? Is “luck” a dependable way of going about getting things done?

Activity: Play “What If?”

Scriptures: Do you think working can bring you gifts or treasures?

Older Children: Look up and read the following scriptures to see what “gifts” work can bring.

Younger Children: Share with young children the highlighted part of each scripture with emphasis on the red

words.

Doctrine and Covenants 72:17 “A acertificate from the judge or bishop in this part of the vineyard, unto the

bishop in Zion, rendereth every man acceptable, and answereth all things, for an inheritance, and to be received

as a wise bsteward and as a faithful

claborer;”

Proverbs 13:11 “aWealth gotten by

bvanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by

clabour shall increase.”

Ecclesiastes 5:12 “The asleep of a

blabouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of

the rich will not suffer him to sleep.”

1 Corinthians 3:8 “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own areward according to his own labour.”

1 Thessalonians 5:13 “And to aesteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at

bpeace among

yourselves.”

Romans 2:10 “But glory, honour, and apeace, to every man that

bworketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the

cGentile:”

Quote: Hold up quote/picture of Thomas Jefferson, read and discuss the kind of “luck” he had or rather

MADE.

Game: Lucky Treasure Hunt – see instructions on another page.

Song: Come, Come Ye Saints, Hymns 30

Treat: Lucky Charms Squares

The Ant and the Grasshopper Aesop’s Fable

In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and

singing to its heart's content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great

toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest. "Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper, "instead of

toiling and moiling in that way?"

"I am helping to lay up food for the winter," said the Ant, "and

recommend you to do the same." "Why bother about winter?" said the Grasshopper; "We have got plenty

of food at present." But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil.

When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food and found itself

dying of hunger - while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain

from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper knew: It is best to prepare for days of need.

What If? Game

Print out all pictures and What If questions. Glue questions to back of correct picture. Place all pictures face up

on the floor or table. Take turns choosing a picture then discussing the question on the back.

What if the Savior had us all repenting with luck and not the work of the atonement?

What if we didn’t do temple and family history work but choose to let loved ones go through eternity on luck after death? What if the Lord wanted to be near us but we waited for luck to the work of opening the door?

What is no one in your family worked to be kind but waited for a lucky day when everyone was in a kind mood all at the same time? What if no one ever worked to provide service because they were waiting for others to get lucky?

What if no one worked to protect the plates but decided to let luck take care of them? What if the pioneers didn’t work hard to cross the plains but waited for their luck to change with the mobs? What if Joseph Smith waited for a lucky chance to stumble into the right church instead of working to find the answer?

Print the following words and tape or clue onto fake or real coins for the Treasure hunt game. Place the coins in a bag. Wise faithful Increase sleep Reward reward Esteem love Glory honor peace

Before FHE hide the clues in any order you wish just make sure one leads to the next. Give dad the “lucky treasure” and the clover and give the rest of the family the first clue to start them on the path of finding the “working hard treasure.” (the sack of labeled coins) Don’t forget to gloat a bit that you don’t have to work for your reward! When the family has found the “working hard treasure,” discuss the rewards they found compared to what you got (The clover) for not working hard.