Families Are Our Greatest Treasure - Teaching "Families Can Be Together Forever" - 7/7

July's song is near and dear to my heart.  We've sung it as a family during multiple occasions throughout my life, including when my grandfather died.  It was one of his favorite songs.

Sometimes we don't truly appreciate our family.  We argue, we annoy each other, and generally tend to take one another for granted.  Teaching them about the importance of family is something I feel is critical.

For this reason, I chose to introduce this song with a TREASURE CHEST filled with family-related items (and a few cold coins for show).  I'll tell the kids that I'm going to share my greatest treasure with them.  I'll also put a few family/wedding pictures - both my family and perhaps others from the ward - around the room. *I'm pretty sure you can buy a pre-made treasure box at craft stores, or there are affordable paper ones like THIS one.

One by one, the kids will have the chance to pick a treasure out of my treasure chest.  Some ideas for items you could include are below.  In between picking treasures, I will teach the song line by line (flip charts HERE or HERE).

*No, this isn't me, pulled it from lds.org

Wedding Ring (imitation would be fine): Talk about the blessing of marriage in the temple, and how a ring symbolizes a never-ending commitment to that person.  I used my real ring in its jewelers box and they loved it.
Small framed picture of me with my siblings when we were little: Blessing of brothers and sisters, even though we've had our differences (I will be sensitive to those children without siblings)
A Game Piece: Families are great for playing games together
My Temple Recommend: Each child can choose to make themselves worthy to receive the blessings of the temple someday.  The temple allows us to be sealed as families forever
Fork: Family dinner is a great time to talk; parents protect us and provide for our needs
Knee pad or prayer rock: Family prayer
Vial of Olive Oil: Fathers who hold the priesthood will feel privileged to give blessings to their family
Bookmark: Family scripture study
Baby shoes: the joy/miracle of babies
Toy car/airplane: Family vacations
Heirloom, Tree or picture of decease ancestor: remembering our "family tree" and the ancestors who have gone before; gratitude that we may see them again.  I brought a patch my grandfather wore in WWII.

I will also HIDE a couple of my PRESIDENT MONSON BOOKMARKS around the room that talk about the love he feels for his FAMILY.

***Another idea you can use ALL MONTH: these FAMILY PRINTABLES from OCD Chorister where you sing like different family members!  Dad sings low, Grandpa sings loud, dog sings with his tongue out, etc.

End by bearing testimony of the divine nature of families, and encourage the kids to 'protect' and 'guard' their family treasure.