"Alone, we are weak and easily broken, but together, we are strong." -Aesop
Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read “LDS Women are Incredible!” by Quentin L.
Cook, Ensign, May 2011, 18.
Thought:
All members of the Church of Jesus Christ are “to labor in his vineyard for the salvation
of the souls of men.” (Doctrine and Covenants 138:56.) “[The] work of salvation includes
member missionary work, convert retention, activation of less-active members, temple and
family history work, … teaching the gospel,” (Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2010),
page 22.) and caring for the poor and needy (See Handbook 2, 6.1.).
(Quentin L. Cook, “LDS Women Are Incredible!,” Ensign, May 2011, 18.)
Song:
“When We’re Helping,” Children’s Songbook, p. 198.
Scripture:
Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the
weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.
(Doctrine and Covenants 81:5)
Object Lesson:
Materials Needed: One large box filled with several heavy objects.
Procedure: Have a class member try to lift the box. (Be sure he does not hurt himself.) Ask
how it feels. Instruct two other class members to help the first lift the box. This will be easier.
Explain that the box is like the burdens we might carry in day-to-day life. Discuss what
some of these burdens could be. When we help other we can ease their day-to-day burdens.
(Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, More Power Tools for Teaching, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1991], p. 99.)
Story:
United We Stand
You can learn a lot from a horse. For example, I heard about a Canadian competition
during which huge Clydesdale work horses are hitched to a special sled that allows weights
to be added to measure the horse’s strength. During the most recent competition the winning
horse pulled about 8,000 pounds, while the second- place finisher pulled 7,000 pounds.
Hey, there’s a reason we use the phrase “strong as a horse.”
The competition also includes a team pulling event, and it turned out that during this
year’s competition one of the teams consisted of the first- and second- place finishers from the
individual pulling event. So it stands to reason that if you put them together, they should be
able to pull about . . . wait a second . . . these are big numbers . . . using ALL my fingers and
toes here . . . about 15,000 pounds, give or take a kilogram. Right?
Wrong.
Actually, when the two horses were hitched together they managed to pull a sled weighing
33,000 pounds— more than four times the amount each could pull individually!
I’m sure there’s some scientific principle of physics that comes into play here— equine
synergism, perhaps?—or some complex mathematical equation that would explain how such a
thing happens. But that would doubtless require brilliant insight, thoughtful consideration, and at least
two teenagers’ worth of computer know- how, and you know perfectly well you’re not going to get any
of that here.
I prefer the explanation of an ancient teacher named Aesop (and no, he wasn’t MY teacher—
he was a little before my time, and I’m pretty sure he went to a different high school). This wise
philosopher would use sticks to illustrate the point. He would hold up one stick and ask one of his
listeners to break it— which could easily be done. Then he would hold up two sticks, and repeat the
process. Then three, and so on until the little bundle of sticks couldn’t be broken, no matter how hard
his student tried.
“Alone, we are weak and easily broken,” Aesop would explain, “but together, we are strong.”
Abraham Lincoln tried to teach the same concept to a nation coming apart at the seams. “United we
stand,” said he, “divided we fall.”
Or was it the 5th Dimension that said that? I always get them confused.
In any case, it’s a significant concept for families, communities, church congregations, businesses,
and nations. No matter how strong we may be individually, our strength is multiplied exponentially
when we stand shoulder- to- shoulder, arm- in- arm, together with others.
But don’t take my word for it. Go right to the source.
Ask a horse.
(Joseph Walker, Look What Love Has Done, [Salt Lake City: Shadow Mountain, 2007], p. 112.)
Activity:
Divide the family into pairs. Mark a starting line on one end of the room and a goal line on the
other end. Each pair of players put a balloon between their foreheads and run to the goal line and back
without using their hands. The first team finished is the winner.
We must work with our brothers and sisters to reach our gospel goals. We cannot do it alone.
(adapted from Alma Heaton, The LDS Game Book, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1968], p. 302.)
Refreshment
Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1⁄2 cup butter, softened (no substitutes)
1⁄4 teaspoon vanilla
3⁄4 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
3⁄4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
3⁄4 cup finely chopped pecans
Graham crackers or Honey Maid® Chocolate Sticks
In a bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually add sugars. Beat just until
combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. Place cream cheese mixture onto a
large piece of plastic wrap and shape into a ball. Refrigerate at least 1 hour longer. Roll cheese ball in
pecans. Serve with graham crackers or Honey Maid Chocolate Sticks.
