Tell a Story

First the fun news: My poem has been published in this month's Friend magazine.

The poem was inspired by a truth I have learned about helping children grow to love the Book of Mormon: Stories. We all love a good story. Most people will read stacks of novels before a book of instruction or history. Stories grip us and pull us in. We all know that children especially love stories.

The authors of the Book of Mormon could have just told us the commandments and lessons we need to make it back to our Heavenly Father, but they didn't. Each book includes stories and experiences that actual people went through. These are the parts of the scriptures that can pull our kids into scriptures, they can spark the love that turns a chore into a joy.

Here are thoughts from "The Psychological Power of Storytelling"

• Stories are how we explain how things work, how we make decisions, how we justify our decisions, how we persuade others, how we understand our place in the world, create our identities, and define and teach social values.

You can use the story of Captain Moroni to teach when and how war is sanctioned. He shows us the blessings of honoring your country and your family.

• Stories are the common ground that allows people to communicate, overcoming our defenses and our differences. Stories allow us to understand ourselves better and to find our commonality with others.

The story of Nephi and his brothers can help your children understand how siblings can either love and support each other (Sam, Jacob and Joseph) or turn on each other with jealousy and hate (Laman and Lemuel). 

• Within the context of the story arc we can withstand intense emotions because we know that resolution follows the conflict. We can experience with a safety net.

The ultimate "happy ending" is the scriptures. The blessings and promises that the Lord gives as all are echoed throughout the Book of Mormon. Children can see how we loved by our Heavenly Father and begin to see how we can ultimately live with him again.

• To the human brain, imagined experiences are processed the same as real experiences. Stories create genuine emotions, presence (the sense of being somewhere), and behavioral responses.

Can you imagine the bond your child will feel with the Book of Mormon as they begin to experience the joys of Alma as he baptizes and leads a new fold into the church? Or the sorrow of Jacob who begins to see his people turn to loving riches more than Christ?

• Through imagination, we tap into creativity that is the foundation of innovation, self-discovery and change.

The biggest blessing of the Book of Mormon is to discover ourselves. Through the stories, we can help our children see that we are all different and that each person's journey through life will be different. They can begin to imagine a life that will bring them happiness and joy.

Help your children understand and discuss the stories in the Book of Mormon with my book, Small and Simple Keys of Protection. Check it out on Amazon today. What a great gift you can give your family this Christmas.

Also, check out the page on this blog for FHE ideas. Do a book report on the Book of Mormon with your family.