2012 - Wk. 19: Clean Speech

What You'll Need: scriptures, a dictionary, GAB 136/GAK 520, printed worksheet, blank paper, writing tools.

You can also choose to download the pdf of LESSON 19 for easy printing. If you download, please leave a comment here on what you like about this lesson. Note: GAK vs GAB pictures explained here.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good.

Opening Song: Kindness Begins with Me (PCS #145)

Lesson:

The words we say are very important.  Words help us communicate with one another. They show others how we are feeling and what we are trying to say.

(show kids a Dictionary)

- Does anyone know what this book is?

It is a book filled with words.  There are millions of words in the English language which we use to talk every day.  But not all words are the same.  There are some words that make people feel good and other words that make people feel bad. Some words are so bad that they are called SWEAR WORDS.  People use these bad words when they are angry.  They are not good words. Swear words offend Heavenly Father and drive the Holy Ghost away.

(show GAB 136/GAK 520)

Swearing - Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley said, "Don’t swear...Stay away from conversation that is sprinkled with foul and filthy words. You will be happier if you do so, and your example will give strength to others."

We should choose to not say swear words.  It is especially important to not take the Lord's name in vain.  We hear other people say "Oh my God" all of the time. It's on television, at school and in songs.  But it is like making fun of our Heavenly Father.  He has commanded us not to say His name in that way. 

You can’t control what other people say, but you can let them know when you don’t like their choice of words. Standing up for what you know is right might be hard, but other people are probably bothered by the swear words too. By letting people know you don’t want to hear bad language, you are not only speaking up for yourself—you might also be speaking up for other people around you.

Respect -The way you talk to your family members and parents is important.  The For Strength of Youth pamphlet says, "Speak kindly and positively about others. Choose not to [make fun of others], even in joking".  Sometimes people say things they think are jokes, but they can hurt others' feelings. Saying unkind things to your friends or family is never okay.

The Lord has commanded us to Honor our Father and Mother. That means you should speak to your parents with respect. Even when we fight and angry words enter our minds, it is important to try your best not to say them, because once you say unkind words they cannot be un-said.

Written Words - Sometimes people think they can say unkind words about each other on the computer or by texting. Sometimes, this is even worse than saying them.  Writing a mean joke where everyone can see it can invite others to share the same unkind words. Writing bad things online (even if you don't use your name) is still hurtful and wrong.  Those bad words can hurt others more than getting hit or pushed because it hurts their heart.  When people say mean things about us, it is hard to forget and you would never want your unkind words to make someone feel sad, lonely or picked on.

The words we use and the things we say are very important. They show people who we are and what we believe in.  You will never feel bad about being too nice to others.

Bear your testimony about the impact words have had on your life, both positive and negative. Bear testimony to the power of words for good and evil and that the Holy Ghost can be with us when our language is clean.

(For tips on sharing your testimony please click here.)

Practice Song: If you are teaching your family the MAY Song of the Month, go over the words and music with your family.

Activity: Choose from the following activities as they best suit your family.

Option 1: Download this worksheet (from the January 2010 Children's Friend magazine). Print one for each child in your family. Give them a few minutes to choose their answers and then talk about the results. If your children are too young to read, read it out loud and have them choose the best answers together.


Option 2: Make a list with two columns. One column labeled "happy words" and the other labeled "sad words". Have family members list words commonly used in your home (yes, even the bad ones) in the appropriate column. Make a commitment to try to only use happy words for the coming week and see if your home feels more happy. Put the list where everyone can see it on a daily basis. If name calling and other sad words are a concern in your home, you may want to set up a reward system for using happy words throughout each day.