"All through his life Jesus Christ referred to the relationship he had with his Heavenly Father. He taught his disciples, "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me" (John 6:38). Often he would remind those with whom he associated to "Honour thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee" (Ex. 20:12). This commandment is almost as old as formal religion. Not only had he spoken it to ancient Israel, but the Savior repeated it to the man who asked, "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" (Matt. 19:16). Among the commandments that the Savior reiterated were these words: "Honour thy father and thy mother".   This was a good introduction to the lesson because the girls started thinking about their parents in different way - as a person who at one point only dreamed about their future.

At the end of the lesson, I read the part of President Monson's talk "Be Thou an Example" where he says, "Now is the time to think and the time to thank.  I trust you will do both.  You have a heritage, honor it."

I gave the girls empty thank you cards with an insert.  The insert had the questions from the manual. I challenged the girls to go home and ask their parents the questions and write them a letter of gratitude.

CLICK HERE for mother/father questionnaire (Excel document)