2022
Pepper Precautions
August 2022

“Pepper Precautions,” For the Strength of Youth, Aug. 2022.

Home Evening Object Lesson

Pepper Precautions

By Curtis Collins

What does it mean to be in the world but not be worldly?

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object lesson

We stand out as members of the Church. For instance, we don’t drink coffee or tea, we dress modestly, we have clean language, and we live the law of chastity. But that doesn’t mean the things of the world go away! Satan is doing everything in his power to tempt us, and we have to keep our guard up (see Doctrine and Covenants 29:39).

But how exactly do we protect ourselves? Let’s learn by doing a little experiment with water, pepper, and soap. Grab your family and get ready for some fun!

Object Lesson

Start by filling a bowl with water. The water represents the world that we live in.

  1. Shake some pepper into the water. About 10 shakes should do the trick. The pepper represents the things of the world, such as temptation, distraction, or sin. Talk with your family about the “pepper” you come across in your own lives.

  2. Dip your finger into the center of the peppery water. Notice how the pepper sticks to your finger? Explain that this is like going into the world without knowledge of the gospel. Without that knowledge, it would be hard to know which choices are right and which choices are wrong.

    Share the following quote from President Russell M. Nelson: “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”1

  3. Now for the exciting part. First pull out your finger and wipe off the pepper. Now coat your finger with a thin layer of dish soap. The dish soap represents the protective power of the Holy Ghost. What do you think will happen when it touches the pepper?

  4. Dip your finger back into the center of the water. Watch as the pepper jumps to the edges of the bowl! Amazing, right? As you remove your finger from the water, you’ll see that it is completely pepper-free! You might say that your finger was in the pepper but not of the pepper.

Discuss!

Note that the pepper doesn’t leave the water, and one coating of the soap doesn’t last forever. The things of the world will be ever-present, and the companionship of the Holy Ghost requires consistent, daily effort. But as long as we keep our covenants, we will have protection from on high!

What can you do to have the protection of the Holy Ghost in your life?