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Solve Problems

Ponder:Why do you feel Heavenly Father allows us to face problems and challenges?

“Solve Problems and Make Decisions” (No video? Read the next page.)

Discuss:What did Sheep do to help Pig solve his problem? (Think about how she helped him identify the real problem, look at his options, and then decide and act.)

Read:Ether 2 and 3 (read only the excerpts on the right)

Brother of Jared Seeing the Finger of the Lord

“The brother of Jared cried unto the Lord, saying … I have made the barges … [and] in them there is no light. … And the Lord said … What will ye that I should do … ? [And the brother of Jared] did molten out of a rock sixteen small stones … and cried again unto the Lord, saying … I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power. … Therefore touch these stones … that they may shine forth in darkness.”

Ether 2:18–19, 23; 3:1, 4

Discuss:What did the brother of Jared do to solve his problem?

Practice:Below are three steps you can take to solve problems of all kinds with prayer and faith. Read and discuss them with a group member. Each of you should identify a specific problem you face and go through the steps.

triangle diagram

Solve Problems

❶

Identify

What is the real problem?

❷

Study Options

What are possible solutions?

Which one is best?

❸

Decide and Act

Pray for guidance. Decide. Then act with faith. Good results? If not, try steps 1–3 again.

Don’t give up!

Practice:Pick a problem you are facing as a family and write it here:

During the week, work on this problem with your family. Remember, don’t give up! It takes time to solve problems and make changes.

Commit:Commit to doing the following actions during the week. Check the boxes when you complete each task:

• Practice the steps for solving the problem you wrote above.

• Teach this principle to your family.

• Continue to practice the previous foundation principles.

“Creative approaches are sometimes needed in order to adapt to local conditions. We have general guidelines and principles, but the Lord expects us to help solve our own problems. … We are thinking, reasoning human beings. We have the ability to identify our needs, to plan, to set goals, and to solve our problems. … Too often people hold on to ideas, inventions, and approaches to life that will not work. The creative approach is a disciplined approach to meet life’s needs.”

Robert D. Hales, “Every Good Gift,” New Era, Aug. 1983, 8–9

Facilitator Tip

Add energy to discussions. Get everyone involved.

Solve Problems and Make Decisions

If you are unable to watch the video, choose roles and read this script.

pig and sheep

PIG: I’m starving! Farmer’s gone. His boy is lazy and I get no food! What am I going to do?

SHEEP: Pig? Pig! What’s the problem?

PIG: Problem? Problem? It’s obvious, isn’t it? I’m starving!

SHEEP: Hmmm. That’s not your problem.

PIG: Huh? What do you mean? I’m hungry! And that lazy kid isn’t doing his job.

SHEEP: Right, but that’s his problem. Your problem is, Where can you go to find some food?

PIG: Me? Find food?

SHEEP: Exactly. What are your options?

PIG: Well, I could stay here and wait!

SHEEP: That’s one option. How’s that working?

PIG: Yeah. … Humph. … If I could get out of here, I could maybe find food in the garbage pile.

SHEEP: That’s another option. I noticed that the boy left your gate unlocked.

PIG: Yeah, but I’ve never just walked out of here. And there might not be any food there anyway.

SHEEP: Well, it’s probably time to decide and do something—stay or get moving.

PIG: Okay. It’s my problem, right?

SHEEP: Yup.

PIG: And the garbage pile’s my best option.

SHEEP: If you think so.

PIG: So I need to decide and act.

SHEEP: Seems like it.

PIG: All right. … Okay. … Well, … here goes. [Starts eating.] Hey, Sheep, this is great stuff.

SHEEP: Well done, Pig!