Review
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Title: Monday Nights in Nauvoo, Lessons and Games for Family Home Evening Based on the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History
Author: Janet Burningham
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Genre: Non-fiction
Year Published: 2008
Number of Pages: 127
Binding: Paperback
ISBN-10: n/a
ISBN-13: 978-1-59955-206-4
Price: $14.99

Reviewed by Jaymie Reynolds

Monday Nights in Nauvoo, Lessons and Games for Family Home Evening Based on the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History by Janet Burningham is a little book that packs a big punch. While the book itself is not large or overwhelming, it is filled to the brim with wonderful ideas and resources for family home evenings. The context that the author has chosen to place these lesson plans in is that of the Doctrine and Covenants and the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As this is often an area of study that is overlooked in these kind of lesson plans, it is exciting to see such a comprehensive and well thought out resource.

The author begins with a very detailed section on how to use this book. It includes information on resources that are incorporated into each lesson plan. These resources include the gospel art kit, a collection of pictures that is put out by the Church to supplement teaching materials, the scriptures, etc.

Children and adults alike can use this book as a base for their family home evening lessons. Each lesson is set up so that veteran teachers and fledgling educators can benefit from using these lesson plans. The detail provided allows children to facilitate or teach the lesson in their family home evening. Children are able to develop their own teaching skills and build their own confidence within the walls of their own home. These opportunities give families the chance to grow, both personally and as a family unit, in a safe environment that is cushioned with love and appreciation.

Monday Nights in Nauvoo combines church history with gospel principles in a way that gives families a greater appreciation for early members of the church. At the same time, these lessons help families to gain a greater appreciation for gospel principals and the ability to see how they apply in our day. Parents, grandparents and children will all be able to come away from these lessons with a greater understanding of their religious roots. There are so many lessons provided that it will take most families some time to work through it.

The author has made sure to include a very helpful appendix that contains a time line, a map of the United States of America, and a Who's Who in the Doctrine and Covenants. All told, this is a very thorough resource that will allow families to grow in their knowledge of the gospel while they are building and strengthening their own family bonds.