It seems as if the first introduction our youth get to For the Strength of the Youth is when they turn twelve, but author Deborah Pace Rowley has written a new fun, family manual on how to teach your kids the Lord’s standards before they’re thrown into Young Men/Young Women….

Before They Turn Twelve: Helping Children Gain a Testimony of the Lord’s Standards is more or less a Family Home Evening manual all about the topics that are discussed in For the Strength of the Youth. It’s dedicated to families that have children ages 5-12, and each of the chapters is divided into a standard. Each chapter includes an activity, pages to read in the actual For the Strength of the Youth manual, discussion points, a helpful hint (called “Commitment”) for parents to be able to drive the standard home, and of course, a snack idea. Where applicable, author Deborah Pace Rowley has also included clip art for the activities portion.

After reading this book, it made me a little bit disappointed in Deseret Book that they haven’t publicized it more. It is a wonderful book! It’s such a unique idea, but one that’s definitely needed with the changing morals and values in this world. The lessons are so complete and so fun that it would be easy for families to get involved in an engaging FHE.

Not only do I recommend Before They Turn Twelve: Helping Children Gain a Testimony of the Lord’s Standards, I highly recommend it for families with kids in Primary. You can find it at a Deseret Book store near you or on the web at www.deseretbook.com. It retails for $9.95.