Individual Worth
by Shauna Gibby

While it’s important to be well-dressed and well-groomed, if you base your self-worth on looks, you will never be pleased. ... Everyone has things about themselves—inside and out—that they would love to change.

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Try to see yourself and others as the Lord does. “The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). ... We need to develop a self-worth that’s not selfish and that comes from seeing ourselves and others as God sees us: as His children. We shouldn’t measure our worth on an earthly scale, because our origins are divine.

(“To the Point,” New Era, Sep. 2007, 31)

Song:

“Where Love Is,” Children’s Songbook, p. 138.

Scripture:

Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.

(Doctrine and Covenants 18:10)

Lesson:

Play a guessing game of “Who am I?” Give clues that describe an individual in your family. Use physical characteristics such as hair length, eye color, age, and so on. This can be repeated twice or three times.

Following the game, point out that people can be recognized by their physical characteristics. People can also be recognized by their spiritual characteristics. Play the game of “Who am I?” again. Explain that this time family members will try to guess who the individual is by spiritual characteristics.

Talk about what makes family members unique and what makes them similar. Show a picture of Jesus Christ. Explain that Jesus set a wonderful example for us to follow. We should do our best to try to be like him.

(Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, Sharing Time, Family Time, Anytime: Book Two [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1994], p. 18.)

Story:

Of Infinite Worth

It was early morning, and my thoughts were about young women as I went through some correspondence on my desk. I opened one letter, which began, “Dear Sister Kapp: First of all, let me tell you who I am.” I expected a name to follow, but that was not the case. The writer continued, “I am of infinite worth!” Infinite worth. Oh, how I wish that each young woman could feel that confidence, that assurance, that eternal truth. If only that knowledge could be firmly established in her heart and mind, and she would have the assurance that she, too, is precious in the sight of God, what a great blessing that would be.

Yes, I thought as I read the letter, you are of infinite worth, and so is every other young woman I know and all the ones I don’t know. How wonderful it is to know that each one has her own divine mission, a mission that is significant in God’s eternal plan. This knowledge can give us peace and purpose even in troubled times. Unfortunately, however, not everyone believes this great truth, and that is sad indeed.

Often in my travels people will recognize me and comment, “You’re Sister Kapp, aren’t you?” And I will reply, “Yes, I am.” Then, with sincere interest, I will ask, “And who are you?” Too often the answer is, “Oh, I’m nobody.” Right then I feel an intense desire to correct the error, to recall the thought, and to introduce the speaker to his or her own magnificent self.

How I wish I could visit with each person individually. First I would listen and then we would talk. I would learn from you and you would learn from me. We would share our thoughts and feelings about important things. I would want you to know that it doesn’t matter who we aren’t when we know who we are.

(Ardeth Greene Kapp, The Joy of the Journey, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1992].)

Activity:

Have an impromptu talent night.

Refreshment

Handmade Ice Cream

For each person:

1 cup milk

1 cup half-and-half

1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1⁄2 cup sugar

1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries or raspberries (optional)

1 quart-size Ziploc® bag

1 gallon-size Ziploc® bag Duct tape

2 pounds crushed ice or ice cubes

1 cup coarse rock salt

1⁄2 cup water

Towel

In a medium bowl, mix together milk, half-and-half, vanilla, and sugar. If adding fruit, mix all ingredients in blender. Pour mixture into a quart-size Ziploc bag. Squeeze out excess air and seal with duct tape. Put the quart-size bag into the gallon-size bag and fill the gallon bag with ice, salt, and water. Squeeze excess air out of bag and seal with duct tape. Toss the bag up and down for about 10 minutes. Use a hand towel to prevent hands from getting cold. When ice cream is frozen, rinse off quart-size bag and cut off a corner of the bag. Squeeze ice cream into a paper cup; enjoy! Makes a 11⁄2 cup serving.

(Julie Badger Jensen, Essential Mormon Celebrations, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2005] p. 88.)

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