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1. Song & Prayer2. Family discussion about items of family business. 3. What is the 4th of July all about? on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, by the Continental Congress, took place. This is now the national holiday of the United States of America.
4. Talk about what that means to all of us.
5. America is a chosen land to God. Ether 13:2,6-8
At the time of the signing, the US had 13 colonies under England's rule. People in the United states did not want to pay taxes to England. They wanted to be free of Englands strong rule. Unrest grew in the colonies, King George sent extra troops to help control any rebellion. In 1774 the 13 colonies sent delegates to form the First Continental Congress. The delegates were unhappy with England, but were not yet ready to declare war.
In April 1775 the King's troops advanced on Concord Massachusetts. Paul Revere sounded an alarm that "The British are coming, the British are coming" riding his horse through the streets. The battle of Concord and it's "shot heard round the world" was the unofficial beginning of the colonies war for Independence.
Why do you think they wanted to be free from England?
Congress tried to work out it's differences with England for a year, again without declaring war.
By June, they felt hopeless and a committee formed a formal declaration of independence. Lead by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft. He presented this draft to the congress on June 28. After some changes a vote was taken late on July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration, 2 - Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted No, Delaware undecided and New York abstained.
To John Hancock, signed the Declaration of Independence to make it official . It is said that John Hancock's signed his name so large that "King George can read that without spectacles!."
The next day copies were handed out. Crowds cheered and bells rang from churches, even the bell in Independence Hall was rung. which was called the Province Bell. They named it after its inscription after that, "The Liberty Bell"-
Then was Proclaimed Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof
The signing of the Declaration was not completed until August but the 4th of July has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence. Parades, picnics, and fireworks were established as the way to celebrate, "America's Birthday".
6. Heavenly father wants us to live in a free country. read scriptures to get this point across.
Alma 48:11 / 51:661:6 3 Nephi 21:4 D&C 10:51 / 98:5
7. closing song and prayer
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Pioneer Family Home evening
1.Have a pioneer campout.
2.Gather things that pioneers used..dutch ovens, tent blankets, clothing, pancake flour, etc.
3.Set up a camp as close to the real thing as you can.
4.Around the campfire, Eat a pioneer dinner.
5.Open with prayer and song,
6.Tell stories of your favorite pioneers, (each member, have little ones draw a picture ahead of time, to help him remember). Ahead of time perhaps on another family night, get info at libraries or journals or even online info about pioneers.) (there are also some great books about pioneers.)
7. Close with prayer, and song (Pioneer songs can be found in the Children's Songbook, also the Hymnbook).
8. during the camping make sure the children know of the hardships that the people had to endure.
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prepare ahead of time:
Family Home evening
1. Song & Prayer |
