Here is a PDF of the challenges, and here is the scripture for the inside of the lid. (You could also just print the scripture phrases on paper and draw those, or paste the paper strips onto hearts like my original idea pictured above.)

These mini lessons and challenges are as much for me as they are for the kids... actually probably more for me than for the kids since I am certain I struggle more with a lack of charity than they do. I am looking forward to focusing more on charity and hope it will turn out well!

In years past, we have drawn out of this cute bowl of jewels, a heart with a scripture about love and a challenge for the day.

I still love this, and will use it again in the future, but wanted to shake things up a bit for variety.

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

I divided up the phrases from those verses and wrote up a mini explanation of what they mean with a challenge to apply one principle each day -- 14, to be exact. I folded them up and put them inside these plastic chocolates.

Charity suffereth long. (Patient)

Suffer = tolerate.

Be extra patient with those around you, especially when they are upset, grouchy or unpleasant. Wait for others without complaining or griping. Allow others to go ahead of you in line. Breathe in and out slowly when something upsets you or you begin to feel impatient. Hold your tongue.


Charity is kind.

Be kind to everyone today. Compliment others. Think “What would Jesus do?” and do it.


Charity envieth not.

Envy = a feeling of discontent or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or luck.

Think about someone you envy. Concentrate on being happy for that person’s good fortune. Generate feelings of love for that person. Let go of your envy. Ask forgiveness for your feelings of envy. Think of your many blessings and thank the Lord for them. Look for the good in others today. Be happy for their goodness. Compliment them on it.


Charity vaunteth not itself.

Vaunt = to boast about or praise excessively.

Do not talk about yourself today. Ask people about themselves. Focus on them. Be modest in talking about your achievements or talents.


Charity is not puffed up. (Humble)

Puffed up = to be conceited or excessively proud in oneself

Practice humility (lower your pride or feelings of importance over others) and modesty (moderate in the estimation of one’s abilities or achievements).


Charity doth not behave itself unseemly.

Unseemly = not proper or appropriate

Be on your best behavior today. Be polite to people. Use good manners at meals and in talking with people.


Charity seeketh not her own.

Usually, we look out for ourselves, and try to get the best for ourselves. Today, look out for those around you and try to give them the best of everything.


Charity is not easily provoked.

Provoked = aroused to anger.

Don’t let yourself feel annoyed at other people today. Practice patience and love. Ignore annoying behavior and redirect the person to a more positive activity. If someone is mean to you, say something nice back or ignore them, walk away, and think kind thoughts.


Charity thinketh no evil.

Control your thoughts today. Think only kind and good things. When bad or mean thoughts come into your mind, replace them with something positive and kind. Sing a song if it helps.


Charity rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.

To seek truth and avoid iniquity, examine your actions. Do you allow yourself to view portrayals of iniquity in movies or books? Criticism is another way of rejoicing in iniquity. Instead of criticizing others, focus on the truth that everyone is a child of God who deserves respect and kindness. Praise others. Be more positive and less critical of yourself. To rejoice in the truth, we must be careful in our use of it. Gossiping or talking about someone’s sins or shortcomings separates us from God and may even keep us from loving and fellowshipping those who need it most. Elder Dallin H. Oaks has said, “It is wrong to make statements of fact out of an evil motive, even if the statements are true. …One who focuses on faults, though they be true, tears down a brother or a sister. …Even though something is true, we are not necessarily justified in communicating it to any and all persons at any and all times” (Ensign, February 1987, page 69). As we accept truth, we become more Christ-like and learn to feel charity, the pure love of Christ, for all our brothers and sisters.


Charity beareth all things.

Bear oneself = to carry or conduct oneself in a particular manner.

Bear = to endure; to manage to tolerate a situation or experience

Strive to “bear” all things that happen to you today with a positive attitude. As part of the baptismal covenant, we promise to bear each other’s burdens. Look for ways to help others today – to bear their burdens for them. Remember that Jesus Christ is the great example of One who bore all things for us because He loves us.


Charity believeth all things.

Jesus said to a man seeking help from Him, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” to which the man responded with tears, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:23-24). “To have faith is to have confidence in something or someone” (BD, Faith). True faith must be centered in Jesus Christ. “Faith is a principle of action and of power” (BD, Faith). It requires us to do, not merely to believe. King Benjamin said, “Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend. And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them” (Mosiah 4:9-10). Think about your belief in Christ. Think about His commandment to repent and forsake your sins. Choose to forsake (abandon/stop doing) something wrong you are doing. Ask forgiveness of God, believe in the power of the atonement, and seek change through Christ.


Charity hopeth all things.

Hope is the confident expectation of and longing for the promised blessings of righteousness. Hope is anticipation of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ (The Guide to the Scriptures—Hope).

Nephi exhorts us to “Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men” (2 Nephi 31:20). Think about the blessings Christ promises to you for following His example. People who are doing what is right radiate the light of Christ. President Uchtdorf taught: “Hope has the power to fill our lives with happiness…. Hope is not knowledge, but rather the abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promise to us. It is confidence that if we live according to God’s laws and the words of His prophets now, we will receive desired blessings in the future. It is believing and expecting that our prayers will be answered. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance…. Embrace and rely upon the Hope of Israel, for the love of the Son of God pierces all darkness, softens all sorrow, and gladdens every heart” (The Infinite Power of Hope, Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, October 2008 Ensign). Remember Jesus Christ throughout the day, and strive to let His love shine in your face and cheer up those around you.


Charity endureth all things.

Endure = to suffer or tolerate

BD: “To remain firm in a commitment to be true to the commandments of God despite temptation, opposition, and adversity.” No matter what happens today, choose to talk, act, and treat others like Jesus Christ would if He were here.

Since there are only 12 chocolates (to my dismay), I put the 2 extra papers underneath 2 of them. Some of the chocolate lids didn’t close easily with the papers inside them, so I put the papers underneath those as well.

I had originally planned to make Valentine chocolates like this:

but then got worried about the choking hazard for Mark (he puts everything he finds into his mouth these days... and he’s fast!)

I still think these look so cool and just might make it in the future, but for now...

photo from Secrets of a Super Mommy

Since the order of choosing the phrases will be random, the kids will get to color in that phrase of the scripture on the inside of the lid until it is all colored in. (I just taped the cardstock onto the lid.)

The Valentine’s box lid doesn’t stay closed very well at all, so I bought a pack of stretchy bands from Target that works really well.

Here are the phrases along with the explanations and challenges: