Celebrate George Washington's birthday by watching this powerful video clip that will touch your hearts as you witness the compassion this great leader showed towards the suffering soldiers at Valley Forge.
Complete the birthday celebration by baking and decorating cupcakes with Washington's favorite cake recipe. Be sure to make a wish when you blow out the candles!
If you wish to print sheet music or have an online music file to accompany you click on the song link to visit: http://www.lds.org/cm
SCRIPTURE
1 Peter 3:8
8. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
VIDEO
Watch chapter 6 from the animated Complete Learning System, George Washington DVD or CLICK FOR CLIP
LESSON SUMMARY
For younger children, it may be helpful to summarize the following ideas:
“The father of our country.”
George Washington, the first President of the United States, is known as the “father of our country”. He believed in Christ and was guided by God in establishing a free nation.
Why do you think Heavenly Father helped George Washington lead his soldiers to victory during the American Revolution?
(So this nation could be established with a constitution that
would provide religious freedom, where the gospel could be restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith.)
Washington’s character made him the choice of his countrymen.
A retired general and patriot by the name of William H. Wilbur, said “[George Washington] had an almost Godlike capacity for leadership.” One of George Washington’s soldier wrote this about him, “We are sitting in Valley Forge and waiting....Although we are suffering here terribly, I am loyal with all my heart to George Washington....He gazes with compassion upon the soldiers who are suffering from the cold. And sometimes he approaches one of the sleeping soldiers and covers him, as a father would cover his son.” Given to Rebbetzen Sternberg by Rabbi Yehuda Mandelcorn zt
Is compassion a Godlike quality? (Yes.)
“The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.” (Ps. 145:8.)
What does it mean to show compassion and how can we show compassion to others? (Discuss ideas.)
Does Heavenly Father expect us to be compassionate, like George Washington was? (Yes.)
“Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:”
(Zech. 7: 9.)
Mother wrapped a warm scarf around ten-year-old George’s neck. “This should help keep you warm.” she said, before sending him across the street to shovel the walks for their elderly neighbor. “I’m very proud of you for helping Mr. Pullem! I know he can be cantankerous at times.”
“It’s okay Mom. I know he’s only that way because he’s lonely. I hope this time he’ll let me visit with him when I’m done.”
“You’re a mighty compassionate boy, George. Just like the man you were named for,” Mother praised.
George smiled. It always made him proud knowing he was named after his mother’s favorite U.S. President, George Washington, the father of our country. George lifted the snow shovel over his shoulder, with one gloved hand and gave a salute with the other. “Just call me Mr. President!” he said, before running across the street to Mr. Pullem’s house.
“I came to help you, Mr. Pullem,” he said to the elderly man, who was breathing heavily from shoveling the heavy snow.
“Phooey!” the elderly man said, while wiping his sweaty brow. “I don’t need your help. Just get yourself on back home, where you belong.”
George looked worried. “He’s too old to be doing this by himself,” he thought before walking a few steps down the walk. When George began shoveling, Mr. Pullem shook his fist and hollered, “Are ya daft, boy? I said, go home!”
“I can hear just fine, Mr. Pullem, but I’m helping whether you like it or not!”
The elderly man swatted the air and shook his head, “Do what ya want, but don’t think I’m paying ya!”
The young boy and the old man worked side by side until the walks were clear.
“Is there anything else I can do for ya, Mr. Pullem?” George asked.
Mr. Pullem removed one of his gloves and reached into his pocket and pulled out some dollar bills. “Here! Now be on your way!”
Page 2
“I didn’t help for money, Mr. Pullem, but If you want to pay me, you could show me your trains!”
“You never give up, do you boy? Always asking to see me trains!"
“Well, I keep hoping that someday you’ll let me see ’em!”
“Well, I guess you can come in and take a look-see, but you keep your mitts off. Understand?”
A huge grin crossed George’s face. He was careful to wipe his wet feet on the door mat before entering Mr. Pullem’s house.
Mr. Pullem laid his coat and gloves on the kitchen table and motioned for George to do the same. He then lead him into the train room. George’s eyes grew big with excitement as Mr. Pullem began flipping switches. “Clickity clack, clickity clack, woo-ooo,” the sound of the miniature trains filled the room. When Mr. Pullem was telling George all about the different kinds of engines and trains, his face changed. The sour expression disappeared and was replaced with an almost childlike glow.
“You want to manage the controls, while I go git us some hot cocoa?” he asked George.
“But, you said not to touch anything!” George answered.
“Oh, phooey! For two years I’ve been telling ya I don’t need your help and not once did ya ever listen to me.” He chuckled, as he handed George the train control. “Just be careful not to go too fast!”
Soon, Mr. Pullem made his way back from the kitchen, carrying a tray of hot cocoa and peppermint sticks. “My boy always liked peppermint in his cocoa,” Mr. Pullem said, as he stirred his cocoa with a peppermint stick. George eagerly stirred his cocoa. Taking a sip he exclaimed, “Mmmm, this is great!” After taking another sip, he asked, “Where’s your boy live now?”
“He and his ma were killed in a car wreck when he was just about your age,” Mr. Pullem answered.Wiping a tear from his cheek, he went on, “He was a good boy, my Tommy. Full of compassion for others. Just like you!”
George listened to the lonely elderly man, as he opened up, sharing an afternoon filled with memories of his wife and son. When George was leaving, Mr. Pullem patted him on the back, “I guess I’ve been feeling sorry for myself so long now, I forgot to remember the good times. Thank you George for listening to an old man ramble!”
“What are friends for? Besides I really enjoyed hearing about your family.”
“See ya tommorow?” Mr. Pullem asked to the young boy as he ran home.
“See ya tomorrow!” George hollered back to his new friend.
George ran inside to find his mother. “Mom, Mom!” he called, “You were right! If ya just keep giving and trying and giving some more, you really can make a difference!”
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and apple juice. Sift together flour, baking soda, and spices. Mix by hand or on medium speed, while slowly adding half of the flour mixture and half of the cream. Continue mixing while adding the remaining flour and cream. Mix an additional 2 minutes or 300 strokes. Fill muffin tin (greased and floured or lined with paper baking cups) 2/3 full. Bake for 20–25 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes. Frost and decorate with apple slices if desired. Tip: To keep apple from turning brown, soak inlemon juice. Then pat dry with paper towel before decorating cakes.
Treat Time:
Americans celebrated Washington’s birthday while he was still alive, because they were grateful for a leader who had proven ademocratic government could work. The Federal statute designates the 3rd Monday in the month of February as Washington’s Birthday (commonly known as Presidents’ day).
Put a birthday candle in each cake. Light candles and sing “Happy Birthday” to President Washington.
Ingredients
3/4 c. butter
1 c. sugar
3 eggs
1/4 c. apple juice
1/2 pint heavy cream or
1 c. milk + 2 Tbs. vinegar
1 c. whole wheat flour
1 3/4 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Cream Cheese frosting
Apple slices
ACTIVITY
Activity: Younger children will need help from an older sibling or parent.
2. Cut out along dotted lines.
3. Fold cover in half along center line.
4. Place individual pages inside cover.
5. Staple or sew together to create a book.
What you need:
A copy of “I Will Show Compassion" activity (artwork included with this lesson), sscissors, stapler/staples or needle and thread, pencils and crayons, markers, or colored pencils.
1. Watch chapter 6 from the animated Complete Learning System, George Washington DVD. (Video clip is also provided for viewing online.)
2. Do you know why we celebrate George Washington’s birthday?
(Americans celebrated George Washington’s birthday while he was still alive, because they were grateful for a leader who had proven a democratic government could work. The Federal statute designates the 3rd Monday in the month of February as Washington’s Birthday [commonly known as Presidents’ day] so we can continue to honor this great and compassionate leader.)
3. George Washington, the first President of the United States, is known as the “father of our country”. He believed in Christ and was guided by God in establishing a free nation.
Why do you think Heavenly Father helped George Washington lead his soldiers to victory during the American Revolution? (So this nation could be established with a constitution that would provide religious freedom, where the gospel could be restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith.)
4. A retired general and patriot by the name of William H. Wilbur, said “[George Washington] had an almost Godlike capacity for leadership.” One of George Washington’s soldier wrote this about him, “We are
sitting in Valley Forge and waiting....Although we are suffering here terribly, I am loyal with all my heart to George Washington....He gazes with compassion upon the soldiers who are suffering from the cold. And sometimes he approaches one of the sleeping soldiers and covers him, as a father would cover his son.” Given to Rebbetzen Sternberg by Rabbi Yehuda Mandelcorn zt
Is compassion a Godlike quality? (Yes.)
“The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.”
(Ps. 145:8.)
5. What does it mean to show compassion and how can we show compassion to others? (Discuss ideas.)
6. Does Heavenly Father expect us to be compassionate, like George Washington was? (Yes.)
“Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:” (Zech. 7: 9.)
7. If we follow the Savior’s and George Washington’s examples, and show compassion towards one another, how can our family be happier?
8. What are some of the things we can do to show compassion to others? (Discuss ideas. [For help see this lesson’s activity].)
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above for full screen) The Animated Stories 
