Darkness, and Light

Advent embraces the whole arc of the Christian cosmology. 

The Bible begins in darkness. "In the beginning . . . the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light" (Gen 1:1-3). 

Darkness, and light. 

Then, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. . . . The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. . . .The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (John 1:1-14). 

Darkness, and light. 

Finally, "I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. . . . The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. . . .There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light." (Rev 21:3-4, 23-25; 22:5)

Darkness, and light. 

God's light broke into darkness at creation. God's light broke into darkness at Christmas. God's light will break into darkness at the end. And in every moment between - God's light is breaking into darkness. 

This world is cyclical. Darkness, and light. Darkness, and light. Darkness, and light. We continually experience darkness. And God’s light continues to break in. 

Advent remembers the ways that God has broken into our darkness in the past (Christmas). Advent acknowledges that we still live in a world of darkness. Advent hopes that God will break into darkness again. Advent hopes. Advent hopes. Advent hopes. Advent remembers the First coming and clings to the promise of the Second Coming. 

“Because God has been faithful and kept His promises in the past, we can hope with confidence that God will keep His promises to us in the present and in the future” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf). In Advent, we look back. We say, “Yes. God has kept God’s promises. God has been faithful.” supported by the security of God’s past faithfulness, we turn our gaze forward. We say, “Yes. God will keep God’s promises. God is faithful. God will not leave me alone.” 

Advent is a time of darkness. And yet, each Sunday we light a candle. Light. Through the darkness of this season, God gifts us with glimmers of light. Through the darkness of our mortal sojourn, as we wait for God to make all things right, God gifts us glimmers of light. Our life is a constant cycle of darkness and light. Advent reminds us that God’s light will always break in. 

How Long, O Lord?

In the darkness of waiting, it appears that God has abandoned God's people. There is silence, there is oppression, there is darkness over all the face of the earth. In first-century Judea, God has promised so many things and has not delivered on the promise. The people suffer under Roman occupation. The people remember the glory of King David and Solomon's temple. The people remember how God has been mighty! But it is not so now. Stricken down, the people have long waited for God's promises to be fulfilled. Has God forgotten? Has God abandoned us? How long, Lord, will we suffer so?"

It appears that God has abandoned God's people. Yet - it appears. It is not truly so. 

In the darkness of despair, the people wait for God. The people cry out, "How long?” 

“How long, O Lord, wilt thou forget me? for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?” (Psalm 13:1-2)

“How long, O Lord, wilt thou look on? Rescue my soul from their destructions” (Psalm 35:17).

“How long, O Lord? Wilt thou hide thyself forever?” (Psalm 89:46)

“How long, O Lord, shall the wicked triumph?” (Psalm 94:3-4)

“How long, O Lord, shall I cry, and you will not hear?” (Habakkuk 1:2)

How long, God, will we be left alone in the dark? How long will You watch silently? How long will You see us suffering and not act? How long will evil prevail? How long will you ignore us? 

Advent is for the waiting. Advent is for the asking. Advent is for the soul-wrenching despair and grief. Advent is the time to lay bare our struggles and doubts. Advent is the time we ask, “Has God abandoned us? Has God had enough of our sinfulness? Will God refuse to aid us?”

Christmas is the answer. Christmas says, “God has not abandoned us. God has not left us alone in darkness.” 

Christmas says, “Behold! The day is coming.” Indeed, even, the day is here. The Kingdom is at hand. The Lord is come, with healing in his wings, to save us all. God came before. God will come again. 

We don’t know how long we will wait here below. We don’t know how long darkness and wickedness will prevail. But we have the promise - Christ will come again. Light will break forth over all the earth. Our darkness will have an end. 

Miracle on 34th St (1947): Discussion Guide for Parents

20th Century Fox, 1947

All information below is general suggestions and ideas. 

Always adapt to your family’s situation and beliefs and the needs of individual children. 

Content Warnings:

• Alcohol - drunk Santa, a husband tricks his wife by preparing triple martinis without her consent.
• Coffee
• Tobacco, smoking
• Susan’s parents are divorced before the movie begins.
• Santa Claus, fake Santa’s, Santa as fantasy/myth
• Mild violence - Santa knocks a man on the head with his umbrella 
• Santa described as mentally ill, prone to “violent outbursts,” committed to a mental institution, tried for “lunacy”
• Kissing

Discussion Questions

• Kris Kringle complains about the commercialization of Christmas and says no one cares about the real meaning anymore. What do you think is the real meaning of Christmas? How can we remember the real meaning of Christmas amidst all the business of the season?
• Alfred says he enjoys dressing up as Santa and giving presents to children. Why does it feel good to give to others? Who can you help today?
• Mr. Macy says Macy’s will be known as “the friendly store, the helpful store” when they send customers to other stores when they don’t have what the customer is looking for. Why are these important qualities? Gimbel’s store decides to copy this strategy, expanding the “spirit of goodwill.” How do good deeds multiply when one person starts it off? How can you set off a “spirit of goodwill” in your home or community?
• Kris tells Mrs. Walker, "Christmas isn’t just a day; it’s a frame of mind.” What do you think that means? How are our lives different every day because of Christmas? 
• Mrs. Walker is very concerned with truth and reason. Why is it important to examine the evidence and learn what is true? Are there some things that can’t be known by rational inquiry? What are some examples? 
• Examples of things that can’t be proved with reason include matters of faith in God, trusting or forgiving other people, love, and more. 
• At the beginning of the movie, Susan is very serious and doesn’t like “silly,” childish, or imaginative things. Why is it important to keep a childlike spirit? Why are imagination, silliness, and pretending important? 
• Susan tried to make a deal with Kris, saying that if he gets her a house, then he’s the real Santa, but if not, he’s “just a nice old man with whiskers.” Kris tells Susan, “Just because every child doesn’t get his wish doesn’t mean there isn’t a Santa Claus.” Susan tried to prove Santa’s identity by gifts. Sometimes we get this way with God - demanding that God answer our prayers or else he’s not God. What’s the danger in this way of thinking? Why might God not answer prayers as we expect?
• Unlike most of the other characters, Mr. Gailey always believes Kris. He is a friend to Kris stands up for him when others don’t. How can we be like Mr. Gailey?
• Mrs. Walker tells Susan at the end of the movie, “Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.” How do you define faith? Why is faith valuable? How do we develop faith? 

Scripture Connections

• Christmas. Matthew 1:18-2:14; Luke 2:1-20; 3 Nephi 1:4-21
• Giving, Generosity. Gen 47:15; Deut 15:11, 16:17; Prov 25:21, 28:27; Matt 5:42, 10:8, 19:21, 25:35; Mark 10:21, 12:44; Luke 6:35-38, 14:12-14, 14:13; Acts 20:35; 2 Cor 9:7; Jacob 2:17; Mosiah 4:16, 18:28; Mormon 8:39; D&C 42:31, 52:40, 56:16
• Friendliness. 1 Sam 18:1; Prov 17:17, 18:24, 27:17; Luke 14:12-14
• Helpfulness. Gen 2:18; Ex 2:17; Deut 22:4; Moses 3:18; Abraham 5:14
• Gen 2:18 - Research the original Hebrew word usually translated as “helpmeet.” Use BibleHub.com to see where else this word is used in the Bible. 
• Truth. Deut 32:4; Ps 51:6; Prov 8:7, 12:19; John 8:32, 8:44; 1 John 4:1; Jacob 4:13; Ether 3:12; Moroni 10:4; D&C 1:39, 50:40, 88:40, 88:66, 93:24, 93:30, 93:36
• Believe, Faith. Gen 15:6; 2 Chron 20:20; Hab 2:4; Matt 8:10-13, 17:20, 9:28; Mark 5:36, 9:23-24; Luke 8:50; John 3:16, 11:27, 12:36, 12:47, 20:25-29; Rom 4:12-18; 1 Cor 13:7; 2 Cor 5:7; Eph 2:8, 6:16; 2 Tim 1:12; 2 Tim 4:7; Heb 11:1-12:2; James 1:5-6; 2 Nephi 31:19; Enos 1:8; Alma 32:21; Hel 8:15; D&C 46:14; Moses 6:23

Ideas for Further Study

• Learn about the history of Santa Claus and St. Nicholas.
• In this movie, Santa is known as Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, and Sinterklaas. Learn about different names for Santa in other countries. 
• The movie begins with Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Research the history of this annual tradition. 
• The movie includes a court trial. Learn about court and the judicial process. 

Recognize the Darkness

Christmas is joyful. Christmas is bright lights and warm cocoa and fresh cookies and gifts and singing children. We like to skip over Advent and go right into Christmas. We like to just get to the good part. 

But Advent invites, perhaps even requires, us to consider darkness - the darkness in our world, the darkness inside our own hearts. Pain, regret, sadness, loneliness are the proper backdrop for advent. We lose much if we refuse to acknowledge the darkness. If we try to ignore and push away the darkness, it remains, staring us down at all times. 

Christmas recognizes the light; Advent recognizes the darkness. 

Lehi taught, ”It must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things” (1 Nephi 2:11).

Phil Schaefer of Christian Fellowship Church in Columbia, MO said, ”Advent leads us to consider our darkness that we may more profoundly see the light.” (Watch the sermon here)

We like to run from the darkness, but God doesn't. Christmas, like all holidays (holy days), serves to re-story us. It causes us to remember our stories. It teaches us about the character of our God. When the world was dark, God didn’t wave a magic wand and turn it to summer. When the world is dark, each December (and usually even more often than that), God doesn’t wave a magic wand and woosh the darkness away. Nope. 

God enters in to the darkness of our world, of our families, of our hearts. By entering into the darkness, into our darkness, God invites us, “Watch. Stay. Look. Observe the darkness.” When we embrace and enter into the darkness, when we allow ourselves to feel the full weight of how dark life can be - then, we are able to move past it. 

Advent is for waiting. Advent is for pain. Advent is for darkness. 

We waited for Christ to come then. We wait for Christ to come again. We have hurt and we have pain. We need God to join us in our darkness. 

And thankfully, God does enter in to our darkness. We need not face it alone. Our God will join us in the dark, in a stable, alone, rejected, cast out. God joins us even there. In the depths of the darkness, we are not alone. 

Noelle: Discussion Guide for Parents

All information below is general suggestions and ideas. 

Always adapt to your family’s situation and beliefs and the needs of individual children. 

**Spoiler Alert**

Discussion Questions

• Christmas often involves a lot of talk about “naughty and nice.” At the beginning of the movie, Santa asked Noelle whether she had been naughty or nice. Why is it valuable to perform personal inventories of how we’re doing? How can we use the sacrament as a time reflect and ask the Lord to help us improve? 
• Santa uses elves to help him make and deliver toys. We all need help sometimes. How has someone helped you? How have you helped someone else? 
• Noelle says the “essence of Christmas” is getting the perfect gift. What do yo think is the “essence of Christmas”?
• Noelle tells Nick, “It’s not about what the kid looks like, its about what’s inside the heart.” The Bible says, “the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature. . . for 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). Why is important to see what’s inside? 
• Noelle advises Nick to take a break for a weekend. Why is important to take breaks and rest? This is why we have the Sabbath. How can rest and help others do the same? 
• When Cousin Gabe becomes Santa, he decides to withhold presents from children who have made mistakes. Why do others think this is naughty? What would be a better alternative?
• Cousin Gabe wants to update Christmas with the FALALA system to measure niceness and use drones to deliver Christmas presents. When is new technology useful? When is it better to stick to tradition? Why is it important to embrace both the past and the future?
• After Nick says that Noelle should be the new Santa, one of the elder elves asks, “What makes a Santa?” Then he asks Noelle, “What does Christmas mean to you?” How would you answer those questions? What makes a Santa? What does Christmas mean to you?
• Noelle says the Christmas gives us hope and inspires us to be nice. How does Christmas give hope? How does Christmas inspire us to be kind and selfless? 

Scripture Connections

• Sacrament, Repentance. 
• Teamwork, Body of Christ. 
• Sabbath, Rest. 
• Hope. 

Ideas for Further Study

• Noelle meets a Buddhist man who says he doesn’t celebrate Christmas. Learn about some other holidays that are celebrated in winter (examples: Winter Solstice, Hannukah, Kwanzaa). 
• In Phoenix, Nick teaches yoga. Learn more about yoga. Where did it come from? Why do people practice yoga? What are the spiritual and physical benefits? Learn a few yoga poses. Consider attending a yoga class (if you have small children, many cities now offer “Mommy-and-Me” classes at yoga studios or libraries).

Dumbo: Discussion Guide for Parents

Walt Disney Pictures, 1940

All information below is general suggestions and ideas. 

Always adapt to your family’s situation and beliefs and the needs of individual children. 

Content Warnings:

• Animal violence
• Alcohol, drunkenness, tobacco (cigars)
• Some scenes may frighten or trouble more sensitive viewers. 
• Dumbo and Timothy Mouse get drunk (a clown pours alcohol into the animals’ water, the two drink it unknowingly) and hallucinate “Pink Elephants on Parade.” 

Discussion Questions

1. How do the animal parents feel when the stork drops off their babies? 

• Talk about how children are a blessing and gift. The Bible says, “Children are an heritage of the Lord.”

2. How did Dumbo’s Mother feel when the stork brought babies to the other animals but not to her? How did she feel when the stork finally came with the baby elephant? What was a time you had to wait for something you wanted? How did it feel to wait and to receive what you had waited for? 
3. It doesn’t take long at all for people to start making fun of Dumbo for the way he looks. How do you feel when people tease you? Why is it important to think about the way we treat others? 
4. How does Dumbo’s Mother react when others tease Dumbo? We might feel angry when we witness unkindness or injustice. When we feel angry, we must be careful to avoid hurting others. How can we use our anger to help others? 
5. One theme of Dumbo is equality/inequality and justice/injustice. Talk about examples of this theme in the film and in your own life. Ideas from the film include:

• The opening song, “Look of for Mr. Stork” includes these lyrics: “He'll come along and drop a bundle in your lap. You may be poor or rich; it doesn't matter which -millionaires, they get theirs like the butcher and the baker.” What things are similar among all people, despite differences in social class? 
• The stork drops off babies to all the different animals. Later, when they board the train, each animal has a different car, designed just for them. With younger children, discuss how each animal’s car is different. With older children, discuss equity versus equality (equality aims to provide equal treatment to all, while equity provides different accommodations so all have equal opportunities for success).
• The circus master profits by depending on laborers who work long hours for little pay and animals, both of which are treated poorly. What examples do you see of this in the film and in real life? 
• The adult elephants often tease Dumbo and exclude him from their groups. How do you see this happening in real life? Think about small-scale examples (like the group of elephants excluding one person) and large-scale systemic examples (like segregation). 
• The adult elephants decide Dumbo is “no longer an elephant.” What happens when we decide humans are “no longer humans”? What examples can you think of of dehumanizing others, individuals or groups? 

6. Timothy Mouse is a friend to Dumbo when no one else is. How does it feel when someone is a friend to you? Who do you know that might need a friend? How can you be a friend to them? 
7. Consider the crows. What is the controversy about the crows? The crows are stereotyped blacks (dialect and accent, plus the leader’s script name is Jim Crow). How have depictions of ethnicities and races changed since this movie was made? Can people still enjoy movies that contain dated stereotypes? What stereotypes and prejudices do you see in our world today? How can we confront stereotypes and prejudices?
8. How do the characters in Dumbo demonstrate courage and empathy? Why are these important character strengths?

Scripture Connections

• Children & Family. Gen 1:28; Ps 127:3-5; Mt 18:10, 19:14; 3 Ne 17:11-24, 18:21
• Equity. 2 Sam 8:15; 1 Chron 18:14; Ps 9:8, 33:5, 98:9, 99:4; Prov 1:3, 2:9; Eccl 2:21; Isa 11:4
• Patience. Rom 2:7, 8:25; Gal 5:22; 2 Thes 1:3; Alma 7:23, 26:27, 34:40; D&C 24:8, 67:13
• Kindness & Friendship. 1 Sam 18:1; Prov 17:17, 18:24; Matt 7:12; Luke 10:25-37; 1 Cor 13:4; Eph 4:32; 1 Pet 1:7; D&C 4:6

Ideas for Further Study

• Choose an animal from the movie to learn more about. What does this animal need to have a happy and healthy life? Compare to how you see the animals in the movie. Do you think the circus is doing a good job of caring for the animals? 
• The Casey, Jr. men sing while they set up the circus tent: "We work all day, we work all night . . . When other folks have gone to bed, we slave until we're almost dead . . . We don't know when we get our pay . . . Muscles achin’ back near breaking . . . Boss man houndin’ Keep on poundin’ . . . There ain't no let up, must get set up. Pull that canvas! Drive that stake! Want to doze off, Get them clothes off but must keep awake.” Research Labor Day and unions that fight for fair working conditions, in the past and today. Teens might read Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle. 
• Dumbo’s mother was put into solitary confinement as a “mad elephant” after she tried to protect Dumbo. Sometimes people today are put in jail for standing up for others (examples include members of civil rights movements, Martin Luther King, Jr., Joseph Smith, Dakota Access Pipeline protesters, DACA and immigration reform protesters, and more). Find an example that interests you and learn more about them.  Research justice issues in your area and see how you can get involved in standing up for what’s right. 
• Research the Jim Crow laws and era. Find primary source documents from African-Americans living in Jim Crow South. Visit a museum or find someone who lived under those laws to learn more about what it was like. 
• There are many examples of harmful stereotypes and prejudices in our world today. Research a group to dispel stereotypes about them. Visit a cultural or religious event different from your own.

References

Brett Willis, “Movie Review: Dumbo,” Christian Spotlight on Entertainment. <https://christiananswers.net/spotlight/movies/pre2000/dumbo.html>.

Nell Minow, “Dumbo,” Common Sense Media, <https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/dumbo>.

Fantasia: Discussion Guide for Parents

Walt Disney Pictures, 1940

All information below is general suggestions and ideas. 

Always adapt to your family’s situation and beliefs and the needs of individual children. 

Content Warnings:

• Some music and accompanying animation is intense and may trouble sensitive viewers.
• Sorcerer’s Apprentice animates brooms and kills some; near drowning. 
• Dinosaurs hunt, attack, defend, kill.  
• Semi-nudity - topless centaurettes, naked cherubs/cupids (see buttocks, no genitals), breasts of spirit women
• Alcohol/drunkeness (implied)
• Depictions of Satan, disembodied spirits rising from graves

Before Beginning:

Fantasia is an anthology film. Watched at once, (in my opinion), it’s kind of long and boring,  for any age, really. Kids and teens may enjoy watching one movement at a time. 

Discussion Questions

1. In “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” things get out of hand while the sorcerer is away. What kind of things went wrong? How could the apprentice have made things go differently?

• The apprentice used the sorcerer’s magic hat - he took something that did not belong to him, which he did not have permission to use. 
• The apprentice used magic to make the brooms do his work, rather than doing it himself. He sat in idleness while the brooms did the work for him. 
• The apprentice fell asleep and was surprised by how things got out of hand. He was not paying attention.

2. In “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” things got out of control until the apprentice was spinning down a whirlpool - he was in big trouble and unable to save himself. Just in time, the sorcerer returned and saved him. How is this like our own struggle with sinned the Savior’s role? 

• Sin grows bigger and bigger, until it seems to engulf us. We can’t get ourselves out. The Savior can come and rescue us. We respond and give our thanks by following Him, just as an apprentice follows his master. 

3. “Rites of Spring” (and the conductor’s introduction) depicts the beginnings of life on earth. Read the Creation story in the scriptures. How are the series similar? how are they different? What can we learn from the scriptures and from scientific discoveries about God and our world? 

• Discuss nonliteral interpretations of scripture. Scripture’s primary goal is to teach us about God and humanity, not history or scientific inquiry. What can we learn from scripture about the nature of God, the earth, and humanity (even if the story didn’t happen in six literal days)?
• Pay attention to the order of things - what kind of life appears first, second, third - in scripture and the film? Consider researching surest scientific theories - how does their order compare? 

4. In “The Pastoral Symphony,” the black pegasus tries to fly many times, but falls. Each time, his Mother comes to carefully pick him up. How is this similar to the Savior, who comes to our rescue after we fall? The pegasus continues to get up and try again. This is an example of perseverance. How can you practice perseverance? 
5. While the creatures are celebrating a festival in “The Pastoral Symphony,” it begins to rain and Zeus sends down thunderbolts. Why do you think he does this? Once the rain clear, the creatures come back out and there is a rainbow in the sky. How is this part of the story similar to and different from Noah’s ark and the rainbow which follows? 
6. In “Night on Bald Mountain,” what happened to the creatures when the church bells started ringing? How is this symbolic of what happens in our lives when the Savior enters?

• Example: When Satan reigned, there was chaos and darkness. After the church bells rang, Satan and the spirits surrendered their power and the light took over. When we live in sin, things are dark and chaotic. When we follow the Savior we can have light and hope.

7. “Ave Maria” is a song about Mary, Jesus' mother. What do we learn in the scriptures about Mary? How is she an example of faith?

Scripture Connections

• Laziness/Idleness and Work. Gen 3:19; 2 Chron 15:7; Proc 14:23; Matt 25:14-27; Acts 20:33-34; 2 Nephi 5:17; Mosiah 2:14, 23:5; D&C 42:42; Moses 4:25
• Sin & Redemption. Rom 3:23, 5:12, 6:6, 6:12-23; Eph 2:5; Heb 12:1; 1 John 5:17; 1 Nephi 10:6; Helaman 6:30; D&C 88:86
• Creation. Gen 1:1-2:22; Exodus 31:17; Moses 1:33, 2:26-3:22; Abraham 4:1-5:17
• Perseverance. John 8:3; Col 1:23; Heb 12:1; D&C 6:13
• Noah’s Ark. Gen 5:29-9:17, Moses 7:42-8:30

Ideas for Further Study

• Fantasia uses music from a full orchestra. Research the sections that make up and orchestra. Choose one instrument to learn more about.
• Think of parts of the movie that stood out to you.  Research the composer of the music and write about their life and music career (or, for the segments from a ballet, research choreographers). Attend a performance of classical music or dance. 
• Ekphrastic art is art inspired by other art (traditionally, poetry inspired by visual art). Fantasia is an example of ekphrastic art - it’s visual art inspired by existing music. Try your own ekphrastic exercise. Start with a piece of visual art or instrumental music. Experience the art and create something (visual, poetry, a story, music) based on what you saw, heard, felt, thought while experiencing the original art. 
• “The Nutcracker” portion of the film included many beautiful plants and flowers. Research some of them. Draw your own plant/flower artwork. Visit a public garden or arboretum. What plants grow naturally where you live?
• An apprentice is a person who studies under a master to learn their work (like making shoes or clothes, farming). Research what apprenticeship was like in the past. Or, research a job you might like to do in the future. See if one child or the whole family can shadow an occupation for a day. 
• “Rite of Spring” depicts the beginnings of life on earth. Research theories about early life on earth. Visit a science or natural history museum. 
• The “Rite of Spring” scene shows many animals and creatures that are extinct. Choose one that interests you and learn more about it. Or, choose an animal that lives on the earth now but is endangered (may become extinct soon). Visit a science or natural history museum.
• Learn more about Mount Olympus. Who are the gods and other creatures that live there? Choose one that interests you and research it. 
• “Dance of the Hours” includes animals dancing ballet. Research something about ballet that interest you (history, how pointe shoes are made, a dancer living today). Try your hand at ballet by watching a youtube video or attending a class. 

Bambi: Discussion Guide for Parents

Walt Disney Pictures, 1942

All information below is general suggestions and ideas. 

Always adapt to your family’s situation and beliefs and the needs of individual children. 

Content Warnings:

• Some scenes may be frightening to sensitive viewers - thunderstorm in the woods, Bambi and his Mother get separated in a dangerous situation, animals run and hide while gunshots are fired, forest fire.
• Violence - Gunshots (sound only), deer fighting. 
• Bambi’s Mother dies (offscreen), birds are shot and drop to the ground.
• Romantic attraction, kissing (pecks). 

Discussion Questions

• Thumper’s father teaches, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.” What do you think about this suggestion?
• When Bambi is learning to walk, he falls down a lot. As he learns to talk, he makes many mistakes. How do the other animals react when Bambi falls or makes a mistake? We will fall and make mistakes when we are learning new things, too. How do you think God reacts when we fall or make a mistake? Why is it important to try again? 
• In the movie we see many animal families. How do the grown up animals help the baby animals? How do grown-ups in your family help you (children)? How do you (children) help the grown-ups in your family? Why are families important? 
• Bambi’s Mother waited to bring Bambi to the meadow until he was old enough. What’s something you are too little to do? What’s something you couldn’t do before, but can do now? 
• In the meadow, deer have to be very careful and watch their surroundings for danger. We, too, need to watch out for danger. What kinds of danger do we watch out for (physical, spiritual, etc)? How can we protect ourselves from danger? 
• Role play different dangerous situations your children might experience - talking to strangers, inappropriate sexual contact (abusive or consensual), exposure to alcohol or drugs, fire, etc. 
• Going out into the meadow was a risk. Bambi and his Mother would be safer in the trees, but they would miss out on the fun in the meadow. What was a time you took a risk, like jumping off the diving board or trying out for a sports team? What did that feel like? How did it turn out? What did you learn from that experience? 
• The Great Prince of the Forest is known for being brave and wise. What does bravery mean to you? What about wisdom? How can you grow in bravery and wisdom? 
• When men are near, all the animals retreat into the forest and hide. Discuss guns, your family’s morals around hunting, and gun safety. How can we care for animals and each other? 
• By the second spring of the movie, Bambi, Thumper, and Flower are all experiencing some changes in their bodies (most obviously, voice drops!). Talk with children and tweens about how their bodies will change as they mature from children to adults. 
• Owl tells Bambi and his friends about being “twitterpatted,” and we see some of the animals experience romantic attraction. Feelings of attraction and romance are a normal and wonderful part of life. When we experience these feelings, how can we be sure to always respect ourselves and the other person? Discuss your family’s standards and values when it comes to romance and dating. If you (parent) are married or in a serious, long-term relationship, share with children how you and your partner nurture feelings of love for one another. 
• Bambi provides an opportunity to talk with children about death. What is death? What happens after we die? It’s okay to have lots of feelings when someone we love dies - sad, angry, lonely, etc. Invite children to share about someone they know who has died and share memories about that person. 
• In one scene, we see a forest fire. How do humans contribute to the start and increase of forest fires? Why is it important to take care of our planet?
• The movie ends like it begins - with a mother deer and her new baby. Talk about how grown-ups in your family used to be kids, and how kids will be grown-ups one day. Discuss this quote from President Lorenzo Snow: “As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become.” How can we live our lives to become more like God? 

Scripture Connections

• Kindness. Matt 7:12; Luke 10: 25-37; 1 Cor 13:4; Eph 4:32; Col 3:12; D&C 4:6
• Failure, Mistakes, and Repentance. 2 Nephi 2:11; Matt 3:2; Luke 15:7; Acts 26:20; D&C 122:7
• Family. Deut 4:9, 6:7 11:19; Prov 22:6; Eph 6:4; 2 Nephi 25:26; 3 Nephi 18:21; D&C 93:40; Moses 5:12, 6:58
• Friendship. 1 Sam 18:1; Ruth 1:16; Prov 17:17; Luke 10: 25-37;
• Danger. Neh 4:9, 7:3; Matt 24:42; Matt 10:16, 26:41; 1 Pet 5:8; 2 Tim 3:1; Alma 13:28, 15:17, 34:39; D&C 29:3, 50:46, 82:5
• Bravery. Deut 20:1, 31:6; Josh 1:6-9; 2 Sam 2:7; Acts 5:29; 2 Tim 1:7; 1 Nephi 3:7, 4:1; Alma 51:21, 56:45-48; D&C 38:15; 128:22
• Wisdom. 1 Kings 3:4-12, 4:29-30; Prov 1:2, 2:6; Luke 2:40, 2:52; 1 Cor 12:8; James 1:5; Jacob 6:12; Alma 37:35; D&C 6:7, 136:32
• Hunting. D&C 49:18-21, 89:4-15. “Fundamental Principles” (Spencer W. Kimbal, Oct 1978)
• Romantic Love & Marriage. Gen 2:24; Prov 5:18; 1 Cor 11:11; Eph 5:25, 5:31; Jacob 3:7; D&C 49:15, 132; Bible Dictionary, “Marriage”
• Death. Gen 2:17, 3:19; Josh 23:14; Eccl 12:7; Rom 8:28; Mosiah 15:8; Alma 11:45, 12:24, 34:32; D&C 101:36, 138; Moses 3:17, 4:25
• Becoming Like God. Gen 3:22; Lev 19:2; Ps 82:6; Matt 5:48; Acts 17:29; Rom 8:17; Gal 4:7; Eph 4:13; i John 3:2; 3 Nephi 28:10; D&C 88:107, 130:22, 132:20; Moses 1:39, 4:28; Abraham 3:25

Ideas for Further Study

• Read Felix Salten's Bambi, a Life in the Woods.
• Choose an animal from the film to learn more about. Take a walk to see what kinds of plants and animals grow where you live.
• In the movie we see many different seasons and types of weather. Learn about weather and the water cycle. How is rain made? Why is rain important? What causes thunderstorms? What is lightning? Why do leaves turn different colors and fall off of trees in autumn? How does snow form?
• The deer run from the meadow when a man approaches. Research how hunting affects life for animals in the woods. What are the laws in your area about hunting? Research other gun safety laws. Consider getting involved in efforts in your community to promote gun safety. 
• Some animals hibernate in winter. How can animals do this? Research hibernation, how it works, and how animals prepare to hibernate. 
• The film includes a scene of a forest fire. Research and learn more about forest fires. What causes them? What makes them difficult to stop? Research the circumstances of recent forest fires around the world and climate change. Learn about people who work to prevent and put out forest fires.