Jul 8 2019

Fathers: Stories & Poems

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Fathers Support Their Children

Friend July 2018 “Race Day with Dad” When Elder Natriss was a child he wanted to build a derby car. His father helped him. Then he took his car to a derby race. His car wasn’t fancy like the other cars and people were laughing, but he was okay because his dad was with him. He won all the races and got second place.

We can also have confidence in our righteous choices, even though they may not be popular, because our Heavenly Father is with us.

 

 

 

Fathers Help Their Children

Friend June 2019 “Guess Who?” Action Rhyme of guessing who the person is.

 

 

 

 

Friend June 2017 “Running with Dad” TJ is sad and lonely after moving, but he feels better after he and his dad  start preparing to run a marathon together.

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Fathers Teach Their Children

The Price of Shaving Cream – A father teaches his son honesty and consequences of stealing. Friend June 1984

Service

Friend June 2018 “An Unbeatable Team” Tyrell was excited to watch his father play church basketball, but when they got there his father noticed no one had cleaned the building, so he and Tyrell cleaned. 

Through Example

Friend June 2017 “Why are Fathers so Important?” Elder Christopherson’s father set an example of honesty and service and Elder Christopherson wanted to be just like his father.

 

 

 

 

Friend June 1986 “For Little Friends: Daddy’s Shoes” Poem about boy who fills his daddy’s shoes when he helps his mother. He also observes the things his father does in his shoes.

Friend June 1986 Poem

Father’s Love

Friend June 1988 “My Dad’s Shoes” Annie has to give a talk about her father. Her father isn’t a member of the church, but he shows love for others and his family, and that is what Annie talks about.

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Kim’s Father – Kim’s father wasn’t raised to show affection and love, but he feels it. Friend June 1986

Father’s Blessings

Friend February 2016 “You are Special” Emma gets a father’s blessing.

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Apr 21 2019

Apostles

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Apostles Testify of Christ

Friend November 2018 D. Todd Christofferson testifies of Jesus being the Bread of Life. (The link includes a painting of Jesus breaking bread.)

 

 

 

 

Apostles Minister

Friend January 2019 “President Ballard Visits Texas” After Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, President Ballard flew to Texas to help.

 

 

Apostles Travel the World to Visit Members Around the World

 

 

 

 

Friend June 2019 “Elder Christofferson Visits the Philippines”

 

 

 

 

Friend April 2019 “Elder Bednar Visits India”

 

 

 

 

Friend March 2019 “Elder Uchdorf Visits Russia” He encourages them to prepare themselves for the new temple that will be built there. It will be the first temple in Russia. Link includes photos.

 

 

 

 

Friend February 2019 “Elder Holland’s Trip with the Prophet” Elder Holland and the prophet visited eight countries. Match the flag with its country. Link includes photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friend May 2019 “Elder Cook Visits Brazil” He invited everyone to be a light. That means being a good example and helping others, like Jesus did. “When we are a light, we influence the world for the better.”

Craft: Make a light with different colors using a jar and tissue paper. Maybe have the children say how they can be a light at home, in their neighborhood, and at school for each strip of colored paper they add to the jar.

Apr 19 2019

Church Around the World

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See also “Apostles” to see images and stories about their visits to church members around the world.

See “One in a Million” to see videos about church member children from specific places around the world.

Friend March 2019 “Praying to Understand” When Davide goes with his family to visit his grandfather on an island called Tenerife, he becomes concerned about going to church. He worries that it will be different and that he won’t be able to understand the people. He prays for help and is glad when the primary president speaks English. He also recognizes a primary song and it brings him peace.

 

 

 

 

 

Friend February 2019 “Elder Holland’s Trip with the Prophet” Elder Holland and the prophet visited church members around the world. Match the flag with its country. (Article also includes information about the church in each of the eight countries they visited.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friend January 2019 “Matt and Mandy” Matt receives an email from their friends Margo and Paulo. Their friends are traveling all over the world because of their dad’s job. They are going to share their adventures once a month (in the Friend). The first one is below.

 

 

 

 

Asia

Cambodia

Friend July 2019 “Hello From Cambodia!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friend July 2019 “Mara the Pioneer” Mara learns that she is a pioneer because the church has only been in Cambodia for 25 years.

Phillipines

Friend January 2019 “Hello from the Philippines” Margo and Paulo share about the the places they are visiting around the world, starting with the Philippines.

 

 

 

 

Europe

Italy

Friend March 2019 “Hello from Italy”

 

 

 

 

Estonia

Friend April 2019 “Hello from Estonia” (Also conversion story of an Estonian boy and his mother. “Feeling New” )

 

 

 

 

 

North America

Canada

Friend May 2019 “Hello from Canada”

 

 

Friend May 2019 “Food and Fun: Maple Candy Pops” Canada-inspired treat!

Dominican Republic

Friend June 2019 “Hello from the Dominican Republic”

Friend June 2019 “Food and Fun” Try these refreshing drinks from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico!

Mexico

Friend February 2019 “Hello from Mexico”

Australia

Friend July 2018 “Matt and Mandy” Matt gets an email from his cousin in Australia. He doesn’t know what a lot of the things are that his cousin talks about in the email, but they do have one thing in common: the gospel. Matt’s cousin tells about his baptism and his family getting sealed in the temple.

 

 

 

 

Friend October 2018 “Matt and Mandy” Matt sends an email to his cousin in Australia telling about himself. Then he goes and watches conference, which is something his cousin would be doing too.

Apr 15 2019

Jesus: Lesson Ideas

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Friend February 2017 “For Parents of Little Ones” Ideas for teaching little ones about Jesus.

Childhood

Friend March 2018 “Jesus was a Child Too!” Action poem

Jesus Blesses the Children

Friend May 2019 “Family Night Fun”

  1. Before home evening, put a picture of Jesus on one side of the room. (You could use the picture on page 69 of *CFM.) Then sit on the other side of the room and read “Jesus Blesses the Children” on page FJ4. How can we “come unto Jesus” like in the story?

  2. Have everyone stand up and take turns saying what they can do to come unto Jesus by following Him.

  3. With each idea, take a step toward the picture of Christ. Keep helping each other think of good things until everyone is with Jesus together! Then talk about what it means that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. (See *CFM, page 66.)

Raising the Dead

Friend August 2015

Friend August 2015 – Lazarus

Life of Jesus

Friend April 2019 “The Miracle of Easter”  Each section includes information about a certain part of Jesus’ life, and includes a scripture and song to go with it.

Jesus Loves Us

Friend April 2019 “Bright Idea” Poster: Jesus loves me! He understands what I think and feel.

 

 

 

 

 

Friend February 2017 “Jesus Loves Me” Action poem


Friend September 2018 “Apostles Testify of Jesus” The Savior promised to comfort us when we feel alone or afraid.

A quilt is sometimes called a comforter. Use the patterns from this quilt to fill in the letters below.

Gratitude for Jesus

Friend April 2019 “God’s Great Gift” President Nelson asked the person who daily fed some tropical fish if they had ever thanked her. He says that some people are like those fish. They are not aware of God and His goodness to them. We need to express gratitude for his blessings, especially for the gift of our Savior Jesus Christ. Activity: Color in a sun ray after you read each sentence about what Jesus has done for us.

Gifts for Jesus

Friend December 2017 “Family Night Fun” Make these cute gift boxes, and write a gift you want to give Jesus, like being kind, and put it in your gift box to remember!

The Living Christ

Friend January 2019 “The Living Christ” The prophets and apostles wrote “The Living Christ” to tell the world about Jesus. Read part of it each month and memorize the words in red. Fill in the blanks with words from the picture to learn more about this first quote. Also, color the card and collect a new one each month.

 

 

 

 

Friend February 2019 Names of Christ and Jesus is the creator of the earth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friend March 2019 Following Jesus example of helping others. Make a map of where you walk and ways you can help.

 

 

 

 

Friend April 2019 “The Living Christ” He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind.

 

 

 

 

Friend May 2019 Jesus’s life didn’t begin when he was born nor end when he died. Look up the scriptures about His life before birth, his life on the earth, and his life after death and then fill in the crossword puzzle.

 

 

 

 

Friend June 2019  Jesus was resurrected and lives. Discuss the pictures of him visiting people after his death.

 

 

 

Friend July 2019  Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery saw a vision of Jesus Christ in the Kirtland Temple. Jesus said, “I am he who liveth.”

Apr 13 2019

Following Jesus : Lesson Ideas

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Following Jesus

Animated Video about following Jesus from ComeUntoChrist.org

Jesus Loves Me and Wants What is Best for Me

Handouts

Friend June 2019 “Bright Idea” Jesus loves me. Little by little, I’m learning to follow Him.

Come Unto Jesus

Friend May 2019 “Family Night Fun”

  1. Before home evening, put a picture of Jesus on one side of the room. (You could use the picture on page 69 of *CFM.) Then sit on the other side of the room and read “Jesus Blesses the Children” on page FJ4. How can we “come unto Jesus” like in the story?

  2. Have everyone stand up and take turns saying what they can do to come unto Jesus by following Him.

  3. With each idea, take a step toward the picture of Christ. Keep helping each other think of good things until everyone is with Jesus together! Then talk about what it means that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. (See *CFM, page 66.)

Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives

Friend January 2019 “Learn About Jesus” President Nelson says we can draw upon the power of Jesus Christ if we do these things:

Jesus is the Light of the World

Friend December 2018 “Family Night Fun” Make a cup lantern by making holes all around it and then putting a glow stick or battery candle inside. Use for example of Jesus being a light to the world.

Following Jesus Leads to Happy Life

Friend November 2018 “Conference Notes” Elder Bangerter tells how his family has camping devotionals where the children share messages about Jesus. At one devotional they wrote the topic of those messages on stones and buried them to remind them that following Jesus creates a foundation for a happy life.

Following in His Footsteps

Friend March 2018 “Family Night Fun” Each person makes a pair of sandals and then writes on their shoes one way they want to follow Jesus.

Following His Example

Friend March 2019 “To Be Like Jesus” President Eyring discusses love being a way we can be like Jesus. Color the heart and label it with the people and activities you love. Then discuss how we can show the love in our hearts.

Friend March 2019

 

 

 

 

 

What Would Jesus Do

Friend April 2016

Friend April 1988

 

 

 

 

 

 

We should remember Him and follow Him like sunflowers follow the sun across the sky. Quentin L. Cook

Friend January 2016 Trace your footprint on a piece of paper and cut it out.
Write about something you have done or something you will do to stand tall in following Jesus and choosing the right. It can be something big or small.

We Light the World When We Follow Jesus

Friend January 2018 “Let Your Light Shine” President Monson discusses being a light to the world by following Jesus’s example. Activities: Trace this star, or draw your own, and write how you are shining brightly by being a good example or helping others. Also, color a star as you read each scripture about Jesus Christ’s example.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reminders to Follow Jesus

 

 

 

 

 

 

Handouts

 

Feb 11 2019

Baptism: Stories

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Waiting to Get Baptized

Friend March 2017 “Worth the Wait” Sadie’s dad won’t let her get baptized until she is older. Sadie is sad about that, but she tries to think of the things she can still do at church.

 

 

 

 

Friend June 2018 “Heavenly Father Knows You” A group of people in a small town in ArgentIna had learned the gospel and wanted to get baptized but couldn’t because they lived far away from other towns; no church leaders had come to visit their town for some time. They were able to pool their money so one man could go find the missionaries. They were eventually able to get baptized in a portable swimming pool.

 

Preparing for Baptism

Friend February 2019 “Ingrid’s Birthday Surprise” Ingrid gets a special present for her seventh birthday from her mom—a Book of Mormon. It was a special gift to help her prepare for her baptism. Ingrid read the entire Book of Mormon that year and prayed for and received a testimony of its truthfulness.

Clean Again

Friend March 2017 “A Great Feeling” Paulo didn’t want the feeling he had when he was baptized to go away, but the next day he yelled at his brother. Through repentance and the sacrament he was able to get the feeling back.

Baptismal Covenants

Friend February 2019 “Promise to Try” Tatsuki‘s teacher came to his house to talk to him about his upcoming baptism. He became concened when he learned about the covenants he would be making. He didn’t think he would be like Jesus every day. Then his mom reminded him of the kind things he had done and told him that he was following Jesus by doing those things. He also learned that he could repent and be forgiven if he made mistakes. He was then happy that he could be baptized and try to be like Jesus.

Friend April 1988 “A Name to Live up to” Jenny is sad that she isn’t named after someone whom she could try to be like–someone who did great deeds–but she is reminded that she took on the name of Jesus when she was baptized.

Melissa’s Baptism – Girl is upset because her nonmember father isn’t coming to her baptism. Friend March 1984

Cleansing – Boy learns that through the atonement we can be cleansed of our sins. Friend January 1985  (Story also includes bleach and food coloring object lesson.)

Friend June 2016 “Who will Baptize Me” Margo thinks her baptism won’t be special because her father can’t baptize her, but she learns that isn’t true.

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Baptism Questions and Concerns

Friend June 2018 “Twin Jitters” Kaylee is nervous about getting baptized. She worries about being dropped or not being able to breath. Her twin brother is also nervous. Her grandmother suggests they get a blessing from their father. Afterwards they feel much better.

 

 

 

 

 

Friend February 2019 “He Calmed the Waters” Daniel lives on an island in the Pacific. He was worried about getting baptized because he had to get baptized in the ocean, and the waves can be big. The waters were rough on the day of his baptism, but during his baptism they were calm. Heavenly Father answered his prayer and helped him.

Convert Baptism

Friend April 2019 “Feeling New” Rasmussen and his mom took the missionary lessons and read the Book of Mormon, and then Rasmussen’s mom decided to get baptized. After the baptism, Rasmussen is excited to turn eight so he can be baptized and feel new too.

Inviting Others to Baptism

Friend July 2019 “Will You Come to My Baptism” Oliver tells everyone about his upcoming baptism and invites them to it. He likes being a missionary.

Dec 15 2018

Example: Lesson Ideas

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Children can use the Gospel Library app to listen to the Friend being read to them while they follow along. They will hear many stories of others acts that set a good example for them.

Ways to be an Example

Friend January 2018 Several children are a bright example by the things they do. This is also an activity where you use the clues and fill out the chart to find out how old the children are and where they’re from.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friend March 2016 Children give ideas on how to be good examples.

Let Your Light Shine

Friend January 2018 “Let Your Light Shine” President Monson discusses being a light to the world by following Jesus’s example. Activities: Trace this star, or draw your own, and write how you are shining brightly by being a good example or helping others. Also, color a star as you read each scripture about Jesus Christ’s example.

 

 

 

 

Friend November 2015 “Be a Shing Light” Ways we can become examples so our lights will shine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friend August 2016 Being modest in how we speak, act, and dress is a great way to shine a light for others to follow. Color in the flashlights by the ones you are already doing. Which ones do you want to work on?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friend December 2018 “Family Night Fun” Make a cup lantern by making holes all around it and then putting a glow stick or battery candle inside. Use as an example of being a light to the world.

 

Oct 28 2018

Sacrament: Lesson Ideas

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Friend June 2019 “The Sacrament Reminds Us of Jesus Christ” Ways to prepare for the sacrament before hand, what to do during the sacrament, and remembering Jesus and following him after the sacrament.

 

 

 

 

Friend October 2018 “For Parents of Little Ones”  Teaching little ones to think about Jesus and show reverence during the sacrament.

Ensign October 2017 “Friends, chores, homework, TV–there are so many things that ask for our attention. But every week, we promise Heavenly Father “that [we] do always remember [His Son, Jesus Christ]” (D&C 20:79).
President Eyring says that we can “make choices every day” that help us remember the Savior. Consider making a goal this month to remember the Savior more each day. You could make a calendar and commit to doing one thing per day. President Eyring lists things like reading the scriptures, praying in faith, and serving the Savior and others. There’s also journaling, attending Church meetings, listening to general conference, going to the temple, singing hymns–the list goes on!”

Friend April 2019 “The Living Christ” Draw a picture of one of your favorite stories about Jesus. Then write down a word about Jesus that begins with each letter of the word sacrament. You could think about these words during the sacrament to remember Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 

Ensign July 2017 “The Bread and the Water” What the bread and water teach us about Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 “The Sacrament Helps Us Remember Jesus” Friend September 2015

Friend January 2018 “Show and Tell” (See picture at link)

“I decided not to color or draw when the sacrament is being passed. My little sisters have followed my example, and I have felt closer to Jesus.”

Heidi H., age 6, Tennessee, USA

Feb 21 2018

Prophet: Russel M. Nelson

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Russel M. Nelson

Friend March 2018 “ Meet Our New Prophet”

 

 

 

 

 

Friend June 2019 “Grateful for Parents” President Nelson’s parents didn’t attend church when he was young, and he wanted them to. When he learned about the Word of Wisdom he broke every bottle of liquor in the house. The thing he wanted for Christmas every year was to be sealed to his parents.

Friend August 2018 “President Nelson Loves Children” President Nelson meets Primary children as he travels all over the world.
(Link includes photos.)

Friend January 2019 “Show and Tell” Senior Primary children in Greater Manchester, England, wrote their own verse about President Russell M. Nelson for the song “Follow the Prophet.”

Russell is a prophet,

Baptised at sixteen.

His parents were less active;

He was very keen.

He became a doctor,

Doctor of the heart.

Building many temples,

He has made a start.

Testimony

Friend May 2019  Bookmark with a testimony by President Nelson

Jan 2 2018

Primary 1 (Sunbeams): Lesson 1 Ideas

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Lesson 1

I Am a Child of God

Note: I’ve included the words from the manual that each of the below visual aids goes with.

We lived in Heaven: (Click on the below picture. Print the picture, or show it on an electronic device.) Explain that before we were born on earth we lived in heaven with Heavenly Father.

Friend April 2015

We were spirits there. A spirit is what is inside of us that makes us alive. When we were spirits, we didn’t have flesh and bones like our bodies have now, but we looked the same.

(Use these puppets to demonstrate what it means to be a spirit. See here for assembly instructions.) 

Show the first picture again and explain that Heavenly Father is the father of our spirits, and we are his spirit children

Sing: I Am a Child of God. Tell the children they are going to sing the song “I Am a Child of God.” Explain that God is another name for Heavenly Father. (I like the Red Headed Hostess visual aids for the first verse of this song, but it does cost money. Jolly Jen has a flip chart that would work too, or you could use the below visual s from the Nursery Manual. Also see lds.org for the music)

Who is a child of God?  Do the bean bag activity in the lesson. Print and cut out this activity. Show the pictures one at a time and ask the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is a policeman a child of God?

Is a grandmother or grandfather

Is a bishop

Is a soldier

Is a mailman or missionaries

Is a mom or dad

Is someone who doesn’t go to our church

Is someone who lives in a different country or culture

Have the children take turns posting each picture under the title “Child of God.” The title can be written on the board or in a file folder or display board.  You can also bring up people they know such as a neighbor.

Help the children understand that everyone is a child of God even though we may be different in age, hair color, what we do, where we live, skin color, or the church we attend, we are all children of God.

We can be like Heavenly Father 

(Print and cut out these images pdf.) Use the following questions with the images. They could also be made into a matching game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • What is a baby dog called?
  • What will that puppy grow up to be?
  • What is a baby chicken called?
  • What will that chick grow up to be?

 

Explain that just as animals grow up to be like their parents, we will grow up to be like our parents.

Friend January 2017 “Kylie’s Parents” Kylie is like her earthly parents, and she is also like her Heavenly Parents. PDF version


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heavenly Father is the father of our spirits, so we can grow to be like him. Heavenly Father is loving, good, and kind. When we are loving, good, and kind, we are being like Heavenly Father.  We should try to become more like Heavenly Father every day.

Have children tell or act out ways they can be loving, good, or kind.

 

Review Game: I really like the Red Headed Hostess folder game as a review, but it does cost money.

 

Resources Used:

The images for the activity “Who is a Child of God?” are from the Friend magazine. Soldier 6/16, Bishop 1/16, etc.

The images for the animals are from Pixabay: Free Images