Friend February 2022 “Soccer Riddle” Alessio invited his new neighbor, Sara, to play soccer with his friends! Use the clues to help Sara learn all their names.
Friend September 2017 “Find It” Everyone should have someone to play with at recess! Samantha and Jia want to help. Can you help them find those kids who might need a friend?
Friend September 2019 “Find It” These friends play board games together after school. They like to invite new students to play so they can all make new friends! Can you find the hidden objects?
Friend August 2017 “Row Together” Match each person with another person who has what they need. This activity shows some ways we need each other, such as you can’t play a team sport without other people, or we need each other’s talents to accomplish certain things. (Link also includes a story)
Friend June 2018 “Family Night Fun” Add to the chain each time you do something towards being a good friend such as being kind, including others, etc.
Each Friend is Unique
Friend September 2018 “Food & Fun: Getting to Know You” Play this game to learn more about what makes your friends unique! Write questions and wrap them into a ball.
Friends Around the World
Friend April 2017 “Everybody Needs a Friend” Match the way to say hello with the country’s flag. Also, find something in common like soccer. (Link includes a soccer maze.)
Friend September 2021 “Find It” These friends invited others to play with them. They want everyone to feel welcome! Can you find the hidden items in the picture?
Jehovah is one of the names of Jesus Christ and refers to the premortal Savior. The Joseph Smith Translation clarifies that the prophets Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob knew the Lord by this name (see Exodus 6:3, footnote c). Usually, when the phrase “the Lord” appears in the Old Testament, it refers to Jehovah. In Exodus 3:13–15, the title “I AM” is also a reference to Jehovah (see also Doctrine and Covenants 38:1; 39:1).
Premortal Life
Lesson 1: Heavenly Father’s Plan for Us,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 1–5 To help the children understand that they are spirit children of Heavenly Father and that he has a plan that will help them become like him and return to live with him again.
Lesson 2: Jesus Christ Was Chosen to Be Our Savior,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 6–8 Purpose: To help the children understand the importance of using their agency to choose and act for themselves.
Lesson 4: The Fall of Adam and Eve,” Primary 6: Old Testament(1996), 13–1 To help the children understand the fall of Adam and Eve and to have a desire to return to the presence of Heavenly Father.
Lesson 6: Adam and Eve Lived the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 23–26 To help the children understand that the gospel of Jesus Christ is eternal and is based on truths that will help us gain exaltation.
Friend February 2018 ”Adam and Eve Taught their Family” Link also includes info about Adam and Eve and how we can be like them.
Lesson 8: Noah and the Flood,” Primary 6: Old Testament(1996), 31–33 Purpose: To strengthen each child’s desire to listen to and follow the counsel of the living prophet.
2017 Outline for Sharing Time Identify the doctrine (playing a matching game): Draw a simple ark on the chalkboard. Prepare several sets of two identical animal pictures. Give one picture to each child. Ask the children to stand and make the sound that the animal in their picture makes and to listen for someone else who is making a similar sound. When the children with matching pictures find each other, have them stand together until all the animals have been paired. Ask the children to come as pairs and put their animals on the ark drawing. Ask the children, “Which prophet did the Lord ask to gather the animals into the ark?” Point out that it was probably a difficult task to gather so many animals into the ark, but Noah chose to obey the Lord’s command.
“Lesson 9: Jehovah Makes Covenants with Abraham,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 35–38 To help the children understand that as God’s covenant people we each have the responsibility to live the gospel and share it with others. Lesson 10: Abraham and Lot,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 39–4 To strengthen each child’s desire to show love to others. Lesson 11: Abraham and Isaac,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 43–4 Purpose: To help the children understand that we should trust Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ completely.
Friend March 2018 “Abraham and Sarah made Covenants” Link includes story and goal card ideas to learn more about how to be like Abraham and Sarah.
Lesson 12: Isaac and Rebekah,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 47–51 Purpose:To teach the children that the same eternal blessings promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob can be theirs if they make and honor temple marriage covenants.
Lesson 13: Jacob and Esau,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 52–55 Purpose: To help the children recognize how our values influence our choices. “Lesson 14: Jacob and His Family,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 56–61 Purpose: To help the children have a desire to be honest and have integrity
Friend May 2018 “Jacob’s Sons: Funstuff” The prophet Jacob had 12 sons. Can you find the two sons dressed exactly the same?
Joseph
Lesson 15: Joseph Was Sold into Egypt,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 62–66 Purpose: To teach the children that even though we may not always be able to control the things that happen to us, we can control our attitudes. Lesson 16: Joseph in Egypt,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 67–70 Purpose: To encourage the children to keep themselves pure by staying away from temptation and living close to the Lord. Lesson 17: Joseph Forgives His Brothers,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 71–74 Purpose: To help each child have the desire to forgive others. Friend May 2018 “Joseph Forgives His Brothers”
Friend May 2018 “Joseph Forgave” Story, video, and goal card.
Liahona February 2020 “Meet the Four Josephs” Lehi tells his son Joseph about some of the prophecies that Joseph of Egypt made about Joseph Smith, who was named after his father, Joseph. The article includes the following: What Did Joseph of Egypt Say about Joseph Smith? How Was Joseph Smith Like Joseph of Egypt? How Did Lehi Know about Joseph of Egypt?
Moses is born to Levite parents, is raised by Pharaoh’s daughter, slays an Egyptian in defense of an Israelite, flees to Midian, and marries Zipporah—Israel in bondage cries to the Lord.
The Lord appears to Moses at the burning bush—Moses is called to deliver Israel from bondage—The Lord identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and as the Great I AM—He promises to smite Egypt and bring His people out with great wealth.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Exodus 7–13” The Israelites were in captivity and could not free themselves, but the Lord showed His power and delivered them. How can you use this story to help the children trust the Lord and His power?
Junior: Read selected verses from Exodus 7–11 to teach the children about the ten plagues that the Lord sent upon the Egyptians. Invite the children to draw pictures that portray some of the plagues. Ask the children to hold up their pictures as you review the plagues again. Read phrases from Exodus 7:5 and 9:14 to explain why the Lord sent the plagues to Egypt.
Senior: Give each child a paper divided into ten sections, and invite the children to draw pictures of the plagues described in these verses: Exodus 7:17–18; 8:1–4; 8:16–17; 8:20–22; 9:1–6; 9:8–9; 9:22–23; 10:4–5; 10:21–22; 11:4–7. What do the plagues teach us about God’s power? Why is it important to know about His power?
Lesson 19: Moses Delivers the Israelites from Bondage,” Primary 6: Old Testament Pass out numbered slips of paper with the scripture references for each of the ten plagues on the corresponding numbered paper. Have each child look up his or her reference and tell the class about it. You could supply the class with art materials and let them draw pictures of the plague that they read about. They could then show the picture to the class as they tell about the plague. What were the ten plagues the Lord commanded Moses to call down upon Egypt because Pharaoh refused to let Israel go? (See enrichment activity 1.)
Story: Moses was a prophet. He told Pharaoh to let God’s people go free (see Exodus 8:1). Pharaoh said he would let them go. But then he broke his promise. God sent frogs, lice, flies, and other plagues to warn Pharaoh to follow the prophet.
Song: “Follow the Prophet,” verse 5 (Children’s Songbook, 110–11)
Activity: Play a game! Have everyone get in a line. Then crouch down low. One person puts their hands on another person’s back and jumps over each person one by one, like a frog. Take turns until everyone has gone. Each time you hop, say one way you can follow the prophet.
Lesson 21: The Ten Commandments,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 90–94 To teach the children that keeping the Ten Commandments helps us be happy. Lesson 22: Israel and the Brass Serpent,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 95–100 To encourage the children to be humble and have faith in Jesus Christ.
Lesson 26: Ruth and Naomi,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 114–16 To help the children have the desire to follow the example of righteous people and to be good examples themselves.
Friend July 2018 “Ruth was a Loyal Friend” Link includes story and goal card ideas to learn how to be a good friend like Ruth.
Friend July 2022 “Stand for What You Believe” Elder Rasband tells of his youth and often being the only Church member at school. He says that When we live the gospel, we will be different. The Apostle Peter said we would be “peculiar” (1 Peter 2:9). And that’s OK. We don’t need to worry about being different when we stand for what we believe. David stood for what he believed. He wasn’t alone. God’s power was with him. He beat Goliath. God will help us even when we face Goliath-sized challenges.
Lesson 29: David and Jonathan,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 125–30 To help the children understand how to be a true friend. Lesson 30: King David and Bathsheba,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 131–34 To help the children keep their thoughts and actions pure.
Friend October 2018 “The T-E-S-T” One day, when Sharon’s father was reading to her the Bible story about Daniel in the lion’s den, he traced the word “test” on her forehead. He told her she would have tests like Daniel, but she should follow Heavenly Father’s commandments and not give into fear. (Also includes a lion activity of ways Heavenly Father helps us with challenges. )
Friend November 2018 “Coloring Page: I Love Scripture Stories” Children acting out story of Daniel in lion’s den.
Friend August 1994 “Isaiah and the Time Machine” Anthony was having a hard time following along during his family’s Book of Mormon study time. They were reading the words of Isaiah in 2 Nephi, and he didn’t understand them. Anthony loved playing in his pretend time machine and his father decided to help the children understand Isaiah by using the time machine. (Excellent story!)
Liahona March 2012 “How Can I Understand the Words of Isaiah?” Article includes the following: know Isaiah’s main topics, the reasons for studying Isaiah, the events of Isaiah’s days that he used symbolically, helpful hints to understanding his words, etc.
Friend November 1994 “Isaiah” Isaiah prophesied of many things that would happen in his day and in the future. This article includes an explanation of Isaiah’s most quoted prophecies
Friend November 2015 “Leaving Jerusalem” Unscramble the names and then match with the description.
Brass Plates
Friend January 2024 “Connect the Scriptures” Number the sentences below in the order they happened in the story. Then find the matching colors and number the dots. Draw lines from dot to dot in number order to complete the picture.
Friend September 1989 “Lehi’s Vision” Match the things that Lehi saw in his vision with what they stand for. Answers: (1) d, (2) g, (3) f, (4) e, (5) j, (6) h, (7) b, (8) c, (9) a, (10) i.
Friend January 2019 “Book of Mormon Puzzler: Funstuff” Find the blocks of Book of Mormon symbols that match the numbered blocks below. Write the letters in the numbered spaces to find the name of the vision Nephi and Lehi saw.
Friend March 1988 “Nephi Builds a Ship” When the Lord told Nephi to build a ship, Nephi made his own tools. Circle the tools Nephi might have made in those days, then color.
Friend February 2020 “Funstuff: Book of Mormon Puzzle” Fill in the empty squares so that all six pictures are in each row (across), each column (up and down), and each blue box. What do these symbols remind you of in the story of Nephi and his family?
Game Questions to review the stories “Lehi Leaves Jerusalem” through “Crossing the Sea”
Friend April 2024 “Hearing King Benjamin” The Nephites gathered with their families to hear King Benjamin speak (see Mosiah 2:5–8). Can you find the hidden objects? Where does your family gather to listen to the prophet speak today?
Friend July 1988 “Book of Mormon ABC’s” Each player in turn picks letter from pile, reads clue, and has two minutes to find answer that begins with that letter in the Book of Mormon. Person
Friend April 1986 Try to figure out what the riddle is about (missionaries). Read the rebus clues. From the list choose the word that best describes the picture and draw a line from it to the picture.
Friend February 2020 “More Important than Basketball” Game: Play this game to practice sharing the gospel! Cut out the squares and crumple them into balls. Set a bowl at the end of a table or desk. Then take turns shooting the balls into the bowl. When a ball lands in the bowl, open the paper and read the question. Practice answering it as if you were talking to someone who wants to learn more about the Church.
Friend July 1986 Game: Children practice teaching and giving talks.
Sharing the Gospel Now
Friend July 2019 “Coloring Page: Jesus Wants Me to Share the Gospel”
Missionaries Share the Gospel All Around the World
Friend July 2021 “Draw the Town” Missionaries share the gospel all around the world. These missionaries are walking around town looking for people to teach. Pick a town below, then draw it in! Add some people for them to teach too.
Friend June 2019 “Find It” Maria and Daniel are from the Philippines. Their grandmother tells them about the missionary who baptized her. Find nine things below that Maria and Daniel might use on a mission someday.
Friend April 2020 “Learning about the Restoration “The missionaries are teaching this family about how the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored. Find the items below that represent parts of the Restoration.
Just for Fun
Friend Jan 1981 Find words that are often associated with missionary work.
Friend November 2015 “Find the Gold Plates” – Activity idea: Ask questions about the restoration at every path crossroads. Correct answer could direct players to right path.
Friend March 2021″Church History Animals” Early Church pioneers didn’t have cars or trains to travel in. Lots of them used horses and oxen to get around and help carry heavy things. Learn how to draw your own!
Salt Lake Valley
Friend July 2018 “Pioneer Messages” To help immigrants learn to speak and write English, Brigham Young and others created a new alphabet! Figure out the message using the Deseret Alphabet.
Review Activities
Match the important places in church history with the appropriate descriptions.
Friend May 2022 “Find It” The Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, opened 100 years ago this month. Primary children collected coins to help the sick children who stayed there. Can you find the hidden items below? How many coins can you find?
1. When Lehi listened to the Lord, And his family left their home and riches, His sons returned back home again So they could get the scriptures.
2. So Lehi’s people knew the Lord, As the plates of brass helped them remember. When they obeyed the prophet’s voice, They prospered all together.
3. The Savior visited their land After He had risen in His glory. He blessed the children just like me; I love to read their story.
Chorus: The Book of Mormon tells of Christ And helps me feel the Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father’s voice is calling me, And the scriptures help me hear it.
Lord commanded Nephi to go and get the plates From the wicked Laban inside the city gates. Laman and Lemuel were both afraid to try. Nephi was courageous. This was his reply:
“I will go; I will do the thing the Lord commands. I know the Lord provides a way; he wants me to obey. I will go; I will do the thing the Lord commands. I know the Lord provides a way; he wants me to obey.”
The Lord gives us commandments and asks us to obey. Sometimes I am tempted to choose another way. When I’m discouraged, and think I cannot try, I will be courageous, and I will reply:
“I will go; I will do the thing the Lord commands. I know the Lord provides a way; he wants me to obey. I will go; I will do the thing the Lord commands. I know the Lord provides a way; he wants me to obey.”
Words and music: Bill N. Hansen Jr., b. 1952, and Lisa T. Hansen, b. 1958.
1. The Book of Mormon teaches me That Jesus is the Christ. He lived and died for you and me; With love He sacrificed. It says I must have faith, repent, And live the Savior’s word. It is another testament Of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
2. The Book of Mormon helps me see That truth has been restored, That Joseph Smith was called to be A prophet of the Lord. The book reveals God’s covenant, The fulness of His word. It is another testament Of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
3. I’ll read the Book of Mormon, then; I’ll pray and ponder too. I’ll put my faith in Jesus when I ask if it is true. And when I pray with pure intent, I’ll hear the Spirit’s word: It is another testament Of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Jesus Appears to the Nephites
Had I Been a Child
Friend September 2016 “Had I Been a Child” Video and Music. What it might have been like to have been a child when Jesus appeared to the Nephites and blessed the children.
Had I been a child when Jesus came Unto the Nephites that blessed day And showed them the wounds in His hands and His feet And knelt with them to pray.
Then He might have held me safe in his arms; He might have looked in my eyes and said A word, with His blessing of kindness and love, His hands placed upon my head.
Someday, when the Savior comes again, Oh, how I hope that my heart will be As pure as the hearts of the children that day Who gathered around His knee.
Music Game
Friend October 1988 “Sharing Time: Fun with Favorites” print several copies of the Liahono and put a song title and a question about the song on the back. Children can move across the board as they guess the correct song.
Friend August 2017 “Sabbath Day Activities” There are lots of things you can do on the Sabbath. Name five ideas of things to do from looking at these pictures.
Friend November 2016 “Happy Sabbath: Ready, Set, Share-ades” Write down words of things that you learned at church. Put them in a jar. Family members act out the word and guess what it is, then you explain what you learned.
Friend Aug/Sept 1985 – “Family Conference” – A family Sunday activity of classes that each family member prepares.
(Click on any of the below images to see a larger version)
Friend May 2022 “Find It” The Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, opened 100 years ago this month. Primary children collected coins to help the sick children who stayed there. Can you find the hidden items below? How many coins can you find?
Friend February 2022 “Neighbor Puzzle” Mei wants to show love for her neighbors by giving them pineapple buns. Use the clues to help her find out who lives on each floor.
Friend September 2021 “Service Challenge Origami” Make the origami folding craft and write kind acts underneath the flaps. Do the activity until it lands on one of the kind acts. Do that kind act for someone.
Friend November 2018 “Family Night Fun” Make these soft animals for kids who need some cheering up!
Friend June 2018 “Food and Fun: Day Brighteners” Make these fun bottle cap magnets and give them to people who need their day brightened.
Friend July 2017 “Prayers and Butterflies: Helping Others” Look for people who are helping others feel better in the hospital. How can you help someone feel better when they are sick or sad?
Friend June 2017 “Family Night Fun” Make a candy poster for someone
Friend February 1982 “Join the Secret Service” Every time you do a secret service for a family member leave a cut out heart at the site of your service. Make a string necklace and add a felt heart each time you do a secret service for somebody other than family.
Friend May 2017 “Miles of Smiles” A smile can help someone who may be having a bad day. Complete the smile by drawing the rest of the face.
Friend April 2020 “Hi Friends” When I’m at the store, I like to smile at people to see if I can get them to smile back at me. I call it the smile game! Sadie Age 4
Friend December 2020 “Find It” The members of Sister Mendez’s ward are helping her paint her fence! Find 11 paintbrushes or rollers and 11 paint buckets or pans. Then find the other hidden objects.
Service Ideas
Friend March 2021 “Find It” The Primary invited the elderly in their branch to a game day activity. Find the hidden objects.
Service Projects
Friend March 2019 “Food and Fun” Ideas for making birthday bags to donate to a hospital or crisis center.
Friend March 2019 “Find It” These friends are putting on a pet talent show and collecting food for the food bank. Find the hidden objects!
Friend November 2020 “Find It” These children volunteer to keep the shoreline near their home clean and beautiful. Find the hidden objects. (Bonus: Find 12 seashells and 10 crabs.)
I read in the Friend how to serve by making a tie blanket (Jan. 2017). I decided to donate my quilt to a family in our small town that was affected by flooding. (Link includes photo of Evalette and her quilt) Evalette M., age 6, California, USA Friend February 2019 “Friends by Mail”
Friend June 2016 President Monson wrote letters to military members of his ward. We can write to someone too.
Friend March 2016 How to make easy fleece blankets and also a sunshine cookie card.
Friend March 2020 “Funstuff: A Goal to Serve” These friends decided to help their neighborhood by picking up trash at the park. The pathways show were the friends walked. Follow each path! Who picked up the most trash? Who saw the most squirrels?
Friend October 2020 “Funstuff” These kids are volunteering at an animal shelter. Use the clues to figure out each cat’s name!
Serving Others as a Family
Friend September 2023 “Find it!” This family is serving together in a garden to grow food for others. Can you find the hidden items?
Items needed: paper, crayons, and a pencil for each child. You will also need an orange, tape, two page protectors, a dry erase marker, an empty binder, one 3X5 card for each child or some strips of paper, and some removable double-sided tape.
Print and cut out the Armor of God pictures. Also print one set of the small version of the armor of God per child. If possible, quickly cut out the small pieces of armor. If not, provide scissors for each child to cut out the pieces.
Print the Game Items. Put each of the game boards into a page protector. Tape one of the game boards to the inside cover of the binder.
Be prepared to play the video of chapter 31 of Book the Mormon Stories. The Book of Mormon Stories DVD can be checked out from your meetinghouse library, or the video “Captain Moroni Defeats Zerahemnah” can be downloaded and watched on a laptop computer.
Attention Activity
Show the children the orange. Ask a child to catch it and then toss it back. Do this a couple more times. Ask what would happen to the orange, as it is tossed around, if didn’t have a protective shell on it. (It would quickly become dirty and damaged.) Ask the children if they can think of other items that have protective outside coverings. Items might include: bananas, eggs, nuts, etc.
• For what reason might a person wear a protective outside covering such as armor? To protect their body in dangerous situations such as war.
Scripture Story
Tell the children they are going to watch a video about a battle that occurred between the Nephites and Lamanites. Tell them to watch carefully to see what the Nephites do to protect themselves against the Lamanite’s attacks.
Before starting the video, first tell a little of the background story. Ask the children if they remember who the Zoramites were. They were a people so wicked that they cast out anybody who believed in the prophet Alma’s teachings. The people they cast out were taken in and cared for by the people of Ammon. This made the wicked Zoramites angry, and they stirred up the Lamanites against the people of Ammon and against the Nephites. The Lamanite army (which included the Zoramites who had joined the Lamanites) attacked the land of Jershon where the people of Ammon resided.
Have the children watch chapter twenty-five of the Book of Mormon Stories video. After the video ask the children the following questions:
• What methods did Captain Moroni use to protect his people against the Lamanites? He had his soldiers wear armor, he consulted with the prophet for guidance and help, he had faith in the Lord, and he used cunning and strategy against the Lamanites.
• Explain to the children that we are also fighting a daily battle against an enemy who is trying to destroy us. Who are we battling against? Satan and his temptations.
• What can we do to protect ourselves from Satan’s attacks? (Read Ephesians 6:13–18) Put the picture of the soldier on the board. Have the children read along with you from Ephesians. Stop as each piece of armor is mentioned, explain what it represents, and then put it on the soldier.
Loins Girded in Truth – Knowing truth helps us be prepared to make right choices concerning many things including virtue.
Breastplate of Righteousness – Represents making righteous choices.
Feet Shod in the Gospel of Peace – Our knowledge of the gospel helps guide the direction we go in life.
Shield of Faith – Having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Helmet of Salvation – Salvation was made possible through the Savior’s atonement. We need to always remember Him and His teachings.
Sword of the Spirit – The guidance of the Spirit and the guidance found in the revealed word of God helps us in our fight against Satan’s attacks.
• What happened to the Lamanites because they did not have armor to protect them? (They were overcome.) What could happen to us spiritually if we do not clothe ourselves in the armor of God? (We may fall to Satan’s temptations and suffer spiritual injury or even spiritual death.)
Activity
Give each child a piece of paper, crayons, pencil, and a small copy of each piece of armor. Have them draw a picture of themselves on the paper, a size that would fit the small set of armor. Have them attach their armor pieces to the drawing of themselves using small pieces of removable double-sided tape. Remind them what each piece represents and have them write it on their paper next to the armor piece.
• Each protective piece of armor relates to our knowledge, understanding, and practice of the word of God. How can we build up our protective armor? (Have them write the answers on their papers.) Answers might include: Have personal and family scripture study, have family home evening, attend church, listen to the words of the prophet, call on God for help through prayer, keep the commandments, listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
• What other ways can we protect ourselves from Satan’s attacks? Moroni used cunning and strategy to protect the Nephites from the Lamanites attacks. We can also use cunning and strategy by planning ahead what we will do when temptation is confronting us.
Have each of the children think of a temptation and write it on one of the 3×5 cards. Mix the cards up and have the children take turns choosing one, reading it, and then telling what they could do if they were in that situation. Point out that they are using strategy by planning ahead what they would do when confronted with certain temptations.
Review Game
If time permits play the following scripture story review game.
Explain that the review activity is like the game Battleship, but instead of trying to find ships, they will be trying to find the Lamanite army. After they find the Lamanites, they will then try to collect the Lamanite’s weapons and oath of peace.
Put the game board on the display board and show the children the game pieces. Open the binder and stand it up so the teacher game board is facing you and the children cannot see it. Explain that you will be putting the game pieces on the hidden game board, and that it is identical to the one on the display board.
Put the pieces on the teacher game board, and then put one location point of the Lamanite army on the prophet card, and put the card next to the game board. The prophet card will be available for additional help, but only if they ask for it. Or they can use it when question #7 is answered.
Explain that you will be asking them questions about the story, and if they get the answer right they can guess a location on the board where the Lamanites might be. If they guess the location correctly they can circle that spot on the game board (with the dry erase pen). If the location is wrong they can mark the spot on the game board with an x. Explain that the army takes up four spaces, the weapons and oath each take up three spaces. The army, weapons, and oath could be vertical or horizontal. The children must find the army first. If they make a hit on the other items before finding the army, they can circle it, but you will inform them it is not the army, and they must then look elsewhere.
Have the children take turns answering the questions. Let them know they can get help from another person if needed, or they can look up the scripture reference to find the answer.
Questions
1. What was the Lamanite’s motive for coming to war against the Nephites? The Lamanite desired the war because they wanted to rule over the Nephites and bring them into bondage. (Alma 43:8)
2. What was the Nephites motive for battling the Lamanites? To protect their wives, children, homes, privileges, liberties, and their right to worship God according to their desires. (Alma 43:9) (Read Alma 43:46-47)
3. What was the name of the chief captain of the Nephites? The man appointed to be the chief captain over the Nephites was called Moroni. (Have the children guess how old he was when he was appointed to be chief captain.) He was appointed when he was only 25 years old. (Alma 43:16-17)
4. What was the name of the chief commander of the Lamanite army? (Zerahemnah) Zerahemnah appointed Nephite dissenters as the chief captains to insight the Lamanites to aggressiveness and hostility because the Nephite dissenters were more wicked and murderous than the Lamanites. (Alma 43:5-7)
5. The Lamanite army outnumbered the Nephite army, so why were the Lamanites frightened when they saw Captain Moroni and his army? Because Moroni had prepared his people with armor which include breastplatess, thick clothing, arm shields, and helmets to protect their bodies and heads. The army of Zerahemnah was not prepared with any such thing. They had on very little clothing. (Alma 43:19-21)
6. What did the Lamanites do when they saw the armor of the Nephites? They retreated into the wilderness and intended to come into the land of the Nephites at a different, secret location. (Alma 43:22)
7. Captain Moroni didn’t know where the Lamanites would secretly attack. How did he find out where he should send his army? Moroni sent men to inquire of the prophet Alma where the Nephite army should go to defend against the Lamanites. The word of the Lord came to Alma, and he told them where the Lamanites were going. (Alma 43:23–24) (If the children have not located the army yet, show the children the prophet card and explain that it has a location point for the Lamanite army.)
8. How did Captain Moroni set a trap for the Lamanites? He concealed his army on two sides of the river Sidon where the Lamanites were entering into the land. (Alma 43:31-32)
9. During the battle, the Lamanites fought fiercely which caused fear in the Nephites. The Nephites wanted to flee. What did they do to receive strength and courage? They cried to the Lord for help, and he strengthened them. (Alma 43:48–50) They had great faith in God. They had gained faith in him through their obedience. (Read Alma 44:3-4)
10. The Nephites surrounded the Lamanites. When the Lamanites saw they were surrounded they were filled with terror. What did Captain Moroni do to show compassion and mercy? He ordered the fighting to stop, and he promised to spare their lives if they would deliver up their weapons and make an oath to never come to war against them again (Alma 43:53-54; 44:6)
11. What did Zerahemnah do and say when he heard Moroni’s words? He delivered his weapons to Moroni, but he said he would not make an oath to never return. (Alma 44:8)
12. When Zerahemnah would not give an oath of peace, what did Moroni do? Moroni gave Zerahemnah back his weapons so they could end the conflict. He could not allow the Lamanites to depart without their oath of peace. (Alma 44:10-11)
13. What did Zerahemnah do when Moroni gave him back his weapons? He became angry and rushed at Moroni and tried to kill him. (Alma 44:12)
14. What happened when Zerahemnah tried to kill Moroni? One of Moroni’s soldiers blocked Zerahemnah, broke his sword, and cut off his scalp. (Alma 44:12)
15. What did the soldier say and do with the scalp of Zerahemnah that made many of the Lamanites give up their weapons and give an oath of peace? The soldier took the scalp off the ground and put it on tip of his sword and raised it up high. He said with a loud voice that even as the scalp of their leader had fallen to the earth, so would they fall if they didn’t relinquish their weapons and make a covenant of peace. (Alma 44:13-15)
16. What happened after many of the Lamanites gave up their weapons and were allowed to leave in peace? Zerahemnah was exceedingly angry and stirred up the remainder of his men, and the fighting commenced again. (Alma 44:16)
17. What made Zerahemnah finally surrender and give an oath of peace? The Lamanites began to rapidly be swept down by the sword because of their naked skin and bare heads. When Zerahemnah saw they were about to be destroyed, he called to Moroni and asked him to spare them. Zerahemnah agreed to make an oath to never come to war against the Nephites again. Moroni stopped the destruction and took their weapons and oath and allowed them to depart. (Alma 44:18-20)
Conclusion
The Nephites had prepared themselves both spiritually and physically for the battle against the Lamanites, and they were able to win the battle. We must also prepare ourselves to fight and win the battle against Satan’s attacks by putting on the whole armor of God.
Tell the children to put their armor of God picture somewhere in their bedroom to remind them daily of the things they need to do to help build up their protective spiritual armor.
Weekly Reading Assignment
Remind the children to do their scripture reading assignment for this week: Alma 43:4-54 & Alma 44:1-20
