Category Archives: Book of Mormon Lessons

Mar 3 2024

2 Nephi 20-25

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Table of Contents

2 Nephi CHAPTER 20 The destruction of Assyria is a type of the destruction of the wicked at the Second Coming—Few people will be left after the Lord comes again—The remnant of Jacob will return in that day—Compare Isaiah 10. About 559–545 B.C.

2 Nephi CHAPTER 21 The stem of Jesse (Christ) will judge in righteousness—The knowledge of God will cover the earth in the Millennium—The Lord will raise an ensign and gather Israel—Compare Isaiah 11. About 559–545 B.C.

2 Nephi CHAPTER 22 In the millennial day all men will praise the Lord—He will dwell among them—Compare Isaiah 12. About 559–545 B.C.

2 Nephi CHAPTER 23 The destruction of Babylon is a type of the destruction at the Second Coming—It will be a day of wrath and vengeance—Babylon (the world) will fall forever—Compare Isaiah 13. About 559–545 B.C.

2 Nephi CHAPTER 24 Israel will be gathered and will enjoy millennial rest—Lucifer was cast out of heaven for rebellion—Israel will triumph over Babylon (the world)—Compare Isaiah 14. About 559–545 B.C.

2 Nephi CHAPTER 25 Nephi glories in plainness—Isaiah’s prophecies will be understood in the last days—The Jews will return from Babylon, crucify the Messiah, and be scattered and scourged—They will be restored when they believe in the Messiah—He will first come six hundred years after Lehi left Jerusalem—The Nephites keep the law of Moses and believe in Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel. About 559–545 B.C.

Jesus Christ will judge in righteousness.

2 Nephi 21:1–5

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “2 Nephi 20-25” To help your children visualize these verses, see if you can find a tree that has been cut down or a branch growing from a tree (or use the picture below). If the “branch” in 2 Nephi 21:1 represents Jesus Christ, what do verses 2–5 teach us about Him?

“Since the line of Jesse is the royal line of kings from David’s time on, is there any question as to who this ‘branch’ is?” (Rasmussen, Introduction to the Old Testament, 2:45.)

The branch and the stem are both Christ (see Jeremiah 23:5–6; 33:15–17). These terms refer to Christ’s being of the lineage of King David, the son of Jesse (see Luke 1:32; Acts 2:30; 13:22–23; Romans 1:3).

Isaiah 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

The Red Crystal

Jesus Christ brings peace and joy.

2 Nephi 21:6–9

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “2 Nephi 20-25” What does 2 Nephi 21:6–9 teach about what can happen when everyone follows the Savior? (see also 4 Nephi 1:15–18). How can we make our home more like this? Your children might enjoy looking at pictures of the animals mentioned in verses 6–7—animals that are usually enemies but will not hurt each other when Jesus comes again (see this week’s activity page). Your children could also draw pictures of themselves and these animals living peacefully with Jesus.

Friend October 2019 “The Living Christ: Second Coming of Jesus Christ” Draw a line to each animal pair that the scriptures say will get along when Jesus returns to the earth.

Friend March 2013 Cover

The Millennium will be a time of peace and joy.

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “2 Nephi 11-25” Show the children pictures of animals mentioned in 2 Nephi 21:6–7, and ask the children to name the animals. Explain that these animals are usually enemies, but Isaiah taught that after Jesus Christ comes again, there will be a time of peace, called the Millennium, when animals will not hurt each other. How can we follow the example of these animals in the way we treat each other?

The Lord is gathering His people.

2 Nephi 21:11–12; 22

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “2 Nephi 20-25” Isaiah said that the Lord would set up an “ensign for the nations” to help people gather to Him (see 2 Nephi 21:11–12). Help your children understand that an ensign is like a flag. Perhaps they would enjoy drawing their own flag. They could include pictures or words that represent reasons they come to Jesus Christ and His Church. Let them talk about their flags, and help them think of how they can help others “gather” to Jesus Christ.

The Red Crystal

Friend February 2021 “Jesus Shared the Gospel” 

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “John 1” Ask the children to use this week’s activity page to make an invitation they could use to invite a friend or family member to learn more about Jesus Christ. (Maybe include it in a Friend magazine or a Book of Mormon)

Friend July 2023 “How You Can Be a Missionary”

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “2 Nephi 20-25” After reading 2 Nephi 22:4–5 together, you might talk with your children about some of the “excellent things” the Lord has done. What are some of the Lord’s “doings among [us]” that we can declare? To help your children think about this question, you might sing together a song about the Savior, like “I Believe in Christ” (Hymns, no. 134). You could take turns completing a sentence like this one: “I believe in Christ; He _____.” How can we help other people know about what the Savior has done for us?

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “2 Nephi 11-25” Read 2 Nephi 22:5, and ask the children to help you find a song that describes the “excellent things” the Lord has done. Some examples might include “My Heavenly Father Loves Me” (Children’s Songbook, 228–29) or “How Great Thou Art” (Hymns, no. 86). Sing the song together. Explain that in the Millennium, everyone will know about the “excellent things” the Lord has done.

“We rejoice in Christ.”

2 Nephi 25:26

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “2 Nephi 20-25” How can you help your children “rejoice in Christ”? Maybe you could tell a story about Jesus Christ bringing joy to others, or you could show a video such as “Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind” or “Suffer the Little Children to Come unto Me” (Gospel Library). Your children could point out joyful moments in the story or video. Then, as you read together 2 Nephi 25:26, they could talk about why they “rejoice in Christ.”

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “2 Nephi 11-25” Put a picture of the Savior on the board, and read together 2 Nephi 25:26. Why did Nephi talk and write so much about Jesus Christ? Let each of the children write on the board, near the picture of Jesus, one thing about the Savior that brings them joy.

Ask the children to think of someone they would like to “persuade … to believe in Christ” (2 Nephi 25:23). How can we express to others the joy that the Savior brings into our lives? Let the children write or role-play some things they might do to help the person they thought of believe in Jesus Christ.

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020 How can you help your family members “rejoice in Christ”? Maybe you could invite them to write on slips of paper things about the Savior that bring them joy. Then, during future family home evenings or family scripture study, someone could read a slip. Family members could add slips throughout the year.

Come Follow Me Kid “We Rejoice in Christ” “Delight In” Treats – What does it mean to “delight in” something? Talk about things we “delight in” (the park, puzzles, games, treats, etc.). Set out some of their favorite treats/snacks. My kids are obsessed with hot chocolate, so we’ll probably get some of that and while we’re drinking it, talk about how warm and happy it makes us feel. When we “delight in” something, it makes us feel warm and happy like that. What do you think Nephi said he “delights in”? Nephi said that his soul delights in proving unto his people the truth of the coming of Christ (2 Nephi 11:4). Show a picture of Christ. Why do you think Christ is so important and how can He help us feel happy?

“Smiley Face Hat” Cut apart the pieces for the smiley face hat below. Explain what it means to “rejoice.” Put the smiley faces in a pile and let kids take turns choosing one. As each piece is chosen, discuss how that is something that can make us happy and rejoice. Glue them onto the hat after discussing.

Ensign February 2020 “Family Study Fun: Testimony Time Capsule” Nephi reminds us that we “talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ” so that our children know who to turn to (see 2 Nephi 25:26).

  1. Select several stories of Christ that the children are familiar with.
  2. Digitally record each person summarizing one of these stories and sharing their feelings about the Savior.
  3. If prompting is needed, ask family members to describe Christ and why we love Him.
  4. Store the recordings for safekeeping and send them to grandparents or other family members.

Discussion: How can sharing our testimonies of Christ strengthen us and our future generations?

Friend April 2023 “Because of the Savior”

Additional Resources

The Red Crystal

Jan 21 2024

1 Nephi 11-15

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Table of Contents

1 Nephi CHAPTER 11 Nephi sees the Spirit of the Lord and is shown in vision the tree of life—He sees the mother of the Son of God and learns of the condescension of God—He sees the baptism, ministry, and crucifixion of the Lamb of God—He sees also the call and ministry of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb. About 600–592 B.C.

1 Nephi CHAPTER 12 Nephi sees in vision the land of promise; the righteousness, iniquity, and downfall of its inhabitants; the coming of the Lamb of God among them; how the Twelve Disciples and the Twelve Apostles will judge Israel; and the loathsome and filthy state of those who dwindle in unbelief. About 600–592 B.C.

1 Nephi CHAPTER 13 Nephi sees in vision the church of the devil set up among the Gentiles, the discovery and colonizing of America, the loss of many plain and precious parts of the Bible, the resultant state of gentile apostasy, the restoration of the gospel, the coming forth of latter-day scripture, and the building up of Zion. About 600–592 B.C.

1 Nephi CHAPTER 14 An angel tells Nephi of the blessings and cursings to fall upon the Gentiles—There are only two churches: the Church of the Lamb of God and the church of the devil—The Saints of God in all nations are persecuted by the great and abominable church—The Apostle John will write concerning the end of the world. About 600–592 B.C.

1 Nephi CHAPTER 15 Lehi’s seed are to receive the gospel from the Gentiles in the latter days—The gathering of Israel is likened unto an olive tree whose natural branches will be grafted in again—Nephi interprets the vision of the tree of life and speaks of the justice of God in dividing the wicked from the righteous. About 600–592 B.C.

Nephi Sees a Vision

“Condescension” means the voluntary descent from a position of rank or dignity. One truth we can learn is that the condescension of God demonstrates His love for us. (Book of Mormon Seminary Student Manual (2024))

Nephi Desired to Know More and Believed He Could

Ensign January 2020 “Family Study Fun: Visionary Word Scrambler”

Because Nephi “desired” to know the truth, and “believing” he could (see 1 Nephi 11:1), his eyes were opened and he saw many wonders in vision.

  1. Write the following scrambled words and scriptures on cards:
  2. Read the scriptures to unscramble the words.

Discussion: Why did the Lord reveal so much to Nephi? We may not have visions as Nephi did, but we can open our eyes, minds, and hearts to revelation. Share a time when you have had a revelatory experience.

Heavenly Father sent Jesus Christ to earth because He loves me.

1 Nephi 11:16–33

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 11-15” To teach Nephi about God’s love, an angel showed Nephi events from the Savior’s life. You could do the same for your children—give them pictures of the events Nephi saw in 1 Nephi 11:20, 24, 27, 31, and 33 (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 30, 35, 39, 42, 57). As you read these verses, help your children find the picture that matches it. What do we learn about Jesus Christ from these verses and pictures? (Or, as you read these verses, ask the children to hold up their picture when they hear the verse that matches it. Or for older children: Invite the children to match verses from 1 Nephi 11:16–33 with pictures. Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “1 Nephi 11-15”)

Singing a song like “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Songbook, 34–35) could help your children feel God’s love. After you sing, ask your children what they learn from the song. What else do we learn about God’s love from 1 Nephi 11:22–23?

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “1 Nephi 11-15” Tell the children about some of the things Nephi learned that Jesus Christ would do during His life (see 1 Nephi 11:16–33), and show them pictures of some of these events (see, for instance, Gospel Art Book, nos. 41, 46, 47, 49, 56, 57, 58, 59). Share what the Savior has done for you. Show pictures to help the children think of ways we can share God’s love (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 109, 110, 115).

Friend January 2020 “Come, Follow Me for Little Ones” Read 1 Nephi 11:24 together and help your little ones say, “Jesus came to earth because He loves me.” Help your little one flip through copies of the Friend and draw a heart next to each picture of Jesus. This would be a great time to share your feelings about the Savior.

The Book of Mormon teaches precious truths.

1 Nephi 13:26–29, 35–36, 40

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 11-15” To help your children value the “plain and precious” truths in the Book of Mormon, you could draw a picture and invite your children to change or remove parts of the picture to make it look different. You could use this to teach that things in the Bible were changed and taken out over time. Read together 1 Nephi 13:40 and talk about how the Book of Mormon (“these last records”) helps us understand the “plain and precious things” that were lost from the Bible (the “first” records). What “plain and precious” truths have you learned from the Book of Mormon?

Nephi saw that many Plain and Precious Things would be Removed from Bible

Draw a picture on the board, and invite the children to change or remove parts of the picture to make it look different. Help them understand that, like this picture, some things in the Bible were changed and taken out over time. Read parts of 1 Nephi 13:40 that teach how the Book of Mormon (which Nephi calls “these last records”) helps us understand the “plain and precious things” that were lost from the Bible.

Book of Mormon Seminary Student Manual (2024) A bicycle is a simple and effective form of transportation. Cycling can also be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. What are some of the essential parts that allow a person to operate a bicycle safely and effectively? Imagine you owned a bicycle and someone intentionally removed certain essential parts from it.

  • What might those actions indicate about his or her feelings toward you?
  • What could happen if you attempted to operate the bicycle with missing parts?
  • Who might you contact to repair and restore your bicycle to function properly?

In a similar way, Satan has sought to harm and confuse God’s children by removing and changing important parts of Jesus Christ’s gospel. As you study 1 Nephi 13, look for what the Savior has done to help us overcome Satan’s obstacles.

The video “The Book of Mormon—a Book from God” (Gospel Library) could help your children see why it’s important to have both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Children might enjoy re-creating the illustration from the video. (watch to 5:41)

Why is it helpful to have more than one witness? Draw a dot on the board, label it Bible, and invite each child to draw a different straight line passing through the dot to illustrate that teachings in the Bible can be interpreted many ways when the Bible stands alone. Erase the lines, and draw a second dot labeled Book of Mormon. Invite a child to draw a straight line that passes through both dots to show that there is only one way to interpret the gospel when the Bible and Book of Mormon are used together.

Read 1 Nephi 13:26–29 together, and invite the children to look for what happens when people do not have the “plain and precious” truths of the gospel. How did the Lord restore truths that had been lost? (see verses 35–36, 40). Invite the children to share their testimonies of truths they have learned from the Book of Mormon, or share your own.

Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History “Lesson 20: Joseph Smith Translates the Bible and Other Scriptures,”  (See more at link) Have the children stand in a line. Whisper the two- or three-sentence message into the ear of the first child in line. Have each child in turn whisper the message to the next child. Instruct each child to say the message only once. Continue until the message reaches the last child in line. Ask the last child to repeat the message aloud. Compare the message the last child received with the original message to see how the message changed.

  • How had the message changed by the time it reached the end of the line? What was left out? What was added?
  • Why do you think the message changed as it passed from person to person?

Explain to the children that just as their message changed as it was passed from person to person, over many years some of the scriptures in the Bible had been changed as people translated the Bible and made copies of it by hand. Mistakes were made: some incorrect teachings had been added to the Bible, and some important teachings had been left out. (see Articles of Faith 1:8).

Watch the following video until 3.12

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “1 Nephi 11-15 Hide around the room pictures representing gospel truths that are clarified in the Book of Mormon, such as baptism, the sacrament, and resurrection. Invite the children to find these pictures. Explain that the Book of Mormon brought back gospel truths that had been lost (during the apostasy).

Ensign January 2020

  • Help the children memorize the eighth article of faith. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
Friend July 2015
Friend July 2015

Church News “The Book of Mormon Restores Precious Truths” By Elder Merrill J. Bateman

Holding fast to the word of God helps me resist temptation.

1 Nephi 15:23–24

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 11-15” Give your children a chance to share what they remember about Lehi’s vision. It might help to use a picture, like the one in last week’s outline. What kept people from reaching the tree? What helped them reach it? You might ask them to find the iron rod in the picture. Read together 1 Nephi 15:23–24 to find out what the iron rod represents and how it can help us.

Gospel Art Book #69

The word of God gives me power to resist temptation.

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “1 Nephi 11-15 How did the iron rod help the people get through the mists of darkness? How can reading the word of God help us resist temptation and darkness today? Complete the activity page with the children. While they are doing it, ask them to talk about some of the temptations children face. How can they remember to hold on to the iron rod every day? Sing “The Iron Rod” (Hymns, no. 274) as part of this activity. (How do we “hold fast” to the word of God? ((1 Nephi 15:24).)

Song:  “Hold to the Rod“

Lesson Four: Tree of Life Vision 

Game Instructions: Print and cut out the tree, the path, the mists of darkness and the temptations in the Tree of Life Vision Pictures. Glue a “Temptation” to the back of each “Mist of Darkness.” Tape a mint to each piece of fruit on the tree of life. Cover the rod of iron and the path with the remaining mists of darkness.

Direct a volunteer to choose a mist of darkness and read the situation that is on the back. Instruct the children to look in the bible topical guide for the temptation’s subject and find a scripture that would help them avoid and resist that temptation. Have the volunteer read the scripture the children chose. The volunteer can then take a fruit (mint) off the tree. Have another child pick a mist of darkness and do the same process again. Continue until each child has had a turn. After the game is finished, remind the children that if we use the word of God to guide us, it will help us avoid temptations and lead us to eternal life.

• How do we hold onto the word of God? By making it part of our life. We do this by studying and abiding by the teachings found in the scriptures and the words of the latter day prophets, and by seeking for and listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Heeding and obeying the word of God will help us avoid the deceptions and temptations of Satan so that we can avoid going astray.

The word of God gives me power.

  • Display a picture of Lehi’s dream, like the one in last week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families. Invite the children to find the iron rod in the picture, and help them understand how holding to the word of God can protect us (see 1 Nephi 15:23–24). Give the children something similar to an iron rod to hold, such as a pipe or stick, while you read verse 24. Where do we find the word of God? What can we do to make the word of God part of our lives every day?

Additional Resources

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “1 Nephi 11-15”

The Cozy Red Cottage

Come Follow Me Kid

The Red Crystal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_O7KU5ugA4

Jan 14 2024

1 Nephi 6-10

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Table of Contents

1 Nephi CHAPTER 6 Nephi writes of the things of God—Nephi’s purpose is to persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham and be saved. About 600–592 B.C.

Ishmael and His Family

1 Nephi CHAPTER 7 Lehi’s sons return to Jerusalem and invite Ishmael and his household to join them in their journey—Laman and others rebel—Nephi exhorts his brethren to have faith in the Lord—They bind him with cords and plan his destruction—He is freed by the power of faith—His brethren ask forgiveness—Lehi and his company offer sacrifice and burnt offerings. About 600–592 B.C.

Watch the following video to 00:39

Nephi is bound with Cords

Watch video from 00:39 to end

Nephi Forgives

Friend January 2024 “Forgiving Like Nephi” Josh called Aisea a mean name after Aisea’s team won the game. The rest of the day, Aisea felt like a heavy weight was pulling him down. He did not like Josh anymore. During family scripture study that night he read about a time when Nephi’s brothers were unkind to him. “And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them,” the scripture said.” Aisea thought about Josh. He didn’t want to hold onto his bad feelings for Josh forever. Aisea wanted to be like Nephi. He could forgive Josh, just like Nephi forgave his brothers. And if Josh said something mean again, he would just ask him not to. He felt warm and peaceful inside, and the heavy weight from before was gone.

Lehi’s Sons Marry the Daughters of Ishmael

Tree of Life Vision

1 Nephi CHAPTER 8 Lehi sees a vision of the tree of life—He partakes of its fruit and desires his family to do likewise—He sees a rod of iron, a strait and narrow path, and the mists of darkness that enshroud men—Sariah, Nephi, and Sam partake of the fruit, but Laman and Lemuel refuse. About 600–592 B.C.

Book of Mormon Videos “Lehi Sees a Vision of the Tree of Life”

Book of Mormon Stories “Lehi’s Dream” Video and Images

Friend January 2024 “The Tree of Life”

Friend June 2011 “Lehi’s Dream” Rebus story.

Friend January 2011 “Lehi’s Dream”

Gospel Art Book #69

Media Library “Lehi’s Dream”

Lesson Four: Tree of Life Vision Teachingldschildren.com

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 6-10” Your children might enjoy drawing a picture of Lehi’s vision as you read 1 Nephi 8 together. Let them share their pictures, and help them discover what the symbols in the dream represent (see 1 Nephi 11:21–22; 12:16–18; 15:23–33, 36 and this week’s activity page). Ask them to share as many answers as they can to this question: What do we learn from Lehi’s vision?

Ensign January 2020 “Family Study Fun”

Collaborative Art Museum Give everyone a paper and pencil. Assign each person to draw only one of the following: Tree and fruit (1 Nephi 8:10–12) River (1 Nephi 8:13–14) Iron rod (1 Nephi 8:19) Strait and narrow path (1 Nephi 8:20) Great and spacious building (1 Nephi 8:26–28) Pass the papers to the left. Add people to the drawing. Pass again. Add captions or word balloons. Pass again. Color with crayons or markers. Discussion: What do the various parts of the vision represent? (see 1 Nephi 11:21–23; 12:16; 15:23–24; John 14:6; 1 Nephi 11:36). What do we need to do to reach the tree and find joy?

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 6-10”

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.

Primary 4 Book of Mormon “The Tree of Life” Play a matching game. Using the information from the tree of life symbols and meanings chart, write each symbol from Lehi’s dream and the meaning of each symbol on a separate 3″ x 5″ card. Use six other 3″ x 5″ cards to make three sets of matching pictures or symbols, such as smiling faces, stars, and hearts. Mix the cards up, and place them face down in four columns on the floor or table. Have the children come up one at a time and turn over two cards. Read aloud what each says. If the cards match, leave them face up. The game is over when all the cards are face up.

Friend June 1988 “Hold to the Rod” A game based on the meaning of Lehi’s dream.

Tree and Fruit

How did Lehi describe the fruit? (See 1 Nephi 8:10-12) Write on the display board the following descriptions:

It was white to exceed all whiteness.
It was most sweet above all others.
It was desirable to make one happy.
It filled him with joy.

Nephi learned that the fruit was the greatest of all the gifts of God.

• What is the greatest of all the gifts of God? (See D&C 14:7) What is eternal life? It is the highest degree in the celestial kingdom, and it is the kind of life Heavenly Father has. (Put the “Eternal Life” label next to the fruit.)

The purpose of Lehi’s vision is to teach us how to gain eternal life. Without the atonement of Jesus Christ we could not attain eternal life, regardless of how good we are on earth, because all men sin and no unclean thing can enter into the kingdom of God. Jesus paid the price for our sins. The tree represents the love of God demonstrated in the sacrifice and the atonement of his son Jesus Christ. (Put up the “Love of God, Atonement of Jesus Christ” label next to the tree.)

Friend January 2024 “Come, Follow Me Activities” God’s Love: Read the scripture story about Lehi’s dream. Now draw a tree. Have each family member add a leaf to the tree and say one thing that Heavenly Father has given us that shows He loves us.

Love of God

  • Why would the angel show Nephi the baby Jesus to teach him about the love of God? Talk with your children about how they have felt the love of God in their lives. A song like “I Feel My Savior’s Love” (Children’s Songbook, 74–75) could help them think of examples.

John 3:16 — For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

In Lehi’s vision, we are invited to partake of the love of God, symbolized by the tree and its fruit, and receive the blessings of the Savior’s love and atoning sacrifice.

Share the Fruit

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020  Younger: Read 1 Nephi 8:12, and invite the children to listen carefully for what Lehi wanted to do after he tasted the fruit. Let the children take turns pretending to be Lehi inviting others to come and partake of the fruit. What can we do to invite others to come and enjoy the blessings of the gospel with us?

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 6-10” Older: Write on the board: What do we learn from Lehi’s example? Invite the children to think about Lehi’s vision and write as many answers as they can. Ask them to share their answers with the class. Then ask the children to think of someone they can share the joy of the gospel with.

Friend January 2020 “My Family Night Fun” Pass the Apple: Sing “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Songbook, 34–35) In the vision of the tree of life, the fruit on the tree represents the love of God (see 1 Nephi 11:21–22). The fruit was so delicious that Lehi wanted to share it with everyone. Get a piece of paper for each person and an apple or other round fruit. Roll each paper lengthwise into a cone and tape it in place. Now sit in a circle. Put the apple in one cone and pass it from cone to cone around the circle. What’s something good you can share with others?

The Iron Rod

Word of God

Primary 4 Book of Mormon “The Tree of Life” Have two children stand in front of the class, one on one side of the room and one on the other. Have the first child hold the card labeled Birth, and have the second child hold the card labeled Eternal Life. Blindfold a third child. After turning the child around a few times, see if he or she can walk from the first child to the second child without help. Then have the two children stretch the rope or string between them, each holding an end. Have the blindfolded child try again to go from the first child to the second child, this time holding on to the rope. Discuss why the second time was easier than the first. Explain that while we live on earth we are all trying to return to Heavenly Father. He has given us something to hold on to so we can find our way back to him.

  • What has Heavenly Father given us to lead us back to his presence? (Scriptures, prophets, the Holy Ghost.)

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020  Coloring page shows different way we can receive the word of God, such as from the prophet, from the scriptures, from the Holy Ghost, etc. Also, shows how to make a rod with the coloring page.

Holding fast to the word of God leads me to Him and helps me feel His love.

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 6-10” Do you have something that could represent the iron rod in Lehi’s vision, such as a pipe or a stick? Let your children hold on to it as you lead them around a room to a picture of the Savior. Why is the iron rod important in Lehi’s vision? (See 1 Nephi 8:20, 24, 30). How is the iron rod like the word of God? (Help them understand that God’s word brings us closer to Him.)

Friend January 2020 “Come, Follow Me for Little Ones” Read 1 Nephi 8:30 together and help your little ones say, “I will hold on to the word of God.” Ask your children to hold on to a broomstick or rope to represent the iron rod as you lead them around a room. End your walk at a picture of Jesus or something else to represent God’s love. You could even have some fruit as a snack!

Friend January 2020 “My Family Night Fun” Blindfold Path: In the vision of the tree of life, people had to walk along the path and hold to the iron rod to get to the tree. The iron rod represents the word of God (see 1 Nephi 11:25). Get a long string and a blindfold. Blindfold one person and spin them around. Have them try to walk in a straight line across the room. Was it hard? Now have two people hold the string. After you spin the blindfolded person, have them hold onto the string as they walk across the room. How did it help them? How can the scriptures help us? Sing “Search, Ponder, and Pray” (Children’s Songbook, 109)

Friend January 2024 “Sleepy Scripture Time” Elvira and her family always had scripture study early in the morning. Family members that weren’t there joined on video calls. One morning she recognized the story of Lehi’s vision. Her mom explained that, “When we read the scriptures, we come closer to Jesus Christ. Just like the people got closer to the tree of life when they held to the rod.”

Song:  “Hold to the Rod“

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 If possible, bring a piece of iron or other metal to class and invite the children to describe some of its properties and things it might be used for. How is the word of God like an iron rod? Where do we find the word of God? Why is the iron rod so important in Lehi’s vision?

River of Filthy Water

Book of Mormon Seminary Student Manual (2024) “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge, Part 3”

Reflect for a moment on the significance of water in your life.

Clipart Library
  • When does having water matter the most to you?
  • Why is the source of the water you drink important?

Seeking truth can be like drinking water: the source matters. Think of sources you turn to when you have questions or concerns. [such as the Internet] How confident are you that these sources provide true answers? Heavenly Father desires to answer your sincere questions and has provided trustworthy sources to guide you. [The prophet, from the scriptures, from the Holy Ghost. Don’t drown in the depths of filthy water. Go to the source of living water.]

The Iron Rod and the River of Filthiness

Mists of Darkness

Temptations of Satan

Lesson Four: Tree of Life Vision See the link for the game instructions for the below visual aids.

Great and Spacious Building

Pride of the World

• The people of the world who were mocking those who partook of the fruit were in a great and spacious building that appeared to be floating in the air. What did the great and spacious building represent? (See 1 Nephi 11:36) (Put the “Pride of the World” label next to the building.)

Pride and feelings of superiority because of possessions, physical abilities, or accomplishments are empty and have nothing to hold them up because everything we have comes from God. Like the building floating in the air, people lifted up in pride eventually will fall. They do not realize that the things the world values such as wealth, honors, physical beauty, and physical ability have no value after death. The only thing of value will be the relationships and the righteous characteristics we develop while on the earth. If we spend our time seeking after worldly things, we may miss the opportunity to develop the things that will be important in the eternities.

Nephi Makes Two Sets of Records: Spiritual and Historical

1 Nephi CHAPTER 6 Nephi writes of the things of God—Nephi’s purpose is to persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham and be saved. About 600–592 B.C.

1 Nephi CHAPTER 9 Nephi makes two sets of records—Each is called the plates of Nephi—The larger plates contain a secular history; the smaller ones deal primarily with sacred things. About 600–592 B.C.

These verses could inspire your family to keep a record of important events and experiences from your lives. Maybe you could start a family journal, similar to the records Nephi and Lehi kept about their family’s experiences. What might you include in your family record? Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020

Friend January 2024 “Come, Follow Me Activities: Plain and Precious Plates” The Lord told Nephi to make another set of plates for a special and wise purpose (see 1 Nephi 9). Make your own set of plates out of folded paper or pieces of cardboard. (You can even wrap your paper or cardboard with aluminum foil!) Write or draw what you learn from the Book of Mormon on your plates.

Lehi and Nephi Prophesy of Jesus

1 Nephi CHAPTER 10 Lehi predicts that the Jews will be taken captive by the Babylonians—He tells of the coming among the Jews of a Messiah, a Savior, a Redeemer—Lehi tells also of the coming of the one who should baptize the Lamb of God—Lehi tells of the death and resurrection of the Messiah—He compares the scattering and gathering of Israel to an olive tree—Nephi speaks of the Son of God, of the gift of the Holy Ghost, and of the need for righteousness. About 600–592 B.C.

God will reveal truth to me by the power of the Holy Ghost.

1 Nephi 10:17–19; 11:1

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 6-10” How could you help your children understand what Nephi taught in 1 Nephi 10:19? Perhaps you could fold a picture of the Savior or another special object inside a blanket and invite your children to unfold it. As you read 1 Nephi 10:19, they could raise their hands when they hear the words “unfolded” and “Holy Ghost.” Then you could share an experience when the Holy Ghost helped you discover truth.

“Fiction or Nonfiction?” (January 2012 Friend) When Jennifer learned the difference between fiction and nonfiction she wondered about the Book of Mormon. She spent a lot of time reading it but didn’t know how she would ever know it was true. During Sacrament she said a prayer. Then she remembered the warm, happy feelings she had when she was baptized. She realized she felt the same way when she thought of the Prophet Joseph Smithy and when she read the Book of Mormon. She knew that Heavenly Father was telling her through the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon was true.

Friend January 1988 “Juliano’s Testimony” Juliano seeks to gain a testimony for himself. He reads the Book of Mormon and then prays to know if it is true. He didn’t know how the Holy Ghost would visit him because he was just a boy. Then he remembered a story the missionaries told him about a boy his age learning that he was to be the future keeper of the gold plates. He looked up the story in the scriptures and found out that it was Mormon. He felt a peaceful feeling spread through him and he knew that the Book of Mormon was true.

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 Invite the children to talk about ways they can find answers to a question. Encourage the children to read 1 Nephi 10:17–19 and 11:1. What would Nephi say if someone asked him how to find answers to a question about the gospel? How does God teach us through the Holy Ghost? (see Doctrine and Covenants 8:2).

Friend May 2018 “How You Can Know What’s True” What do you do when you feel an urgent need to know or understand something?

“A Testimony of the Church” (July 2015 Friend) President Dieter F. Uchtdorf teaches of how we can gain a testimony.

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 6-10” Have your children ever felt that the Holy Ghost helped them know that something was true? Let them share their experience. What would we say to a friend who thinks that they can’t receive answers through the Holy Ghost? What do we find in 1 Nephi 10:17–19 and 11:1 that could help that friend? What could they share from 1 Nephi 10:17–19 and 11:1 to help that friend?

Sing a song with the children about seeking truth, such as “Search, Ponder, and Pray” (Children’s Songbook, 109). Show pictures that illustrate words in the song to help the children remember how the Holy Ghost teaches us.

The Red Crystal

Additional Resources

The Red Crystal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8LIoZycBGY

Full video below

Jan 13 2024

Lehi and His Family Leave Jerusalem

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Table of Contents

1 Nephi Chapter 1 Nephi begins the record of his people—Lehi sees in vision a pillar of fire and reads from a book of prophecy—He praises God, foretells the coming of the Messiah, and prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem—He is persecuted by the Jews. About 600 B.C.

1 Nephi CHAPTER 2 Lehi takes his family into the wilderness by the Red Sea—They leave their property—Lehi offers a sacrifice to the Lord and teaches his sons to keep the commandments—Laman and Lemuel murmur against their father—Nephi is obedient and prays in faith; the Lord speaks to him, and he is chosen to rule over his brethren. About 600 B.C.

Introduction to First Book of Nephi

Teaching Children the Gospel ” Lehi and His Family Leave Jerusalem” The Book of Mormon tells about three groups of people the Lord led to the Americas. The beginning of the Book of Mormon tells of one of these groups. We learn about the other two groups later.

Direct the children to open their scriptures to chapter one in “The First Book of Nephi.” Explain that a prophet named Nephi wrote the “The First Book of Nephi.”  Nephi informs us that he engraved his history onto plates made of ore (1 Nephi 19:1).

  • Why were some ancient records written on metal plates? (Take a piece of paper, tear it, and pour a little water on it.) Explain that during ancient times, the people used other materials than paper for written communications, but those materials could also be easily damaged and could decompose and disintegrates over time. Some ancient historians used metal if they had an important message that they wanted to endure for a long period of time.

Friend January 2024 “Come, Follow Me Activities: Plain and Precious Plates” The Lord told Nephi to make another set of plates for a special and wise purpose (see 1 Nephi 9). Make your own set of plates out of folded paper or pieces of cardboard. (You can even wrap your paper or cardboard with aluminum foil!) Write or draw what you learn from the Book of Mormon on your plates.

Have the children find the date on the bottom right hand side of the first page of “The First Book of Nephi.” Explain that this date tells the approximate time period the events on that page occurred. Have them flip through other pages so that they will see that the date is on the bottom of each page. Explain that B.C. means before Christ’s birth.

In the “First Book of Nephi” we learn that Nephi’s father was a prophet. When Nephi was a youth, his father Lehi was commanded of the Lord to take his family and leave the city Jerusalem.

Born of Goodly Parents

1 Nephi 1:1

The Cozy Red Cottage Go to link to download free printables

Discuss some ways Lehi and Sariah were “goodly parents.” Then think of and share some of the “goodly” traits of your parents, grandparents, or someone you admire. You can use this cute printable to write down your thoughts. There are two wording options-use the best one for your situation.  These can be done as a family or print one for each person.

Next pick one person from your list and write a letter to that person thanking him or her for demonstrating some of the traits you have observed.  I included some blank stationary pages and thank you cards.  For the cards fold on the line.

Discussion: Share your list with your family.  What is a trait from your list that you would like to develop?  What steps can you take to develop that trait? 

The Lord Commands Lehi’s Family to Leave Jerusalem

Book of Mormon Stories “Lehi Warns the People” Video and Images

Book of Mormon Stories “Lehi Leaves Jerusalem”  Video and Images

  • “Lehi Obeys God” (February 1992 Friend)
    Cut out pictures to tell the story of Lehi leaving Jerusalem.

Media Library “Lehi Preaching in Jerusalem”

Gospel Art Picture: “Lehi’s Family Leaving Jerusalem”

Read 1 Nephi 2:2–4 to the children, and display a few pictures of items that Lehi’s family might have taken with them into the wilderness, such as a tent, blankets, and bows and arrows. Ask them to imagine how they might feel if they had to leave their homes and go into the wilderness. What does the Lord ask us to do to obey Him today? (Come Follow Me for Primary: Book of Mormon 2020: 1 Nephi 1-7 )

Teaching Children the Gospel “Lehi and His Family Leave Jerusalem” Display the two category titles “Trip Provisions” and “Items Left Behind” on a display board. Show the children the list of items that are taped to the 8 ½-by-11 paper. Have them take turns choosing an item and then deciding if the item would be something Lehi and his family would have taken with them or something they would have left behind. Have them place the item under the category they think it belongs in. Ask the children to explain their reason. Answers might include: item not needed for the journey, item too bulky, or item too heavy to carry, etc.

  • Do you think it was hard for Nephi and his family to leave behind their home and most of their possessions? If you had to leave your home and only take a few necessary items, what things would you have a hard time leaving behind? (Have the children take turns sharing their ideas.)

Friend January 2020 “My Family Night Fun” Mix-and-Match Trail Mix: Use nuts, cereal, dried fruit, pretzels, or other small snacks to make your own trail mix. Start by giving each person in your family a resealable plastic bag. Then take turns adding ingredients. Shake your bags to mix! Trail mix is used for hiking and camping, and Lehi and his family were going on an similar type extended trip. Could have children name other things they might have taken on their trip as they add each ingredient.

Nephi Prays to Know for Himself

I can have my own testimony.

1 Nephi 2:16

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 1-5” How did Nephi know that what his father taught was true? Help your children find answers to this question in 1 Nephi 2:16, 19. They might also enjoy writing Nephi’s actions on blocks or other objects and then building something with the objects. This could lead to a conversation about how these actions help us build a testimony.

The Spruce Crafts

Friend January 2013 “How can I get a testimony?”

You could show your children pictures or objects that represent things they might seek a testimony of, such as a copy of the Book of Mormon or a picture of Jesus Christ, a temple, or the living prophet. Invite them to pick one and share their testimonies of that thing. You could also tell your children how you gained your testimony. Why do we need our own testimony?

Friend November 2018 “Building Blocks of Testimony” Use the four words on the right to fill in the blanks in the four building blocks of testimony.

Friend July 2015
Friend July 2015 lesson ideas too

Come Follow Me for Primary: Book of Mormon 2020: 1 Nephi 1-7 Bring a closed box with a picture of the Savior inside, and give each child a turn to find out for himself or herself what is inside the box. Tell the children that Nephi wanted to have His own testimony that the Lord had commanded his family to leave Jerusalem. Ask the children to listen for what Nephi did to gain his own testimony as you read 1 Nephi 2:16. Testify that just as we each had to open the box to find out what was inside, we all need to ask God to gain our own testimony.

Lehi Builds an Altar and Gives Thanks

Game: Have the children put the Book of Mormon story pictures in the correct order. Read the story below and allow the children to make changes in the order of the pictures. Explain that Lehi built an altar and made and offering and gave thanks to the Lord. Have the children tell ways the Lord helped Lehi and his family. Have them think of ways the Lord has helped them. Have them put a stone on a paper or the board and build an altar for each of the things they think of. Remind them to give thanks for those things when they say their prayers.

Game
Game
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BYU Religious Studies Center “What Were Those Sacrifices Offered by Lehi?”

Additional Resources

Teaching Children the Gospel: Games and Activities

Primary 4 Book of Mormon “Nephi Follows His Father, the Prophet”

Teaching the Scripture Readers “Lehi Leaves Jerusalem” Lesson Ideas

Teaching the Scripture Readers
Teaching the Scripture Readers
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Teaching Children the Gospel Lehi and His Family Leave Jerusalem Listen to the Prophet

Book of Mormon Seminary Student Manual (2024) “1 Nephi 1”

Friend October 1987 “Lehi–Man of Vision” Lehi’s story

The Red Crystal 2024

The Red Crystal 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEn8p9Yo2WY
Jan 13 2024

The Brass Plates

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Table of Contents

1 Nephi CHAPTER 3 Lehi’s sons return to Jerusalem to obtain the plates of brass—Laban refuses to give the plates up—Nephi exhorts and encourages his brethren—Laban steals their property and attempts to slay them—Laman and Lemuel smite Nephi and Sam and are reproved by an angel. About 600–592 B.C.

1 Nephi CHAPTER 4 Nephi slays Laban at the Lord’s command and then secures the plates of brass by stratagem—Zoram chooses to join Lehi’s family in the wilderness. About 600–592 B.C.

1 Nephi CHAPTER 5 Sariah complains against Lehi—Both rejoice over the return of their sons—They offer sacrifices—The plates of brass contain writings of Moses and the prophets—The plates identify Lehi as a descendant of Joseph—Lehi prophesies concerning his seed and the preservation of the plates. About 600–592 B.C.

Returning to Obtain the Plates of Brass

“Chapter 4: The Brass Plates” (Book of Mormon Stories, 8–12)

Friend February 2008 “Lehi and Nephi Obey God”

Act out the story of Nephi getting the plates, or you can choose a narrator and use the cutouts and give everyone a piece to hold.

Friend January 2020
CFM 2020 Primary

Make this Mini Book Created by Kevin Merrell. Images are from the Scripture Readers. Have the children take turns reading from their books.

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Friend January 2020 “Nephi Gets the Brass Plates”

Friend January 2020

Nephi was Obedient

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 1-5” You and your children might enjoy role-playing 1 Nephi 3:2–7. Maybe you could pretend to be Lehi and ask your children to return to Jerusalem to get the brass plates. Invite them to respond in their own words as if they were Laman and Lemuel or Nephi. What are some things God has commanded us to do? (see pictures 103–15 in the Gospel Art Book or Mosiah 18:8–10 for ideas). How can we be like Nephi?

What can we learn from 1 Nephi 2:11–13; 3:5–7 about murmuring? What blessings come when we exercise faith?” Review how Laman and Lemuel murmured and talk about what it means to murmur. How does it make people around you feel when you murmur? How does it affect yourself and others when you don’t murmur? (Come Follow Me Kid “I Will Go and Do”)

Ensign January 2020 “Family Study Fun: Courageous Hot Potato” Nephi’s brothers Laman and Lemuel complained that the Lord required hard things (see 1 Nephi 3:5), Nephi said he would “go and do” whatever the Lord commanded (see 1 Nephi 3:7).

Have everyone sit in a circle. Give someone a small, soft object (beanbag, tennis ball, balled-up sock, etc.). Play “Nephi’s Courage” on the Sacred Music app (no. 120 in the Children’s Songbook) while family members pass the object around the circle. Pause the music at a random moment. Whoever is holding the object when the music stops will explain one faithful act they will “go and do” this week.

Discussion: What are some things the Lord has asked us to do that seem hard? How can we be more faithful in our responses to those commandments?

Friend January 2016 “Nephi was Obedient” Goal Card. I can be obedient like Nephi.

Friend January 2016
Friend January 2016

Children’s Songbook, Nephi’s Courage, 120

Verse One Visual Aids and Teaching Ideas

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.”

Verse Three Visual Aids and Teaching Ideas

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.

Nephi is Led by the Lord in Obtaining the Brass Plates

Nephi Didn’t Give Up

Friend January 2020 “A Nephi Attitude” Bennett was tired and thirsty and not enjoying doing the service project. He wanted to go home but there was still a lot left to do. His mom talked to him about how Nephi had hard things to do like getting the plates from Laban, but he didn’t give up. Bennett liked the idea of being like Nephi. Nephi was strong and brave and good. So he kept working. He was proud of what they had accomplished when they were done. He was glad he had gotten rid of the Laman and Lemuel attitude.

Friend January 2020

Friend April 2024 “Louie, Nephi, and the Piano” Louie was struggling with one part of the song he was going to perform. His father reminded him of how Nephi didn’t give up when he went back to get the plates, and tells him, “I think if you keep trying, Heavenly Father will help you like he helped Nephi.” Louie kept practicing and eventually he got it and was able to perform it. He knew he had done all he could, and Heavenly Father helped him.

God will prepare a way for me to do His will.

Friend January 2020 “Family Night Fun”  Sing “Keep the Commandments” (Children’s Songbook, 146)

Read 1 Nephi 3:7 together and help your little ones say, “God will help me keep the commandments.” Now it’s your turn to look for the scriptures! Send someone out of the room and hide a Book of Mormon for them to find. When they start searching, say “hot” when they get close and “cold” when they get far away. Take turns hiding and finding the scriptures.

Sing The song “Nephi’s Courage” (Children’s Songbook, 120–21)

The Holy Ghost will lead me as I seek to do the Lord’s will.

1 Nephi 4:6

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 1-5” After reviewing together in 1 Nephi 3 how Nephi and his brothers tried to get the brass plates, read with your children 1 Nephi 4:6 to find out what Nephi did that allowed him to finally succeed. Then your children could make a list of things that God wants them to do. How can the Holy Ghost help us in these situations?

The Red Crystal

Sariah is Comforted by Lehi

Lehi and His Family Studied the Scriptures

Friend January 2020 “Cover” Image of Lehi reading to his family from the Brass Plates.

Friend January 2020

The Scriptures Are of Great Worth

1 Nephi 3:19–21; 5:19–22

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 1-5” The scriptures were very important to Lehi’s family. To illustrate this, you could invite your children to help you tell or act out what Nephi and his brothers did to get the brass plates: they traveled a long distance, gave up their gold and silver, and hid in a cave to save their lives. Then you could read 1 Nephi 5:21 and talk about why the scriptures were so valuable to Lehi’s family. Why are they valuable to us? How can we treat the scriptures like a treasure?

Whisper Game
Tell the children they are going to play a game that will show them why Lehi and his family needed a written record of God’s commandments.

Have the children sit in a row. Whisper the following message to the first person in the row, making sure no one else can hear what is being said: “Blessed are they who hear the Lord’s commandments and obey them.”

Have that person whisper what they heard to the person sitting next to them. Have each child pass on the whispered message until the message reaches the child at the end of the row. Have the last person repeat out loud what they think they heard. They probably won’t repeat the message correctly. Tell everyone what the original message was.

Explain that the whisper game shows how easy it would be to mix up the word of God if it isn’t written down.

Brass Plates Code Activity

Hand out a copy of the “Brass Plates Code” to each child. Do not give them the answer key. Tell them they have thirty seconds to figure out what section four of the “Purpose” says. It won’t take them long to figure out there is no possible way to do it out without help.

Explain that just like the task you gave them seemed impossible to accomplish, sometimes Heavenly Father’s commandments may seem difficult to obey. But with God’s help we can accomplish all he asks of us. Direct the children to put the “Brass Plates Code” under their chair for now, and explain that you will provide a way for them to do the coded message later on in the lesson.

• What was the main reason Nephi and his family needed the brass plates? Let the children answer the question. Have them check their answer by giving them the answer key to the “Brass Plates Code”. Inform them they can now fill out section four with the help you promised. Instruct them to fill out the rest of the code later at home to find out the other purposes of the brass plates.

Answers to Purpose:

  • 1. To have a record of the Jews
  • 2. Genealogy of forefathers
  • 3. To preserve their language
  • 4. To preserve religious knowledge

Friend January 2024 “Come, Follow Me Activities” Sharing Treasure: The scriptures are a great treasure (see 1 Nephi 5:21). Draw some gem shapes on paper and cut them out. Ask each person to write a Book of Mormon scripture on the gems. Mix up the gems and take turns choosing one and reading each scripture.

Friend January 2020 ” Coloring Page: Lehi and His Family Studied the Scriptures”

Friend November 2024 “Come, Follow Me Activities: Sharing Treasure”

The scriptures are a great treasure (see 1 Nephi 5:21). Draw some gem shapes on paper and cut them out. Ask each person to write a Book of Mormon scripture on the gems. Mix up the gems and take turns choosing one and reading each scripture.

For younger children: Have a show-and-tell with your little ones’ favorite toys or books. Tell them that they can make the scriptures one of their favorite things by listening to them and learning the stories.

Friend January 2020 “The Book of Mormon Tells of Christ” Song

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.

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.

Additional Resources

Come Follow Me 2020 Primary  “1 Nephi 1-7”

Primary 4: Book of Mormon “Obtaining the Brass Plates”

The Brass Plates by Teaching LDS Children

“Nephi and the Brass Plates” (March 2004 Friend) Crossword puzzle about Nephi and the 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.

The Red Crystal

The Red Crystal 2020

https://youtu.be/vEn8p9Yo2WY

Come Follow Me with Living Scriptures

Jul 23 2023

Alma 36-38

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Table of Contents

Alma CHAPTER 36 Alma testifies to Helaman of his conversion after seeing an angel—He suffered the pains of a damned soul; he called upon the name of Jesus, and was then born of God—Sweet joy filled his soul—He saw concourses of angels praising God—Many converts have tasted and seen as he has tasted and seen. About 74 B.C.

Alma CHAPTER 37 The plates of brass and other scriptures are preserved to bring souls to salvation—The Jaredites were destroyed because of their wickedness—Their secret oaths and covenants must be kept from the people—Counsel with the Lord in all your doings—As the Liahona guided the Nephites, so the word of Christ leads men to eternal life. About 74 B.C.

Alma CHAPTER 38 Shiblon was persecuted for righteousness’ sake—Salvation is in Christ, who is the life and the light of the world—Bridle all your passions. About 74 B.C.

Friend August 2024

Book of Mormon Stories “Alma Counsels His Sons” Video and Images

Lesson 23: Alma Counsels His Sons Helaman and Shiblon

Alma Testifies to His Son Helaman

Alma 36

Repentance brings me joy in Jesus Christ.

Alma 36:6–24

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 36-38”

To help your children understand that repentance brings joy, you could give them a piece of paper with a happy face on one side and a sad face on the other. Ask them to listen while you read or summarize Alma 36:13, 17–20 and hold up one of the faces to show how Alma was feeling. Older children could write down words or phrases describing how he felt. What made Alma sad, and what brought him joy? Then you could tell them about the joy you feel when you repent.

(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 36-38”)
Review with the children the story of the conversion of Alma the Younger in Alma 36:6–21. Write on slips of paper words and phrases from these verses that describe how Alma felt, and put them on the board. Ask the children to sort the slips of paper into two groups: things Alma felt before he remembered what his father taught about the Savior and things he felt after he remembered. Testify to the children that Jesus Christ forgives us when we repent. (Cut out the following into eight quotes. Put the sad and happy face on the board and have the children put the slips of paper under the correct emotion. )

The Red Crystal

Invite them to name some things that bring them joy. Show a picture of the Savior, and explain that Alma felt joy because Jesus Christ forgave his sins. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 36-38”)

I can be “born of God” when I follow Jesus and repent of my sins.

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 36-38”

“Conversion … is a change in our very nature. It is such a significant change that the Lord and His prophets refer to it as a rebirth” (“Conversion,” Gospel Topics, topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

  • Write Born of God and the following scripture references on the board: 1 John 4:7; Mosiah 5:7; 27:25–26; Alma 5:14; 22:15. Help the children read the verses and look for phrases that describe what it means to be born of God. How does a person act after being born of God? How can we show that we have been born of God?

Alma 37

“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.”

Alma 37:6–7

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 36-38” Your children might enjoy finding small items that make big things happen. Items like a battery, car key, or even a toy that comforts them might be examples. You could then read Alma 37:6–7 together and think of some small or simple things that God wants us to do. What big things can happen when we obey these small or simple commandments?

Images from Clipart Library

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 36-38” Show a picture or two of small things that accumulate into big things, such as a blade of grass and a field, or a raindrop and a lake. Testify that even small, simple actions can make a big difference in our lives and in the lives of others. Encourage the children to talk about some simple, good things they do every day, or share your own examples. Invite the children to pick one simple, good thing they can do this week and to draw a picture of themselves doing it. Invite them to take their drawings home and share them with their families.

Small Things Make a Difference from The Friend

Friend July 2020 “My Family Night Fun”

Friend August 2024 “Come, Follow Me Activities”

With Heavenly Father’s help, small things can make a big difference (see Alma 37:6–7). Help make your favorite recipe. What would happen to the recipe if you took out one of the ingredients? Talk about how small things can make a difference and how you can make a difference too.

For younger children: Look for small things that are helpful, like a small seed that turns into a plant or a light switch that turns on light. Talk about how small things can make a big difference, just like you!

  • Your children could also try something like this: start filling a cup with water, one drop at a time. How does this relate to Alma 37:6–7? Then you could talk about how the Lord’s “small and simple things,” such as reading the scriptures daily, are like drops of water in a cup.

  • Help your children think of ways that they bring about great things at home, school, or church. The song “‘Give,’ Said the Little Stream” (Children’s Songbook, 236) also illustrates this principle.

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 36-38”

Read Alma 37:6–7, and invite the children to crouch down every time you read the word “small.” Show them a few small things that can make big things happen or move big things, such as a battery or a car key. What big things happen or move because of these small things? Help the children think of some small or simple things God wants us to do. What big things can happen because of these small or simple commandments? Invite the children to pick one simple, good thing they can do this week and to draw a picture of themselves doing it. 

Friend July 2020 “Come Follow Me for Little Ones” Read Alma 37:6 together. Crouch down when you hear the word “small” and jump up and spread your arms wide when you hear the word “great.” You could use the scripture verse or repeat the phrase, “Small things can make a great difference!” Talk about how small things like reading the scriptures or praying can make a great difference.

Friend July 2020 “Small and Simple” Boy does small, kind acts to help others which help him grow too.

The scriptures can help me every day.

Alma 37:38–47

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 36-38” Show or display a picture of the Liahona (such as Gospel Art Book, no. 68), and ask the children to review what they remember about the Liahona from 1 Nephi 16:10, 28. Help the children read Alma 37:38–42. How did the Liahona work? How is this similar to the way the scriptures work? Read together verses 43–47 to help answer this question. Invite the children to complete the activity page as part of this activity.

Friend August 2024 “The Scriptures Can Help Me Every Day”

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 36-38”

  • Draw or display a bucket. How many drops of water would it take to fill the bucket? Help the children recognize that many small drops will be needed to fill the bucket. How does this relate to Alma 37:6–7? How is reading the scriptures like adding little drops of water to a bucket?

The Red Crystal

Come Follow Me Kid

Sit in a circle and take turns putting drops into a bucket as we review people we’ve studied in the scriptures, what we’ve learned from the scriptures, blessings we get in our lives from studying and applying the scriptures, etc. Remind them that as we learn small things each day, it might not always seem like lots, but over time, it becomes bigger and will bring many blessings to our lives.

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 36-38”

Invite the children to look in Alma 37:6–9 for blessings that come from the “records,” or scriptures. As a class, make a list of what they find. How has reading the scriptures blessed our lives? Share your testimony of the scriptures, and encourage the children to do the same. Or, as you read Alma 37:6–9 have the children listen for blessings that come from the “records,” or scriptures.

Help the children you teach see that reading the scriptures for even a short time each day can bring them great blessings.

Sing together a song about scripture study, such as “Search, Ponder, and Pray” or “As I Search the Holy Scriptures” (Children’s Songbook, 109; Hymns, no. 277). What blessings of scripture study are mentioned in the song?

Ensign July 2020 “Family Study Fun” Liahona Treasure Hunt: Read Alma 37:38–40 together, which describes the Liahona. When Lehi’s family was faithful, the Lord used this compass to guide them.

  1. Draw a circle with an arrow in it. Ask someone to hold this pretend Liahona.
  2. Pick a small object to use as treasure. Have someone leave the room while the rest hide the treasure. Then ask the person to come back in the room and try to find it.
  3. If that person shares one way they can keep the commandments this week (or way they are going to be better at hearing Christ’s teachings each day (listening better during scripture study, remembering what was learned from the scriptures, applying it to their lives, etc.), the person with the Liahona can point them toward the treasure.
  4. Each person takes a turn searching and holding the Liahona.

Discussion: How does God try to lead and guide us in our lives? When have you felt that God was guiding you? For additional insights, read and discuss Alma 37:41–47.

Alma Commends His Son Shiblon

Alma 38

Additional Resources

Primary 4: Book of Mormon “Lesson 23: Alma Counsels His Sons Helaman and Shiblon” Lesson ideas

Come Follow Me Kid Lesson ideas

The Cozy Red Cottage Lesson ideas

The Red Crystal

Feb 26 2023

Matthew 8; Mark 2–4; Luke 7

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Table of Contents

Matthew CHAPTER 8 Jesus heals a leper, cures the centurion’s servant and others, stills the tempest, and casts out devils—The devils enter a herd of swine.

Mark CHAPTER 2 Jesus forgives sins, heals a paralytic, eats with tax gatherers and sinners, and announces that He is Lord of the Sabbath.

Mark CHAPTER 3 Jesus heals on the Sabbath day—He chooses and ordains the Twelve Apostles—He asks, Can Satan cast out Satan?—Jesus speaks of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost and identifies those who believe as being members of His family.

Mark CHAPTER 4 Jesus gives the parables of the sower, the candle under a bushel, the seed growing secretly, and the mustard seed—He stills the tempest.

Luke CHAPTER 7 Jesus heals the centurion’s servant—Jesus raises from death the son of the widow of Nain—He praises John the Baptist as more than a prophet—A woman anoints Jesus’ feet, and He forgives her sins.

Jesus has power to perform miracles.

Matthew 8; Mark 2–3; Luke 7

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 8; Mark 2–4; Luke 7” As you read about the Savior’s miracles of healing, ponder which miracles to share. How can you help the children you teach understand the role of faith in the miracles Jesus performed?

  • Share the account of the man with palsy from Mark 2:1–12. For help, see “Chapter 23: The Man Who Could Not Walk” (in New Testament Stories, 57–58, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Explain that the man with palsy could not walk. Help them recognize that this man was healed by the Savior.
  • Invite the children to talk about a time when they were sick. Tell one of the accounts of Jesus healing the sick, such as Matthew 8:1–4, 5–13, 14–15; Mark 3:1–5; Luke 7:11–16. Invite the children to retell the story in their own words. Testify that Jesus’s power can heal, bless, and comfort us.

Friend May 2016 “Bad Day in the Badlands” Topher and his classmates get sick on a school trip. Topher gets a priesthood blessing.

Friend May 2016
Friend May 2016
  • “Jesus Heals the Sick” (April 2015 Liahona and Friend)
    Figures to tell stories from New Testament about Jesus Healing the Sick.
Friend April 2015
Friend April 2015  Lesson Ideas

Matthew 8:1–4 ; Mark 1:40–42 Jesus heals a leper.A leper would have been shunned from society because leprosy was a painful, contagious, and sometimes deadly disease. Most people would have avoided approaching or touching him.

“Lesson 13: Jesus Christ Heals the Sick,” Primary 7: New Testament Explain that lepers suffer a terrible form of skin disease. Because leprosy was thought to be highly contagious, those with the disease were often not allowed to live in the cities and they were shunned by those without leprosy.

After Jesus healed the leper, what did He ask him to do? (Mark 1:43–44.) What does this tell us about how we should help others?

Matthew 8:5–8, 13 Jesus heals a centurion’s servant.A centurion was a commanding officer of about 100 men in the Roman military. Many Jews in Jesus’s day hated Roman soldiers because of religious differences and because they represented the nation that had conquered them.

Jesus healed man with withered hand on the Sabbath.

What do you learn about Jesus Christ from these miracles?

Jesus can perform miracles in my life as I have faith in Him.

Matthew 8; Mark 2–3; Luke 7

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 8; Mark 2–4; Luke 7” Jesus performed many miracles during His mortal ministry. How can you help the children be aware that miracles happen today?

  • Ask the children to act out how they feel when they are sick, sad, afraid, or worried. How can Jesus help us when we have these feelings? Testify that Jesus can help the children in all of these situations.
Friend April 2019

Friend March 2019 “Missing Mom and Dad” Dylan’s mom and dad were going on a trip, and he was going to stay with his grandparents. He loved staying with his grandparents, but for some reason he was scared about being away from his mom and dad for so long. He decided to pray for help, and he received comforting thoughts and feelings.

Friend January 2018

  • Invite the children to share experiences when they or someone they know received a priesthood blessing. How was that person healed or blessed?

Friend May 2016 “Bad Day in the Badlands” Topher and his classmates get sick on a school trip. Topher asks for a priesthood blessing.

Friend May 2016
Friend May 2016

(New Testament Seminary Student Manual (2023)

During His mortal ministry, Jesus Christ healed the sick and the afflicted, but each person had to exercise faith in Him and act to receive His healing. Some walked for long distances, others extended their hand to touch His garment, and others had to be carried to Him in order to be healed. (Reyna I. Aburto, “Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me!,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 58)

Having faith in Jesus Christ means relying completely on Him—trusting in His infinite power, intelligence, and love. It includes believing His teachings. It means believing that even though we do not understand all things, He does. Because He has experienced all our pains, afflictions, and infirmities, He knows how to help us rise above our daily difficulties.(Gospel Topics, “Faith in Jesus Christ,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

The Lord counsels us not to fear. Throughout the scriptures the Lord has counseled us to “be not afraid, only believe” (Mark 5:36). What are some actions that you could take to follow the Savior’s invitation to “be not afraid, only believe”? How will those actions help you face your fears?

Create a picture with the phrase “Be not afraid, only believe.” Put this picture in a place where it will help you remember to believe in Jesus Christ and not fear.

Fear and faith cannot coexist in our hearts at the same time. (Neil L. Andersen, “You Know Enough,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 14)

I can show love for others as Jesus did.

Matthew 8; Mark 2–3; Luke 7

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 8; Mark 2–4; Luke 7” Jesus showed great love by healing the sick and afflicted. Ponder how you can teach the children to show kindness to people in need.

  • (See also the video “Widow of Nain” on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.) Share a time when someone showed love for you in a time of need and how you felt. Invite the children to share their experiences.
  • Show the video “Gordon Hinckley: Lessons I Learned as a Boy” or “The Coat” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). How did the children in these videos follow Jesus’s example? Invite the children to share other situations when someone might be in need. What can we do to help them?
  • Sing a song about showing love and kindness to others, such as “Kindness Begins with Me” (Children’s Songbook, 145).

Jesus loves us even when we sin and wants to help us repent.

Mark 2:15–17; Luke 7:36–50

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 8; Mark 2–4; Luke 7”The accounts in Mark 2:15–17 and Luke 7:36–50 can help the children understand that Jesus Christ loves us even when we sin. He wants to help us repent and draw close to Him.

A paralyzed man (“sick of the palsy” as used in this account means he was paralyzed)

Watch the video “Jesus Forgives Sins and Heals a Man Stricken with Palsy,” available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 0:00 to 1:07.

New Testament Seminary Student Manual (2023) “Mark 2:1–12” Some of the people present at this event questioned the Savior’s authority to forgive sins. Read Mark 2:6–12, looking for what the Savior did to demonstrate His authority to forgive. The phrase “Son of man” in verse 10 refers to Jesus Christ being the Son of “Man of Holiness,” who is God the Father (see Moses 6:57). You may also want to continue watching the video “Jesus Forgives Sins and Heals a Man Stricken with Palsy” from time code 1:07 to 2:57.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, testified of the Savior’s power to heal spiritual illness.

Sometimes spiritual illness comes as a result of sin or emotional wounds. …Even the deepest spiritual wounds—yes, even those that may appear to be incurable—can be healed.

My dear friends, the healing power of Jesus Christ is not absent in our day. The Savior’s healing touch can transform lives in our day just as it did in His. If we will but have faith, He can take our hands, fill our souls with heavenly light and healing, and speak to us the blessed words, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk” [ John 5:8 ].

(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Bearers of Heavenly Light,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 78)

“Friend August 2013 “Friend August 2013 “Jesus Heals a Sick Man” By Margo Mae

Friend August 2013 “Jesus Heals a Man Taken with a Palsy” Coloring Page

Friend November 2009 “Jesus Heals a Sick Man”

Latter Day Kids “I Can Show Compassion for Others” Lesson ideas

  • Write How does Jesus feel about sin? and How does Jesus feel about us when we sin? on the board. Ask the children to think about these questions as they read together Mark 2:15–17 and then share their answers. (You may want to read together “Publican” in Guide to the Scriptures [scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org].–In ancient Rome, a collector of taxes for the government. Publicans were generally hated by the Jews. Some publicans readily accepted the gospel) Why is it important to know that Jesus loves us, even though we aren’t perfect? How can knowing this help us when we need to repent?
  • Show a picture of the Savior (such as one in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families), and ask the children what words they would use to describe Him. Invite them to find words that describe Him in Psalm 86:5, 13, 15. If needed, help them define these words. What could we say to a friend who feels that God is angry at them when they sin?
“Jesus Forgives a Woman”
  • Sing with the children a song that you feel will help them understand the Savior’s forgiving nature, such as “I Stand All Amazed” (Hymns, no. 193). Share your testimony that Jesus Christ wants to forgive us.

Friend January 2023 “What’s on Your Mind?” Jesus Christ loves you perfectly. If you make a wrong choice, He still loves you. And He can help you repent and make things right again. He is always waiting for you to follow Him. He believes in you! (See more at link.)

 If someone were to stray off a path, fall, and become injured, what would be some of the possible symptoms and effects of being injured? Answers might include: pain, shock, bruises, scrapes, cuts, bleeding, broken bones, sprain, concussion, etc.

Just like a person would suffer the effects of being injured, a person who had sinned would also suffer the consequences and results of that sin. What are some of the consequences that can occur because of sin? Answers might include: guilt, loss of the Spirit’s help and guidance, possible loss of freedom, loss of other’s trust, damaged relationships, possible loss of good health, loss of inheritance in the kingdom of God, etc.

Show the children some medical items and ask what they are used for. (To help treat and heal physical injuries and sickness.)

First Aid Kit Vectors by Vecteezy

Who is the master physician that can heal our spiritual wounds, small or large? (Jesus Christ) The Savior said: ‘Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you? … If ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life.’”

  • A few days before class, invite one of the children and a family member to come to class prepared to share the account in Luke 7:36–50. They could draw pictures depicting parts of the story to show the class. Discuss with the children what the Lord might want us to learn from this story.

When I am afraid or in danger, Jesus can help me feel peace. (Junior)

Mark 4:35–41

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 8; Mark 2–4; Luke 7”The account of Jesus calming a storm can help children know that He can give them peace when they feel afraid.

  • Help the children imagine that they are on the ship as you read Mark 4:35–41. (See also “Chapter 21: Jesus Commands the Winds and the Waves,” in New Testament Stories, 53, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.) Ask the children to describe how they might have felt if they had been there. When have the children been scared? How did they find comfort?

Friend September 2013 “Jesus Calms the Tempest”

Friend March 2023 “Jesus Christ Calms the Storm” Illustrations by Apryl Stott

Friend March 2023 What are some things that scare your little ones? Calmly talk about one of those fears. Then help them say, “When I am afraid, Jesus can help me feel peace.”

Friend March 2023 “Come, Follow Me Activities: The Storm”

Story: Read the story of Jesus Christ calming the storm on page 46 or in Mark 4:36–41. Talk about ways Jesus brings you peace.

Song: “I Feel My Savior’s Love” (Children’s Songbook, 74–75)

Activity: Stand in a circle and hold the sides of a blanket. Put a ball on the blanket and gently toss it around, like the ship was tossed on the waves. Take turns telling the group to go fast, slow down, or “be still.”

  • Invite the children to make the sounds of a storm and stop when someone says “Peace, be still.” Testify that just as Jesus can bring us peace when there is a storm outside, He can bring us peace in our hearts when we feel bad on the inside.

Friend March 2023 “The Earthquake Prayer” Violet woke up when she felt an earthquake. She and her family ran to the kitchen and crawled under the table. They had practiced what to do in an earthquake, but Violet was scared. She said a prayer, and felt like someone was giving her a hug. She was glad Heavenly Father helped her feel peace.

  • Teach the children actions to accompany the third verse of “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 57), and sing the verse together while doing the actions.

When I am afraid or in danger, Jesus can help me feel peace. (Senior)

Mark 4:35–41

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 8; Mark 2–4; Luke 7” Children need to know that the Savior can give them peace when they face the storms of life—now and in the future.

  • Ask one of the children to use Mark 4:35–41 and the picture Jesus Calms the Storm (Gospel Art Book, no. 40) to tell the story of Jesus calming the storm. Ask the children to describe how they might have felt if they had been there.
Media library

Friend September 2021 “Singing for Jesus” Songs about Jesus can bring us peace and comfort

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023
  • Invite the children to share experiences when they felt peace after praying for help. Remind them that this peace comes from the Savior.

Friend March 2023 “The Earthquake Prayer” Violet woke up when she felt an earthquake. She and her family ran to the kitchen and crawled under the table. They had practiced what to do in an earthquake, but Violet was scared. She said a prayer, and felt like someone was giving her a hug. She was glad Heavenly Father helped her feel peace.

  • Give each child a paper rain cloud, and ask them to write on it a trial that someone might have. Put all of the clouds on the board, covering a picture of the Savior. Invite a child to remove one of the clouds and suggest ways we could help someone with that trial to find peace. When all the clouds are removed, testify of the Savior’s power to calm the storms in our lives.
Friend August 2021

Friend March 2023 “Peace from the Savior” President Eyring gives ideas on how to feel peace even during difficult times such as remembering the Savior and following him.

For the Strength of Youth March 2023 “Jesus Christ: PEACE among the STORMS”

The Savior has the power to calm any storm in your life. He can heal your pain, ease your burdens, and provide light when you’re in darkness.

It’s important to remember that sometimes the Lord calms the storms in your life, and sometimes He instead calms and comforts you while the storm rages on. When you have faith in Him, you also trust in His will and timing. You believe that He will help you, regardless of when your peace and calm actually arrive.

When you’re lonely, sad, anxious, or waiting for promised blessings, remember this question: Are you waiting for “a great calm” with a fearful heart or with a faithful heart?

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 8; Mark 2–4; Luke 7” Children might enjoy pretending they are in a boat in a stormy sea while someone reads Mark 4:35–38. Then, when someone reads verse 39, they could pretend to be in a boat in a calm sea. You could also sing together a song about finding peace in the Savior, such as “Master, the Tempest Is Raging” (Hymns, no. 105). What phrases in the song teach us about the peace Jesus offers?

Additional Resources

The Red Crystal “Matthew 8; Mark 2–4; Luke 7” Lesson ideas

Jan 8 2023

Matthew 2; Luke 2

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Table of Contents

Matthew 2 The wise men are directed by a star to Jesus—Joseph takes the child to Egypt—Herod slays the children in Bethlehem—Jesus is taken to Nazareth to dwell.

Luke 2 Heavenly messengers herald the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem—He is circumcised, and Simeon and Anna prophesy of His mission—At twelve years of age, He goes about His Father’s business.

Ancient prophets foretold the Savior’s birth.

Luke 2:1–21; Matthew 2:1–12

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 2; Luke 2” Prophets and believers had been looking forward to the Savior’s birth for centuries. Understanding this truth can help the children gain a deeper appreciation for the Savior’s life and mission.

  • Ask the children to talk about things they look forward to, such as a birthday or holiday. Have the children read Helaman 14:2–5 to find something prophets were looking forward to.

Ensign December 2020 “What do Book of Mormon prophets teach us about Christmas?”

Friend December 2018 “Prophecies of Jesus Christ” Match the prophecies with the picture.

Jesus Christ’s Birth: Prophets Foretold the Birth of Jesus Christ Mobile

Jesus was born.

Luke 2:1–14

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 2; Luke 2” Jesus left His home with Heavenly Father to be born on earth so He could be our Savior. How can you help the children remember the story of Christ’s birth?

  • As you read the story of Christ’s birth, invite the children to act out the story themselves, or use this week’s activity page to review the story. (See also “Chapter 5: Jesus Christ Is Born,” in New Testament Stories, 13–15, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.)

Mary and Joseph Travel to Bethlehem

Shepherds Learn of the Birth of Christ Video

  • If you have one, bring a Nativity set, and invite the children to set the pieces in appropriate places as you tell them the story of Jesus Christ’s birth. You could also show a picture of the Nativity (see, for example, this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families). Point to different people in the Nativity, and invite the children to share what they know about each person.

Friend December 2004 “The Christmas Story”  Flannel board figures

  • Sing together the children’s favorite songs about Jesus’s birth. As you do, look for opportunities to bear your testimony of the Savior. Invite the children to share why they love Jesus.

Witnesses of Jesus Birth

The Christ Child is Presented at the Temple video

New Testament Scripture Stories “Presentation at the Temple”

Liahona January 2023 “How Can I Be a Witness of Jesus Christ?” Read how the witnesses responded when they first saw Jesus Christ.

“Lesson 5: The Childhood of Jesus Christ,” Primary 7: New Testament  Lesson discusses the witnesses of Jesus birth

New Testament Coloring Book “Jesus’s Birth”

I can give good gifts to Jesus.

Matthew 2:1–12

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 2; Luke 2” The Wise Men gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. How can you use this story to teach the children that they can give gifts to Jesus too—gifts like love, service, and obedience?

Media Library “Life of Jesus Christ: Wise Men Seek Jesus”

Friend January 2023 “Gifts for Jesus”

Latter Day Kids “Gifts for Jesus” Lesson ideas

  • Gift wrap pictures or objects that represent gifts we can give to Jesus. Invite the children to help you open the gifts, and discuss how we give these gifts to the Savior
  • Help each child draw or write a list of gifts they can give Jesus, such as “being a good friend” or “praying.” Invite the children to share their lists with the class and choose one “gift” they will give Jesus today.

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!

Friend December 2017 “Dear Friends” One reason we give Christmas presents is to remember the gift of Heavenly Father and His Son. They love us so much. And we can show how much we love Them by being kind to others. You are a gift to the world too. Your life is a blessing to those around you.

Friend December 2015
Friend December 2015 Gifts of love

Jesus was once a child like me.

Luke 2:40–52

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 2; Luke 2” Learning about the Savior’s childhood may help the children you teach relate to Him. Ask the children what they can learn from these verses about how they can be like Jesus now.

  • Invite one of the youth in the ward to visit your class and share the story of Jesus teaching in the temple when He was a young man.
Friend Jan 2015
Friend Jan 2015

Young Jesus Teaches in the Temple video

What is the “Father’s business”? (Luke 2:49; see Moses 1:39; General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1.2, ChurchofJesusChrist.org). What do we learn about that business from the story in Luke 2:41–49? Consider writing down some ways your family can participate in the Father’s business and placing them in a jar. During the coming week, as your family looks for ways to help with Heavenly Father’s work, they can select ideas from the jar. Plan a time when you will share your experiences. Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 2, Luke 2”)

Friend January 2019 “Jesus Learned and Grew”

Friend February 2017 “When Jesus was a Child” Jesus found teaching in the temple as a child.

Friend January 2011 “Jesus as a Child”

Friend May 2009 “Jesus Christ Teaches at the Temple”

Primary Visual Aids Cutouts Set 6 “Jesus as a Young Child” Church use only

Media Library “In Favour with God (Jesus Praying with His Mother)” Image (church use only)

Media Library “Jesus Teaching the Elders in the Temple”

Media Library “Jesus Teaches in the Temple”

Media Library “The Young Jesus Coming Out of the Temple with Mary and Joseph”

Media Library “Childhood of Jesus Christ”

Media Library “Jesus and his Mother”

New Testament Coloring Book “Jesus’s Childhood”

  • Ask several children ahead of time to bring pictures of themselves as babies to share. Ask them how they have grown. Share some of the ways Jesus grew (see Luke 2:40, 52). Sing with the children “Jesus Once Was a Little Child” (Children’s Songbook, 55) or another song about the Savior.

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

  • Read Luke 2:52, and explain what “wisdom” and “stature” mean. You might ask the children to perform actions that show what it means to increase in wisdom and in favor with God and other people. For example, they could act out reading a book or helping someone in need.

Friend January 2019 “Family Night Fun”

“Lesson 5: The Childhood of Jesus Christ,” Primary 7: New Testament 

Jesus grew “in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”

Luke 2:40, 52

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 2; Luke 2” Like Jesus, the children you teach have an important mission to prepare for. What can they learn from Jesus’s example?

  • As you read Luke 2:40, 52, tell the children to listen for the things Jesus did. Invite the children to share ways in which they have grown since they were little. Share your own experience of learning the gospel little by little. Bear your testimony of the Savior.

Friend January 2020 “Growing Like Jesus” Growing like Jesus did spiritually, physically, intellectually, and socially by setting goals in the Personal Development: Children’s Guidebook. (“Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52).)

  • Complete activities that illustrate phrases in Luke 2:40, 52. For example, you could measure each child’s height (“Jesus increased in … stature”) or ask the children to share their favorite scripture (“waxed strong in spirit”). Help the children notice ways they are growing and share these with their families.
  • After reviewing Luke 2:40, 52, invite the children to share what they think Jesus would have been like when He was their age. How would He have treated His mother? His brothers and sisters?

I can follow Jesus’s example.

Luke 2:41–52

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 2; Luke 2” Even as a young man, Jesus was teaching the gospel in the temple. Similarly, the children in your class have much to teach those around them.

  • Invite a child to come prepared to summarize the story in Luke 2:41–52. To help the children understand the story, teach what the “Father’s business” (verse 49) means. For example, you could tell the children what you or your parents do for a job. What was the job or “business” of Joseph, Jesus’s earthly father? (see Matthew 13:55). What is the business of His Heavenly Father? (see Luke 2:46–49; see also Moses 1:39).

What is the “Father’s business”? (Luke 2:49; see Moses 1:39; General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1.2, ChurchofJesusChrist.org). What do we learn about that business from the story in Luke 2:41–49? Consider writing down some ways your family can participate in the Father’s business and placing them in a jar. During the coming week, as your family looks for ways to help with Heavenly Father’s work, they can select ideas from the jar. Plan a time when you will share your experiences. Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 2, Luke 2”)

  • With the children, read Luke 2:46–49, and ask, “How was Jesus doing His ‘Father’s business’?” Help the children list or draw on the board ways they can help do Heavenly Father’s business too.
  • To help the children build their confidence that they, like the boy Jesus, can teach the gospel, help them practice teaching each other a principle from For the Strength of Youth.

Friend February 2016

Friend February 2016

Friend December 1991 “I Have a Testimony of Jesus Christ”

Additional Resources

Red Crystal Lesson ideas

The First Christmas Spirit (movie) A depiction of what Joseph may have felt as he faced the responsibility of caring for the Son of God.

Friend January 2023 “Journey to Egypt” After the Wise Men saw Jesus, an angel came to Joseph in a dream. The angel said that Jesus was in danger. He said they should go to Egypt, where they would be safe (see Matthew 2:13–14). Follow the maze to help Mary, Joseph, and Jesus find their way to Egypt.

Aug 5 2022

Plan of Salvation: Premortal Life

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Table of Contents

I Lived with Heavenly Father Before I Came to Earth.

  1. We lived as spirit children of God in a premortal existence.
    1. God is the father of the spirits of all mankind (see Hebrews 12:9; D&C 76:24; Acts 17:29; Romans 8:16).
    2. Our spirit bodies are in the form of God’s physical body (see D&C 77:2; Ether 3:6–16).

God is the Father of our spirits.

We are literally His children, and He loves us. We lived as spirit children of our Father in Heaven before we were born on this earth.

Children of God Scriptures

Doctrine and Covenants 93:23, 29, 38

Invite the children to repeat the phrase “We are the offspring of God” (Acts 17:29), and explain that offspring means children. Bear your testimony to each child, one by one, that he or she is a child of God. Invite them to share how they feel about their Heavenly Father.

  • Print one of the below image for each child and have them write their name on the line in the sentence and then draw a picture of themself

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.

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine & Covenants 93”The Savior emphasized three times in section 93 that we lived with God “in the beginning” (verses 23, 29, 38). Why might He want us to know this? How might knowing this truth bless the children you teach?

  • Repeat together with the children the words “Ye were also in the beginning with the Father” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:23). Explain that before we were born on earth, we lived with Heavenly Father in heaven. Sing together “I Am a Child of God” or “I Lived in Heaven” (Children’s Songbook,2–3, 4).
  • Invite the children to draw pictures of themselves with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the premortal life. Bear your testimony that God loves all of us and that we are all His children.
  • Sing together “I Am a Child of God” or “I Lived in Heaven” (Children’s Songbook, 2–3, 4). What truths do we learn from this song about our purpose for coming to earth?

Friend August 2021 “Scripture Time Fun” Reminder Rocks

  • Sing “I Am a Child of God” (Children’s Songbook, 2–3).
  • We lived with Heavenly Father before we came to earth (see Doctrine and Covenants 93:23). We are all His children.
  • Find some smooth rocks and write “You are a child of God” on them with paint or markers. Then give each rock to a friend, family member, or someone you think could use a reminder.

Heavenly Father knew me before I was born.

Jeremiah 1:5

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Jeremiah 1–3; 7; 16–18; 20” Because we lived with God before we came to earth, He knows us, even if we can’t remember Him. How will you help the children you teach understand this important truth?

  • Read to the children Jeremiah 1:5, and explain that God knew the prophet Jeremiah before he was born. Tell each child, individually, that Heavenly Father also knew him or her before he or she was born and that He sent each of us here for a purpose.

We lived in Heaven: Explain that before we were born on earth we lived in heaven with Heavenly Father.

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.

  • Show the children a picture of a baby, and ask the children if they know where this baby lived before he or she was born. Sing together a song that teaches about our premortal life with God, such as “I Am a Child of God” or “I Lived in Heaven” (Children’s Songbook, 2–3, 4). Talk about the spiritual feelings the song brings. Bear your testimony that we all once lived with Heavenly Father and that He sent us here to earth.
  • If there is a new baby in the ward, invite the parents to bring him or her to class and share their feelings about welcoming this child into the world. (You could also show a picture of a newborn baby.) Talk with the children about where this baby’s spirit was before he or she came to earth.

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Jeremiah 1–3; 7; 16–18; 20”

You could use this verse to talk about our life with Heavenly Father before we were born. Resources like “I Lived in Heaven” (Children’s Songbook, 4) and “Introduction: Our Heavenly Father’s Plan” (in New Testament Stories, 1–5) could help. How can knowing about our premortal life affect the way we live our mortal life?

We Are All Children of God.

Doctrine and Covenants 76:24

President Dallin H. Oaks said that if we teach “a young person the powerful idea that he or she is a child of God,” we can give him or her the “self-respect and motivation to move against the problems of life” (“Powerful Ideas,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 25).

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.

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.

Explain that Heavenly Father is the father of our spirits, and we are his spirit children

  • To help the children understand their potential to become like God, find ways to show them that baby animals grow to become like their parents—perhaps the children could match pictures of animals with pictures of the animals’ babies. Open the scriptures to Doctrine and Covenants 76:24, and tell the children that we are all “sons and daughters unto God.” Bear your testimony that God is our Father and that we can grow to be like our Heavenly Parents.

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.

  • Sing together “I Am a Child of God” (Children’s Songbook,2–3), and invite the children to point to themselves when they sing “I.” Ask them to sing the song again, replacing “I am” with “you are” and pointing to someone else in the class.

Explain that God is another name for Heavenly Father.

(The below visuals are from the Nursery Manual. Also see lds.org for the music)

Heavenly Father Presented the Plan of Salvation

Council in Heaven

God the Father provided the plan of salvation by which His spirit children could eventually become like Him.

 Abraham 3:24–27

“Sharing Time: I Shouted for Joy!” (February 1999 Friend)

“Hurray!” we cried. “Hurray!” We shouted for joy! Have you ever been so happy in a meeting that you wanted to shout for joy? Did you know that you attended a very big meeting before you were born? It was called the Council in Heaven. All of Heavenly Father’s spirit children were there. Jesus Christ was there, and each one of us was there. Jesus was Heavenly Father’s Firstborn Son in the spirit world. We are also His spirit children. We lived with Heavenly Father and Jesus in heaven before we were born on this earth.

In the Council in Heaven, Heavenly Father told us about His wonderful plan. We call it the plan of salvation or the great plan of happiness. As part of this plan, Jesus, under the direction of Heavenly Father, would create a beautiful earth for us. Heavenly Father wanted each of His children to come to earth and receive a body. We had learned as much as we could in the spirit world. With a body and with the gift of agency (freedom to choose right or wrong) we could prove to Heavenly Father that we wanted more than anything else to keep His commandments and return to live with Him again. We were excited to be able to come to earth. [We had progressed as far as we could without a physical body.]

New Testament Stories “Our Heavenly Father’s Plan”

Jesus Christ was chosen and foreordained to come to earth to perform the atoning sacrifice

s 1 Peter 1:19–20; Moses 4:2; Revelation 13:8; Abraham 3:27).

But there was a problem. Heavenly Father knew that when we became mortal and had bodies, we could get sick and die. We would make mistakes and could be tempted. We could sin, and no one who is sinning can live with Him. Heavenly Father knew that someone would have to pay the price for our sins so that we could be clean again and free from sin. We would need a savior who would give his own life in payment for our sins. Heavenly Father asked, “Whom shall I send?” Jesus said, “Here am I, send me.” Jesus said that He would do whatever Heavenly Father wanted Him to do to help us. There was another spirit person there who wanted to take away our agency and force us all to follow him. That was Lucifer, or Satan. He didn’t want to follow Heavenly Father’s plan—he wanted his own plan. Heavenly Father said, “I will send the first.” (See Abr. 3:24–27.)

New Testament Stories “Our Heavenly Father’s Plan”

When we heard that Jesus would be our Savior, we were so grateful and so happy that we shouted for joy. All the prophets from Adam’s time onward knew that Jesus would come and be our Savior. All the prophets who have lived since Jesus’ birth testify that He did come and that He is the Christ. The Apostle John, who knew Jesus personally, declared “We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:69). When we read that scripture, our faith can grow. Once again, we feel like shouting for joy!

  • On the board, draw a heart with the word Satan and a sad face inside it. Explain that Satan said in his heart, “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God” (Isaiah 14:13), which means that he wanted to be better than Heavenly Father. Invite a child to draw another heart, this one with the word Jesus and a happy face inside it. Help the children understand that Jesus wanted to do what Heavenly Father asked Him to do (see Moses 4:1–2). How can we follow Jesus’s example?

There was a war in heaven.

Lucifer, a spirit in authority in the presence of God, sought the glory and honor of God and the elimination of the agency of the children of God

Moses 4:1–3; D&C 76:25–28; Isaiah 14:12–14).

Lucifer’s rebellion against God caused a war in heaven

Revelation 12:7; D&C 76:25–29).

Isaiah 14:12–14

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Isaiah 13–14; 24–30; 35” Before the world was created, Heavenly Father chose Jesus Christ to be our Savior. Isaiah 14:12–14 describes the pride that Satan showed in the premortal Council in Heaven.

  • Use “Introduction: Our Heavenly Father’s Plan” (in New Testament Stories, 1–3) or the song “I Lived in Heaven” (Children’s Songbook, 4) to tell the children about the War in Heaven before we were born. (As you do, include phrases from Isaiah 14:12–14 that describe Satan.) Then invite the children to take turns telling the story back to you. Emphasize that Jesus Christ followed Heavenly Father’s plan and became our Savior.

New Testament Stories “Introduction to Our Heavenly Father’s Plan” Images and video

One-third of the spirits were cast out of heaven because they chose not to keep their first estate

 Abraham 3:27–28; D&C 29:36–38; 2 Peter 2:4; Revelation 12:8–9).

  • All who kept their “first estate” (premortal life) were promised that they would “be added upon” (which includes receiving mortal bodies). All who keep their second estate will have “glory added upon their heads for ever and ever” (Abraham 3:26).

Friend January 2010 “Jehovah and the Wonderful Plan of Our Heavenly Father”

  • We loved Heavenly Father. And He loved us so much that He wanted us to grow up to be like Him and live with Him forever. He wanted us to know everything He knew. But how could we learn all that?
  • Heavenly Father had a wonderful plan. He gathered us all together and told us about His plan. He would create a beautiful world with rivers, mountains, flowers, and animals. Then He would give each of us a chance to come to earth and have a physical body. We would be able to hold warm sand in our hands and feel soft grass under our feet.
  • You would depart from the arms of yourFather, pass through a veil of forgetfulness, receive a mortal body, and learn and experience things that hopefully would help you grow to become more like Father in Heaven]“Back to Your Heavenly Home” (April 2015 Friend)
  • On earth we would have families. They could feed, protect, and love us.
  • On earth we wouldn’t be able to remember Heavenly Father, so we would need to learn about Him. The scriptures, the prophets, and our parents could teach us about Him. We would be tempted to disobey, and sometimes we would make mistakes. Sometimes we would get sick, and eventually we would all have to die.
  • Jehovah was the firstborn of Heavenly Father’s children. He always obeyed His Father. He was like Heavenly Father. He accepted Heavenly Father’s plan. One of the other spirit children of our Heavenly Father, Lucifer, rebelled against the plan. He said we shouldn’t be able to choose between right and wrong.
  • Heavenly Father said that for His plan to work, someone needed to go to earth to help us learn how to get back to heaven.
  • Someone needed to show us how to follow Heavenly Father. Who was obedient enough to do it?
  • Someone needed to atone for our sins so we could repent when we made mistakes. Who was good enough to do it?
  • Someone needed to die and be resurrected so we could all be resurrected and return to heaven. Who was brave enough and loving enough to do it?
  • Was anyone willing to do all this for us?
  • One person was. Our oldest brother, Jehovah, said, “Here am I, send me” (Abraham 3:27).
  • How we loved Him for that.
  • When Jehovah came to earth, He was our Savior. He was called Jesus Christ.
  • God’s whole purpose—His work and His glory—is to enable each of us to enjoy all His blessings. He has provided a perfect plan to accomplish His purpose. We understood and accepted this plan before we came to the earth. In the scriptures God’s plan is called a merciful plan, the plan of happiness, the plan of redemption, and the plan of salvation.
  1. Our instruction and preparation for earth life began in the world of spirits (see D&C 138:56).
  2. God gave us agency in the premortal life (see Moses 4:3; D&C 29:36).
  • Sing songs about God’s plan for us, such as “I Know My Father Lives” or “I Will Follow God’s Plan” (Children’s Songbook, 5, 164–65). Invite the children to draw pictures that go with the words. Let them use their pictures to teach each other truths from the songs.

I showed faith in Jesus Christ in the premortal life.(Jr)

Revelation 12:7–11

To help the children understand what it means to follow someone’s example, choose one child to be a “leader,” and ask the others to follow him or her by doing whatever he or she does. Then let other children be the leader. Read Revelation 12:7–11 to the children and explain that before we were born, we chose to follow Jesus and not Satan.(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Revelation 6–14”)

The Red Crystal

Sing together a song about the premortal life, such as “I Lived in Heaven” or “I Will Follow God’s Plan” (Children’s Songbook, 4, 164–65). Ask questions like, “What happened in heaven before we were born?” and “What did we choose to do?” (See also “Introduction: Our Heavenly Father’s Plan” in New Testament Stories, 1–5, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.)(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Revelation 6–14”)

I showed faith in Jesus Christ in the premortal life.(Sr)

Revelation 12:7–11

Read together Revelation 12:7–11, and write on the board the words dragon, War in Heaven, cast out, testimony, and Lamb. Ask the children to summarize these verses using the words on the board. What do we learn about Jesus Christ (the Lamb) from these verses? What do we learn about the choices we made in the premortal life?(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Revelation 6–14”)

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “Revelation 6–14”vWhat might the phrase “the word of their testimony” mean? How do our testimonies of Jesus Christ help us and others overcome Satan?

Some family members might enjoy drawing pictures of the visions described in Revelation. For example, drawing pictures based on Revelation 12 could lead to discussions about the War in Heaven (see verses 7–11). Pictures based on Revelation 14:6 could lead to discussions about the Restoration of the gospel.

After reading Revelation 14:6 together, consider showing pictures of the angel Moroni and of other angels who helped restore the gospel in our day (see the pictures at the end of this outline). Perhaps family members could take turns holding up one of the pictures and sharing reasons they are thankful that angels came “having the everlasting gospel to preach unto [us].”

On the board, create three columns and label them Before this life, During this life, and Both. Prepare strips of paper that state truths about the premortal life and about mortal life, such as We have bodies, We don’t have bodies, We live in God’s presence, We are at war with Satan, We exercise faith in Jesus Christ, and We follow God’s plan. Let the children take turns picking a paper strip and deciding which column it belongs in. Share your confidence that the children can continue to show faith in Christ.(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Revelation 6–14”)

The Creation

The Earth was Created so We Could Become Like Our Heavenly Father

Jesus Christ Created the Earth Under the Direction of Heavenly Father.

Preach My Gospel “Plan of Salvation” Under the direction of the Father, Jesus Christ created the earth as a place for us to live and gain experience. In order to progress and become like God, each of us had to obtain a body and be tested during a time of probation on the earth. While on the earth we are out of God’s physical presence. We do not remember our premortal life. We must walk by faith rather than by sight.

Many became noble and great in the premortal world (see Abraham 3:22–25; Jeremiah 1:4–6; Alma 13:3–5).