Friend November 2024 “A Special Conference” While watching conference, Indira heard the prophet say that “Our greatest joy comes as we help our brothers and sisters.” She decided to try it. That week she was extra nice to her family. She shared her toys. She did what Mom and Dad asked without complaining. When Indira helped her family, they were happy. And that made her happy too.
Friend October 2023 “Listening to the Prophet” Francesco likened conference to the fruit and vegetable truck who advertise what they have over a loud speaker as they drive by. He said, “Jesus uses the prophet to share His words, just like Ramón uses the loudspeaker. That way everyone in the world can hear Him!” Francesco was excited to hear the prophets words at conference. He wanted to follow Jesus Christ. And he could do that by following the prophet!
Friend October 2020 “Matt and Mandy” As the family reads about King Benjamin, Matt says how cool it must have been to be there listening to a prophet. Mandy reminds him they already get to do that at conference.
Friend May 2019 “Service for Suzie” Ophelie’s favorite part of conference is when the prophet asked them to do acts of service. Ophelie’s family decide to look for ways to help others. They find out that a neighbor is having eye surgery and Ophelie asks if they can make dinner for her.
Friend April 2019 “Action Rhyme: General Conference” King Benjamin once taught his people from a tower tall. The message went from tent to tent until it reached them all.Now when the prophet speaks today, I watch him on a screen. And then I see him when I read the Friend’s next magazine!
Friend October 2016 “General Conference Breakfast” Jacob’s family makes a special breakfast together before conference. (As you read the story to the children, point to the pictures and let them say that part.)
Friend May 2023 “Conference Show and Tell” Children tell what they love about conference and show some things they did during conference like art. One family says ” We get together as a family before conference and write down questions we have. We watch conference and help each other listen for answers to our questions.”
Conference is special to me because I spend time with my family. We listen to the speakers and do crafts. Lucy A., age 10, Al-Ahmadi, Kuwait
I liked Elder De Feo’s talk. He said we can see Jesus with our spiritual eyes if we keep our faith. Then we will feel peace and have His Spirit with us. Thomas M., age 7, Catalonia, Spain
My family prays to Heavenly Father to help us prepare for conference and be taught by the Spirit. We dress in our Sunday best. We watch conference together and sing along to all the songs. Harriet O., age 9, Lagos State, Nigeria
Mosiah CHAPTER 1 King Benjamin teaches his sons the language and prophecies of their fathers—Their religion and civilization have been preserved because of the records kept on the various plates—Mosiah is chosen as king and is given custody of the records and other things. About 130–124 B.C.
How did the plates of brass and the plates of Nephi bless King Benjamin’s people? How do the scriptures bless our family?
Mosiah 2
Mosiah CHAPTER 2 King Benjamin addresses his people—He recounts the equity, fairness, and spirituality of his reign—He counsels them to serve their Heavenly King—Those who rebel against God will suffer anguish like unquenchable fire. About 124 B.C.
Ask the students to tell some things they know about kings. Write those things on the chalkboard under the heading KINGS. After watching the videos about King Benjamin, ask the students if King Benjamin did any of the things listed on the board. Ask if they think King Benjamin was a good king, and why.
(Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020) When you hear the word king, you might think of crowns, castles, servants, and thrones. In Mosiah 1–3, you will read about a different kind of king. Rather than living off the labors of his people, King Benjamin “labored with [his] own hands” (Mosiah 2:14). Instead of having others serve him, he served his people “with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord [had] granted unto [him]” (Mosiah 2:11). This king did not want his people to worship him; rather, he taught them to worship a King greater than himself, for he understood that it is “the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth” (Mosiah 3:5).
King Benjamin’s Address, by Jeremy Winborg
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Mosiah 1-3”This week’s activity page has a simple crown your children could make. Maybe they would like to take turns standing on a chair or stool and pretending to be King Benjamin while you share some things King Benjamin taught his people, found in Mosiah 2–3. You could also share with them “Chapter 12: King Benjamin” (Book of Mormon Stories, 32–35) to give them an overview of King Benjamin’s teachings.
Come Follow Me Kid “Mosiah 1-3” Cards with the teachings of King Benjamin that the children could read while pretending to be King Benjamin. (Suggestion: Do this a little at a time by using the cards that go along with each lesson title.)
You could make a small tower and let family members take turns reading King Benjamin’s words while standing on it. (You could make a simple crown or costume as well for the speaker to wear.) The rest of the family could listen from inside a makeshift tent. Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020 “Mosiah 1-3”
Friend August 1988 “Sharing Time: Be a Righteous Leader” Cut out King Benjamin and statements. Read statements as you glue them between the steps of the tower. Cut slits marked with broken lines and place King Benjamin on tower between railing.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Mosiah 1-3” Mosiah 2:17 might be a good verse for your children to learn. You could help them repeat it a few words at a time. Or you could write the verse down, with several key words missing, and ask your children to find the missing words. Then you could talk with your children about why God wants us to serve each other.
Friend April 2020 “Come Follow Me for Little Ones” Read Mosiah 2:17 together. Then help your little ones take turns standing on a chair, like King Benjamin on the tower. (You could make a simple crown or print the one below for the speaker to wear) While on the chair, help them repeat a simple line about service, like “God is happy when I help others” or, “By serving others I’m serving God.”
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Mosiah 1-3” Invite the children to repeat the following sentence a few words at a time as they clap each syllable with you: “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). Repeat this until the children have learned some or all of the words. Testify that when we help others, we are also helping Heavenly Father and Jesus and making Them happy. Ask the children to share ways they can help others.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Mosiah 1-3” You could help your children search Mosiah 2:11–18 to find out what King Benjamin did to serve others. Then your children could write on strips of paper some ways they can serve family members. Put the papers in a container, like a bag or jar, so your children can pick one each day and do that act of service for someone.
King Benjamin built a tower and taught his people that when we serve each other, we are really serving God (see Mosiah 2:17).
Build a tower. It can be a chair, an ottoman, a few boxes, etc.
Take turns getting up on your tower and thanking someone in the family for the service they have done recently.
Now take turns getting on the tower again and sharing with the family one way you’re going to provide service this week.
Discussion: Why is it important to serve others? How does it make you feel when someone serves you? How can we serve someone (and God) as a family this week?
Invite the children to share how they would define the word boast, or help them find the definition in a dictionary. Help them search Mosiah 2:15–24, looking for reasons why King Benjamin did not boast about his service to others. Why should we serve others? After the children share their ideas, help them understand that we should seek to serve others because we love them and God, not so that we will look good to others.
Ask the children to share situations in which someone might boast or brag about something. Why is it wrong to boast in those situations? Invite them to use counsel from King Benjamin’s speech in Mosiah 2:15–24 to help them with their answers.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Mosiah 1-3” Explain that King Benjamin taught that all of our blessings come from Heavenly Father. Invite the children to listen for a blessing Heavenly Father has given us as you read Mosiah 2:21. What other blessings has Heavenly Father given us? How can we show that we are thankful for these things? (see Mosiah 2:22).
Friend May 2023 “Bright Idea” Circle the blessings you are grateful for. (Have the children draw pictures of other items they are grateful for.)
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Mosiah 1-3” Here’s a game you could play to help your children recognize Heavenly Father’s blessings. The children could pass around a picture of the Savior as they sing or listen to a song about gratitude (see “Gratitude” in the topics index of the Children’s Songbook). Stop singing or stop the music periodically, and invite whoever is holding the picture to talk about a blessing they are grateful for. According to Mosiah 2:22–24, how can we show that we are thankful for our blessings?
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Mosiah 1-3” King Benjamin’s service to his people was inspired by his deep gratitude to God. How will you inspire similar feelings in your children? You could read together Mosiah 2:21 and start a list of blessings Heavenly Father has given us. Then maybe you could add to the list other blessings your children think of.
Blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God.
Mosiah CHAPTER 3 King Benjamin continues his address—The Lord Omnipotent will minister among men in a tabernacle of clay—Blood will come from every pore as He atones for the sins of the world—His is the only name whereby salvation comes—Men can put off the natural man and become Saints through the Atonement—The torment of the wicked will be as a lake of fire and brimstone. About 124 B.C.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Mosiah 1-3” An angel told King Benjamin important truths about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Maybe you and your children could look for pictures of some of the events mentioned in Mosiah 3:5–10 (see, for instance, Gospel Art Book, nos. 30, 41, 42, 57, 59). As you read Mosiah 3:5–10, your children could raise their hands when they hear something in the passages that appears in one of the pictures.
Come Follow Me Kid “Mosiah 1-3” Treat (Recipe for Becoming Like Christ)- Mosiah 3:19 has a “recipe” for how we can become like Jesus Christ. Read it and have them listen to things that will help us become like Jesus. For each thing they can hear/find, add an ingredient to a bowl to make a favorite family recipe. Remind them that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the most important “ingredient.” (idea from manual)
For the Strength of Youth April 2024 “What is “the natural man”? The term natural man describes “a person who chooses to be influenced by the passions, desires, appetites, and senses of the flesh rather than by the promptings of the Holy Spirit” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Natural Man,” Gospel Library).
A wise Cherokee, one of the indigenous tribes in the United States, told his grandson a parable about life. “Inside me there is a terrible fight between two wolves,” the grandfather said. “One is evil: full of anger and envy, self-pity and sorrow, greed and lies. The other is good: full of kindness and compassion, humility and truth, love and joy. That fight is going on inside each of us.” “Which wolf will win?” the grandson asked. (Dallin H. Oaks, “Choices,” For the Strength of Youth, Sep. 2021, 13; story adapted from Shayne M. Bowen, “Agency and Accountability,” New Era, Sep. 2012, 8)
How have you noticed this struggle between the “two wolves” in yourself?
In the story President Oaks shared, the response of the grandfather to his grandson’s question about which wolf would win was, “The one you feed.”
What might it mean to “feed” the natural man or woman inside all of us?
Following Jesus Christ is the only way to return to Heavenly Father.
Draw a sun at the top of the board to represent heaven. Draw several paths that lead to different places around the board but only one path that leads to heaven. Ask the children to find that path and place a picture of Jesus on it. Read Mosiah 3:17, and testify that following Jesus Christ is the only way to return to Heavenly Father.
Friend October 2020 “Matt and Mandy” As the family reads about King Benjamin, Matt says how cool it must have been to be there listening to a prophet. Mandy reminds him they already get to do that at conference.
Primary 4: Book of Mormon “King Benjamin Teaches His People” (See more at link.) Tell the children about the latest general conference of the Church. If possible, show them a copy of the conference issue of the Ensign or international magazine. Compare this conference to the meeting King Benjamin held with his people. Explain how the Church helps all its members receive messages from the President of the Church and other General Authorities through radio, television, and satellite broadcasts and through printed materials. Discuss some of the topics from the last conference. Encourage the children to read or listen to the messages from the next general conference and follow the counsel of our prophets and leaders.
For younger children: We are blessed when we listen to the prophet. Play a game about turning to the prophet’s words. Have your children close their eyes. Stand nearby and read or play one of the prophet’s talks. See how fast your children can turn to his words!
Sing “Follow the Prophet” (Children’s Songbook, 110–11).
When King Benjamin taught his people, they set up their tents facing the temple to hear him speak (see Mosiah 2:5–6). It was kind of like general conference!
Set up a tent in your house using chairs and blankets. Then sit in your tent and watch a conference talk or Church video together.
Friend March 2018 “Pitch Your Tent” Cutout to build a Nephite tent. Can put strips of paper in the tent of things learned in the lesson
Friend November 2019 “Friends by Mail” During general conference, we used the “Pitch Your Tent” cutouts (March 2018) to create a 3D model and added quotes from President Nelson’s talk! Ava and Maryanne P., ages 8 and 6, Washington, USA
Each April and October, the Church holds a series of meetings called general conference. Leaders teach and testify about Jesus Christ and His gospel. General conference is held in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, and is broadcast throughout the world in over 80 languages. All members and any other interested people are invited to listen to the talks.
The First Church Conferences
The Church was officially organized during a meeting on April 6, 1830 (see Doctrine and Covenants 20). The first general conference was held on June 9, 1830. Since then, general conferences have been held under the direction of the President of the Church wherever members could gather. In the 1840s, leaders began holding conference twice a year.
Conference Today
The First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and other Church leaders speak during general conference. The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and other Church choirs provide music. Each conference has five sessions: three on Saturday and two on Sunday.
In the months before conference, Church leaders pray about what to teach. The Lord inspires them to know what they should say. They teach gospel truths and invite us to keep God’s commandments. They also testify of Jesus Christ and encourage us to follow Him.
Friend September 2023 “The Dinner Guest” Johne’s foster family prepared for conference by learning about a different apostle each night. They taped a picture of the apostle on an empty chair and he was their dinner guest. Then the learned facts and stories about the apostle. Johne loved learning about the Apostles! He couldn’t wait to hear from them at conference.
Before general conference, we can pray to hear what the Lord wants us to learn. As we listen to the talks, the Spirit will teach us what we need to know. After conference, the talks appear on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, in the Gospel Library app, and in the Liahona. We can prayerfully study the talks to learn more about Jesus Christ and His gospel.
What Children Love About Conference and What They Learned
Friend November 2022 “Conference Show and Tell” Children tell what they love about conference and show some things they did during conference such as art work, building sugar cube temples, etc. One boy said, “We play a game during conference. We add a sticker to a piece of paper every time we hear the name of Christ. Our papers end up full of stickers!”
Friend November 2019 “Friends By Mail” During general conference, we used the “Pitch Your Tent” cutouts (March 2018) to create a 3D model and added quotes from President Nelson’s talk! Ava and Maryanne P., ages 8 and 6, Washington, USA
Friend April 2019 “For Parents of Little Ones” Helping children get the most out of conference.
Friend May 2019 “Show and Tell: Conference” Children share what they did during conference like building a block temple or playing a fun game during conference. One family filled 15 bowls with snacks and put a picture of one of the Apostles or members of the First Presidency on each one. When one of the Brethren speaks, they eat what is in that cup! Children also shared what they liked about conference and what they learned.
Friend November 2018 “Show and Tell: Conference” Children share what they liked about conference and what they learned.
Friend May 2018 “Show and Tell: Conference” Children share what they like about conference, what they did during conference, how they listened to conference, etc.
Friend May 2018 “Conference News” At Conference new temples are announced (fill in the blank activity to find out which temples were announced at this conference), solemn assemblies occur where we raise our hand to sustain a new prophet (pictures of a family at home participating), callings and releases of new leaders occur, and we are taught by our leaders.(Also guess how many languages this conference was translated into.
Friend May 2019 “Family Night Fun” Look through the general conference section at the beginning of any Friend magazine that arrives after conference, and make a family goal to do something our leaders invited us to do.
Conference is special to me because I spend time with my family. We listen to the speakers and do crafts. Lucy A., age 10, Al-Ahmadi, Kuwait
I liked Elder De Feo’s talk. He said we can see Jesus with our spiritual eyes if we keep our faith. Then we will feel peace and have His Spirit with us. Thomas M., age 7, Catalonia, Spain
My family prays to Heavenly Father to help us prepare for conference and be taught by the Spirit. We dress in our Sunday best. We watch conference together and sing along to all the songs. Harriet O., age 9, Lagos State, Nigeria
Friend May 2018 “Show and Tell” “Sustaining a prophet in general conference is such an opportunity and privilege. No matter where you are, it is still a privilege.” Christina K., age 10, New South Wales, Australia
Ensign March 2018 “Get Ready for Conference” (Also see Elder Uchdorf’s article “The Word of God to His Children” on how to prepare to receive personal answers and revelation during general conference.
After conference, choose one quote, lesson, principle, or whole talk that inspired you.
Share it with your family and write it down somewhere you will see it every day.
Make a goal for how you will apply that principle to your life each day.
Support each other. Being accountable to others is great motivation!
When the next general conference approaches, sit down with your family and share what you’ve learned and the blessings you’ve received from applying this principle
Friend October 2016 “For Parents of Little Ones” Ideas on how to help children learn to love conference.
Friend November 2017 “Show and Tell-Conference Edition” Children share why they love Conference.
Following the Words of the Prophets after Conference
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Helaman 13–16: Glad Tidings of Great Joy” Show a picture of the living prophet speaking in general conference. Tell the children that God tells the prophet what to say to us, just as He told Samuel what to say to the Nephites. Talk together about things the prophet has said that have been inspiring to you or the children.
Read aloud Helaman 16:1 and 5, and ask the children to stand up when they hear something the people did when they believed Samuel’s words. Then read verses 2 and 6, and ask the children to sit down when they hear something the people did when they did not believe. How can we show that we believe the words of the living prophet?
Read Helaman 16:1–3 together. Those who believed Samuel “went forth” to do what he taught. Talk about how we should follow our Church leaders today.
Invite each family member to find a quote from general conference. (Perhaps browse “Inspirational Picture Quotes” at ChurchofJesusChrist.org/media-library/images.)
Take turns standing on a chair or stool, like Samuel on the wall, and reading these quotes to the group.
After each quote, talk about what your family can do to “go forth” and do what was taught.
Discussion: What could we do to get ready for general conference next month? What would help us listen to and act on the teachings of our Church leaders?
Friend March 2022 “Overcoming Your Challenges”President Dallin H. Oaks discusses the challenges he faced growing up, such as having his father die when he was seven, or being bullied and made fun of by other kids because he couldn’t spell or do math very well. Heavenly Father and Dallin’s family helped him and things got better. President Oaks wants the children to know that Heavenly Father will help them and to not give up. (Coloring page “I Can Overcome Challenges”)
Friend March 2017 “What if I feel Like I Don’t Measure Up” Elder Holland got discouraged during college and wondered if he should just give up, but his wife encouraged him not to to give up.
Friend February 2024 While Elder Holland was serving his mission in Great Britain, his parents were called on a mission to serve there too!
Friend April 2016 “Your Future Home” President Eyring remembers reading scriptures in school, and he remembers what his favorite scripture was and why.
Friend July 2018 “Taking Care of Each Other” When President Eyring’s great grandfather was crossing the plains, he got sick. Someone was sent to help him. He fell in love with one of the women and married her. Also, link includes “Getting to Know President Henry B. Eyring.”
Dieter F. Uchdorf
Friend July 2021 “A Dream for Dieter” When he was a boy, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf loved airplanes and wanted to be a pilot someday. But Dieter’s family were refugees and poor so sometimes he felt like his dream was impossible. He worked hard and had faith and was able to attain his dream of being a pilot.
Friend July 2017 “Don’t Stop Seeking” President Uchdorf tells about two missionaries who knocked on every door in an apartment building. Nobody was interested until the last door. The last door was the family of Pres. Uchdorf’s future wife. He says we should persevere and not stop seeking to get close to the Lord.
Friend April 2022 “Harriet Meets the Missionaries” Harriet’s father died and she missed him so much and wondered if she would ever see him again. Then the missionaries came and they told them about the plan of salvation and about being with our families again after death. Harriet and her family joined the church and Harriet grew up and married Dieter F. Uchdorf.
Friend March 2020 “Meet the Apostles” Some info about the life of Dieter F. Uchdorf.
Friend June 2017 “Why are Fathers so Important?” Elder Christopherson’s father set an example of honesty and service and Elder Christopherson wanted to be just,like his father.
Friend December 2017 “How Can Repenting Make Me Feel Happy?” When Elder Renlund was young, he lit a firecracker in a church building and felt terrible about it. His bishop helped him repent and feel happy again.
Friend March 2024 “Conference Squares” Here’s an activity to do while you listen to conference. When a speaker talks about one of topics, cover the square with a small item. Try to cover four in a row. Then try to cover all the squares!
Friend May 2023 “Find It” Our prophets and apostles speak to the whole world from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah! Can you find the hidden items?
Four in a Row: When you hear someone talk about one of these things, put a marker (like a button or a pebble) on the square. Can you fill out a whole row? What about the whole box?
Conference Coloring: Listen for the words below as you watch conference. Color part of the picture as you hear each word.
Listen with Your Heart: When you hear the words Holy Ghost or Spirit, draw a heart in this space. When you hear the word listen, draw a smiley face.
Friend March 2020 “Your General Conference Notes” Color the pictures when you hear the items mentioned in the talks. Write in the speech bubbles other words you hear. Draw the speakers behind the podiums. Color the special bookmark/image while listening to the prophet.
Friend November 2019 “Conference News” The next general conference will celebrate 200 years since Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. President Nelson invited us to get ready by reading about the First Vision. Color in each scripture icon as you read the verses from Joseph Smith—History.
Friend October 2019 “Prophets and Apostles” Color the pictures during general conference of the people who speak, or after conference as you remember your favorite talks. Color a heart every time you hear someone mention Jesus. He loves you!
Friend September 2019 “Funstuff: Go for Four this Conference” Whenever you hear one of the words in the list, take turns writing your letter (X or O) in one of the circles on the bottom row. See who can build four in a row first.
Friend April 2019 “Conference Building Blocks” Fill in the temple building blocks with numbers from the list. During conference, when you see or hear something from your list, place a marker (like a bean or candy) on that block.
Friend March 2019 “While You’re Watching Conference” Color in each space as you hear the words in the spaces during conference.
Friend October 2018 “Funstuff” “Conference Hearts: Each time you feel loved or hear the word “love,” color a heart.” “Conference Words: Write down a word to help you remember what a talk was about. For example, if someone speaks about faith, write “faith” in a bubble.”
Friend May 2018 “Our Prophets and Apostles Today” Match the picture with the names and facts about each leader, or tape the top of the picture to the facts about the leader and flip it up and learn more about them during conference.
Friend March 2018 “Pitch Your Tent” Cutout to build a tent like King Benjamin’s people. Children put strips of paper in the tent of things learned during conference.
Friend October 2017 “Conference Quest” Fill in the empty spaces along the path with words from the list, or think of your own. When a speaker says the next word on your path, move a coin or bead forward.
Friend April 2017 Draw lines from the picture of the speaker to what they are speaking about. If a topic isn’t already on the page, write it in!
Friend March 2017 Put a penny or bean on a square each time you hear that word in a talk. Whenever you reach five times on a word, you could switch out the pile with a five-cent coin or different-colored bean.
Friend May 2019 “Cover” Find items in the illustration of a family watching conference.
Friend November 2016 “Show & Tell” Make cereal necklaces while watching conference (could put one on every time hear a certain word-like prayer). Set up a small tent in living room to watch conference in like King Benjamin’s people did.
Friend May 2021 “Find It” Emma and Lily love to draw temples when they watch conference with their grandparents. How does your family watch conference? Can you find the hidden objects?
Friend October 2022 We made a collage from old Church magazines while we listened to conference. It helped us feel the Spirit and was a lot of fun! (see image at link)
Using a utility knife, cut along the dotted line on each chair. Using 15 different colored markers or 15 different colored pieces of paper, put a different color on the back of the bottom tab on each photo. Put a square of matching color on the back of each matching chair just above the slit.
Tape each chair to a piece of 30″x20″ foam board using double-sided removable tape or sticky tac. Sticky tac the pictures of the apostles and prophet to a separate heavy sheet of paper.
Music Time Game Idea
The object of the game is to match the prophet and apostle’s pictures to their correct chairs. Have a volunteer pick a picture. Have them slide the tab of the picture into a chair slit. The child can they check the back to see if it is correct by looking to see if the colors on the tab and chair match. If they get a match they can choose a song to sing, or you may have specific songs you want them to sing written on the back of each chair, or a list of songs written on the board they can choose from.
Note: This activity can be used in a variety of ways for music or sharing time. Check out intheleafytreetopsthebirdssing.blogspot for the clever ways she adapted and used the visuals. She also has wonderful visuals for the song “Latter Day Prophets”, which includes the new part with President Monson.
Print one copy of the large crossword puzzle and clues from pdf or word and cut out each clue and title. (Or print one copy of the smaller Crossword Puzzle and Clues per child and one copy of the section titles pdf or word.) The crossword puzzle is from the Friend, September 2000, Funstuff.
Briefly review the previous week’s lesson. Explain that after Enos died, the records of the people were passed down from generation to generation. The Nephites had many battles with the Lamanites through the generations. The Lord warned a Nephite named Mosiah to flee out of the land with as many as would listen to the voice of the Lord. The people fled until they came to a land called the Land of Zarahemla. They discovered a people there called the people of Zarahemla (or Mulekites). The people of Zarahemla had been brought by the hand of the Lord to the promised land. They had come out of Jerusalem at the time King Zedekiah of Judah was carried away captive into Babylon. The Mulekite’s language and religious beliefs had become altered because they had brought no records with them. Mosiah had them taught his language. The people of Zarahemla and the people of Mosiah united. Mosiah was appointed their king.
After King Mosiah died, his son King Benjamin ruled. King Benjamin was a righteous king. King Benjamin ruled the people for many years. When he became old, he called his people together to speak to them and to confer the kingdom upon his son Mosiah. (Display the picture of King Benjamin addressing his people.)
Scripture Story Activity
Hand out a crossword puzzle, crossword puzzle clues (or use the enlarged version of the clues and puzzle and post them on the board when indicated in the lesson), pencil, and a Book of Mormon to each child. Explain to the children that as they do the crossword puzzle they will learn more about King Benjamin and about his final address to his people.
Instructions: Attach the section title to the board (go in the order given) and read it to the class; also read any explanation that goes with it. Either post the enlarged version of the clues below it (one at a time and in the order given), or have a volunteer read out loud the crossword puzzle clue from their own list. Have a child try to guess what the missing word might be. Direct all the children to look up the scripture reference to see if the guess is correct. Have someone read the whole scripture out loud. Have the children fill in their crossword puzzle space with the correct answer, or have the class fill out the bigger version together on the board. Afterwards, read any further explanations that are given about the answer in the sections below.
King Benjamin called the people together to speak to them before he died.
King Benjamin was getting old and knew that he would die soon. He needed to confer the kingdom upon one of his sons, and he wished to speak to the people before he died. He had his son Mosiah gather the people together.
7 Down) LAND
3 Across) TEMPLE
The temple was of great spiritual consequence to the people, so it was a significant place for King Benjamin to teach and instruct the people.
12 Down) TOWER
The multitude was so great that King Benjamin had a tower built so they could hear his words.
20 Diagonally Up) WRITTEN
Many of the people still could not hear his words as he spoke from the tower, so he had his words written down and sent among the people.
What kind of man was King Benjamin?
We learn more about the kind of man and leader King Benjamin was as he begins his address to his people.
1 Across) LABORED
King Benjamin did not seek for the people’s gold or silver. He labored to serve them. He was a righteous leader.
21 Diagonally Down) COMMANDMENT
5 Across) WICKEDNESS
11 Down) PEACE
There was a serious war between the Lamanites and the Nephites, and King Benjamin was instrumental in driving the Lamanites out of the land. He also taught the Nephites to keep the commandments, and he would not suffer that they commit any manner of wickedness. Because of these things, he established peace in the land.
What are some of the things King Benjamin taught the people during his address?
19 Diagonally Down) ANOTHER
2 Across) SERVICE
Heavenly Father loves his children. When we serve others, we are helping the Lord love and care for his children. The Lord has done much for us, and we can show our love and gratitude to Heavenly Father by serving his children.
6 Across) UNPROFITABLE
The word unprofitable means running at a loss. Everything we have–including our life–our Heavenly Father has given us. The only thing we can give to God in return is our obedience. But when we are obedient, he blesses us and we are indebted to him again. We can never repay our Heavenly Father for the blessings he bestows upon us.
13 Down) HEAVENLY
8 Down) KEEP
4 Across) PROSPERED
22 Diagonally Up) CONTENTIONS
15 Down) SALVATION
An angel had appeared to King Benjamin and had told him of the Savior’s coming in great detail, including of His death and resurrection. Jesus Christ suffered and died for us that we might repent of our sins and live with Heavenly Father again.
9 Down) NAME
When each of us is born into a family, we receive a family name. Ask the children to tell what their family name is.
When we are baptized and become members of the church, we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. Because of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, he is the father of our spiritual rebirth and we become his sons and daughters.
Ask the children what characteristics they inherited from their parents. Tell them we can also become like Christ through our covenant to keep His commandments.
Tell the children to read the scripture in this clue again, and then tell why it is important for us to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. (There is no other name or way where salvation can be attained.)
How did the people respond to King Benjamin’s words?
10 Down) SINS
The people of King Benjamin recognized the need for power beyond their own to overcome their sinful condition. They prayed for mercy and asked Heavenly Father to apply the atoning blood of Christ so they could be forgiven of their sins.
16 Down) REMISSION
17 Down) EVIL
The people experienced a mighty change of heart. They had no more disposition to do evil. They had a desire to convert their lives to the things of God.
14 Down) COVENANT
18 Down) SOUL
• When do we make this kind of covenant? (When we are baptized.) King Benjamin’s people had been baptized; they were members of the church. When King Benjamin spoke to his people, they gained a greater understanding of the gospel and the atonement. They were touched by the Spirit and had a mighty change of heart. We must also listen to the prophet, study, learn, and gain understanding so we can experience a mighty change of heart and renew and strengthen our commitment to take upon us the name of Christ.
Conclusion
• How did the people of Zarahemla respond to the call to gather to the temple to hear the words of their prophet and king?
• How do we respond to the call to hear the words of the living prophet? Do we eagerly take advantage of those opportunities to hear and read his words?
• When do we have the opportunity to hear the prophet’s words? During General Conference that is held in October and April.
• Where can we read the prophet’s words? Show the children a copy of the Friend magazine and explain that there is a message from the prophet, or one of his counselors, at the beginning of each magazine. We can also read their words in other church magazines.
We need to listen to and obey the living prophet’s words just as King Benjamin’s people listened to and obeyed his words. As we do this, our hearts can change, and we will have no more disposition to do evil but to do good continually.
Weekly Reading Assignment
Remind the children to do their scripture reading assignment for this week: Mosiah 2:1–41 and Mosiah 5:1-8
