Table of Contents
- Why Should We Follow or Be Good Examples?
- Being a Light to Others
- I Can Be Like a Light to Others.
- I can shine the Savior’s light for others.
- Jesus wants me to be a light to others.
- My example can light the way for others to follow Jesus.
- Zion Shall Be “An Ensign Unto the People.”
- I can be “an example of the believers.” (Jr)
- I can be “an example of the believers.” (Sr)
- My Example Can Help Others Come to Christ and Find Safety.
- Ways to be an Example
- Righteous Heroes’ Example
Why Should We Follow or Be Good Examples?
Heavenly Father wants me to be an example to others. (Jr)
Describe things that stand out from their surroundings, or show pictures of such things. For example, a temple stands out from the buildings around it or a mountain rises above a valley. Explain that when we keep the commandments, we stand out and other people can see our examples. Talk about some “good works” that you have seen the children do. Explain that good works like these “glorify God”—they help others feel more love for God and desire to serve Him. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Peter”)
Complete the activity page with the children. How are the people they found in the picture glorifying God?(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Peter”)
My good example can lead others to Christ.
Alma encouraged Corianton to learn from the good example of his brothers and warned Corianton not to be a negative example for others.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 39-42”
- Alma’s counsel to Corianton can help your children understand the importance of being a good example. Consider reading together Alma 39:1. How was Corianton’s brother Shiblon a good example? Your children could find additional answers to this question in Alma 38:2–4.
- You could also play a game in which you and your children take turns following or imitating each other. Use this game to illustrate how our actions could help others make good choices.
Sing the song “Do as I’m Doing” (Children’s Songbook, 276). Let each child have a turn being the leader or example. Ask the children how they can be a good example to someone.
- Sing together “I Am like a Star” (Children’s Songbook, 163), and help your children think of ways they can be a good example.
Bring a flashlight or a picture of the sun, and compare light to the power of a righteous example. Just as the light from a flashlight or the sun can help us see a path we need to follow, a righteous example shows us what to do in order to follow Heavenly Father. Share an experience when someone’s good example helped you. Ask the children to talk about someone who is a good example for them. What can the children do to be a good example to others?
Show pictures of Jesus doing good things, and explain that He is our perfect example. Explain that we can be good examples, like Jesus was. Invite the children to draw pictures of themselves being good examples.
Friend December 2016 “A Shining Light”
- The videos “Shine Your Light So Others May See” and “Lessons I Learned as a Boy” can help your children discuss how their example can lead people to Christ.
Ask the children how the older boy was a good example.
Following righteous counsel and examples
Who were Corianton’s righteous examples? His father and older brothers. Alma told Corianton to counsel with his brothers. (Alma 39:10)
How can counseling with righteous family members help strengthen our resistance to temptation? They love us and want what is best for us, and being experienced in righteous living, they can help give advice on how to avoid temptation and difficulty.
Not only can we receive direction from righteous family members, but there may be other people around us who are also righteous examples.
From what other sources can you receive righteous counsel and examples?
Object Lesson: Fill two paper bags, one filled with garbage and the other filled with desirable items such as treats or little party favor toys. Show the children the two bags or boxes, and explain that one has something undesirable in it and the other has something desirable in it. Show one of the children what is in the bags. Tell the other children that they can ask the child yes or no questions about the items (with the exception of directly asking which is the good or bad container) until they can decide which is the good choice.
Ask the children if it helped to talk to someone who was informed about which was the bad choice and which was the good choice. Point out that it also helps to counsel with those who are experienced in righteous living in order to get help and direction in making good choices in life.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 39-42”
- Explain that Alma’s son Corianton committed a serious sin while he should have been preaching the gospel. Read the last half of Alma 39:11 with the children, and ask them to listen for how Corianton’s sin affected the Zoramites. Help the children think of people who may be influenced by their actions. How can they be good examples for these people?
Being a good example of a disciple of Jesus Christ
Have members of your family ever asked someone to write a letter of recommendation for them, such as for a job or school application? Ask them to talk about this experience. Paul taught that the lives of the Saints were like letters of recommendation for the gospel of Jesus Christ, “written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God.” As you read 2 Corinthians 3:1–3 together, discuss how our examples are like letters that can be “known and read of all men,” demonstrating the truth and worth of the gospel. Perhaps each family member could write a letter or “epistle” explaining how another family member has been a good example of a disciple of Jesus Christ. They could read their letters to the family and give them to the family member they wrote about. Why is it important to understand that our lives are “epistle[s] of Christ”? (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “2 Corinthians 1-7)
Following Good Examples Help Us Avoid Temptation
To avoid temptation we must follow righteous counsel and examples.
Following righteous counsel and examples
Who were Corianton’s righteous examples? His father and older brothers. Alma told Corianton to counsel with his brothers. (Alma 39:10)
How can counseling with righteous family members help strengthen our resistance to temptation? They love us and want what is best for us, and being experienced in righteous living, they can help give advice on how to avoid temptation and difficulty.
Not only can we receive direction from righteous family members, but there may be other people around us who are also righteous examples.
From what other sources can you receive righteous counsel and examples?
Object Lesson: Fill two paper bags, one filled with garbage and the other filled with desirable items such as treats or little party favor toys. Show the children the two bags or boxes, and explain that one has something undesirable in it and the other has something desirable in it. Show one of the children what is in the bags. Tell the other children that they can ask the child yes or no questions about the items (with the exception of directly asking which is the good or bad container) until they can decide which is the good choice.
Ask the children if it helped to talk to someone who was informed about which was the bad choice and which was the good choice. Point out that it also helps to counsel with those who are experienced in righteous living in order to get help and direction in making good choices in life.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 39-42”
Explain that Alma’s son Corianton committed a serious sin while he should have been preaching the gospel. Read the last half of Alma 39:11 with the children, and ask them to listen for how Corianton’s sin affected the Zoramites. Help the children think of people who may be influenced by their actions. How can they be good examples for these people?
After reading these verses, family members could write down some everyday things that influence your family (such as movies, songs, games, or people) on slips of paper and place them in a bowl. Then they could take turns picking one and discussing whether it “persuadeth [them] to do good” (Ether 4:12). What changes does your family feel inspired to make?,Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020 “Ether 1–5: “Rend That Veil of Unbelief””
Matthew 5:19 aWhosoever therefore shall bbreak one of these least commandments, and shall cteach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and dteach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Being a Light to Others
I Can Be Like a Light to Others.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “3 Nephi 12–16: “I Am the Law, and the Light”
Sing together a song that encourages the children to shine like a light, such as “Shine On” or “I Am like a Star” (Children’s Songbook, 144, 163). Tell the children about the light you see in them when they do “good works,” and explain how their light and examples help others and inspire you to do good works too.
Friend November 2020 “Bright Idea” Let your light shine by doing good in the world! (Ask the children to tell you some ways they could do good in the world.)
Latter Day Kids “Let Your Light So Shine”- Come Follow Me” Video and lesson ideas to go along with it.
Video: The moose gets lost at sea and he doesn’t know which way to go. A lighthouse light guides him back home.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 85-87”
Section 86 describes the important work the Lord wants His servants to do in the latter days. One way children can help with this work is by being a light to people around them.
- Read to the children the following phrase from Doctrine and Covenants 86:11: “Blessed are ye if ye continue in my goodness, a light unto the Gentiles [or people who don’t have the gospel].” How does light bless us? What is it like when we have no light? How can we be a light to other people who don’t know about the gospel? Help the children think of ways we can share Jesus’s goodness with others.
- Ask the children to imagine that a friend is trying to walk in the dark (turn off the lights if it helps). Why is it hard to walk in the dark? What can we do to help our friend? Explain that when we follow the Savior, it’s like shining a light to show others the way to go.
Friend March 2011 “Bright Idea”
Friend August 2021 “Scripture Time Fun: Example Candles”
- Sing “I Am like a Star” (Children’s Songbook, 163).
- Jesus said we should be a “light” unto others (Doctrine and Covenants 86:11). That means we should be good examples to everyone.
- Draw a candle on a piece of paper and color the flame on the top. Cut it out and attach it to your shirt or hang it around your neck with some string, like a necklace. With your family, talk about what you can do to be a good example.
Friend October 1999 “Let Your Light Shine” Fold in half on the vertical straight line, and glue the backs together. When the glue is dry, cut out the puzzle pieces on the heavy lines and put them into a small container. Have a family member take a puzzle piece from the container and pantomime (act out without using words or noises) what is shown on the small-picture side of it that we can do to share the gospel. Let others guess what it is, then show the picture and post the puzzle piece, candle-side up. Repeat till the puzzle is finished. Remember, each good thing we do helps our light shine.
Friend November 2015 “Be a Shing Light” Ways we can become examples so our lights will shine.
Friend April 2017 “Be a Light” Color in the sun as you figure out someone to be an example to by doing certain things for them such as loving, forgiving, encouraging, etc.
I can shine the Savior’s light for others.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Isaiah 58–66” Isaiah prophesied that in the last days, the Lord’s people would be like a light for those who are in darkness. Consider how you can help the children “arise” and “shine.”
- Invite the children to close their eyes as you read Isaiah 60:1–3. Ask them to open their eyes when they hear the word “light” and close them when they hear the word “darkness.” Explain that Jesus Christ and His gospel are like a light that helps us see our way back to Heavenly Father.
- Give each child a picture of a light (such as a sun, a candle, or a light bulb). Help them think of ways they can share the Savior’s light with others. As each idea is shared, invite them to “arise” and “shine” their light by holding up their picture. Tell the children about ways you have seen them sharing the Savior’s light.
Friend December 2016 “A Shining Light”
Friend November 2015 “Be a Shining Light” Ways we can become examples so our lights will shine.
- Sing together a song about sharing light, such as “Shine On” (Children’s Songbook, 144). Help the children notice words in the song that reinforce what they learn from Isaiah 60:1–3.
Friend October 2022 “How Can I Bring Others Closer to Jesus Christ?”
Jesus wants me to be a light to others.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 5; Luke 6” Little children can have a powerful influence for good on others. How can you inspire them to let their light shine?
- Show the children several items that give light, and show a picture of children. Read Matthew 5:14–16, and tell the children that their good examples can be like a light for others to see. How can we use our light to bring others to God?
- Shine a flashlight around the room, and invite the children to follow the light with their eyes. Use the light to lead their eyes to a picture of the Savior. How does light help us? How can we be a light to the world? Cover the flashlight. What happens if we don’t share our light or if we hide it?
Friend April 2018 “A High-Five Example”Students in a special needs class we’re trying to give Lily’s classmates high fives as they walked by, but nobody did it until Lily gave them all high fives then everyone behind her did it.
Friend March 2011″Daniel’s Example of Prayer” Daniel sets an example for his grandparents who aren’t members of the church.
Friend March 2011 “Being a Good Example”
Latter Day Kids “I Can Be a Peacemaker” Lesson ideas
- Hide a flashlight in the room, and turn off the lights. Let the children try to find it. Review Matthew 5:15, and talk about why we shouldn’t hide our light.
- Help the children find and color the hidden candles in this week’s activity page.
- Sing with the children a song about being a light for others, such as “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam,” “Shine On,” or “I Am like a Star” (Children’s Songbook, 60–61, 144, 163).
My example can light the way for others to follow Jesus.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 5; Luke 6” Many of the children you teach have made baptismal covenants. Think about how the Savior’s words in Matthew 5:14–16 relate to their covenants. What messages might the Lord have in this passage for the children in your class?
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 5; Luke 6”
To help your family understand what it means to be “the light of the world,” you could explore some of the sources of light in your home, your neighborhood, and the world. It might be helpful to show what happens when you hide a light. What did Jesus mean when He said, “Ye are the light of the world”? (Matthew 5:14). Who has been like a light for our family? How can we be a light to others? (see 3 Nephi 18:16, 24–25).
- Help the children memorize Matthew 5:16. Write the verse on the board. Read it together several times, erasing a few words each time. (Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.)
- Invite the children to draw things they can do to be a light to others.
Friend November 2015 “Be a Shining Light” Ways we can become examples so our lights will shine.
Friend April 2017 “Be a Light” Color in the sun as you figure out someone to do certain things for as a true friend such as loving, forgiving, encouraging, etc.
- Talk about how being a light to others helps us fulfill our baptismal covenants (see Mosiah 18:8–10).
When we are baptized we promise to follow Jesus and keep the commandments. When we do these things we are being a light (an example) for others to follow.
Friend February 2021 “Bright Idea”
- Sing a song about sharing light with others, such as “Shine On” (Children’s Songbook, 144). How can we share the Savior’s light?
- Ask the children to draw things that give us light. Read Matthew 5:14–16. Ask them why Jesus wants us to be a light to the world.
Jesus is the light of the world. He shows us the way to happiness and eternal life. Because of his great love for all people, Jesus wants us to be a light to others to help them gain happiness in this life and eternal happiness.
- Invite two children to face each other, and ask one to try to make the other smile without touching him or her. Talk about the power the children have to bring happiness to others.
Your example of doing good things can help others see the way to lasting happiness.
Lesson 38: Peace among the Nephites
When we live the gospel, we treat each other with love and kindness, and as a result we enjoy greater peace and happiness in our lives.
Print and cutout the words and faces . Show the children the words. Have them put the words they associate with happiness under the smiley face and words they associate with unhappiness under the sad face. Explain that after Jesus visited the Nephites, they lived his teachings and lived in happiness. According to 4 Nephi 1:16 there never was a happier people.
- Fairness/Every man did deal justly one with another.
- Sharing/They had all things common among them. (There were no poor.)What does it mean that the people had “all things common among them”? Each person gave the extra he produced (crops, flocks, etc), and this extra was used for those who were in need of help.
- Healing/All manner of miracles did they work. (Read 4 Nephi 1:5) The miracles included healing the lame, the blind, the deaf, and raising the dead.)
- Peace/There were no contentions, strifes, or tumults in the land. (Meaning there was no fighting, arguing, riots, or war.)
- Charity/The love of God … did dwell in the hearts of the people.
- Goodwill/There were no envyings. (There was no jealousy. There was only gladness that others were blessed.)
- Honesty/There were no … lyings.
- Safety/There were no robbers or murderers.
- Virtue/There were no whoredoms nor any manner of lasciviousness (crude behavior). (The people were chaste and clean.)
- Unity/ There were no divisions of race or class. (There was no manner of “ites.” The people were no longer divided into Nephites and Lamanites but were united.)
After nearly 200 years sin slowly started creeping into the land again. As the people let wickedness into their lives, it spread
The choices they made resulted in misery and unhappiness for many people. The words under the sad face is what occurred.
If we are good examples to the people that are around us we can help people gain happiness in this life and in the life to come.
Friend February 2023 “Twelve Smiley Stickers” Antonio brings happiness to others as he serves them. He realizes he feels happy as well.
I Can Be “A Light Unto the World.”
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 102-105”
How can you encourage the children you teach to share the light of the gospel with those around them?
- Read Doctrine and Covenants 103:9 to the children, and invite them to hold pictures of a light bulb, candle, or other source of light. Ask them to show their picture to someone else in the class. Tell the children how they are like a light to others when they follow Jesus Christ.
- Sing a song with the children about being an example, such as “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam” or “I Am like a Star” (Children’s Songbook, 60–61, 163). Help them think of actions to go with the words. How can we be a light, or good example, to people around us?
Let Your Light Shine
Friend January 2018 “Let Your Light Shine” President Monson discusses being a light to the world by following Jesus’s example. Activities: Trace this star, or draw your own, and write how you are shining brightly by being a good example or helping others. Also, color a star as you read each scripture about Jesus Christ’s example.
Friend November 2015 “Be a Shing Light” Ways we can become examples so our lights will shine.
Friend August 2016 Being modest in how we speak, act, and dress is a great way to shine a light for others to follow. Color in the flashlights by the ones you are already doing. Which ones do you want to work on?
Friend December 2018 “Family Night Fun” Make a cup lantern by making holes all around it and then putting a glow stick or battery candle inside. Use as an example of being a light to the world.
Friend April 2017 “Be a Light” Color in the sun as you figure out someone to be an example to by doing certain things for them such as loving, forgiving, encouraging, etc.
Zion Shall Be “An Ensign Unto the People.”
Doctrine and Covenants 64:41–42
An ensign is “a flag or standard around which people gather in a unity of purpose or identity”(Guide to the Scriptures, “Ensign,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). How has Zion—or the Lord’s Church—been like an ensign to you? What do these verses teach you about how you can help the Church be an ensign where you live? Doctrine and Covenants 64:41–43. (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 64–66”)
A standard is something established by authority… as a model or example
41 For, behold, I say unto you that Zion shall flourish, and the glory of the Lord shall be upon her; 42 And she shall be an ensign unto the people, and there shall come unto her out of every nation under heaven.
Bring a flashlight or a picture of the sun, and compare light to the power of a righteous example. Just as the light from a flashlight or the sun can help us see a path we need to follow, a righteous example shows us what to do in order to follow Heavenly Father. What can the children do to be a good example to others? Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 39-42”
Friend April 2018 “A High-Five Example”Students in a special needs class we’re trying to give Lily’s classmates high fives as they walked by, but nobody did it until Lily gave them all high fives then everyone behind her did it.
I can be “an example of the believers.” (Jr)
Timothy was relatively young, but Paul knew that he could be a great Church leader despite his youth. What counsel did Paul give to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12? (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon” )
Sing with the children “Do as I’m Doing” (Children’s Songbook, 276). Ask the children to follow your example by doing the actions you do. Let the children take turns leading the rest of the class in following their actions. Read 1 Timothy 4:12, and ask the children what they can do to be good examples to others. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon” )
Share an experience when you tried to be a good example to someone or when someone was a good example to you (perhaps including the children in your class). Invite the children to be good examples to their family members and friends. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon” )
Friend April 2018 “A High-Five Example”Students in a special needs class we’re trying to give Lily’s classmates high fives as they walked by, but nobody did it until Lily gave them all high fives then everyone behind her did it.
- “A Brother’s Example” (December 2005 Friend)
Elder Gene R. Cook tells about the powerful influence of his older brother’s example in re-activating his entire family.
Turn the lights out, and give a flashlight to one student at a time to talk about how they were an example (or light)to someone in there lives, OR how someone is an example in their life. Then they can pass the flashlight to someone else to share. If you feel inspired you can take the last turn and share how each child in your class has been a light to you. Testify that light is from the Savior, and they are making good choices to be more like Him.
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon” To help your family members desire to be “an example of the believers,” consider inviting them to draw pictures of people who have been good examples to them. How have these people inspired us to follow Jesus Christ? President Thomas S. Monson’s message “Be an Example and a Light” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 86–88) can give some ideas on how to be an example to others.
Friend October 2023 “Come, Follow Me Activities”
Story: You can do great things, no matter how young you are! Timothy was a young Church leader, and Paul taught him to be a good example (see 1 Timothy 4:12–16). How can you be a leader and help those around you?
Song: “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam” (Children’s Songbook, 60–61)
Activity: Sit in a circle. Use your hands or sticks to tap out rhythms on the ground. One person taps a short rhythm, and all the others copy. Take turns being the leader. After your turn, tell about a time when you were a good example to others.
Friend October 2023 “Paul Teaches Us to Follow Jesus Christ”
I can be “an example of the believers.” (Sr)
Timothy was relatively young, but Paul knew that he could be a great Church leader despite his youth. What counsel did Paul give to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12? (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon” )
Read together 1 Timothy 4:12, and ask the children to find six ways Paul said we can be “an example of the believers.” Divide the children into pairs, and invite each pair to think of a situation in which they can be an example of the believers. Ask them to role-play their situation for the rest of the class. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon” )
That means, we should use good clean language, say kind words, help people when they need help, listen to the Holy Ghost, keep the commandments, and keep our covenants.
Ask the children if they would like to share any experiences when they tried to be a good example to others. Tell them how they have been examples of the believers to you and how you have noticed them setting good examples for others. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon” )
Turn the lights out, and give a flashlight to one student at a time to talk about how they were an example (or light)to someone in there lives, OR how someone is an example in their life. Then they can pass the flashlight to someone else to share. If you feel inspired you can take the last turn and share how each child in your class has been a light to you. Testify that light is from the Savior, and they are making good choices to be more like Him.
Friend October 2023 “Come, Follow Me Activities”
Story: You can do great things, no matter how young you are! Timothy was a young Church leader, and Paul taught him to be a good example (see 1 Timothy 4:12–16). How can you be a leader and help those around you?
Song: “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam” (Children’s Songbook, 60–61)
Activity: Sit in a circle. Use your hands or sticks to tap out rhythms on the ground. One person taps a short rhythm, and all the others copy. Take turns being the leader. After your turn, tell about a time when you were a good example to others.
My Example Can Help Others Come to Christ and Find Safety.
Doctrine and Covenants 115:4–6
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 115-120”
The children you teach likely know people who are being affected by the storms of life and need the “refuge” (verse 6) provided in the Church. Consider how you will inspire the children to “arise and shine forth” (verse 5) and share their light with these people.
- Pass around a flashlight, a picture of the sun, or something else to represent the light of the Savior’s gospel. When it’s their turn to hold the light, invite the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 115:4–5 and name something they can do to “shine forth” like a light for others (see 3 Nephi 18:24).
- Invite the children to draw a picture depicting Doctrine and Covenants 115:6. For example, they could draw a storm, with people taking refuge in a Church building. What are some things the storm might represent? How does the Church provide refuge from these things?
- Invite the children to stand when you read the word “arise” in Doctrine and Covenants 115:5. Invite them to stretch out their fingers like rays of sunlight when you read “shine forth.” Sing together a song about being a light to others, such as “I Am like a Star” (Children’s Songbook, 163). Remind the children that our light comes from Jesus Christ, and help them think of ways they can “shine forth.”
Would it work for your family to read Doctrine and Covenants 115:4–6. while watching a sunrise? It might help you discuss what it means to “arise and shine forth” (verse 5). Or you could also discuss what it is like to seek shelter during a storm. How could that experience be like finding “refuge” in the Church? (verse 6). You could then talk about ways your family can help others enjoy the refuge the Church provides.
New Era June 1997 “Friendly Light” Story of a girl that shared the light of the gospel with her friend.
Liahona October 2021 “Temples, the Name of the Church, and Including Others” Refuge from the Storm
Try this activity to teach how gathering as Latter-day Saints gives us strength and protection.
- Read together Doctrine and Covenants 115:6: “The gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth.”
- Roll a set of dice or have a family member think of a number between 1 and 10.
- If the number is odd, name something that will protect you from a physical storm (for example: umbrella, coat, house).
- If the number is even, name something that will protect you from a spiritual storm (for example: scriptures, prayer, obedience, our families).
- Take turns thinking of answers.
- If you have older children, you could discuss the meaning of Zion from the Guide to the Scriptures: “Pure in heart” (Doctrine and Covenants 97:21). How does gathering together with the pure in heart protect us?
Discussion: What are some of the physical and spiritual storms we face? How can we gather in Christ? How can we “arise and shine forth”? (Doctrine and Covenants 115:5).
Ways to be an Example
Friend January 2018 Several children are a bright example by the things they do. This is also an activity where you use the clues and fill out the chart to find out how old the children are and where they’re from.
Friend March 2016 Children give ideas on how to be good examples.
Being an Example of Kindness
Friend September 2022 “What’s on Your Mind?” A child asks, “Sometimes kids at school say mean things. How can I make them stop?”
Response: You can’t make anyone do anything. But when you speak kindly, others might follow your example. Words are powerful. Especially when you use your words for good. Mean words can be hurtful, but kind words can be helpful, healing, and inspiring.
I can share what I’m learning from the scriptures.
Children can have a great influence on those around them. Like Baruch, they can share what they are learning in the scriptures with others.
- Invite the children to do actions that go along with the words as you read (or summarize) Jeremiah 36:4–10, such as pretending to write in a book (see verse 4), holding the bars of a jail (see verse 5), and reading the scriptures to the people (see verses 8, 10). Emphasize that Baruch had the courage to read the words of Jeremiah to the people even though the leaders in Jerusalem didn’t want him to. Help the children to remember something they have learned from the Old Testament and to think of ways they can share it with others.
- Sing a song about the scriptures, such as “Search, Ponder, and Pray” (Children’s Songbook, 109). Share your testimony of the scriptures, and invite the children to share their testimonies too.
Righteous Heroes’ Example
For the Strength of Youth July 2024 “Strength of Heroes”
