Category Archives: Scriptures
Scriptures: Clipart
Posted on
Scriptures: Songs
Posted onLiken the Scriptures
Friend October 2024 “Liken the Scriptures” I Can Play It!
I may not be asked to build a great big ship, Or sail my family ’cross the ocean blue, But if I had the faith and courage Nephi did, Imagine all the great things I could go and do!
Chorus: The Lord has a special message for me In every scripture story I read, And I can become who I’m striving to be When I liken the scriptures to me.
I won’t raise a tent to hear the prophet speak, But I can listen when he speaks today. And I don’t have a sword to bury ten feet deep, But I can cast my selfish words and deeds away. Chorus
Bridge: Like Enos I will fervently pray. Like the stripling warriors, I will obey. Like Abish I will share what I know, And like Ammon I’ll go where I’m called to go. Chorus
Search, Ponder, and Pray
As I Search the Holy Scriptures
Scripture Power
Teaching Scripture Power Verse one and chorus
Teaching Scripture Power Verse 2
Sing together a song about the scriptures, such as “Scripture Power” (music.ChurchofJesusChrist.org), and ask the children to listen for how the scriptures help us.
If I Listen with My Heart
If I Listen with My Heart Song Teaching Ideas
Lesson 4 – Tree of Life Vision
Posted onLesson 4
Tree of Life Vision
Preparation
- Print and cut out the Tree of Life Vision Pictures. Cut off the vertical edge of one side of the river. Glue the edges of the two river pieces together. Cut out and glue a “Temptation” to the back of each “Mist of Darkness.”
- Also print and cut out the story figures of Lehi and his family found in the Friend, February 2008, For Little Friends, “Lehi and Nephi Obey God”.
- Items needed: a Book of Mormon for each child, a bag of white Lifesaver mints (don’t remove the mints from their clear individual wrappers), chalk, and tape.
Scripture Story
Tell the following story using the Tree of Life Vision pictures and the pictures from “Lehi and Nephi Obey God.” Tape the pictures to the chalk board as you tell the story.
As Lehi and his family prepared for their journey to the promised land, Lehi had a vision. In the vision he was in a dark and dreary wasteland. He prayed to the Lord for mercy. He then saw a large and spacious field and a tree whose fruit was white to exceed all whiteness. The fruit was very desirable to make one happy. He partook of the fruit, and it was sweet above all others ever tasted. It filled him with joy, and he was desirous that his family partake of it also. As he looked around for his family he saw a river near the tree. At the head of the river he saw his wife Sariah and his sons Nephi and Sam. They looked as if they didn’t know where to go, so Lehi called and beckoned to them and they came and partook of the fruit. Lehi also wanted Laman and Lemuel to partake of the fruit. He looked and saw them at the head of the river. He beckoned to them, but they would not come.
As Lehi looked around some more he saw a rod of iron that led to the tree. The rod of iron extended along the bank of the river. There was also a strait and narrow path which went along side the rod of iron. He saw many people, and some were trying to get to the path. When they came and started on the path, a mist of darkness arose and they lost their way and wandered off. Others came forward and caught hold of the rod of iron, and they pressed forward until they partook of the fruit of the tree. Then Lehi saw on the other side of the river a great and spacious building, and it seemed to be floating in the air. The building was filled with a multitude of people whose clothes were very fine. They were mocking those who had partaken of the tree. Some who had partaken of the tree were ashamed because of the scoffing, and they fell away onto other paths and were lost. But there were some who did not heed the scorning of those in the building.
Discussion
• What did Lehi see in the large and spacious field? A tree with fruit on it.
• 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.
The Lord frequently uses symbolism to teach important lessons. Sometimes it is difficult to understand what the symbolism means. After Nephi listened to his father tell about the dream, he wanted to know what the interpretation was, so he prayed to know its meaning. Because of his faith he was shown the same vision, and he was shown its meaning. 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.)
• What did the strait and narrow path represent? The strait and narrow path represents following Christ’s way of life such as praying, being honest, giving service, etc. (Put the “Christ’s Way of Life” label next to the path.)
We have been given aids to help us stay on the strait and narrow path. Lehi saw an iron rod that people could hold on to to help them stay on the path.
• What did the rod of iron represent? (See 1 Nephi 15:23–24) (Put the “Word of God” label next to the rod of iron.)
• Where can we find the word of God? In the scriptures, in the teachings of latter-day prophets, and in the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
• In Lehi’s vision some people started on the path but then became lost in mists of darkness. What did the mists of darkness represent? (See 1 Nephi 12:17) (Put the “Temptations of the Devil” label next to the mists of darkness.)
• What are some temptations of the devil? (Place a mist of darkness over the path for each answer given.)
The temptations of the devil blind us. We can’t see the right way to go and we can become lost.
• In the vision, some people made it through the mists of darkness. What did those people use to help guide them? The iron rod which is the word of God. The word of God can help us know the right way to go.
Game
Inform the children they are going to play a game that shows how the word of God helps them know the right way to go.
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 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.
• In the vision, Lehi’s mind was so occupied with other things that he did not notice that the water in the river was filthy. What did the river or fountain of filthy water represent? (See 1 Nephi 12:16 & 15:26–29) (Put the “Depths of Hell” label next to the river.) How do people end up engulfed in the depths of hell? They get lost in Satan’s temptations, go astray, and fall into the depths of hell.
In Lehi’s vision there were some people who held onto the rod until they reached the tree and partook of the fruit, and then they became ashamed and fell away because the world mocked them. These people represent those who accept the gospel and the ordinances necessary for eternal life, such as baptism and temple ordinances, but then they yield to the tauntings and temptations to be like the people 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.
In the vision there were those who fell away, but there were also people who partook of the fruit and then remained faithful. The people who remained faithful are those who endured by continuing to seek for and obey the word of God. Because of their study and prayers they have a clear understanding of what has lasting value, and they ignore the world’s empty offerings. They know that eternal life is better than anything that the world has to offer because it is the greatest of all God’s gifts.
Weekly Reading Assignment
- Remind the children to do their scripture reading assignment for this week – 1 Nephi 8:1-38, 1 Nephi 11:1-36 and 1 Nephi 15:1-36.
If I Listen With My Heart
Posted on
If I Listen With My Heart – Verse One
Preparation:
- Items needed: a lamp or lantern, and a large display board (dry erase board, or poster/foam board). Optional item: a recording of the song from http://lds.org/cm/display/0,17631,7206-1,00.html
- Print all the verse one pictures and words, pictures of Jesus with the children, and a child reading the scriptures. Note: Be sure to print the three black-and-white pictures, and the large picture of the Savior onto light weight paper. Put all the pictures in page protectors, and slide the picture of the Savior behind the picture of the scriptures. Cut out the two sets of the song words, and cut out the round song notes. Tape the three pictures from the flipchart onto the display board and a set of the cut out words next to their corresponding picture
- Tape one set of the song words, in random order, under the children’s chairs before Primary starts. Put a few in each row. Count how many rows there are, then put a number in a container for each row you have.
- (Optional idea is to put the words that go under the chairs on hearts, and put magnets on the back of each one to make them easier to attach to the chairs.)
Introduce the name of the song, and then tell the children that the song has three verses and a short chorus. Post the two chorus picture pages on the board. Explain that each of the three verses of the song tells a way we can hear the Savior’s words if we listen with our hearts (with the spirit and with love in our hearts). Verse one tells us that even though we weren’t on the earth when Jesus was, we can still hear his words through the scriptures. (Put the picture of the scriptures on the board.) The second verse explains that the living prophet tells us what the Savior wants us to know. (Put the picture of the prophet on the board.) In the third verse we learn that the Holy Ghost also tells us what the Savior wants us to know. (Put the words “Whisperings of the Holy Ghost” on the board.)
Tell the children that when we read the scriptures, listen to the prophet, or listen to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost we can imagine that the Savior himself is telling us those words because they are his words and what he wants us to know. (Put the picture of the scriptures in front of a lamp so the picture of the Savior can be seen through the scriptures.) Explain to the children that they are going to learn the first verse of the song which is about the scriptures being a way we can hear the Savior’s voice. (Take down the other two black and white pictures from the board.) Show the display board, or put it to the left of the chorus pages on the board.
Go over each line of the verse with the children and explain the words “search” and the word “peace”. Also tell the children that the word peace is in each verse. Play a recording of the first verse for the children, or sing the verse for them so they can hear how it sounds. Have the senior children sing the verse (you may have to review and sing one line at a time with junior primary). Point out that the melody in the third phrase builds up to emphasize the word peace. Also point out to the children that there are a lot of words in the song where they have to slide their voices up or down a note. (Put the eighth notes under or above the words that do this. Angle them up or down slightly for more emphasis.) (Personal note: I do realize that some of the notes are backward. I didn’t have time to make new ones. Sorry.) Have the children sing the song again, and have them pay attention to how their voice slides up or down as they sing those words.
Senior Primary – Explain to the children that they are going to start memorizing the verse. Tell them that the words of the verse are under some of their chairs, but they can’t get them yet. Number off each row, and then have a child reach into the container of numbers and pull one out. Have all the children in that row look under the chairs and find the words. Have the children take their words off the display board. Go over the words of the song again, and see if the children can remember what words are missing. Sing the song again. Have another child pick a number from the container, and do the activity again. Continue in this manner until all the words are gone and the children have the song memorized.
To review the song the following week, show the bulletin board with the words. Cover the first line and give a child the magnet words of the first line to put in order on the board as everyone sings the song. Tell the child that he/she has until the song is finished to put the words in the right order. Do the same with the other lines in the song until you feel they have reviewed the song sufficiently.
Junior Primary – Use the following actions to help teach the song: If I (point to self) had been a little child (put hand out, palm down, as if to measure the height of a small child) when Jesus (point to a picture of Jesus) lived on earth (point down as if pointing to the earth), I (point to self) would have liked (smile and nod) to walk with him (walk in place) and listen (hand cupped around edge of ear) to his words (point to mouth). But as I (point to self) search the scriptures (one hand stretched out with palm up, like a book, and the other hand pretending to turn the pages) I can hear (hand to ear) his words (point to mouth) of peace (wrap arms around self and have a contented, peaceful expression on face). And if I (point to self) listen (hand to ear) with my heart (hands over heart) I can hear (hand to ear) the Savior’s voice (point to picture of Savior).
Have the children do the actions as they sing the song. Review by saying the words of the verse and stop at the words with actions and just do the action. See if children know what that word is.
Safety Note: Use only battery powered lanterns. If you use a lamp, put the paper on the lamp shade using a straight pin. Do not put the paper near the hot light bulbs.
Scriptures: Activities & Games
Posted onTable of Contents
- The Scriptures Teach Us About Jesus
- Scriptures Guide
- Scripture Reading
- Scripture Heroes
- Scriptures Tell History of Gospel on Earth
- Scripture Story Review Ideas
- Marking Scriptures
- How We Got the Scriptures
- Translation of Bible and Book of Mormon
- Scripture Story Games and Activities
- The Scriptures are Translated Into Many Languages
The Scriptures Teach Us About Jesus
Friend October 2019 Color the picture of Jesus.
Friend November 2019 “Coloring Page: I Can Learn From the Scriptures”
Friend September 2019 “Coloring Page: I Love the Bible”
Friend November 2018 “Coloring Page: I Love Scripture Stories”
Friend April 2018 “Family Night Fun”
- Bring objects to represent different scripture stories. See if your family can guess the stories.
- Sing a hymn or Primary song together and read the scriptures at the bottom of the page.
- Draw scriptures stories or act them out for others to guess.
- Watch a Bible video at Biblevideos.lds.org.
Friend May 2017 Make a case for your scriptures.
- Friend February 2017 Show your love for reading the scriptures. Make a heart shaped origami bookmark.
Friend April 2019 “Funstuff: Scripture Lifelines” The scriptures can help us know how to deal with our problems. Find the scripture helps on the life preserver that go along with difficulty you may be experiencing.
Scriptures Guide
Scripture Reading
Family Scripture Study
Friend November 2018 “Thankful for Scriptures” Follow the clues and help James and his family find their scriptures so they can read together!
Personal Scripture Study
-Add a link to paper chain every time you read a chapter of scripture. Building spiritual strength
Friend August 2023 “Scripture Coloring” We can read the scriptures every day. They help us feel the Holy Ghost and learn about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Every time you read the scriptures, color in part of the picture. There’s a picture from each of our four books of scripture.
There are many ways you can study the scriptures. You can read them in a book or on a a phone or tablet. You can also listen to recordings, look at scripture storybooks, or watch Book of Mormon or Bible videos.
Scripture Study with Friends
For the Strength of Youth August 2024 “Fun Stop” Four friends are having a scripture-reading party. (Yes, they’re pretty cool.) Each friend is bringing one book of scripture from the standard works, plus one snack. Using the clues, figure out who is bringing which book and which snack. Use the grid to track possible and impossible combinations. Note: Each snack and each book of scripture is brought only once.
Scripture Heroes
Friend February 2020 “Scripture Boats” Who Am I? Match each person with their story. Each story has boats in it.
Scriptures Tell History of Gospel on Earth
Scripture Story Review Ideas
Picture Chase – Hold up a picture representing a story from the scriptures. The first child to correctly identify the picture then tells what he or she can remember about the story. The class can then look up the story and read it together, or they discuss how the story applies to their lives. Ensign October 2015 “Family Home Evening Ideas”
Friend July 1987 Game
Marking Scriptures
Friend December 2015 Ideas on how to mark scriptures by drawing pictures.
How We Got the Scriptures
Translation of Bible and Book of Mormon
Scripture Story Games and Activities
Friend May 2019 “Gospel A to Z” Shows how to draw pictures of things from the scriptures using alphabet letters as a guide. Can you name a scripture story or Primary song that goes along with each one?
Friend April 2022 “Activity Time”
The Scriptures are Translated Into Many Languages
Friend July 2022 “Activity Time” Sela is reading scripture stories in Tongan with her grandma. Can you spot the differences between these two pictures?
Scripture: Activity Pages
Posted onThese are great activities for the children to do on Sunday.
Scriptures: Stories & Poems
Posted onTable of Contents
- Scriptures are the Words of Christ
- Reading Scriptures Helps Us Follow Jesus
- Reading Scriptures Helps Us Recognize Truth
- The Scriptures can Inspire Us
- The Scriptures Teach Us
- The Scriptures Teach About Jesus
- Scriptures Keep Us Safe from Sin
- Studying the Scriptures can Help Us in Life
- Scriptures Help Us Feel Love of God
- Read the Scriptures Daily
- Ways to Read & Study the Scriptures
- Ways to Remember Scriptures
- Family Scripture Study
- Applying the Scriptures
- Scripture Heroes
- Finding Favorite Scriptures
- Come Follow Me
Scriptures are the Words of Christ
Friend March 2020 “Feasting on the Scriptures” Action Rhyme
Reading Scriptures Helps Us Follow Jesus
Friend July 2020 “Helping a Sleepy Sister” While doing family scripture study, Berrett noticed his sister was tired from studying late and he decided to be like Jesus and help her. He made her breakfast and lunch and wrote her a note saying he loved her.
Friend December 1988 “My Scriptures” Poem about family scripture study and why it’s important even when children are small.
Friend January 2019 “The Scriptures are Special Books” Camila loves books. Her favorite book is the scriptures. She feels happy when she reads them with her family. Scriptures are special books because they teach us about Jesus and the commandments.
Reading Scriptures Helps Us Recognize Truth
Friend September 2015 “A New Feeling” – Child feels Holy Ghost while reading about Jesus in the scriptures
Friend December 2015 Reading the bible helped a family recognize the truth of the gospel when the missionaries came.
The Scriptures can Inspire Us
Friend April 2016 “Your Future Home” A favorite scripture of President Eyring’s inspired him to want a home filled with love when he grew up.
The Scriptures Provide Good Examples for Us to Follow
Friend August 2017 “Being Like Nephi” Mason learns about Nephi and tries to follow his example and make righteous choices.
The Scriptures Teach Us
Friend April 1988 “Magic Garden” Nicky and his grandfather plant a garden, and they also plant seeds in their minds that grow as they read the scriptures and other inspirational books. The scripture verses Nicky learns helps him deal with death when his grandfather dies.
The Scriptures Teach About Jesus
Friend February 2021 “Feeling Christ’s Love” When Elder Takashi Wada Of the Seventy was young he read the Bible in school and wanted to know more about Jesus. Then he met the missionaries and they gave him a Book of Mormon and her learned more about Jesus. He wanted to be baptized and follow Jesus.
Scriptures Keep Us Safe from Sin
Friend November 2020 “Hyrum Beats the Bad Words” Hyrum figures out a way to help him not think about the bad words that he hears.
Studying the Scriptures can Help Us in Life
Friend September 2020 “Danna and the Math Test” Danna’s family memorized one scripture verse every week because “once it’s in your heart, it’s there whenever you need it.” The scripture they repeated together at the door that week was about praying always. One day, while struggling with some problems on a math test she had studied for, Dana remembered the scripture and said a prayer in her heart, she then remembered how to do the problems.
Friend April 2020 “Comforted by the Scriptures” When Harrison was eight he struggled with nightmares. He had been learning that the scriptures hold the answers to problems and wanted to find a scripture to help. The Holy Ghost guided him to Joseph Smith’s first vision and being reminded that the darkness Joseph felt went away when he prayed and Heavenly Father and Jesus appeared. The scripture was just what Harrison needed.
Friend March 2019 “For Older Kids” Every night I used to have nightmares. When I went to Primary, my teacher said that the prophet told us to read our scriptures every day. Then I got in the habit of reading them every night, and now I never have nightmares. Katie L., age 10, Idaho, USA
God can answer my questions through the scriptures.
Show the children different books (like an encyclopedia or a cookbook), and help them think of questions these books could answer. Then show them a copy of the scriptures. What questions can these books answer? You might provide an example of a question that is answered in the scriptures. Read together Joseph Smith—History 1:10–11to find out what questions Joseph Smith had and what answers he found in the scriptures.
Scriptures Help Us Feel Love of God
Friend January 2020 “The Best Hug” Ellie loved getting hugs from her family members. Hugs make her feel warm, safe, and happy. One Sunday at church she needed a long hug, but her mom had to go to her class and Ellie needed to go to hers. As tears ran down her cheek she saw a picture of Jesus in her scriptures. She and her family often read the scriptures together. Ellie hugged her scriptures and it felt like she was hugging Jesus. She felt warm, safe, and happy.
[unitegallery 2020Januar]
Read the Scriptures Daily
Friend May 2019 “For Older Kids” “I was having a really hard time at school. I had the impression that I should read my scriptures. I did, and it helped, so I kept doing it. It helped me have a better day and a better attitude. And it helped my mind work better. I know that if we read the scriptures every day, we will be both spiritually and physically protected.” Sarah W., age 11, Idaho, USA (Link also includes picture of Sarah.)
Friend January 2016 Joseph reads the scriptures daily so he can become a better reader. He becomes familiar with the stories and it helps him prepare a family home evening lesson.
Friend December 1985 As a boy, Spencer W. Kimball sets a goal to read the scriptures.
Friend March 2016 “Scripture Power” Boy perseveres in accomplishing the goal of reading the scriptures for 100 days in a row–and continues afterwards.
Friend June 2017 “Book of Mormon Club” Sydney starts a Book of Mormon club where she and her friends discuss what they have learned.
Ways to Read & Study the Scriptures
The Scripture Readers
Friend January 2020 “Batbayar and the Book with Pictures” Reading was hard for Batbayar, so he struggled with reading the Book of Mormon. The missionaries brought him Book of Mormon Stories instead. Every night he prayed after reading. His heart felt good when he read, and when he prayed he felt like the stories were true, so he asked to be baptized.[unitegallery Jan2020]
Friend November 2018 “Thankful for Scriptures” James likes to act out the stories in his Book of Mormon picture book. He can even imagine sitting with Jesus when he blessed the children. It makes him feel happy and grateful for the scriptures. (Link includes activity about finding the family’s scriptures so they can read together.)
Friend November 2022 “The Special Book” Bernice couldn’t read yet, but she loved repeating the words when her family had scripture study, even though she didn’t understand some of them. Then her father got her Book of Mormon Stories and they read from that every night and looked at the pictures. She loved scripture study and learned many new things
Ways to Remember Scriptures
Friend February 2021 “The Play” James set a goal to put on a scripture story play each week with his brother. Their little brother wanted be in it too. James was kind and gave him the part of playing a lion.
Friend July 2020 “Eva’s Scripture Pictures” Eva loves to draw pictures of scripture stories and she puts them on the fridge to help her and her family to remember them.
Friend November 2019 “For Older Kids” Jordan’s Primary teacher told the class that she posts scripture verses on her door so she can always see them and read them every day. Jordan started doing that too, and soon her door was covered in scriptures.
Friend January 2023 “Lights, Camera, Service!” Because of the COVID-19 pandemic Antonella and Mariana couldn’t go to church in person. There weren’t many video resources in Spanish for Come Follow Me, so they decided to make some to share with others. Making the videos also really helped them learn more as well.
Family Scripture Study
Friend May 2024 “Lunchtime Kindness” Dave’s mom shared a scripture about charity with the family in the morning before school. At school Dave saw some boys bullying another boy. He wanted to help but it was scary, but then he remembered the scripture and he stood up and told the bullies to stop.
Friend October 2019 “Tanya’s Scripture Time” Taya reads scriptures with her family. On Sunday, Taya listens to the Primary lesson. “I know this story!” she says. Taya shares what she knows with her Primary class. She feels happy and warm inside.
Applying the Scriptures
Liken the Scriptures Unto Us
Friend August 2020 “Maddy’s Courage” Maddy didn’t want to start school because she was afraid. Her mom reminded her of sometimes we have to do brave and hard things, such as Daniel facing the lions, or Nephi crossing the ocean, or Esther talking to the king. And just like Heavenly Father helped all of those people, He would help her too.
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 August 2018 “The No-Fighting Promise” After a few days of staying at cousin Timmy’s house, Madi and Timmy start to fight. Timmy suggests they be like the Anti-Nephi-Lehies and make some toy swords and bury them and promise they won’t fight each other anymore. After that they found ways to compromise so they didn’t fight.
Scripture Heroes
Friend June 2017 “Being Like Shiblon” Elder Ringwood’s scripture hero is Shiblon
Friend September 2024 “The Dart Disaster” Daniel accidentally hit his aunts car with a lawn dart and made a dent. He didn’t say anything when she noticed the dent. He felt awful, but he was afraid. Then he decided to be like his favorite scripture hero, Daniel in the lion’s den. He bravely and he told his mom what happened and that he would work to pay for the damage. The heavy feeling in his stomach left and he felt peaceful.
Finding Favorite Scriptures
Friend November 2024 “Maja’s Sunshine Scripture” Maja had to share a favorite scripture in Primary, but she doesn’t have one. Her mother helps her find one. First they found Maja’s favorite scripture story. Next, they read the story in the scriptures. As Maja finished one of the verses, she paused. She felt like the sun was shining bright enough to fill her heart. She had found her new favorite scripture.
Come Follow Me
Blessings
Friend July 2021 “Come, Follow Me during COVID” Sarah studied the Come Follow Me Primary Manual as well as doing her school at home during COVID. Because she studied Come, Follow Me, she believes Heavenly Father helped her with school.
Lesson 23 – Alma Counsels His Sons Helaman and Shiblon
Posted on
Alma Counsels His Sons Helaman and Shiblon
Preparation
• Items needed: some vegetables, matches, a winter hat and gloves, a display board, a writing instrument for the display board, a page protector with a piece of cardstock in it, tape, a Book of Mormon for each child, and one to two Tootsie Pop suckers for each child.
• Print two copies of the treasure chest onto cardstock. Cut out the treasure chests and glue the halves together with strong glue. Finish putting together the treasure chests by folding them and taping the parts together where indicated. (The treasure chest is from the June 2000 Friend,”One of God’s Greatest Gifts.”)
• Print the scripture references and matching word strips onto cardstock, and cut them out. Tape one scripture reference to each Tootsie Pop stick. (Optional: tie a gold ribbon on each Tootsie pop.) Color the bottom of each Tootsie Pop with a different colored crayon or marker. Put each scriptures color on the back of its matching word strip. (Check the game answers found in the lesson to see which scripture goes with each word strip.) Divide the Tootsie Pop suckers between each treasure box. Put the word strips on the page protector with rolled pieces of tape.
• Make a Nakamura lock paper airplane and practice using it before class according to the directions in the lesson.
• Make two treasure maps using the instructions as a guide. Before teaching this lesson, hide the treasure boxes in the locations marked on the maps.
• Print the reading chart.
Attention Activity
Show the children the vegetables, the matches, and the winter hat and gloves. Ask what words of counsel and warning their parents have given them concerning these items. (Eat their vegetables, don’t play with fire, and wear gloves and a hat in the winter.)
• Why did your parents give counsel and warning about these items? (Because their parents love them and want them to be safe, healthy, and happy.)
Point out that our parents give us counsel and warning about many things in life because they love us. Explain that in today’s lesson they will learn some important counsel the prophet Alma gave to his sons Helaman and Shiblon. The counsel is recorded in the scriptures because it is applicable to us too. We first read about the counsel Alma gave to his son Helaman. Helaman is to be the next spiritual leader of the people. He is also to keep a record of the people and keep the past records safe. Alma stressed the importance of the scriptures in his counsel to his son Helaman. Alma told Helaman that keeping the records was a small and simple thing, but it would bring to pass great things. (Alma 37:6-7)
Activity
Show an example of how small things can bring about great things by showing the children the paper airplane you prepared. Explain that airplanes and ships have a small item on the back of them called a rudder. The rudder controls the direction a plane or a ship goes. Demonstrate this by bending the back vertical edge of the airplane to the right. Fly the plane and it should go to the right. Also demonstrate bending it to the left so it will fly left.
Explain that just as a small rudder determines the direction a large plane or ship goes, so can reading the scriptures, and doing the things found in them, change the course and direction of many people’s lives.
Have the children look up Alma 37:8 and list on the board the great things the scriptures did for the Nephites and Lamanites who heeded them.
1. Enlarged the memories of the people. The people could fall into sin if they did not have a written record of God’s word to remind them of the right things they needed to do. Read Mosiah 1:5-7
2. Convinced many of the error of their ways, bringing them to repentance. Alma 37:9 reminds us that the people of Ammon (who had once been Lamanites) would not have changed from their evil and murderous ways if it had not been for the scriptures Ammon taught them.
3. Brought many to a knowledge of their God to the salvation of their souls. In Alma 37:4 it talks about the scriptural records of the Nephites going forth to every nation so people could know the mysteries they contain. A mystery is something people don’t understand. Through the scriptures we get to know and understand God and his purposes. His purpose is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. He gives us commandments and scriptures to show us how to gain eternal life and bring salvation to our souls.
Treasure Map Activity
Show the children the treasure map and explain that just like a treasure map shows how to find a treasure, the scriptures show us how to obtain the treasure of eternal life. Ask what would happen if they went to look for the treasure but chose not to look at the map to see how to find it. They wouldn’t find the treasure. Have the children read Alma 37:46.
• What happens if we have the scriptures but are slothful and choose not to do the easy and simple thing of reading and following them? We would not gain the treasure of eternal life.
Tell the children that you have hidden two treasure boxes somewhere in the building or outside in the grounds. Divide the children into two groups and give each group a map. Have the children follow the treasure map and find the treasure you have hidden. Tell the children to bring back the treasure box without opening it. When they are all seated and you have their attention, open the treasure chests and show them the treasure. Ask how they would feel if they had not found a treasure box because they chose not to follow the map, and how they would feel if they saw the other group with their treasure and saw what they could have had.
• How will it feel in heaven if we don’t follow the map (the scriptures), but eternally we realize the treasure we could have had? What can we do to make sure we follow the map while we are on the earth?
• What age should we start following the map? Alma explains in 37:35 that children should learn wisdom and learn to keep the commandments in their youth. Point out that the scripture means we should begin to study and learn the way to eternal life from the time when we are very young.
Story
President Gordon B. Hinckley explained why we should learn wisdom in our youth by telling the story of a young tree he had planted. After planting the young tree, he hadn’t paid much attention to it. But after several years he looked out the window and noticed it was leaning, misshapen, and out of balance due to a strong east wind that hit that part of the yard the hardest. When he saw the damage done to the tree, he tried to straighten the tree, but by that time the trunk was a foot in diameter and he couldn’t budge it. He had to cut a huge branch off the tree to balance it, which left a big scar on the tree and was probably very traumatic for the young tree. President Hinckley wished he had taken the time to attach a support system to the tree while it was young to shore it up and keep it straight and true.
(Ensign, November 1993, 59)
In President Hinckley’s story, the tree represents a person who did not gain needed gospel training in their youth. The wind represents Satan’s temptations. Because the person wasn’t supported with a knowledge of the scriptures and other gospel truths as a child, he/she was susceptible to the warping influence of Satan’s temptations throughout their life.
If we are wise we will learn good habits in our youth and take the time to properly shape who we will become by reading and applying the scriptures in our lives. Sin can damage a person’s life and leave huge scars that are difficult to heal. Sin is so damaging that it is the one thing a Book of Mormon prophet (Alma) counseled us to have an everlasting hatred toward. (See Alma 37:32)
Alma didn’t want the damaging effects of sin in his son’s lives, so he counseled his sons Helaman and Shiblon on how to grow straight and true so they could gain the greatest treasure of all, which is eternal life. Remind the children that a straight and true person means someone who follows what is right and doesn’t bend and go with Satan’s temptations. Alma’s counsel to his sons also applies to us and teaches us how to grow straight and true.
Game
Once again show the children the treasure of Tootsie Pops. Point out the sticks on the Tootsie Pops and explain that the stick helps support the wonderful treat so it stands straight and makes it easy to get access to it. Also show the children the scripture references that are taped to the Tootsie Pop sticks. Explain that each of the scripture references is an item of council that Alma gave his sons. Just like the Tootsie Pop sticks gives easier access to a wonderful treat, if we will do the things found in the scriptures we will stand straight and true and gain access to the greatest treasure of all – eternal life.
Show the children the word strips, and tell them they are going to do a matching game with the scripture references. Have the children take turns choosing a Tootsie Pop from a treasure box, looking up and reading the scripture reference out loud, and then choosing which word strip best describes what they learn from that scripture. (You may wish to have the scriptures bookmarked in your scriptures for quick and easy access for the children to read, or you may wish to have all the children look up each scripture.) Have the child check to see if it is a correct match by checking the bottom of the stick and then checking the back of the word strip. The colors should match if it is a correct match. Each child gets to keep the tootsie pops they match up. (You may wish to have them tape the matching word strip to their Tootsie Pop stick to remind them what the scripture says.)
Game Answers
Discuss the scriptures with the children as they make their matches. (The bulleted items below may help with the discussion.)
Alma 38:11 & 14 – Be humble
• What problems does pride cause? Answers might include the following: thinking we are better than others, thinking we don’t need the Lord’s help, etc.
• How can we overcome pride? Acknowledge the Lords hand in our lives. Acknowledge our weaknesses.
Alma 37: 36-37 – Pray always
• How does prayer help us? We can get direction and help from a loving father who knows all things.
Alma 38:5 – Have faith in God.
• Trust the Lord that he can help you with your problems.
Alma 38:12 – Control your emotions. Avoid wasting time.
• Bridle means control, and passions are emotions and feelings. So we are to control our anger, impatience, and other emotions and not let them control us. Idleness means unwilling to work, or being lazy and wasting time.
Alma 38:1 – Be obedient to be blessed.
• When we are obedient we are blessed with his spirit to help guide us, but if we disobey we cut ourselves off from that help and guidance. Also see D&C 130:21 – When we obtain any blessing from God it by obedience to the law upon which is is predicated.
Alma 37:34 – Persist in doing good works for they will bring you joy. True joy comes from serving and loving others.
Alma 38:13 – Don’t exhibit or do your good works to gain the praise of others.
Alma 38:10 – Teach the word of God. Be hard working and self-controlled.
Alma 37:46 – Put effort into keeping all the commandments, even if they are easy.
• We are told to do some basic, simple things. An example would be to read the scriptures and say our prayers. Sometimes we don’t realize the important things we can gain from such simple acts, and so we don’t do them, and then we lose our opportunity for eternal life.
Alma 38:2 – Continue striving to do the right things throughout your life, until death.
Conclusion
Encourage the children to read their scriptures daily. Remind the children that the scriptures are a map that can lead us to the greatest treasure of all, eternal life. In order to gain the guidance the scriptures have to offer, we need to read them and apply the things we learn from them into our lives. Give the children the new reading chart, and encourage them to keep reading their reading assignments each week so that they can gain the important direction found in the scriptures.
Weekly Reading Assignment
Remind the children to do their scripture reading assignment for this week – Alma 37:1-20 &35–47 and Alma 38:1–15
Book of Mormon Scripture Stickers
Posted on
Book of Mormon Scripture Stickers
Preparation
- Print the scripture sticker page onto clear sticker paper which can be found at office supply stores. The sticker paper averages about a dollar a page when bought in a package of fifteen. It can be bought cheaper in bulk at Online Labels, but these are permanent stickers and cannot be adjusted once placed.
Purpose
Scripture Stickers can be affixed onto scripture pages and are a reminder for the children of the scripture stories and their locations. The stickers are clear so the words of the scriptures can still be read through the sticker.
The Scripture Stickers can be cut into individual stickers and given to a child after each Book of Mormon lesson is taught so they can mark where that scripture story is located. Or they can be used as an encouragement or reward for when a child completes reading assignments. The stickers can be cut out and given to a child individually for each reading assignment finished, or given as a page when a child completes a reading chart goal (the child will then have to cut them out themselves).
If the stickers are given to the children individually, the cut out stickers can be stored in the pockets of card or photo protector sheets. With a Sharpie, label each pocket with the name of the scripture story, and then store the protector sheets in a binder.
Note: If these stickers are given out by a teacher or leader, be sure to have the children get permission from their parents before affixing the stickers into their scriptures. (It is a good idea to send a note home explaining the stickers and their purpose. Also explain in the note that you have instructed the children to get permission before they put the stickers in their scriptures.)
Source: “Book of Mormon Stories”