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.
Friend October 2025 “Art-Time Trouble” Adam was excited to make new friends in his art group. The teacher gave them supplies to make a group art project, but his group members had different ideas on what they should do with them. One of them wanted to make a tree, another one wanted to make a house. Adam didn’t want his new friends to fight. Then he had an idea. Maybe they could make a tree and a house, a treehouse. It was a great solution and they all agreed to it and had fun working together.
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Jeremiah 1–3; 7; 16–18; 20” At first, Jeremiah didn’t think he would make a good prophet. “Behold, I cannot speak,” he protested when the Lord first called him (Jeremiah 1:6). The Lord reassured him, “I have put my words in thy mouth” (verse 9). Jeremiah felt that he was an inexperienced “child” (verse 6), but the Lord explained that he was actually more prepared than he realized—he had been ordained to this calling even before he was born (see verse 5). So Jeremiah set aside his fears and accepted the call. He warned Jerusalem’s kings and priests that their pretended holiness would not save them from destruction. The “child” who thought he could not speak came to feel God’s word “in [his] heart as a burning fire” and could not be silent (Jeremiah 20:9).
What do prophets do? Read to the children what the Lord said to another prophet, Jeremiah, in Jeremiah 1:7. Invite the children to walk in place when you read “go to all that I shall send thee” and to pretend to speak when you read “whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.” Share your testimony that prophets do and say what the Lord commands.
Show pictures of prophets from the scriptures (see the Gospel Art Book, Church magazines, and Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families). Let the children tell you what they know about these prophets. Briefly tell the children about something each one did to help with God’s work. Bear your testimony that prophets are called of God to speak His words and serve His people.
Select a few key verses from Jeremiah 1 that teach important truths about prophets, such as verses 5, 7, 10, and 19. Invite each child to pick one of the verses, read it, and share something he or she learns about prophets from the verse. Invite a few children to share their testimonies of following the prophet.
Play a simple game by giving instructions to one child and asking him or her to repeat the instructions for the other children. Help them see that following the child’s instructions is the same as following your instructions and that following the prophet is the same as following the Lord. Read to them the last line of Doctrine and Covenants 1:38: “Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.”
Prophets warn the nations, but if they do not heed the prophets words…
When the Lord first called Jeremiah to be a prophet, He told him that his mission would be “to root out, and to pull down” (Jeremiah 1:10)—and in Jerusalem, there was plenty of wickedness to root out and pull down.
Show a picture of the living prophet, and sing together a song about prophets, such as “We Listen to a Prophet’s Voice” (Hymns, no. 22).
Verse 1: We listen to a prophet’s voice and hear the Savior too. With love he bids us do the work the Lord would have us do. The Savior calls his chosen seer to preach the word of God, That men might learn to find the path marked by the iron rod.
Verse 2. In ev’ry land, in ev’ry tongue, our prophet will be heard; How swiftly round the world his voice reveals the gospel word! The sacred message that he brings will witness and agree, With ev’ry prophet called of God throughout earth’s history.
Help the children make a list of things the living prophet has asked us to do. Select a recent conference message from the prophet, and help the children find counsel in his message. How are we following the prophet? Discuss how counsel from the prophets helps us follow Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ better.
Show the video “Why Do We Have Prophets?” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), and ask the children how they would explain to a friend why it’s a blessing to have a living prophet (see Articles of Faith 1:6, 9). Invite the children to share their feelings about the living prophet.
“Article of Faith 9” (September 2011 Friend) Draw pictures of elements from the ninth article of faith.
“Article of Faith 6” (May 2015 Friend) A pastor means a spiritual leader. Bishops are pastors in their wards. Evangelist is another word for patriarch, or a priesthood holder called to give special blessings.
“Article of Faith 6” (June 2011 Friend) Fill in the blanks with the correct words from the sixth article of faith, then find the words in the word search
Read to the children Jeremiah 1:5, and explain that God knew the prophet Jeremiah before he was born. Tell each child, individually, that Heavenly Father also knew him or her before he or she was born and that He sent each of us here for a purpose.
We lived in Heaven: Explain that before we were born on earth we lived in heaven with Heavenly Father.
We were spirits there. A spirit is what is inside of us that makes us alive. When we were spirits, we didn’t have flesh and bones like our bodies have now, but we looked the same.
Show the children a picture of a baby, and ask the children if they know where this baby lived before he or she was born. Sing together a song that teaches about our premortal life with God, such as “I Am a Child of God” or “I Lived in Heaven” (Children’s Songbook, 2–3, 4). Talk about the spiritual feelings the song brings. Bear your testimony that we all once lived with Heavenly Father and that He sent us here to earth.
You could use this verse to talk about our life with Heavenly Father before we were born. Resources like “I Lived in Heaven” (Children’s Songbook, 4) and “Introduction: Our Heavenly Father’s Plan” (in New Testament Stories, 1–5) could help. How can knowing about our premortal life affect the way we live our mortal life?
While you read Jeremiah 16:16, invite the children to pretend to fish or hunt. Explain that the fishers and hunters in this verse can represent missionaries. Invite the children to pretend to be missionaries. What do missionaries do? How can we help them?
Create a matching game using this week’s activity page. When a child finds matching pictures, talk about what that picture shows we can do to help Heavenly Father’s children return to Him.
Read together Jeremiah 16:14, and ask the children to share details they remember about how “the Lord … brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt” (see Exodus 14). Invite them to read Jeremiah 16:15 to find out what event Jeremiah said would be even more memorable than that. Explain that Israel was scattered throughout the earth, but God promised to gather them back to Him and His Church. This is called the gathering of Israel. How is this similar to delivering people out of captivity?
Share this statement from President Russell M. Nelson: “Anytime you do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—take a step toward making covenants with God and receiving their essential baptismal and temple ordinances, you are helping to gather Israel” (Russell M. Nelson and Wendy W. Nelson, “Hope of Israel” [worldwide youth devotional, June 3, 2018], supplement to the New Era and Ensign, Aug. 2018, 15, ChurchofJesusChrist.org). How can we help gather Israel?
Sing together a song about missionary work, such as “I Hope They Call Me on a Mission” or “Called to Serve” (Children’s Songbook, 169, 174), or show the video “Your Day for a Mission” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Ask the children what they learn from the song or the video about why someone would choose to serve a mission.
To help family members visualize these verses, you could demonstrate what happens when you put water in a cracked or broken container. What might the “fountain of living waters” and “broken cisterns” represent? (Jeremiah 2:13). How do we drink from the Lord’s living water?
To explore these verses, you might discuss or show how pottery is made. What message does the Lord have for Israel in Jeremiah 18:1–6? What does it mean to be clay in the Lord’s hands? (see also Isaiah 64:8). For another story that compares us to potter’s clay, see Elder Richard J. Maynes’s message “The Joy of Living a Christ-Centered Life” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 27–30).
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Isaiah 58–66” Some of the children you teach may be old enough to fast. But even those who are not can benefit from learning about the Lord’s law of the fast and preparing to fast when they are ready.
Write on the board Why do we fast? and How do we fast? Invite the children to write possible answers on the board. Encourage them to review “Fast, Fasting” in Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org) and Isaiah 58:6–11 to find additional answers. How might Isaiah 58:6–11 help us when fasting is difficult?
“Fasting and Fast Offerings” You can fast for many purposes. You can fast as you ask Heavenly Father to bless the sick or afflicted (see Matthew 17:14–21). Fasting may help you and those you love receive personal revelation and become converted to the truth (see Alma 5:46; 6:6). Through fasting you can gain strength to resist temptation (see Isaiah 58:6). You can fast as you strive to humble yourself before God and exercise faith in Jesus Christ (see Omni 1:26; Helaman 3:35). You may fast to receive guidance in sharing the gospel and magnifying Church callings (see Acts 13:2–3; Alma 17:3, 9; 3 Nephi 27:1–2).
Encourage the children to think of a reason they might need special help from the Lord, and suggest they make that reason part of their fast during the next fast Sunday.
Share with the children a personal experience with fasting, or share a story from a Church magazine about fasting. Emphasize the blessings that come from fasting with a spiritual purpose. If any of the children have fasted, invite them to share their experiences. Encourage the children to talk to their parents next fast Sunday about what it means to fast. Help them understand what it means to fast with a sincere purpose and a prayerful heart.
Friend September 2000 “Fasting and Prayer” Dad told the family that their grandma was very sick. They decided to pray and fast for her. That night their mom called to say that their grandma was going to be okay. They realized that fasting helped them feel closer to Heavenly Father, and it wasn’t as hard to do because they were fasting for their grandmother.
Read together Isaiah 58:6–7, and explain that one way we “deal [our] bread to the hungry” when we fast is by donating the money we would have spent on food as a fast offering. Show the children a donation slip for tithing and fast offerings, and explain how to fill it out. Invite the children to read Isaiah 58:8–10, looking for the blessings we are promised when we fast. How can fasting bless us and those in need?
Friend November 2019 “Searching for Sir Crunch-a-Lot” Mackenzie’s family shop at the bishop’s storehouse for their food because they didn’t have much money after her dad lost his job. Mackenzie wishes she didn’t have to eat boring food like granola instead of her favorite cereal brand, and sandwiches instead of pizza at school. But then she finds out that a friend sitting next to her isn’t eating lunch because she is fasting for a family member. Mackenzie realizes how hard it must be to fast, and she is grateful for all the people who fast and give fast offerings so she and her family don’t go hungry.
These verses suggest that to many ancient Israelites, fasting was more of a burden than a blessing. Family members might better understand Isaiah’s message about fasting if they act out the type of fasting described in Isaiah 58:3–5 and the type of fasting described in Isaiah 58:6–8. How can we make our fasts more like “the fast that [God has] chosen”? What blessings have we seen from fasting?
Ask the children to repeat the phrase “Call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord” (Isaiah 58:13) several times. Explain that “delight” means something that brings us joy. Ask the children to share some things that bring them joy. Testify that the Lord gave us the Sabbath day because He wants us to have joy. Tell the children why the Sabbath is a delight to you.
Read to the children from Isaiah 58:14: “Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord.” Explain to the children that the Sabbath is a special day—a time when we can think about the things Heavenly Father and Jesus did to help us be happy. Help the children think of things they can do on the Sabbath to remember Heavenly Father and Jesus. Invite them to draw their ideas and share their pictures with one another and their families.
What is the difference between “finding [our] own pleasure” and finding “delight … in the Lord” on the Sabbath? How can we make the Sabbath “a delight”?
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 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.
Isaiah 61:1–3 gives a powerful description of the Savior’s mission of teaching and healing. Ponder how you might best use Isaiah’s words to strengthen the children’s testimonies of Jesus Christ as their Savior and Redeemer.
Let the children hold pictures of Jesus teaching, healing, and helping others as you read Isaiah 61:1 (see the Gospel Art Book). Explain that God sent Jesus Christ to do these things for all of us. Ask the children to share their feelings about Jesus Christ. Testify of the Savior’s love for each of the children. (Or you could tape them to the board and let the children choose one they think best described each line of the scripture.)
Give the children a few minutes to read Isaiah 61:1–3 on their own. Then invite them to write on a piece of paper or in a study journal what these verses teach them about Jesus Christ. Invite a few of the children to share their thoughts.
Invite the children to share a phrase from these verses that is especially meaningful to them and explain why. How do these verses help us understand what Jesus Christ was sent to earth to do?
Isaiah 61:3 describes those who listen to and obey the Lord as “trees of righteousness.” Draw a tree on the board, and invite the children to think of righteous things they can do. For each idea, let the children draw a leaf on the tree.
Story: Isaiah taught that Jesus Christ would come to heal and comfort those who are sad or need help (see Isaiah 61:1). He also said that those who obey Jesus’s teachings would be like “trees of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:3).
Song:“I Feel My Savior’s Love” (Children’s Songbook, 74–75)
Activity: Draw a picture of a tree. Cut out some leaves. Write on the leaves ways Jesus helps you when you obey His teachings. Then glue the leaves onto the tree.
Isaiah saw a time when God’s people will have peace and joy. This prophecy will be fulfilled when Jesus Christ returns to earth and reigns for a thousand years—an era called the Millennium.
Isaiah 65:17–25 describes what the earth will be like when the Savior comes again. Divide the children into small groups, giving each group a few of these verses to read. After a few minutes, make a list together on the board of how life will be different in the “new earth” described in these verses (verse 17). Why will this be a time to be “glad and rejoice for ever”? (verse 18).
Friend March 2013 Cover
Before class, prepare word strips with words and phrases from the tenth article of faith. Invite one of the children to recite the article of faith, and ask the children to put the word strips in order. Help the children understand what this article of faith teaches us about the Millennium.
In the Old Testament, the prophet Jacob (or Israel) had 12 sons. Their families, or tribes, were scattered across the earth. Heavenly Father wants all of them to come back together and learn the gospel.
Zion is a name for those who love God and for the place where they live. The New Jerusalem is the city that faithful people will build before Jesus returns to earth. When Jesus returns, He will be our King. The earth will be beautiful and clean again, like a paradise (or paradisiacal).
“Article of Faith 10” (September 2011 Friend) The pictures help illustrate what the tenth article of faith means.
Before class, write on the board several phrases from Isaiah 51–52 that express actions the Lord wanted His people to do, such as “Lift up your eyes,” “Awake,” “Stand up,” “Shake thyself from the dust,” and “Break forth into joy” (Isaiah 51:6, 17; 52:2, 9). Let the children take turns acting out one of the phrases while the rest of the class tries to guess what the action is. After each turn, show the children the phrase in the scriptures, and discuss with them the spiritual meaning of the phrase. What is the Lord asking us to do? How can we do each of these things?
Invite the children to read Isaiah 51:1, 4, 7 and identify who the Lord is speaking to and what He wants them to do. What does it mean to “hearken unto” the Lord? To illustrate, ask one of the children to give simple instructions that the others have to follow. Why is it sometimes hard to listen to and obey the Lord? How can we show the Lord that we “hearken unto” Him?
Why do you think the invitation to “hearken” (or “listen with the intent to obey”) is repeated so often?
Display pictures of the Savior suffering on the cross and in the Garden of Gethsemane (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 56, 57, or chapters 51–53 in New Testament Stories). Ask the children to describe what they see in the pictures and share what they know about what is happening. Why did Jesus suffer for us?
Read to the children from Isaiah 53:4: “He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.” Show the children a heavy object (or a picture of one), and invite them to pretend to lift something heavy. Explain that “grief” and “sorrow” (or sadness) can feel heavy and hard to carry. Testify that Jesus Christ will help us carry these things because He loves us.
Display several pictures depicting the suffering and death of Jesus Christ (see, for example, Gospel Art Book, nos. 56, 57, 58). Read together Isaiah 53:3–6, 9, and invite the children to look for phrases that describe the events in the pictures. Testify that hundreds of years before Jesus Christ suffered for us, prophets like Isaiah were teaching about these important events. Why would it be important for people to know these things so many years in advance? (see Alma 39:15–19).
Gospel Art Book
Invite the children to read Isaiah 53:4–7 and find words that describe what the Savior suffered for us. Ask them to write these words on the board. Why did He suffer our “griefs,” “sorrows,” and “iniquities”? (see also Alma 7:11–12). Share with the children how the Savior has helped you carry your griefs and sorrows. Let them share how they feel about the Savior and what He has done for them.
Hide a picture of Jesus somewhere in the room, and invite the children to find it. Read the words “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found” from Isaiah 55:6. Ask the children to name some ways they can seek the Lord—which means that they try hard to learn about Him and come close to Him. Each time a child gives an answer, hide the picture again, and invite the child to “seek” for it.
Story: Isaiah taught, “Seek ye the Lord” (Isaiah 55:6). That means we should pray, keep the commandments, and learn about the gospel. This will help us feel closer to Jesus Christ.
Song: “Seek the Lord Early” (Children’s Songbook, 108)
Activity: Choose one person to be the seeker. While their eyes are closed, hide a picture of Jesus. Softly sing a Primary song while the seeker looks for the picture. When they get closer, sing louder and louder until they find it. Take turns being the seeker. How can you seek Jesus Christ?
Help the children learn the words to the song “Seek the Lord Early” (Children’s Songbook, 108) or another song about coming closer to the Savior. Use this week’s activity page to help the children choose something they will do to “seek … the Lord.”
Read the phrase “Call ye upon him while he is near” from Isaiah 55:6. How do we call upon Heavenly Father? Ask the children to talk about what they say in their prayers. Testify that Heavenly Father loves them and hears them when they pray.
Ask the children who they would go to if they were having a difficult problem, and why. Read with the children Isaiah 55:8–9, and ask them to listen for why we should seek the Lord’s guidance when we need help.
Draw on the board the sky and the ground, and label them Heavens and Earth. Then invite the children to read Isaiah 55:9 to find out what the Lord compared to the heavens and the earth, and ask them to add these other labels to the drawings. What does it mean that the Lord’s ways and thoughts are “higher” than ours? Why is it important to know this?
Heavenly Father sees and knows all things. He can help us get to a higher place so we can see as well.
Discuss with the children some of the Lord’s ways that are higher than our ways. For example, what is His way of treating sinners? (see Mark 2:15–17). What is His way of leading others? (see Matthew 20:25–28). How are His ways different from the ways of others? Tell the children how you have learned to trust the Lord’s higher ways and thoughts.
Activity: Print the scriptures below (on colored paper.) Cut them out. Tape them onto the board or hand them out to children.
Read a situation below and then have the children tell what the world’s way is and write that on the ground that is drawn on the board. Have the children look at the scripture cards and have them find the Lord’s way for the situation. Discuss why the Lord’s way is higher and better. Have a child tape that scripture card on the board in the sky. Continue until all scripture cards are on the board.
1 Your friends have invited you to a movie. When you get there, you realize that it is not a good, wholesome one. Your friends decide to see it anyway. What choice will you make?
2 Someone wants you to try drugs, smoke, or drink alcoholic beverages, saying that using such things will make you feel good. Will you do it to see if he is right?
3 You break the cookie jar while getting some cookies. Your mother asks you what happened. Will you avoid the blame by telling her that you don’t know who broke it?
4 Some of your friends swear. Will you swear, too, so that you can be more acceptable to the group?
5 Your friends invite you to go to the circus on Sunday after your church meetings are over. What will you tell them?
6 You don’t know an answer on a test at school. You promised your parents that you would try to get a good grade. Will you look at your neighbor’s paper for the right answer?
7 You earn some money to buy a new toy. When you go to pay for it, it costs more than you thought. Will you add your tithing money to what you have saved so that you can buy the toy?
8 Someone tells you some gossip about a friend. Will you pass it on to your other friends?
9 You’re very tired and get into bed before remembering to pray. Will you skip praying for one night?
10 Your brother is being mean and teasing you, and you want to get even with him. What will you do?
11 Your mother asks you to do your chores. Your friends just called you to play a game of ball. Which will you do first?
12 You see a student put some money into his desk at school. Will you take it so that you can buy some candy on the way home?
In Isaiah 52:7, the prophet tells us that Christ will give us peace, the gospel, and salvation.
Discuss ways you can share these great blessings through missionary work. List as many as your family can think of. (Examples: share the gospel with your friends; take your ancestors’ names to the temple to complete their ordinances.)
Place a Book of Mormon on one side of the room. Have one person stand at the other side and, without moving his or her feet, reach for the book. (Make sure the book is placed out of reach.)
Have each member of your family line up between the person at the side of the room and the Book of Mormon. Link hands, creating a chain of people, and pass the Book of Mormon to the first person. (By knowing how many people are in your group, you can estimate how far away to start the first person.)
Discussion: What kind of actions in our lives might create “links” to help others recognize the blessings of the gospel?
Ask one child to read Isaiah 40:3 while the other children each read one of the following passages and look for similar words and phrases: Mark 1:3–4 (John the Baptist); Alma 7:9 (Alma); Doctrine and Covenants 33:10–11 (latter-day missionaries). Help them identify who is preparing “the way of the Lord” in each passage. How did these people prepare the way of the Lord? What can we do to help?
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Isaiah 40-49”To explore what it might mean to “prepare … the way of the Lord,” your family could straighten something that’s crooked, clear a cluttered floor, or make a clear path in rocky ground. You could also show pictures of John the Baptist and Joseph Smith (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 35, 87). How did they prepare the way for the Lord’s coming?
If you get something straight, you make sure that you understand it properly or that someone else does.
You are playing with a group of friends. Two of you are wearing CTR rings. One of the other children asks what the letters mean.
You have a friend who is ill or injured, and you visit her. She is very discouraged. What can you say to help her understand that Heavenly Father loves her and will bless her?
A repairman comes to your house and sees a Book of Mormon sitting on the table. He asks what it is about. What would you tell him?
While we’ll all experience stumbling blocks in life, we can make a straight path to Christ for ourselves and others by removing what obstacles we can. We can be dedicated to making our wards and branches welcoming places for all types of people from all walks of life. We can address concerns, answer questions, and sit with someone through doubt until they’re ready to take another step. (LDS Daily “What It Means to Make the Lord’s Path Straight”)
Draw a path on the board, and read with the children Isaiah 40:3–5. Ask the children to list obstacles that might prevent people from following the Savior, and invite them to draw obstacles on the path. Let them erase the obstacles as you talk about ways we can help people overcome them.
Suggestions might include the following: not understanding things that are being taught in Primary, not knowing anyone at church, never having prayed before, never having read the scriptures before, not knowing anything about Jesus, not understanding what the sacrament is for, not believing that Heavenly Father and Jesus could appear to Joseph Smith, etc.
4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Isaiah 40–49” The Lord reminded the Israelites that they had witnessed many great things that He had done for them. He wanted them (and all of us) to be His witnesses, helping others know of His power and goodness.
Tell the children about something you have witnessed. Help them think of things they have experienced that they can tell each other about or be a “witness” of—for example, a delicious food they have tasted, a place they have visited, or a person they know. Read to the children from Isaiah 43:10: “Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen.” Tell the children that when we are baptized we promise to be a witness of Jesus Christ (see Mosiah 18:9). What does it mean to be the Lord’s witness?
The other day I had a friend over who is not a member of the Church. He saw a picture of Jesus on our refrigerator, and told me that he did not believe that Jesus was real. I said, “Jesus is real, and I believe in Him!” I then told him that Jesus really lived on this earth a long time ago and that He died, but on the third day He was resurrected. I told him that because of Jesus, we will be able to live again after we die too.
My friend listened to what I was saying as he looked at the picture of Jesus. He seemed to believe that what I was telling him was true. I want to give him a Book of Mormon with my testimony written in it for his birthday. I know this Church is true, and I am thankful when I can share my testimony with my friends. (Brigham P., age 6, Montana)
Friend November 2019 “Jesus is Real” Everyone at Ismay’s table at school were excitedly talking about Christmas and their favorite traditions such as going to a church service. Suddenly Charlotte spoke up and said, “Jesus isn’t even real.” Ismay was sad to hear this and she quietly bore her testimony to Charlotte that Jesus was real, and that she felt it in her heart. She was glad she had spoken up and planted a seed about Jesus.
Ask the children to share what they know about Jesus Christ and His gospel. Show them pictures to give them ideas (for example, pictures of the Savior’s Resurrection, the Book of Mormon, the temple, and the living prophet). Invite them to talk about what they could share with others as witnesses of the Lord.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Isaiah 40–49” When we make covenants with the Lord, He makes promises to be with us—even during our trials. Help the children see themselves as part of the Lord’s covenant people and as recipients of His promises.
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Isaiah 40-49” It must have been discouraging, even devastating, for the Israelites to find themselves captive in Babylon. Many may have wondered if they had forever lost their place as God’s chosen, covenant people. Isaiah’s message to them and to us is simple: “Fear not” (Isaiah 43:1). All is not lost. The Lord has not forgotten you, and He has power over situations that seem out of your control. “Return unto me,” He pleads, “for I have redeemed thee” (Isaiah 44:22). He can heal, restore, strengthen, forgive, and comfort—whatever is needed for you.
Write on the board I am … and I will … Invite the children to read Isaiah 41:10 and Isaiah 43:1–5 to find out who the Lord says He is and what He says He will do. What other phrases are repeated in these verses? How might these messages give us comfort and hope during hard times?
Friend September 2019 “The Diabetes Dilemma” Joe prayed that his sister didn’t have diabetes. When they found out she did have diabetes, he was devastated. He didn’t understand why Heavenly Father didn’t answer his prayer. His mom explained that answers to prayers don’t always happen the way we want. Sometimes, instead of taking something hard away, He answers by giving us peace and helping us be strong. Joe then realizes that Heavenly Father was blessing his sister and family with peace.
Read together Isaiah 48:10, and talk about what a furnace is and different ways it is used. Explain that metals are purified in a furnace. Why is a furnace a good way to describe affliction? How can our afflictions purify us? (see Alma 62:41).
Ask the children to read Isaiah 49:14. What might make people feel forgotten or forsaken? How can we help others know that the Lord has not forgotten them? How do we know He has not forgotten us?
Invite the children to talk about someone they know who they will never forget, like a family member or friend. Discuss how a loving mother feels about her children and how the Lord feels about us. Then ask the children to read Isaiah 49:15–16. According to these verses, why will the Lord never forget us? Invite the children to share their feelings about Jesus Christ.
Invite the children to imagine a situation in which they might need help (such as being sick or caught in a storm). Show several objects (or pictures of objects), some that would help them in the situation and others that would not. For example, an umbrella would help in a storm, but a glass of water and a pencil would not. Ask the children to pick the object that would help in that situation. Show pictures of the Savior to help the children talk about how He helps us.
What would help us if we are sick?
What would help us if we were caught in a storm?
Read to the children Isaiah 43:11, and ask them to point to a picture of Jesus when they hear the word “saviour.” Testify that because Jesus Christ suffered and died for us and was resurrected, He is the only one who can save us from our sins and from death.
What can save us from death? Medicine, exercise, science, eating healthy? These things may extend our life, but everyone eventually dies.
Who can save us from our sins? The bishop, a policeman, our parents?
Read to the children Isaiah 48:18. Invite them to move their hands and arms like a river and waves. Talk about how keeping God’s commandments has helped you feel peaceful like a river or strong like a wave.
Draw a river on the board. Help the children think of commandments God has given us. Write those commandments on pieces of paper (or draw simple pictures of them), and let the children take turns attaching the commandments to the river on the board. Help the children learn how keeping the commandments brings peace.
Red Crystal has some good activity ideas for this part of the lesson.
Sing together a song about commandments, such as “Keep the Commandments” (Children’s Songbook, 146–47). What does this song teach about why we should keep God’s commandments?
Story: Isaiah taught that if we keep the commandments, we will have peace like a river and “righteousness as the waves of the sea” (Isaiah 48:18).
Song: “Keep the Commandments” (Children’s Songbook, 146–47)
Activity: Make your own “waves of the sea”! Fill an empty bottle or jar halfway with water and turn it blue with food coloring. Fill the rest with oil. Put the cap on tightly. Then gently tilt the bottle back and forth to watch the waves! How does keeping the commandments help you feel peace?
Use “Introduction: Our Heavenly Father’s Plan” (in New Testament Stories, 1–3) or the song “I Lived in Heaven” (Children’s Songbook, 4) to tell the children about the War in Heaven before we were born. (As you do, include phrases from Isaiah 14:12–14 that describe Satan.) Then invite the children to take turns telling the story back to you. Emphasize that Jesus Christ followed Heavenly Father’s plan and became our Savior.
On the board, draw a heart with the word Satan and a sad face inside it. Explain that Satan said in his heart, “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God” (Isaiah 14:13), which means that he wanted to be better than Heavenly Father. Invite a child to draw another heart, this one with the word Jesus and a happy face inside it. Help the children understand that Jesus wanted to do what Heavenly Father asked Him to do (see Moses 4:1–2). How can we follow Jesus’s example?
Show a picture of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and ask the children to share what they know about the picture. If needed, share with them the story of Jesus being resurrected (see “Jesus Is Risen,” in New Testament Stories, 139–44). Play or sing a song about the Resurrection, such as “Jesus Has Risen” (Children’s Songbook, 70), and invite the children to share how it makes them feel to know that Jesus rose from the dead.
Tell the children about someone you know who has died. How do we feel when someone we love dies? Invite the children to draw a face of someone crying. Then read Isaiah 25:8 to them. What will Jesus do to our tears when we miss someone who has died? Invite the children to draw a happy face. Bear your testimony that because Jesus Christ was resurrected, we can feel comforted when someone dies and know that we will all be resurrected one day.
Friend December 2020 “A Christmas Song for Grandpa” Jennifer’s grandfather passed away on the day she is supposed to sing a solo at the Christmas community program. She is heartbroken but remembers that because of Jesus she will see her grandfather again. She decides to sing about Jesus at the program so she can share the light and hope Jesus gives.
Write the word apostasy on the board. Invite the children to find a definition in “Apostasy” in the Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Invite them to read Isaiah 24:5; 30:9–11 and make a list of things people were doing in Isaiah’s time that led them to apostasy. Then invite the children to change the items in the list to things we can do to stay true to the Lord.
Divide the class into pairs, and assign each pair to read one of the following passages: Isaiah 24:3–5; Isaiah 29:7–10; or Isaiah 30:8–14. Invite them to draw pictures that represent what they read. As they share their drawings, help them discuss what Isaiah’s words teach about why we should stay true to the Lord.
When individuals or groups of people turn away from the principles of the gospel, they are in a state of apostasy.
Invite the children to tell you what they know about Joseph Smith. If needed, share with them “Joseph Smith’s First Vision” (in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 9–12). Read Isaiah 29:12, and explain that even though Joseph Smith was not considered “learned” by many people, Jesus Christ restored the gospel through him.
Display items that represent some of the Lord’s marvelous works during the latter days, such as a picture of the First Vision or of Joseph Smith receiving the priesthood (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 90, 93, 94) or a copy of the Book of Mormon. Invite the children to choose an item and share why it is marvelous to them.
Show pictures of some of the marvelous events that happened as the gospel was restored (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 90–95, or this week’s activity page). Read together Isaiah 29:14, 18, 24, and invite the children to find words and phrases that relate to the events in the pictures. Ask the children how they can help with the Lord’s “marvellous work” (verse 14).
Friend April 2020 “Helping with the Restoration” In 1820, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. The Restoration of the gospel began that day 200 years ago. It continues today! Here are four ways you can help with the Restoration and prepare for the time when Jesus will return:
Share a brief experience to help the children understand what restoration means. For example, talk about something that was lost and how you found it. Help the children compare this to the Restoration of the gospel. According to Isaiah 29:13–15, why do we need the Restoration? What marvelous works did the Lord do to restore His gospel?
Friend May 2007 “Restoration” Whitney’s mother wants to restore her grandmother’s old armoire because it reminds her of her grandmother. Whitney suggests they could paint it white and add fancy handles. But her mother says, “No, I want to restore it. Restore means to bring something back to the way it was originally. I want it to look just the way it did when my grandmother used it.” (Activity: Cut out the puzzle pieces and put them together to form a picture. When you have all of the pieces in the right places, the picture will be “restored”!
Write the following scripture references on separate pieces of paper: Isaiah 14:3; Isaiah 25:8; Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 11:28–30; 1 Corinthians 15:53–57; Helaman 5:12. Give the papers to the children, and invite them to write on the papers the truths they learn from the verses and work together to match the verses that teach similar truths. According to these verses, what great things has the Lord done for us?
Ask the children to choose a phrase from Isaiah 14:3; 25:8; or 28:16 that reminds them of Jesus Christ. Invite them to write the phrase on a piece of paper and draw a picture of the Savior that they can display in their homes.
Has your family ever experienced the blessing of a safe shelter during a storm or of shade on a hot summer day? (see verse 4). Talk about this as you read these verses and other descriptions of the Lord found in Isaiah 25:4–9. How is the Lord like these things?
Showing pictures of the Savior in Gethsemane, on the cross, and after His Resurrection can help your family see connections between these verses and Jesus Christ (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 56, 57, 58, 59). Invite your family to share why they “rejoice in his salvation” (Isaiah 25:9).
