Items needed: light weight colored paper, clear stick glue, magnets, a page protector, clear tape, a lamp or lantern, a large envelope, and chalk and eraser.
Print the story pictures, stain glass pattern, and word pages (make sure and print the picture of Christ onto light weight white paper). Cut out the story pictures. Cut apart the word pages on the dotted lines. Put a magnet on the back of each item. (Optional: Put a black background paper on the word cards.)
Cut the stain glass pattern along the lines so that you have nine pieces. Using the pieces as patterns, cut out each piece from different colors of light weight paper (or print Emilie Hanson’s pre-made version) Glue the pieces to the front of the picture of the Savior. Make sure the picture of the Savior doesn’t show through the colored paper, but try not to use dark colors over the face. Using the photo above as your guide, cut the pieces into four parts. Cut out the labels and glue each one to a piece as shown above. Put the pieces into an envelope.
Cut strips of dark paper and tape them to the edges of the page protector to make a frame.
Presentation
Tell the children that they are now going to learn the third verse of the song “If I Listen with My Heart.” Explain that this verse is about the Holy Ghost being a way we can hear the Savior’s voice. The Savior communicates with us through the Holy Ghost. There are many different things that the Holy Ghost tells us that the Savior wants us to know.
Ask the children if they have ever seen a stain glass window. Explain that a stain glass window is many pieces of colored glass combined to make a beautiful picture. When light comes through the window, it’s beauty can fill us with joy and uplift and warm our souls. Explain that the Holy Ghost can also fill our lives with joy, warm our souls, and light up our life with beauty. Like the different colored pieces of stain glass, there are different things the Holy Ghost does. A few of those things are mentioned in this verse.
Put the page protector on the board. Explain that you have several colored pieces of paper inside the envelope that will make a pretty stain glass type picture on the framed page protector. Each of these colored pieces of paper has a label on it. The labels are things the Holy Ghost does that are mentioned in the verse.
Choose a child helper. Draw out the piece of colored paper from the envelope that says “teaches truth and right.” Give the piece to the child and have him or her put it on the page protector using rolled pieces of tape. Tell the children that the helpers will need to try to put each piece in the right spot on the page protector. Disclose that the picture should form a heart when completed.
Tell the children that in the July 1997 Friend there is a story about a boy named Christopher. Christopher had been given the gift of the Holy Ghost, but he had become concerned because he had never heard the still small voice. (Put the picture of the upset Christopher on the board.) Christopher told his parents how he was feeling (put picture of parents on board), and they explained that the Holy Ghost can communicate in other ways besides a still small voice. They reminded Christopher of the good feeling he had after telling the truth about spilling the red punch on the carpet. (Put the picture of the spilled drink on the board. Also put the word card next to it that says “I feel the Holy Spirit as He teaches truth and right”.) Read the card to the children and explain that it is the first line in the verse. Ask “Does the Savior want us to know truth and right?”
Choose another helper. Give that child the piece of colored paper that says “comforts”. Have the child put it on the page protector. Explain that the Holy Ghost can comfort us when we are afraid, sad, or worried. Tell the children that when Christopher was lost in the mall and was afraid, he prayed for help. He felt calm and reassured. He also felt he should sit on a bench and wait, (put on the board the picture of Christopher sitting on the bench), and his parents were able to find him there. (Put the word card on the board that says “He comforts me in times of need” next to the picture of Christopher on the bench.) Tell the children that those are the words of the next line in the verse. Ask, “Do you think Jesus wants to comfort and help us?” Explain that in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus not only suffered for our sins, but he also suffered our pains, heartaches, and fears so he would know how to comfort and help us.
Choose another helper, and give that child the piece of colored paper that says “Testifies of Christ”. Have the child put it on the page protector. Tell the children that in the story about Christopher, his parents also reminded him of the time when he was reading the scriptures, and he suddenly understood a parable that Jesus taught. (Put picture of Christopher and the scriptures on the board.) Explain that the Holy Ghost can testify to us that Jesus is the son of God and that His words are divine truth. The Holy Ghost can also help us understand His words. (Put the word card on the board that says “He testifies of Christ” next to the picture of Christopher with scriptures. Tell the children that is the next line in the verse.) Explain to the children that the Holy Ghost also testifies that Jesus is our Savior and redeemer, and that because of His sacrifice and atonement we can repent and be forgiven of our sins. Ask, “Why does Jesus want us to know this?”
Draw out the last colored piece of paper that says “Fills with peace”. Put it on the page protector, and then put the word card on the board that says “He speaks to me in quiet ways that fill my soul with peace”. Point out to the children that Christopher didn’t even realize that the Holy Ghost was speaking to him because it was in quiet ways such as warm feelings and thoughts that came to him. But those thoughts and feelings filled Christopher with peace.
Put the stain glass picture in front of a turned on lamp or lantern so that the children can see the picture of Jesus. Explain that we learn in this verse that if we listen with our hearts, we will realize that the Holy Ghost is telling us the things that the Savior wants us to know.
The chorus pages will not be needed. Hopefully by this time they know that part, but the stain glass picture can be used to help remind them of the words of the chorus.
(In Junior Primary you may want to sing each line of the verse as you put it on the board, and then review the lines at the end and try to sing the whole verse.)
To help the children memorize this verse, take off the first word card. Write its words on the board, but leave the main words blank except for the first letter. See if the children can remember what those words are, and then sing the verse. Do the same with the next word card. Continue in this manner until the children have each line memorized. Many junior Primary children know letters, so prompt them with the sound of the letter to help remind them of the word.
Safety Reminder: 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 bulb.
Items needed: two hinged rings or two pieces of ribbon, a marker, strong magnet strips, a hole punch, and a lamp or lantern. You will also need the chorus cards, the black and white picture of the prophet, and the picture of the Savior from the previous week’s lesson. Put the black and white picture of the prophet into a page protector, and slip the picture of the Savior behind it. Print the pictures and word cards onto cardstock. Cut out each picture around its subject’s outline. Attach a strong magnet to the back of each picture. Cut out the word bubbles. Glue the word bubbles that say “Love & Serve” to the picture of the prophet and to the picture of the Savior. Attach a magnet to the back of the rest of the word bubbles.
Cut the word cards in half on the dotted line. Stack the word cards in order with the start of the song on top. Attach strong magnets between each card (on the top, middle of the cards) so the cards stick together. Hole punch the bottom of each card on the corners, and connect the six cards together with the rings or ribbon. Put a long strip of a strong magnet onto the top back of the last card.
Presentation
Tell the children they are now going to learn the second verse of the song “If I Listen With My Heart.” Remind them that it is about the prophet’s words being a way to hear the Savior’s voice. Put the black and white picture of the prophet in front of the lantern, and turn on the lantern. Put the flip chart on the board with the first lines of the verse showing. Go through the words of the flip chart with the children, and put the following corresponding pictures on the board for each page.
I hear a living prophet speak – Put the picture of the prophet and the podium on the board.
the things that Christ would say – Put the picture of the Savior to the left of the picture of the prophet.
if He were here upon the earth – Put the picture of the Savior over the picture of the prophet.
to talk with me today – Put the picture of the children to the left of the podium.
Put the word bubbles on the board to the left of the the picture of Jesus, and ask the children what the Savior would tell them to do if he were here upon the earth today. Write a response with the marker in each word bubble.
The prophet teaches how to live – Take off the picture of the Savior so that the prophet is showing, and explain that the prophet tells us the same things because he tells us the Savior’s words–the things the Savior wants us to know.
in righteousness and peace – Explain that the Savior wants us to live in righteousness and peace, so the prophet teaches us the Savior’s words on how to do that. Point out the word peace, and remind the children that the word peace is in each verse of the song. This is to help remind us that if we listen to and obey the Savior’s words, we can have peace in our lives. (When singing the song, put the labeled word bubbles up during this line of the song.)
Put the chorus pages on the board, and remind the children that they sing the chorus at the end of each verse.
Note: You may wish to teach Junior Primary a couple of lines of the verse at a time, and then have them sing those lines before teaching the next two lines.
Prepare to have the children sing the verse by resetting the flip chart and taking off the pictures. Have a child helper put the pictures on the board at the appropriate times as you turn the pages of the flip chart. Go through the words and visuals again before singing the verse to make sure the helper knows how they go. Have a different child help with the visuals each time you sing the verse.
Tell the children they are now going to memorize the second verse. Review the words on the first flip chart card. Put it down so it isn’t showing, and have the children sing the song again. Do the same with the second card in the flip chart, then have them tell you what the first line is again. Sing the song again without the first and second cards showing. Continue in this manner until they can sing the song without the flip chart.
Note: To help the children review lines, tell them the line, but stop at certain points and see if they can tell you the next word or words.
Safety Reminder: 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 bulb.
Items needed: a small container of water, one piece of paper, envelopes, and a picture of the living prophet (this can be found at www.lds.org/church leaders).
Print the scripture story visual aids onto heavy paper. Cut apart each picture and each word strip on the dividing lines. Glue each numbered word strip to the back of its corresponding picture. Also print the sign “Eternal Salvation.”
Print and cut out the game items. Lightly tape the small game pieces to an 8 ½-by-11-inch piece of paper with rolled pieces of tape. Be prepared to display the two category titles on a display board (see tips).
Prepare the following for the activity: Draw a map of the room where you will teach the lesson onto a sheet of paper. Label the different parts of the room on the map such as the windows, doors, tables, chairs, etc. Draw a dot on each of the locations you will hide clues. You will need to hide at least one clue per each child. Choose a wall where you will place the sign “Eternal Salvation”. That will be the end of the hunt. Mark that as X on your map. Starting at the X, connect the dots with a line. Do not crisscross the line. Number each dot in order, ending at the X. Cut the map up into a puzzle having one numbered dot on each piece. Put each piece into an envelope, and number the upper outer corner of each envelope with the puzzle piece number. On the front of each envelope paste a quote from the living prophet of something he has asked us to do. These can be found in the Ensigns at www.lds.org/general conferenceHide the envelopes sometime before the lesson, leaving out envelope number one. Number one would be the first clue and it should lead to where clue number two is hid. Each following clue should also lead to its next numbered clue.
Introduction
Ask the children if they remember what is being studied this year. Hold up a copy of the Book of Mormon as a reminder.
The Book of Mormon tells about three groups of people the Lord led to the Americas. The beginning of the Book of Mormon tells of one of these groups. We learn about the other two groups later.
Direct the children to open their scriptures to chapter one in “The First Book of Nephi.” Explain that a prophet named Nephi wrote the “The First Book of Nephi.” Nephi informs us that he engraved his history onto plates made of ore (1 Nephi 19:1). The plates were like a book, but each page was a thin sheet made of metal. The words were written by pushing a sharp tool into the metal.
Why were some ancient records written on metal plates? (Take a piece of paper, tear it, and pour a little water on it.) Explain that during ancient times, the people used other materials than paper for written communications, but those materials could also be easily damaged and could decompose and disintegrates over time. Some ancient historians used metal if they had an important message that they wanted to endure for a long period of time.
Have the children find the date on the bottom right hand side of the first page of “The First Book of Nephi.” Explain that this date tells the approximate time period the events on that page occurred. Have them flip through other pages so that they will see that the date is on the bottom of each page. Explain that B.C. means before Christ’s birth.
In the “First Book of Nephi” we learn that Nephi’s father was a prophet. When Nephi was a youth, his father Lehi was commanded of the Lord to take his family and leave the city Jerusalem.
Scripture Story
Teach the following scripture story of the prophet Lehi and his family leaving Jerusalem. Show the numbered picture that corresponds with each part.
1. In Jerusalem 600 B.C. the people were wicked. They were dishonest, they worshiped idols, and they did many other evil things. Prophets were sent to tell the people to repent or be destroyed. The people were so wicked that they imprisoned, cast out, or killed the prophets that were sent to warn them.
2. Lehi was concerned and prayed for the people. A pillar of fire appeared as Lehi prayed, and God told and showed Lehi many things.
3. Lehi returned home and collapsed on his bed overcome with what he had seen. As he was lying on his bed, Lehi was shown a vision. One of the things he saw was that Jerusalem would be destroyed.
4. Lehi told the people what he had seen and heard. He told them that Jerusalem would be destroyed. He also preached and testified of Jesus whom he had seen in his vision. Lehi preached to the people even though he knew it was dangerous.
Why do you think Lehi preached to the people even though he knew it was dangerous?
5. The people wouldn’t listen to Lehi’s warnings. They mocked him and made fun of him. They didn’t believe that Jerusalem would be destroyed. They thought they were God’s chosen people.
Were the people in Jerusalem God’s chosen people? When a people become wicked they are no longer a select people.
6. The people became angry and wanted to kill Lehi because of his preachings.
7. In a dream, the Lord warned Lehi of the danger and told him to take his family and leave Jerusalem.
8. Lehi and his family packed provisions for the journey. They left their house and their possessions behind. They traveled three days past the Red Sea, which is about a two week journey from Jerusalem.
Game
Display the two category titles “Trip Provisions” and “Items Left Behind” on a display board. Show the children the list of items that are taped to the 8 ½-by-11 paper. Have them take turns choosing an item and then deciding if the item would be something Lehi and his family would have taken with them or something they would have left behind. Have them place the item under the category they think it belongs in. Ask the children to explain their reason. Answers might include: item not needed for the journey, item too bulky, or item too heavy to carry, etc.
Do you think it was hard for Nephi and his family to leave behind their home and most of their possessions? If you had to leave your home and only take a few necessary items, what things would you have a hard time leaving behind? (Have the children take turns sharing their ideas.)
9. After traveling for about two weeks in the wilderness, Lehi and his family came to a valley that had a river running through it. They set up their tents and camped there. Lehi built an altar of stones and gave thanks to the Lord.
10. Lehi had four sons; their names were Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi. The two older brothers, Laman and Lemuel, murmured and complained about leaving Jerusalem and leaving behind their possessions. They didn’t believe Jerusalem would be destroyed. They were wicked like the people in Jerusalem.
The Lord told Lehi that he and his family were to travel to a promised land (the American Continent). Why do you think that Laman and Lemuel were spared from the destruction of Jerusalem and allowed to go to the promised land if they were so rebellious and wicked? (See 1 Nephi 2:22-24)
11. Nephi, the youngest brother, instead of complaining, decided to find out for himself if the things his father had seen were true. He prayed and the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to him. He learned that his father’s words were true.
12. Nephi told his brothers what he had learned. Sam believed him, but Nephi could not convince Laman and Lemuel.
Why is it important to listen to and obey the prophet? The prophet tells us what Heavenly Father wants us to know and do. Heavenly Father wants us to know and do the things that will help us be happy in this life and throughout all eternity.
The people in Jerusalem would not listen to the warnings of the prophets. They would not do the things that would help keep them safe and happy. Because of their wickedness, they had to suffer the results and consequences of their sins and choices, and they were eventually destroyed by the Babylonians.
Show the picture of the living prophet and ask, “Who is this person?”
Activity
Inform the children that they are going to read some quotes from the living prophet concerning things he has asked us to do. Show the envelope that is labeled number one. Reveal that there are several other envelopes hidden around the room, and on the front of each envelope is a statement from our current prophet. On the inside of the envelope is a puzzle clue that will help them locate the next envelope. If all the directions are followed correctly, they will end up at the sign that says “Eternal Salvation.” (Put the sign on the wall.)
Give the first clue to a volunteer. That person then reads the prophet’s statement out loud to the class. Have the volunteer tell how they can follow the prophet’s direction regarding the statement they read. After they do that, they can open the envelope and follow the clue’s directions to the next envelope.
After the next clue has been found, have another volunteer follow the same pattern. Putting the puzzle pieces together will help each volunteer locate the clues. Continue on until all the clues have been found. Tell the children that when we follow the prophet’s directions we are guided down the pathway to eternal salvation (eternal life- the kind of life Heavenly Father lives).
Weekly Reading Assignment
Remind the children to do their scripture reading assignment for this week – 1 Nephi 1:1-20 and 1 Nephi 2:1-24.
Resources: Scripture story visual aids – Book of Mormon Stories.
Preparation • Items needed: pencils, a Book of Mormon, and a piece of paper for each child. You will also need the picture of “Mormon Abridging the Plates” from the Gospel Art Picture Kit, the Book of Mormon Stories video DVD, a television, and a DVD player. (Note: The picture and the video are available online, or they can be checked out from your meetinghouse library). Optional item needed: foil star stickers for the children’s reading charts • Print one copy of the worksheet PDF or Word and the reading chart PDF or Word for each child. Print one copy of the Arch and one copy of the French words for Book of Mormon. Optional: Print scripture stickers – set one. • If possible, obtain a children’s nonfiction book. Read its preface before class, and be prepared to explain its contents to the children.
Lesson Introduction Inform the children they will be learning about the Book of Mormon this year. Instruct them to bring their scriptures each week. Make sure each child has a copy of the Book of Mormon to use for today’s lesson.
• How did we get the Book of Mormon? In ancient America two groups of people, the Nephites and the Lamanites, lived on the continent. A great battle occurred between these two groups of people. The Nephites were destroyed in this battle. The last of the Nephites, a prophet named Moroni, was directed by the Lord to bury a record of these ancient American people. About 1,400 years later Moroni, as a resurrected being, visited a boy named Joseph Smith. Moroni told Joseph Smith about the buried record.
Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith Direct the children to turn to the “Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith” found in the front of the Book of Mormon. Explain that the “Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith” tells about Moroni’s visit. Watch chapter one of the Book of Mormon Stories DVD which tells of this account. Start at the section where the angel Moroni appears.
• What does translate mean? Translate means to change from one language to another.
Show the paper with the words “Le Livre De Mormon” written on it. Tell the children that the words are French. The English version of these words is “The Book of Mormon”. Show this paper. Both sets of words mean the same thing, but they are different languages.
The gold plates were written in an ancient language that needed to be translated into a language others could read.
Title Page Instruct the children to turn to the title page found in the front of the Book of Mormon. Point out that underneath the title is a preface. Show the children the preface of the nonfiction book that you brought. Present a brief explanation of what the preface of that book contains.
• What do you think a preface is for? The preface explains the purpose and content of the book.
The preface in the Book of Mormon was written on the last leaf of a collection of books in the gold plates and is considered to have been written by Moroni. The preface tells us that the contents of the book are a record of the Nephites, Lamanites, and Jaredites. It also tells us that the purpose of the Book of Mormon is to testify of Christ.
Much of the world today rejects the divinity of Christ. They think that he was a great teacher but could not have done the miracles we read about in the New Testament. The Book of Mormon is another testament that those things happened. Jesus Christ is the Son of God; he atoned for our sins, and he was resurrected.
Introduction Have the children turn the page in their scriptures to the “Introduction”. Tell them the “Introduction” provides more detailed information about the origin and the contents of the book.
Worksheet – Instruct the children to fill in the blanks in Section A on the worksheet, using paragraphs one and two of the “Introduction” for reference. After they are done, go over the answers together.
SECTION A: Worksheet Answers – The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture. It is a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the America’s and contains, as does the Bible, the fullness of the everlasting gospel. The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation, and was abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon.
• What does abridged mean? It means that Mormon studied records other prophets had written, and then he took important parts from each of their records and wrote them on the gold plates. The Book of Mormon is named after Mormon because he compiled the record. (Show the picture of “Mormon Abridging the Plates” to the children.)
Now have the children fill in the blanks in section B on the worksheet using paragraph six of the “Introduction” for reference. Go over the answers together after they are done.
SECTION B: Worksheet Answers- Joseph Smith told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on the earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.
• What did Joseph Smith mean when he said the Book of Mormon is the most correct book on the earth? The Book of Mormon is of God. Books produced by men may contain errors in understanding, perception, and translation.
• What did Joseph Smith mean when he said the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion? Show the picture of the arch. Explain that the keystone is the central supporting stone at the top of the arch. The stones would fall without the keystone holding them in place. The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion because it supports and explains doctrines and principles that are necessary for salvation. Another reason it is the keystone is that when we receive a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon we will know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that the church of Jesus Christ is restored on the earth again, and that Jesus is the Christ.
• What did Joseph Smith mean when he said, “A man could get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book”? Abide means to accept or act in accordance with, and precepts are commandments or principles. So, if we accept or act in accordance with God’s will and obey the commandments and principles found in the Book of Mormon, we will grow nearer to God.
The Testimony of the Witnesses Have the children turn the page to “The Testimony of the Witnesses”. Show the picture of “Mormon Abridging the Plates” to the children once again. Give them a few seconds to study it. Afterwards put the picture face down on a table. Give each child a paper and a pencil. Ask some of the following questions, and have them write down their answers:
• What was on the shelf and the table behind Mormon? • What was covering the bench Mormon was sitting on? • What items were on the table Mormon was working on? • What was on Mormon’s lap, and was there anything on the floor? • What colors were Mormon’s clothes, and what decorations did they have on them? • What was Mormon wearing on his arm, on his head, and on his feet?
Go over the answers together. When several of the children’s answers are the same on any of the questions, ask the children if they think those answers are most likely to be true. Why?
• If a person witnessed an event, would only their testimony about the incident be sufficient in a court of law? No, because they might not remember everything accurately, or they might not be telling the truth.
• Would that person’s version be believed if other witnesses told the same account?
• In 2 Corinthians 13:1 it says, “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established”. Why do you think this law of witnesses is important? It helps establish truth.
Point out the witness’s page, and tell the children that God chose men to be witnesses of the Book of Mormon to fulfill the law of the witnesses and to testify of his work.
The three witnesses testified that an angel showed them the gold plates, and that they heard the voice of God declaring the divinity of the record. The eight witnesses testified Joseph Smith showed them the gold plates and that they handled them.
• What are the three things we need to do to gain our own witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon? Direct the children to look in paragraph eight in the “Introduction” for the answer. Write the following answers on the board:
1) Read the Book of Mormon. 2) Ponder its message. 3) Ask God if it is true.
If we do these things, the Holy Ghost can testify to us that the Book of Mormon is true.
Though the Three Witnesses were privileged to see an angel and feel the plates, the real power of their witness came through the Holy Ghost. Joseph Fielding Smith said, “Personal visitations might become dim as time goes on, but this guidance of the Holy Ghost is renewed and continued, day after day, year after year, if we live to be worthy of it.” (Doctrines of Salvation 1:44) (D&C Student Manual pg 33)
Weekly Reading Assignment Hand out the reading chart, and remind the children that in order to gain a witness for themselves of the truthfulness and divinity of the Book of Mormon they need to read the Book of Mormon. To help them with this you will be giving them a reading assignment to do each week. The reading assignment will be on what was studied during the lesson. This week’s reading assignment is “The Testimony of Joseph Smith”, which is found in the front of the Book of Mormon.
Tell the children to hang their chart on a wall in their bedroom, in a location that is highly visible, so it will help remind them to read. After they complete each reading assignment, they can put a sticker or the date of completion in the square. (You may wish to provide some form of appropriate reward for when a child completes a reading chart, such as scripture stickers.)
Conclusion Bear testimony that if the children will read the Book of Mormon, they will grow closer to God and learn the things they must do to gain eternal salvation. And, if they follow the guidelines on how to gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon, they will receive a witness of its truthfulness. Because of this witness they will also know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that the church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth, and that Jesus is the Christ.
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.
Friend January 2017 “Kylie’s Parents” Kylie is like her earthly parents, and she is also like her Heavenly Parents. PDF version
We Can Become Like Our Heavenly Father
Friend February 2019 “He Wants the Best for Me” Elder Martinez recalls a time his earthly father demonstrated his love by wanting his son to be a better doctor than him when he grew up. This made it easier for Elder Martinez to accept the missionaries teachings that he could become like God because God the Father would want the best for his children. (Activity: Baby animals also grow up to be like their parents. Follow the path from the baby animals to their parents.)
Heavenly Family
Friend July 2016 “No Matter Who You Are” Andi worries because her family aren’t members and they haven’t been sealed in the temple, but her teacher reminds her she is also a child of God.
Heavenly Father Loves All His Children
Friend January 2018 “Am I a Child of God?” Chloe hears the song “I am a Child of God”in Primary and wonders why she wasn’t born to “parents kind and dear,” and wonders whether or not she’s is a child of God. She was adopted out because her original parents weren’t kind.
Friend May 2021 “A Birthday Crown” Wyatt wonders if he is special because he gets to wear a birthday crown on his birthday. His father tells him he is special because he is a child of God and that everyone else is too. When a girl was afraid to go down the slide, Wyatt remembered that everyone is special to Heavenly Father and he encouraged her and praised her.
We Feel His Love When We Pray
Friend February 2017 “Explorer Everett” Everett knows Heavenly Father loves him because He answers Everett’s prayers. Activity: Find the things in the picture that show Heavenly Father and Jesus’s love.
Different but all Children of God
Friend September 2020 “Children of Heavenly Parents” Lisa Harkness of the General Primary Presidency visited the people in Africa. She found that the people of Africa come from many different countries and cultures and they speak many different language, but they are rich in their faith and their knowledge that they are children of God.
Friend November 2015 “Leaving Jerusalem” Unscramble the names and then match with the description.
Brass Plates
Friend January 2024 “Connect the Scriptures” Number the sentences below in the order they happened in the story. Then find the matching colors and number the dots. Draw lines from dot to dot in number order to complete the picture.
Friend September 1989 “Lehi’s Vision” Match the things that Lehi saw in his vision with what they stand for. Answers: (1) d, (2) g, (3) f, (4) e, (5) j, (6) h, (7) b, (8) c, (9) a, (10) i.
Friend January 2019 “Book of Mormon Puzzler: Funstuff” Find the blocks of Book of Mormon symbols that match the numbered blocks below. Write the letters in the numbered spaces to find the name of the vision Nephi and Lehi saw.
Friend March 1988 “Nephi Builds a Ship” When the Lord told Nephi to build a ship, Nephi made his own tools. Circle the tools Nephi might have made in those days, then color.
Friend February 2020 “Funstuff: Book of Mormon Puzzle” Fill in the empty squares so that all six pictures are in each row (across), each column (up and down), and each blue box. What do these symbols remind you of in the story of Nephi and his family?
Game Questions to review the stories “Lehi Leaves Jerusalem” through “Crossing the Sea”
Friend April 2024 “Hearing King Benjamin” The Nephites gathered with their families to hear King Benjamin speak (see Mosiah 2:5–8). Can you find the hidden objects? Where does your family gather to listen to the prophet speak today?
Friend January 2020 “Find It” For family night, Maria hid stuffed animals around the room to represent the animals that Ammon helped find and protect (see Alma 17:27–33). Can you find all 12 stuffed animals? Then find the other hidden objects.
Organize the sheep so they all fit perfectly in the pen. You can do this by cutting out the puzzle pieces on page 29 (after you’ve read the article on the next page) and arranging them, or you can draw them in instead.
For the Strength of Youth July 2024 “Fun Stop” In Alma 32, the word of God is compared unto a seed that is “planted in your heart.” Can you “plant” each of the nine different seeds by filling out the grid? You must have one (and only one!) of every type of seed in each row, column, and colored box.
“Stripling-Warrior Search” (August 2019 Friend) Find eight letters hidden in this picture of the stripling warriors, and unscramble them to decode a hidden message.
Friend September 2024 “A New Star” People in the Book of Mormon saw the star that showed that Jesus Christ had been born far away! Can you find the hidden objects?
Friend July 1988 “Book of Mormon ABC’s” Each player in turn picks letter from pile, reads clue, and has two minutes to find answer that begins with that letter in the Book of Mormon. Person
Friend June 2022 “No Place Like Home” Sister Wright tells of her family history and how they lived at the base of the mountain Ben Lomond. Her grandmother would say that as long as they could see the mountain they were home. Sister Wright says temples are like that. When we see the temple it reminds us of our heavenly home, and to be strong, brave, and faithful.
Worthiness
Friend October 2017 “Worthiness Worries” Matthew can’t get the image of an immodestly dressed woman out of his head that he saw on an advertisement. He worries that he isn’t worthy to receive the priesthood (story could apply to temple worthiness worries too).
Sacrifices and Blessings Getting to Temple
Friend October 2021 “Margaret Cummings” Margaret’s family experienced difficulties getting to the temple to be sealed together, but their prayers were answered and they were blessed.
Friend July 2018 “Isabella’s Journey” On their long six day trip to get to the temple, Isabella’s stake members are blessed with help, such as rain when drinking water runs out and member support and food along the journey.
Friend February 2023 “Is God in There?” Elder Vaiangina Sikahema made a very long trip to the temple to be sealed with his family when he was a child. It was worth it to be at God’s house.
Friend August 2021 “Olga Šnederfler” Olga longed to go to the temple but there were no temples close by, and it was too hard to leave her country or even worship. Many years passed before they were able to go to the temple and be sealed. Later her husband became the temple president of the Germany Temple and she became the temple matron.
Friend July 2015 – Boy helps with family history on computer so his parents can do the work at the temple.
I didn’t feel like going to the temple for my first time. I wanted to sleep in. Then the Holy Ghost prompted me to go, so I went. The next day, the temple closed because of COVID-19. When the temple reopened for baptisms, I got to go again. I’m so grateful for temples and how special they are to me!
Friend October 2021 “Prayers for Tessa” Tessa felt so angry and sad sometimes and she had a hard time keeping it in; as a result, nobody wanted to play with her. The principal said Tessa had trouble getting along with other kids, and she called Tessa’s mom when Tessa had anger issues at school. Her family was praying for her. Her grandmother told her she even put Tessa’s name on the temple prayer roll. The next time Tessa felt upset at school, she remembered all of the people who were praying for her. That helped her feel a little better.
Misc
Friend April 2019 Fill in the temple blocks with lesson information, or have the children fill in the blocks with their ideas about the lesson topic.
Friend June 2019 “The Holy Ghost is…” The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead, a gift that comes with baptism, and a promise from Heavenly Father. He is a comforter, warning, teacher, messenger, friend.
Read Joel 2:28 to the children, and explain that the words “all flesh” mean everyone, including “sons” and “daughters” like them. Invite the children to draw pictures of the people referred to in this verse (sons and daughters, old and young men, old and young women), including themselves. Explain that one way Heavenly Father pours out His Spirit is by giving us the gift of the Holy Ghost when we are baptized.
What could it mean for the Spirit to be “poured out” upon us? Maybe you could demonstrate this by pouring a liquid and then contrasting it with a drip or a trickle.
Invite the children to share what they know about the Holy Ghost. Help them understand that the Holy Ghost can teach us about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and can help us to know what is true (see John 14:26; Doctrine and Covenants 42:17). Share experiences to help the children understand the ways the Spirit can help us.
Friend June 2019 “The Holy Ghost is…” The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead, a gift that comes with baptism, and a promise from Heavenly Father. He is a comforter, warning, teacher, messenger, friend.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Hosea 1–6; 10–14, Joel” Many of the children you teach have likely been baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. How can you use these scriptures to help them understand the power and blessings that come from hearing the voice of the Spirit?
Invite the children to read together Joel 2:28–29, inserting each other’s names in place of the phrases “your sons” and “your daughters.” Write on the board a sentence like The Holy Ghost can … and invite the children to take turns completing the sentence. Encourage them to include things they learn from John 14:16; Moroni 10:5; Doctrine and Covenants 42:17, and other scriptures.
Place an object in a bowl, and let the children take turns pouring water over it. Explain that the object represents us, and the water represents the Holy Ghost. When we are baptized, we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is one way the Lord fulfills His promise to “pour out [His] spirit.” What must we do to receive the Holy Ghost? Invite the children to share times when they have felt the influence of the Spirit.
What could it mean for the Spirit to be “poured out” upon us? Maybe you could demonstrate this by pouring a liquid and then contrasting it with a drip or a trickle.
Friend February 2018 “Funstuff: The Holy Ghost” Fill in the blank with some things you can do to feel the Holy Ghost.
Gift of the Holy Ghost
Friend August 2019 “Open Your Hearts to the Holy Ghost” Clips from President Henry B. Eyring’s talks about the Holy Ghost.
Friend August 2023 “Connect the Dots” After you’re baptized, you’re confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You also receive the gift of the Holy Ghost to guide and comfort you. Connect the dots to finish the picture.
Copy and paste each scripture to a word document or slide show. Leave the space empty where it says laying on of hands in each scripture. Have the children read the scriptures and find what is missing in each scripture.
“Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half-that is, baptism of the Holy Ghost.” — Joseph Smith Jr.
Following a person’s baptism, men who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood place their hands upon the person’s head, as shown in the picture. One of the men (usually the father, the bishop, a missionary, or a friend of the person being confirmed) says the prayer. During the prayer, the person is confirmed a member of the Church and receives the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Primary 3 “Lesson 12: The Gift of the Holy Ghost,”)
Tell the children about when you received the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands after you were baptized.
Explain that after we are baptized, we are confirmed. Invite the children to say “confirmed.” Tell them this means that men who hold the priesthood put their hands on our head to give us the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Use Matthew 3:11, 16 to teach the children that the Holy Ghost descended on Jesus when He was baptized (a dove appeared as a sign to show that this had happened). Show the picture The Gift of the Holy Ghost (Gospel Art Book, no. 105), and explain that we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost when we are confirmed.
I Can Always Have His Spirit to Be with Me
Friend May 2022 “Taking Turns for Church” Jenny and her siblings have to take turns going to church because their mom can only afford two bus tickets each week. Jenny misses the happy warm feeling she gets at church and the things she learns. When her mom and sister got home and shared what they learned at church, Jenny learns that she can feel the Savior close to her even at home.
Show the picture The Last Supper (Gospel Art Book, no. 54). Explain to the children that at the Last Supper, Jesus taught His disciples about the Holy Ghost. Share some of the truths He taught in John 14:26–27; 15:26; 16:13–14.
Friend October 2017 “Family Night Fun” Read “Sarah and the MRI.” When Sarah was comforted by the Holy Ghost, she felt like she was being wrapped in a blanket. Cut several strips of paper. Write a different way the Holy Ghost can help you on each one. Weave the papers together to make a blanket.
Friend October 2017 “Sarah and the MRI” Sarah had to have another scary MRI where she was all alone in a tube. Her mother reminder her that there was someone who could be with her to comfort her—the Holy Ghost. Her dad blessed her that she would feel the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and she did. The Holy Ghost felt warm and comforting like being wrapped in a blanket.
Friend June 2023 “A Prayer for Comfort” A close family friend died and Maycie was feeling sad. She was also worried about his family and how sad they were. She said a prayer for comfort for them and her family. After the prayer, she felt a wave of warmth come over her. She knew that it was the Holy Ghost comforting her.
Testifies of Christ and Truth
Friend September 2015 “A New Feeling” – Child feels Holy Ghost while reading the scriptures
Share an experience when the Holy Ghost comforted you, guided you, or helped you know the truth. Testify that the Holy Ghost can help the children in similar ways.
Story: Jesus taught His disciples about the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost can comfort and teach us. He can help us know what is right. (See John 14:26.)
Song: “The Still Small Voice” (Children’s Songbook, 106–7)
Activity: Go to page 8 to make a cup telephone. Talk about how the Holy Ghost can help us hear what Heavenly Father wants to teach us.
Friend June 2023 “Can You Hear Me?” Make this play phone. Talk about how the Holy Ghost can help us hear what Heavenly Father wants to teach us.
Friend June 2023 “Come, Follow Me Activities for Little Ones” Whisper “I love you” to your little one. Tell them that the Holy Ghost whispers words of love and truth to our hearts and minds. We can’t often hear them with our ears, but they make us feel loved and safe.
Together with the children, sing a song about the Holy Ghost, such as “The Holy Ghost” (Children’s Songbook, 105). Invite them to listen for things mentioned in the song that the Holy Ghost does.
As you read what the Lord told Joseph Smith about the Apocrypha, think about how this counsel could help the children discern between the truth and error they will encounter throughout their lives.
Read together the section heading for Doctrine and Covenants 91 to help the children understand what the Apocrypha is (see also Guide to the Scriptures, “Apocrypha,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Help the children think of other places, such as in the media, where we might find “many things … that are true” and “many things … that are not true” (verses 1–2). Then invite the children to search section 91 to learn what the Lord said we can do to discern between truth and error.
Read together Doctrine and Covenants 91:4–6, and ask the children what these verses teach about the Holy Ghost. Invite the children to share a personal experience when “the Spirit [manifested] truth” to them. Also share your own experiences. In what other ways can the Spirit help us?
Show the children a fake and real diamond jewelry item. Explain that one of the jewelry items has fake diamonds in it and one has real diamonds in it. Ask the children how much value a fake diamond would have. Then ask how much value a real diamond would have. Ask the children if they can tell which diamond is real and which is fake. Reveal which diamond is real.
Tell the children that there has been an increasing amount of imitation diamonds introduced into the world that some people try to pass off as the real thing. It can be very difficult to tell the difference between the real and the fake. Many people are fooled into paying large amounts for fake items that are worthless.
Also explain that there has been an increasing amount of false teachings about religion being spread throughout the world, and many people have a hard time telling the difference between what is priceless truth and what is worthless lies. People are paying dearly with the consequences of buying into the deceptions.
Explain that Satan has a counterfeit or opposite teaching for every teaching of Jesus Christ, but because Satan’s counterfeits are worthless they do not bring real happiness or satisfaction.
• How can a person tell if a diamond is real or fake? It takes special equipment and study to be able to tell the difference.
• What is the special equipment we have been given to help us identify the difference between false teachings and true teachings? The scriptures, the Holy Ghost (remind the children that Alma was able to discern Korihor’s lies through the Holy Ghost), and we also have access to trained experts through the living prophets. (Lesson 20 – Korihor, the Anti-Christ)
God will reveal truth to me by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 6-10” How could you help your children understand what Nephi taught in 1 Nephi 10:19? Perhaps you could fold a picture of the Savior or another special object inside a blanket and invite your children to unfold it. As you read 1 Nephi 10:19, they could raise their hands when they hear the words “unfolded” and “Holy Ghost.” Then you could share an experience when the Holy Ghost helped you discover truth.
“Fiction or Nonfiction?” (January 2012 Friend) When Jennifer learned the difference between fiction and nonfiction she wondered about the Book of Mormon. She spent a lot of time reading it but didn’t know how she would ever know it was true. During Sacrament she said a prayer. Then she remembered the warm, happy feelings she had when she was baptized. She realized she felt the same way when she thought of the Prophet Joseph Smithy and when she read the Book of Mormon. She knew that Heavenly Father was telling her through the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon was true.
Friend January 1988 “Juliano’s Testimony” Juliano seeks to gain a testimony for himself. He reads the Book of Mormon and then prays to know if it is true. He didn’t know how the Holy Ghost would visit him because he was just a boy. Then he remembered a story the missionaries told him about a boy his age learning that he was to be the future keeper of the gold plates. He looked up the story in the scriptures and found out that it was Mormon. He felt a peaceful feeling spread through him and he knew that the Book of Mormon was true.
Friend January 2024 “My Own Testimony” Chloe gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon when she felt the Holy Ghost witness it was true while reading the Book of Mormon.
Sing a song with the children about seeking truth, such as “Search, Ponder, and Pray” (Children’s Songbook, 109). Show pictures that illustrate words in the song to help the children remember how the Holy Ghost teaches us.
Read Moroni 10:5 together and help your little ones say, “The Holy Ghost helps me know what is true.” Some children mistakenly think the Holy Ghost is a spooky ghost. Explain that the Holy Ghost is a real person, like Heavenly Father and Jesus. He helps us have comforting, warm, happy feelings. You could cuddle up together in a blanket and watch the sing-along video for “The Holy Ghost” at children.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Friend June 2020 A testimony is a good feeling from the Holy Ghost telling you that something is true.
Perhaps family members could share some of the “many instances” (verse 2) in which the Spirit has manifested to them that the scriptures are true, just as He did for Oliver Cowdery. How can your family “rely upon the things which are written” (verse 3) in the scriptures? How can you build your family’s foundation on the “rock” (verse 4) of the gospel?
Friend September 2015 “A New Feeling” – Child feels Holy Ghost while reading the scriptures
Teach the children that when Jesus was with his Apostles he taught them many things. He knew he would not always be with them, so he promised to send a special gift to help them.
Read the following clues. Have the children stand when they think they know what the gift is and whisper the answer in your ear. If they correctly identify the Holy Ghost, have them remain standing.
I am a spirit person but do not have a physical body.
Write Pentecost on the chalkboard. Explain that Pentecost comes from a Greek word meaning fiftieth. Pentecost was a Jewish celebration held every year fifty days after the Passover. Jesus gave the sacrament to his Apostles at the Last Supper, which happened at the time of the Passover. It was fifty days after the Last Supper that his disciples received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Write Gift of the Holy Ghost on the chalkboard.
On the day of Pentecost, how did the Holy Ghost come to Jesus’ Apostles? (Acts 2:1–4.)
What gave the disciples the ability to speak in tongues and be understood by people who spoke other languages? (Acts 2:4.) How does this spiritual gift of the Holy Ghost help the Church’s missionary effort today? (By helping many of the missionaries learn foreign languages. The gift of tongues can also help contacts understand the gospel message even when a missionary does not speak the language well.)
What caused the hearts of the people to be pricked after Peter had testified of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection? (Acts 2:33, 36–37. The Holy Ghost.) What does it mean to have a pricked heart? (To have a sharp feeling of regret or sorrow.) How can the Holy Ghost help us feel sorry for things we have done?
What did Peter tell the people they needed to do to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost? (Acts 2:38.) What do we need to do to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost?
After the 3,000 souls were baptized, what were some of the things they did so the Holy Ghost would continue to guide them? (Acts 2:42–47.) (You could have the children find the answers in the scriptures and list them on the chalkboard.)
Read together Acts 2:36–37. What does it feel like when the Holy Ghost tells us something in our hearts?
As a class, make a poster with the words What shall we do? at the top. Display the poster each week, and add ways the children can act on what they learn in each week’s lesson.
Invite the children to read Acts 2:41–47 and find the good things the people did after they were baptized. What good things can we do to show we are thankful for the gift of the Holy Ghost we received when we were baptized?
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “John 14–17” Have the children you teach received the gift of the Holy Ghost? What do they know about how the Holy Ghost can help them? Consider how you will help them better understand the roles of the Holy Ghost.
Give the children the following verses to read in pairs: John 14:26; 15:26; and 16:13. Ask them to find words that teach them what the Holy Ghost does. Write the words on the board.
Reading these verses can help your family members recognize when the Spirit is communicating with them. You could shine a flashlight on the floor and invite a family member to move to where the light is shining. How is this like following the guidance of the Holy Ghost? What personal experiences could you share?
Scatter pillows, couch cushions, and other soft objects throughout the room.
Assign someone in the family to be the “person in need” at the end of the obstacle course.
Place a blindfold on a member of the family and assign someone else to whisper directions into the person’s ear to guide them safely through the course to the person in need.
Discussion: When was a time you felt directed by the Holy Ghost to help someone else? How did you recognize those promptings?
Sing a song about the guidance of the Holy Ghost, such as “Listen, Listen” (Children’s Songbook, 107). Ask the children what the song teaches them about how the Holy Ghost helps us.
Use “Abraham and Sarah” (in Old Testament Stories) to help the children understand that people around Abraham were doing bad things, but Abraham wanted to do what was right and the Lord helped him.
Read to the children Abraham 1:18 and 2:8, and invite the children to listen for a part of the body that is mentioned in both verses. How would it feel to have Jesus Christ lead us by the hand or to have His hand protecting us? Testify that Jesus leads us by guiding us through His Spirit.
How do Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ help us when we try to choose the right?
Friend January 2021 “The Party Problem” Luz felt uneasy about going to a graduation party. It didn’t sound like the kind of party where she’d be able to feel the Holy Ghost. She thought about it, made her choice not to go, and then asked Heavenly Father if that was the right choice. Afterwards she felt a wave of warmth and light and knew she had made the right choice.
Show several pictures of the Savior (see Gospel Art Book,nos. 38, 39, 40, and 41), and help the children see things that He did with His hands. What can we do with our hands to help others?
Below song includes a story about a boy that didn’t have any friends and another boy learns in FHE and then befriends the lonely boy.
“You recognize the promptings of the Spirit by the fruits of the Spirit—that which enlighteneth, that which buildeth up, that which is positive and affirmative and uplifting and leads us to better thoughts and better words and better deeds is of the Spirit of God.”
Helps You Feel the Love of Heavenly Father and Jesus
Friend October 2023 “I Feel My Savior’s Love” A girl feels the Savior’s love during singing time. Her mother tells her that the warmth and love she feels in her heart is the Holy Ghost helping her feel the Savior’s love.
Peace and Courage
Friend July 2023 “Courage from the Holy Ghost” Mathias had extreme social anxiety and could only talk to close family members. He was seeing a counselor but didn’t seem to be getting any better. When he turned 8 he was baptized and received the Holy Ghost. He knew the Holy Ghost would comfort him and give him courage. I decided to try to speak to his friend, Charlie. He tried all week, but couldn’t. Then one day when they were alone in the school garden, Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost helped him say hi to his friend. After that day, it was easier to complete more goals. Soon he was talking to pretty much everyone!
Testifies of Christ and Truth
Friend September 2015 “A New Feeling” – Child feels Holy Ghost while reading the scriptures
Share an experience when the Holy Ghost guided you, comforted you, warned you, or testified of truth to you. Invite the children to share any experiences they have had. How did they recognize the Holy Ghost’s influence?
Story: Jesus taught His disciples about the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost can comfort and teach us. He can help us know what is right. (See John 14:26.)
Song: “The Still Small Voice” (Children’s Songbook, 106–7)
Activity: Go to page 8 to make a cup telephone. Talk about how the Holy Ghost can help us hear what Heavenly Father wants to teach us.
Friend June 2023 “Can You Hear Me?” Make this play phone. Talk about how the Holy Ghost can help us hear what Heavenly Father wants to teach us.
Friend June 2023 “Come, Follow Me Activities for Little Ones” Whisper “I love you” to your little one. Tell them that the Holy Ghost whispers words of love and truth to our hearts and minds. We can’t often hear them with our ears, but they make us feel loved and safe.
Invite each child to draw his or her face on a paper bag. Shine a flashlight, representing the Holy Ghost, into each bag. Then put things in the bags that block the light, such as a pieces of cloth, to teach that our wrong choices can limit the influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives. Let the children remove the things from their bags to represent repentance.
New Era January 2019 “How to Get Better Revelation Reception” Use a cup and string communication device and put folded papers on the string of things that might interfere with receiving revelation. (See article for more information.)
Ask a child to read Matthew 3:11. How is the Holy Ghost like fire? For instance, fire can be comforting, and it gives light to guide us (see John 15:26; 2 Nephi 32:5).
Show objects or pictures that represent ways we learn about the world (such as a school, book, or smartphone). What can we learn when we use these things? Explain that in 1 Corinthians 2:11, 14, Paul taught that we can learn about God only through the Spirit of God, which is the Holy Ghost. What can we do to learn “the things of God”?(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 1–7” )
Clap your hands as you say each syllable in the sentence “The Holy Ghost teaches us truth.” Ask the children to clap their hands and repeat the phrase. Share with the children an experience when the Holy Ghost helped you know that something was true.(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 1–7” )
Friend January 2022 “Dinis Finds an Answer” Dinis and his family had joined the church, but a couple of years afterwards Dinis was questioning that decision. He knew he needed to ask God if the Church was true. He prayed harder than he ever had before. Then Dinis felt something. The feeling was strong and warm. It grew until he felt it all over his body. He knew it was the Holy Ghost telling him that the church was true.
When Christ was on the earth, He promised he would send The Holy Ghost to comfort us, Our true, eternal friend. The Holy Spirit whispers With a still small voice. He testifies of God and Christ And makes our hearts rejoice.
If you wanted to learn more about something like automotive mechanics or medieval architecture, how would you do it? According to 1 Corinthians 2:9–16, how is learning “the things of God” different from learning the “things of a man”? Why must we have the Holy Ghost in order to understand the things of God? After reading these verses, what do you feel you should do to understand spiritual things more fully? How could Paul’s words help someone who is struggling with his or her testimony? Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 1–7”
Friend January 2021 “The Party Problem” Luz felt uneasy about going to a graduation party. It didn’t sound like the kind of party where she’d be able to feel the Holy Ghost. She thought about it, made her choice not to go, and then asked Heavenly Father if that was the right choice. Afterwards she felt a wave of warmth and light and knew she had made the right choice.
Refiner
Refine: Fire can help refine gold and burns off the impurities that can’t be seen.
“Additionally, the Holy Ghost is a sanctifier13 who cleanses and burns dross and evil out of human souls as though by fire.
The Savior Himself proclaimed, “Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.”25
Receiving the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost in our lives creates the possibility of an ongoing cleansing of our soul from sin. This joyous blessing is vital because “no unclean thing can dwell with God.”26
With the help of the Lord and through the power of His Spirit to “teach [us] all things,”31 indeed we can be blessed to realize our spiritual possibilities.”
Invite the children to close their eyes and hold out their hands. Then lightly brush their palms with a feather or string. Invite them to tell you when they feel it. What does this activity teach about recognizing the impressions of the Holy Ghost?
Invite the children to share experiences they have had with the Holy Ghost. Why does keeping our covenants help us to have the guidance of the Holy Ghost?
President Eyring said that he feels encouraged when he reads the story of Nephi getting the brass plates from Laban. Nephi didn’t know exactly what to do, but he was guided every moment by the Holy Ghost. When the Lord asks us to do something hard, the Holy Ghost will help us too.
Read Doctrine and Covenants 42:61, 68 with the children, emphasizing the phrase “revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge.” Explain that God does not reveal everything at once; instead, He gives us a little bit at a time. Show how a puzzle is built little by little, or use something similar to help the children understand this principle. Share an experience when you received revelation that blessed you.(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 41–44”)
The Lord will give us revelation for our lives. “If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:61).
Sit in a circle as a family. Take turns answering the question, “In what ways can I seek personal revelation?”
Give examples from the scriptures.
How do we “hear Him”?
Discussion: What steps can we take as a family to help each other receive and recognize personal revelation?
Several of Joseph Smith’s family members and friends asked him to seek the Lord’s will on their behalf. Joseph was happy to do so, but the Lord was also willing to give them personal revelation. In Doctrine and Covenants 11, a revelation that Joseph received for his older brother Hyrum, the Lord said, “I will impart unto you of my Spirit, … and then shall ye know … all things whatsoever you desire of me” (Doctrine and Covenants 11:13–14). What is the Lord trying to tell you about personal revelation?
William E. McLellin had five specific questions for the Lord. Joseph Smith received answers to them in a revelation even though he did not know what William’s questions were. This experience could help you teach the children that God is aware of them and can answer their questions.
Tell about how the Lord answered William E. McLellin’s questions through a revelation from the Prophet Joseph Smith (see Doctrine and Covenants 66, section heading). Testify that Heavenly Father knows us and wants to help us. Ask the children to share how they know that God loves them.
Read to the children Doctrine and Covenants 66:4. Tell the children about a time when the Lord showed you what He wanted you to do. Read the verse again, this time inserting the name of one of the children. Repeat for each of the children.
Friend March 2018 “Heavenly Father Listens” Elder Clayton felt the love of God as a teen when he prayed about some worries. Heavenly Father loves us and is interested in our lives just like a parent would be. (Activity page included: Find the hearts in the room of the girl who is praying.)
Moses knew by revelation how to lead the Israelites across the Red Sea (see Doctrine and Covenants 8:2–3). How can this story help the children you teach learn to act on personal revelation?
Display the picture of Moses parting the Red Sea in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families. Ask the children to review Exodus 14:5–22 and share something they know about the story. What does Doctrine and Covenants 8:2–3 add to our understanding of the story? Tell about an experience when the Holy Ghost told you something in your mind or heart, and invite the children to talk about their experiences.
“You recognize the promptings of the Spirit by the fruits of the Spirit—that which enlighteneth, that which buildeth up, that which is positive and affirmative and uplifting and leads us to better thoughts and better words and better deeds is of the Spirit of God.”
Friend January 2021 “The Bread Loaf Prayer” “How do you know when the Holy Ghost is talking to you?” Carver asked his parents. They decide to practice listening for the Holy Ghost. Carver’s mom bakes some bread and each person prays to know who to take it to. Carver thought of Sister Smith and he even listened and said the words to her that popped into his mind when he gave her the bread. He knew it was from the Holy Ghost.
Remind the children of the story of Nephi following the Spirit when he went to get the brass plates (see 1 Nephi 4:1–6). Help the children see that Moses also had to follow the Spirit when he led his people across the Red Sea. Help the children write a new verse to “Nephi’s Courage” (Children’s Songbook, 120–21) about how the Lord provided a way for Moses when he showed courage and followed the Spirit. Sing the new verse together.
Additional Resources:
A testimony of Jesus Christ comes through revelation.
Ask the children what they would say if someone asked them, “Who is Jesus?” Invite the children to read Matthew 16:13–17 to find out how Peter answered that question. How did he gain his testimony of Jesus?
Help the children compare the way we know spiritual truths with the ways we know other truths. For example, how do we know how tall a person is or what the weather is like? How do we know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Tell the children how the Holy Ghost has testified to you of the Savior.
Peter saw and heard the Savior’s teachings. However, he received his testimony of Christ through revelation rather than through his physical senses—his “flesh and blood” (see Matthew 16:13–17).
Gather a few objects (see ideas below). Take turns being blindfolded. Have each person use their other four senses to guess what the object is.
Ideas:
Smell a flower
Taste a treat
Listen to a song
Touch a soft sweater
Discussion: Read Doctrine and Covenants 6:14–15 and 8:2–3. How can we learn truth through the spiritual sense of revelation rather than only relying on our physical senses? Note that everyone receives a testimony through the Holy Ghost but that some feel that influence differently than others. How can personal revelation through the Holy Ghost deepen our testimonies of Christ?
Friend September 2015 “A New Feeling” – Child feels Holy Ghost while reading about Jesus in the scriptures
Elder Richard G. Scott said, “If you accomplish nothing else in your relationship with your students than to help them recognize and follow the promptings of the Spirit, you will bless their lives immeasurably and eternally” (“To Learn and to Teach More Effectively” [Brigham Young University Education Week devotional, Aug. 21, 2007], 5, speeches.byu.edu).
Read to the children how Joseph Smith described the Spirit: “Yea, thus saith the still small voice” (Doctrine and Covenants 85:6). Ask the children to name some things that are small (show pictures if they need help). Invite them to crouch down on the ground to be as small and still as they can. Help them think about how a voice can be small, and let them practice listening to and speaking in a small voice. Tell about times when the Spirit spoke to you in a still, small voice.
Teach the children a song about the Spirit, such as “The Holy Ghost” (Children’s Songbook, 105). Invite them to sing it with you in a whisper. What does this song teach about the Holy Ghost? Help the children recognize when they may have felt His influence (such as when praying, singing hymns, or helping others).
The world has many distractions that can make it difficult to hear the Spirit. How will you help the children listen for the Spirit’s voice?
Ask the children what they would say if someone asked them how they know when the Holy Ghost speaks to them. Invite them to read about one way Joseph Smith described the Spirit’s voice in Doctrine and Covenants 85:6.
Play a hymn or children’s song quietly, and ask one of the children to guess what song it is while the others make distracting noises, such as clapping or stomping. Then ask the other children to stop, and discuss how this is like hearing the Holy Ghost when we remove distractions from our lives. Help the children think of distractions they can remove in order to feel the Spirit more often.
How can you teach your family to recognize the still, small voice of the Spirit? Maybe you could play a game in which someone whispers important instructions amid distracting noises. What might be distracting us from hearing the Holy Ghost? Perhaps family members could share what they do to hear the voice of the Spirit.
For Doctrine and Covenants 85–87: Sing a hymn or Primary song very quietly. Practice concentrating on hearing and understanding the song. Help your little ones say, “I can listen for the Holy Ghost.”
Friend August 2016 “The Little Bottle of Silence” Gage’s grandfather gives him a empty bottle of “silence” at his baptism to remind Gage that quietness helps you hear the Holy Ghost. He feels the Holy Ghost comforting him during a sad time when he seeks quiet time.
Friend September 2015 “Sister Pettigrew’s Lesson” Elder Ronald A. Rasband tells how he learned to listen to the still, small voice
Friend June 2016 Poem about a quiet place to go to pray and feel the Spirit. Also includes lesson ideas.
The Holy Ghost speaks to me in a still, small voice.
Jezebel seeks the life of Elijah—An angel sends him to Horeb—The Lord speaks to Elijah, not in the wind nor the earthquake nor the fire, but in a still, small voice—Elisha joins Elijah.
Summarize for the children the story found in 1 Kings 19:9–12, and read verses 11–12. Invite them to do actions to represent the strong wind, the earthquake, and the fire. Then invite them to sit very still as you read the end of verse 12 in a soft voice: “after the fire a still small voice.” Ask them to try speaking in a still, small voice. Tell them about times when you have experienced a prompting from the Holy Ghost.
Friend August 2016 “The Little Bottle of Silence” Gage’s grandfather gives him a empty bottle of “silence” at his baptism to remind Gage that quietness helps you hear the Holy Ghost. He feels the Holy Ghost comforting him during a sad time when he seeks quiet time.
Friend September 2015 “Sister Pettigrew’s Lesson” Elder Ronald A. Rasband tells how he learned to listen to the still, small voice
Help the children recognize when they may have felt the Holy Ghost’s influence. For example, play or sing a reverent song about Jesus, and ask them how they feel when they think about Him. Ask them how they feel during other reverent activities, such as praying with their families or partaking of the sacrament. Explain that these feelings come from the Holy Ghost. Tell the children how the power of the Holy Ghost has blessed your life.
Ask the children to listen closely as you read 1 Kings 19:11–12 to them very quietly. Invite them to search 1 Kings 19 to find the verses you read and learn what Elijah was doing. Talk about what they had to do to hear what you were saying, and help them compare this to what we have to do to hear the “still small voice” of the Spirit. Let the children take turns quietly reading other verses from 1 Kings 19 while other children find those verses in the scriptures.
Share with the children some additional scriptures that describe how the Spirit communicates with us (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Inspiration, Inspire,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Ask the children to talk about times when they have felt the Holy Ghost guiding them or testifying to them. What were they doing? What can distract us from recognizing the Spirit? Read together Moroni 4:3, and encourage the children to choose one thing they will do so they can “always have his Spirit to be with them.”
Story: Elijah was a prophet. He learned that the Holy Ghost speaks in a still, small voice. You can read this story on page 8 or in 1 Kings 19:11–12.
Song: “The Holy Ghost” (Children’s Songbook, 105)
Activity: Have everyone sit in a line. The first person whispers some words to the next person. Each person whispers the words to the next person. The last person tells everyone what they heard. What can you do to hear the Holy Ghost better?
The Holy Ghost leads us “to do good” (Doctrine and Covenants 11:12) and helps us “know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5). If you have a thought to do something good or a feeling of love for the Savior, it’s probably from the Holy Ghost!
Most of the time, the Holy Ghost doesn’t use a loud voice or give you a really big feeling. It’s quiet and peaceful. Learning to follow the Holy Ghost can take practice.
“When she said that, I was so surprised. Just earlier, I had prayed and asked my Heavenly Father to help me hear the Holy Ghost. All my life I’d had thoughts that guided me to choose the right. Now I knew that those thoughts came from the Holy Ghost!
Since then, I have noticed the Holy Ghost a lot more. Just last Sunday, we were having home evening again. This time it was about testimonies. I didn’t really know what a testimony was, so I asked my dad. He told me that a testimony is something you know or believe to be true. He said we get our testimonies from the Holy Ghost. I then thought of how I started noticing the Holy Ghost more, and BOOM! I also had a testimony!”
Friend November 2023 “Listening to the Holy Ghost” The Holy Ghost brings us messages from Heavenly Father. This is called revelation. Have you ever had a warm, happy feeling when you sing in Primary? Or had a thought to help someone? Those good thoughts and feelings come from the Holy Ghost! Ask these questions to help you know when the Holy Ghost is speaking to you.
The Lord calls Samuel—The house of Eli will not be purged by sacrifices and offerings—Samuel is recognized as a prophet by all Israel—The Lord appears to him.
Invite one child to pretend to be Samuel and another to pretend to be Eli as you read 1 Samuel 3:1–10 (or show the video “Samuel and Eli,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org). What can we learn from Samuel about how to listen to the voice of the Lord? How do we show that we are willing to hear when the Lord speaks to us?
Invite the children to think about how they would explain to someone how the Lord speaks to them. Invite them to look for answers in one or more of the following scriptures: Doctrine and Covenants 6:22–23; 8:2–3; 9:7–9.
The Holy Ghost leads us “to do good” (Doctrine and Covenants 11:12) and helps us “know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5). If you have a thought to do something good or a feeling of love for the Savior, it’s probably from the Holy Ghost!
Most of the time, the Holy Ghost doesn’t use a loud voice or give you a really big feeling. It’s quiet and peaceful. Learning to follow the Holy Ghost can take practice.
It might be fun to act out the story of the Lord calling to Samuel, or your family could watch the video “Samuel and Eli” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Family members could talk about times when they have felt the Lord speaking to them and how they acted on His words. Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Ruth; 1 Samuel 1–3”
Samuel heard the Lord’s voice when he was a young boy but did not recognize it at first. Try this activity to learn about listening:
Blindfold one person or have them cover their eyes.
From another room, a family member will say the blindfolded person’s name.
If the blindfolded person can guess who spoke, the speaking person will give directions to help the blindfolded person find him or her.
Take turns being the blindfolded person and the person saying the name.
Discussion: We can hear the voice of the Lord in the scriptures, the temple, and the teachings of living prophets. How do you hear His voice? Read or listen to President Russell M. Nelson’s April 2020 general conference talk “Hear Him” and look for ways we can hear the Lord’s voice better in our own lives. Talk about how you as a family can “hear Him.”
Nephi was blessed with revelation when he pondered the things the Lord had shown him.
Ponder means to meditate and think deeply, often upon the scriptures or other things of God. When combined with prayer, pondering the things of God may bring revelation and understanding. (Guide to the Scriptures)
What does it mean to ponder? (To think about and consider) The scriptures tell us that many prophets received revelation from the Lord as they were pondering upon the things of God. We also open ourselves up to revelation as we ponder upon our problems during scripture study, during church meetings, and during our prayers.
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon received Doctrine and Covenants 76 when they were pondering the scriptures. Help the children see how studying the scriptures can invite revelation through the Holy Ghost.
Ask the children if they know what Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were doing when they saw the vision in Doctrine and Covenants 76. Invite them to read verses 15–19 to find out. Share a time when you received inspiration while reading the scriptures, and ask the children to talk about the spiritual feelings they have when reading the scriptures.
Ask the children to close their eyes and try to perform a task, like coloring a picture or opening the scriptures to a specific verse. What are some things that are difficult to do when our eyes are closed spiritually? Read together Doctrine and Covenants 76:12, 15–19, 114–16 to find out what we need to do to have our eyes opened spiritually.
In Holy Places
I can feel God’s presence in holy places and learn to become more like him
The tabernacle is reared—Aaron and his sons are washed and anointed and given an everlasting priesthood—The glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle—A cloud covers the tabernacle by day, and fire rests on it by night.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 16; 19”The Lord commanded the children of Israel to build the tabernacle so He could “dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). You can help the children learn about the holy places God has given us today to help us feel His presence.The tabernacle not only allowed the children of Israel to have the presence of God with them, but it also taught them things they could do to become more like God.
Younger Children: Show a picture of a temple, and read Exodus 25:8 to the children. Explain that in our day, God has given us holy places where we can be close to Him. Help the children list some of these places. Ask the children how they feel when they think about these holy places. Share with them that we can also feel close to God when we pray, no matter where we are.
Older Children: Ask the children to read Exodus 25:8 to find out why the Lord wanted the children of Israel to build a “sanctuary” (or tabernacle). Help the children list places and situations where we can feel the presence of the Lord. How do these places help us become more like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
In what seemed like a powerless condition in Liberty Jail, Joseph was given revelation about power—not the political or military power that had been exerted over the Saints but “the powers of heaven.” As you read Doctrine and Covenants 121:34–46, what do you learn about God’s power? How is it different from worldly power? For example, look at the words the Lord uses in verses 41–43 to describe “power or influence.” What do they teach about how God maintains His “power or influence”? Perhaps these verses could inspire you to ponder your life and what you can do to be an influence for good in your relationships with others.
Perhaps an analogy would help your family understand “the powers of heaven.” For example, you could compare God’s power to electrical power; what might prevent an electrical device from receiving power? What does this analogy, along with verses 34–36, 41–45, teach us about how to increase our spiritual power? Maybe family members could share stories from the Savior’s life that exemplify these attributes.
Draw a line with the words high power at one end and low power at the other. Draw an arrow pointing at the middle of the line. Choose several words or phrases from Doctrine and Covenants 121:34–46 that teach how we decrease or increase heavenly power in our lives (such as “cover our sins,” “pride,” “gentleness,” and “love”). Invite the children to take turns picking a word, deciding if the word leads to a decrease or increase in power, and moving the arrow accordingly. Talk with the children about people they know who have been a good influence on others because they follow the Lord’s counsel in these verses.
Read Doctrine and Covenants 121:41–42, 45, and ask the children to list qualities in these verses that the Lord wants us to have. Help them define any words they don’t understand. Assign each child one quality, and help them think of a way that they can show it. Once they have all shared, ask them to read verses 45–46 and list the blessings they will receive if they develop those qualities.
Read together the first line of Doctrine and Covenants 121:46. How can the Holy Ghost be our “constant companion”? Sing together “The Holy Ghost” (Children’s Songbook, 105) or another song about the gift of the Holy Ghost. What does the song teach us about why we want the Holy Ghost to be our constant companion?
New Era January 2019 “How to Get Better Revelation Reception” Use a cup and string communication device and put folded papers on the string of things that might interfere with receiving revelation. (See article for more information.)
Object Lessons
Ensign July 2016 Recognizing promptings from the Holy Ghost: “I put various hard foods–such as rice, beans, pasta shells, and peppercorns–into opaque plastic containers, using two containers for each food item. We then challenged our children to match the foods by shaking the containers and listening carefully. After a few rounds I asked how this activity might be compared to identifying the voice of the Spirit among other distracting influences. Before long, the older children were telling about their experiences with the Holy Ghost, and we all gained an appreciation for what it means to hear and feel the still, small voice.” Anita L. Reeves
Ensign April 2017 “The Just Shall Live by Faith” Draw a features on a face blindfolded by listening to directions from friends or family.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 If you have a compass, a map, or something else that helps us find our way, you could show it to your children. This could be a good way to begin a discussion about the Liahona, which you can read about in 1 Nephi 16:10, 28–29. What are some reasons a compass or map might not work? Why did the Liahona sometimes not work for Lehi’s family? (see 1 Nephi 18:9–12, 20–22). What has Heavenly Father given us today to guide us back to Him?
Friend May 2000 “Sharing Time: Keeping Promises” The Liahona is like the Holy Ghost. Roller Box story.
Come Follow Me Kids “I Will Prepare the Way Before You If it’s something that would be conducive to receiving revelations, have the kids make a thumbs up sign. If it’s something that would interfere with receiving revelation, make a thumbs down sign. Talk about additional ways we can keep the commandments and feel the Lord’s spirit and guidance. You hurt your brother/sister. You disobey your mom/dad. You share your candy with your brother/sister. You tell your family members that you love them. You help your brother/sister clean up their toys. You give a family member a hug to help them feel better when they get hurt. You listen to songs with bad words. You pray reverently. You try to be like Jesus
I must keep the commandments to have the guidance of the Lord in my life
Pour the container of water into the rectangular pan. Have a volunteer try to blow the paper boat from one long side of the pan to the other. Have two other volunteers try to make the task difficult by blowing the boat in the opposite direction and by blowing on the water to make waves. (Have the volunteers stay about a foot away from the boat as they do their individual tasks.) When the boat reaches the other side of the pan, or when it sinks, point out the difficulties that occurred during the activity: the boat tumbling over, the boat filling with water, the boat going in the wrong direction, etc.
Remind the children of the ship that Nephi built. Nephi was blessed with Heavenly Father’s guidance in building the ship, so it was a well built ship, but crossing a sea in any ship can be dangerous. Storms can occur, causing heavy winds that could blow the ship off course. Large waves can form that could flood or capsize a ship. Navigating a ship can also be a problem. In the vast, wide open, empty sea it is difficult to know where you are and what direction you are going. People could starve to death or die of thirst if they can not find their way to land. Nephi and his family needed the help of the Lord to carry out the difficult and perilous journey of crossing the sea.
Game: Show the game board and explain to the children that the object of the game is to get the ship from the start to the promised land.
Ask the children if they remember what the promised land is a representation of. (Eternal Life) Explain that as we travel through our mortal lives, we need to strive to do the things necessary to attain eternal life. There are things that help us move toward that goal, and there are things that impede our progress. In this game we talk about both.
Have the children take turns drawing papers out of the bag and moving the ship on the game board. If they draw the sun, they move the ship forward two spaces. They must then tell of something that helps keep the guidance of the Lord in their lives. They must also explain how doing that thing helps them in life. Answers might include: prayer, scripture reading, keeping the commandments, being honest, being kind to others, etc.
If they draw the lightning they move the ship back one space. They then tell of something that drives the Spirit away and causes suffering in people’s lives. They must also explain how it causes suffering. Answers might include: swearing, lying, cheating, complaining, arguing, stealing, using drugs or alcohol, etc. Note: If they draw a lightning piece at the start, they stay at the start position.
Continue in this manner, with the children taking turns drawing papers from the bag and moving the ship, until they have reached the space marked “Promised Land.”
Primary 4: Book of Mormon ” Lesson 7: Crossing the Sea” Write words or phrases such as prayer, choice of friends, words we use, television shows, video programs, music, movies, obedience to parents, keeping the commandments, kindness to brothers and sisters, respect for other people, service, or other appropriate activities on separate slips of paper. Put the papers in a small container. As each child draws out a piece of paper, have him or her read it to the class and tell how what is written can affect our ability to have the Holy Ghost in our lives. (See more lesson ideas at link.)
The Spirit can speak to our hearts and help us know what God wants us to say or do.
Ask the children how Samuel the Lamanite knew what to say when he was preaching from the city wall. Invite them to search Helaman 13:2–4 for an answer. Tell about a time when the Holy Ghost helped you know in your heart what God wanted you to do or say. Ask the children to share any similar experiences they have had.
When Samuel the Lamanite was commanded to preach to the Nephites, Heavenly Father helped him know in his heart what he should say.
Teach the children that while we speak to each other using words, the Holy Ghost can communicate through feelings in our hearts. Invite them to hold their hands over their hearts each time you read the word “heart” in Helaman 13:2–5. Help them decorate heart-shaped pieces of paper that say, “The Spirit speaks to me in my heart.”
The Holy Ghost helps them know what Heavenly Father wants them to do and say.
In the fall of 1828, a young schoolteacher named Oliver Cowdery took a teaching job in Manchester, New York, and stayed with the family of Lucy and Joseph Smith Sr. Oliver had heard about their son Joseph, who was now living in Harmony, Pennsylvania, and Oliver, who considered himself a seeker of truth, wanted to know more. The Smiths described visits from angels, an ancient record, and the gift to translate by the power of God. Oliver was fascinated. Could it be true? Lucy and Joseph Sr. gave him advice that applies to anyone seeking truth: pray and ask the Lord. Oliver did, and the Lord answered, speaking peace and reassurance to Oliver’s mind.
With Oliver assisting, the translation of the Book of Mormon went faster. After working as scribe for some time, Oliver wanted to translate. He was given permission to translate but failed when he tried. Oliver thought that the ability to translate would be given to him by merely asking Heavenly Father for it, but he learned that it required great mental and spiritual effort. The ability to translate had to come through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost
Oliver Cowdery tried to translate the Book of Mormon but couldn’t, so Joseph asked the Lord why. Read to the children the Lord’s answer: “You must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right” (Doctrine and Covenants 9:8).
Discuss with the children the process for making decisions that was revealed to Oliver Cowdery through Joseph Smith in Doctrine and Covenants 9:8–9:
Study the problem or question in your mind. Think about how you could solve the problem or answer the question.
Decide what you think you should do.
Ask Heavenly Father if your decision is right.
Listen with your heart and mind. If your decision is right, the Holy Ghost will give you a good feeling about it. If your decision is wrong, you will not feel good about it, and you need to make a different choice.
Friend January 2021 “The Party Problem” Luz felt uneasy about going to a graduation party. It didn’t sound like the kind of party where she’d be able to feel the Holy Ghost. She thought about it, made her choice not to go, and then asked Heavenly Father if that was the right choice. Afterwards she felt a wave of warmth and light and knew she had made the right choice.
Invite the children to touch their heads and their chests as you read the words “mind” and “heart” in Doctrine and Covenants 8:2. Help them understand that Heavenly Father speaks to us through the Holy Ghost, who gives us thoughts and feelings. Sing together a song about the Holy Ghost, such as “The Holy Ghost” (Children’s Songbook, 105). What does the song teach about how the Spirit speaks to us? Share an experience when you felt the Holy Ghost in your mind and heart.
Draw on the board a head and a heart. Help the children read the following verses and determine which describe the Holy Ghost speaking to our minds, to our hearts, or to both: Doctrine and Covenants 6:15, 23; 8:2; 9:8; 9:9. Tell the children, from your experiences, what it’s like when the Holy Ghost speaks to your mind and heart.
Show the radio to the children but do not turn it on. Ask the children if they can hear what is being broadcast, and briefly discuss why they cannot. Turn on the radio but do not have it tuned to a station. Point out that the radio is on, but the children still cannot hear what is being broadcast.
What must we do before we can hear the radio clearly?
Help the children understand that listening to the Holy Ghost may be compared to listening to a radio. Before we can hear what Heavenly Father wants us to know, we must be tuned in to the Holy Ghost.
Joseph learned that he could not translate without the help of the Holy Ghost. One morning he was upset with Emma over something she had done. When he tried to translate, he found that he could not translate at all. Joseph went out into the orchard to pray and ask the Lord why he could not translate. He soon realized that he needed to make peace with Emma before he could have the help of the Holy Ghost. He came back into the house and asked Emma’s forgiveness. He was then able to continue with the translation.
Make two columns on the chalkboard. Label one Invites the Spirit and the other Offends the Spirit. Help the children understand that the Spirit (the Holy Ghost) is very important in our lives. Explain that good things invite the Spirit into our lives while bad things offend the Spirit and cause him to leave (see Moroni 7:12–13). Ask the children to think of actions to list in each column, such as listening to good music and being kind under Invites the Spirit and quarreling and being dishonest under Offends the Spirit.Explain that the Holy Ghost will teach us, comfort us, protect us, strengthen us, and guide us (see Gospel Principles [31110], chapter 7), but to receive his help we must do things that will invite him to continue to be with us.
Have the children look up Doctrine and Covenants 8:2, and have a child read the verse aloud. Discuss how each person can receive personal revelation by listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Share an experience when the Holy Ghost directed you, and invite the children to share similar experiences.
Explain that when we have the Spirit with us, we feel differently than we feel when we do not have the Spirit or when Satan is influencing us. Read the statements below, and ask the children to stand when the statement describes how we feel when we have the Spirit, and sit when the statement describes how we feel when we do not have the Spirit.
You feel happy and calm.
You feel selfish.
You feel generous.
You become easily discouraged.
You want to make others happy.
You want to get even.
You are forgiving and kind.
You feel happy when others do well.
List on separate pieces of paper several activities that invite the Spirit and that can be pantomimed by the children. Put the pieces of paper in a container. Have each child select a piece of paper and pantomime the activity listed while the other children try to guess what the activity is.Possible activities:
Read the scriptures.
Pray.
Perform an act of kindness or service (such as washing dishes or playing with a baby).
Sit reverently in church.
You may want to have the children choose one of these activities to do during the week. Give the children paper and pencils so they can write down what they have chosen, and tell the children to put their papers where they can be seen often to remind them to do the chosen action.
Sing or say the words to “Search, Ponder, and Pray” (Children’s Songbook, p. 109). Discuss what the song teaches us to do to obtain a testimony (you may need to explain that pondermeans to study or think deeply about).
Sing or say the words to “The Still Small Voice” (Children’s Songbook, p. 106) and discuss how the Holy Ghost speaks to us. Help the children understand that we do not often hear the Holy Ghost speak out loud. Usually the Holy Ghost gives us feelings or puts ideas into our minds about what is right.
The Lord will bless me and others when I listen to the Spirit.
As Nephi was writing the record of his people, God directed him to create two sets of plates, called the small plates and the large plates of Nephi. Nephi didn’t know why he was commanded to create two sets of plates, but he trusted that the Lord had “a wise purpose … , which purpose I know not” (1 Nephi 9:5
Centuries later, as Mormon was abridging Nephi’s large plates, he came across the small plates. The small plates covered many of the same events described in the large plates that Mormon had already abridged, but the small plates focused more on spiritual matters and the ministry and teachings of the prophets. God inspired Mormon to include the small plates of Nephi in his record in addition to the large plates.
Like Nephi, Mormon didn’t understand God’s purpose for having both sets of plates, but he trusted that it was “for a wise purpose” (Words of Mormon 1:7).
Today we know what God’s purpose was. In 1828, after Joseph Smith had translated part of Mormon’s abridgment of Nephi’s large plates (116 manuscript pages), Martin Harris lost those pages. God commanded Joseph not to retranslate this portion because evil men would change the words and try to discredit Joseph (see Doctrine and Covenants 10, section heading; Doctrine and Covenants 10:14–19, 30–45).
Video and Images from Doctrine and Covenants Stories
Thankfully, God had foreseen this and provided the small plates, which covered the same history that was lost with the 116 pages. The small plates compose the books that come before Words of Mormon, and Mormon’s abridgment of the large plates begins after the Words of Mormon.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Enos-Words of Mormon” Mormon followed the guidance of the Holy Ghost to include the small plates of Nephi in the Book of Mormon. Everything we’ve studied in the Book of Mormon so far this year has come to us because Mormon made the choice to listen to the Spirit. How can you help your children learn about listening to the Spirit? Invite them to take turns reading the verses from Words of Mormon 1:3–8. You could talk about what they learn from each verse. Your children could then:
Invite the children to share stories they have learned from the Book of Mormon so far this year (pictures from the Gospel Art Book may help them remember). Explain that we have these stories in the Book of Mormon because Mormon listened when the Holy Ghost told him to include them.
Sing together a song about the Holy Ghost, such as “The Still Small Voice” (Children’s Songbook, 106–7).( Sing it several times in different ways, such as fast, slow, or in a whisper. When you whisper the song, open to Words of Mormon 1:7, and point out that Mormon described the Holy Ghost as a whisper.)
Come Follow Me Kid Hidden Candy- Hide a piece of candy somewhere in the room. Blindfold one person and assign another person to act as the “still small voice.” Have the rest of the family talk loudly while the blindfolded person tries to hear the still small voice’s whispered directions to where the candy is. Talk about how we’re blessed when we listen for the Holy Ghost and heed the Holy Ghost’s promptings. Point out how Words of Mormon 1: 7 explains the Spirit as something that whispers to us. Encourage family members to try to hear the quiet promptings from the Spirit each day.
Share an experience when you followed a prompting from the Holy Ghost (or share the story below). How did your actions bless others? Explain that Heavenly Father wants us to help and bless others, so He sends the Holy Ghost to guide us.
Friend March 2020 “Check the Kittens” After everyone has gone to bed, a girl kept having the thought to go and check on their kittens. She acted on the prompting and found that a warming light had fallen over onto the kittens cardboard box and would have caught on fire. The Holy Ghost helped keep their family and kittens safe.
Write a note for each child, describing a spiritual gift you have seen in him or her (or you could invite parents to write these notes). Put the notes in envelopes. Allow the children to open the envelopes, and help them read about their spiritual gifts.(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 8–13” ).
Cut out cards. Give one card to each parent to fill out. The name of the child goes on the top line.
The Red Crystal has black and white copies that the children could fill out.
“Write the gifts named in Moroni 10:9-16 on strips of paper, and put them in a gift box. Write the numbers 9 through 16 on the board, and invite the children to take turns picking a paper from the box and matching it to the verse number on the board. What do we learn about these gifts from verses 8 and 17-18?”
Share with them some additional spiritual gifts mentioned by Elder Marvin J. Ashton: “The gift of asking; the gift of listening; … the gift of avoiding contention; … the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; … the gift of caring for others; … the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony” (“There Are Many Gifts,” Ensign, Nov. 1987, 20). Invite the children to talk about the spiritual gifts they see in each other. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 8–13” )
After reading these verses together, consider giving everyone a piece of paper with the name of another family member (or classmate) at the top. Ask everyone to list the spiritual gifts they notice that person has. You could then pass the papers in a circle until everyone has had a chance to write about each family member’s gifts. Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 8-13”
Before class, ask the parents of the children in your class about the gifts they see in their children, or think about the children’s gifts yourself. Tell the children about these gifts. Invite the children to write down one way they will use their gifts to bless someone this week.(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 8–13” )
Friend September 2019 “Family Night Fun” How many different kinds of fruit can your family name? Read “Paul’s Letters” (FJ4). One thing the Apostle Paul taught the people of Galatia was about the “fruit of the Spirit.” Like a tree that gives us fruit, the Holy Ghost can give us wonderful blessings. Talk about what blessings come from the Holy Ghost. (For a hint, look at Galatians 5:22–23.)
Display or show pictures of several kinds of fruit, and ask the children to describe how each fruit tastes. Explain that just as fruits have different flavors, we can feel the Holy Ghost in different ways, such as love and peace. Describe some of the ways you have felt the Holy Ghost in your life, and let the children share how the Holy Ghost feels to them. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Galatians” )
Read Galatians 5:22–23 with the children, and explain words they may not be familiar with. Invite each child to select a fruit of the Spirit mentioned in these verses, and help them think of a time when he or she has experienced it. Invite the children to draw simple pictures of their experiences.(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Galatians” )
If I “walk in the Spirit,” I will receive the “fruit of the Spirit.” (Sr)
Give each child a piece of paper (you could cut the paper into fruit shapes), and ask the children to find a “fruit of the Spirit” listed in Galatians 5:22–23. Invite them to write one of the fruits on one side of their paper and a word that means the opposite on the other side. (Help them understand words they aren’t familiar with.) Invite them to share their fruits with the class. What can we do to have the Holy Ghost with us always?(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Galatians” )
Story: When we keep the commandments and listen to the Holy Ghost, we receive blessings in our lives. Paul called these blessings “the fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22–23).
Song: “The Still Small Voice” (Children’s Songbook, 106–7)
Activity: Turn to page 8 and do the activity to learn more about the fruits of the Spirit. What other blessings does the Holy Ghost give you?
Invite the children to read about the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23 and write about or draw a picture of a time when they felt one of those fruits. Ask them to share their story or picture with another person in the class. Why is fruit a good way to help us understand how the Spirit influences us?(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Galatians” )
Ensign September 2019 add some fun to your discussion of Galatians 5:22–23, your family could label different fruits with words Paul used to describe the “fruit of the Spirit.” Then each family member could select one, define it, and talk about someone who exemplifies that fruit. This could lead to a discussion about ways your family could invite the Spirit into your home and cultivate this fruit. After the discussion, you could enjoy a fruit salad together.
Moroni described the gifts that God gives to His children when they have faith in Him.
Write the numbers 9 through 16 on separate pieces of paper, and wrap each paper like a gift. Let the children take turns unwrapping the gifts. (or put all the papers in one gift box and let the children take turns picking a paper from the box) As they do, read together verses from Moroni 10:9–16 that correspond with the numbers, and help the children identify each spiritual gift. Explain that these are gifts Heavenly Father gives His children so we can help each other and do His work.
Tell the children about spiritual gifts you have noticed that Heavenly Father has given them, such as the gifts of faith, wisdom, testimony, kindness, and the ability to learn. Let the children talk briefly about favorite gifts they have received.
Use this activity to talk more about Moroni 10:18 (“every good gift cometh of Christ”).
Ahead of time, wrap a Book of Mormon with many layers of wrapping paper or colored cellophane. Tell your family you’ll share clues about what’s inside this gift.
As you share each clue (for example, “This teaches us about Jesus Christ”), invite a family member to take off a layer of paper and guess what’s inside.
If someone guesses correctly, continue unwrapping and take turns sharing truths about the Book of Mormon.
Discussion: Once the book is unwrapped, end by reading Moroni 10:18 together. What can your family do to share the gift of the gospel with others?
In Kirtland, many of the new members that Parley P. Pratt and the other missionaries had baptized had plenty of zeal but little experience or direction in how to live the gospel. They had been drawn to the restored gospel by the promise of marvelous manifestations of the Spirit. Soon, some unusual expressions of worship—including falling to the ground or writhing like a snake—were introduced into their Church meetings. Many found it hard to discern which manifestations were of the Spirit and which were not. Seeing the confusion, Joseph Smith prayed for help. The Lord revealed that spiritual manifestations are real and clarified what they are—gifts from a loving Heavenly Father, “given for the benefit of those who love [Him] and keep all [His] commandments” (Doctrine and Covenants 46:9).
Write on pieces of paper some of the spiritual gifts found in Doctrine and Covenants 46:13–26 and Articles of Faith 1:7, and hide them around the room. Invite each child to find one of the papers and search the verses to find where that gift is mentioned in the scriptures. Then read together Doctrine and Covenants 46:8–9, 12. Why does Heavenly Father give us spiritual gifts?
Sing “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 78–79).
Heavenly Father gave each of us spiritual gifts (see Doctrine and Covenants 46:11–26). That means He gave us special talents. Everyone is unique and important to Heavenly Father!
Think about what gifts you have. Then put on a family talent show! Share the gifts Heavenly Father has given you with others.
Heavenly Father Gives Me Spiritual Gifts to Bless Others.
Ponder what your spiritual gifts are—and how you can use them “for the benefit of the children of God” (verse 26).
Give a child something that can be shared, like a piece of bread or two toys. Ask the child to share what you have given him or her with another class member. Explain that Heavenly Father gives us gifts, and He wants us to use them to help others. Tell the children about a time when you were blessed because someone shared his or her spiritual gifts.
Elder Robert D. Hales: “These gifts are given to those who are faithful to Christ. They will help us know and teach the truths of the gospel. They will help us bless others. They will guide us back to our Heavenly Father” (“Gifts of the Spirit,” Ensign, Feb. 2002, 16).
Ponder why it is important that you “always [remember] for what they are given” (verse 8). How can these truths help you “not be deceived”? (verse 8).
See also Gospel Topics, “Spiritual Gifts,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Friend October 2017 Use crayon to color the shield. Color over with black crayon as dark as you can. Use your fingernail or a coin to scrape a CTR pattern or a picture of choosing the right or something that helps you choose the right
Friend September 2017 “CTR Fun” Fill in the blanks in the poem about choosing the right.
Friend September 2017 “CTR Fun” What else can CTR stand for? Maybe a good reminder, like “current temple recommend” or “choose to (be) reverent.” How many others can you come up with?
Primary 4 Manual: Book of Mormon “Lesson 16” Have the children draw lines that will connect each word on the left to a word on the right to make a statement about choosing the right.
