Item needed: A flannel board or carpet board, sticky-back hook Velcro, and scriptures for each child. Also print the Primary manual cutouts onto white cardstock.
Cut out the pictures and stick a small piece of hook Velcro onto the back of each cutout. The Velcro will make the cutouts stick to the flannel board or carpet board.
Place the cutouts face up on a table or tape them to the walls around the room.
Scripture Story
Read or tell the following story:
Jesus loved, served, and taught the Jewish people while he was on the earth, but there were some Jewish leaders who opposed him. They were upset that people were following Jesus instead of them, so they illegally had him tried and sentenced to death.
(Have the children read Luke 23:33 and then have a child pick the picture that matches the scripture and put it on the flannel board.) Explain that to crucify means to nail or tie a person’s hands and feet to a cross and leaving that person to die.
Jesus was placed on the cross sometime before noon on Friday. At noon the sun was hidden from view, and darkness spread over the land for three hours. Those who were watching in the darkness heard Jesus cry out, “It is finished.” His suffering had ended. He bowed his head and died.
After Jesus died on the cross what happened to his spirit? (Read Luke 23:46) When Jesus died, his spirit left his body and went to the spirit world (Read D&C 138: 11-12, 16, 18, 36)
How do you think his friends and disciples felt after Jesus was crucified? After he died, Jesus’ friends and disciples carefully removed his body from the cross. They wrapped his body in fine linen cloth and with spices, as was the custom in those days. (Take off crucifixion cutout and have a child find and put up matching picture- the wrapping of Jesus’ body)
The Savior’s friends placed his body in a tomb. A tomb is a small room, often carved out of a large rock, in which people can be buried. The newly hewn tomb Jesus’ body was placed in belonged to a rich man named Joseph of Arimathaea. He was a follower of Jesus. (Take off cutout of wrapping the body and have a child find and put up the picture of the tomb.)
Jesus was placed in the tomb on Friday evening because Saturday was the Jewish Sabbath and burying people on that day was not allowed. A large stone was rolled over the mouth of the tomb doorway. (Have a child find and put the large stone cutout on tomb opening)
After Jesus’ body was placed in the tomb, the chief priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. They remembered that Jesus had said that after three days he would rise again. They asked Pilate to have the sepulcher guarded against his disciples coming in the night and stealing the body away. They did not believe Jesus would be resurrected. They thought Jesus’ friends would hide his body and say he was alive again. The stone was sealed and guards were set to watch. (Have a child find the cutout of the guards and put it on the flannel board.)
The Sabbath was a long, sad day for his followers. Early on the third day after his death, which was Sunday, an angel (the Joseph Smith translation says it was two angels) came down from heaven and rolled back the stone from the door of the tomb. (Have a child find the cutout of the angel and put it on the flannel board and then move the stone to one side.) The guards were afraid and shook and fell as dead men. (Lay down the soldier cutout)
Some women had wanted to put special ointments on Jesus body to prepare it for burial, but they didn’t have time before the Sabbath, so they came back as soon as the Sabbath was over to finish preparing his body. (Have a child find and put up cutout of women with ointments, off to one side, and take off the soldier cutout.)
As the women walked to the sepulcher they wondered how they would move the heavy stone from the tomb. (Put the cutout of the women close to the tomb) But when they arrived at the tomb they saw that the stone had been rolled away. The tomb was empty. Jesus’ body was gone. The women saw the angels, who told them not to be afraid. (Read Matthew 28:5-6) When the angel said, “He is risen,” he was telling the women that Jesus Christ had been resurrected. (Hold up cutout of Jesus Resurrected)
Items needed: Two tan or light brown felt squares, a piece of heavy iron-on interfacing 6”x15” and a 8”X16” piece of a soft silky white fabric. Print the Puppet Patterns.
Instructions: Put the two pieces of felt together and pin the puppet pattern onto it. Cut out the puppet. Fold the white fabric in half and pin the puppet pattern to it and cut it out. Put the two puppet pieces of felt together and stitch around ¼ of an inch from the edge. Leave the bottom of the puppet open where the hand goes. Next put the two puppet pieces of white fabric together so that the wrong side of the fabric is facing out. Stitch ¼ inch around the edges (leaving the bottom open). Zig zag (or serge) around the edge if it needs extra reinforcing. Turn the white fabric puppet inside out so that the right side is facing out.
Place the boy patterns under the interfacing and trace the pictures onto the interfacing. (Note: Some printers can print the puppets directly onto the interfacing.) Color the interfacing figures with permanent markers and crayons. (Keep the robes white on the one boy figure) Cut out around the edges of the boy figures. Place the boy with robes onto the white fabric puppet and the other boy on the felt puppet so that the adhesive side of the interfacing is facing down against the fabric. Put paper over the puppets and interfacing and with a medium to hot iron, adhere the interfacing to the puppet.
Lesson
What does it mean to be resurrected? When Jesus was resurrected, his spirit came back into his body. He was alive again, but his body was changed. He still had a body of flesh and bones, but his body was perfected and would never die again. His body was immortal.
When Jesus was resurrected it was the first time anyone on earth had been resurrected. Because of Jesus’ resurrection, all people who have lived, or who ever will live on earth, will be resurrected. We will live again after we die, and our bodies will be immortal. He made this possible for us because he loves us.
Puppet Object Lesson:
(Put the white robbed puppet on your hand, or on the hand of one of the children.) When we lived with Heavenly Father before we were born we were called spirits. This white puppet represents the spirit, which lived in the pre-earth life with Heavenly Father. We could move (move the fingers) and think and learn.
When we came to live on earth and were born, we were given earthly bodies. (Put the felt puppet over the white fabric puppet) The spirit and the body were temporarily joined together, and the spirit gave the body life. (Move fingers)
When we die, the spirit and the body separate (take off the felt puppet, being careful not to take off the white puppet at the same time). The body can no longer move (indicate the empty felt puppet), but the spirit is still alive (move fingers) and goes to the spirit world to wait for the resurrection.
(Put the felt puppet back over the white fabric puppet) When we are resurrected, the spirit and body are reunited and the body becomes perfect. We become immortal which means that the spirit and body will never be separated again.
Take this quiz to think about how you can be honest with yourself and others.
Lying
Friend September 2019 “The Shaving Mistake” When Elder Allen D. Haynie was nine years old he thought he could grow a mustache if he shaved, so he used his father’s razor for several days. One day his father saw him shaving and warned him not to do that because he could get cut. He disobeyed and did it again. The razor slipped and cut above his lip. He lied to his father about what happened and felt terrible, so he told his father the truth. He learned to tell the truth from that experience. (Activity: Use the code to fill in the blanks with the right letters. It makes the message “I can be brave by telling the truth.”)
Friend September 2024 “Margo and Paolo” Margo and Paolo drop the lemonade and they blame it on their bird. But then they confess that it was their fault. They fix it by cleaning it up and making more.
Not Charged Enough
Deciding to Be Honest
Friend August 2020 “How Do You Spell Honesty” When Elder Timothy J. Dyches was in six grade he hadn’t missed a spelling word all year long. If he kept getting perfect scores, I would receive an award for spelling at the end of the year. Then he noticed that he had missed a word on a spelling test that was incorrectly graded. He was honest and told his teacher about it.
Friend July 2019 “Score One for Honesty” Eli needed to practice his throwing because he had a football game coming up, but it was raining outside. Even though it was against the rules, he decided to practice inside with his brother while his mom was at the store. But disaster strikes when one of his throws hits the shelf with his mother’s fancy dishes on it. He tries to fix the broken dishes but it doesn’t work. He thinks about hiding what happened, but he decides to be honest and tell the truth so he can honor his priesthood.
Friend July 2019
Friend July 2019
Friend April 2019 “Sweet Honesty” Trying to get a taste of sugar, Arlen accidentally knocks the sugar jar off a high shelf when she is left in charge of the house. She considers not telling her mom that she spilled all the sugar, but decides to be honest.
Friend March 2019 “Being Honest is Best” Verity’s name means truth. She feels good when she is honest and truthful. (Activity: Circle the letters used to spell TRUTH in the picture below. Then practice writing the word TRUTH.)
Friend September 2018 “Stickers Everywhere” Carey found a package of stickers in a bag on the counter and opened them and stuck them all over the house. When her mom finds what Carey did she is upset because the stickers were for Carey’s brother’s birthday party, but Carey is honest and tells her mom that she did it. Her mom tells her to ask next time, but she is proud of Carey for being honest.
Friend June 1988 “Treasures” Amy accidently breaks one of Sister Pedersons glass treasures. She buys a glass swan to replace the one that broke and then she tells Sister Pedersons what she did.
The Helpers – Cindy tells her mom the truth after breaking a pot, even though her mom thinks the baby did it. Friend March 1987
Winnie Wins – A girl is tempted to cheat in a geography test to beat a boy who teases her. Friend May 1984
The Raid – A boy shows it’s better to be honest and ask to pick the cherries than it is to take them. Friend July 1985
The Compliment Tree – Betsy gets a branch on the compliment tree for doing well on a test, but she discovers a mistake on the test. She doesn’t want to lose her branch, but she is honest and tells the teacher. Friend February 1986
The Last Coin – Laura wants to be honest in achieving the swimming lesson requirements even though her friend wants her to cut corners. Friend August 1986
Friend March 2016 “Honesty Geography” During a geography test, Julie tells the teacher about a map accidentally left on the board.
Friend January 1987 “Jason’s Courage” Jason accidentally breaks a church window. He learns it takes courage to be honest.
I Believe in Being Honest and True
Friend February 2023 “The Egg Mess” Sasha learned a part of the 13th Article of Faith; “I believe in being honest.” She remembers that part after she and her brother make a mess with eggs while playing a game with them. They tell their mother the truth, that they made the mess and will clean it up.
Finders Keepers?
Friend November 2018 “Finders Keepers?” Mike finds some money on the school grounds and takes it to the office even though his friends think they should keep it and spend it.
Friend September 2024 “Lost and Found Pencils” A girl finds some nice colored pencils on the floor at school and takes them home. Her mom reminds her that someone is probably sad because they lost them. So the next day she takes them and puts them in the lost and found.
Helping Others Be Honest
Friend March 2017 “Sliding from the Truth” Tori’s lab partner accidentally broke a slide and wants to lie about it to the teacher. Tori helps him tell the truth.
Friend April 2017 “Cheating is Poisonous” Annmarie has a hard time spelling poisonous and is tempted to cheat on a spelling test, but she realizes cheating would be poisonous to her spirit.
Friend March 2022 “Matt and Mandy” Matt studies hard for a test and won’t let a friend cheat off him because then he would be cheating too. He offers to help his friend study for the next test.
Friend October 2018 “Toy-Truck Trouble” When Nate was walking home from school he saw trucks in a sandbox. Everyday he put a different color truck in his pocket and took it home. He felt bad but wanted to collect the trucks. Then one day a woman found him taking a truck. She asked if he knew where the other trucks were. Nate went home and got them and brought them back. The boy asked if he’d like to play, and Nate had the best time.
Friend May 1987 “Ben & the Birthday Thief” Ben’s friend steals a watch to give to Ben as a birthday gift. What does Ben do?
Friend July 2022 “Matt and Mandy” Mandy’s friend steals some fruit and offers it to Mandy. Mandy said she can’t take it because she wouldn’t feel good about it. They decide to return the fruit.
We are Trusted when We are Honest
Friend September 2018 “Map Champ” During a map game at school, Linda doesn’t hear the teacher because the kids are being too loud. Her teacher trusts her because she doesn’t lie, and the teacher gives her another chance.
Friend September 2018Friend September 2018
Friend March 2022 “The Snack-Stand Superheroes” Some boys find a box of candy bars under the bleachers. They decide to do the right thing and take it to the snack stand owner to see if it belongs to him.
Repenting of Being Dishonest
Fiend July 2021 “The Honesty Question” Christy was nominated for an outstanding citizen award, but she had to fill out some questions about the good things she does in the community. She ran out of ideas and decides to write what she plans on doing. She didn’t feel good inside after turning in her answers. She repents and goes to the office to make things right the next day.
The purpose of this page is to index the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints images that are available for use in members lessons at church or at home. A link is provided at the bottom of most of the images which will take you to where they are located. Many of the images are thumbnails of the original. Click on the image to see the full image. A copied and pasted image can be put into a word document in order to adjust the size.
Primary 4 Book of Mormon: Lesson 9 “Enos Prays”Tell the following riddle, and ask the children to raise their hands when they know the answer.
I am not a person, place, or object.
I can be so quiet that no one else can hear, or loud enough that everyone in the room can hear.
I can be used when you are alone or in a group.
I am used any time, any place, under any circumstance.
I am used for gratitude, guidance, comfort, forgiveness, protection, help, good health, or for any other blessing you need for yourself or for someone else.
You use me to talk with Heavenly Father.
What am I?
Write the children’s responses on the chalkboard. When they recognize that the correct answer is prayer, ask if they have any questions about prayer. Summarize their questions on the chalkboard, and ask the children to listen for answers as you share the story of Enos. At the end of the story, refer back to the questions and discuss them.
Place the picture of Adam and Eve next to the one of God the Father and Jesus Christ. Explain that when Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden, they could walk and talk with Heavenly Father and Jesus. To help the children understand why the result of Adam and Eve’s choice is known as the Fall, take the picture of Adam and Eve and move it down below the picture of God the Father and Jesus Christ as you tell of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit. Adam and Eve “fell” or were removed from the presence of God. Explain that because Adam and Eve could no longer freely associate with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, this is referred to as the Fall. Adam and Eve’s separation from Heavenly Father and Jesus began mortal life on earth and was an important step in the great plan of happiness.
Read Moses 5:4 to the children. Help them understand that when Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden, they couldn’t be with Heavenly Father anymore, but they could pray to Him. Explain that we pray to Heavenly Father in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ (see Moses 5:8). What are some things we can say to Heavenly Father in our prayers?
Ask the children who they would go to if they were having a difficult problem, and why. Read with the children Isaiah 55:8–9, and ask them to listen for why we should seek the Lord’s guidance when we need help.
Draw on the board the sky and the ground, and label them Heavens and Earth. Then invite the children to read Isaiah 55:9 to find out what the Lord compared to the heavens and the earth, and ask them to add these other labels to the drawings. What does it mean that the Lord’s ways and thoughts are “higher” than ours? Why is it important to know this?
Heavenly Father sees and knows all things. He can help us get to a higher place so we can see as well.
Discuss with the children some of the Lord’s ways that are higher than our ways. For example, what is His way of treating sinners? (see Mark 2:15–17). What is His way of leading others? (see Matthew 20:25–28). How are His ways different from the ways of others? Tell the children how you have learned to trust the Lord’s higher ways and thoughts.
For Guidance and Help
Ensign May 2017 “Trust in the Lord and Lean Not” Read the scripture Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust the Lord…and lean not unto thy own understanding. Demonstrate what happens when we lean–we move away from our center (Jesus Christ) and we may fall.
Friend May 2018 “How You Can Know What’s True” What do you do when you feel an urgent need to know or understand something?
Explain to the children that when David needed help, he “inquired,” or prayed, for answers. As you read 2 Samuel 5:19, 23, invite the children to listen for the word “inquired” and to fold their arms when they hear it. Testify that we can always pray to Heavenly Father when we need help.
Friend November 2017 “Prayers and Pumpkins” Rachel loses her family during a pumpkin walk in Nauvoo. She prays for help and is inspired to talk to a missionary couple. The couple she finds turns out to be Elder Perry and his wife, and they helped her find her family.
To help the children think about what they might say when they pray, you could ask them how they would finish sentences like these: “We thank Thee for …” and “We ask Thee for …” Let the children draw pictures of things they might give thanks for or ask for in a prayer.
Tell the children about a time when you prayed for Heavenly Father’s help. How did He answer your prayer? What difference did it make to have Him help you? Invite the children to share their experiences.
Summarize Luke 22:41–43 for the children. Share an experience in which you prayed for help and Heavenly Father strengthened you through the Holy Ghost or by sending someone to help you.
Friend May 2022 “A Prayer in the Storm” Alexis was scared of the thunder in the storm and didn’t feel safe. She found her dad and asked if they could say a prayer. After the prayer she felt peaceful and wasn’t afraid anymore.
Friend April 2018 “Lost and Found” Cael knows Heavenly Father answers prayers because when he found himself alone and scared on a mountain trail, he prayed. His father felt the Holy Ghost telling him to go look for his Cael.
On strips of paper, write some things we might say in a prayer, such as “Heavenly Father,” “I thank thee,” “I ask thee,” and “in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.” Put the strips on the floor in random order, and help the children put them in the order in which we might say them in a prayer. What can we thank Heavenly Father for? What else can we say to Him? Testify that the children can pray to Heavenly Father anywhere and anytime.
Tell the children about the questions Joseph Smith had (see Joseph Smith—History 1:10). What can we do when we have questions about God? Show the children a copy of the Bible, and explain that when Joseph read the Bible, he learned that he could “ask of God” (James 1:5; see also Gospel Art Book, no. 89). Bear your testimony that we can ask God questions through prayer.
Invite a parent of one of the children to stand outside the classroom and answer questions from the children using methods such as sending a text message, making a phone call, writing a note, or sending a messenger. What are some of the ways Heavenly Father communicates with us? (see “Revelation,” Guide to the Scriptures, scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). According to Joseph Smith—History 1:16–19, how did Heavenly Father answer Joseph Smith’s prayer? How has He answered our prayers?
Show a picture of the First Vision (Gospel Art Book, no. 90), or show the video “Joseph Smith’s First Vision” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Explain how reading James 1:5 prompted Joseph Smith to ask Heavenly Father to help him with a question (see Joseph Smith—History 1:1–20). Share your testimony that God answers prayers, and testify that the children can pray to Him when they have questions. Let the children draw their own pictures of Joseph Smith reading James 1:5 and praying to Heavenly Father. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “James”)
Heavenly Father will help me learn truth if I seek His help.(Sr)
Ask the children to tell you the story of Joseph Smith’s First Vision in their own words (see Joseph Smith—History 1:5–20; see also the video “Joseph Smith’s First Vision” on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). How did reading James 1:5 help Joseph? Help the children think of other examples of people in the scriptures who received an answer to their prayers, such as Nephi (see 1 Nephi 11:1–6) and the brother of Jared (see Ether 2:18–3:9). What are some things we can ask Heavenly Father in prayer? (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “James”)
Satan would prefer that we forget he exists—or that we at least fail to recognize his attempts to influence us (see 2 Nephi 28:22–23). But the Lord’s words in Doctrine and Covenants 10 reveal that Satan is in constant, active opposition to God’s work. As you read verses 1–33, identify how Satan sought to destroy God’s work in Joseph Smith’s time (see also verses 62–63). What similarities do you see with the ways Satan works today? You could ask the Lord to help you see how Satan may be tempting you. What do you learn from section 10 that can help you resist Satan’s efforts?
Heavenly Father wants me to pray often.
Daniel CHAPTER 6 Darius makes Daniel the first of his presidents—Daniel worships the Lord in defiance of a decree of Darius—He is cast into the den of lions—His faith saves him, and Darius decrees that all people are to revere the God of Daniel.
Tell the story in Daniel 6 (see “Daniel and the Lions’ Den” in Old Testament Stories), and invite the children to draw a picture of the story. Ask them to use their pictures to tell the story to each other. Why does Heavenly Father want us to pray to Him? Share why prayer is important to you.
Talk with the children about times when they can pray, such as when they are scared, when they make mistakes, or when they need help in school. Why is it good to pray in these situations? Teach the children that no matter where they are, they can always pray in their hearts.
New Testament Seminary Student Manual (2023) “Luke 11:1–13” Jesus compared a mortal father’s desire to give gifts to his children to Heavenly Father’s desire to give us gifts. Jesus taught that if an imperfect mortal father “know[s] how to give good gifts unto [his] children” ( Luke 11:13), “how much more shall your heavenly Father give good gifts, through the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Joseph Smith Translation, Luke 11:14 [in Luke 11:13 , footnote a]).
Use an object lesson to illustrate the Savior’s teachings in Luke 11:11–13. For example, you could place a stone inside a bread bag or put a picture of a scorpion inside an egg carton. Ask the children to guess what is inside, and then show them. Invite them to replace the stone or picture with a piece of bread or an egg. Read Luke 11:11–13, and share your testimony that Heavenly Father loves us, answers our prayers, and gives us many blessings through His Spirit.
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.)
Use this week’s activity page to help the children remember the different parts of prayer.
Friend February 2017 “The Lord’s Prayer” Jesus taught his disciples to pray. This link includes an explanation for what the words in the Lord’s Prayer mean. It also includes an activity idea for making a mobile of the things that should be included in a prayer.
Friend June 2016 “Caleb’s Bedtime Prayer” Caleb learns what to pray for.
Friend March 1985 “Sharing Time: What Shall I Say When I Pray?” Cut out the words and picture. Glue each title on separate piece of colored paper. Decide where you think each picture belongs—is it something you are grateful for, or is it something you might ask a blessing for? Some pictures may go either place. Glue each picture under title you have chosen. Add your own drawings as you think of other things.
To help the children think about what they might say when they pray, you could ask them how they would finish sentences like these: “We thank Thee for …” and “We ask Thee for …” Let the children draw pictures of things they might give thanks for or ask for in a prayer.
Trace each child’s hand on a piece of paper. Talk about what we should do with our hands and arms while we pray. On each tracing, write something we do to show reverence when we pray (for example, bowing our heads, closing our eyes, and so on).
Friend July 2018 “Arturo’s Family Prayer” Choose which picture shows respect and reverence for Heavenly Father during prayer.
Sing a song about prayer with the children, such as “We Bow Our Heads” (Children’s Songbook, 25), and bear your testimony of the power of prayer. Invite the children to share their experiences with prayer.
Friend April 2024 “The Miracle of Prayer” Lesson ideas about prayer. Also an activity: When we pray, we talk to Heavenly Father. Draw what you pray about in the boxes below. Heavenly Father loves to hear from you!
Pray Every Day
Briefly summarize the story of Alma and the Zoramites, using verses from Alma 31:8–35 (see also “Chapter 28: The Zoramites and the Rameumptom,” Book of Mormon Stories, 78–80). Help your children identify things the Zoramites said in their prayer (see Alma 31:15–18) as they help you build a Rameumptom tower with blocks or rocks. Explain that this is not how we should pray. As you and your children talk about how we should pray, let them remove the blocks or rocks one at a time. Maybe they could keep one of the rocks by their bed as a reminder to pray every morning and night. They might enjoy decorating their rock. (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 30-31”)
The Zoramites Prayers were Repetitious: Said same thing every time. They also only prayed once a week.
What happens if we don’t pray daily and sincerely? We tend to lose the guidance of the Spirit, which is essential for managing the challenges and temptations of life. What was the result of the Zoramites not praying daily? They succumbed to Satan’s temptations.
Invite the children to read Matthew 6:9–13 out loud and then list things the Savior said in His prayer. How can we follow His example when we pray?
Friend February 2017 “The Lord’s Prayer” Jesus taught his disciples to pray. This link includes an explanation for what the words in the Lord’s Prayer mean. It also includes an activity idea for making a mobile of the things that should be included in a prayer.
“Lesson 11: Jesus Christ Teaches about Prayer,” Primary 7: New Testament Write on separate pieces of paper several situations, similar to the ones in the following list, that the children might find themselves in (or you could tell them the situations). Ask the children to each come up and choose a piece of paper. Have them talk about how they would feel in the situation and what they would do.
You have fallen off a bike and hurt your leg. No one is around and you don’t know if you can walk home.
You have a fever and an upset stomach. Your parents have done everything they can to make you feel better, but you are still very sick.
You have an assignment due in school tomorrow. You’ve worked hard on it, but it’s not as good as you want it to be and you don’t know how to fix it.
You have been outside playing and when you come home no one is there. You are frightened because you don’t know where your family has gone.
Your grandparents gave you some money for your birthday, and now it isn’t where you thought you put it.
You are sitting outside after dark and you notice how beautiful the stars look.
You are helping your family grow a garden, and you notice that the plants are getting bigger and the vegetables and fruit are getting ripe.
Explain that we can pray to Heavenly Father for help with any problem that troubles us, to share our feelings with him, or to express our gratitude. Heavenly Father will always hear our sincere prayers.
Sing a song about prayer with the children, such as “Did You Think to Pray?” (Hymns, no. 140). Help the children search the lyrics to find reasons we pray and blessings that come from prayer.
Help the children memorize Matthew 7:7 by playing a game like the following: One child recites the first word or phrase from the verse and then tosses a ball to another child, who then recites the next word or phrase.
Act out Matthew 7:9–10 with the children using simple props. Ask the children to share what this teaches them about prayer.
Friend January 2017 “Will Heavenly Father Answer My Prayers” Heavenly Father will answer our prayers in the way that is best and we need to have faith and trust in Him.
Share an experience in which your prayers were answered.
Friend January 2021 “Jaechan’s First Day” Jaechan was excited to start school. But after his mom dropped him off at the gate, he got lost in the school halls and couldn’t find his classroom. He was scared and said a prayer asking for his mom to come find him. A few minutes later his mom came around the corner. She had a feeling she should check to make sure he made it to class okay.
“Lesson 11: Jesus Christ Teaches about Prayer,” Primary 7: New Testament Tell the children that thee, thou, thy, and thine are special words we use to refer to God in our prayers. These words show our respect and love for him. Have a child read Matthew 6:9–13 and have the other children raise their hands whenever they hear one of these prayer words. Do the same thing with the song, “I Thank Thee, Dear Father,” (Children’s Songbook,p. 7).
Matthew 6:7 What does it mean to use “vain repetitions” in prayer?
People often understand “vain repetitions” to mean repeating the same words over and over again. However, the word vain can describe something that has no value. Using “vain repetitions” in prayer can mean praying without sincere, heartfelt feeling (see Alma 31:12–23).
Friend September 2020 “Come Follow Me for Little Ones” Read 3 Nephi 13:9–13 together and help your little ones say, “Heavenly Father wants me to pray to Him.” Collect pictures of people doing different gospel activities, including praying, from Church magazines or at medialibrary.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Turn all the pictures upside-down, then take turns flipping them over. Whenever you see someone praying, help everyone practice folding their arms, bowing their heads, and closing their eyes.
Friend July 2018 “Arturo’s Family Prayer” Choose which picture shows respect and reverence for Heavenly Father during prayer.
Friend February 2017 “The Lord’s Prayer” Jesus taught his disciples to pray. This link includes an explanation for what the words in the Lord’s Prayer mean. It also includes an activity idea for making a mobile of the things that should be included in a prayer.
Friend March 2020 “Come Follow Me for Little Ones” Read Enos 1:4–5 together and help your little ones say, “I can pray to Heavenly Father anytime, anywhere.” You could use five fingers to review the parts of prayer: 1) start with “Dear Heavenly Father,” 2) thank Him for blessings, 3) tell Him about your day, 4) ask Him for what you and others need, 5) end “in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.” Or create actions for the rhyme, “I close my eyes. I bow my head. I listen while a prayer is said.”
Friend April 2022 “Jesus Prayed for Others” Jesus taught the Apostles how to pray to Heavenly Father. Jesus prayed for the Apostles to have faith. He told them to pray often too.
When Jesus had finished his prayer, he went to the disciples and he found them praying without ceasing. In 3 Nephi 19:24 it says: “they did not multiply many words for it was given unto them what they should pray.”
What does this scripture mean? Elder Bruce R. McConkie explains: “Perfect prayers are those which are inspired, in which the Spirit reveals the words which should be used.” The Holy Ghost can guide us to what we should pray for.
How can this help us resist temptation? The Holy Ghost can help us see areas in our life that need improving, areas where we are weak. He can help us know what to pray for, such as for help with changes we need to make and help to know how to strengthen our defenses.
When Jesus saw his disciples praying with the Spirit, “his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus.” (3 Nephi 19:25) The word countenance refers to a person’s behavior or to the way a person’s face expresses his or her character.
How can you help your children make their prayers more meaningful? Consider showing them a picture of Enos praying; let them describe what they see. They could then close their eyes and imagine they are talking to Heavenly Father face-to-face. What would they like to talk about? What might He want to say to them? [Invite the children to think about talking face-to-face with Heavenly Father each time they pray.]
As you read aloud Enos 1:1–5, younger children could pretend to be Enos by acting out hunting, kneeling to pray, and so on. Older children could listen for a word or phrase that describes Enos’s prayers. What do these words tell us about Enos’s prayers? Share an experience when your soul “hungered” and you “cried unto” the Lord (Enos 1:4).
Discuss some modern equivalents of each of these (forgiveness; family, ward members, and the bishop; bullies at school; understanding the scriptures; and so on.)
Kneel together and see if you can give a thoughtful, meaningful prayer for all that you identified.
Discussion: Why are our prayers more meaningful when we are more specific in our expressions? What else can you do to make your family and personal prayers more thoughtful?
Read to the children from Doctrine and Covenants 23:6, beginning with “you must pray.” Help them identify the different ways and places the Lord said we should pray. Invite them to draw a picture of themselves praying in one of those ways or places.
Briefly summarize the story of Alma and the Zoramites, using verses from Alma 31:8–35 (see also “Chapter 28: The Zoramites and the Rameumptom,” Book of Mormon Stories, 78–80). Help your children identify things the Zoramites said in their prayer (see Alma 31:15–18) as they help you build a Rameumptom tower with blocks or rocks. Explain that this is not how we should pray. As you and your children talk about how we should pray, let them remove the blocks or rocks one at a time. Maybe they could keep one of the rocks by their bed as a reminder to pray every morning and night. They might enjoy decorating their rock. (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 30-31”)
The Zoramites Prayers were Repetitious: Said same thing every time. They also only prayed once a week.
What happens if we don’t pray daily and sincerely? We tend to lose the guidance of the Spirit, which is essential for managing the challenges and temptations of life. What was the result of the Zoramites not praying daily? They succumbed to Satan’s temptations.
I can pray to Heavenly Father anytime, about anything.
Help your children find phrases that describe places we can pray (in Alma 33:4–11) and things we can pray about (in Alma 34:17–27). Perhaps they could draw pictures of themselves praying in these places. Share with each other experiences when Heavenly Father heard your prayers. You could also sing a song about prayer, such as “A Child’s Prayer” (Children’s Songbook, 12–13).
Come Follow Me Kid Show pictures below and ask which place or places they think would be good spots to pray. Read Alma 33:3-8, and have them listen carefully to see if they can hear which of these places would be places we could pray from. Help them understand that we can pray anywhere and our prayers will be heard if we pray in faith. You could also have some fun with this and list additional places/times and ask, “Would it be okay to pray __” (in a car, at midnight, in the backyard, silently, etc.), and help them see that the answer to all of these is “Yes!”
In the wilderness (Alma 33:4)
In a field (Alma 33:5)
In your house (Alma 33:6)
In your closet (Alma 33:7)
Help them think of things they can say to Heavenly Father when they pray, and invite them to draw pictures of these things. Testify that they can talk to Heavenly Father about anything they are thinking or feeling.
Sing a song that teaches the children about prayer, such as “A Child’s Prayer” or “We Bow Our Heads” (Children’s Songbook, 12–13, 25). Help them notice what the song teaches about prayer.
I Should Pray Always. I Can Pray “Vocally and In [My] Heart.”
When the Lord called Frederick G. Williams to be a counselor to the Prophet Joseph Smith, He counseled Frederick to be “faithful … in prayer always.”
Read to the children the Lord’s counsel to be “faithful … in prayer always, vocally and in thy heart, in public and in private” (Doctrine and Covenants 81:3). Explain what it means to pray in our hearts, and share a personal example. Help the children think of times when they can pray “in public and in private.”
Invite someone to read Doctrine and Covenants 81:3, and ask the children what it means to pray “in [your] heart.” Share an experience when you prayed aloud or in your heart and the Lord helped you. Also ask the children to share their own experiences. How can prayer bring us closer to Heavenly Father?
Read or sing with the children a hymn about prayer, such as “Did You Think to Pray?” or “Secret Prayer” (Hymns,nos. 140, 144). Invite the children to share a phrase from the hymn that helps them understand something about prayer. Give them time to ponder what they can do to improve their prayers and then write their ideas.
Invite the children to draw pictures of themselves or their families praying at different times and places, such as in church, before school, or at bedtime. Explain that praying always can mean praying often throughout the day. How can we pray even when we are around other people, such as at school or with our friends?
Ask the children to show you what they do when they pray. What do they do with their arms? their heads? their eyes? Explain that sometimes we want to talk to Heavenly Father, but we can’t kneel or close our eyes. What can we do? Read to the children from 3 Nephi 20:1: “[Jesus] commanded them that they should not cease to pray in their hearts.” Tell the children how you pray in your heart.
Draw a mouth and a heart on the board. Ask the children to point to the mouth and tell you some things they say when they pray. Then ask them to point to the heart, and explain that we can say those same things in our hearts. Testify that Heavenly Father knows our feelings and thoughts.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “2 Nephi 31-33” After reading 2 Nephi 32:8–9, talk with your children about why Satan doesn’t want us to pray. Why does God want us to “pray always”? Your children could make a list or draw pictures of situations in which they could pray. Then you could sing a song that teaches about prayer, such as “Did You Think to Pray?” (Hymns, no. 140). You could replace some of the words in the song with the words from their lists. How does God bless us when we pray always?
Talk with the children about times when they can pray, such as when they are scared, when they make mistakes, or when they need help in school. Why is it good to pray in these situations? Teach the children that no matter where they are, they can always pray in their hearts.
Read to the children the Lord’s counsel to be “faithful … in prayer always, vocally and in thy heart, in public and in private” (Doctrine and Covenants 81:3). Explain what it means to pray in our hearts, and share a personal example. Help the children think of times when they can pray “in public and in private.”
Invite someone to read Doctrine and Covenants 81:3, and ask the children what it means to pray “in [your] heart.” Share an experience when you prayed aloud or in your heart and the Lord helped you. Also ask the children to share their own experiences. How can prayer bring us closer to Heavenly Father?
Ask the children when they pray. Do they pray in the morning? at night? before meals? Help the children think of actions to show when we can pray, such as when we wake up, go to bed, and eat—or any other time. Read to them the first line or two from 2 Nephi 32:9, and emphasize the phrase “pray always.”
Ask the children how they pray. What do they do with their head, hands, and so on? What sorts of things do they say? Ask them to imagine that you don’t know how to pray, and let them teach you. Why does Heavenly Father want us to pray?
The adversary tempts us not to pray. Consider how you can help the children resist this temptation and “pray always” (2 Nephi 32:9).
Choose a phrase about prayer from 2 Nephi 32:8–9, write it on the board, and cover each word with a piece of paper. Invite the children to take turns removing one paper at a time until they can guess what the phrase is.
Read 2 Nephi 32:8–9 together, and ask the children to share what they learn about prayer from these verses. What does it mean to “pray always”? (verse 9). How can we do this?
What might make someone not want to pray? Share an experience when you prayed even though you didn’t feel like it. How did you feel afterward? Invite a child to read the second half of 2 Nephi 32:8, and give the children time to ponder it. Why doesn’t Satan want us to pray? How can we remind ourselves to pray even when we don’t feel like it?
Read phrases you have selected from Alma 33:4–11 that describe places we can pray, and help the children think of places they can pray. Then invite them to draw pictures of themselves praying in those places. Testify that they can pray anywhere, even if they are praying silently.
Select phrases from Alma 34:17–27 that describe things we can pray about, and read them to the children. Help them think of things they can say to Heavenly Father when they pray, and invite them to draw pictures of these things. Testify that they can talk to Heavenly Father about anything they are thinking or feeling. Share an experience in which Heavenly Father heard your prayers.
Sing a song that teaches the children about prayer, such as “A Child’s Prayer” or “We Bow Our Heads” (Children’s Songbook, 12–13, 25). Help them notice what the song teaches about prayer.
Jesus taught, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him…for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.”(3 Nephi18:18)
How can we pray always? To pray always means we can have a prayer in our hearts at any time or place. (3 Nephi 20:1)
What do you think the phrase “Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat” means? Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained these words: “This is an… expression which was clear to the people in that day, more so than to people in our day. In essence… Jesus is saying… Satan wants you in his harvest. He wants to harvest your soul, and bring you into his granary.” He wants us to be under his control and influence.
Jesus said that if we are watchful (on guard or spiritually alert) and keep a prayer in our hearts, we can avoid getting drawn into the traps of Satan.
How can we be watchful? If we are familiar with the word of God that is found in the scriptures and in the words of the prophets, then we will know what is right and we will know what things to watch out for. We can also be spiritually alert in listening for the promptings of the Spirit. The Spirit can warn us through thoughts or feelings if something is not right and is something we should not do. The Spirit can also help bring to remembrance those things we have learned in the scriptures about what is right.
To help family members understand that we can “pray always,” you could make a list of circumstances in which we could pray (or draw pictures to represent them). Then your family could sing a song that teaches about prayer, such as “Did You Think to Pray?” (Hymns, no. 140), replacing some of the words in the song with the words from their lists. How does the Lord bless us when we pray always? (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020 )
Friend October 2018 “Family Night Fun” Heavenly Father loves all of His children and hears and answers their prayers. He knows how to help all of His children. We can pray to Him anytime, anywhere!
Take turns reading these scriptures about prayer. Fold your arms when you hear the words pray or prayer.
Have the children look up and read 3 Nephi 19:16-17 and ask them to look for what Jesus’s first instructions to the people were after he ministered to the disciples. (He commanded the people to kneel on the earth, and then he commanded the disciples to pray (picture #6).)
Why do you think it is it important to pray before receiving spiritual instruction? One reason is to seek to feel the Spirit during the meeting. When we are taught by the Spirit we may gain an increased understanding and testimony about particular gospel truths, or we may get inspiration concerning a problem we are having.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 1; Luke 1” Zacharias and Elisabeth had probably been praying for a child for many years. Eventually Heavenly Father answered their prayers by sending them a son, John the Baptist. How can you use this story to teach the children that Heavenly Father answers prayers?
In your own words, share the story from Luke 1:5–25, 57–63. You may want to repeat the story a few times. Assign children to play the parts of Zacharias, Elisabeth, and the angel and act out the story. Emphasize the angel’s words to Zacharias: “Thy prayer is heard” (Luke 1:13). Share an experience in which Heavenly Father answered your prayer.
Use “We Bow Our Heads” (Children’s Songbook, 25) or another song to teach the children how to pray. Every time the children sing the words “pray” or “prayer,” invite them to bow their heads and fold their arms.
Ask each child to do actions that represent something he or she can pray for. Let the other children guess what the actions represent. They can find ideas on this week’s activity page.
Invite the children to act out the account of Peter being freed from prison in Acts 12:1–17 as you summarize the story. How did Heavenly Father answer the prayers of those who were praying for Peter?
The below video is not put out by the church, but it has some good examples of the story.
Sing a song about prayer—for example, “We Bow Our Heads” (Children’s Songbook, 25)—and suggest actions to go with the words that can help the children learn how to pray.
Invite the children to share examples of things they can thank Heavenly Father for and ask Him for in prayer.
To help the children think about what they might say when they pray, you could ask them how they would finish sentences like these: “We thank Thee for …” and “We ask Thee for …” Let the children draw pictures of things they might give thanks for or ask for in a prayer.
Show pictures of people praying (see, for example, Gospel Art Book, nos. 111–12) as you share an experience when Heavenly Father answered your prayers.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 10-15” Ponder on the times when Heavenly Father has answered your prayers. How can you use these experiences to teach the children that Heavenly Father will hear and answer their prayers in His own way and time?
Invite the children to act out the story of the angel freeing Peter from prison while another child reads the story in Acts 12:1–17.
Ask the children what they think it means that “prayer was made without ceasing” (Acts 12:5). How were the people’s prayers answered? Invite the children to share experiences in which Heavenly Father answered a personal or family prayer. You could also share an experience in which He answered your prayer.
You might include experiences in which the answer came in an unexpected way. Testify that God loves us and will answer our prayers in the way and timing that is best for us.
Friend July 2020 “Prayers and Planes”Vern prayed every night for a model plane, but it never arrived. He decided to build one himself from an old wood box he found. He realized later that his prayer had been answered, just not the way he expected. Heavenly Father helped him figure out how to build his own. When he grew up, he fixed and flew planes for a living. (After reading the story, have everyone make paper airplanes and fly them outside.)
How can you help your children understand that Heavenly Father will hear and answer their prayers? Consider inviting them to list some things they typically pray for. Then you could help them find what Enos prayed for in Enos 1:2, 9, 13–14, and 16 (see also “Chapter 11: Enos,” Book of Mormon Stories, 30–31). [Discuss how the children can follow Enos’s example in their prayers; for instance, you could talk about why Enos was willing to pray for the Lamanites—who were his enemies—and invite the children to pray this week for someone who has been unkind to them. Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Enos-Words of Mormon”]
Friend March 2020 “Come Follow Me for Little Ones” Read Enos 1:4–5 together and help your little ones say, “I can pray to Heavenly Father anytime, anywhere.” You could use five fingers to review the parts of prayer: 1) start with “Dear Heavenly Father,” 2) thank Him for blessings, 3) tell Him about your day, 4) ask Him for what you and others need, 5) end “in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.” Or create actions for the rhyme, “I close my eyes. I bow my head. I listen while a prayer is said.”
Ask the children what they would say to someone who had prayed for a blessing but had not received it yet. Invite them to think about this question as they read together Luke 1:5–25, 57–66. (See also “Chapter 1: Elisabeth and Zacharias” and “Chapter 3: John the Baptist Is Born,” in New Testament Stories, 6–7, 10–11, or the corresponding videos on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.) What might Zacharias and Elisabeth tell someone who felt their prayer wasn’t being answered?
Friend March 2019 “Faith and Raindrops” A girl has faith that her prayer for rain will be answered, but she learns that we also need to have faith in God’s timing.
Friend October 2016 “The Loose Tooth Test” Tessa says a prayer that her loose tooth that is bothering her will fall out. Tessa learns that sometimes the answer is to wait.
Friend October 2016
For whatever reasons, God’s timing meant that the blessing Elisabeth and Zacharias desired, to have a child, came much later than they expected. If you find yourself having to wait for a blessing, or if it seems that God isn’t hearing your prayers, the story of Elisabeth and Zacharias can be a reminder that He hasn’t forgotten you. He has a plan for you, and He always keeps His promises to His righteous Saints. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland promised, “Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come” (“An High Priest of Good Things to Come,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 38). Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 1; Luke 1”
Invite several children ahead of time to share experiences when Heavenly Father answered their prayers. Share a time in which you felt your prayers were answered in an unexpected way.
Invite the children to draw a picture of a time when Heavenly Father answered a prayer—especially one of their own. Let them share their drawings with the class.
PSALM 86 David implores God for mercy and is saved from the lowest hell—The Lord is good and generous in mercy—All nations will worship before Him.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 Many of the psalms are like prayers to God for help, guidance, or protection. Consider how you can help the children build their faith that Heavenly Father hears and answers them when they pray.
Ask the children how they talk with people who live far away. Show them things we can use to communicate, such as a phone or a letter. Read to them Psalm 86:7. How do we “call upon” Heavenly Father? How does He answer us?
Invite the children to act out things they do every day, such as waking up, eating breakfast, leaving for school, or going to bed. Help them find times during the day when they can pray to Heavenly Father. Testify that we can pray to Him anytime, and He will always hear us.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Ruth; 1 Samuel 1–3” When Hannah was sad because she could not have children, she turned to the Lord in faith and He answered her prayer. Help the children see that they can always pray to Heavenly Father, especially when they are sad.
In your own words, tell the children why Hannah was sad (see 1 Samuel 1:2–8; see also “Hannah” in Old Testament Stories). What can we do when we are sad? Read to the children 1 Samuel 1:10, and invite the children to listen for what Hannah did. Ask the children how they feel when they pray. Read from verse 18 to explain that after her prayer, Hannah “was no more sad.”
Use this week’s activity page to teach the children that they can pray to Heavenly Father and He will help them. While the children are coloring, sing or play a recording of a song that teaches about prayer, such as “A Child’s Prayer” (Children’s Songbook, 12–13).
To help the children learn about Hannah from 1 Samuel 1, give each child a few verses to read from the chapter (or show the video “Hannah’s Faith,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Afterward, toss a ball or small object to one child and invite him or her to tell part of the story before passing the ball to the next child to tell another part of the story. When the story is complete, ask the children to share something they learned from Hannah’s example.
Read together 1 Samuel 1:15, and discuss what it means to pour out our souls before the Lord. With the children, make a list of things that we can talk about with God when we pray. Sing together a song about prayer, such as “A Child’s Prayer” (Children’s Songbook, 12–13). Testify of God’s love for His children and His desire to hear and answer their prayers.
Maybe you could pour something out of a container to help family members visualize what Hannah meant when she said, “I … have poured out my soul before the Lord.” Why is this a good way to describe what our prayers should be like? How can we improve our personal and family prayers? Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Ruth; 1 Samuel 1–3”
Ask the children to list (individually or in groups) examples of people in the scriptures who prayed to Heavenly Father. (If they need help, you could point them to Luke 22:41–43; Enos 1:2–6; Joseph Smith—History 1:14–17.) Ask them to share what they learn from these stories.
Younger children might enjoy a game, inspired by 3 Nephi 14:8–9, in which they ask for something and receive something entirely different. What did the Savior want us to know about our Father in Heaven when He shared this example?
Friend January 2017 “Will Heavenly Father Answer My Prayers” Heavenly Father will answer our prayers in the way that is best and we need to have faith and trust in Him. Also story about when Elder Oaks was seven his father died even though they had sincerely prayed. .
Heavenly Father always answers prayers, but not always in ways we expect. (Jr)
Show the children a plant with thorns (or a picture of one). Help them imagine what it would feel like to have a thorn stuck in their skin for a long time. Summarize 2 Corinthians 12:7–10 for the children, explaining that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was a trial, something difficult in his life. Even though Paul asked God to remove the trial, God did not. Instead, God taught Paul that challenges can help us learn to be humble and trust Him. Then God can make us strong. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “2 Corinthians 8-13” )
Testify that Heavenly Father knows what is best for us, and He will give us what we need, even if it is different from what we think we need. You might also share an experience when your prayers were answered in a way or at a time that was different from what you expected. A story like “The Diabetes Dilemma” (Friend, Sept. 2019, 4–5) or “Please Bless Ace” (Friend, Nov. 2019, 32–33) can also help. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “2 Corinthians 8-13” )
Friend September 2019 “The Diabetes Dilemma” Joe prayed that his sister didn’t have diabetes. When they found out she did have diabetes, he was devastated. He didn’t understand why Heavenly Father didn’t answer his prayer. His mom explained that answers to prayers don’t always happen the way we want. Sometimes, instead of taking something hard away, He answers by giving us peace and helping us be strong. Joe then realizes that Heavenly Father was blessing his sister and family with peace.
Friend September 2019
Friend September 2019
Friend September 2019
Friend November 2019 “Please Bless Ace” Zach’s dog, Ace, has to have surgery and Zach is worried about him. Zach prays that Ace will live. After his pray, Zach felt the worried feeling leave. He remembered that peace throughout the day. When he got home, he found out that his dog was okay. The family gave Ace extra care that week. Then Ace got sick again and he died. Zach had wanted Ace to live, but he was glad he had been given extra time to spend with him and show Ace how much he loved him.
Friend November 2019Friend November 2019
Sing with the children a song about Heavenly Father’s love, such as “A Child’s Prayer” (Children’s Songbook, 12–13). Ask the children what they would say to someone who wonders whether Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. Sing the song again, and point out lines that describe how Heavenly Father feels about us.(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “2 Corinthians 8-13” )
Heavenly Father always answers prayers, but He doesn’t always give me everything I ask for. (Sr)
Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles commented that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was “some unnamed physical infirmity, apparently a grievous one from which the Apostle suffered either continuously or recurringly” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols.
New Testament Study Guide for Home-Study Seminary Students
The Cozy Red Cottage 2 Corinthians 12:7–10 “Explain that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was a trial, such as a physical weakness. Even though Paul asked God to remove the trial, God did not. Instead, God taught Paul that challenges can help us learn to be humble and trust Him. Then God can make us strong.” (primary Manual)
Use the “blessing and thorn” page to discuss some of the trials people may experience. Write their ideas by the thorns. Then discuss some of the blessing that come from trials and write their ideas on the petals. (Ideas for trials might include: friendship difficulties, school difficulties, health issues, family difficulties, etc.) (Ideas for blessings might include: adversity can help us become more like Jesus Christ; It can help us to develop empathy, patience, kindness, humility, faith and trust in God, reliance on God, etc.)
Read with the children “The Diabetes Dilemma” (Friend, Sept. 2019, 4–5). Ask the children to share experiences when they prayed for something and did not receive it. Ask them to share what they learned from their experiences. You might have your own experiences to share as well. Bear your testimony that Heavenly Father always answers our prayers in the way and at the time that will bless us the most.(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “2 Corinthians 8-13” )
Friend September 2019 “The Diabetes Dilemma” Joe prayed that his sister didn’t have diabetes. When they found out she did have diabetes, he was devastated. He didn’t understand why Heavenly Father didn’t answer his prayer. His mom explained that answers to prayers don’t always happen the way we want. Sometimes, instead of taking something hard away, He answers by giving us peace and helping us be strong. Joe then realizes that Heavenly Father was blessing his sister and family with peace.
Friend September 2019
Friend September 2019
Friend September 2019
Friend November 2019 “Please Bless Ace” Zach’s dog, Ace, has to have surgery and Zach is worried about him. Zach prays that Ace will live. After his pray, Zach felt the worried feeling leave. He remembered that peace throughout the day. When he got home, he found out that his dog was okay. The family gave Ace extra care that week. Then Ace got sick again and he died. Zach had wanted Ace to live, but he was glad he had been given extra time to spend with him and show Ace how much he loved him.
Friend November 2019Friend November 2019
Paul asked God to remove his weakness, but God knew that Paul’s weakness would humble him and God could make him strong.
Paul wrote of “a thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7) to describe challenges and personal weaknesses. These challenges can weigh us down. With the Savior’s grace, however, we can find strength.
Gather some heavy objects (personal challenges).
Give each family member one or more heavy objects to carry.
Make these “challenges” even more challenging by completing tasks while holding them (for example, making a sandwich, folding clothes, dancing).
Try the same activity again, but this time ask someone to help you with the heavy objects.
Discussion: What was difficult about carrying the objects alone? How does Christ lighten our burden? What are some trials or challenges that we’ve experienced as a family? When have we been strengthened by the Savior’s grace? (see Ether 12:27).
Ask the children what they would say to someone who had prayed for a blessing but had not received it yet. Invite them to think about this question as they read together Luke 1:5–25, 57–66. (See also “Chapter 1: Elisabeth and Zacharias” and “Chapter 3: John the Baptist Is Born,” in New Testament Stories, 6–7, 10–11, or the corresponding videos on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.) What might Zacharias and Elisabeth tell someone who felt their prayer wasn’t being answered?
Friend March 2019 “Faith and Raindrops” A girl has faith that her prayer for rain will be answered, but she learns that we also need to have faith in God’s timing.
Friend October 2016 “The Loose Tooth Test” Tessa says a prayer that her loose tooth that is bothering her will fall out. Tessa learns that sometimes the answer is to wait.
Friend October 2016
For whatever reasons, God’s timing meant that the blessing Elisabeth and Zacharias desired, to have a child, came much later than they expected. If you find yourself having to wait for a blessing, or if it seems that God isn’t hearing your prayers, the story of Elisabeth and Zacharias can be a reminder that He hasn’t forgotten you. He has a plan for you, and He always keeps His promises to His righteous Saints. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland promised, “Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come” (“An High Priest of Good Things to Come,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 38). Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 1; Luke 1”
Invite several children ahead of time to share experiences when Heavenly Father answered their prayers. Share a time in which you felt your prayers were answered in an unexpected way.
Invite the children to draw a picture of a time when Heavenly Father answered a prayer—especially one of their own. Let them share their drawings with the class.
Genesis and Exodus contain many promises from the Lord, along with stories of people patiently waiting upon those promises. Jacob waits to see the blessing of becoming a great nation. Joseph waits for the Lord to help him out of prison. The children of Israel wait to be freed from the rule of Egypt.
Choose one person to be the leader and have everyone else stand across the room.
When the leader raises a hand, everyone takes steps toward him or her. When the leader puts the hand down, everyone stops. If someone is caught stepping when the leader’s hand is down, that person must go to the back of the room to start again.
The first person to reach the leader gets to be the leader for the next game.
Discussion: Read together Mormon 8:22. As you read Genesis and the following books of the Old Testament this year, take special notice of all the promises of the Lord and when they are fulfilled. Why is it important to recognize promises of the Lord in our own lives and to trust in the Lord while we wait upon those promises?
The Lord explained to Moses that He had seen the afflictions of the children of Israel, heard their prayers, and knew their sorrows (see Exodus 3:7).
Assign each person an emotion based on the color they’re wearing most of:
Yellow = happy
Blue = sad
Red = angry
Green = calm
Orange = scared
Other = confused or surprised
Each person will share a specific experience when they’ve felt that emotion.
Can we tell how people are feeling just by their appearance or what they’re wearing?
Who sees all our emotions, including our afflictions and sorrows, even when others might not be able to?
Find scriptures that show how Jesus Christ knows and understands us.
Discussion: What are some trials we’ve been through? How can we know that the Lord was aware of us through those times?
Gratitude for Blessings
Friend March 2018 Emphasize gratitude in your family prayers. Before praying, ask for ideas about what everyone is grateful for. You could even make that question a regular part of family prayer time!
Family Prayer
Friend July 2017 “For Parents of Little Ones” The importance of family prayer and ideas on how to make family prayers more meaningful. Friend June 2016 Helping children have positive experiences with family prayer.
Friend March 2019 “For Parents of Little Ones” Ways to help little ones learn to pray,
Blessings of Praying
Friend September 2016 “Heavenly Father Hears Your Prayers” Heavenly Father has many blessings he wants to give us. Prayers unlock the treasure chest of blessings.
Friend August 2018 “I Can Always Pray” Worksheet. Check all the answers that you agree with. Add answers of your own. Then share what you know about prayer
Note: Children can use the Gospel Library app to listen to the Friend being read to them while they follow along. They will hear many stories of children choosing the right that will set a good example for them.
A Light to the World
Friend February 2018 “Matt and Mandy” For FHE the family makes stars and then writes on them the things they have done to be a light to the world—such as acts of kindness.
Friend June 2017 “Praying with Zara” When a friend comes to play and have lunch with them, two sisters set an example of prayer and share how it makes them feel.
Righteous Examples in the Scriptures
Friend August 2017 “Being Like Nephi” Mason learns about Nephi and tries to follow his example and make righteous choices,
“A Real Hero” (July 2007 Friend) Ji-Woong likes to play super heroes. At family home evening he learns about a real hero, Nephi. Nephi had power from the Lord to pray and stop a storm, build a ship, shock his brothers, be led by the Spirit through the streets of Jerusalem to obtain the brass plates. Ji-Woong asked, “How did Nephi get his power?” “The Lord gave him power because Nephi was a righteous man who prayed in faith,” Appa explained. “You too can pray and then follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Heavenly Father will help you know when people need help.”
Example of Kindness
Friend April 2018 “A High-Five Example”Students in a special needs class we’re trying to give Lily’s classmates high fives as they walked by, but nobody did it until Lily gave them all high fives then everyone behind her did it.
Friend August 2024 “A Hug for José” José was new to the school. At first, no one talked to him. Then some of the other kids started to tease him. They always called him names and laughed at him. Adam felt like he should help José, but he never knew what to say. One day after a math test, Jose got a 100% and the kids started calling him a cheater. Jose started to cry. Adam walked over to him and gave him a hug. Pretty soon everyone was coming over and apologizing and trying to cheer him up.
Examples of Courage
Friend July 2017 “Charlie’s Big Weekend” Dasch was excited to get Charlie, the class teddy bear, for the weekend, but was afraid the kids would laugh when he told them about his weekend. His sister was going on mission. He thought about what she would do and he bravely shared. The kids clapped.
Friend February 2015 “Who is Your Hero?” Ellie is afraid to say in her school class that her hero is Jesus Christ, but another boy says it and his example helps her not to be afraid anymore to stand as a witness for Christ.
Friend February 2015
Setting an Example of Service
Friend December 2016 “Cookies, Cans, and Christmas” A mother got out of her car in the rain to help a homeless man pick up spilled cans in the road. It makes an impression on her kids.
Righteous Influences Change Lives
Friend February 2015 “How Can I be Good Example” Richard G. Scott’s’s parents didn’t go to church, but because of the influence of his grandmother, Richard was active in church. Later, his future wife influenced him to go on a mission.
Example of Living the Gospel
Friend July 2021 “Vaha’i Tonga”Vahai’ was determined to remain faithful, so he said his prayers every night at boarding school. At first the other kids made fun of him, then they started to join him. He invited them to a district conference and 77 of them came. Seven of them wanted to be baptized after the conference.
Friend March 2024 “A Good Example” When Elder Mathias Held Of the Seventy joined the church he was a businessman. His father worried because he wouldn’t be joining with others in drinking at business meetings. His co-workers were supportive, and pretty soon many of them stopped drinking as well.
Friend August 2020 “Matt and Mandy” Mandy shares with her friend a time when she prayed about the Book of Mormon and felt it was true. She also shared that she is still praying and reading to help her faith grow stronger.
Friend March 2018 “Shine Your Light” Aaron lives the gospel by serving others at church, preparing for a mission, and being an example of prayer to family members. (Article includes photos.)
Friend October 2016 “What I Learned from Alex” Alex sets a good example of keeping the Sabbath Day holy.
Friend September 2016 “Pretty Much Brothers” Xander likes having Sevak from Armenia staying with his family. It’s like having an older brother, but Sevak doesn’t know the things Xander knows about Jesus and Heavenly Father so Xander helps him.
Example of Choosing the Right
Friend July 2022 “Matt and Mandy” Mandy’s friend steals some fruit and offers it to Mandy. Mandy said she can’t take it because she wouldn’t feel good about it. They decide to return the fruit.
Friend July 2018 “Show and Tell” After an indoor recess, everyone stuffed their games on the shelf. I try to be a good example, so I started to clean up the mess on the shelf. Soon everyone began doing the same.Winnie W., age 10, British Columbia, Canada
Friend Sept 2015 “A Courageous Choice” – Girl able to have courage to do what was right after remembering a story in the Friend magazine about a child choosing the right in the same type of situation.
Friend September 1986 “Apples and Things” A sister encourages her brother to be honest and repent of taking some apples.
Friend May 2016 Matt’s friend accidently damages his father’s car. Matt encourages his friend to choose the right and being honest.
Friend May 2016
Friend May 2016 “Birthday Surprise” A boy loves the attention on his birthday, but a gift of a framed picture of the temple changes his focus.
Example of a Good Attitude
Friend August 2016 “Brian Leads the Way” Brian has a “can do” attitude when his father needs help in the yard. He sets a good example for his older brothers.
Setting an Example of Praying
Friend January 2023 “Say a Prayer, Helamán” Helaman wants to say a prayer at lunch. His friends ask him what a prayer is and then ask him to say a prayer for all of them. All week they ask him to say a prayer at lunch, and then one of the other kids says he wants to say the prayer. The boy had also asked his parents if they could say prayers at meal times. He had learned how to say prayers by listening to Helaman. The other kids wanted to do it too.
Friend September 2018 “The Candy Bar“ Ben is invited the Dante’s birthday party, but his family doesn’t have money to buy gifts, so they get Dante a candy bar. Dante expresses his appreciation for the gift and that he is glad that he and Ben are friends. Friendship is the best gift.
Not Alike, but Friends
Friend July 2019 “The Perfect Match” Maggie loved to match things. When she saw a blond girl sitting sadly alone, she tried to friendship her with a friend that was also blond. Later, her father asked Maggie why she didn’t play with Anna. Then he reminded her that we need to love others as Jesus did, and that it didn’t matter whether we looked the same or thought in the the same ways.
Finding Friends
Pray for Help
Friend December 2017 “Signs of Friendship” Conner has a hard time finding a friend, and his mother suggests he pray about it. A boy that is deaf moves into the neighborhood. Conner realizes the boy must be lonely too, so Conner learns some sign language and goes and introduces himself.
Friend October 2019 “The Phone Call” Mackenzie is lonely after her best friend moves. She prays for help, and Heavenly Father blesses her to find a new best friend.
Before I moved, I didn’t have many friends. I thought things would be the same in my new city. I prayed and asked my Heavenly Father to help me find good friends. He did! I am grateful I can pray and share my deepest feelings with my Heavenly Father.
Sydnee G., age 12, Idaho, USA
Friend February 2023 “Lost and Found Friends” Leah didn’t know anyone in her new class. She hoped she could make a friend. A girl named Anna sat next to and asked if Leah wanted to be friends. They were good friends through the year and played together every day. Then Anna started acting strange and not talking to her. When asked why, Anna said her new friend said Leah was weird and she didn’t think they could hang out anymore. Leah was hurt, but soon school ended and she was busy with lots of activities hanging out with her best friend. School was about to start and Leah was worried about not having a friend. She kept praying for help. Then on the first day of school she found that her best friend was in her class. Heavenly Father had helped her.
To Get a Friend, Be a Friend
Friend October 1988 “Friends for the Asking” Trent had lots of friends before he moved, now he doesn’t know anybody and his birthday party is coming up. He learns that he needs try harder and put some effort into making friends.
Friend September 1986 “Two for Lunch” A girl wants someone to eat lunch with at school. Her mom tells her to look around and find someone eating alone and invite them.
Friend April 2017 “Star Shines” Star is a new member of the church and is anxious because she has never been to Primary before and doesn’t know anyone. She sees another girl that looks anxious too, and Star invites her to sit with her. The two new girls now both have a friend.
Friend August 2018 “Finding a Friend” Christy’s family had just moved, and she didn’t know anyone at her new school. At recess no one came to play with her. It seemed like all the friends were taken. One day she helped someone who was hurt and they became friends. She learned that to get a friend you have to be a friend.
Friend February 2023 “Recess Friends” Jason didn’t like to play soccer, so he read books during recess, but he wanted to have fun with friends too. He noticed two other kids not playing soccer and wondered if they prefered quiet things too. He suggested they all play checkers together during recess.
Be Kind
Friend June 2024 “What We Can Give” Aliya’s class went on a school trip to a nature preserve. She was excited to learn about the animals, but she was new and didn’t know how to make a friend. The class helped clean the ponds because they learned It’s about what we can give. She remembered that saying and met a girl named Zoe by complimenting her shirt. They became friends and had lots of fun together. She was thankful to Heavenly Father for the beautiful world and for her new friend.
Friends Say Their Sorry
Friend July 2020 “How to Lose a Friend” When Charlotte’s friend got a solo in the choir concert and she didn’t, Charlotte was hurt and said something mean to her friend that she didn’t mean. She didn’t know how to fix things. She decided to give her presentation in class about how to lose a friend, hoping that her friend would see she was sorry and forgive her.
Friend September 2020 “Amy and Her Trike” Amy accidentally hits Todd while riding trikes. She says sorry, gives him a hug, and asks if he wants to ride trikes with her.
Friends Forgive
Friend August 2021 “Not Invited” Becky isn’t invited to her friend’s birthday party. She feels really left out and sad. She prays to be able to forgive her friend and is able to play together the next day. When Becky has her birthday party she invites her.
How to Friendship:
Someone New
Friend September 1986 “Strengthen Thy Brethern” A girl scared to attend a new school suddenly feels better when another child friendships her.
Friend June 1986 Put the pictures in order, or have a child tell the story in their own words.
Friends with Someone with Disabilities
Friend November 2019 “Seeing a New Friend” Beth had never met someone blind before, so she was a little unsure what to do with Cara when she and her family came for dinner. Even though Cara couldn’t see the toys, she could feel them and know what they were. Pretty soon Cara and Beth were giggling together, and Beth realized she had a new friend.
Friend April 2017 “Ben’s Buddies” Ben has many disabilities but his Primary class make sure he is included.
Friend March 2019 “Matt and Mandy” Matt’s friend wants to know why Matt is friends with him because he can’t run, ride bikes, or even talk very well. Matt said he likes his friend’s jokes, and they like a lot of the same stuff. Matt’s friend says he liked Matt because he stood up for him.
Find Things in Common
Friend Sept 1987 A strange new animal is left out and lonely until the other animals look for things they have in common with it.
Friend May 2024 “Chess Friendship” Matvii and his family were moving to Germany because it wasn’t safe where they were from. A bishop’s family let them stay with them. Matvii was upset when he realized the Bishop’s children didn’t understand their language. How could he make friends if he couldn’t talk to them. Eventually the children found games and activities that they all knew and could play together, like football and chess.
Friends are Kind and Help Each Other
Friend October 2018 “Kaity and Quincy” Kaity, who has Down syndrome, loves her friend Quincy. Quincy always helps her at church. When Quincy’s brother dies, Katie wants to help her friend. She is able to comfort her sad, crying friend with just the right words and hugs.
Friend August 2018 “A Friend like Mark” Josh is made fun of by some boys at church for his costume and his lack of ability to play basketball. A new boy moves in, and instead of making fun of Josh, he encourages him and helps him with basketball
Friend November 2023 “Margo and Paolo” When Margo meets a new girl that feels like she talks too much and isn’t good at making friends, Margo is positive and lets her know she’s made a friend and then she finds things in common.
Finding Good Friends
Friend February 2024 “True Friends?” Henry’s friends did things that made him uncomfortable like watching bad videos, telling mean jokes at school, or stealing apples. He was afraid to say anything because he didn’t want to be alone and friendless. His mom told him that true friends help you do what’s right. The next time they watched a bad video he said he didn’t want to watch it. His friends made fun of him and said mean things about him. “Is this what true friends would do?,” Henry thought. He left and felt peaceful. He realized he wasn’t alone. The Holy Ghost was with him.
Friend March 2018 “Friends by Mail” Harrison’s friends influenced him to make bad choices. He was feeling unhappy and frustrated. He knew he needed to change friends.
Friend April 2016 “Better Friends” A girl’s friends say mean things about her so she finds other friends.
Friend January 2018 “Forts and Friends” Even though Callie and Marco go to different religions, they both have the same standards. While watching a movie at school that made Callie feel uncomfortable, Marco suggested they both go read instead.
Friend September 2016 “Pretty Much Brothers” Xander likes having Sevak from Armenia staying with his family. It’s like having an older brother, but Sevak doesn’t know the things Xander knows about Jesus and Heavenly Father, so Xander helps him.
Friend May 2016 Matt’s friend accidently damages his father’s car. Matt encourages his friend to choose the right and be honest.
Friend May 2016
Friend February 2024 “Staying Strong Together” When Elder Yamashita was younger only one other person in his school was a member of the church. Some of his friends made bad choices and he struggled to choose the right. Kids from church called every week to see how he was doing. Having friends at church helped him come back to church.
Friends Play Together in Kind Ways
Friend April 2019 “A New Block Tower” Mason accidentally knocks down Bo’s block tower. Mason says sorry and offers to help build another one. Bo forgives him, and they both are happy. (Also include an activity about friends building a tower together.)
Friends Can Include Others
Friend January 2016 A girl plays with a different girl other than her normal friends. Eventually her other friends include the new girl too.
Friend June 2019 “Friendship Feud” When a group of girls won’t let Sadra play with them anymore, one of the friends of the girls decides to be a friend to Sadra even though the other girls threatened not to be her friend anymore if she was friends with Sadra.
Friend October 1983 ” The Good Sport” – Boy learns that friends support and help each other even at the risk of losing a game due to the friend not being good at it.
Friend November 1985 “The Guy in the Glass”- Boy stands up for his friend even though he might get teased and tormented too
Friends Help Each Other
Friend June 2018 “Tortillas and Amigas” Adriana went to visit her elderly friend next door and found her looking sad. Adriana wanted to help her feel better so she suggested they cook or eat tortillas because that always makes her friend feel happy. Before eating, Adriana said a prayer on the food and asked a blessing for her friend too and that made her friend feel happy. (Link includes tortilla recipe. Also a puzzle page is included for figuring out what the Spanish words in the story mean.)
Friend May 2018 “Best Buddies” Anna pushes Will’s wheelchair when they play tag and listens when Will slowly says something because she wants to hear what he has to say. Will laughs at Anna’s jokes. Anna helps Will find blocks to stack and Will doesn’t mind when Anna accidentally knocks over a tower. They are best friends.
Friend December 2017 “The Red Ticket” Matteo’s Friend was always getting into trouble at school. He had to pay with tickets that could be used for prizes. He ran out of tickets one day and Matteo offered to pay with his own ticket so his friend wouldn’t have to miss recess.
Friend September 2017 “Good Friends” Jessie goes over to Kaitlyn’s, who has broken her leg. She helps Kaitlyn and plays with her.
Friend September 2016 “A Butterfly for Courtney” Elena’s friend, Courtney, is sad a lot. Elena gives a gift to her friend to help her feel better. (See also “Don’t Give Up” for ideas on how to help a friend who is often sad. Friend September 2016)
Friend August 2024 “The Tiny Cantaloupe” Weston’s friend’s dad died. He wanted to help Nate and his family feel better, so he found a cantaloupe in the garden that he had planted and taken care of and he left it on their doorstep with a note. The family loved it. Weston felt warm inside as Nate hugged him. He couldn’t take away his friend’s sadness, but even a tiny cantaloupe could help bring a smile.
Friends Encourage Each Other
Friend February 2020 “Keep Going, Josie” Josie had been sick and was tired, but she needed to run in the big race with her teammates. She was worried about letting them down. In her first race, others kept passing her and she felt like giving up. But as her teammates passed her they encouraged her to keep going. Their words gave her strength and she was able to finish the race. (We can encourage each other spiritually too like Jesus does.)
Friends Protect and Look Out For Each Other
Friend August 2021 “The Drug Decision” Alvin sees two classmates with a bag of drugs that they were planning on trying after school. Even though he doesn’t want them mad at him, Alvin tells his teacher because he knows drugs can hurt people.
Friend January 2019 “Two Friends, One Coat” Macy forgot to bring her coat to school and she gets cold at recess. Her friend, Monroe, shares her coat with Macy, and they take turns using it.
Friend December 2017 “Warm Hands, Warm Heart” Monroe notices some of her friends don’t have gloves to keep their hands warm at recess, so she brings some gloves to share.
Friend April 2024 “Margo and Paolo” Paolo’s friend is upset because she heard some friends say she is annoying and doesn’t want to be friends with her anymore. Paolo tells her that they are missing out because he always has fun with her, she even make chores fun. She has the best jokes, the best ideas, and she is nice to everyone.
Friend August 2020 “Choosing the Channel” Camille’s best friend told her about a funny TV show, but it had some bad words in it so she turned it off. Camille was afraid to tell her friend that she didn’t watch it. They were best friends that did everything together and liked the same things. She was afraid they wouldn’t be friends anymore. But her friend was supportive of her choice and said they could find a show they both liked.
Friend June 2020 “Koa and the Sacrament” He sings the sacrament hymn. Koa thinks about Jesus. He listens to the sacrament prayers. Koa is reverent. He feels happy inside!
Sione likes going to Primary. Point to the things that help him remember to be reverent. Can you also find five blue items?
Helping Others be Reverent
Friend November 2016 “An Origami Answer” Jadyn can’t concentrate on hearing the talks because the speaker’s two children are arguing behind him. He decides to help by using his talents and makes them origami paper animals to help them be quiet.
Friend March 2015 “Primary is for Everyone” Ryder’s best friend is visiting Primary, but he doesn’t know how to be reverent. Ryder helps him and is glad that the the Primary leaders hopes his friend will come again.
Friend July 2015 “Rowdy to Reverent” A boy is is copying everything Larry does in Primary. Larry decides to be a good example like Jesus and help the boy be reverent.
Friend August 2018 “Wally’s Wiggles” Wally tries to sit still in sacrament meeting but it is hard. His little brother has the wiggles too. Wally suggests that they look at a book about Jesus and think about Him, and their wiggles went away.
Friend April 2015 “I know that Jesus Loves Me” Laney is having a hard time being reverent in sacrament meeting, but when she looks at a book about Jesus, that helps her.
Friend April 2020 “Just One Piece” Todd has a hard time sitting still during the sacrament. He is also hungry so he grabs two handfuls of bread. He learns that “We don’t take the bread because we are hungry. We take the bread to remember Jesus.” The next week he tries extra hard to remember Jesus during the sacrament.
Friend June 2019 “Weak Things Stronger” Parker gets frustrated with himself when he doesn’t succeed at something he is trying to do like playing the piano or dirt biking. His moms showed him a scripture about Jesus helping with weaknesses. She also reminds him that it takes time to learn, grow, and get better. He learns to be kind and patient with himself and remember that he is getting a little better each time he does something.
Friend September 2019 “Almost Perfect Meg” Meg wanted her clothes and appearance to be perfect. She didn’t want to play in sandboxes or play tag because she might get dirty. Everything changed when she got a puppy for her birthday. She loved her puppy, but puppies are messy. She decided it was okay to be messy now and then so she could play with him. She started worrying less about the mess and even started trying new things like playing in the sandbox.
Friend September 2019
Friend September 2019
Friend September 2020 “Scarf Wars” Chakell and her friend Jack are constantly competing in school, but they usually tie. She wants to be the best at something, and she hoped the scarf making project would do that. But she struggled with it. She thought that asking for help meant that she wasn’t smart. Her mom reminded her that everyone needs help in life.
Keep Practicing
Friend June 2024 “Elise the Engineer” Elise wants to be an engineer when she grows up, but one day at school she couldn’t figure out how to do a math problem. She began to think she wasn’t smart enough to be an engineer, but her sister said, “When something is hard, that doesn’t mean you aren’t smart. It just means you need more practice.” With her sister’s help she was able to learn how to do the math problem, and her confidence returned. She knew that if she worked hard she could someday be an engineer.
Look for What You Can Do
Friend September 2018 “My Talents” Action rhyme of things little ones find that they can do.
Heavenly Father and Jesus Love You
Friend October 2019 “I Don’t Want to Be Different” Mika loved going to dance class. When the dancers all moved together she felt like she wasn’t the only one with Down Syndrome. But one day, when she asked for help with a new dance step, some girls said she talked funny. Mika wished she wasn’t different than other people. Her mother suggested that she pray and ask Heavenly Father how he feels about her. She got a loud answer that He loves her just the way she is, so she stopped worrying about what the other girls thought and started focusing on helping others who looked sad.
Friend October 2019
Friend October 2019
Friend April 2022 “Somebody Loves You” When Sister Susan H. Porter, First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, was on her way to a new job, she started worrying that she wasn’t good enough. Then she had a clear feeling to try her best and remember that even if it doesn’t go well, there’s somebody who loves her.
Trying but Failing
Friend January 2020 “Try Pie” Eliza tried out for volleyball team. She had practiced and prepared, but she didn’t make it. She wanted to hide in her bedroom, but her mom made her favorite, Key Lime Pie. Eliza asked why they were having dessert, and her father told her, “Part of learning new things means not always succeeding. That can be scary. But the important thing is you still tried.” Her parents were proud of her for trying something hard, and they thought that was worth celebrating with pie!
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Friend July 2024 “Margo and Paolo” Paulo is worried to do his book report because he gets nervous talking in front of others. When he gets home from school his family wanted to celebrate, but he says he dropped the poster and messed up the words. His grandmother reminds him that he tried his best and the important thing is what he learned. They are very proud of him.
Friend September 2018 “Matt and Mandy” Mandy is sad she didn’t get elected to student council, but she realizes she did her best. She decides to share her ideas with the new student council and try again next year to get elected by working hard to meet more students.
Friend July 2024 “Raina Tries Again” Raina enters an essay contest but doesn’t win. She is discouraged and tells her parents she will never try anything new again. Her father tells her about the many times he didn’t get the job he applied for before he got the one that was perfect for him. Her mother tells her about the many stories she submitted that got rejected by magazines, but she doesn’t give up because she loves writing. Raina decides she won’t give up too because that is what Heavenly Father would want her to do.
Friend February 2019 “Babysitting Blunders” Emma thought she could handle babysitting Reyna, but then Reyna flushed a whole roll of toilet paper while Emma was getting a drink. Water flowed out of the toilet and made a huge mess. Emma was devastated, but her mom and older sister weren’t mad at her. Emma had done her best to be a good aunt and that’s what mattered. Plus, she and Reyna had learned from the experience.
Healthy Ways to Deal with Failure
New Era February 2020 “Couch Potato” Cartoon shows two ways to deal with failure. One is not healthy and does not allow you to learn and grow.
Making Mistakes
Friend January 2019 “Stung by the Spelling Bee” Allie made a mistake in the spelling bee and mispelled an easy word. She felt awful and didn’t want to do anything but lie in bed and dwell on the mistake. She felt like she had failed herself and her parents. But in Primary on Sunday she heard a familiar song that reminded her that her parents (heavenly and earthly) loved her, and she felt the Spirit telling her that as long as she was trying to do her best, that was good enough. (Refreshment idea to go with story.)
“The Stuttering Struggle” A boy who stutters is asked to narrate the primary program. He practices, and learns that in doing ones best we still make mistakes and it’s okay. Friend November 2015.
Friend April 2015 “Awkward” Hilary was afraid to try new things because others might think she looks ridiculous, so she missed out on lots of fun, new experiences, until she decided to change.
Shyness & Quietness
Friend August 2020 “Quiet is Okay” Evie was excited for volleyball camp, but she is also a little nervous because she was a little quiet. Her mom told her she didn’t have to change her personality and it was okay to be herself. At the end of camp she got an award for being the quiet leader, for working hard and being a good example because actions speak louder than words.
Friend August 2017 “Chameleons and New Friends” Isabell feels shy about meeting a family from Russia. She is afraid she won’t be able to talk to them because they speak a different language. But she learns that she doesn’t want to be like her chameleon that hides and misses out on all the fun.
Being Tall or Small
Friend November 2016 “Parker’s Big Problem” Parker is much taller than the other kids. He doesn’t fit in his desk and he is awkward.
Friend September 2022 “Small Things Make a Difference!” Jed is the smallest in his class. Sometimes he wishes he could be taller, but regardless of his height he can do many good things. Values are more important than height.
Friend November 2022 “Just the Right Size” Kids at school tease Trina because she is so small. Josie, from her Primary class, was kind and made her feel better. Then on Sunday, her class decorated a board with hearts that said things they love about her, like her smile and her big heart. Then her teacher told her, “Heavenly Father loves each one of us. Short. Tall. Big. Small. That doesn’t matter to Him. We are all His children, and He loves every single one.”
Don’t Compare Yourself with Others
Friend February 2024 “Ana Learns Her Worth” Ana’s older sister, Mila, was better at everything than Ana. She was better at school. She had more friends. She had prettier hair. She was better at sports. Everyone loved Mila. One day Ana got really upset when Mila won again. She went to her room and said a prayer asking for help because she felt like she would never be good enough. A thought came to her mind that Heavenly Father loved people because they were His children. Not because they were the best. Ana didn’t have to be better than anyone else to be loved.
Friend October 2017 “Matt and Mandy” Mandy wishes she was as smart and popular as Abby, but Abby wishes she was more like Mandy. Mandy realizes we should see the good in ourselves.
Friend March 1988 “Invisible Trophies” Susan would like to earn a trophy like her other family members, but she learns that the good things she does are more important.
Friend November 2018 “An A+ Choice” Brett is upset that his grades aren’t better even though he tried his hardest to do well, but he still compliments his sister who got all A’s. His parents remind him that school grades aren’t the most important grades in life, it’s the A+ choices he makes, such as how hard he tries and how he treats his sister.
We are all supposed to be different
Friend May 2022 “The Job Test” When Jeffery got the results of his job test, he was shocked that his top result was florist. His friend laughed and said Jeffery liked weird stuff. He did like art and playing the piano, which was different than the other boys. His eyes filled with tears when he told his dad. His dad explained that Heavenly Father gave us our talents, and we are supposed to be different so we can all do different things in life, and that doesn’t make us weird. But we also get to choose what we do with our talents.
Beauty Comes from Within
Friend August 2016 “Hands, Heart, and a Smile” Lydia learns that a being kind and strong is what makes a person beautiful.
FriendMay2016 “Picture Day” Girl learns that it’s not clothes that make you beautiful, it’s who you are inside.
Laugh at Yourself
Friend May 2020 “Matt and Mandy” Mandy dropped her lunch tray and everyone laughed. Matt wore his shirt inside out accidentally. They laughed and joked together about the embarrassing mistakes they had made that day.
Friend February 1988 “When the Heart Understands” As Miguel makes mistakes while learning English, he learns to laugh with his friends instead of feeling hurt.
Wonderful Differences in Culture and Color
Friend January 2017 “This Little Light of Mine” Dinah feels uncomfortable when a child at school notices their differences in hair and skin color. Dinah’s mother helps Dinah see that there is lots of wonderful variety in skin color, and our traits represent the family we come from, just as how we treat others represent that we are followers of Jesus.
Friend January 1987 “Martin Makes a Friend” Martin wishes he wasn’t Chinese, but when his mother comes to class and shares their culture, he realizes that the Chinese culture is cool.
Look for the Good
Friend October 2020 “I Am Special” Andrew didn’t feel very special after playing super heroes, so he prayed to feel better. At school the next day the teacher assigned them to write about the things they love about themselves. He thought of a whole page of things, and he heard a quiet voice whisper, “And most importantly, you are a child of God.”
Friend January 2016 “Lots to Like” Colton is mad at himself for making a mistake. His mother helps him make a list of good things about himself.
Friend February 2022 “Danilo’s Dad” Danilo got teased at school because his dad was the custodian. He tried to avoid his dad at school. Then his dad got an award for the best teacher because he was a hard worker and always cheerful, and he taught that by example. Danilo knew how hard his father worked, and also, his dad didn’t let what others say bother him. Maybe his dad could teach Danilo how to do that. He gave his dad a big hug and told him he was proud of him.
Friend March 2020 “Eddy and the Book of Mormon” Some kids laugh at Eddy when he reads at school because he has a hard time with some words. It makes him nervous and not want to read out loud. But as his family read the Book of Mormon each day (first they figured out a way to remember to read each day), Eddy learns about Nephi and how his brothers made fun of him for building a boat. That didn’t stop Nephi. He trusted God, and God helped him do hard things. Next time some kids laughed at him while Eddy read in class, he thought of Nephi, and that helped him not to worry about what the kids would say.
