1. When Lehi listened to the Lord, And his family left their home and riches, His sons returned back home again So they could get the scriptures.
2. So Lehi’s people knew the Lord, As the plates of brass helped them remember. When they obeyed the prophet’s voice, They prospered all together.
3. The Savior visited their land After He had risen in His glory. He blessed the children just like me; I love to read their story.
Chorus: The Book of Mormon tells of Christ And helps me feel the Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father’s voice is calling me, And the scriptures help me hear it.
Lord commanded Nephi to go and get the plates From the wicked Laban inside the city gates. Laman and Lemuel were both afraid to try. Nephi was courageous. This was his reply:
“I will go; I will do the thing the Lord commands. I know the Lord provides a way; he wants me to obey. I will go; I will do the thing the Lord commands. I know the Lord provides a way; he wants me to obey.”
The Lord gives us commandments and asks us to obey. Sometimes I am tempted to choose another way. When I’m discouraged, and think I cannot try, I will be courageous, and I will reply:
“I will go; I will do the thing the Lord commands. I know the Lord provides a way; he wants me to obey. I will go; I will do the thing the Lord commands. I know the Lord provides a way; he wants me to obey.”
Words and music: Bill N. Hansen Jr., b. 1952, and Lisa T. Hansen, b. 1958.
1. The Book of Mormon teaches me That Jesus is the Christ. He lived and died for you and me; With love He sacrificed. It says I must have faith, repent, And live the Savior’s word. It is another testament Of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
2. The Book of Mormon helps me see That truth has been restored, That Joseph Smith was called to be A prophet of the Lord. The book reveals God’s covenant, The fulness of His word. It is another testament Of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
3. I’ll read the Book of Mormon, then; I’ll pray and ponder too. I’ll put my faith in Jesus when I ask if it is true. And when I pray with pure intent, I’ll hear the Spirit’s word: It is another testament Of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Jesus Appears to the Nephites
Had I Been a Child
Friend September 2016 “Had I Been a Child” Video and Music. What it might have been like to have been a child when Jesus appeared to the Nephites and blessed the children.
Had I been a child when Jesus came Unto the Nephites that blessed day And showed them the wounds in His hands and His feet And knelt with them to pray.
Then He might have held me safe in his arms; He might have looked in my eyes and said A word, with His blessing of kindness and love, His hands placed upon my head.
Someday, when the Savior comes again, Oh, how I hope that my heart will be As pure as the hearts of the children that day Who gathered around His knee.
Music Game
Friend October 1988 “Sharing Time: Fun with Favorites” print several copies of the Liahono and put a song title and a question about the song on the back. Children can move across the board as they guess the correct song.
Friend September 2020 “I Love My Family!” In Heavenly Father’s plan, we are all part of a family! We have a heavenly family and a family on earth. We can be with our families forever.
Friend April 2021 Homes come in many shapes and sizes. No matter what a house is made of, it’s the people inside who are important! Trace the drawings of these homes from around the world. Then draw your own house.
Friend September 2023 “Building Respect” When Noah’s sister and her friends walked by, a friend of Noah’s said mean things about girls, and that they didn’t want to play with them. Noah stood up for his sister and asked his friend not to say things like that.
Families are a Treasure
Ensign February 2017 President Monson tells a story about a mother who had a special treasure box. When her children opened the box, they found pictures of themselves. The mother’s treasure was her family!
True treasure isn’t gold or jewels—it’s the people you love. Whom do you love? Draw a picture of them or write their names in the treasure box.
Variety in Families
Friend June 2020 “What’s on Your Mind” Sometimes I worry about my family. How can I feel OK when my family isn’t perfect? Sometimes it might seem like other families are perfect. But every family is different, and they all have challenges. See the below pictures of families in the scriptures.
Family Happiness
Friend November 2009 “A Happy Home.” This cut-and-paste activity reminds us of the things we can do to make our homes a happier place.
Jacob loves and favors Joseph, who is hated by his brothers—Joseph dreams that his parents and brothers make obeisance to him—His brothers sell him into Egypt.
To tell the story of Joseph and his brothers from Genesis 37. Let the children help by sharing details they know about the story. Ask them questions such as, “How were Joseph’s brothers unkind to him?” Help the children think of things the brothers could have done to show love to Joseph. What should we do when we feel anger toward members of our family?
Friend September 2021 “Saying the Nice Things” Jonathon wasn’t looking forward to the weekend because lately there had been more bickering and teasing in the family. He prayed for help figuring out a way to make things better. Then he had an idea for home evening. When he conducted, he started a new thing where whoever conducts says a nice thing about each family member. Everyone felt warm and happy after Jonathon said nice things about them.
Friend June 2019 “Family Night Fun” Ideas for a FHE lesson on family love. For example: Write on hearts things you love about each other or things you can do to show kindness in your family. Put the hearts around your house to remind you to show love this week. Also, make a strawberry heart shish-ka-bob for the refreshment
Ensign July 2017 Make a paper doll chain and on each doll write something you love about a family member.
Everyone sit in a circle. Discuss some small acts of kindness family members can do for each other.
Place a pencil in the middle of the circle.
Take turns spinning the pencil.
Whoever the pencil points to must act out as many kindnesses as possible in one minute.
Continue until each person has had at least one turn.
Friend October 2019 “Family Night Fun” Have each person write their name at the bottom of a paper and draw an outline of their head in the middle. Have everyone pass their paper to the person next to them. Add something to the head—like eyes or hair—to look like the person whose name is on the paper. Then write something nice about them on the page. Keep passing the papers, adding to the pictures and writing nice things, until everyone gets their own paper back. You can strengthen your family by being kind and seeing the best in each other!
Friend September 2016 “Family Night Fun” Musical chairs but when someone gets out have everyone say one nice thing about them. Look for the good.
Friend September 2016
Friend July 2015 – A girl learns that she controls how she reacts to annoying brother.
Show a picture of a family (see Gospel Art Book, no. 112), or invite the children to draw pictures of their families. Ask them to share ways they can be kind to their family members.
Let the children color this week’s activity page and, in the space provided, draw a picture of family members being kind.
Sing together a song about loving our families, such as “A Happy Family” (Children’s Songbook, 198). What can we do to help our families be happy?
Write on separate pieces of paper some activities, traditions, and actions that can help develop unity within a family, such as family home evening, family prayer, family scripture study, mealtime, holiday celebrations, birthday celebrations, being kind to each other, and being unselfish.Discuss with the children what unity means and how unity can be developed within a family. To help the children identify ways that their families can develop feelings of love and unity, let each child choose a piece of paper and give clues to the other children about the activity or action described on his or her paper. Have the other children guess the activity or action. Then invite the children to tell about how that activity or action has blessed and strengthened their families.
Read Doctrine and Covenants 38:24-25 Explain that when God says something twice in a row, it is probably something that we should pay extra attention to. What does it mean to esteem someone as yourself? We need to value others as much as we value ourselves. We need each other. We need each others strength, support, and gifts and talents. Have the children tell what different parts of the body does. Explain that each part of the body is important and needed. Just like our body parts are united and working together, we need to be united as people and learn to work together as one.
To teach children what it means to “be one,” you could help them count the members of your family and talk about why each person is important to your family. Emphasize that together you are one family. You could help your children draw a large 1 on a poster and decorate it with names and drawings or pictures of each family member. You could also write on the poster things you will do to be more united as a family. You might also watch the video “Love in Our Hearts” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) or read Moses 7:18.
Choose a partner and stand next to each other, shoulder to shoulder. Use a scarf or rope to gently tie your ankle to your partner’s. Work together to practice walking. How fast can you get safely from one place to another?
Sing “Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel” (Hymns, no. 252).
1. I know you, and you know me. We are as diff’rent as the sun and the sea I know you, and you know me, And that’s the way it’s supposed to be.
2. I help you, and you help me. We learn from problems, and we’re starting to see. I help you, and you help me, And that’s the way it’s supposed to be.
3. I love you, and you love me We reach together for the best we can be I love you, and you love me, And that’s the way it’s supposed to be.
Choose one person to walk through the middle of the group.
Repeat the exercise but this time as a group stand closer together, linking arms and hands if possible.
Discussion: How are we more protected from outside influences as we stand stronger and closer together? How does greater unity protect us?
Ensign August 2019 “Family Study Fun: Human Knot” (best with four-plus people) Paul tells the Saints that there should be “no divisions among” them and that they should be “perfectly joined together” in mind and judgment (1 Corinthians 1:10). Stand everyone in a circle. Have everyone reach out their right hand and take someone else’s (not next to them). Do the same with the left hand, taking a different person’s hand. Work together to untangle the knot without letting go of any hands. End up in a circle again. Discussion: What can we do as a family to be more “joined together”? How can we work together to remove divisions?
Family Council
Friend July 2017 “What is a Family Council?” A family council is a meeting on any day of the week. It can be with just you and a parent or with your whole family.
Families Work Together
Friend March 2018 “Funstuff” Have the family work together to put together the tangram puzzle of the house. Explain that when family members each help contribute to building a strong, happy family then all the pieces of family life fit together properly and harmoniously.
Friend March 2018
Friend July 2017 “Busy Like a Bee” Elder Ballard tells how bees work together to strengthen the hive.
Share with the children the information about Brigham Young in “Chapter 50: The Saints in Nauvoo” (Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 184), or summarize Doctrine and Covenants 126 in your own words. Then read Doctrine and Covenants 126:3 to the children, emphasizing the phrase “take especial care of your family.” What does it mean to take care of our families? Help the children think of ways they can show love to their family members.
Before class, invite the children to bring a picture of their family (or ask them to draw pictures). Then ask them to share something they love about their family. Share a picture of your family, and do the same. Explain why Heavenly Father wants us to care for our family members. Sing a song that teaches this truth, such as “When We’re Helping” (Children’s Songbook, 198).
Read together Doctrine and Covenants 126:3. Why might Heavenly Father have asked Brigham Young to “take especial care of [his] family”? How can we do the same for our families? Make a list of the things we can do now to serve our families. How will doing these things help us become more like Heavenly Father?
Share with the children Sister Carole M. Stephens’s story about her grandson Porter (see “We Have Great Reason to Rejoice,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 115). What did Porter do to take care of his family? How can we follow his example?
Reading this counsel to Brigham Young might inspire your family to talk about how you might spend more time taking “especial care of” (verse 3) each other.
Friend January 2017 “Show & Tell” My three-month-old baby sister woke up crying from her nap while my mom was in the shower. I sang Primary songs to her, and she smiled at me. I kept singing to her until my mom was able to get her. Nora R., age 4, Virginia, USA
Friend November 2022 “A Happy Helper” Felix helps his mom get ready for Grandpa’s visit. Activity: Heavenly Father wants us to help others. Point to ways these children are helping.
Siblings
Friend May 2017 ” Conference Notes” Sister Jones told the story of five-year-old Lizzie and her big brother, Kevin. Kevin’s dad asked him if he would promise not to tease Lizzie for one day. Kevin agreed. He kept his promise! Then his mom asked him to try not teasing Lizzie for two days. He kept his promise again! Sister Jones said that when we keep our promises, we are learning to make and keep sacred covenants.
What this teaches me:
New Baby in Family
Friend November 2016 “For Parents of Little Ones” Ideas on how to help a child adjust to having a new baby brother or sister.
Friend November 2023 “Helping Baby Brother” Lashia has a new baby brother and her mom and dad are very busy and she feels lonely. Her mother suggests that she help take care of the baby. She and her younger sister found lots of ways to help. She was glad she could help her baby brother, and her mom and dad too!
Friend January 2017 “Show & Tell” At a stake conference broadcast, Elder Hales talked about not raising our voices. I am trying not to raise my voice at my brothers. Jackson P., age 7, Tennessee, USA
Friend June 2022 “The Big Brother List” Andrew’s little sister, Samantha, kept playing with his things. One day Andrew drew a picture for his grandma, but his sister drew all over it and ruined it. He was tired of being a big brother. His mom suggested he write down some things he liked doing with her. He realized that there were lots of good things about being a big brother!
Friend October 2022 “Jesus Helped His Mother”Jesus Christ went to a wedding in Cana. His mother, Mary, was there. She told Jesus that they were out of wine. Jesus asked His mother what she wanted Him to do. He performed a miracle and turned water into wine. Jesus loved His mother and helped her.
Friend October 2022 “Jesus Helped His Mother” My mom is allergic to dogs. We went to my friend’s house, and they have a dog. When we got home, my mom had hives on her face. I gave her an ice pack, a pillow, and a blanket. Soon her hives started to clear up. I am happy I helped my mom. (see image at link) Penelope B., age 9, Utah, USA
Friend April 2021 “Scripture Time Fun for Little Ones” Show your little ones how to make a heart shape with their hands while saying, “I love my family.” Look through picture books or photos and help your child practice saying names of family members.
Friend June 2019 “Family Night Fun” Ideas for a FHE lesson on family love. For example: Write on hearts things you love about each other or things you can do to show kindness in your family. Put the hearts around your house to remind you to show love this week. Also, make a strawberry heart shish-ka-bob for the refreshment
Ensign July 2017 Make a paper doll chain and on each doll write something you love about a family member.
Friend June 2017 “Hope for My Family” Henry B. Eyring: The hope of feeling family love now and throughout eternity.
Write the name of each family member on separate pieces of paper. Pass these papers around from person to person. On each page, each person writes what they love most about the family member whose name is at the top of the paper. Ensign January 2016
Friend April 2017 “Be Consistent and Keep Trying” Elder Bednar persisted in having family prayer and scripture study and in trying to get his father to join the church, and his persistence paid off.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 As you read 1 Nephi 16:21–32 together, help your children discover how Nephi’s example blessed his family (see also the video “The Lord Guides Lehi’s Journey” [Gospel Library]). This could lead to a discussion about how we could be like Nephi. Invite your children to plan one thing they can do to be a good influence on other family members.
The Cozy Red Cottage Example match game cards also include truthful, forgiving, peacemaker, kind & loving, unselfish. (The link to download the free printables is at the end of the post.)
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020: 1 Nephi 11-15 Assign each child to draw a picture of something from the story of Nephi’s broken bow (see 1 Nephi 16:14–32), such as Nephi, a bow, or the Liahona. Then use the pictures to tell the story to the class, and let the children take turns doing the same. How can we be like Nephi when our families are going through hard times?
The Red Crystal How would someone with faith and hope react to the following situations? How would someone who is murmuring react?
The Cozy Red Cottage The manual states, “Perhaps your family could contrast Nephi’s account of traveling in the wilderness (see 1 Nephi 17:1-6) with his brothers’ account (1 Nephi 17:17-22). Why do you think they saw the same events differently? What can we learn from Nephi about having a faithful perspective?” (Could write responses to the above situations on this form.)
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020: 1 Nephi 11-15 Invite the children to each cut out a paper circle and draw a sad face on one side and a happy face on another. As you tell the story of Nephi’s broken bow, invite them to use the faces to show how Nephi’s family was feeling during different parts of the story. How did Nephi help make his family happy? What can we do to make our families happy?
No home is perfect, but there are things we can all do to make our homes into holy places of peace.
Explain to the children that Joseph Smith was worried about things that were happening in the world. Summarize the heading to section 87, or read “Chapter 30: A Revelation about War” (Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 117–18; see also the video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Ask the children to listen for things that might have made Joseph worried. To teach what the Lord said we should do about those problems, read Doctrine and Covenants 87:8.
Show a picture of a temple, and share why the temple is a holy place. Show a picture of a home, and help the children think of ways they can make their homes holy like the temple (see this week’s activity page). Why do we want to be in holy places?
To introduce a discussion about how to make your home a holier place, you could invite family members to design a home for someone who loves the Savior. This may lead to ideas about how to “redesign” your home to make it a place of peace amid the spiritual danger in the world. Songs like “Love at Home,” “Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth” (Hymns,nos. 294, 298), or “Where Love Is” (Children’s Songbook, 138–39) could give you ideas.
The Lord’s instructions regarding the “house of God” can be a helpful guide for us as we build our lives and our homes.
Invite the children to choose seven words that describe their home or another home they’ve visited. Then ask them to read Doctrine and Covenants 88:119 and find the seven words the Lord uses to describe His house. Help the children think of ways they can make their homes a “house of God.”
Give each child a phrase from Doctrine and Covenants 88:119–26 to draw. When they show their pictures to each other, let the children search the verses to guess what phrase each picture represents.
Write on the board Do and Don’t. Invite the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 88:119–26 and list things the Lord wanted the Saints to do or not do to prepare to learn in the temple. They could look up unfamiliar words in a dictionary. Invite the children to choose something that they will start doing or something they will stop doing.
Our homes can follow this pattern: “Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:119).
Organize means to arrange things in order or to prepare an activity or event.
Organize your family in different ways:
Have them stand in line from oldest to youngest.
Have them stand in alphabetical order, according to their first name.
Have them line up according to the month of their birth.
Discussion: How does the Savior want us to organize ourselves (1) in our household jobs, (2) in our spiritual study, (3) in our worship at church and in the temple?
What goals can your family set to create a “house of God”?
To inspire your family to make your home like the description in verse 119, try something like this: Write phrases from this verse on strips of paper, and use them to cover a picture of the temple. Read Doctrine and Covenants 88:119 together, and let family members remove each strip of paper as they hear the corresponding phrase in the verse. What can we do to make our home a “house of God”? (verse 119).
Sing “Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth” (Hymns, no. 298).
Heavenly Father wants us to “establish … a house of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:119). He wants us to make our homes holy places like the temple, where we can feel the Holy Ghost.
Read “The Important Guest” on page 4. Then build a house out of blocks, sticks, or other items you can find. Every time you add a piece to the house, say something you can do to make your home a place where the Holy Ghost feels welcome.
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 What does it mean for the Lord to help us “build [our] house”? (Psalm 127:1). How can we better involve Him in our efforts to create a righteous home? To help your family answer this question, you might draw a house on a piece of paper and cut it into puzzle pieces. On the back of each piece, family members could write or draw ways to make the Lord part of your home. Then you could put the puzzle together. What else do we find in these psalms that inspires us to walk in the Lord’s ways?
Hubbard’s Cupboard Click on the link to print the 6 pieces of this house. The children (or family members) could each write a way to create a righteous home on the front of a piece and then they could build the house together. Or each child (or family member) could draw a part of the house on a paper or chalkboard as they mention ways make a righteous home.
Everyone sit in a circle. Discuss some small acts of kindness family members can do for each other.
Place a pencil in the middle of the circle.
Take turns spinning the pencil.
Whoever the pencil points to must act out as many kindnesses as possible in one minute.
Continue until each person has had at least one turn.
Discussion: What acts of kindness can we do for our neighbors, ward members, ourselves? How can even small, simple acts lead to great things?
Friend October 2019 “Family Night Fun” Have each person write their name at the bottom of a paper and draw an outline of their head in the middle. Have everyone pass their paper to the person next to them. Add something to the head—like eyes or hair—to look like the person whose name is on the paper. Then write something nice about them on the page. Keep passing the papers, adding to the pictures and writing nice things, until everyone gets their own paper back. You can strengthen your family by being kind and seeing the best in each other!
Friend September 2016 “Family Night Fun” Musical chairs but when someone gets out have everyone say one nice thing about them. Look for the good.
Friend September 2016
Families Are Forever
SECTION 131
1–4, Celestial marriage is essential to exaltation in the highest heaven; 5–6, How men are sealed up unto eternal life is explained; 7–8, All spirit is matter.
SECTION 132
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, recorded July 12, 1843, relating to the new and everlasting covenant, including the eternity of the marriage covenant and the principle of plural marriage. Although the revelation was recorded in 1843, evidence indicates that some of the principles involved in this revelation were known by the Prophet as early as 1831. See Official Declaration 1.
1–6, Exaltation is gained through the new and everlasting covenant; 7–14, The terms and conditions of that covenant are set forth; 15–20, Celestial marriage and a continuation of the family unit enable men to become gods; 21–25, The strait and narrow way leads to eternal lives; 26–27, The law is given relative to blasphemy against the Holy Ghost; 28–39, Promises of eternal increase and exaltation are made to prophets and Saints in all ages; 40–47, Joseph Smith is given the power to bind and seal on earth and in heaven; 48–50, The Lord seals upon him his exaltation; 51–57, Emma Smith is counseled to be faithful and true; 58–66, Laws governing plural marriage are set forth.
Heavenly Father Made it Possible for Families to be Together Forever.
Through Joseph Smith, the Lord restored the ordinances and authority needed to make these relationships eternal (see Doctrine and Covenants 132:7, 18–19).
Through the Lord’s sealing power and the ordinances of the temple, our family relationships can last eternally if we keep our covenants.
Help the children think of examples of things that do not last forever—food that spoils, flowers that wither, and so on. Show a picture of your family, and share how you feel about them. Testify that the Lord has made it possible, through the ordinances of the temple, for families to last forever.
Open the Doctrine and Covenants to section 132, and tell the children that this is a revelation to Joseph Smith about marriage and families. Show them verse 19, and point to the words “through all eternity” as you read them. Invite the children to read these words with you.
Help the children make paper dolls representing members of their family (see this week’s activity page). Cut them out, and put them in an envelope or attach them together with a paper clip to represent the sealing power that can make our families eternal.
Regardless of our current family situation, we can make choices now that will prepare us to receive the blessings of an eternal family in the future.
Ask some of the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 131:1–4 and others to read 132:15. Help them discover what these verses teach about marriage. Select key phrases from 132:19 (such as “if a man marry a wife,” “everlasting covenant,” “sealed,” “abide in my covenant,” “through all eternity,” and “forever and ever”), and ask the children to find these phrases in the verse. What do these phrases teach us about marriage?
Sing “Families Can Be Together Forever” (Children’s Songbook, 188), or review “Chapter 55: A Revelation about Marriage” (Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 198). Ask the children to listen for and be prepared to share what we must do so that our families can be eternal. Testify that no matter our current family situation, we can prepare ourselves to be part of an eternal family.
Ask some of the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 131:1–4 and others to read 132:15. Help them discover what these verses teach about marriage. Select key phrases from 132:19 (such as “if a man marry a wife,” “everlasting covenant,” “sealed,” “abide in my covenant,” “through all eternity,” and “forever and ever”), and ask the children to find these phrases in the verse. What do these phrases teach us about marriage?
Sing “Families Can Be Together Forever” (Children’s Songbook, 188), or review “Chapter 55: A Revelation about Marriage” (Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 198). Ask the children to listen for and be prepared to share what we must do so that our families can be eternal. Testify that no matter our current family situation, we can prepare ourselves to be part of an eternal family.
Sing “Families Can Be Together Forever” (Children’s Songbook, 188).
Jesus taught that families are important. In the temple, we can be sealed to our families forever (see Doctrine and Covenants 132:19).
Make a family tree! Have each family member make a paper leaf and write their name on it. On another paper, draw a tree trunk. Then glue or tape the leaves to the top of the tree.
Friend March 2018 “What’s on Your Mind” A child wants to know how his family will be together forever if his parents are divorced.
Friend June 2017 “Hope for My Family” Henry B. Eyring: The hope of feeling family love now and throughout eternity.
Ensign August 2016 “The Hope of Eternal Family Love” Because of Jesus Christ’s Atonement and the restoration of priesthood power to seal families, we can live with our families forever! What do you love about your family? Follow these instructions to make this paper chain to celebrate your family. Fold a piece of paper in half twice so you have one long strip. Draw a person with hands reaching the folded edges. Cut the person out. Don’t cut where the hands touch the folded edges. Unfold it. Write or draw something you love about each family member. Tape multiple chains together if you have a larger family!
Make a family banner with the family name on it, and then draw pictures of what is important to your family, like the temple, love, Jesus, etc.
Sing together the second verse of “Families Can Be Together Forever” (Children’s Songbook, 188) or another song about families. Help the children think of ways they can prepare to be married in the temple someday and have an eternal family.
Friend October 2023 “Remembering Abuela” Lyan and her family were celebrating “Day of the Dead” . But this year was different because her grandmother was one of the family members they would remembering. Lyan missed her grandmother. But her mother helped her remember that because of Jesus Christ, they would all be resurrected. And since they were sealed in the temple, they would all be together as a family someday.
Family Adversity
Divorce
Friend August 2015 “Help! Someone’s Getting a Divorce” – responses to children’s concerns.
From the time of Adam and Eve, parents have been commanded to teach their children the gospel. How can you encourage the children to listen to and follow the righteous teachings of their parents?
Read Moses 6:58 to the children, and show the picture of Adam and Eve’s family in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families. Help the children repeat the phrase “teach these things freely unto your children.” Explain that God wants all parents to follow Adam and Eve’s example by teaching their children about Jesus Christ and His gospel. Ask the children what they can do when their parents or others teach them the gospel.
Help the children match pictures of themselves to their parents or pictures of baby animals to adult animals. How do parents help their children? What do they teach them? Ask the children to draw pictures of their families at times when parents teach children, such as reading the scriptures together, praying together, or eating together.
Parents are Responsible to Teach Their Children.
God trusts parents to be the primary gospel teachers in their families. How can you encourage the children to support their parents in this role?
Ask a child to read Moses 6:58. What commandment did Heavenly Father give to parents in this verse? Show a picture of Adam and Eve teaching their children (see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families), and let the children talk about what they see in the picture. Encourage them to talk about important gospel truths they have learned from their families.
Help the children write thank-you notes to their parents or plan other simple ways to express their appreciation for their parents. Sing a song about families, such as “Love Is Spoken Here” (Children’s Songbook, 190–91). How can we help our parents create a loving atmosphere in our homes?
Friend March 2019 “A Lesson From My Parents” Color the pictures and circle the things a parent or other family member has taught you. What else can you think of?
Help the children understand what the phrase “marriage is ordained of God” means. Invite them to work in pairs to compare Doctrine and Covenants 49:15–17 with the first three paragraphs of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” Why is marriage so important to Heavenly Father?
What truths about marriage do you learn from Doctrine and Covenants 49:15–17? Why do you feel marriage between a man and a woman is essential to Heavenly Father’s plan? Elder David A. Bednar gave two reasons: “Reason 1: The natures of male and female spirits complete and perfect each other, and therefore men and women are intended to progress together toward exaltation. … Reason 2: By divine design, both a man and a woman are needed to bring children into mortality and to provide the best setting for the rearing and nurturing of children” (“Marriage Is Essential to His Eternal Plan,” Ensign, June 2006, 83–84). See also 1 Corinthians 11:11
United We Stand Pair up two people of relatively equal size. Have them sit on the floor back to back, arms linked. Have them stand up by pushing off each other. Repeat, but this time have only one person push.
Discussion: Why is having two people work together easier? Read “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” (see Ensign,May 2017, 145). What roles do fathers and mothers have? How do they work together?
Friend October 2017 “Elder Perry, Chickens, and Me” Elder Perry slips and falls in the dark as he helps Bonnie feed the chickens. He teaches that everyone needs their own light.
Friend January 2019 “Testimony Plants” In Primary, the children were supposed to draw a plant that represented their testimony, but Elisa wasn’t sure what that meant or if she had a testimony. She learns that a testimony is the things she believes in like Heavenly Father and Jesus. She also learns that testimonies grow and need to be nourished.
Friend February 2021 “Finding Sabrina’s Testimony” Sabrina didn’t know what a testimony was or if Heavenly Father answered prays. But in Primary she heard a story about a boy that had a quiet answer to his prayer. She learned that simple feelings and thoughts can be answers to prayers. She had a good feeling about being baptized and realized that it was the Holy Ghost telling her it was a good choice. After her baptism she got up and bore her testimony.
Gaining a Testimony
Friend January 2022 “Dinis Finds an Answer” Dinis and his family had joined the church, but a couple of years afterwards Dinis was questioning that decision. He knew he needed to ask God if the Church was true. He prayed harder than he ever had before. Then Dinis felt something. The feeling was strong and warm. It grew until he felt it all over his body. He knew it was the Holy Ghost telling him that the church was true.
Friend May 2020 “Conference Notes” Elder Tai told about a man who read the Book of Mormon Stories picture book to gain a testimony. The full Book of Mormon wasn’t in his language. So he carefully read each scripture story and looked at the pictures. He prayed and felt peace and joy. He knew it was true.
Friend January 1988 “Juliano’s Testimony” Juliano learns that even children can receive testimonies.
Friend April 2016 “Ethan’s Testimony” Ethan wants a testimony. It seems like everyone has one except him. As he prays he realizes he does have one.
Friend April 2016
Friend April 2021 “Matt and Mandy” Matt and Mandy and their parents discuss sustaining during conference. They also discuss how they can know that the prophet is called of God like the fifth Article of Faith states.
Praying for a Testimony
Friend December 2015 Elder Christopherson learned that it isn’t necessary to pray in a special place (such as in the sacred grove) in order to gain a testimony.
Friend December 2015
Bearing a Testimony
Friend September 1988 “The Best Gift” Adam’s primary teacher tells the class they will receive something special if they sincerely bear their testimony in sacrament. The other children think it’s a treat from the teacher, but Adam learns it is a witness from the Holy Ghost that the things he is saying are true.
Friend March 2020 “For Older Kids” “A couple of Sundays ago during sacrament meeting, it was time for people to go up and share their testimonies. Suddenly I got an urge to go up to the microphone and tell everyone my testimony. I was shaking, but I knew I could do it. No matter how scared you feel, you should try to share your testimony. It doesn’t have to be to the whole church. It can even be to one person!” Ruth G., age 10, Nebraska, USA
Sharing Testimony
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 November 2019 “Jesus is Real” Everyone at Ismay’s table at school were excitedly talking about Christmas and their favorite traditions such as going to a church service. Suddenly Charlotte spoke up and said, “Jesus isn’t even real.” Ismay was sad to hear this and she quietly bore her testimony to Charlotte that Jesus was real, and that she felt it in her heart. She was glad she had spoken up and planted a seed about Jesus.
Friend August 2018 “A Shining Testimony” Christian children at a school in Sri Lanka were asked to share their testimony, but everyone was too afraid. Stefani felt the Holy Ghost telling her to go and do it. After she did, she felt like she had been a light and an example to the assembly. (Link includes photos.)
Friend April 2018 “Jesus is Our Friend” At the doctor’s office Carson asks a lady to read him a book about Jesus. He tells her that Jesus is his friend and that Jesus loves them and if they follow Jesus they will be happy.
Friend January 2019 “Something Special to Share” Diego wants to take something special to share for Show and Tell. He decides to take a picture of Jesus and tell them that Jesus loves everyone.
Friend February 2016 “Testimony Treasure” Sabrina learns that a testimony is a treasure you want to share with others.
Friend August 2015 – Elder Cook’s brother shares his testimony with him. After that he wanted his own witness from the Holy Ghost.
Friend October 2015 “My Golden Ribbon Dance” – Girl shares her testimony in a dance using church pictures and music
Friend June 2015 “Mia’s Testimony” Mia prays for a testimony but doesn’t feel any different Her father points out the times she has felt the Holy Ghost in her life witnessesing of the truth
.
Strengthening a Testimony
Praying Strengthens Testimony
Friend May 1988 “The Testimony of a scientist” A scientist prays for a dying fish and his faith and testimony is strengthened when the fish recovers its health.
Friend January 2018 “Moroni and the Mechanic” When Elder Costa’s car breaks down while driving home with his family, his son, Moroni, says a prayer for the right person to come and help them. A mechanic with a tow truck stops and helps them. Moroni’s testimony is strengthened.
Friend September 2019 “Family History, Step by Step” Mei finds a photo of her great-great grandmother and learns more about her. Then she and her mom put the information she had learned onto familysearch.org. Finally, Mei went to the temple as was baptized for her.
Family History Stories Strengthens Descendants
Friend June 2022 “No Place Like Home” Sister Wright tells of her family history and how they lived at the base of the mountain Ben Lomond. Her grandmother would say that as long as they could see the mountain they were home. She also said it reminder her to be strong, brave, and faithful like her grandmother.
Friend September 2018 “Just Like Grandpa” William’s dad received a calling to preside over the sign language branch. William is sad he will have to leave his friends, but his mom helps him by telling him a story about his great grandfather Turner who sacrificed to obey the Lord.
Friend July 2018 “Detective Danny Does It Again!” Detective Danny solves mysteries, but when he runs out of mysteries his father suggests he solve family history mysteries. Detective Danny was on the case. He looked for clues in family journals, he searched online for old records and pictures, and he found missing family members on the family tree.
Family History Calling
Friend February 2023 “Marco’s New Calling” Marco had just moved from Primary to Young Men’s and the bishop extended a calling to him to serve as a family history consultant. He received some training and then worked on his own family history and got some names prepared to take to the temple for baptisms, including a much loved aunt who had died. He was excited to help others with their family history. He shared his testimony of family history at a Church activity, and he invited other youth in their ward to come with his family on their temple trip.
Love of Family History
Friend May 2018 “Spirit of Eliza” Eliza is asked to give a talk about family history. Her love of family history helps her with the anxiety she feels about talking, and she is able to share about the importance of family history.
Friend February 2018 “Family History Fun” Experiences of Cole, who loves doing family history.
Friend October 2017 “Finding Lydia” Lydia isn’t excited to be graduating from Primary and going to Young Women’s, but she becomes more excited when her mother finds some family names for her to do baptisms for in the temple, and one is named Lydia.
Friend November 2021 “Family History Blessings” Antonella got a Family Search account when she was baptized. She’s learned more about her family and loves her family even more now. She also wants to help others unite their families for eternity.
Fun with Family History
Friend May 2020 “Family History Party” A family has a family history party where they play Family Tree Trivia, The Great Index Race, and Family History Story Time.
Friend February 2017 “The Treasure Box” Some children are excited to see what is in their father’s treasure box. At family home evening they discover it is filled with personal history items.
Friend November 2016 “The Great Family History Mystery” A family searches for the gravestone of a great grandfather.
Names to Temple
Friend October 2019 “The Temple Challenge” Sister Jones, the general primary president, challenges a 12 year old boy to find a family name to take to the temple. He later writes to her letter telling of his success and of his opportunity to be baptized in the temple for his 3rd great grandfather and how that felt. He also tells her of his desire to do more.
Friend October 2016 ” My Family Tree” A seven year old takes the stake challenge to find five names of ancestors who need temple work.
Friend July 2015 “Temple Time” Boy helps his with family history on computer so parents can do the family members work at temple.
Family Search
Friend October 2018 “As soon as I was baptized, my mom helped me log on to FamilySearch, and we discovered that I am related to the first president of the Philippines! During sharing time at school, I shared this discovery. My teacher was amazed how I was able to know that.Sharmaine S., age 8, Cavite, Philippines”
Photos of Family
Friend January 1987 Jessica wants a tin type (photo) of her family, especially of her grandfather who is dying.
Family Trees
Friend October 2017 “Ashlyn’s Family Tree” Ashlyn is excited to learn where family members go on her family tree that she got in Primary. She adds her siblings to make her family that she loves complete.
Friend November 2021 “Tell Me an Adventure” At bedtime, Sam wanted to hear a story about when his mom was little. She told him about making pretend towns with her siblings.
Remembering Family
Sharing Stories about Family
Friend August 2023 “The Family Story Activity” The children in Lorrain’s primary were learning about their family history so they could share the stories at a Primary activity. Lorrain learned about being named after her great grandmother and about her father traveling to the temple to be sealed to his family when he was six. Before the Primary activity they heard some exciting news. A temple would be built in on their island!
Friend January 2021 “Family Story Time” María loves to learn about her family! Every night Mamá tells her a family story. “Find It”: María and her brother are giving a home evening lesson about their family history. Find the listed items in the picture.
Friend November 2021 “Helaman Wonders” Helaman wondered what kinds of games people played outside long time ago. He sent his grandparents emails to find out what their favorite things were to do outside when they were kids. Helaman kept wondering. Every time he wondered, he asked his grandparents a question. And he learned a lot about them! His father suggested they put the stories on family search.
Remembering & Learning about Family Members Who Have Died
Share Stories About Them
Friend January 2021 “Missing Grandma and Grandpa” Zoe’s grandparents had died before she was born. Everyone in the family had memories of them but her. She was sad she had never met them. Her father decides to have a family lesson to help her get to know them better. After the lesson her parents gave her a picture of her grandparents to help her feel closer to them. She was excited to meet them someday.
Friend February 2024 “A Happy Lunar New Year” Claire and her family celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. Not only is it a time to enjoy the fun holiday traditions, it is also a time to spend with family, so they put family member pictures on the table and called Claire’s grandma and grandpa. They also learned stories about family members who have died.
Family History Service
Friend August 2021 “Meet Porter from Poland” Porter likes to help out at home and school. Porter also helps out by participating in the BillionGraves project. He and his family take photos of headstones at a cemetery and then upload them so people can find information on their Polish ancestors.
Friend April 2017 “Game Changer” Caleb feels like it is hard to have to make different choices than his friends, but the Holy Ghost comforts him and and helps him.
Choices Have Consequences
Friend March 2017 “Toys in the Bathtub” Eli really wants to put a toy in the bath, but his mom says no because it could mess up the toy.
Good, Better, Best
Friend October 2016 “Halloween Choice” Carly has to make a choice between a family trip to the temple and a Halloween party.
Choosing the Right Regardless of Peer Pressure
Friend July 2021 “Secrets and Surprises” Maddy’s friend Kate told her to put a crumpled paper doll from the store in her pocket so they could rescue it from being thrown away. At home Kate told Maddy to keep it a secret and Maddy realized they had stolen it. Maddy had an upset feeling. She didn’t think it was right to keep it a secret so she told her mom. Her mom explained that most secrets are not good unless it is something like a happy surprise.
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.
Regardless of Loss of Friends or Position
Friend May 2019 “Last Friend Standing” Some new friends of a girl want to hide their bowling shoes and not pay for the game. The girl prays for courage and then tells them that she won’t steal. Even though she loses them as friends, she feels the Holy Ghost telling her that she did the right thing.
Friend April 2019 “Farm-Club Fiasco” Nathan is the president of the Farm Club but is ostracized and removed as president when he doesn’t want to stay an extra night for fun at a competition because he doesn’t want to miss church.
Making Good Choices
Friend February 2020 “Layla Makes Good Choices”Layla likes making good choices! She helps her dad and mom and she puts on her pajamas when asked. Good choices make Layla and Mommy and Daddy happy! When we make good choices, we are following Jesus. Activity: Heavenly Father is happy when we choose the right! Point to the good choices.
Choosing the Right
Friend September 2020 “The Lost Ring” Tyler found a silver diamond ring during PE and tried to find the owner. He turned it in to the front desk even though his friend thought he should keep it and sell it. He had a warm feeling afterwards.
Friend October 2018 “I was trick-or-treating with friends and found $200. I told my mom about it. Later as we were walking down the street, a lady was looking for $200 that she had lost. She was so happy that we found it, and she gave me $10 for being honest. I shared $5 with my friends. I felt warm and happy because I was honest and chose the right. Leah D., age 6, Kentucky, USA“
Friend July 2018 “Show and Tell” I was playing with a friend who showed me a video. At first it was funny, but then a character said a bad word. When I hear bad words, it feels bad in my body, so I asked him if we could do something else. He said OK. I felt happy inside! Javaan F., age 9, North Carolina, USA
Friend June 2017 “My Light” Poem about the light that shines when we choose the Right. (Could be the light of Christ or light of example.)
Friend September 2016 “Blair Chooses the Right” Blair has choices to make on Sunday and she chooses the right on each choice.
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 “The Competition” Elizabeth wants to win a piano competition. On the way to the competition she sees her competition’s car has slid off the road. She chooses to help.
Choosing the Right Keeps Us Safe and Happy
Friend March 2023 “Run toward the Light” When Elder Peter M. Johnson was a child he ran away from boys who wanted to steal his money. He ran out of a dark alley towards the light and was safe. In his life he tried to run from what was bad and look for what was good. In college he met some members of the church while playing basketball. He joined the church. He knew there was hope, peace, and happiness when running toward the light.
Things that Help us Choose the Right
Friend
Scriptures
Friend June 2017 “Martin’s Choice” Martin feels spiritually stronger after doing family scripture study. He also feels happy when he makes good choices and follows the prophet. These things help him when he has to make a choice, such as what to do when he is given tea at a school campout.
Prayer
Friend January 2021 “The Party Problem” Luz felt uneasy about going to a graduation party. It didn’t sound like the kind of party where she’d be able to feel the Holy Ghost. She thought about it, made her choice not to go, and then asked Heavenly Father if that was the right choice. Afterwards she felt a wave of warmth and light and knew she had made the right choice.
Holy Ghost
Friend November 2015 “Karson & the Golden Ticket” Karson finds an extra ticket for the prize jar but feels bad when he goes to put his name on it.
Choosing the Right Helps Us Be Happy
Friend August 2018 “Racing Rules” Lelah wants to race her trike ke down the sidewalk, but the family rule is to stay in the driveway. She obeys and has a happy feeling.
Friend March 2018 “Ruby Gets Ready” Ruby doesn’t like to put her socks and shoes on all by herself so she cries when asked to do it. She realizes that she needs to make a better choice because she doesn’t feel happy when she gets upset and cries.
Friend March 2018 A man drops some money and Brianna gives it to him. She has a wonderful feeling afterwards.
Friend January 2017 “The Favorite Ball” Seth and Adam are fighting over whose turn it is to play with their favorite ball. Seth doesn’t like the way he is feeling inside and realizes that fighting is not a good choice.
Friend February 2015 “The Blessing Quest” Nathan wants to ride bikes with his friends instead of going to church, but he learns that commandments are meant to help us be happy.
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. They feel like superheroes.
Choosing the Right Changes Hearts
Friend July 2017 “The Magic Wallet” Mandy’s family is staying in a motel until their house is built, but the manager doesn’t like all the noise the kids make. His heart and views change when Mandy turns in a lost wallet that she finds.
Courage to Choose the Right
Friend April 2021 “The CTR Reminder” Raish was afraid to say anything to her friends who were being mean to a new girl, but then she saw her CTR ring and remembered something her teacher had said. Remember who you are and what you stand for. So Raish stood for the right and asked her friends to stop being mean, and then she went and apologized to the new girl and asked to be her friend.
Friend August 2020 “Choosing the Channel” Camille’s best friend told her about a 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 understanding and said they could find a show they both liked.
Friend March 1988 “Haunted House Hero” A boy who has courage to choose the right rather than accept a dangerous dare, gets help for his friends who fall though the floor of an old house.
Friend November 1985 “The Guy in the Glass”- Boy chooses to befriend and stands up for another boy even though he might get teased and tormented too.
Peer Pressure
Friend March 2022 “The Bike Prank” Sam’s friends want to do a prank where they take all the valve caps off bikes at a bike stand. Sam doesn’t feel good about it but he agrees. He feels really bad about what they did and asks Heavenly Father to forgive him. The next time his friends want to do the same thing, Sam says no and distracts them with a bike race.
Friend March 2018 “Practically Popular” La-Neisha is invited to be friends with the popular girls but is told she can’t have any other friends. She tries to avoid her old friend but feels bad. She chooses to do the right thing regardless of what her new friends think.
Friend September 2017 “Matt and Mandy” Matt tells some boys he doesn’t want to hear a bad joke even though they call him chicken.
Friend May 1983 “Maria Makes a Choice” – Story about girl who chooses not to steal when a friend encourages it.
Friend April 2015 “Courage and Clubs” Kate chooses not to join her friend’s club because the requirement to join is to say a bad word.
Friend February 1987 “The Dogsled Race” Jody borrows a dog and enters a dogsled race to win some ice skates. The dog injures her paw close to the finish line. Jody sacrifices what she wants and does the right thing: she takes care of the dog, like she promised she would–instead of making the dog finish the race.
Friend September 2015 – “To Cheat or not to Cheat” Boy chooses not to cheat on a test
Friend May 1982 – Girl returns money she found even though she needed money to buy a Mother’s Day gift.Friend August 2015 -A lack of friends turns into a test of choosing the rightFriend August 2015
Helping Others Make Good Choices
Friend February 2018 “The Pencil Problem” when Alex gets two pencils from a machine when he only paid for one, Maya says he should tell the librarian. All their other friends thinks he should keep it.
As children face challenges throughout their lives, they will need faith that the Savior can help them during their trials and that those trials can “work together for [their] good” (Doctrine and Covenants 98:3).
Ask the children to help you make a list on the board of some challenges that a child their age may face. Tell the children about some of the challenges of the Saints living in Jackson County, Missouri, in 1833 (see chapters 34and 35 in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 128–34). What advice would they give to a child experiencing these challenges? Ask the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 98:1–3, 11–14, looking for the guidance the Lord gave. How can they follow this counsel as they face challenges like the ones listed on the board?
Section 98heading: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, August 6, 1833. This revelation came in consequence of the persecution upon the Saints in Missouri. Increased settlement of Church members in Missouri troubled some other settlers, who felt threatened by the Saints’ numbers, political and economic influence, and cultural and religious differences. In July 1833, a mob destroyed Church property, tarred and feathered two Church members, and demanded that the Saints leave Jackson County. Although some news of the problems in Missouri had no doubt reached the Prophet in Kirtland (nine hundred miles away), the seriousness of the situation could have been known to him at this date only by revelation.
Invite the children to be as still and quiet as possible for a few minutes while looking at a picture of the Savior or listening to a song about Him. Then invite them to share what they felt and experienced during the stillness. Read Doctrine and Covenants 101:16. How does being still and thinking of Jesus help us? Help the children understand the connection between reverent stillness and our ability to feel the Spirit and think about Jesus.
Section 100 HeadingRevelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at Perrysburg, New York, October 12, 1833. The two brethren, having been absent from their families for several days, felt some concern about them.
Just a few weeks after Joseph learned of the persecution in Missouri, a recent convert asked him to travel to Canada to share the gospel with his sons. Joseph agreed, although he worried about leaving his family, especially because of persecution and threats to his family and the Church. On their way to Canada, Joseph and his companion, Sidney Rigdon, prayed for comfort, and section 100 was the Lord’s answer to them. What do you find in the Lord’s response that may have reassured and helped them?
After reading these verses, you might discuss how blacksmiths must heat metal intensely to remove impurities and then shape it by hammering it over and over again (see the video “The Refiner’s Fire” on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). You might also learn together about how other things are purified, such as water or salt. Maybe you could purify or cleanse something as a family. Why do we want to become pure? What do these examples teach us about how our trials can help us become “a pure people”? (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 98-101”)
Discuss with the children the tests they take in school.
Why do teachers give tests? (To see if we are learning certain information or learning how to do certain things, and to help us know if we are learning.)
What other tests do we have in life?
Explain that one of the reasons we are sent to earth is to have our faith in Jesus Christ tested. We are here to prove that we will live the way Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want us to live (see Abraham 3:24–25), despite the trials and difficulties we face. Sometimes we do not live the way Heavenly Father and Jesus want us to, but we can repent and change to doing what is right. Tell the children that in this lesson they are going to learn about Zion’s Camp, an experience that tested the faith of some of the early members of the Church.
Bring a small piece of rough, slivery wood and a piece of sandpaper (or bring a sharp or jagged stone and a smooth one, and adjust the activity accordingly).
What were some of the problems faced by the members of Zion’s Camp? (Answers may include illness, persecution by enemies, quarreling, bad tempers, spoiled food, unsafe water, and sore feet.)As the children name the problems, pass the rough wood around and let them feel it. Compare the rough, slivery wood to God’s children before they are tested with trials and problems.
Would you want to use something (such as a spoon or pencil) made out of this piece of wood? Why not?
What are some of the tests we face in life? Write the children’s answers on the chalkboard.
How can we pass these tests?As you discuss the tests we face and how we can meet them, rub the wood with the sandpaper until at least a part of the wood is smooth. Compare this to the refining influence of facing our problems and overcoming them. As we overcome problems, our imperfections are “smoothed out” and we become better people and more useful to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.Pass the wood around again so the children can feel the difference between the rough part and the smooth part.
Tell or read the story. Show on the map where the various events occurred. You may want to have a child place a small marker on the map as you mention each place.
Label a paper bag Adversity and place inside it several objects that could each represent a type of adversity, such as a piece of money to suggest financial difficulties, an empty medicine bottle to suggest illness, a fork or spoon to suggest hunger, a schoolbook to suggest difficulties in school, or a picture or drawing of an angry face to suggest a friend who is angry or unkind.
Have each child take an object out of the bag and explain how the object could represent adversity, how a person might deal with that type of adversity, and where a person might go for help with that type of adversity. Make sure the children mention that they can turn to Heavenly Father for help in adversity. Tell the children that in this lesson they will learn about a terrible adversity that Joseph Smith and other Church leaders faced and how they were strengthened by this experience.
One way the Savior comforted Joseph Smith while he suffered in Liberty Jail was by teaching him that “all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good” (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7). This truth can bless the children when they face their own trials.
The Lord’s words to Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail provide an opportunity to help the children recognize that sometimes life is hard, but Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can help us.
Invite the children to listen for the word “peace” as you share with them “Chapter 46: Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail” (Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 172–74) or Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–8. Help the children think of ways we can trust the Lord as Joseph did so that we can feel peace. Explain that even though Joseph experienced hard things, the Lord was with him.
To help the children recognize that our trials “shall be for [our] good” (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7), talk to them about how our muscles grow when we carry something heavy. Let them pretend to lift a heavy object or do hard work. Explain that going through hard times can help our spirits grow—if we turn to the Lord for help. Share some examples that the children you teach would relate to. Invite them to repeat with you the phrase “All these things shall … be for [our] good.”
Invite the children to share what they know about Joseph Smith’s experience in prison and the Saints being forced from Missouri (see chapters 45–47 of Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 167–75). Ask the children how they would feel if they were Joseph Smith or one of the Saints at this time. Read with the children Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–9; 122:7–9, and invite them to find something the Lord said that would have brought them peace. How can our hard experiences “be for [our] good”?
Take turns lifting something heavy. Talk about how lifting that load is like going through a hard time. How can trials make us stronger and help us grow? Now lift the object with someone else’s help. Remind everyone that Jesus Christ helps us carry our load.
Why is adversity for our good? 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. Ask the children if they would like to share how an adversity they suffered was for their gain.
List everyday problems on wordstrips and place them in a bowl. Have each person draw one and identify blessings that could come from such adversity. (Sickness, for example, can increase our compassion for the sick and our appreciation for the blessing of good health.)
Tell of a trial (either from your own life or from one of your ancestors) that has strengthened and blessed you.
Ask each one to say how some difficult experience he has had has been helpful to him—what he has learned from it, or how he has been blessed from it.
Encourage family members to recognize trials as challenges. Remind them to seek the Lord’s help in overcoming them.
What does it mean to “come forth” from our trials “as gold”? (see also the video “The Refiner’s Fire,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Who do we know who has done this? Children might enjoy making something with the words from verse 10 written on it. You might also discuss how Jesus Christ overcame His trials (see Luke 22:41–44; Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–19).
Read together Isaiah 48:10, and talk about what a furnace is and different ways it is used. Explain that metals are purified in a furnace. Why is a furnace a good way to describe affliction? How can our afflictions purify us? (see Alma 62:41).
Friend December 2019 “Martin’s Favorite Toys” Martin was not happy about having to move, but eventually he got used to his new home. One Sunday, he noticed a lot of new people at church. He found out that they were refugees. He wanted to help them, but he didn’t want to give them any of his toys because he brought them from his old house. Then he realized that many of the children had to leave everything behind. He remembered how hard it was for him to move, but at least he got to bring his things with him. He then wanted to give them his favorite toys to help them be happier.
Friend September 2021 “A Special Lunch” When Baylor started 3rd grade he had a hard time making friends. So when two new boys arrive at school, he does his best to make them feel welcome and help them. He also had two coupons for lunch with a friend and the teacher, and he invited the two new boys.
Friend December 2023 “Playground Prayer” Davi’s family had just moved from Brazil to England and he couldn’t understand the language. He was lonely and missed his friends. He went into a playhouse and said a prayer. Heavenly Father was always his friend. He practiced really hard to learn English and every time he was sad, he said a prayer and he felt peace and strength to keep trying. Soon he was able to understand better and make friends. One day he saw a new kid from a different country sitting on the swing looking sad. He understood what he was going through and ran over and invited him to play soccer.
Friend June 2020 “Eli’s Helping Hand” Eli was sad when he missed a ball and his soccer team lost the game. At church he noticed that his friend Kate was feeling sad too because her body hurt from sitting in a wheelchair. He knew what feeling sad felt like and he wanted to help her. He rocked her wheelchair to help her feel better. Afterwards, he realized that helping Kate made him feel better too.
Develop Humility
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 53-63” Here’s an object lesson that can help your family understand that we can choose to be either “hardened” or “softened” by our trials: Place a raw potato and a raw egg in a pot of boiling water. The potato and the egg represent us, and the water represents the trials we face. As the potato and egg boil, you could talk about some of the trials your family faces. What are some different ways to react to trials like these? According to Alma 62:41, how do our reactions to trials affect us? After the potato and egg are fully cooked, cut open the potato and crack open the egg to show that the same “trial” softened the potato and hardened the egg. What can our family do to be sure that our trials humble us and bring us closer to God?
To Help Faith Grow
Friend August 2021 “Peace through Priesthood Power” When Elder Steven R. Bangerter was a child, he had gamma globulin anemia which made it hard for his body to fight off germs, so he got sick a lot. One night he had an earache so bad that he thought his head would explode. He father gave him a blessing and he was able to sleep through the night and feel better the next day. The next few year his father continued to give him priesthood blessings. He taught him that those blessings were opportunities for Heavenly Father to speak to him. His sickness became a way for Heavenly Father to help his faith to grow.
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” )
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).
Life is a Test
Friend November 2020 “Conference Notes”President Eyring told a story about when he was a boy. He was pulling weeds in the garden. “This is too hard!” he said. His mom smiled. She told him it was supposed to be hard because life is a test. He learned that doing hard things is part of Heavenly Father’s plan.
Friend November 2023 “The Tryouts” Jared was excited to try out for the regional basketball team. Only a few players get invited to try out for it. But when he found out it was on Sunday his excitement faded. But he knew God was more important than basketball. He said a prayer and afterwards felt a comforting feeling that everything would be okay. Two days later he got an email saying tryouts would be on Saturday instead. He prepared very hard for the tryout and did his best but wasn’t selected. Then, a comforting thought came to him. “Things won’t always work out how I want,” he said. “But Jesus Christ knows exactly how I feel. He’s on my side.”
The Cozy Red Cottage The manual states, “Perhaps your family could contrast Nephi’s account of traveling in the wilderness (see 1 Nephi 17:1-6) with his brothers’ account (1 Nephi 17:17-22). Why do you think they saw the same events differently? What can we learn from Nephi about having a faithful perspective?”
Friend April 2023 “The Allergy Lesson” Elder Hans T. Boom Of the Seventy had terrible allergies that made it hard for him to breath when he was a child. He had to mostly stay inside and couldn’t do many things that he wanted to like playing soccer. No medicine helped. He didn’t get better until he was an adult, but he learned many important things during this difficult time.
Difficulties
Loneliness
Friend February 2015 “Happy Alone, Happy Together” Ideas on what to do when you want to be alone or when you are lonely.
Friend April 2021 I was feeling lonely at recess, so I asked someone if they would play with me. We started playing with chalk, and more people came, and it was so much fun! If you feel lonely, you can ask someone to play with you! (includes photo)
Friend June 2017 “Running with Dad” TJ is sad and lonely after moving, but he feels better after he and his dad set a goal and start preparing to run a marathon.
Friend October 2019 “The Phone Call” Mackenzie is lonely after her best friend moves. She prays for help, and Heavenly Father blesses her with a new best friend.
Friend October 2019
Friend October 2019
Friend October 2019
Friend December 2017 “Signs of Friendship” Conner has autism and has a hard time finding friends. 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.
No Friends at School
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.
Can’t Speak the Language at School
Friend December 2023 “Playground Prayer” Davi’s family had just moved from Brazil to England and he couldn’t understand the language. He was lonely and missed his friends. He went into a playhouse and said a prayer. Heavenly Father was always his friend. He practiced really hard to learn English and every time he was sad, he said a prayer and he felt peace and strength to keep trying. Soon he was able to understand better and make friends. One day he saw a new kid from a different country sitting on the swing looking sad. He understood what he was going through and ran over and invited him to play soccer.
Moving
Friend August 2021 “Dear Friends” I was scared I wouldn’t make new friends when we moved to South Korea. When I was reading the Friend, I saw Matt holding the South Korean flag in the “Find It!” activity (April 2020). Matt said, “Wherever you go in the world, Primary is the same.” I felt Heavenly Father was telling me that Matt was right and that I can go to Primary in South Korea and make friends! Alice W., age 10
Friend August 2019 “The Hard Move” Liesl was sad when she found out she was moving because it was her first move and she would miss her friends. Her friends encouraged her, and she tried to believe that she could do it and that God had a plan for her. When she got to her new home she quickly made friends and loved the new house, school, and city. She was grateful Heavenly Father had a plan for her.
Friend August 2019
Friend March 2019 “Who Will Come to My Party” Enzo is excited to plan his future party and inviting his friends until he remembers that he will live in a new place when it happens. He worries about making new friends, so he prays for help to find friends. During his prayer he remembers that he already has a great friend there because his uncle lives there. Heavenly Father answered his prayer.
Friend March 2016 “Trading Mountains for Trees” A family moves from Utah to Georgia and prays for comfort and help.
I watched my parents divorce, so I prayed and Heavenly Father filled my mind with warm thoughts. Aika C., age 7 (Includes a drawing of her parents fighting and her praying)
Friend May 2021 “Charlotte’s Family” In Primary, Charlotte didn’t want to hear the song “Families are Forever” so she sat in the hall. Her parents were getting a divorce and it made her feel sick. Sister Henry came and talked to her about what made her feel better when her parents got a divorce, such as remembering that her parents loved her and also thinking about her perfect family in heaven. Charlotte decided to think about her heavenly family when they sang the song “Families are Forever.”
Family Illness
Friend September 2016 “A special Big Brother” Daniel is upset that he doesn’t get to go to the park like the other boys due to his sister’s health issues.
Family Member in Prison
Friend March 2021 “The Best Pen Pal Ever” Jane’s mother had been in prison for a year and still had three more years to serve. Because of the long drive to go see her, Jane’s mother suggested they become pen pals. But Jane was too sad to write because she just wanted her mother home. Her father suggested that she think of things she was grateful for. After saying a prayer she was able to think of lots things she was grateful for to write her mom about.
Body Issues
Being Small
Friend August 2016 “Crickets Big Moment” Cricket is upset that she has to perform cheerleading with a younger group because she is small, but she perseveres and is acknowledged for her sacrifice and help.
Learning Issues
Friend March 2018 “The Write Choice” Justina had a hard time with reading and writing in school, but her teacher told her, “You can’t always choose what you’re good at. But you can always choose how hard you try.” Justina started putting more effort into trying, and reading and writing became easier and easier. Eventually she became good enough to become a writer.
School Issues
Middle School
Friend September 2023 “An Unexpected Solution” Derek was now in middle school. The school was much bigger, with lots more students, and the classes were harder. But what worried Derek most of all was the other kids. Some of them seemed so mean! He didn’t want anyone to get mad at him, so he kept his eyes down in the halls. His dad suggested that he try smiling at whoever he sees because it’s pretty hard to get mad about a smile. Derek tried it on a older, bigger student and the other boy’s face brightened a little bit. Derek smiled at more people on his way to class. Almost all of them smiled back! Derek thought that middle school might not be so scary after all. Maybe his smile could help someone else feel better too.
Friend July 2023 “Courage from the Holy Ghost” Mathias had extreme social anxiety and could only talk to close family members. He was seeing a counselor but didn’t seem to be getting any better. When he turned 8 he was baptized and received the Holy Ghost. He knew the Holy Ghost would comfort him and give him courage. I decided to try to speak to his friend, Charlie. He tried all week, but couldn’t. Then one day when they were alone in the school garden, Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost helped him say hi to his friend. After that day, it was easier to complete more goals. Soon he was talking to pretty much everyone!
Anxiety, Stress, & Worry
Friend January 2019 “What’s on Your Mind” Ways to de-stress. Also includes a stress meter.
Every night, I read the Friend before sleeping. Whenever I read it, I feel happy and my worries go away. It has helped me when I have worries. Thank you for the Friend! Jehee C., age 11, Alberta, Canada
Friend May 2017 “Worried or Afraid? Here’s Help” Ideas to help with anxiety.
Friend May 2017
Friend September 2024 “The Worry Box” Olivia felt worried a lot. Sometimes she felt so worried that it was hard to sleep or have fun with her friends. On Olivia’s first day of therapy. Her mom explained that Heavenly Father gives us doctors to help us. The doctor gave her a worry box to try. It was a place she could put all her written worries in. Then she could pick a time to open the box every day for worry time. That way she wouldn’t have to think about the worries until that time. Olivia felt peaceful. She was grateful Heavenly Father had given her lots of things to help her feel better.
Friend February 2020 “Anxious but All Right” Lincoln was glad to get into the car after school. His day had been filled with anxious feelings. His mother helped him figure out some things he could do to feel better now and in the future if it happened again.
Friend February 2020
Friend February 2020
Friend February 2020
Friend February 2020
Friend May 2017 “Ella’s Worries” Ella is anxious and worries about many things. She prays for help and then talks to her dad. She learns her mom has anxiety too and gets help for it. (Ideas for helping anxiety)
Natural Disasters
Pandemic
Friend May 2022 “Tom and the Terrible Flu” Tom helped take are of his dad and other villagers when the Spanish Flu hit. He gave them coconut milk, made chicken soup for them, and got them water. It was scary seeing so many people sick and dying, but he had faith that God would help them.
Friend April 2021 “Hi, Friends” I drew rainbows of hope for my neighbors during COVID-19. I was happy I helped, like Jesus would! Willow Age 5 (Photo)
Friend August 2020 “For Older Kids” During COVID-19, I thought, “How’s the Church going to keep bringing us closer to God?” Then I realized I have more time with my family and to read scriptures. Then over time I was brought closer to Heavenly Father. I know that spending more time with my family and reading the scriptures brought the Spirit to my home. Mason L., age 10,
Friend November 2020 “We are Moving Forward” The work of the Lord is steadily moving forward regardless of a global pandemic, wildfires, and other natural disasters that have turned our world upside down. Through it all, our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, love us! They and Their holy angels are watching over us.
Friend April 2021 “Show and Tell” The coronavirus made me feel sad. I drew a picture of everyone fasting and praying around the world, and it made me happy. Scotty J., age 7 (link includes the picture Scotty drew of people joining hands around the world and angels looking down from heaven.)
Friend October 2020 “Doorstep Surprise” Taylor is lonely and is missing here friends because she can’t see them during the pandemic. She decides to drop cookies off at their doorstep so they will know she is thinking about them.
Friend October 2020 “A Package of Love” Tom worries that his grandparents might get Covid. He and his mom go and get face masks and hand sanitizer for them .Tom was still worried about his grandparents, but doing something to help made him feel a little better.
Friend March 2023 “The Earthquake Prayer” Violet woke up when she felt an earthquake. She and her family ran to the kitchen and crawled under the table. They had practiced what to do in an earthquake, but Violet was scared. She said a prayer, and felt like someone was giving her a hug. She was glad Heavenly Father helped her feel peace.
Storms and Tornados
Friend April 2019 “Matt and Mandy” A big storm makes the power go out and is very scary. They pray for protection. A tree falls on their garage but nobody is hurt.
Friend August 2021 “Tornado Scare” When Josiah heard about the tornado, he was scared. He was afraid a tornado would blow his house away. His parents noticed. He wondered why Heavenly Father didn’t help the people’s who houses were destroyed. His parents told him that Heavenly Father was helping them. They said, “Sometimes He sends little miracles, or helps people feel comfort, or inspires other people to help out.” Josiah and his family decide to help Heavenly Father help the people whose homes were damages by the tornado. They also prayed for the people.
Fire
Friend April 2020 “Building Again” After experiencing a terrifying fire where Sam’s house burnt down along with most of the town, Sam didn’t know if anything would be okay again. One day at learning center, Sam built a temple out of blocks of wood. His mother said it could be the first decoration in their new house because, “The temple is a place of peace. It can remind us that no matter what happens, we’ll be OK.”
Friend April 2020
War
Friend September 2018 “A Voice of Peace” (Part One) Grace Vlam was a nine-year-old girl living in Holland in 1940, during World War II. Nazi Germany had just begun attacking Holland. When Holland was taken over by the Nazis, Grace’s Father was taken prisoner. Grace was comforted by the Holy Ghost .
Friend October 2018 “An Answered Prayer” (Part Two) One day a Nazi came to the door. He took their radio and told them that they would have to leave because the Nazis were going to take over their house. Grace’s mother prayed for help and the Nazi’s never came back to take their house.
Friend November 2018 “Hope in Holland” (Part Three) People in Holland were starving and cold because the Nazis took everything, but the war eventually ended and Grace’s father came home from the prison camp. Church leaders sent supplies to help the people, but the Germany people were now starving. The Holland saints forgave and shared some of their supplies with them.
Refugee
Friend June 2021 “Ombeni’s New Home” Ombeni’s family were refugees in the U.S. School was hard because he didn’t know the language and didn’t have any friends. His mother suggested he try to find someone to serve. He found a girl sitting alone at lunch and sat by her and smiled. She smiled back. It made him feel happy that he could help someone.
Disabilities
Friend March 2019 “Bright Ideas” Remember you are a child of Heavenly Parents and they love you.
Friend November 2020 “Help Passing the Sacrament” Brayden was almost old enough to pass the sacrament, but he didn’t know how he was going to do it because he used a walker to help him walk. But then the other deacons volunteered to take turns pushing him in his transport chair so he could carry a tray. He was glad to be part of such a great deacons quorum!
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.
Response: You can’t make anyone do anything. But when you speak kindly, others might follow your example. Words are powerful. Especially when you use your words for good. Mean words can be hurtful, but kind words can be helpful, healing, and inspiring.
Friend August 2024 “Fight Bullying with Love” When Matilda moved to a different country she was bullied for looking different than the other kids. Her mom taught her to respond to bullying with love. So now she talks to the person who is saying bad things and tries to stop the situation by explaining how it feels to hear bad things about themselves for being different. (Picture and story at link.)
Friend October 2016 “Family Night Fun” Acting out situations where a bully might dare you to do something. Also includes discussion and refreshment ideas.
Friend January 2018 “Forgiving Demi” Mae is made fun of by a girl because of how tall she is. In tears, Mae says a prayer and she feels Heavenly Father’s love. She is also remembers that the bully is a child of God too.
Friend August 2017 “Enough is Enough” A girl learns that trying to be mean and hurt the bully back doesn’t help. It just makes her feel worse.
Friend July 2017 “Standing Up with Kindness” A boy who moves to England is bullied because of his accent. He helps the kids learn more about the difficulties of being an immigrant by presenting a slideshow. (Link includes real life pictures of the boy.)
Friend April 2015 “Flowers and Friends” A girl in Jenny’s class keeps demanding Jenny’s flowers that other classmates can only take if Jenny is talking. Jenny prays about it and tries to be a friend to the girl.
Friend April 2015Friend April 2015
Friend June 1984 “The Trial of Billy Fisher” – A bully threatens a boy to try and get him to share answers to a test.
Friend September 2016 “Which Path to Choose” Abbey is harassed and made fun of by Hannah, but Abbey doesn’t say mean things back because she was taught to treat others like you want to be treated. Friend March 1988 “Grandma Fenton Says” A bully gives Olivia and Jeremy a hard time. Olivia finds a way to point out the good.
Friend October 2016 “Turning Down the Dare” Tyler struggles with the persecutions of a bully.Tyler helps some kids at recess when the bully persecutes them. The bully wants to fight him but Tyler makes the good choice not to.
Friend August 2024 “The Kindness Test” Melanie kept being made fun of by a boy at school, so she asked her sister what to do when someone is being mean to you. Her sister suggested doing something nice for him. A few days later, she shared a treat with him and she found out he was funny and fun to be with when he wasn’t teasing her. Now he was her friend.
Racism
Friend May 2023 “Rosi’s Prayer” Rosi was teased and made fun of at school because of her skin color. She prays for help. It felt good to tell Heavenly Father about her feelings. She felt warm and loved. She felt that her skin color was beautiful. She was a child of God, and He loved her. After her prayer she had an idea. She and her mom talked to the people in charge of the school about what was happening in her classroom. Rosi also looked out for other kids at school who were being bullied and became friends with them.
Religious Beliefs Persecution
Friend January 2018 “An Answer For Lucia” Lucia is made fun of in school for her different beliefs. Her teacher even mocked her for her different beliefs about the Godhead. She asked the missionaries about it. The missionaries use scriptures to show that the Godhead are individuals but one in purpose, and the Holy Ghost confirmed that what the missionaries were saying was true.
Health Issues
Fiend August 2021 “Comfort from the Friend“ Katie broke her arm and found out she has a cyst in the bone that needed surgery. She was scared and prayed for help. Then she read a story in the Friend Magazine that brought her comfort and peace. She was grateful for Heavenly Father’s help.
Friend July 2024 “I Am Loved” Daryn was born differently, without any way to use the bathroom. She has had three major surgeries and a few small ones. Sometimes she wonders why she is like this, but thinking about God and His plan of salvation helps her remember that she is just as loved as everyone else. And even though she struggles, she knows she can always ask God for help.
Friend December 2019 “Brave Like Joseph” Isabel got bumps all over her arms and legs that lasted months. The medicine made blisters and the blisters got infected. She had to go to the hospital, but she was afraid. Here mom told her about Joseph Smith’s bone surgery on his leg when he was her age. He was scared too, but he knew Heavenly Father would help him. Isabel thought that if Joseph could do that surgery, she could go to the hospital.
“When I was one, I was diagnosed with idiopathic rheumatoid arthritis, which makes my joints hurt. I’ve gotten many blessings, and they all helped me. There has been a lot of pain, but I’ve stayed strong. I’ve done gymnastics, dance, rock climbing, and yoga. I know this trial has brought me closer to God as I trust Him and pray to Him.” (Ivy L., age 10)
Friend October 2018 “Nick’s New Look” It hurts Nick’s feelings when classmates make fun of his bald spots. Nick suffers from the condition alopecia which makes his hair fall out. He and his parents pray and fast about what to do. He decides to shave his hair off. He also remembers that his friends, family, and Heavenly Father love him no matter what he looks like.
Friend November 2016 “Never Give Up” True story about a boy who fell from a horse and had brain damage. He had to relearn to do everything, but he never gave up. (Pictures included)
Friend March 2017 “Painting Love” Lucy has a condition where her muscles don’t work well together, so she has a hard time talking and swallowing. She painted a picture about what would make the world a better place.
Friend October 2015 “Dreams and Dolphins” Girl with one leg that doesn’t grow as fast as the other. She has to endure many surgeries, but she never gives up.
Friend March 2016 “Holding onto Hope” A girl with leukemia looks for the good in life.
Friend January 1987 “Impossible Baptism” Brady has faith to be baptized even though it could be life threatening due to his condition.
Grief
Death of Loved One
Friend May 2016 Ideas on how to help family member who is grieving the loss of a loved one
Friend November 2019 “What’s on Your Mind? A child wrote this to the Friend: “Someone I love died, and I miss them a lot. How can I stop hurting so much?” The Friend responds with some comforting advice about feeling grief. Article also includes an activity where scriptures are looked up and matched with the truth they teach.
Friend December 2020 “A Christmas Song for Grandpa” Jennifer’s grandfather passed away on the day she is supposed to sing a solo at the Christmas community program. She is heartbroken but remembers that because of Jesus she will see her grandfather again. She decides to sing about Jesus at the program so she can share the light and hope Jesus gives.
Friend March 2024 “More Time with Max” Ashlyn was overcome with grief when she thought she had lost her beloved dog Max while camping. She poured out her heart in prayer and was so happy when he showed up in the morning. Three years later she was losing him again to an injury, but the Holy Ghost comforted her and reminded her that she got more time with him.
Friend January 2017 Will Heavenly Father Answer My Prayers” When Elder Oaks was seven his father died. Dallin’s mother had faith and trusted in the Lord’s will.
Suicide
Friend August 2021 “Still Hearing Dad’s Song” Leah was upset when her friend said Leah’s dad couldn’t go to heaven because he committed suicide. Leah’s mom explained to Leah that her dad’s brain had been sick when he died, but he had been a very good man. She also explained that Heavenly Father knows and understands all things and loves him. Leah and her mom said a prayer together and Leah asked to know that her father was okay. She felt better after the prayer.
(Article also includes information about what suicide is and how to deal with it.)
Tell the children about someone you know who has died. Explain that when people die, their spirits leave their bodies and go to the spirit world. Read 1 Peter 3:19 and explain that when Jesus died, he went to visit the spirit world. There, He asked the righteous spirits to teach the gospel to other spirits who had not yet accepted the gospel (see Doctrine and Covenants 138:30).(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Peter”)
Draw on the board a circle with a line through the middle. Write Spirit Paradise on one half of the circle and Spirit Prison on the other half. Invite one of the children to read 1 Peter 3:18–20; 4:6 (see 1 Peter 4:6, footnote a, for revisions from the Joseph Smith Translation). Explain that when Jesus died, He went to spirit paradise. He instructed the righteous spirits there to teach the gospel to the spirits in spirit prison. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Peter”)
President Joseph Fielding Smith: “[The Father] is going to give to every man the privilege of hearing the gospel. Not one soul shall be overlooked or forgotten. This being true, what about the countless thousands who have died and never heard of Christ, never had an opportunity of repentance, never met an elder of the Church holding the authority?…The Lord has so arranged his plan…that all who have died without this opportunity shall be given it in the spirit world.”
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Peter” What can your family do to feel connected to your ancestors? Perhaps you could celebrate deceased ancestors’ birthdays by preparing their favorite meals, looking at pictures, or telling stories from their lives. If possible, you could also plan to receive ordinances for your ancestors in the temple (for help, visit FamilySearch.org).
You can learn about the family members who came before you.
You can be linked to your family forever.
With technology, doing family history today is easier than ever!
It is important work for you to do.
To Do Temple Work for Our Ancestors
Friend October 2019 “The Temple Challenge” Temple Scramble: This girl has taken a family name to the temple. Can you put the pictures in order?
Friend October 2022 “Gathering Heavenly Father’s Children” Most of Heavenly Father’s children don’t know about His plan. They don’t know about Jesus Christ. They don’t know they can be baptized or sealed to their families. Heavenly Father wants us to help gather His children so they can come home to Him. And you can help, starting with your ancestors.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 ” Malachi’s prophecy about Elijah the prophet was fulfilled when Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple and gave him the priesthood keys that allow families to be sealed together forever. You might consider inviting someone in the ward who has responsibility for temple and family history work (such as a member of the elders quorum presidency or Relief Society presidency) to help you teach this doctrine to the children. Remember to be sensitive to the feelings of children whose families have not been sealed.
Write each phrase from Malachi 4:5–6 on a separate slip of paper. Give the slips of paper to the children, and ask them to put the phrases in the correct order. Read the verses together, and discuss questions like these: Who did the Lord promise to send? When did He say this person would come? What did the Lord say that this person would do? Why would this person need to come? Where was this prophecy fulfilled? (see Doctrine and Covenants 110:13–16).
Write on the board a question like What does it mean for the hearts of the children to turn to their fathers? (see Malachi 4:6). Invite the children to ponder this question as they watch the video “Their Hearts Are Bound to You” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Then invite the children to share their thoughts about the question on the board. Discuss together experiences you or the children have had learning about family history.
Show the picture of Elijah from this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me–For Individuals and Families. Invite the children to share what they know about the event this picture depicts (see also Doctrine and Covenants 110:13–16). Testify that the sealing power Elijah restored allows families to be united eternally—including families who didn’t have that opportunity in mortality. If you have participated in a sealing, either for yourself or for a deceased person, talk about what you felt during that ordinance. Ask the children to share their feelings about their families and about God’s plan to help families be together forever.
Old Testament Stories “Adam and Eve’s Family” After Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden, they continued to learn about Heavenly Father’s plan for them on earth. They had many children and taught them all that they knew about the Lord.
Adam and Eve’s family kept a book of remembrance. They wrote their family history in the book. They wrote about how the Lord helped them.
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Genesis 5; Moses 6” Reading about the “book of remembrance” that Adam and Eve’s family kept may inspire your family to make your own book of remembrance. Discuss as a family what you would like to include. Maybe you have photos, stories, or documents from your family history. You might choose to include things that are happening in your family now. What will future generations find valuable? You could also discuss how the phrases “by the spirit of inspiration” (Moses 6:5) and “the pattern given by the finger of God” (Moses 6:46) could guide your efforts. Consider saving information from your book of remembrance on FamilySearch.org.
Story: Adam and Eve’s family made a “book of remembrance” (Moses 6:5). They wrote about Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father’s plan. This book was the beginning of the scriptures.
Song: “Love Is Spoken Here” (Children’s Songbook, 190–91)
Activity: You can make a book of remembrance too! Ask everyone in your family to write down their testimony of Jesus Christ. Then attach the pages together to make a book. Add it to your treasure box on page 30.
Heavenly Father Wants Me to Learn About My Family History.
Create a paper chain with names of people in your family (see this week’s activity page), and bring it to show the class. Tell a few things about the people on your chain. Read to the children from Doctrine and Covenants 128:18, and explain that Joseph Smith taught that “there is a welding link … between the fathers and the children.” Help the children make their own family chains, and invite them to take the chains home and have their parents help them add names of ancestors.
Ask the children to share something about one of their grandparents. Tell one of your favorite stories about your parents or grandparents. Show pictures if possible. Encourage the children to learn more about their grandparents and other ancestors.
Friend October 2019 “The Temple Challenge” Sister Jones, the general primary president, challenges a 12 year old boy to find a family name to take to the temple. He later writes to her letter telling of his success and of his opportunity to be baptized in the temple for his 3rd great grandfather and how that felt. He also tells her of his desire to do more.
Friend November 2021 “They’re Waiting for Me!” Giselle lives in India, and she can’t wait until the temple is built there so she can do baptisms for her ancestors who have died without knowledge of the gospel. (Photos at link)
Friend October 2019 “The Temple Challenge” Temple Scramble: This girl has taken a family name to the temple. Can you put the pictures in order?
How have you felt your heart turn toward your ancestors? Think of ways you can experience such feelings more often. Perhaps you could ask a relative to share a story with you about one of your ancestors—even better, you could record it. Or you could invite [a family member] to learn about an ancestor and to share what they learn with the rest of the family. Maybe you could identify a deceased ancestor who never received gospel ordinances and then have a family member perform that work in the temple.
Why does the Lord want us to learn about our family members and perform temple ordinances for them? How are we blessed when we participate in family history and temple work?
To help your children understand the “promises made to the fathers,” you could read Abraham 2:9–11 together. Identify the promises God made as part of His covenant with Abraham. How do we “plant” these promises in our hearts?
Give each child a paper heart. Help them write their name and “I promise to remember my ancestors” on it. Read Doctrine and Covenants 2:2, and explain that Elijah came to turn our hearts to our ancestors.
Friend September 2021 “For Older Kids” Pick a family member you want to learn more about. Can you learn three things about them? Write their name in your journal and draw a picture for each thing you learned.
A year ago, we went to look at some gravestones for my ancestors. We looked at the dates and saw that one of my ancestors did not die as a baby like we had thought. She died when she was 11, the same age as me. I am preparing to go to the temple to get baptized for her! I can’t wait. Mary T., age 11, Texas, USA
Family History Service
Indexing
Friend May 2017 “For Older Kids” Try indexing! This means typing what old records say so people can search for their ancestors online. Have a parent help you download the program, or visit a family history center to do it.
Children Can Do Family History
Friend September 2017 “I Can Do Family History” A real life example and photos of children in a family that do family history and how they do it.
Friend October 2022 “Liv and Melanie’s Family Magazine” Liv and her sister make their family history into a magazine. They interviewed family members whose birthdays were in July. In the August issue the theme was Father’s Day, so they interviewed all the fathers in their family. Creating a family history magazine has helped them get to know extended family members better. (See photos at link.)
Friend November 2021 “For Older Kids” What is your family’s favorite food? Make a family recipe to eat together. You can also make food from the countries your ancestors are from.
Friend October 2020 “For Older Kids” Play a family trivia game! Make a list of questions and have each member of your family answer them. Then have a quiz at home evening to guess who gave each answer!
Friend June 2020 “For Older Kids” Choose a grandparent you want to learn more about. Look up the year they were born and find out what world events or inventions happened that year. How was life different back then?
Friend May 2020 “For Older Kids” Ask a parent or family member about a time when things didn’t go like they hoped. How did they get through it? Write or draw a picture about it in your journal.
Friend February 2020 “For Older Kids” Use an online map to explore places where your parents, grandparents, or ancestors lived.
Friend February 2020
Friend July 2019 “We have a home evening once a month about one of our ancestors. We tell a story about them and show a photo if we have one. We talk about the temple and how we will be with these ancestors again someday.” —Karen H
Friend February 2019 “Getting to Know Your Family” President Oaks discusses how to learn more about your ancestors and why. Also, how to do a Get-to-Know-you party to learn about an ancestor.
It gives me a good feeling to work on family history. I’m learning the names of lots of my ancestors and learning to upload their photos too. Someday when I meet them in heaven, I’ll already know them. Aidan A., age 10, Utah, USA
The Lord asked John Whitmer to collect and record a history of the Church, “writing, copying, selecting, and obtaining all things which shall be for the good of the church, and for the rising generations” (Doctrine and Covenants 69:8). Notice how important record keeping is in the Church.
Look up an ancestor at FamilySearch.org or in other family history records.
Read his or her journals or family members’ memories about this person.
Name some good things about your ancestor.
How are you like your ancestor?
How are these records like a treasure to you?
Discussion: Talk about the things your ancestors accomplished. Discuss how their lives have blessed your life. Share ways your life is like theirs. Talk about ways your life is different than theirs.
Friend September 2017 “For Older Children” Ask your parents for old family obituaries. These are usually newspaper clippings that announce a person’s death and tell about their life. What do you want people to remember about you? Make a list of 10 things. Then upload the obituaries to FamilySearch.org.
Friend April 2019 “For Older Children”Use the Family Tree app to find out where your ancestors are from. Click “More” and then “Map My Ancestors.” How many different places do you see? List them here!
Saving Family History Items
Friend January 2021 “For Older Kids” Make a family story book! Write down a story about your family and draw pictures for each page. Staple or tie the pages together to make a book.
Friend March 2017 “Family Night Fun” Each person collects an item to put in a treasure chest and tells why that item is a treasure to them.
Friend March 2017
Friend March 2017 “For Older Kids” Make a time capsule, and what would your ancestors have put in a time capsule
Friend March 2017
Friend May 2017
Friend November 2017 Make a family recipe! Do you know which family member it came from? Upload pictures of the recipe to the memories page of that family member on FamilySearch.org.
Friend November 2017
Friend December 2019 “For Older Kids” Start a cookbook of family recipes and make one of the recipes together.
Saving Family Stories
Friend June 2022 “For Older Kids” Ask an older family member to tell you a story about their life. Write or record it to save on FamilySearch.org
Friend September 2020 “For Older Kids” Part of family history is discovering who you are. Use these questions to learn about your name, and then write down everything you learn. Why were you given your name? Do any of your family members or ancestors share your name? When people hear your name, what do you want them to think of?
Friend January 2020 “For Older Kids” Find a photo of you or your family that you can tell a story about. Write down or tell someone everything you remember about that day.
Friend August 2019 “For Older Kids” Ask a family member to tell you about a day that changed their life. Make an audio recording of their story or write it down.
Friend August 2019
Friend June 2019 “For Older Kids” Do you have a funny family story? Interview a family member and write it down. Maybe you could share it for home evening.
Read 3 Nephi 23:6–13 If the Savior were to examine the records our family has kept, what questions might He ask us? Are there any important events or spiritual experiences that we should record? Now might be a good time to create or add to a family record and counsel together about what to include. Younger family members might enjoy decorating your record with photographs or drawings. Why is it important to record our family’s spiritual experiences?Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020 ” 3 Nephi 20–26: Ye Are the Children of the Covenant”
1 Nephi CHAPTER 6 Nephi writes of the things of God—Nephi’s purpose is to persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham and be saved. About 600–592 B.C.
1 Nephi CHAPTER 9 Nephi makes two sets of records—Each is called the plates of Nephi—The larger plates contain a secular history; the smaller ones deal primarily with sacred things. About 600–592 B.C.
These verses could inspire your family to keep a record of important events and experiences from your lives. Maybe you could start a family journal, similar to the records Nephi and Lehi kept about their family’s experiences. What might you include in your family record? Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020
Friend January 2024 “Come, Follow Me Activities: Plain and Precious Plates” The Lord told Nephi to make another set of plates for a special and wise purpose (see 1 Nephi 9). Make your own set of plates out of folded paper or pieces of cardboard. (You can even wrap your paper or cardboard with aluminum foil!) Write or draw what you learn from the Book of Mormon on your plates.
Family History Stories Influences
Friend September 2017 “Following Faithful Examples” Elder Rasband keeps a painting in his office that reminds him of his ancestors stories of faith and sacrifice because it helps him remember their good examples.
Friend December 2016 “For Parents of Little Ones” Tell your child true stories of your childhood or about them when they were younger. Tell them the stories as you drive in the car or before bedtime, etc.
Friend July 2016 Link also includes a funny family history story about ducks.
Valiant: Doing the right thing even when it is difficult or we are afraid. Being valiant means to have the courage to face challenges or dangers.
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 January 2021 “Oliver the Brave” Oliver has a bad dream about monsters. He prayed, but it didn’t go away. His parents tell him he needs to do more than just pray. So he thinks of other things he can do such as singing “I am a Child of God”, and it worked.
Friend August 2020 “Maddy’s Courage” Maddy didn’t want to start school because she was afraid. Her mom reminded her of sometimes we have to do brave and hard things, such as Daniel facing the lions, or Nephi crossing the ocean, or Esther talking to the king. And just like Heavenly Father helped all of those people, He would help her too.
Friend December 2019 “Brave Like Joseph” Isabel got bumps all over her arms and legs that lasted months. The medicine made blisters and the blisters got infected. She had to go to the hospital, but she was afraid. Here mom told her about Joseph Smith’s bone surgery on his leg when he was her age. He was scared too, but he knew Heavenly Father would help him. Isabel thought that if Joseph could do that surgery, she could go to the hospital.
Heavenly Father will Help
Friend April 2021 “The Sister Solo” Sophie loved to sing and wanted to take a singing class, but she had hearing problems and was afraid. Her sister volunteered to take the choir class too. Sophie was getting comfortable and having fun, but then she had problems with one of her solos. She prayed for help and the teacher suggested she sing the solo with her sister.
Friend March 2022 “Stage Fright”Grant and his mom were going to perform a clogging dance for the ward talent show, but he got stage fright and ran. His mom found him and they said a prayer together. He knew Heavenly Father would help him, and they performed proudly.
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 October 2022 “Being Brave” Brayden was scared to talk in front of so many people for the Primary program. His father suggested saying a prayer to help him fell brave. It helped him feel better and he was able to say his part and remember all the words.
