Answer: Everything you watch or listen to affects how you think, feel, and act. And that affects the person you become. To become your best self, watch and listen to the best things. We are taught to seek after things that are “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy” (Articles of Faith 1:13). And we can know something is good if it makes us want to do good and “to believe in Christ” (Moroni 7:16). What you watch or listen to matters so much because you matter so much.
If you’re not sure how to talk to your children about online safety, consider asking them questions like these (adapted from “Scams and Safety,” Federal Bureau of Investigation, fbi.gov):
I have heard about adults pressuring kids online to send pictures of their bodies to the adult. Have you ever heard about something like that?
Has someone at school ever had a picture taken of them that was sent around to a lot of people? What could happen to that person if the picture was embarrassing?
Has anyone you don’t know ever tried to contact you or talk to you online?
Why do you think an adult would want to talk to a kid online?
Ensign August 2017 “Eight Stratagies to Help Children Reject Pornography”
Family Rules:
Keep computers and tablets in common areas.
Ask children and teens to turn in their phones and mobile devices at night.
Establish an open-book policy; parents can view texts and social media accounts at any time.
Pornography
Ensign October 2019 “Four Ways to Protect Your Family from Pornography” Even young children can learn to recognize it in a simple way: “You might accidentally see a picture or video of someone with their clothes off. That’s called pornography. When you see it, you might feel an ‘uh-oh’ feeling inside. That’s the Holy Ghost telling you, ‘That’s pornography. Stay away.’”
Friend October 2019 “What’s on Your Mind” A child sees a picture of someone without clothes on and asks the Friend what to do. The Friend explains that it is probably pornography and gives some ideas on what to do. They also include a TAG to keep by the computer that says Turn away, tell an Adult, and do something Good.
Friend November 2017 “Question Corner” Children give responses about what to do when friends look at bad pictures or show them on their phones.
Ensign October 2019 “Addressing Pornography” Joy D. Jones tells a story of a boy trusting a rattlesnake and picking it up and carrying it. When the snake bites him and the boy is shocked, the snake says,“You knew what I was when you picked me up.” Sister Jones says, “I see many parents handing their child a snake. I am speaking of smartphones.” She says that until the reasoning and decision-making abilities are fully developed and children are sufficiently taught, “we cannot put cell phones with internet access into the hands of young children.” Sister Jones also shares some ways others have protected their children from the dangers of the internet.
Why is the source of the water you drink important?
Seeking truth can be like drinking water: the source matters. Think of sources you turn to when you have questions or concerns. [such as the Internet] How confident are you that these sources provide true answers? Heavenly Father desires to answer your sincere questions and has provided trustworthy sources to guide you. [The prophet, from the scriptures, from the Holy Ghost. Don’t drown in the depths of filthy water. Go to the source of living water.]
Friend April 2018 “The Priesthood and Me” Journal entries from a girl who wonders why only boys receive the priesthood. She learns that both boys and girls use priesthood power for their callings and responsibilities.
Receiving the Priesthood
Friend May 2017 “Awesome! Robert receives the Aaronic Priesthood and learns about the line of authority.
Friend June 2016 “Was I Ready” A boy prays to know if he is ready to receive the priesthood.
Worthiness Friend October 2017 “Worthiness Worries” Matthew can’t get the image of an immodestly dressed woman out of his head that he saw on an advertisement. He worries that he isn’t worthy to receive the priesthood. His mother helps him remember that the Savior took on himself all our difficulties and he can help us.
Duties of the Priesthood
Friend November 2015 “Priesthood Power” Bobby learns that the priesthood is about serving people.
Friend January 2016 President Monson fulfilled his deacon duties by taking the sacrament to a home bound man and by being a good secretary.
Passing the Sacrament
Friend February 2025 “Peace during the Sacrament”Te Rakiwas nervous to pass the sacrament for the first time. His friend taught him what to do. He felt happy after he passed the sacrament because the sacrament allows everyone to renew their covenants, and it feels amazing to help others.
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 January 2023 “Representing Jesus” The older boys were going to show David and the other 11-year-old boys how to pass the sacrament. David was nervous because his autism sometimes made it hard for him to learn new things, but he practiced and had lots of help.
Father’s Blessings
Friend September 2025 “Back-to-School Blessing” A girl is worried about starting school and not being able to do math. Her father asks if she would like a priesthood blessing. When school started, her mom asked how school was. The girls said, “Good. I was able to concentrate in math, just like Dad said in my blessing.”
Friend November 2019 “The Primary Talk” Dennis was afraid to give a talk in Primary. He prayed, prepared, and practiced but he was still nervous, so he asked his father to give him a blessing. After the blessing he was able to give the talk with only a few stutters, and he knew Heavenly Father had helped him.
Friend June 2019 “A New Chapter” Sarah’s dad died in an accident and she and her mom had to move to a new place. Sarah is sad a lot and she is also worried about not knowing anyone in church or school. She would like a blessing, but her dad isn’t there to give her one. Her mom suggests her uncle give the blessing. After the blessing, Sarah quickly makes friends at church and school.
Friend September 2017 “Moresby the Brave” Moresby is worried about starting school, so his father gives him a blessing. Moresby’s day goes well, and he is even brave enough to help someone else who is having a hard time on their first day.
Friend February 2016 “You are Special” In Emma’s blessing from her father, Emma gets a message from Heavenly Father.
Friend June 2018 “Twin Jitters” Kaylee is nervous about getting baptized. She worries about being dropped or not being able to breath. Her twin brother is also nervous. Her grandmother suggests they get a blessing from their father. Afterwards they feel much better.
Healing Blessings
Friend July 2026 “How Prayer Helps Us” Blessed to Be Brave: Titan broke his leg bone and needed surgery. He was afraid. His dad and grandfather gave him a priesthood blessing. He felt peace and that everything would be okay.
Friend August 2024 “Margo and Paolo” Margo and Paulo and receive a blessing but don’t feel better afterwards. Their mother tells them to be patient, that sometimes blessings from the Lord take time, but she is sure He heard their prayers. A few days later they are healthy and strong again.
Friend October 2023 “Timeon’s Priesthood Blessing” Timeon fell and hurt his arm when playing monkeys with his friends at an empty tree hut. He was in a lot of pain, but there were no doctors close enough to visit in the dark. The elders gave him a priesthood blessing. Soon Timeon’s arm didn’t hurt so much. He felt calm and peaceful. He was even able to fall asleep. They were able to go see a doctor in the morning. Timeon was grateful for priesthood power.
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.
Friend August 2021 “The Power of a Priesthood Blessing” Russell M. Nelson gave a very sick doctor a priesthood blessing when they were in Mexico and not near any medical facilities. The next morning he was feeling better.
Friend March 2020 “Hayfields and Priesthood Blessings” When Elder Gerard was a boy, he lived on a farm. The dust from the hay sometimes made him sick because of his allergies. One windy summer day there was a lot of dust in the air and he was having a hard time breathing. His mother brought him in and had two farmers who were members of church give him a priesthood blessing. As they blessed him, he felt warm, peaceful, and calm.
Friend October 2019 “Matt and Mandy” Matt hurt his arm and needs surgery. He asks to get a blessing before the surgery.
Friend February 2017 “Danger at the Ice Pond” Alice tries to help push the blocks of ice in the pond, but the ice she is standing on cracks and breaks. Her father rushes her home and gives her a priesthood blessing and she has no ill effects.
Friend July 1988 “Power of Prayer” A pioneer father is inspired that something was wrong at home. When he arrives he finds that his daughter has fallen into the fireplace. He gives her a blessing and every promise is fulfilled.
Friend May 2016 “Bad Day in the Badlands” Topher and his classmates get sick on a school trip. Topher gets a priesthood blessing.
Friend May 2016
Friend April 2018 “I got sick when my dad was on a business trip. My mom called Brother Hillstrom and Brother Judkins, and they gave me a blessing. They told me that the priesthood was real and Heavenly Father could help me get better. I knew that I might not get better right away, but I would get well soon. I love the priesthood.”
Sienna P., age 8, Utah, USA
Baby Blessings
Friend June 2019 “Baby’s Blessing Day” Kate learns that a baby blessing is special when her baby sister gets blessed.
In early 1831, almost a year after the Church was organized, many people were joining the Church and gathering in Ohio, as the Lord had commanded. As the Church grew, Joseph Smith needed additional leaders to help with the work of the Church. The Church was facing many financial (money-related) challenges. Many of the Saints who gathered to Kirtland were poor. They had no land or money and little food, clothing, or other things that were necessary for them to live. The Church also needed money to build a temple and to publish written materials such as revelations and missionary pamphlets. The Prophet himself did not have a home or a way to provide for his family, and other Church leaders who were serving in the Church full-time also needed help in supporting their families.
The Prophet asked the Lord what should be done to provide for all of these needs. In February 1831 the Prophet received a revelation calling Edward Partridge, who had only been a member of the Church for two months, to serve as the first bishop of the Church. The bishop’s first responsibility was to help the Prophet provide for the physical and financial needs of the members of the Church. Joseph Smith received other revelations in the next few months that helped Bishop Partridge know what else he was to do as bishop.
Bishop Partridge was asked to help provide the needy members of the Church with food, clothing, and shelter (see D&C 42:30–31, 34). Members who had extra food or other supplies were asked to share with those who did not have enough. Bishop Partridge received and distributed these donations, keeping them in a storehouse where members in need could come.
Another duty given to Bishop Partridge was to purchase and distribute land for individual homes and Church buildings (see D&C 42:35).
Ensign April 2021 “How can we be like Edward Partridge?” Edward Partridge was the first bishop of the restored Church of Jesus Christ. With his firm testimony, he was willing to sacrifice everything he had and endure hardship after hardship, for he knew the Church to be true.
Friend March 2017 “My Dad the Bishop” Syrena was surprised when her dad was called as bishop because she thought bishops were solemn and had perfect families, but she learns that they are men with strong testimonies.
Friend November 2018 “Matt and Mandy” A regular meal turns into a Thanksgiving type meal when the family expresses things they are grateful for.
Friend November 2018 “Count Your Blessings” Jacy can’t sleep. Her father comes in when he hears her crying. He suggests that she sing a song and then count her blessings. Thinking about her blessings helps her relax and sleep.
[unitegallery gallery2]
Friend June 2024 “Count Your Blessings” Arkin and his dad happily sang “Count Your Blessings” as they sold smoked fish so they would have enough money to pay for a ride to church on Sunday, a two hour walk away. They happily sang more hymns as they walked two hours to the church to clean it on Saturday. Arkin’s family didn’t have much, but his heart felt joyful and thankful as he thought of all his blessings.
Friend November 2017 “The Blessing Fish” A family learns the story of the disciples that caught a net full of fish after Jesus told them where to cast their nets. The children realize that the fish are a blessing to Peter’s family. They talk about the blessings their family has been given.
Friend November 2017 “Sincerely, Maisy: A Muddy Thanksgiving” Maisy feels she has a lot to be grateful for after helping a family at Thanksgiving whose house was being flooded.
Gratitude Jar
Friend November 2020 “The Thankful Jar” At school, the kids got to say one thing they were thankful for and put it in a jar. Henry couldn’t think of just one, so he wanted to make a thankful jar at home and fill it up.
Gratitude Journal
Friend November 2020 “Matt and Mandy Matt and Mandy wonder how the people in the Book of Mormon kept getting wicked again and again after they were blessed so much. They decided to write a gratitude journal so they wouldn’t forget all their blessings.
Friend March 2017 “Raining!” Rain makes the earth clean and beautiful. Water helps us in many ways.
Friend March 2017Friend March 2017
Gratitude During Adversity (seeing blessings)
Friend November 2020 “120 Happy People” A family does a service project every year on the birthday of their baby who died because serving helps them feel thankful for what they have, and when they feel thankful, then happiness replaces the sad feelings. For this years project they decide to thank you notes to people every day and help 120 people feel happy.
Friend November 2020
Friend November 2019 “Matt and Mandy” Matt broke his arm and had to have surgery. He keeps his sense of humor through the whole ordeal. At Thanksgiving he shares all the things he is grateful for in regards to what happened to his arm; he’s grateful for doctors, priesthood blessings, learning to do hard things, that his injury wasn’t worse, etc.
Friend November 2019 “Searching for Sir Crunch-a-Lot” Mackenzie’s family shop at the bishop’s storehouse for their food because they don’t have much money after her dad lost his job. Mackenzie wishes she didn’t have to eat boring food like granola instead of her favorite cereal brand, and sandwiches instead of pizza at school. But then she finds out that a friend sitting next to her isn’t eating lunch because she is fasting for a family member. Mackenzie realizes how hard it must be to fast, and she is grateful for all the people who fast and give fast offerings so she and her family don’t go hungry. (Refreshment Idea: Friend November 2019 “Family Night Fun: Gratitude Granola” Have family members say something they’re grateful for as they add each ingredient!
Friend November 2019Friend November 2019
Friend November 2016 “Pie-crust Cabins” When Robbin’s great grandmother was young, her family didn’t have much at Thanksgiving, so they made pie crust cabins with what they had to remind them of their blessings. It became a family tradition.
Friend November 2016
Friend October 2017 “Bread and Gratitude” A man at a restaurant always find some fault in the meal no matter what the waiter provides. “As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are commanded to “thank the Lord [our] God in all things” (D&C 59:7). If we focus on the blessings we think we are missing, it can make us unhappy.“
Friend October 2017 “Bread and Gratitude” Fill in the blank story about a boy who has a terrible day, but after a dream he realizes he is grateful for all those things that had been difficult the day before.
Friend March 1987 “Fruit for Hernando” Hernando and his family has very little, but he realizes they are blessed.
Friend Nov. 1985 “Something of Value” After her father loses his job, Janie learns that there are more important things than possessions and that she has many blessings.
Friend Nov. 2015 “Sweeter then Pie” Tally gets sick before her school party, but she has good friends that remember her.
Friend May 2019 “The Gratitude Goal” Kate’s favorite scripture story was the story of the ten lepers. She couldn’t believe that out of the ten people Jesus healed, only one said thank you! She’d made it a goal ever since to always say thank you, even when she was stressed and worried about such things as making the soccer team.
Friend July 2018 “Thank You!” Action rhyme about remembering to say thank you when someone helps you.
Friend June 2023 “The Kindness Coin” Nina gave her neighbor free lemonade at her stand as a thank you for all the help he had given to her family. Her neighbor was so kind though that he put it on the porch for her to find. Nina and her neighbor went back and forth finding places to put the coin at each other’s houses. It was a fun game. But then the neighbor had the coin made into a necklace for Nina.
Friend June 2023 “The Kindness Coin” Nina gave her neighbor free lemonade at her stand as a thank you for all the help he had given to her family. Her neighbor was so kind though that he put it on the porch for her to find. Nina and her neighbor went back and forth finding places to put the coin at each other’s houses. It was a fun game. But then the neighbor had the coin made into a necklace for Nina.
Friend February 2018 “Grateful Gifts” A man in Alice’s ward gives her and her sister a flute as a thank you for playing the piano for Sacrament meetings. Alice loves the gift and learns a song to play for the man to show her appreciation.(Article includes photos of the people and of the special flute)
Friend September 2015 “Sister Pettigrew’s Lesson” – link includes thank you note to write to teacher
Blessing of Freedom
Friend July 1988 “Grandpa Max’s Flag” Scott’s grandfather puts up a US flag everyday because he immigrated from a country where the people didn’t have freedom; they were taxed and imprisoned unfairly or forced to join the military.
Friend July 1988Friend July 1988Friend July 1988Friend July 1988
Friend February 2026 “Jesus Went to Church” Below are pictures of things you can do at church or home on the Sabbath to think about Jesus and spend time with your family. Lay a pencil flat in the middle of the pictures and then spin it. When it stops, do the activity it’s pointing to. You can do as many as you want!
Read Moses 3:2–3, and ask the children to listen for what God did on the seventh day. Bring pictures (or make simple drawings) of things we do on Sunday to make it a holy day and things we do on other days. Let the children sort the pictures into two piles, one for Sunday and one for other days. Testify of why it is important to keep the Sabbath day holy.
A few days before class, invite one of the children and his or her parents to come prepared to share things they do in their family to keep the Sabbath day holy. Invite the other children to share what their families do.
How does keeping the Sabbath day holy show our love and respect for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? Help the children role-play scenarios in which they explain to a friend why they choose to do things on Sunday that honor Heavenly Father and Jesus. Suggest that they use Genesis 2:2–3 in their explanations.
Give the children a few minutes to write a list of as many things as they can think of that they can do to make the Sabbath a holy day. Invite the children to share their lists, and encourage them to add to their lists as others share suggestions they didn’t think of. Suggest that the children take the lists home with them and refer to them when they need ideas of good things to do on the Sabbath.
Bring pictures or objects that depict good things we can do on Sunday to worship the Lord and find joy. Some ideas are found in Doctrine and Covenants 59:9–12 and “Sabbath Day Observance” (For the Strength of Youth, 30–31). For example, to represent the sacrament, you could show picture 108 in the Gospel Art Book or a sacrament cup and a piece of bread. How does each of these things help us be closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ on the Sabbath?
Complete this week’s activity page with the children to give them ideas to make the Sabbath a holy day.
The Lord said that observing the Sabbath helps us “keep [ourselves] unspotted from the world” (Doctrine and Covenants 59:9). How can you help the children you teach honor the Sabbath and make it a sign of their love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
Invite the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 59:9–16 in pairs, and ask each pair to write down something they learn about the Sabbath day from each verse. After several minutes, ask each pair to share with the class what they wrote. What will we do differently on the Sabbath because of what we learned?
Prepare a simple matching game in which the children match phrases from Doctrine and Covenants 59:9–16 to the correct verse. Choose phrases that teach what the Lord wants us to do on the Sabbath. Discuss what these phrases teach us about the Lord’s day and how we can come closer to Him.
The Sabbath day is “the Lord’s day” (Doctrine and Covenants 59:12)—a day to show that we remember the many works of the Lord as we worship Him (see Bible Dictionary, “Sabbath”). Help the children ponder these works by inviting them to read the following scripture passages and showing them related pictures: Genesis 2:1–3(see Gospel Art Book, no. 3); John 20:1–19 (see Gospel Art Book, no. 59). What other mighty works of the Lord can we remember on the Sabbath? What else do we learn about the Sabbath from Doctrine and Covenants 59:9–16?
Honoring the Sabbath is a Sign of My Love for the Lord.
Draw a heart on the board, and ask the children what this symbol can mean. Help them think of other things that can be a sign for love, like a hug or an act of service. Read to them Exodus 31:13. Help them understand that when we keep the Sabbath day holy, it is a sign to the Lord that we love Him.
Tell the children about some of the ways you try to show your love for the Lord on the Sabbath. Let them share how they and their families do this. Invite them to use this week’s activity page to share more ideas.
Ask the children a few questions to help them understand what a sign is—for example, “What signs let you know that spring is coming or that you’re getting a cold?” Invite them to read Exodus 31:13, 16–17 and find the word “sign.” What did the Lord say is a sign between us and Him? Why is this sign so important?
Sign definition: Something indicating the presence or existence of something else (Mirriam Webster Thesaurus)
Invite the children to take turns explaining why they choose to honor the Sabbath. Videos like “The Sabbath Is for You” or “Upon My Holy Day—Honoring the Sabbath” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) can help.
Invite the children to write down all the things they can think of that they can do on Sunday to show the Lord that they love Him. Encourage them to share a few things from their lists. Invite them to take their lists home, share them with their families, and refer to them whenever they need ideas about what to do on the Sabbath day.
After reading these verses, perhaps your family could discuss President Russell M. Nelson’s question about our behavior on the Sabbath: “What sign will you give to the Lord to show your love for Him?” (“The Sabbath Is a Delight,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 130). Your family could make some signs to place around your home to remind you how you will show love for the Lord on the Sabbath. (See also the video collection “Sabbath Day—At Home” [ChurchofJesusChrist.org].)
Ask the children to repeat the phrase “Call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord” (Isaiah 58:13) several times. Explain that “delight” means something that brings us joy. Ask the children to share some things that bring them joy. Testify that the Lord gave us the Sabbath day because He wants us to have joy. Tell the children why the Sabbath is a delight to you.
Read to the children from Isaiah 58:14: “Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord.” Explain to the children that the Sabbath is a special day—a time when we can think about the things Heavenly Father and Jesus did to help us be happy. Help the children think of things they can do on the Sabbath to remember Heavenly Father and Jesus. Invite them to draw their ideas and share their pictures with one another and their families.
What is the difference between “finding [our] own pleasure” and finding “delight … in the Lord” on the Sabbath? How can we make the Sabbath “a delight”?
Sabbath Day: Lesson Item 10 Stringboard activity: Have the children name some things they could do on Saturday to help prepare for Sunday. Have the children write each idea on one of the pathway stones (for little ones, draw some simple pictures on the stones). Tell the children that on each Saturday they can move their figures across their stringboard as they accomplish each item.
Friend October 2018 “Food and Fun” Make this all-in-one breakfast egg muffin during FHE. Each person could prepare one or two of their favorite toppings. Little ones can chop olives or mushrooms with a butter knife, or they could put cheese in a bowl or whisk the eggs.
Freeze some and explain that they are preparing ahead to keep the Sabbath day holy.
For a family home evening treat, fill some of the bread liners with a pie filling (could also top with whipped cream or ice cream after baking.)
Read Matthew 12:10–13 out loud. Invite the children to stand up and sit down every time you say “Sabbath,” and repeat with them the phrase “It is [right] to do well on the sabbath days” (Matthew 12:12). What do they think that means?
Calendar Activity: Show a calendar to the children, and highlight the Sabbath day for them. What do we do on other days of the week? What can we do on the Sabbath to make it different from other days? (see Isaiah 58:13–14).
Print and cut out the images. Have the children take turns putting the things that fulfill the purposes of the Sabbath on the Sunday squares and put the other things on one of the weekday squares. Before deciding where a picture goes, ask the following question: “Does it bring me closer to Heavenly Father, increase my spiritual strength, or rest my body?” As you do the activity, pay attention to all the days on the calendar that the family has to do their work, sports, and recreation, and notice that there is only one day a week that we are to set aside as a holy day of worship.
Ask the children to draw good things they can do on the Sabbath day (see this week’s activity page).
Invite the children to come up with actions to help them remember ways we get ready for the Sabbath as they sing the song “Saturday” (Children’s Songbook, 196).
Draw eyes, ears, a mouth, and hands on the chalkboard. Ask the children to tell you what each of these parts of our bodies can do to keep the Sabbath day holy.
www.clipartengine.com
Friend July 2024 “The Scripture Theater” Jenna and Johnny were bored so they decided to get the Sunday Box out. They played the scripture hero matching game first and then they got some costumes out of the box and acted out one of our favorite scripture stories. They invited the other family members to see their play. They discovered Sunday is fun and is a special day.
Friend July 2024 “Sunday Activities” Toss a small item, like a bean or a coin, onto the page. Then do the activity it lands on. When you’re done, try it again! Keep going until you get four in a row.
The Sabbath is a day to do good things that bring me closer to God.
Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School: New Testament 2023 In their zeal to keep the Sabbath day holy, the Pharisees had implemented strict rules and man-made traditions, which eventually clouded their understanding of the true purpose of the Sabbath.
“What did the Savior mean when He said that “the sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath”? [ Mark 2:27 ]. I believe He wanted us to understand that the Sabbath was His gift to us, granting real respite [or relief] from the rigors of daily life and an opportunity for spiritual and physical renewal. God gave us this special day, not for amusement or daily labor but for a rest from duty, with physical and spiritual relief.” (Russell M. Nelson, “The Sabbath Is a Delight,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 129)
Watch the video “Share Your Sabbath” (0:53), which shares several ways to “do good” on the Sabbath day.
Invite a child to pretend to be the man whose hand was healed by the Savior (see Matthew 12:10–13). Another child could ask him or her questions about the experience.
Read together Matthew 12:12. What are some good things we can do on the Sabbath? Let the children draw their ideas on this week’s activity page, cut out the pieces, and take turns putting each other’s puzzles together.
What are some of your favorite ways to come closer to Jesus Christ on Sunday?
Hide several pictures of people doing things that show love for Heavenly Father on the Sabbath day. Ask the children to find the pictures and share how doing the things in the pictures shows our love for God.
Additional Resources:
Sabbath Music
Friend August 2017 “Family Night Fun” Music can affect our mood and our ability to feel the Spirit.
Ideas of Things to do on the Sabbath
Friend June 2025 “Sunday Activities” Cut out the ideas below and put them in a jar. Add your own ideas too! Each Sunday this month, try an activity to help you feel closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Ensign March 2017 “Helping Children Delight in the Sabbath” Lots of wonderful ideas of fun things to do with children on the Sabbath.
Friend August 2017 Have the children make a notebook of their favorite stories and activities from the Friend magazine.
Friend August 2017 “To make the Sabbath day special, we make scripture scenes from our toys. We made Moses standing on Mount Sinai while the Israelites worshipped a golden calf.” Nathan, Ryan, and Paul
Play a conference talk while other things are making noise such as appliances, tv, radio, etc. In order to hear the conference talk the first thing they will have to do is to turn off all the competing noises. That is why Heavenly Father has given us the Sabbath day—so we can turn off competing influences and listen to the Spirit.
Strengthen Family Relationships: Play “Spin the Family Bottle.” This requires a large, empty soda pop bottle. The family sits in a circle. Someone spins the bottle on the floor, then tells what he or she likes about the person to whom it points. Next, that person spins the bottle and the process is repeated.
Object Lesson: Use a pitcher of water, a bowl, and a cup to illustrate how we might become spiritually filled. Pour water from the pitcher into the cup, explaining that as we attend our Church meetings, worship, and keep the Sabbath day holy, we are filled with the spirit of the Lord. During the week we are involved in activities that may drain our spiritual reserves. Name several possibilities, such as school, chores, sports, friends, a disagreement with a family member, or making a wrong choice, as you pour water from the cup into the bowl. On the Sabbath day we can become spiritually filled and refreshed again. (Primary 6 Manual: Lesson 20)
Friend April 2017 “For Parents of Little Ones” Ideas for helping your little ones have a holy Sabbath Day.
Friend January 2018 “For Parents of Little Ones” Ideas for helping your little ones have a holy Sabbath Day.
Friend January 2016 “For Parents of Little Ones” Ideas for attending church with little ones.
Friend December 2023 “The First Christmas” Make your own Nativity scene! Cut out each picture. Then glue or tape the pictures inside a small box or on a piece of cardboard.
Friend December 1988 “Sharing Time: Two Witnesses of Jesus Birth” Read the skit as the silhouettes are pressed against a backlit piece of fabric or sheet. (Book of Mormon & Bible tell of Jesus’ birth.)
Friend December 2019 “Matt and Mandy” Mandy and her friend Jazzmine want their families to do a nativity pageant together. Jazzmine’s grandparents want to play Simeon and Anna who recognized Jesus at the temple the same way we can recognize him in our lives, through the Holy Ghost.
Friend December 2017 “Skyler’s Nativity” Skyler helps with the nativity play. Also, count how many stars are in the sky.
Friend December 2020 “Christmas Play” After Mark and his siblings hear the story of Jesus’s birth, they dress up and act it out. (Circle the things Mark and Sarah could use for their play!)
Item needed: A flannel board or carpet board, sticky-back hook Velcro, and scriptures for each child. Also print the Primary manual cutouts onto white cardstock.
Cut out the pictures and stick a small piece of hook Velcro onto the back of each cutout. The Velcro will make the cutouts stick to the flannel board or carpet board.
Place the cutouts face up on a table or tape them to the walls around the room.
Scripture Story
Read or tell the following story:
Jesus loved, served, and taught the Jewish people while he was on the earth, but there were some Jewish leaders who opposed him. They were upset that people were following Jesus instead of them, so they illegally had him tried and sentenced to death.
(Have the children read Luke 23:33 and then have a child pick the picture that matches the scripture and put it on the flannel board.) Explain that to crucify means to nail or tie a person’s hands and feet to a cross and leaving that person to die.
Jesus was placed on the cross sometime before noon on Friday. At noon the sun was hidden from view, and darkness spread over the land for three hours. Those who were watching in the darkness heard Jesus cry out, “It is finished.” His suffering had ended. He bowed his head and died.
After Jesus died on the cross what happened to his spirit? (Read Luke 23:46) When Jesus died, his spirit left his body and went to the spirit world (Read D&C 138: 11-12, 16, 18, 36)
How do you think his friends and disciples felt after Jesus was crucified? After he died, Jesus’ friends and disciples carefully removed his body from the cross. They wrapped his body in fine linen cloth and with spices, as was the custom in those days. (Take off crucifixion cutout and have a child find and put up matching picture- the wrapping of Jesus’ body)
The Savior’s friends placed his body in a tomb. A tomb is a small room, often carved out of a large rock, in which people can be buried. The newly hewn tomb Jesus’ body was placed in belonged to a rich man named Joseph of Arimathaea. He was a follower of Jesus. (Take off cutout of wrapping the body and have a child find and put up the picture of the tomb.)
Jesus was placed in the tomb on Friday evening because Saturday was the Jewish Sabbath and burying people on that day was not allowed. A large stone was rolled over the mouth of the tomb doorway. (Have a child find and put the large stone cutout on tomb opening)
After Jesus’ body was placed in the tomb, the chief priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. They remembered that Jesus had said that after three days he would rise again. They asked Pilate to have the sepulcher guarded against his disciples coming in the night and stealing the body away. They did not believe Jesus would be resurrected. They thought Jesus’ friends would hide his body and say he was alive again. The stone was sealed and guards were set to watch. (Have a child find the cutout of the guards and put it on the flannel board.)
The Sabbath was a long, sad day for his followers. Early on the third day after his death, which was Sunday, an angel (the Joseph Smith translation says it was two angels) came down from heaven and rolled back the stone from the door of the tomb. (Have a child find the cutout of the angel and put it on the flannel board and then move the stone to one side.) The guards were afraid and shook and fell as dead men. (Lay down the soldier cutout)
Some women had wanted to put special ointments on Jesus body to prepare it for burial, but they didn’t have time before the Sabbath, so they came back as soon as the Sabbath was over to finish preparing his body. (Have a child find and put up cutout of women with ointments, off to one side, and take off the soldier cutout.)
As the women walked to the sepulcher they wondered how they would move the heavy stone from the tomb. (Put the cutout of the women close to the tomb) But when they arrived at the tomb they saw that the stone had been rolled away. The tomb was empty. Jesus’ body was gone. The women saw the angels, who told them not to be afraid. (Read Matthew 28:5-6) When the angel said, “He is risen,” he was telling the women that Jesus Christ had been resurrected. (Hold up cutout of Jesus Resurrected)
Items needed: Two tan or light brown felt squares, a piece of heavy iron-on interfacing 6”x15” and a 8”X16” piece of a soft silky white fabric. Print the Puppet Patterns.
Instructions: Put the two pieces of felt together and pin the puppet pattern onto it. Cut out the puppet. Fold the white fabric in half and pin the puppet pattern to it and cut it out. Put the two puppet pieces of felt together and stitch around ¼ of an inch from the edge. Leave the bottom of the puppet open where the hand goes. Next put the two puppet pieces of white fabric together so that the wrong side of the fabric is facing out. Stitch ¼ inch around the edges (leaving the bottom open). Zig zag (or serge) around the edge if it needs extra reinforcing. Turn the white fabric puppet inside out so that the right side is facing out.
Place the boy patterns under the interfacing and trace the pictures onto the interfacing. (Note: Some printers can print the puppets directly onto the interfacing.) Color the interfacing figures with permanent markers and crayons. (Keep the robes white on the one boy figure) Cut out around the edges of the boy figures. Place the boy with robes onto the white fabric puppet and the other boy on the felt puppet so that the adhesive side of the interfacing is facing down against the fabric. Put paper over the puppets and interfacing and with a medium to hot iron, adhere the interfacing to the puppet.
Lesson
What does it mean to be resurrected? When Jesus was resurrected, his spirit came back into his body. He was alive again, but his body was changed. He still had a body of flesh and bones, but his body was perfected and would never die again. His body was immortal.
When Jesus was resurrected it was the first time anyone on earth had been resurrected. Because of Jesus’ resurrection, all people who have lived, or who ever will live on earth, will be resurrected. We will live again after we die, and our bodies will be immortal. He made this possible for us because he loves us.
Puppet Object Lesson:
(Put the white robbed puppet on your hand, or on the hand of one of the children.) When we lived with Heavenly Father before we were born we were called spirits. This white puppet represents the spirit, which lived in the pre-earth life with Heavenly Father. We could move (move the fingers) and think and learn.
When we came to live on earth and were born, we were given earthly bodies. (Put the felt puppet over the white fabric puppet) The spirit and the body were temporarily joined together, and the spirit gave the body life. (Move fingers)
When we die, the spirit and the body separate (take off the felt puppet, being careful not to take off the white puppet at the same time). The body can no longer move (indicate the empty felt puppet), but the spirit is still alive (move fingers) and goes to the spirit world to wait for the resurrection.
(Put the felt puppet back over the white fabric puppet) When we are resurrected, the spirit and body are reunited and the body becomes perfect. We become immortal which means that the spirit and body will never be separated again.
Take this quiz to think about how you can be honest with yourself and others.
Lying
Friend September 2019 “The Shaving Mistake” When Elder Allen D. Haynie was nine years old he thought he could grow a mustache if he shaved, so he used his father’s razor for several days. One day his father saw him shaving and warned him not to do that because he could get cut. He disobeyed and did it again. The razor slipped and cut above his lip. He lied to his father about what happened and felt terrible, so he told his father the truth. He learned to tell the truth from that experience. (Activity: Use the code to fill in the blanks with the right letters. It makes the message “I can be brave by telling the truth.”)
Friend September 2024 “Margo and Paolo” Margo and Paolo drop the lemonade and they blame it on their bird. But then they confess that it was their fault. They fix it by cleaning it up and making more.
Not Charged Enough
Deciding to Be Honest
Friend August 2020 “How Do You Spell Honesty” When Elder Timothy J. Dyches was in six grade he hadn’t missed a spelling word all year long. If he kept getting perfect scores, I would receive an award for spelling at the end of the year. Then he noticed that he had missed a word on a spelling test that was incorrectly graded. He was honest and told his teacher about it.
Friend July 2019 “Score One for Honesty” Eli needed to practice his throwing because he had a football game coming up, but it was raining outside. Even though it was against the rules, he decided to practice inside with his brother while his mom was at the store. But disaster strikes when one of his throws hits the shelf with his mother’s fancy dishes on it. He tries to fix the broken dishes but it doesn’t work. He thinks about hiding what happened, but he decides to be honest and tell the truth so he can honor his priesthood.
Friend July 2019
Friend July 2019
Friend April 2019 “Sweet Honesty” Trying to get a taste of sugar, Arlen accidentally knocks the sugar jar off a high shelf when she is left in charge of the house. She considers not telling her mom that she spilled all the sugar, but decides to be honest.
Friend March 2019 “Being Honest is Best” Verity’s name means truth. She feels good when she is honest and truthful. (Activity: Circle the letters used to spell TRUTH in the picture below. Then practice writing the word TRUTH.)
Friend September 2018 “Stickers Everywhere” Carey found a package of stickers in a bag on the counter and opened them and stuck them all over the house. When her mom finds what Carey did she is upset because the stickers were for Carey’s brother’s birthday party, but Carey is honest and tells her mom that she did it. Her mom tells her to ask next time, but she is proud of Carey for being honest.
Friend June 1988 “Treasures” Amy accidently breaks one of Sister Pedersons glass treasures. She buys a glass swan to replace the one that broke and then she tells Sister Pedersons what she did.
The Helpers – Cindy tells her mom the truth after breaking a pot, even though her mom thinks the baby did it. Friend March 1987
Winnie Wins – A girl is tempted to cheat in a geography test to beat a boy who teases her. Friend May 1984
The Raid – A boy shows it’s better to be honest and ask to pick the cherries than it is to take them. Friend July 1985
The Compliment Tree – Betsy gets a branch on the compliment tree for doing well on a test, but she discovers a mistake on the test. She doesn’t want to lose her branch, but she is honest and tells the teacher. Friend February 1986
The Last Coin – Laura wants to be honest in achieving the swimming lesson requirements even though her friend wants her to cut corners. Friend August 1986
Friend March 2016 “Honesty Geography” During a geography test, Julie tells the teacher about a map accidentally left on the board.
Friend January 1987 “Jason’s Courage” Jason accidentally breaks a church window. He learns it takes courage to be honest.
I Believe in Being Honest and True
Friend February 2023 “The Egg Mess” Sasha learned a part of the 13th Article of Faith; “I believe in being honest.” She remembers that part after she and her brother make a mess with eggs while playing a game with them. They tell their mother the truth, that they made the mess and will clean it up.
Finders Keepers?
Friend November 2018 “Finders Keepers?” Mike finds some money on the school grounds and takes it to the office even though his friends think they should keep it and spend it.
Friend September 2024 “Lost and Found Pencils” A girl finds some nice colored pencils on the floor at school and takes them home. Her mom reminds her that someone is probably sad because they lost them. So the next day she takes them and puts them in the lost and found.
Helping Others Be Honest
Friend March 2017 “Sliding from the Truth” Tori’s lab partner accidentally broke a slide and wants to lie about it to the teacher. Tori helps him tell the truth.
Friend April 2017 “Cheating is Poisonous” Annmarie has a hard time spelling poisonous and is tempted to cheat on a spelling test, but she realizes cheating would be poisonous to her spirit.
Friend March 2022 “Matt and Mandy” Matt studies hard for a test and won’t let a friend cheat off him because then he would be cheating too. He offers to help his friend study for the next test.
Friend February 2026 “The Cheetah Chase Lie” Emma really wanted a cheetah sticker, but you had to correctly do 93 math problems in 5 minute, and it was really hard. If you get five stickers, you win a prize! During the test, Emma hid her paper with her hand, like she had done other times, and she kept writing answers even after the timer went off, but her teacher saw her. Then she lied to her teacher about it. She felt terrible. When her mom asked what was wrong, she told her what happened. Emma prayed for forgiveness and then wrote her teacher an email telling her the truth. She felt warm inside and was glad she decided to repent.
Stealing
Friend October 2018 “Toy-Truck Trouble” When Nate was walking home from school he saw trucks in a sandbox. Everyday he put a different color truck in his pocket and took it home. He felt bad but wanted to collect the trucks. Then one day a woman found him taking a truck. She asked if he knew where the other trucks were. Nate went home and got them and brought them back. The boy asked if he’d like to play, and Nate had the best time.
Friend May 1987 “Ben & the Birthday Thief” Ben’s friend steals a watch to give to Ben as a birthday gift. What does Ben do?
Friend July 2022 “Matt and Mandy” Mandy’s friend steals some fruit and offers it to Mandy. Mandy said she can’t take it because she wouldn’t feel good about it. They decide to return the fruit.
We are Trusted when We are Honest
Friend September 2018 “Map Champ” During a map game at school, Linda doesn’t hear the teacher because the kids are being too loud. Her teacher trusts her because she doesn’t lie, and the teacher gives her another chance.
Friend September 2018Friend September 2018
Friend March 2022 “The Snack-Stand Superheroes” Some boys find a box of candy bars under the bleachers. They decide to do the right thing and take it to the snack stand owner to see if it belongs to him.
Repenting of Being Dishonest
Fiend July 2021 “The Honesty Question” Christy was nominated for an outstanding citizen award, but she had to fill out some questions about the good things she does in the community. She ran out of ideas and decides to write what she plans on doing. She didn’t feel good inside after turning in her answers. She repents and goes to the office to make things right the next day.
Friend July 2025 “Money at the Market” Anane was asked by his mom to deliver some money to his uncle. As he passed the market he saw his favorite treats. He bought them and hoped his uncle wouldn’t notice the missing money. But when he got home, and his mother asked how it went, he started feeling guilty. At church, his teacher talked about making good choices and obeying parents, and he felt guilty again. After church he told his parents what he had done. His father was proud of him for being honest.
The purpose of this page is to index the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints images that are available for use in member’s lessons at church or at home. A link is provided at the bottom of most of the images which will take you to where they are located. Many of the images are thumbnails of the original. Click on the image to see the full image. A copied and pasted image can be put into a word document in order to adjust the size.
