Friend January 2019 “I Can Read the New Testament” The scriptures in this chart coordinate with the Come, Follow Me manuals for home and Primary. Color in the spaces after you read.
Friend February 2023 “Picture Puzzle” What were Peter and Andrew trying to catch when Jesus spoke to them? (See Matthew 4:18–19.) Color in the squares on the grid to answer the question. The first one is done for you.
Sermon on the Mount
Friend March 2019 “Sermon on the Mount” Look up the scriptures and match them with the pictures.
Friend October 2023 “New Testament Sudoku” Use the clues to help you write numbers in the colored boxes. Fill in the empty squares so that the numbers 1–6 are in each row (across), each column (up and down), and each outlined box.
Friend March 2024 “Conference Squares” Here’s an activity to do while you listen to conference. When a speaker talks about one of topics, cover the square with a small item. Try to cover four in a row. Then try to cover all the squares!
Friend May 2023 “Find It” Our prophets and apostles speak to the whole world from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah! Can you find the hidden items?
Four in a Row: When you hear someone talk about one of these things, put a marker (like a button or a pebble) on the square. Can you fill out a whole row? What about the whole box?
Conference Coloring: Listen for the words below as you watch conference. Color part of the picture as you hear each word.
Listen with Your Heart: When you hear the words Holy Ghost or Spirit, draw a heart in this space. When you hear the word listen, draw a smiley face.
Friend March 2020 “Your General Conference Notes” Color the pictures when you hear the items mentioned in the talks. Write in the speech bubbles other words you hear. Draw the speakers behind the podiums. Color the special bookmark/image while listening to the prophet.
Friend November 2019 “Conference News” The next general conference will celebrate 200 years since Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. President Nelson invited us to get ready by reading about the First Vision. Color in each scripture icon as you read the verses from Joseph Smith—History.
Friend October 2019 “Prophets and Apostles” Color the pictures during general conference of the people who speak, or after conference as you remember your favorite talks. Color a heart every time you hear someone mention Jesus. He loves you!
Friend September 2019 “Funstuff: Go for Four this Conference” Whenever you hear one of the words in the list, take turns writing your letter (X or O) in one of the circles on the bottom row. See who can build four in a row first.
Friend April 2019 “Conference Building Blocks” Fill in the temple building blocks with numbers from the list. During conference, when you see or hear something from your list, place a marker (like a bean or candy) on that block.
Friend March 2019 “While You’re Watching Conference” Color in each space as you hear the words in the spaces during conference.
Friend October 2018 “Funstuff” “Conference Hearts: Each time you feel loved or hear the word “love,” color a heart.” “Conference Words: Write down a word to help you remember what a talk was about. For example, if someone speaks about faith, write “faith” in a bubble.”
Friend May 2018 “Our Prophets and Apostles Today” Match the picture with the names and facts about each leader, or tape the top of the picture to the facts about the leader and flip it up and learn more about them during conference.
Friend March 2018 “Pitch Your Tent” Cutout to build a tent like King Benjamin’s people. Children put strips of paper in the tent of things learned during conference.
Friend October 2017 “Conference Quest” Fill in the empty spaces along the path with words from the list, or think of your own. When a speaker says the next word on your path, move a coin or bead forward.
Friend April 2017 Draw lines from the picture of the speaker to what they are speaking about. If a topic isn’t already on the page, write it in!
Friend March 2017 Put a penny or bean on a square each time you hear that word in a talk. Whenever you reach five times on a word, you could switch out the pile with a five-cent coin or different-colored bean.
Friend May 2019 “Cover” Find items in the illustration of a family watching conference.
Friend November 2016 “Show & Tell” Make cereal necklaces while watching conference (could put one on every time hear a certain word-like prayer). Set up a small tent in living room to watch conference in like King Benjamin’s people did.
Friend May 2021 “Find It” Emma and Lily love to draw temples when they watch conference with their grandparents. How does your family watch conference? Can you find the hidden objects?
Friend October 2022 We made a collage from old Church magazines while we listened to conference. It helped us feel the Spirit and was a lot of fun! (see image at link)
Friend March 2022 “Cake and Kindness” Juli didn’t think her aunt liked to her because her aunt was so strict and never smiled. She decided to be patient, kind, and brave in trying to speak Spanish with her aunt. She agreed to help her aunt make a cake for Juli’s parents anniversary. Her aunt was patient with her as she tried to speak Spanish and was less strict and even smiled. Juli was glad her prayer was answered.
Being Kind Helps Us Feel Happy
Friend June 2022 “Coloring the Boring Day Away” Clara was bored and frustrated because there wasn’t anything to do. Her brother decides to color some pictures for their new neighbors. She joined in. It was fun helping bring happiness to others.
Setting an Example of Kindness
Friend April 2018 “A High-Five Example”Students in a special needs class we’re trying to give Lily’s classmates high fives as they walked by, but nobody did it until Lily gave them all high fives then everyone behind her did it.
Friend April 2022 “Brave Friends” Anisha had only been in the country for a few months and was still working on learning English. She was afraid to give her history report because some of the words were hard. Molly helped her practice, but the kids still giggled while Anisha gave her report. When it was Molly’s turn she started by complimenting Anisha on her report and her hard work learning English. After class, several others went to Anisha and complimented her too.
Friend February 2023 “The Happy Note” Riley’s new teacher is nervous when he teaches and the kids can’t hear him very well and are talking about him and laughing. Riley decided to cheer him on. She invited some kids to her house and they made a poster for him. They wrote things they liked about him and things they had already learned from him. He looked so happy when he read it, and Riley heard a kid say they couldn’t wait to go to his class that day.
Caring and Consideration
Friend August 2023 “The Broken Water Bottle” Sophia noticed her friend wasn’t drinking any water on a hot day after school. Her friend said she broke her water bottle and she couldn’t get a new one. Sophia worried about her friend because clean water was hard to come by, and they needed to bring clean water from home. Sophia started bringing plastic bottles of water to school for her friend. Her friend was so grateful. Then Sophia’s mom let her friend use a spare water bottle they had. Her friend was so happy and Sophia felt warm inside. She knew she had helped her friend, like Jesus would.
Friend February 2021 “A Perfect Fit” As they played basketball, Tony noticed that his friend Sean’s shoes were coming apart. Sean explained that he couldn’t get new ones until his dad found a job. Tony wanted to help Sean. He said a prayer. The next morning he noticed some shoes in his closet that his older brother had given him that didn’t fit. Sean was happy when Tony gave them to him and they fit him perfectly.
Friend March 2020 ” The Birthday Markers” Marcus loves to draw and was excited to get a new set of markers for his birthday. He notices that his friend looks sad when Marcus got his markers. Marcis then remembered that his friend had a birthday recently and probably didn’t get any presents because his dad recently lost his job. There are two of each color in Marcus’s new set of markers, and he decides to take one of each of the colors and wrap them up to give to his friend.
Friend March 2020
Friend March 2020
Friend June 2019 “Waiting for Ian” Ian was in an accident and was in the hospital and then in recovery for several months. The Primary kids asked if they could postpone the Primary Program until Ian was better because they knew that Ian loved participating in it.
Friend May 2019 “The Red Cupcake” Sam couldn’t wait to have one of Ryan’s birthday cupcakes. But when he finally got to the front of the line to get his cupcake, it was the last one, and Jenny was still behind him. She looked sad, so Sam told the teacher that Jenny could have his cupcake. Jenny suggested that they share it, and they were both happy. Friend May 2019 “Family Fun Night”Cupcake refreshment idea.
Friend February 2019 “Ways to Show You I Care” Action rhyme of things to do to show you care about someone.
Friend December 2017 “Warm Hands, Warm Heart” Monroe notices some of her friends don’t have gloves to keep their hands warm at recess, so she brings some gloves to share.
Friend December 2017 “The Red Ticket” Matteo’s Friend was always getting into trouble at school. He had to pay with tickets that could be used for prizes. He ran out of tickets one day and Matteo offered to pay with his own ticket so his friend wouldn’t have to miss recess.
Friend October 2023 “How My Bad Day Got Better” Tucker was having a bad day but had to go to his baseball game. He was sitting sad and alone on a bench and his coach and teammates encouraged him to come play. They helped him feel better.
Kind Words
Friend May 2019 “Choosing Kind Words” Selene called Adriana a mean name when she missed the ball. Adriana told Selene that it hurt her feelings and asked her not to say that. Selene apologized. (Also a lesson idea about kind words children can use and when to use them. Have children tell which ones Adriana and Selene used.)
Friend January 2018 “Lucas and the Bully” Lucas stood up to a bully, but the words he used hurt the bullies feelings. Lucas apologizes and invites the bully to play and they become friends
Friend September 2016 “Super Spencer” Spencer’s friends make fun of his note from his mom, and that makes him feel bad. His mom teaches him that words can hurt, but they can also make people feel happy. Spencer uses kind words and helps people be happy.
Encouraging Others
Friend February 2020 “Keep Going, Josie” Josie had been sick and was tired, but she needed to run in the big race with her teammates. She was worried about letting them down. In her first race, others kept passing her and she felt like giving up. But as her teammates passed her they encouraged her to keep going. Their words gave her strength and she was able to finish the race.
Friend August 2017 “I was the fastest runner in my class when we were timed for the mile run. I noticed one girl who was having a hard time running, so as soon as I finished, I cheered her on. It made me feel good inside to encourage her.” Josh C., age 8, California, USA
Being Kind to Someone Being Unkind
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.
Friend November 2019 “Giving Kindness Back” Brooklyn was sad because someone at school was being mean to her. Her mother told her that sometimes people try to make you feel bad when they’re sad about their own lives. Brooklyn decided to try and cheer him up, so she made a card for him with candy on it. He was nice to her from then on. (If someone’s not kind to you, try being kind to them. It might take a month or a year. By Brooklyn)
Friend September 2022 “Different but Not Alone” Megan is the only member of the church in her school. One day a boy named Bennett scoffed at her religious beliefs. Another boy, who was the only Hindu in the school, helped her feel better. They both wondered if Bennett had been mean because he didn’t feel happy inside and needed a friend. They became his friend, and he apologized for being mean.
Helping Others
Friend July 2023 “The Making Things Better Club” Josie and Ashlyn start a “Making Things Better Club.” They looked for people to help, like kids that need a friend. Soon Josie was doing it without thinking and realized that it was making her better.
Friend January 2022 “Carolina Reaches Out” Carolina’s friend was losing his hair and Carolina wished she could help him feel better. During recess she looked for him and found him being made fun of and bullied by two boys. She rushed over and asked her friend if he wanted to play with her. They walked together to where a teacher was. Her friend smiled and thanked her. She was glad she was able to help.
Friend May 2021 ” Locked Out! Emma noticed a little girl crying while she and her mom were on a walk. They found out the girl was locked out of her apartment. They helped push the button and call her mom on the intercom. The girlsa nd her mom were so grateful for the help, and Emma felt warm inside.
Friend February 2021 “Lost at the Aquarium” Krista noticed a little girl crying and alone at the aquarium. Krista and her mother waited with the girl until her mother found her.
Friend October 2020 “Lonely Lunchtime” Kali was lonely at school because she didn’t have any friends yet. Her mom sometimes said, “Look for the kids who are lonely.” She saw a boy sitting alone and went over and talked to him. Afterwards, she felt happy knowing she had made someone else’s recess a little better.
Friend March 2020 “I Like to Be a Friend” Kiera and her friend help a girl who is crying because she doesn’t have any friends.
There was a new boy in my class in school who couldn’t speak English. In the computer lab, I sat next to him and helped him with the assignment we were given. I felt good after I helped him.
Helping Someone who is Sad
Friend May 2023 “Origami Friends” Ari noticed that the librarian seemed sad when they went to the library to do crafts. They found out that her car had been broken into and several belongings had been stolen. They wanted to help her feel better so they made her a bag full of origami.
Friend August 2024 “A Hug for José” José was new to the school. At first, no one talked to him. Then some of the other kids started to tease him. They always called him names and laughed at him. Adam felt like he should help José, but he never knew what to say. One day after a math test, Jose got a 100% and the kids started calling him a cheater. Jose started to cry. Adam walked over to him and gave him a hug. Pretty soon everyone was coming over and apologizing and trying to cheer him up.
Friend May 2024 “Lunchtime Kindness” Dave’s mom shared a scripture about charity with the family in the morning before school. At school Dave saw some boys bullying another boy. He wanted to help but it was scary, but then he remembered the scripture and he stood up and told the bullies to stop.
Friend May 2024 “Sharing God’s Love” Thais saw a little girl crying during recess. The girl said the other kids were teasing her for being chubby, and they said she wasn’t pretty. Thais told the little girl they were wrong because she was pretty and special, she was a child of God. She explained how important Nicol was to Heavenly Father, her family, and many others who loved her so much. Bit by bit, Nicol began to smile and be happy again.
“Shine On” Friend April 2024 On her way to play kickball, Lynn saw some kids pointing and laughing at a girl named Awesome. Lynn went over and asked if she was okay. Soon they were drawing with sticks and giggling. Lynn invited her to church. At church some of the boys that had made fun of Awesome were there. During the Primary lesson about helping others feel loved, the boys apologized to Awesome.
Friend April 2022 “Go Sit by Him” The Holy Ghost tells Sierra to go sit by a boy who had been bullied and was sad and alone. She felt peaceful all day after she listened to the Holy Ghost.
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 October 2021 “Matt and Mandy” Mandy befriends a girl who is being made fun of because of the religious clothing (hijab) she wears. She shows respect for the girl’s faith and beliefs and invites her to meet her friends.
Friend May 2020 “A Blue-Ribbon Friend” Preston helps Jacob when some kids were making fun of his art. Preston likes Jacob’s art and asks for one of his pictures. He then entered the picture in the fair along with his own. They both won blue ribbons.
Friend June 2019 “Friendship Feud” When some girls won’t let Sadra play with them anymore, one of the friends of the girls decides to be a friend to Sadra even though the other girls threatened not to be her friend anymore too.
Friend October 2018 “I was in school when I saw a new boy. A few days later, some of my classmates hit him in the hallway. They gave him a black eye. I felt so much pain for what they had done to him. I found out where he lived and offered him my friendship. The gospel teaches us that we should be helpful, and I love that.Jeshua O., age 11, Illinois, USA”
Friend August 2017 “A bully was picking on a boy I didn’t know. I told the bully that he should be nice. The bully made fun of me. Then the boy I had stood up for helped me. He said that we should all be friends. I felt good that we could help each other.” James W., age 6, Arizona, USA Friend September 2016 “Show and Tell” A boy tells a bully to stop being mean to another child. Friend April 2016 “School Bus Hero” Ryan helps Jason because Jason doesn’t have anyone to sit with on the bus and the older kids tease him.
Friend June 1986 “Truth or Dare” Julie’s friends tease an old woman, whom Julie finds out is sad and lonely. Julie helps the lady not feel so alone.
Repenting of Bullying
Friend January 2020 “The Apology” Some classmates were making fun of a boy and Minchan joined in. Later, he found out how sad it made the boy feel. Minchin felt bad and apologized and tried to get the others to stop making fun of the boy.
Friend February 2017 “Me? A Bully?” Jeff didn’t realize he and his best friend were bullying another boy until his mom got a call from the principal. Jeff wanted to be kind like Jesus, so he decides to fix things.
Friend September 2022 “Singing Time Together” During singing time, Sarah notices a girl sitting alone and not singing. Sarah goes and sits by her and whispers the words of the song to her so she can sing too. Sarah finds out that it was the girl’s first time in Primary.
Friend April 2022 “Samuel’s New Team” Samuel was born without a left hand, but he was a very good basketball player. He was joining a new team but was worried about what they would think. They didn’t pass the ball to him at first, but one boy saw he could play well and passed to Samuel to show the others that too. Samuel made a basket and his team cheered.
Friend September 2021 “Kindness at the Primary Program” Paul was excited to be in the Primary Program. While singing in the program he saw Mark coming in late with his family. He looked sad. Paul remembered when he came to Primary for the first time. He was glad that other people sat next to him and were nice. He waved for Mark to come sit by him and he gave him a hug. Mark gave Paul a big smile.
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 September 2021 “New Amigos” Brigit’s family had just moved to Venezuela and she was worried and scared about going to church because she didn’t speak Spanish. When they walked into the chapel, two girls her age rushed over to meet her. When they realized she didn’t speak English they told her their names, sat with her, and started teaching her Spanish. The girls helped Brigit feel welcomed and happy .
Friend May 2021 “Tara’s New Friend” Tara sees a boy sitting alone at church. She doesn’t speak his language so she decides to draw pictures for him.
There are all kinds of children in the world. And Heavenly Father loves them all! He wants us to love them too. How many hearts can you find?
Friend June 2020 “No One Was Left Out” Justin and his friends were playing a game were they had to hit a ball with their arms to keep it in the air. One of the girls who came to play had a broken arm. Justin said, “I have a great idea. We’re all going to play with one arm.” Everybody played the game using just one arm, including the girl who was wearing a cast. No one was left out.
Friend February 2020 “A Kind Primary Class” Jayden was nervous to go to a different ward when he was out of town. But when he got to Primary he felt better because the other kids included him and were kind. They shared their scriptures with him, talked to him, and helped him. They became his friends. Activity: Aria is new at church. Fill in the speech bubbles with what you could say. How could you help a visitor feel welcome?
Friend October 2024 “Kindness at Camp” “Kat had her arm amputated as a baby, and now has a prosthetic arm. She was worried about going to camp, but everyone at camp was friendly and nice. Later, she tripped during the sack race because she couldn’t grab onto the sack properly. She felt like her new friends wouldn’t want her anymore because she made their team lose, but they greeted her with high fives and hugs. When a new boy is introduced that didn’t know English. She remembered how all her new friends had welcomed her to the group and she wanted that for him as well, so she bravely went up and talked to him with a few Spanish words she knew. Rodrigo’s worried look went away, and he smiled back.
Friend September 2019 “Matt and Mandy” Mandy and her friend think about starting a club, but it didn’t feel right to invite a few people and leave out others. They decide to have everyone be in the club.
Friend July 2019 “A New Friend at Lunch” Austin sat with his friends at lunch, and they told jokes and shared cookies. Everyone was happy, except for a boy sitting alone. He was crying and sad. Austin comes up with a plan to help him. He invites the boy to sit with him and his friends, and then everyone is happy.
Friend July 2019
Friend July 2019
Friend July 2019
Friend June 2019 “Say Hello to Halim! Marcus puts a kind note in the new boy’s bucket to help him feel welcome because it looked like Halim was struggling with moving to a new country and a new school. Marcus’s class has buckets on their desks because their teacher wants them to write kind notes to each other to help fill the imaginary buckets inside of them.
Friend July 2018 “Show and Tell” I saw a new girl at school who was alone. I asked my friends to include her in playing with us. They said no, but I went anyway and played with her. We are now friends! Meigan P., age 10, Arizona, USA
Friend July 2018 “Helper for a Day” It’s Elena’s turn to be the special helper in class. She gets to choose someone to help her take the blue folder to the office. She choose Lucas because no one ever chooses him. She wants him to be happy.
Friend June 2018 “The Special Assignment” Oni, a refugee, isn’t included at school, and he is sometimes treated meanly. Elliot prayed about the problem and then talked to his teacher about some of the ideas he and his mom had come up with. The teacher used one of the ideas when she gave some of the students a special assignment to help Oni feel included.
Friend November 2017 “A Picture Perfect Friendship” Avery notices that Jeremy plays alone at recess and sits alone. She prays about how to help him. She draws a picture for him and ask him if he’d like to be friends.
Friend October 2017 “Everybody’s Buddy” Tyler includes someone sitting on the Buddy Bench who needs a friend.
Friend September 2017 “Earings for Jasmine” Abby wants to help those who lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina, so she befriends a girl who moved from there. Abby stand she up for Jasmine even though other kids make fun of her.
Friend September 2015 – Girl is included in group that wear crazy socks. S.O.C.K.S stands for sisters of caring, kindness and service.
Friend October 2015 ” The Worth of Soles” – Boy teased by his friends about his old shoes. Other boys feel bad about the teasing and are kind.
Friend October 2015
Friend February 2015 “Marisol” Alice is kind and includes a girl who doesn’t speak English. They become good friends.
Friend February 2015 “The Trouble with Recess” Jason feels bad when the kids says mean things about the grumpy playground helper. He figures out a way to make things better.
Friend February 2016
Friend February 2016
Friend February 1988 “A Valentine for Valerie” A special homemade valentine makes a new shy girl feel cared about and included at school.
Daily Random Acts of Kindness
Friend April 2018 “Dare to Be Kind” Claudia from Australia stands up for others, comforts those who are sad, is a friend to a neighbor in need, and helps bring the Spirit through singing. (Includes photos of Claudia.)
Friend February 2018 “The Friend helps me do something nice every day. Sometimes I hold the door open at school. Doing something nice gives me a good feeling in my heart.”
Rachel I., age 9, Oregon, USA
Being Kind Regardless of Other’s Actions
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 May 2019 “Choose to Be Kind” A girl pushed her way to the front of the line at the bus stop and sat where Samuel and his friend, Mike, had planned on sitting. This started an argument, but Samuel chooses to be kind instead of right, and figures out a solution.
Friend September 2018 “Show and Tell” “One day I wanted to sit by a bully at school to be friends with her. She yelled at me to go away. I wanted to get her back with my words. But I held my tongue and said, “It’s OK. I’ll sit by someone else.” When I walked away, I felt good for what I did.” Elijah V., age 12, Arizona, USA
Saying Sorry
Friend September 2020 “Amy and Her Trike” Amy accidentally hits Todd while riding trikes. She says sorry, gives him a hug, and asks if he wants to ride trikes with her.
Neighborly Kindness
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.
Items needed: a large piece of white semi-transparent fabric, magnets, and a white poster board.
For visuals on this verse I used items from OCD Primary Chorister to match the visuals I used in the other two verses (or the above posted pictures can be used instead and can be found here). I copied, pasted, and cropped the pictures containing the scriptures, the parents, the boy praying, and one picture each of the boy and the girl doing the right things. Copy and paste the pictures of the children choosing the right into these thought bubbles. You will also need enlarged individual pictures of the girl and boy that were used in the other verses. Print all the pictures and cut them out. Tape or glue the pictures of the individual boy and girl onto the bottom of the fabric. Put a magnet on the back of the other pictures of the fabric.
Print the four parts of the large picture of the Savior. Cut and fit the pieces together using glue or tape. Also print the picture of the prophet and the heart. Cut them out and put a magnet on the back of each.
Cut the fabric so that it is the same size as the completed picture of the Savior. Glue or tape magnets to the back, top corners.
Remind the children that the first two verses consider whether we would do or say certain things differently if we could see the Savior standing next to us. The third verse tells us that even though we can’t see the Savior, he is always near and is aware of what we are doing and saying.
Put the first line on the board.
He is always near me, though I do not see him there. Put the large picture of the Savior on the board and the fabric over the top of the large picture as you say the words to the first line. Cover the picture with the poster board and ask the following question: Because we can’t see the picture does that mean it isn’t there? The picture is still there even though we can’t see it, which is similar to the Savior. Even though we can’t see the Savior, he is watching over us.
(Take off poster board covering and have the children sing this first line. After the children sing, put the next line on the board.)
And because he loves me dearly, I am in his watchful care. Put the heart on the picture of the Savior and explain that because the Savior loves us he wants what’s best for us, so he wants us to say and do good things in life. He watches over us and provides help and guidance through the Holy Ghost, the scriptures, parents, the prophet, etc. (Put up the pictures of the scriptures, family, prophet, and prayer on the board around the top of the large picture of Christ as each are mentioned, then have the children sing this line. After they sing, put up the next line on the board.)
So I’ll be the kind of person that I know I’d like to be Knowing that the Savior loves us and is watching over us helps us try to be the kind of person that we should be. (Put the thought bubble pictures above the pictures of the children.)
Explain that the last line is the same as in the first two verses, but it is drawn out a little at the end. Have the pianist play it so they can hear how it sounds. Have the children sing these last two lines, and afterwards have them sing the whole verse.)
Take off one of the word pages, or cover parts with cardstock. Choose a volunteer to put up the visuals as the children sing the verse again. Continue in this manner, taking off word pages and having different volunteers try to put the visuals on the board correctly and at the right times in the song, until all the word pages are off the board.
Items needed: 18 feet of string or fishing line and two cans, two crayons (one yellow and one dark brown or black), and a small bag or bowl.
Print the second verse pictures from the following website – OCD Primary Chorister. I copied and pasted the first picture of the girl onto Microsoft Word and then cropped and enlarged it. I printed two copies and cut out the pictures. I printed two copies of this picture of the Savior and glued on one picture of the girl to the right side of each picture. I used these page for the last line of the verse and for the line “if he were never far away.”
Print the word chart and word strips. Cut out the word strips. Fold them and put them into a small bag or bowl. The word chart is based on the one found in the February Ensign.
Make a homemade phone by hammering a hole into the top of each metal can with a nail. Put one end of the string into the hole at the top of one can. Pull it through a little and tie the end into a knot. Put the other end of the string into the hole at the top of the other can. Pull it through and tie its end into a knot.
Presentation
Explain that the first line in this verse is the same as in the first verse. – If the Savior stood beside me. (Put up the picture of the Savior with the children (from verse one visuals) at the top of the board. )
Remind the children that the first verse was about the things we do. Explain that the second verse is about the things we say. Show the first word bubble and explain that word bubbles are used as visual aids to help remind them that the verse is about the things we say.
Put the first word bubble and picture on the board.
Would I say the things I say? Discuss the picture by pointing out that the big sister’s words are making her little brother feel bad and cry. Ask the children if they think she would change how she is talking about her brother if the Savior was standing next to her. Remind them that the Savior would like our words to be things that would lift and help people, not hurt or make them sad or tear them down.
Put up the next word bubble and picture on the board. (After discussing this line, continue in this manner–putting up the word bubble and matching picture and then discussing it–for the rest of the lines in the verse.)
Would my words be true and kind Explain that the word “true” in this sentence means sincere and loyal. In this picture it looks like the girl changed her words to be more kind and loving toward her brother. Point out that he is now smiling and looks happy.
If He were never far away? Put up the picture of the girl standing by the Savior. (Have the children sing all of the song lines up to this point.)
Would I try to share the gospel? Explain that the girl in the picture is telling her friend about the Book of Mormon. Ask the children if they think talking about the gospel would be words that would help and lift others.
Would I speak more reverently? Point out that the girl in the picture has her arms folded. Remind the children that when we speak to our Heavenly Father we fold our arms and bow our heads to show reverence. Explain that we should also speak reverently when we talk about the gospel, or about sacred things, or when we are in the Lord’s house. (Though we don’t necessarily need to fold our arms in the process.)
Put up the last picture and explain that the last line is the same as the first verse. Have the children sing these last three lines of the verse, and then have them sing the entire verse.
Memorizing Activity
Tell the children they are going to do an activity as they memorize the verse. The activity will help remind them that our words affect people. Explain that in a recent Ensign article, President Uchdorf said our words should be a “light to others”. A word chart activity was included in the article (show the word chart and put it on the board) to help children think about different kinds of words and how they can lighten up and brighten someone’s day or make a day dark and dreary.
Get two volunteers, preferably children who have been putting effort into singing the song. Show the children the homemade can phones. Explain that you will choose one of the words from the bag, which contains the same words that are on the chart. You will show it to one of the volunteers. That volunteer will speak the word into the can. The other child will plug one ear and hold the can to the other ear and listen. That child will tell everyone what word was spoken. If the child is correct he/she gets to draw a bright smiley face or dark unhappy face over the word on the chart, depending on how it would make someone feel. The other child will choose one of the word bubbles to take off the board. Have the children sing the song again. Continue in this manner until all the word bubbles are off the board. The pictures can be taken off next using the same activity.
Note: The string should be taut between the two cans while they are doing the activity.
Friend July 2020 “Helping a Sleepy Sister” While doing family scripture study, Berrett noticed his sister was tired from studying late and he decided to be like Jesus and help her. He made her breakfast and lunch and wrote her a note saying he loved her.
Friend December 1988 “My Scriptures” Poem about family scripture study and why it’s important even when children are small.
Friend January 2019 “The Scriptures are Special Books” Camila loves books. Her favorite book is the scriptures. She feels happy when she reads them with her family. Scriptures are special books because they teach us about Jesus and the commandments.
Reading Scriptures Helps Us Recognize Truth
Friend September 2015 “A New Feeling” – Child feels Holy Ghost while reading about Jesus in the scriptures
Friend December 2015 Reading the bible helped a family recognize the truth of the gospel when the missionaries came.
The Scriptures can Inspire Us
Friend April 2016 “Your Future Home” A favorite scripture of President Eyring’s inspired him to want a home filled with love when he grew up.
Friend March 2016
The Scriptures Provide Good Examples for Us to Follow
Friend August 2017 “Being Like Nephi” Mason learns about Nephi and tries to follow his example and make righteous choices.
The Scriptures Teach Us
Friend April 1988 “Magic Garden” Nicky and his grandfather plant a garden, and they also plant seeds in their minds that grow as they read the scriptures and other inspirational books. The scripture verses Nicky learns helps him deal with death when his grandfather dies.
The Scriptures Teach About Jesus
Friend February 2021 “Feeling Christ’s Love” When Elder Takashi Wada Of the Seventy was young he read the Bible in school and wanted to know more about Jesus. Then he met the missionaries and they gave him a Book of Mormon and her learned more about Jesus. He wanted to be baptized and follow Jesus.
Friend September 2020 “Danna and the Math Test” Danna’s family memorized one scripture verse every week because “once it’s in your heart, it’s there whenever you need it.” The scripture they repeated together at the door that week was about praying always. One day, while struggling with some problems on a math test she had studied for, Dana remembered the scripture and said a prayer in her heart, she then remembered how to do the problems.
Friend April 2020 “Comforted by the Scriptures” When Harrison was eight he struggled with nightmares. He had been learning that the scriptures hold the answers to problems and wanted to find a scripture to help. The Holy Ghost guided him to Joseph Smith’s first vision and being reminded that the darkness Joseph felt went away when he prayed and Heavenly Father and Jesus appeared. The scripture was just what Harrison needed.
Friend March 2019 “For Older Kids” Every night I used to have nightmares. When I went to Primary, my teacher said that the prophet told us to read our scriptures every day. Then I got in the habit of reading them every night, and now I never have nightmares. Katie L., age 10, Idaho, USA
God can answer my questions through the scriptures.
Show the children different books (like an encyclopedia or a cookbook), and help them think of questions these books could answer. Then show them a copy of the scriptures. What questions can these books answer? You might provide an example of a question that is answered in the scriptures. Read together Joseph Smith—History 1:10–11to find out what questions Joseph Smith had and what answers he found in the scriptures.
Scriptures Help Us Feel Love of God
Friend January 2020 “The Best Hug” Ellie loved getting hugs from her family members. Hugs make her feel warm, safe, and happy. One Sunday at church she needed a long hug, but her mom had to go to her class and Ellie needed to go to hers. As tears ran down her cheek she saw a picture of Jesus in her scriptures. She and her family often read the scriptures together. Ellie hugged her scriptures and it felt like she was hugging Jesus. She felt warm, safe, and happy.
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Read the Scriptures Daily
Friend May 2019 “For Older Kids” “I was having a really hard time at school. I had the impression that I should read my scriptures. I did, and it helped, so I kept doing it. It helped me have a better day and a better attitude. And it helped my mind work better. I know that if we read the scriptures every day, we will be both spiritually and physically protected.” Sarah W., age 11, Idaho, USA (Link also includes picture of Sarah.)
Friend January 2016 Joseph reads the scriptures daily so he can become a better reader. He becomes familiar with the stories and it helps him prepare a family home evening lesson.
Friend December 1985 As a boy, Spencer W. Kimball sets a goal to read the scriptures.
Friend March 2016 “Scripture Power” Boy perseveres in accomplishing the goal of reading the scriptures for 100 days in a row–and continues afterwards.
Friend March 2016
Friend June 2017 “Book of Mormon Club” Sydney starts a Book of Mormon club where she and her friends discuss what they have learned.
Ways to Read & Study the Scriptures
The Scripture Readers
Friend January 2020 “Batbayar and the Book with Pictures” Reading was hard for Batbayar, so he struggled with reading the Book of Mormon. The missionaries brought him Book of Mormon Stories instead. Every night he prayed after reading. His heart felt good when he read, and when he prayed he felt like the stories were true, so he asked to be baptized.[unitegallery Jan2020] Friend November 2018 “Thankful for Scriptures” James likes to act out the stories in his Book of Mormon picture book. He can even imagine sitting with Jesus when he blessed the children. It makes him feel happy and grateful for the scriptures. (Link includes activity about finding the family’s scriptures so they can read together.)
Friend November 2022 “The Special Book” Bernice couldn’t read yet, but she loved repeating the words when her family had scripture study, even though she didn’t understand some of them. Then her father got her Book of Mormon Stories and they read from that every night and looked at the pictures. She loved scripture study and learned many new things
Ways to Remember Scriptures
Friend February 2021 “The Play” James set a goal to put on a scripture story play each week with his brother. Their little brother wanted be in it too. James was kind and gave him the part of playing a lion.
Friend November 2019 “For Older Kids” Jordan’s Primary teacher told the class that she posts scripture verses on her door so she can always see them and read them every day. Jordan started doing that too, and soon her door was covered in scriptures.
Friend January 2023 “Lights, Camera, Service!” Because of the COVID-19 pandemic Antonella and Mariana couldn’t go to church in person. There weren’t many video resources in Spanish for Come Follow Me, so they decided to make some to share with others. Making the videos also really helped them learn more as well.
Family Scripture Study
Friend May 2024 “Lunchtime Kindness” Dave’s mom shared a scripture about charity with the family in the morning before school. At school Dave saw some boys bullying another boy. He wanted to help but it was scary, but then he remembered the scripture and he stood up and told the bullies to stop.
Friend October 2019 “Tanya’s Scripture Time” Taya reads scriptures with her family. On Sunday, Taya listens to the Primary lesson. “I know this story!” she says. Taya shares what she knows with her Primary class. She feels happy and warm inside.
Applying the Scriptures
Liken the Scriptures Unto Us
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 January 2020 “A Nephi Attitude” Bennett was tired and thirsty and not enjoying doing the service project. He wanted to go home but there was still a lot left to do. His mom talked to him about how Nephi had hard things to do like getting the plates from Laban, but he didn’t give up. Bennett liked the idea of being like Nephi. Nephi was strong and brave and good. So he kept working. He was proud of what they had accomplished when they were done. He was glad he had gotten rid of the Laman and Lemuel attitude.
Friend August 2018 “The No-Fighting Promise” After a few days of staying at cousin Timmy’s house, Madi and Timmy start to fight. Timmy suggests they be like the Anti-Nephi-Lehies and make some toy swords and bury them and promise they won’t fight each other anymore. After that they found ways to compromise so they didn’t fight.
Scripture Heroes
Friend June 2017 “Being Like Shiblon” Elder Ringwood’s scripture hero is Shiblon
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Friend September 2024 “The Dart Disaster” Daniel accidentally hit his aunts car with a lawn dart and made a dent. He didn’t say anything when she noticed the dent. He felt awful, but he was afraid. Then he decided to be like his favorite scripture hero, Daniel in the lion’s den. He bravely and he told his mom what happened and that he would work to pay for the damage. The heavy feeling in his stomach left and he felt peaceful.
Finding Favorite Scriptures
Friend November 2024 “Maja’s Sunshine Scripture” Maja had to share a favorite scripture in Primary, but she doesn’t have one. Her mother helps her find one. First they found Maja’s favorite scripture story. Next, they read the story in the scriptures. As Maja finished one of the verses, she paused. She felt like the sun was shining bright enough to fill her heart. She had found her new favorite scripture.
Come Follow Me
Blessings
Friend July 2021 “Come, Follow Me during COVID” Sarah studied the Come Follow Me Primary Manual as well as doing her school at home during COVID. Because she studied Come, Follow Me, she believes Heavenly Father helped her with school.
Preparation
• Items needed: five pages of different colors of construction paper (not blue or black), three pages of blue construction paper, tape, a black marker, magnets, and a metal chain.
• Print the word strips. Cut the word pages in half. (Trim off any extra paper if desired.)
• Print pictures for the first verse. (Look on Sugardoodle.com.) I used the pictures from the OCD Primary Chorister website. I really appreciated these pictures because they tell the verse in story form. But the pictures of the Savior didn’t portray him as I wanted, so I used this picture for the first line, and I copied, pasted, and enlarged her first picture onto Microsoft Word, and then I printed and cut out the picture of the boy and glued him onto the right side of this picture of the Savior. I used this page for the last line of the verse.
• Cut the construction paper into 1 ½ inch strips. (widthwise)
• Cut pieces of tape and hang them on the bottom rim of the chalkboard.
Presentation
Put the picture of the Savior with the children at the top, middle of the board and put the song title below it. Explain that these words are the title of the song and they are also the first line of the song.
Next explain that there are five questions that go with this first line. Put the first question on the board with its matching picture above it.
Point out that the child in the picture isn’t being kind. Ask if they think the child would be less likely to do something like that if the Savior was standing next to them. Ask what other kinds of things a person might try more carefully not to do if the Savior was standing next to him. Write each of the children’s responses on a colored strip of paper. After each response, have that child come up and make a chain link with their response(using the tape). Add a blue strip after each response. The answers will form a chain. Make sure their links face forward so people can see their answers. Using the magnets, hang the chain under the question. (Do the same chain activity with each question, taking only three responses per question.)
1. Would I do the things I do? (After discussing this question have the children sing the first two lines of the verse.)
2. Would I think of His Commandments Point out that the child in the picture is thinking about the Ten Commandments. Where are the commandments found? In the scriptures. What are some of the commandments Jesus has given us?
3. Try harder to be true? (There is not a picture for this line.) To be true means to be faithful and trustworthy. In what ways can we try harder to be true to the Savior? (Have the children sing these two lines.)
4. Would I follow His example? What is happening in this picture? The boy is trying to be like the Savior and be kind.. What other things did the Savior do that we could follow and do?
5. Would I live more righteously? Point out the CTR shield in the picture and explain that when we are choosing the right we are living righteously. What things can we do to in order to live more righteously? (Sing these two lines.)
Explain that the last line of the verse is -“If I could see the Savior standing nigh watching over me.” Put the picture that goes with this line on the board. Put half the line above the picture and half below the picture. Explain that the word “Nigh” means close or near.
Show a metal chain and explain that the links help make it stronger than having just a single strip of metal. A single strip of metal might bend and break. Point to the chain the kids made and explain that the blue links represent the Savior standing near to them. Remind them that being near to the Savior makes us more likely to do right things, which makes us spiritually stronger. Explain that in the third verse of the song we will discuss more about the concept of the Savior being near.
Have the children sing the entire verse.
To memorize this verse, take off a couple of lines at a time (not the pictures), and then have them sing the verse again. Continue in this manner until all the lines are gone. After that remove a few pictures at a time.
What is the Book of Mormon and Where Did It Come From
Worksheet – Instruct the children to fill in the blanks in Section A on the worksheet, using paragraphs one and two of the “Introduction” for reference. After they are done, go over the answers together.
SECTION A: Worksheet Answers – The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture. It is a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the America’s and contains, as does the Bible, the fullness of the everlasting gospel. The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation, and was abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon.
• What does abridged mean? It means that Mormon studied records other prophets had written, and then he took important parts from each of their records and wrote them on the gold plates. The Book of Mormon is named after Mormon because he compiled the record. (Show the picture of “Mormon Abridging the Plates” to the children.)
Now have the children fill in the blanks in section B on the worksheet using paragraph six of the “Introduction” for reference. Go over the answers together after they are done.
SECTION B: Worksheet Answers- Joseph Smith told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on the earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.
• What did Joseph Smith mean when he said the Book of Mormon is the most correct book on the earth? The Book of Mormon is of God. Books produced by men may contain errors in understanding, perception, and translation.
• What did Joseph Smith mean when he said, “A man could get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book”? Abide means to accept or act in accordance with, and precepts are commandments or principles. So, if we accept or act in accordance with God’s will and obey the commandments and principles found in the Book of Mormon, we will grow nearer to God.
The Book of Mormon was given to us by the power of God.
See more ideas for teaching Introduction to the Book of Mormon here.
Purpose of the Book of Mormon
The Title Page tells us that the purpose of the Book of Mormon is to testify of Christ.
Write the following questions on the board and have the children listen for the answers as they watch the below video. The first part is from Moroni 10 and the last part, from 0.58 to the end, are words from the Title Page of the Book of Mormon. Stop the video at the parts that answer the questions and discuss them.
The purpose of the Book of Mormon is stated on the title page–to convince all that Jesus is the Christ.
For Younger Children:
Friend January 2020 “Come Follow Me for Little Ones” (Let your children look at and hold a copy of the Book of Mormon. Help them point to the subtitle, Another Testament of Jesus Christ) Read the full title of the Book of Mormon, including the subtitle, “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.” Put a picture of the Savior somewhere in the pages of a Book of Mormon. Help your children flip through the book and find the picture. You could do this repeatedly, and every time you find it, help your little ones say, “The Book of Mormon is about Jesus!”
Invite the children to share stories they know from the Book of Mormon, using pictures 67–86 in the Gospel Art Book or other pictures you have. And/or have everyone draw their favorite Book of Mormon story. Then have each child tell about their picture. Briefly tell them how the Book of Mormon has strengthened your faith in Jesus Christ.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Introductory Pages of the Book of Mormon “Let your children look at and hold a copy of the Book of Mormon. Help them point to the subtitle, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. You might also help them find, on the title page, the phrase “Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations.” Help them understand that this means the Book of Mormon teaches us about Jesus Christ.
All of the prophets in the Book of Mormon taught about Jesus.
Friend January 2016 “The Book of Mormon Teaches about Jesus Christ” Take turns reading these scriptures. Each talks about a Book of Mormon prophet who taught about Jesus. Match the scripture with the prophet who said it.
Invite the children to share stories they know from the Book of Mormon, using pictures 67–86 in the Gospel Art Book or other pictures you have. And/or have everyone draw their favorite Book of Mormon story. Then have each child tell about their picture. Briefly tell them how the Book of Mormon has strengthened your faith in Jesus Christ.
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. 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.
Friend January 2024 ” Power in the Book of Mormon” President Nelson said, “The Book of Mormon is . . .Another testament of Jesus Christ. Many prophets who wrote it saw Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon includes their testimonies of Him. I invite you to read the Book of Mormon. As you read, I encourage you to mark each verse that speaks of the Savior. You will become closer to Him through this process. And changes, even miracles, will begin to happen. The truths of the Book of Mormon have the power to heal, comfort, strengthen, and cheer our souls.”
President Nelson invited us to look for Jesus Christ’s name as we read the Book of Mormon. Jesus has many names in the scriptures. Here are some you can look for!
To Help Us Get Nearer to God
Now have the children fill in the blanks in section B on the worksheet using paragraph six of the “Introduction” for reference. Go over the answers together after they are done.
SECTION B: Worksheet Answers- Joseph Smith told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on the earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.
• What did Joseph Smith mean when he said the Book of Mormon is the most correct book on the earth? The Book of Mormon is of God. Books produced by men may contain errors in understanding, perception, and translation.
• What did Joseph Smith mean when he said, “A man could get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book”? Abide means to accept or act in accordance with, and precepts are commandments or principles. So, if we accept or act in accordance with God’s will and obey the commandments and principles found in the Book of Mormon, we will grow nearer to God.
The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion.
• What did Joseph Smith mean when he said the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion? Show the picture of the arch. Explain that the keystone is the central supporting stone at the top of the arch. The stones would fall without the keystone holding them in place. The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion because it supports and explains doctrines and principles that are necessary for salvation. Another reason it is the keystone is that when we receive a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon we will know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that the church of Jesus Christ is restored on the earth again, and that Jesus is the Christ.
Mormon taught that the Book of Mormon was written to help us believe the Bible and that those who believe the Bible will believe the Book of Mormon.
Show the children the title page of the Book of Mormon, and point to the words of the title as you read it, emphasizing the word another. Help the children think of other books of scripture that teach us about Jesus. Show them that the Bible has the Old Testament and the New Testament. Help the children say “Old Testament, New Testament” when you point to the Bible and “Another Testament” when you point to the Book of Mormon.
Display a world map or the activity page for this outline, along with a Bible and Book of Mormon. Use these items to teach the children that the Bible is a record of Jesus’s teachings in and around Jerusalem and the Book of Mormon is a record of His teachings in the Americas.
Choose several events and truths that both the Bible and the Book of Mormon testify of, such as Jesus’s birth, death, and Resurrection. Show pictures from the Gospel Art Bookthat depict these events and truths. Ask the children to describe what they see in the pictures, and tell them that both the Bible and the Book of Mormon teach about these things.
Write Mormon 7:9 on the board, but leave blanks in place of the words this and that. Also write on the board this= the Book of Mormon and that= the Bible. Invite the children to read Mormon 7:9 out loud and use the phrases on the board to fill in the blanks. What do we learn about the Bible and the Book of Mormon from this verse?
Display a Book of Mormon and a Bible. Share a few stories from each book, showing pictures if available (see the Gospel Art Book). Invite the children to point to the book the story comes from. Why do we need both books?
Write each word of the eighth article of faith on separate pieces of paper. Give one or two words to each child, and invite the children to work together to put the words in the correct order. Then ask them to repeat the article of faith several times. What does it teach us?
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “2 Nephi 26-30” Because we have the Bible, some people believe that the Book of Mormon is unnecessary. These verses can help the children understand, and explain to others, why we are thankful for both books of scripture.
Give one child a copy of the Book of Mormon and another a copy of the Bible. Ask them how these books are similar and how they are different. Show the children a map of the world, and help them match each book with the part of the world it came from. Read and discuss 2 Nephi 29:8. Why did God give us two “testimonies” or books of scripture that teach us about Him?
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “2 Nephi 26-30” Consider asking your children to imagine that a friend says, “I don’t need to read the Book of Mormon. I’ve already read the Bible.” What could we say to our friend? Read together 2 Nephi 29:7–11 to learn why God wants us to have both books. (Then ask them to share ideas about what they might say to their friend.)
Bible stories teach us How to live like Jesus. Book of Mormon stories, too, Tell what He would have us do.
Hand in hand together, the Bible and the Book of Mormon stand forever to tell of Jesus Christ.
Bible prophets tell us things to bless and help us. Book of Mormon prophets, too, Testify of all that’s true.
Hand in hand together, the Bible and the Book of Mormon stand forever to tell of Jesus Christ. Hand in hand together, the Bible and the Book of Mormon stand forever to tell of Jesus Christ.
Hand in Hand piano
Nephi saw that many Plain and Precious Things would be Removed from Bible
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 11-15” To help your children value the “plain and precious” truths in the Book of Mormon, you could draw a picture and invite your children to change or remove parts of the picture to make it look different. You could use this to teach that things in the Bible were changed and taken out over time. Read together 1 Nephi 13:40 and talk about how the Book of Mormon (“these last records”) helps us understand the “plain and precious things” that were lost from the Bible (the “first” records). What “plain and precious” truths have you learned from the Book of Mormon?
Draw a picture on the board, and invite the children to change or remove parts of the picture to make it look different. Help them understand that, like this picture, some things in the Bible were changed and taken out over time. Read parts of 1 Nephi 13:40 that teach how the Book of Mormon (which Nephi calls “these last records”) helps us understand the “plain and precious things” that were lost from the Bible.
Book of Mormon Seminary Student Manual (2024) A bicycle is a simple and effective form of transportation. Cycling can also be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. What are some of the essential parts that allow a person to operate a bicycle safely and effectively? Imagine you owned a bicycle and someone intentionally removed certain essential parts from it.
What might those actions indicate about his or her feelings toward you?
What could happen if you attempted to operate the bicycle with missing parts?
Who might you contact to repair and restore your bicycle to function properly?
In a similar way, Satan has sought to harm and confuse God’s children by removing and changing important parts of Jesus Christ’s gospel. As you study 1 Nephi 13, look for what the Savior has done to help us overcome Satan’s obstacles.
The video “The Book of Mormon—a Book from God” (Gospel Library) could help your children see why it’s important to have both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Children might enjoy re-creating the illustration from the video. (watch to 5:41)
Why is it helpful to have more than one witness? Draw a dot on the board, label it Bible, and invite each child to draw a different straight line passing through the dot to illustrate that teachings in the Bible can be interpreted many ways when the Bible stands alone. Erase the lines, and draw a second dot labeled Book of Mormon. Invite a child to draw a straight line that passes through both dots to show that there is only one way to interpret the gospel when the Bible and Book of Mormon are used together.
Friend February 2024 “Come, Follow Me Activities: Scripture Teamwork” The Book of Mormon and the Bible work together to teach us about Jesus Christ (see 2 Nephi 3:12). Play a game about working together! Have one person crumple up pieces of paper into balls and throw them in a bowl. Have another person try to stop the papers from going in. Now try it with two people throwing papers. Which time was it easier to get papers in the bowl?
Read 1 Nephi 13:26–29 together, and invite the children to look for what happens when people do not have the “plain and precious” truths of the gospel. How did the Lord restore truths that had been lost? (see verses 35–36, 40). Invite the children to share their testimonies of truths they have learned from the Book of Mormon, or share your own.
Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History “Lesson 20: Joseph Smith Translates the Bible and Other Scriptures,” (See more at link) Have the children stand in a line. Whisper the two- or three-sentence message into the ear of the first child in line. Have each child in turn whisper the message to the next child. Instruct each child to say the message only once. Continue until the message reaches the last child in line. Ask the last child to repeat the message aloud. Compare the message the last child received with the original message to see how the message changed.
How had the message changed by the time it reached the end of the line? What was left out? What was added?
Why do you think the message changed as it passed from person to person?
Explain to the children that just as their message changed as it was passed from person to person, over many years some of the scriptures in the Bible had been changed as people translated the Bible and made copies of it by hand. Mistakes were made: some incorrect teachings had been added to the Bible, and some important teachings had been left out. (see Articles of Faith 1:8).
Watch the following video until 3.12
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “1 Nephi 11-15 Hide around the room pictures representing gospel truths that are clarified in the Book of Mormon, such as baptism, the sacrament, and resurrection. Invite the children to find these pictures. Explain that the Book of Mormon brought back gospel truths that had been lost (during the apostasy).
Help the children memorize the eighth article of faith. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
The words of Lehi’s seed (his descendants) speaking from “low out of the dust” with a “familiar spirit” and being “sealed up in a book” (2 Nephi 26:14–17; see also Isaiah 29:4).
What does voices from the dust mean? The prophets who wrote the Book of Mormon are long gone and their bodies have turned to dust, but we hear their words by reading the Book of Mormon.
Read 2 Nephi 27:25–26, looking for what the Lord promised He would do. Nephi prophesied that the Book of Mormon would come forth to help with the problems of the last days (see 2 Nephi 27:6).
President Russell M. Nelson stated that this “marvelous work would include the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and the Restoration of the gospel” (“Scriptural Witnesses,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 46).
Nephi also wrote that God would allow a few witnesses to behold the plates the Book of Mormon was translated from and to testify of the truthfulness of the book to the world (see 2 Nephi 27:12–14). Nephi then shared a prophecy about some of the details related to the translation of the Book of Mormon.
Church History Topics “Martin Harris’s Consultations with Scholars” This article tells the story and has pictures of Martin Harris and Professor Anthon.
What did Professor Anthon say when Martin Harris first showed him a copy of some of the Book of Mormon writings? (JS—H 1:64.) Why do you think Professor Anthon tore up the certificate when he learned that an angel had shown Joseph Smith where to find the gold plates? (JS—H 1:65.
Why do you think the Lord used Joseph Smith, who was an unlearned man, to bring forth the Book of Mormon?
Emma Smith (1804–1879), the wife of the Prophet, testified of the divine assistance Joseph received in his translation of the Book of Mormon:
Joseph Smith could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well-worded letter, let alone dictat[e] a book like the Book of Mormon. And, though I was an active participant in the scenes that transpired, … it is marvelous to me, “a marvel and a wonder.” …
My belief is that the Book of Mormon is of divine authenticity—I have not the slightest doubt of it. … It would have been improbable that a learned man could do this; and, for one so ignorant and unlearned as he was, it was simply impossible. (Emma Smith, in “Last Testimony of Sister Emma,” The Saints’ Herald, Oct. 1, 1879, 290)
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “2 Nephi 26-30” Explain that because of Heavenly Father’s great love for us, he has given us a gift to help us achieve eternal life (the kind of life Heavenly Father has).Show the children a Book of Mormon wrapped as a gift, and tell them that something valuable is inside. Let them hold the gift, and give clues to help them guess what it is; for example, it’s something the Lord has given us, it helps us believe in Jesus Christ, and so on. Read from 2 Nephi 30:6: “It is a blessing unto them from the hand of God.” Let the children open the gift, and then explain that we must open the Book of Mormon and read it to receive the blessings it contains.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “2 Nephi 26-30” Read 2 Nephi 28:2 to the children. Explain that Nephi saw that the Book of Mormon would “be of great worth” to us, which means that it will help and bless us. Tell the children why the Book of Mormon is of great worth to you. Share your favorite verse or story from the Book of Mormon, and invite the children to share theirs. Show pictures from the Gospel Art Book to give them ideas.
Friend February 2012 “The Book of Mormon: Our True Guide” President Henry B. Eyring teaches how the Book of Mormon is our guide to return home. The article includes a simple maze activity.
For they were the very vilest of sinners.(Mosiah 28:4) But Alma 48:17-18 talks about these men and the changes they had made.
17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.
18 Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon, the son of Mosiah, yea, and even the other sons of Mosiah, yea, and also Alma and his sons, for they were all men of God.
Friend January 2020 “Book of Mormon Videos: Behind the Scenes” In 2019 the church made Book of Mormon videos to go with Come Follow Me: Book of Mormon 2020. This image shows how they made some of the videos.
Elder Rasband told about how the prophet gave a copy of the Book of Mormon to a king in Ghana. Together, President Nelson and the king read about Jesus Christ in 3 Nephi 11. The king said the book was more valuable than diamonds or rubies because it taught him more about Jesus.
Print the word strips onto heavy paper. Cut them out and fold each one in half so the words are hidden. Label each with its correct number.
Draw on the board a large paper doll shape.
Presentation
Explain that the second verse of the song tells of additional blessings Heavenly Father has given us, and the children are going to draw them on the board as they do an activity to help them learn the verse.
Have a volunteer come up. Give the child the first folded word strip that says “Eyes”. Tell the child to draw it where it goes on the doll figure. Explain to the children that they are going to guess what the person is drawing. Give the child a time limit to draw the item. When the time is up have them choose someone to tell what the item is. When the correct guess is made explain that the first words in the second verse are “He gave me my eyes that I might see.”
Have another volunteer come up. Give that child the slip of paper that says “Butterfly (with colorful wings)”. Have them draw it next to the doll shape. When the correct guess is made, tell the words that go with this part. “the color of butterfly wings”. Have the children sing these first two parts.
Do the same thing with each word, going in order. Be sure to tell the song words that go with each item, and sing the lines after every few that are introduced. When you come to the word “body” have the child draw around the outline of the doll figure, or draw arrows pointing to the doll figure. When the correct word is guessed explain that the words that go with this are “He gave me my life”.
For the words “brain” and “heart” have them draw those items where they go on the doll figure. For the word “prayer” have the child erase the arms and redraw them folded (if that doesn’t work have the child draw the eyes closed or the knees bended.)
For the word “creations” you may need two or three children to draw. Have them draw the items around the doll figure. (You can put a smile on the doll when you mention the words “of which I’m a part.”)
For the word “love”, have the child draw a huge heart around the doll figure. The heart is for the words “Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me.”
After all the lines have been introduced, have the children sing the whole verse. Point to the items as each part is sung. Then have the children begin to memorize the verse by erasing items on the board each time they sing the song.
