Table of Contents
- Apostasy
- Restoration
- Jesus Christ has restored His Church.
- Restoration Proclamation
- The Lord restored His Church through Joseph Smith.
- The Restoration of the gospel is a “marvellous work.”
- Nephi Foretells the Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon
- Truths Restored
- The gospel was restored in our day.(Jr)
- As part of the Restoration, the gospel will be preached to all the world. (Sr)
- The Restoration Continues
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on earth.
- Activities & Games
- The Restoration
- Gather Together all Things in Christ (Ephesians 1:10)
Apostasy
Apostasy means turning away from the Lord and His prophets.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Isaiah 13–14; 24–30; 35” Reading Isaiah’s warnings about the dangers of apostasy can help the children resolve to stay true to the Lord and follow His prophets.
- Write the word apostasy on the board. Invite the children to find a definition in “Apostasy” in the Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Invite them to read Isaiah 24:5; 30:9–11 and make a list of things people were doing in Isaiah’s time that led them to apostasy. Then invite the children to change the items in the list to things we can do to stay true to the Lord.
- Divide the class into pairs, and assign each pair to read one of the following passages: Isaiah 24:3–5; Isaiah 29:7–10; or Isaiah 30:8–14. Invite them to draw pictures that represent what they read. As they share their drawings, help them discuss what Isaiah’s words teach about why we should stay true to the Lord.
When individuals or groups of people turn away from the principles of the gospel, they are in a state of apostasy.
To warn about the consequences of turning away from the Lord and rejecting His prophets, Isaiah used a variety of metaphors. These include an empty earth (Isaiah 24:1–12), drunkenness (Isaiah 28:7–8), hunger and thirst (Isaiah 29:7–10), and a broken wall or vessel (Isaiah 30:8–14). Based on what you read in these verses, why is it important to keep our covenants? Consider what you are doing to stay true to the Lord and His servants. (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Isaiah 13–14; 24–30; 35”)
The Great Apostasy
Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual “The Great Apostasy” Jesus Christ established His Church during His mortal ministry. Following His death and Resurrection, the Savior commissioned His Apostles to guide the Church with His priesthood authority and keys. Due to intense persecution and the death of the Apostles, people were left without divine direction from living prophets. Jesus Christ’s teachings and doctrine were altered, resulting in a period called the Great Apostasy. This lesson can help students understand the need for a restoration of Jesus Christ’s true Church in the latter days.
Apostasy and Restoration Story
#1) The gospel has been on the earth since the time of Adam, whenever there has been a righteous man who has authority to administer in God’s name, and a people who are willing to listen to and accept the gospel.
#2) When people reject and rebel against the commandments of God, they are in a state of apostasy (a turning away from truth). They lose the blessings of divine guidance and authority. This happened several times during the Old Testament time period. Another time period apostasy occurred was after the Savior was resurrected.
#3) After Jesus’ death and resurrection, the apostles continued to teach people about Jesus and his gospel. Many people joined the church, but soon apostasy began to creep into the church. Some of the people began to turn away from the truth and teach false ideas based on their old religious beliefs.
#4) During this time period, there was also persecution going on from outside the church. Many church members were persecuted and killed because of their beliefs. One by one the apostles were all killed by these persecutors. After the apostles died, the priesthood keys and authority were no longer on the earth. Because of the wicked state of the people, they were not restored to the earth at that time. Without prophets and apostles to lead and guide, more and more error crept into church doctrine. Knowledge and understanding about many important doctrines were lost, including the knowledge of the purpose of life.
#5) Ordinances were also changed. Baptisms began to be preformed on babies instead of waiting until a child had grown to the age of accountability. Because of the changes to doctrine and ordinances, and the loss of priesthood keys and authority, the true church was no longer on the earth.
Object Lesson: Show the family the chocolate cake ingredients you gathered. Tell them you don’t have the recipe, but it doesn’t matter because you think you can remember how to do it. Tell them you also want to make a few changes and add some things to the cake that you think will make it taste better. Mix ingredients in random amounts, and add a few of the extra items. Ask the family if they think your concoction will make a delicious chocolate cake? Why not? Without the right ingredients and recipe, the end result won’t be as hoped for.
Tell the family that just as the cake needed the correct ingredients, it is also necessary for a church to consist of the correct components, which includes correct doctrines and ordinances, and power and authority from God.
- How and when was the gospel of Jesus Christ restored to the earth again? In 1830, through Joseph Smith
#6) When Joseph Smith was young, he noticed how the different churches interpreted the same things in different ways. He wanted to know which of all the teachings and churches were correct.
#7) As he prayed for an answer, God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him. The restoration process then began. Joseph Smith, who had been chosen for this responsiblity because of his faithfulness in the preexistence, helped restore the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth once again. Because of the restoration we now have vital truths, knowledge, and the true priesthood authority that had been lost.
New Testament Scripture Stories “After the New Testament” (Apostasy and Restoration)
Doctrine and Covenants Stories “Introduction: Before the Doctrine and Covenants” Video. The last part is about the apostasy and restoration
Jesus taught people His gospel. He taught them to obey Heavenly Father’s commandments.
After reading 2 Thessalonians 2:3 with the children, let them help you build a tower out of plastic cups or blocks. Tell the children that the cups or blocks represent important parts of the true Church, such as gospel truths, the priesthood, temple sealings, and prophets. After Paul and the other Apostles died, these things were lost, and the true Church was not on the earth for many years. Invite a child to knock the tower over, and explain that this was called the Apostasy or “falling away.” When Jesus Christ brought His Church back, it was called the Restoration. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Thessalonians” )
The Great Apostasy “News with the Naylors” Lesson ideas
Display a Book of Mormon and pictures of the prophet and a temple. Invite the children to say “Apostasy” when you hide the items in a bag and “Restoration” when you bring the items back out.(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Thessalonians” )
Help the children list on the board some of the truths and blessings we enjoy because of the gospel. Erase these things one by one, and ask the children how their lives would be different without these things. Explain that these truths were lost during the Great Apostasy. Why was it important that the Church of Jesus Christ be restored to the earth in the latter days? Invite the children to “restore” or rewrite the truths and blessings on the board. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Thessalonians” )
Sing songs that teach truths that were taken away during the Apostasy and restored in our day, such as “The Church of Jesus Christ,” “The Priesthood Is Restored,” and “I Love to See the Temple” (Children’s Songbook, 77, 89, 95). (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Thessalonians” )
Friend May 2005 “Sharing Time: “This Is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”“
A lesson about the Restoration and an activity to make a paper Church building.
1. Fasten a large sheet of black paper and a large sheet of yellow paper to the wall or chalkboard. On the black paper, post the pictures Boy Jesus in the Temple (GAK 205), John the Baptist Baptizing Jesus (GAK 208), Christ Ordaining the Apostles (GAK 211), Sermon on the Mount (GAK 212), and The Last Supper (GAK 225). Attach the following pictures to the bottoms of six chairs: Joseph Receives the Gold Plates (GAK 406), John the Baptist Conferring the Aaronic Priesthood (GAK 407), Melchizedek Priesthood Restoration (GAK 408), Kirtland Temple (GAK 500), Baptism (GAK 601), and Blessing the Sacrament (GAK 603). Invite an adult ward member to come to Primary dressed in a simple costume representing New Testament times. Ask him or her to tell the story of the organization of the Church in New Testament times while referring to the principles and ordinances depicted by the pictures. Ask the person to bear testimony of Jesus Christ.
Sing “The Sixth Article of Faith” (p. 126). As the New Testament visitor teaches the children about the Church in New Testament times and the Apostasy (see Gospel Principles, chap. 16), remove the pictures one by one. Just as the paper is left black, so was the world left in spiritual darkness. Invite a returned missionary to tell the children about the First Vision and bear testimony of Joseph Smith. Sing “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer” (Hymns, no. 26) or “The Sacred Grove” (p. 87). Invite the children to find the GAK pictures attached to their chairs. Have them read the story on the back of the picture and decide what principle or ordinance was restored. Post the pictures on the yellow paper. The Restoration, represented by the yellow paper, brought great light into the world. Bear your testimony of the Restoration and sing “The Church of Jesus Christ” (p. 77).
Music: “The Sixth Article of Faith” (Children’s Songbook, 126)
We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
Reformation
Friend October 1984 Martin Luther
Restoration
Jesus Christ has restored His Church.
- How might you help your children understand what it means for the Savior’s Church to be restored? Maybe they could build a simple tower with blocks or cups and “restore,” or rebuild, it. Or, if your children have ever had to replace something because it was lost or damaged, you could compare that experience to the Savior restoring His Church. Help them find specific things mentioned in the Restoration proclamation that the Savior restored.
Friend December 2015 “The Restoration Puzzle” Story about how to teach restoration using a puzzle.
Friend January 2025 “Come, Follow Me Activities” Puzzle Restoration
To restore something means to put it back together. Read “The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World” in Gospel Library to learn more about how the Church was restored. Then play a restoration game! Find or draw a picture and cut it into puzzle pieces. Trade puzzles with a family member and restore each other’s pictures. Why was it important that Joseph Smith restored Jesus Christ’s gospel?
Friend January 2025 “The Restoration Is for You” President Russell M. Nelson tells what the restoration means to us individually.
For the Strength of Youth January 2025 “Fun Stop” Jesus Christ restored His Church through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Activity: The image on the left is the “true” image. Help “restore” the image on the right to the original version by marking 10 things that have been lost, added, or changed.
“Jesus Christ Restored His Church in the Latter Days” (April 2013 Liahona and Friend)
Create a gospel treasure box with gold coins representing truths that were restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Friend April 1988 Restored Blessings
Jesus’ Church has been Restored: Friend May 2017 – Music & Video
Jesus blessed the children when He walked in Galilee, He brought a young girl back to life. He blessed the blind to see. But some forgot! His Church was lost with its authority. Now priesthood pow’r is back on earth to bless a child like me.
Heav’nly Father and His Son came to the Sacred Grove. They brought the Church to earth again so all could feel Their love. Moroni and Elijah came—and Peter, James, and John—With precious keys and blessings that for centuries were gone.
Temples all around the world, Apostles, revelation: These all are part of God’s great gift—the gospel’s restoration. The sacrament I take each week, baptism, confirmation: I’m thankful for God’s gift to me—the gospel’s restoration.
Now gospel truths are back once more, For Jesus’ Church has been restored.
“The heavens are open.”
- To illustrate what the phrase “the heavens are open” means, maybe you could share a message with your children, first behind a closed door and then through an open door. Let them take turns sharing a message too. What messages does Jesus Christ have for us? What experiences have helped us know that the heavens are open to us?
Restoration Proclamation
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 “The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ” How do you commemorate the 200th anniversary of an event that changed the world? That’s the question the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles pondered as April 2020 approached, marking 200 years since Joseph Smith’s First Vision. “We wondered if a monument should be erected,” President Russell M. Nelson recalled. “But as we considered the unique historic and international impact of that First Vision, we felt impressed to create a monument not of granite or stone but of words … , not to be carved in ‘tables of stone’ but rather to be etched in the ‘fleshy tables’ of our hearts [2 Corinthians 3:3]” (“Hear Him,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 90).
The monument of words they created is titled “The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World.” It’s a monument not just to the First Vision but also to everything Jesus Christ has done—and is still doing—since then. The Restoration of His gospel started when one person turned to God and heard Him. It continues that same way: one heart, one sacred experience at a time—including yours.
“We solemnly proclaim.”
- As you read parts of the Restoration proclamation with your children (or watch the video of President Nelson reading it), help them find sentences that begin with phrases like “we proclaim,” “we declare,” or “we testify.” What truths are our prophets and apostles declaring? Perhaps you and your children could share your own testimonies of some of these same truths.
Cranial Hiccups “Memorize the Restoration Proclamation” Flipchart or cards with pictures to go with each part of the Restoration Proclamation.
“Joseph Smith … had questions.”
- It might be interesting to your children to explore some of the questions Joseph Smith had that led to the Restoration of the Savior’s gospel. Help them find some examples in Joseph Smith—History 1:10, 29, 68. How are we blessed today because God answered Joseph Smith’s questions?
New Era February 2020 “Joseph’s Search for the Truth”
- You might also give your children a chance to talk about questions they have. What do we learn from Joseph Smith about how to find answers? (see Joseph Smith—History 1:8–17; see also verses 3 and 4 of “This Is My Beloved Son,” Children’s Songbook, 76).
Friend November 2023 “I Can Ask God”
“Heavenly messengers came to instruct Joseph.”
- Who were the “heavenly messengers [who] came to instruct Joseph”? Your children might enjoy looking for pictures of them in the Gospel Art Book (see nos. 91, 93, 94, 95). How did each of these messengers help “re-establish the Church of Jesus Christ”? The scriptures suggested in this week’s activity page can help your children answer this question.
- “Sing a Song of Joseph” (May 2007 Friend)
Perform this musical play with your friends.
The Lord restored His Church through Joseph Smith.
Friend April 2020 “Jesus Christ’s Church Is Restored!”
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Isaiah 13–14; 24–30; 35” The Restoration of the gospel is “a marvellous work and a wonder” (Isaiah 29:14). Share with the children some of the marvelous things the Lord did—and continues to do—to restore His gospel in our day.
- Invite the children to tell you what they know about Joseph Smith. If needed, share with them “Joseph Smith’s First Vision” (in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 9–12). Read Isaiah 29:12, and explain that even though Joseph Smith was not considered “learned” by many people, Jesus Christ restored the gospel through him.
Doctrine and Covenant Stories “Joseph Smith’s First Vision”
- Read Isaiah 29:14 to the children, and share with them other words that mean the same thing as “marvellous” and “wonder.”
Marvellous
- causing great wonder; extraordinary.
- extremely good or pleasing; splendid.”
Wonder
- feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable.
- Display items that represent some of the Lord’s marvelous works during the latter days, such as a picture of the First Vision or of Joseph Smith receiving the priesthood (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 90, 93, 94) or a copy of the Book of Mormon. Invite the children to choose an item and share why it is marvelous to them.
Friend April 2018 “What the Restoration Means to Me”
Coloring Page: “My faith in Jesus Christ grows when I learn about the Restoration of the gospel.” (May 2007 Friend)
The Fullness of the Gospel is Restored
“Jesus Christ Restored the Fulness of the Gospel through Joseph Smith” (April 2010 Liahona and Friend)
A description of the Restoration with a scripture journal prompt and story-wheel craft. Use the wheel to teach someone how Jesus Christ restored the fulness of the gospel through Joseph Smith.
Imagine a glass full of clear, pure water. If we bump the glass, some water might spill out and the glass wouldn’t be full anymore. In the beginning the fulness of the gospel was on the earth. For many years prophets taught the gospel. When Jesus Christ was on the earth, He established His Church. He taught the fulness of the gospel: faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and obedience to the commandments. Jesus showed all people how we should live. He became the Savior of us all. The gospel glass was full.
But as the years passed, parts of the gospel were lost because wicked people changed it or didn’t obey it. The fulness of the gospel was no longer on the earth. Heavenly Father promised His children He would give them the fulness of the gospel again. He called Joseph Smith to help Him restore the fulness of the gospel.
The Restoration of the gospel is a “marvellous work.”
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Isaiah 13–14; 24–30; 35” How can you help the children understand that they are part of the Lord’s “marvellous work” (Isaiah 29:14) of the latter days?
- Show pictures of some of the marvelous events that happened as the gospel was restored (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 90–95, or this week’s activity page). Read together Isaiah 29:14, 18, 24, and invite the children to find words and phrases that relate to the events in the pictures. Ask the children how they can help with the Lord’s “marvellous work” (verse 14).
Friend April 2020 “Helping with the Restoration” In 1820, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. The Restoration of the gospel began that day 200 years ago. It continues today! Here are four ways you can help with the Restoration and prepare for the time when Jesus will return:
- Share a brief experience to help the children understand what restoration means. For example, talk about something that was lost and how you found it. Help the children compare this to the Restoration of the gospel. According to Isaiah 29:13–15, why do we need the Restoration? What marvelous works did the Lord do to restore His gospel?
Friend May 2007 “Restoration” Whitney’s mother wants to restore her grandmother’s old armoire because it reminds her of her grandmother. Whitney suggests they could paint it white and add fancy handles. But her mother says, “No, I want to restore it. Restore means to bring something back to the way it was originally. I want it to look just the way it did when my grandmother used it.” (Activity: Cut out the puzzle pieces and put them together to form a picture. When you have all of the pieces in the right places, the picture will be “restored”!
Friend May 2011 “The Church of Jesus Christ Has Been Restored” Hidden in the picture of Joseph in the Sacred Grove are items related to the restoration of the Church.
- Gold plates (the word of the Lord)
- Kirtland Temple (temple work)
- Sacrament tray (remembering Jesus Christ)
- Missionary name tag (missionary work)
- Baptismal font (covenanting with the Lord)
- Keys (the priesthood)
- Dove (the Holy Ghost)
Friend April 2020 “Jesus Christ’s Church” A father explains to his young daughter what restoration means.
Friend December 2015 “The Restoration Puzzle” Story about how to teach restoration using a puzzle.
Nephi Foretells the Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon
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.
Marvelous Work and Wonder
Book of Mormon Seminary Student Manual (2024) “2 Nephi 27” In 2 Nephi 27, the Lord testified of something marvelous He would do to help us through the wickedness and apostasy of the last days.
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).
Truths Restored
Through Joseph Smith the following truths were restored: eternal families, Godhead, Book of Mormon as a witness of the truth of the Bible and Jesus Christ, priesthood authority, baptism of children not babies, salvation for the dead, our eternal potential as children of God, and modern revelation. (Chapter one of Teachings of the Presidents: Gordon B. Hinckley)
Display several objects or pictures that represent truths unique to the Church of Jesus Christ, such as a picture of the restoration of the priesthood (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 93–94). Ask a child to pick one of the objects or pictures and describe how it is a blessing in our Church. Explain that while Christians throughout the world belong to many different churches, we belong to the same Church that Jesus Christ established on the earth.
Blessings of the gospel Activity: Read the clues below (not the answer) and let the children pick which picture it is describing.
- Prophet: Because of this blessing of the gospel we have the privilege to hear Gods words and direction about current issues and challenges we face. This gift is God’s living spokesman.
- Book of Mormon: Because of this blessing of the gospel we know the purpose of life. We also know what we need to do to gain eternal salvation and how to live happy lives.
- Temples: This blessing of the gospel allows us the opportunity to receive saving ordinances for ourselves and our dead. We can also be sealed to our family so that we can be with them forever.
- Priesthood: Because of this blessing of the gospel we can receive healing blessings for the sick, blessings of comfort and guidance, and have authority to act in Gods name and perform saving ordinances, such as baptism.
- Baptism Because this blessing of the gospel, when performed by proper priesthood authority, we can receive a remission of our sins and enter into the gate that leads to eternal life.
- Holy Ghost Because of this blessing of the gospel we can receive personal revelation and guidance throughout our lives. We can also receive comfort during difficult times.
The Great Apostasy “News with the Naylors” Lesson ideas
The gospel was restored in our day.(Jr)
Show the children a picture of Moroni talking to Joseph Smith as you read Revelation 14:6 (see Gospel Art Book, no. 91). Invite the children to point to the angel in the picture. Share with them the account of Moroni’s visit (see “Chapter 3: The Angel Moroni and the Gold Plates,” in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 13–17, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org).(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Revelation 6–14”)
Doctrine and Covenants Stories “Chapter 3: The Angel Moroni and the Gold Plates” Images and Video
Invite the children to act out the story of Moroni visiting Joseph Smith (see Joseph Smith—History 1:29–35). Help them name some of the blessings that we enjoy because the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored. Share your testimony of the Restoration.(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Revelation 6–14”)
Teachers Pay Teachers “The Great Apostasy (Apostasy Cups)”
The Lord knew the challenges we would face. The Restoration helps me face the challenges of the latter days.
Doctrine and Covenants 1:15–17
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 “Doctrine and Covenants 1” & CFM Primary 2021
- To encourage discussion about Doctrine and Covenants 1:17, you and your children could imagine you are preparing for a trip. What would you pack? If you knew ahead of time that it would rain or that your car or bus would get a flat tire, how would that affect the way you prepared for the trip?
- Help the children think of some of the problems in the world today. Review Doctrine and Covenants 1:15–16 with them, and help them identify some of the problems that the Lord prophesied would occur.
- Invite them to discover in verses 17 and 30 what the Lord has done to help us face the challenges of our time. If necessary, explain that a “calamity” is a disaster or terrible thing.) How do God’s commandments help us deal with the challenges of our time?
As part of the Restoration, the gospel will be preached to all the world. (Sr)
Ask the children to read Revelation 14:6–7 and to write on the board words or phrases from these verses that are meaningful to them. Ask them to share why they chose those words or phrases. Explain that these verses describe the Restoration of the gospel in our day. Ask them how they can take part in the work of preaching the gospel to the world.(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Revelation 6–14”)
Invite the children to read Revelation 14:7 and to rephrase in their own words the message the angel had for the world. Or invite them to draw a picture representing the angel’s message. What can we share with others about the gospel of Jesus Christ?(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Revelation 6–14”)
Friend December 1991 “I Have a Testimony of Jesus Christ”
The Restoration Continues
For the Strength of Youth “The Ongoing Restoration”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on earth.
Daniel Chapter 2 Nebuchadnezzar’s dream is revealed to Daniel—The king saw a great image, a stone cut from the mountain without hands destroyed the image, and the stone grew and filled the whole earth—The stone is the latter-day kingdom of God.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Daniel 1–6” When Daniel gave his inspired interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, he saw a stone “cut out of the mountain without hands” (Daniel 2:45). This stone represents The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is destined to fill the earth.
- Read Daniel 2:31–35, 44–45 with the children, and invite them to draw a picture of what Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream. Ask the children what they learn from these verses about the stone in the dream.
“Lesson 146: Daniel 1–2,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Material
(2018) Who did Daniel say the head represented? (Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire.) What else did Daniel reveal about the king’s dream? (The other sections of the image represented kingdoms that would rise after Babylon fell.)
“Lesson 146: Daniel 1–2,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Material
(2018)
Many kingdoms” next to verses 41–43. Point out that the time of many kingdoms includes the latter days (see verse 44, footnote a).
- What might the phrase “cut out of the mountain without hands” in verse 45 mean? (The kingdom was established by God, not by man.)
Explain that this stone represents The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ask the children to name some things Heavenly Father did to set up His Church in the latter days. To give them ideas, show pictures of events in the Restoration of the Church (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 90–95).
- Why is it important for you to understand that the Church was established by God and not by man?
- What does Daniel’s prophecy teach us about the Church? (After students respond, write the following truth on the board: The Lord established His Church—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—and it will continue to grow until it fills the whole earth.)
- Give each child a crumpled-up piece of paper to represent the stone in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Ask each child to share how he or she knows that the Church was restored by God. As the children share, invite them to give their “stones” to you. Wrap the stones together using tape or string to form a large stone. Testify that as we strengthen our testimonies and share the gospel with others, we unite our faith to help the kingdom of God “[fill] the whole earth” (Daniel 2:35).
Activities & Games
Friend April 2020 “Find It” Because of the Restoration, people all over the world can know about Jesus Christ’s gospel! How many copies of the Book of Mormon can you find? Extra challenge: How many country flags can you find? Do you recognize any of the flags? Check answers below.
Answers: 8 copies of the Book of Mormon; 16 country flags
Because of the Restoration, today people all over the world can know about Jesus Christ’s gospel! How many copies of the Book of Mormon can you find? Extra challenge: How many country flags can you find? Do you recognize any of the flags? Check answers below.
Wherever you go in the world, Primary is the same. It’s like having a whole world of friends!
Answers: 8 copies of the Book of Mormon; 16 country flags
Friend April 2020 “Learning about the Restoration “The missionaries are teaching this family about how the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored. Find the items below that represent parts of the Restoration.
Ensign February 2020 “Celebrating the Restoration” Invite people to create artwork about the early events of the Restoration. It could include paintings, illustrations, sculptures, photographs, and so on. Ask them to choose an event or theme from the Restoration for their art. Schedule a time and place to display them all together and invite others to come and see them. Or, organize a simple parade with different individuals or groups representing different events, revealed truths, or blessings of the Restoration. If circumstances allow, invite each individual or group to share the significance of the event, truth, or blessing they represented. Perhaps you could have a parade just for children. (See more ideas at link.)
The Restoration
PSALM 85 The Lord speaks peace to His people—Truth will spring out of the earth (the Book of Mormon), and righteousness will look down from heaven.
This verse could inspire a discussion about events of the Restoration of the gospel—how the Book of Mormon is truth that “[sprang] out of the earth” and how heavenly messengers came “down from heaven” (see also Moses 7:62). The video “Preparation of Joseph Smith: Tutored by Heaven” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) depicts some of these events.
Gather Together all Things in Christ (Ephesians 1:10)
To teach about this verse, Elder David A. Bednar used the example of a rope (see “Gather Together in One All Things in Christ”). Consider showing family members a rope and letting them hold and examine it while you share parts of Elder Bednar’s message. How is God gathering all things together in Christ? How are we blessed because of this gathering?
“A rope is an essential tool with which all of us are familiar. Ropes are made from strands of fabric, plants, wire, or other materials that are each individually twisted or braided together. Interestingly, substances that may be quite unexceptional can be woven together and become exceptionally strong. Thus, effectively connecting and binding ordinary materials can produce an extraordinary tool.
Importantly, this vital gathering of truth is centered in and focused upon the Lord Jesus Christ because He is “the way, the truth, and the life.”
Come Follow Me for Kids “New Testament Activities: Download #36” For the Perfecting of the Saints”
Gathering Activity– Read/discuss/summarize Ephesians 1:10. The manual says, “Through the latter-day
Restoration, God is gathering all things in one, including all the principles and ordinances of the gospel. To
demonstrate this idea, you could hide objects or written phrases around your home that represent things
that have been restored in our day (like priesthood keys, temple ordinances, scriptures, and spiritual gifts).
Family members could search for them and ‘gather’ them together. Why are we thankful to live in the
‘dispensation of the fulness of times’?”
Explain that we live in a time when lots of good things have been “gathered.”
Hide the pictures around the room. Have family members look for them to “gather” them together.
After they’ve all been found, have family members take turns explaining how the items they found
can help us or why they’re grateful for them.
Foundation Picture: Show “The Living Christ” foundation picture from The Friend below. Have them
think about towers they’ve built (or if time/interest, actually build a tower out of blocks). What
happens when the bottom part of the tower is taken away? Ephesians 2:20 says that Jesus Christ is
the “chief cornerstone.” Point out where the picture of Christ is in the foundation picture (where the
chief cornerstone is). What would happen if Christ was taken away? Remind them of how important
He is to us and how much He loves us