Translating the Gold Plates

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What does translate mean? Translate means to change from one language to another.

Show the paper with the words “Le Livre De Mormon” written on it. Tell the children that the words are French. The English version of these words is “The Book of Mormon”. Show this paper. Both sets of words mean the same thing, but they are different languages.

Primary 5 Manual: Doctrine and Covenants “Lesson 6: Joseph Smith Begins to Translate the Gold zPlates”

The gold plates were written in an ancient language that needed to be translated into a language others could read.

Discuss the many languages used throughout the world, and explain that the word translate means to change writing or speech from one language to another.

  • What was the language of the writings on the gold plates? (Reformed Egyptian.)

Explain that usually translators need to understand both of the languages they work with. Joseph Smith, however, had had very little schooling and could not speak or read languages other than English. The reformed Egyptian characters on the plates were very strange to him. As he studied and prayed, the Urim and Thummim helped him understand the characters on the plates. Joseph learned that the process of translation requires faith, hard work, worthiness, patience, and obedience.

Doctrine and Covenants Coloring Book “Translation of the Book of Mormon”

Show the children an image of characters from the golden plates. Explain that God helped Joseph translate these characters into words we can read and understand.

If someone asked you where the Book of Mormon came from, what would you say? How would you describe God’s involvement in giving us the Book of Mormon?

Lost 116 Pages

Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual “Doctrine and Covenants 3”

Martin Harris was a respected citizen of Palmyra and successful farmer who was one of only a few people in the area who believed Joseph Smith. Though almost twice his age, Martin was Joseph’s friend and gave him money so he could move to Harmony, Pennsylvania, to translate the Book of Mormon undisturbed. Martin also sacrificed to travel there himself and serve as scribe. As Joseph read out loud from the plates, Martin Harris wrote down the words Joseph read. 

Martin’s wife, Lucy, was not supportive of his involvement with the Book of Mormon translation. Martin asked Joseph if he could show the first 116 pages of the translation to Lucy as evidence of their work. Joseph prayed about it twice and each time was told not to allow Martin to take the pages.

Joseph prayed a third time, and the Lord gave permission with strict conditions. Martin took the pages to Palmyra to show them to his wife.

  • Why do you think Joseph did not follow through with the first two responses he received from the Lord?

The day after Martin left, Emma Smith gave birth to her and Joseph’s first child, a son. Tragically, the infant lived only a few hours, and it seemed Emma might die too. Thankfully, Emma’s health started improving after a couple weeks. Though Joseph did not want to leave her side, Emma urged him to travel to Palmyra and inquire about the manuscript.

When Joseph arrived at his parents’ home, they invited Martin to join them for breakfast. Martin didn’t come for more than four hours. When he finally arrived and sat down, he mournfully exclaimed, “I have lost my soul!” He had not followed the strict guidelines and had lost the manuscript.

“Oh, my God, my God. All is lost!” Joseph said. “Must I return to my wife with such a tale? And how shall I appear before the Lord?”

After Joseph returned to Harmony, Moroni appeared and took the plates from him. (See Saints, 1:50–54.)

Shortly after this experience, the Lord spoke to Joseph Smith, chastising him and giving him words of comfort.

Video and Images from Doctrine and Covenants Stories

Primary 5 Manual: Doctrine and Covenants “Lesson 6: Joseph Smith Begins to Translate the Gold Plates”
Explain that even though Martin Harris lost the 116 pages of translation, he repented and went on to make important contributions to the Church. He was not permitted to assist Joseph further in the translation of the gold plates, but later he sold part of his farm to help pay for the printing of the Book of Mormon. He was one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon and testified of the truthfulness of the book throughout his life. Show the children “The Testimony of Three Witnesses,” printed at the front of the Book of Mormon.

Explain that the Lord told Joseph that Satan had influenced some wicked people
to take the pages. These people intended to change the words so people would
not believe the Book of Mormon (see D&C 10:10–19). Joseph was told not to
retranslate the first portion of the plates (see D&C 10:30–31). Because the Lord
knows all things, he knew that this incident would happen. He had therefore
commanded the ancient prophet Mormon to write a similar account of what
was included in the 116 pages in another part of the gold plates (see Words
of Mormon 1:3–7). Joseph translated this part instead of retranslating the lost
part (see D&C 10:38–42). Joseph learned that Satan and wicked people could
not stop Heavenly Father’s work (see D&C 3:1; 10:43).

As Nephi was writing the record of his people, God directed him to create two sets of plates, called the small plates and the large plates of Nephi. Nephi didn’t know why he was commanded to create two sets of plates, but he trusted that the Lord had “a wise purpose … , which purpose I know not” (1 Nephi 9:5

Centuries later, as Mormon was abridging Nephi’s large plates, he came across the small plates. The small plates covered many of the same events described in the large plates that Mormon had already abridged, but the small plates focused more on spiritual matters and the ministry and teachings of the prophets. God inspired Mormon to include the small plates of Nephi in his record in addition to the large plates.

Like Nephi, Mormon didn’t understand God’s purpose for having both sets of plates, but he trusted that it was “for a wise purpose” (Words of Mormon 1:7).

Today we know what God’s purpose was. In 1828, after Joseph Smith had translated part of Mormon’s abridgment of Nephi’s large plates (116 manuscript pages), Martin Harris lost those pages. God commanded Joseph not to retranslate this portion because evil men would change the words and try to discredit Joseph (see Doctrine and Covenants 10, section heading; Doctrine and Covenants 10:14–19, 30–45).

See Doctrine and Covenants 3-5 for lesson ideas about the topic “I can choose the right when others try to get me to do wrong.”

Primary 5 Manual: Doctrine and Covenants “Lesson 6: Joseph Smith Begins to Translate the Gold Plates” Write the following on the chalkboard: “When the Lord commands, do it.” Explain that Joseph Smith learned from his mistakes and challenges. Even though he faced despair when the 116 pages were lost, he learned the importance of obedience, repentance, and accepting the will of Heavenly Father. He learned to listen to the promptings of the Spirit and grew in his ability to use the Urim and Thummim. Later in life he was able to say, “I made this my rule: When the Lord commands, do it” (History of the Church, 2:170).

Marvelous Work and Wonder

2 Nephi 27

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).

Book of Mormon Seminary Student Manual (2024) “2 Nephi 27” Read 2 Nephi 27:20–23, looking for reasons why God chose someone who was not learned to translate 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:

Emma Smith

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)

2 Nephi 27:15–20

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).


13th Article of Faith

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Friend January 1988

Friend January 1987

Friend December 2015

Friend December 2015

Friend December 2021 “Matt and Mandy”

Read Philippians 4:8 together, and help the children think of things that fit the descriptions in the verse (see also Articles of Faith 1:13). Invite the children to draw pictures of these things. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Philippians; Colossians” )

Ask the children to name things that fit the descriptions in Philippians 4:8. Invite them to keep a list this week of anything they notice that fits these descriptions. Encourage them to bring their lists to Primary next week and share what they found. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Philippians; Colossians” )

See also:

LDS Living “FHE: The Thirteenth Article of Faith” Great lesson ideas

Come Follow Me with Living Scriptures “The Admonition of Paul” Lesson ideas


Sabbath Day: Songs

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Table of Contents

The Sabbath Day

Friend August 2017 “The Sabbath Day: I Can Play It” Words and sheet music

  • Hands are still, heart is full, as I think about what I hear. When I take the sacrament, I can feel the Savior near.
  • I prepare long before Sunday morning comes once again. I am confident and clean; I’ve repented of my sins.
  • In my home, I’ll be kind and invite the Spirit to stay, Making Sunday a delight, not like any other day.
  • On this day I’ll choose the right And remember Jesus Christ, Serve my Savior by the way That I keep the Sabbath day.

Saturday is a Special Day

Remember the Sabbath

Sabbath Day Holy Lesson “Item 5” Song teaching ideas


Unity

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Working together to accomplish the same goal.

Family Unity

Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History “Lesson 16: The Saints Gather to Kirtland, Ohio,” 

Write on separate pieces of paper some activities, traditions, and actions that can help develop unity within a family, such as family home evening, family prayer, family scripture study, mealtime, holiday celebrations, birthday celebrations, being kind to each other, and being unselfish. Discuss with the children what unity means and how unity can be developed within a family. To help the children identify ways that their families can develop feelings of love and unity, let each child choose a piece of paper and give clues to the other children about the activity or action described on his or her paper. Have the other children guess the activity or action. Then invite the children to tell about how that activity or action has blessed and strengthened their families.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 38:24-25  Explain that when God says something twice in a row, it is probably something that we should pay extra attention to. What does it mean to esteem someone as yourself? We need to value others as much as we value ourselves. We need each other. We need each others strength, support, and gifts and talents. Have the children tell what different parts of the body does. Explain that each part of the body is important and needed. Just like our body parts are united and working together, we need to be united as people and learn to work together as one.

To teach children what it means to “be one,” you could help them count the members of your family and talk about why each person is important to your family. Emphasize that together you are one family. You could help your children draw a large 1 on a poster and decorate it with names and drawings or pictures of each family member. You could also write on the poster things you will do to be more united as a family. You might also watch the video “Love in Our Hearts” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) or read Moses 7:18.

Friend April 2021 “Scripture Time Fun Working Together: Jesus taught us to “be one” (Doctrine and Covenants 38:27). That means working together with the people around us to accomplish the same goal.

  • Choose a partner and stand next to each other, shoulder to shoulder. Use a scarf or rope to gently tie your ankle to your partner’s. Work together to practice walking. How fast can you get safely from one place to another?
  • Sing “Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel” (Hymns, no. 252).

Church Unity

United as One

Share an object lesson that illustrates how things can be combined or united to become one, such as pieces of cloth that make one quilt or ingredients that make one loaf of bread. What do these examples teach us about becoming one as God’s people? Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 37–40”,

Sing “We Are Different” (Children’s Songbook,140–41, 263).

1. I know you, and you know me. We are as diff’rent as the sun and the sea I know you, and you know me, And that’s the way it’s supposed to be.

2. I help you, and you help me. We learn from problems, and we’re starting to see. I help you, and you help me, And that’s the way it’s supposed to be.

3. I love you, and you love me We reach together for the best we can be I love you, and you love me, And that’s the way it’s supposed to be.

Ensign April 2021“Family Study Fun” United as One

In Doctrine and Covenants 38:27, the Savior says, “I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.” We are encouraged to be one that we “might escape the power of the enemy” (Doctrine and Covenants 38:31).

  1. Stand together in the center of the room.
  2. Choose one person to walk through the middle of the group.
  3. Repeat the exercise but this time as a group stand closer together, linking arms and hands if possible.

Discussion: How are we more protected from outside influences as we stand stronger and closer together? How does greater unity protect us?

Ensign August 2019 “Family Study Fun: Human Knot”  (best with four-plus people) Paul tells the Saints that there should be “no divisions among” them and that they should be “perfectly joined together” in mind and judgment (1 Corinthians 1:10). Stand everyone in a circle. Have everyone reach out their right hand and take someone else’s (not next to them). Do the same with the left hand, taking a different person’s hand. Work together to untangle the knot without letting go of any hands. End up in a circle again. Discussion: What can we do as a family to be more “joined together”? How can we work together to remove divisions?

Friend March 2018 “Funstuff” Have the family work together to put together the tangram puzzle of the house. Explain that when family members each help contribute to  building a strong, happy family then all the pieces of family life fit together properly and harmoniously.

Friend July 2017 “Busy Like a Bee” Elder Ballard tells how bees work together to strengthen the hive.

Unity

1 Corinthians 12:12–27.

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 8-13” In Paul’s time, Corinth was a wealthy trade center with residents from all over the Roman Empire. With so many different cultures and religions in the city, Church members in Corinth struggled to maintain unity, so Paul sought to help them find unity in their belief in Christ. This unity was to be more than just peaceful coexistence; Paul wasn’t asking them merely to tolerate each other’s differences. Rather, he taught that when you join the Church of Jesus Christ, you are “baptized into one body,” and every body part is needed (1 Corinthians 12:13). When one member is lost, it’s like losing a limb, and the body is weaker as a result. When one member suffers, we should all feel it and do our part to relieve it. In this kind of unity, differences are not just acknowledged but cherished, because without members of diverse gifts and abilities, the body would be limited. So whether you feel like you’ve always been at home in the Church or find yourself wondering if you truly belong, Paul’s message to you is that unity is not sameness. You need your fellow Saints, and your fellow Saints need you.

Paul’s analogy of a body could be a memorable way to discuss family unity. For example, family members could try drawing a body made only of eyes or ears (see verse 17). What do these verses suggest about how we should treat each other as family members?

Friend September 2023 “Come, Follow Me Activities: Move Your Body”

Friend September 2023 “Come, Follow Me Activities for Little Ones” Point to some body parts and ask your little ones why each part is important. Explain that all the parts work together to help us do things. God loves all His children. He wants us to work together to help and serve others.

New Testament Seminary Student Manual (2023) “1 Corinthians 12” Paul wrote to the Saints in Corinth to help them recognize their need to be unified in Christ. He taught that if all members would recognize and use the spiritual gifts they had received from the Lord, they could be like the many parts of a body working together in unison.

Friend September 2023 Cover We are all needed

Friend September 2023 “Women of Faith”

Friend October 2024 “Working Together” President Henry B. Eyring’s address about how we are all different, but the Lord’s prophets have always asked us to have unity. When you have unity, you love each other and work together. (see more at link)


Sabbath Day: Lesson Item 1

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It is a Commandment to Keep the Sabbath Day Holy 

Game and Object Lesson

Preparation

  • Items needed: a pitcher of water, a bowl, and a clear plastic cup or a glass.
  • Either print a copy of the game and cut out the game pieces, or download and open the game in Microsoft Word. If opened in Microsoft Word, the game pieces can be moved by clicking on the center of the image or label and then dragging it to where it should go on the chart.
  • Alternative visuals: Cut out the game cards and the picture of Moses. (Optional: color cardstock can be used for the game boards.) (Game cards are from “My Creation Book” pictures – Friend, March 2002 “For Little Friends”

Game
Divide the family into two groups or more. (More copies of the game board and creation pictures will be needed if if the family is divided into more than two groups.)
Give each group a game board and a set of creation pictures.
Have each group try to put the correct pictures in each square according to which “day” it took place in the creation account (one square will get two pictures). After they are done, tell them the correct order and have them check their answers.

• On the first day God made light and divided the light from the darkness.
• On the second day God made the sky (firmament).
• On the third day God made the flowers, grass and trees.
• On the fourth day God made the sun, moon, and stars
• On the fifth day God made the birds, fish and whales.
• On the sixth day God made the land animals… and man.

Discussion or PowerPoint
After they fix their boards, ask the family what day of the week is missing on their chart. (The seventh)

• What happened on the seventh day? (Read Genesis 2:2-3) God sanctified the day and rested from his labors.

Since the beginning of the world, one day a week has been set apart for us to rest from our labors, and to focus on worship and spiritual matters. We call this day the Sabbath.

• What day do we observe the Sabbath? (On Sunday)

(Show the picture of Moses)
When Moses was on the earth, the Lord gave him some stone tablets.
• What was written on those tablets? (The Ten Commandments)

Read Exodus 20:8 Explain that keeping the Sabbath day holy was one of the Ten Commandments. Keeping the Sabbath day holy is a commandment.

Object Lesson Discussion or Video

• Why are we to keep the Sabbath day holy?

In the bible dictionary, it says that something that is holy is set apart for a sacred purpose.

• What purpose was the Sabbath day set apart for? (For worship, and to get spiritually strengthened and physically rested)

Read the scripture Exodus 31:17. “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” So on the Sabbath we are to rest and refresh. We know what rest means, so what does refresh mean? (It means to be re-energized, reinvigorated, replenished.)

Heavenly Father knew we would need to be physically re-energized and spiritually replenished after a busy week, so he gave us a day to recharge and refresh our bodies and spirits.

Object Lesson:

Show a full glass of water and explain that the full cup represents being spiritually replenished and physically rested and recharged after a Sabbath day of attending our church meetings, resting our bodies, and focusing on gospel activities.

During the week we are involved in activities that may drain our spiritual and physical reserves. (Pour water from the cup into the bowl as you name several possibilities such as work and chores, sports. school and responsibilities, disagreements with a family member, or making  wrong choices.)

We can replenish our cup a little each day as we read the scriptures, pray and keep the commandments (pour a little water from the pitcher into the cup for each item mentioned), but the Lord knew we would need more.

So on Sunday we are commanded to use the entire day for spiritual refreshment and physical rest so that we can have the spiritual strength and physical renewal to help us make good choices and keep the commandments throughout the week. (Fill the cup with water) So the Sabbath tops of our spiritual and physical reserves and we are recharged and replenished for the next week. (Object lesson from Primary 6 manual, Lesson 20, Enrichment Activity #1 )


New Testament: Stories

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Table of Contents

Sermon on the Mount

Friend March 2019 “Jesus Taught about Prayer” Jesus taught the steps of prayer in the Sermon on the Mount”

Friend April 1988  “Scriptural Giants: The Faith of Mary and Marth”

The Good Samaritan

Friend May 2022 “Hudson the Good Samaritan”

The Last Supper – Sacrament

Friend April 2017 “Jesus Gave Us the Sacrament”

“The Sacrament Helps Us Remember Jesus” Friend September 2015 

Life of Jesus

Friend April 2017 “Jesus Gave Us the Sacrament”

 Paul

Friend August 2019 “Paul Repents”

[unitegallery 2019Augus]

Friend September 1986 “Saul Becomes Paul” Story

“Paul Testifies of Christ” – Link includes story of the prison earthquake miracle, and it also includes lesson ideas.

Friend October 2019 “Paul’s Missionary Journeys”

[unitegallery 2019Oct]

Coloring Page: Jesus Can Help Me Do Hard Things

Friend November 2019 “James Taught the Gospel” James, the brother of Jesus, taught the gospel and helped lead the church when he grew up. One of his teachings in James 1:5. says that if we have questions, we can ask God. Many years after James wrote this scripture, a boy named Joseph Smith read it. He prayed to know which church to join. Joseph’s prayer was answered!When I have questions, I can ask God, like James taught. (Memorize James 1:5 as a family. Talk about how this verse led Joseph Smith to receive the First Vision.)

[unitegallery 2019Nov]

Coloring Page: I Can Learn From the Scriptures


New Testament: Lesson Ideas

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Wise Man and Foolish Man

Friend March 2018 “Food and Fun: Wisdom Rocks” Put a wise thought or scripture on a rock to inspire you.

Sermon on the Mount

Matthew CHAPTER 5 Jesus preaches the Sermon on the Mount—Its teachings replace and transcend some aspects of the law of Moses—All are commanded to be perfect like their Father in Heaven.

Luke CHAPTER 6 Jesus heals on the Sabbath—He chooses the Twelve Apostles—He pronounces blessings upon the obedient and woes upon the wicked. Sermon on the Mount

Sermon on the Mount

I can be happy when I live the way Jesus taught.

Matthew 5:3–12

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 5; Luke 6” As you read Matthew 5:3–12, what words and phrases stand out to you? How will these teachings bless the lives of the children you teach?

Explain that the beginning of Jesus’s sermon includes what is known as the “Beatitudes.” Beatitude means to be blessed or happy. In these verses, Jesus identified attributes that He and His Father possess that lead to true happiness in this life and in the life to come. Developing these attributes will help you become more like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

  • Create a chart on the board with two columns labeled Blessed are … and Blessing. Invite the children to search Matthew 5:3–12 looking for the qualities of those Jesus said would be blessed and the blessings He promised them. Then fill in the chart with what they find. Discuss with the children what each quality and corresponding blessing mean.

Lesson 34: Jesus Teaches the Beatitudes (Click on link for instructions and printouts for this activity.)

image
  • Write each quality from these verses on a card and its corresponding blessing on a card. For example, one card would say “meek,” and another would say “inherit the earth” (verse 5). Let the children match the qualities and the blessings. Ask the children to pick one of the qualities in these verses that they want to develop.

Friend March 2019 “Sermon on the Mount” The scriptures teach us about a special talk (or “sermon”) that Jesus gave called the Sermon on the Mount. Look up the scriptures below and match them with what Jesus taught.

Friend April 2004 “If I Choose to Obey, I’ll Be Happy All Day!” In the Sermon on the Mount (see Matt. 53 Ne. 12) Jesus taught us how to live so we can be happy. Some of these teachings are known as the Beatitudes. Beatitude means “happiness” or “blessing.” To make a Beatitude Book, glue page 29 onto a sheet of paper. Cut on the solid lines. Glue the second strip to the tab on the first strip. Fold back and forth on the dotted lines.

Friend March 1984 link includes instructions

Friend February 2023 “Scripture Toss” Put this page on the ground. Take turns tossing a beanbag onto the paper. When the beanbag lands on a square, read that scripture verse. If someone has already read that verse, tell what it means to you. Or you can tell how you can do what it teaches.

Friend February 2023 “How to Have Joy” When we follow Jesus Christ, we are blessed even in hard times. Read what Jesus promised us in Matthew 5 and fill in the blanks.

Friend February 2023 “Come, Follow Me Activities for Little Ones”Tell your little ones that we are happy when we choose the right like Jesus did. Hang up a paper with a smiley face drawn on it. Add a smiley face each time your little ones make a “happy” choice.

Liahona February 2023 “Building on the Teachings of Jesus Christ”

Blessed by the Beatitudes

In Matthew 5, the Savior teaches His disciples a higher law to live by so they can become like Him.

  1. Read the beatitudes in Matthew 5:1–12. Talk about each characteristic and the promise that goes with it.
  2. Write each person’s name on a separate sheet of paper.
  3. Give each person a paper, making sure they don’t get one with their own name written on it.
  4. Have everyone draw a picture of a time when the person on their paper exemplified one of the beatitudes. Write a sentence about it. For example, “Hannah is a peacemaker because she shared with her sister.”
  5. Look up the blessing associated with that beatitude and write it at the bottom of the page.
  6. Take turns sharing what was written.

Light to the World

 Friend March 2018 “Funstuff” Read the scriptures and have the children use the tangram pieces to make the item that isn’t hid under a bushel.

Friend March 2018

Be Ye Therefore Perfect

Liahona February 2023 “Does Heavenly Father Really Expect Us to Be Perfect?” Activity: Perfection Puzzle”

During His Sermon on the Mount, the Savior taught, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). But how is this possible?

  • Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, Moro. 10:32.
  • Continue in patience until ye are perfected, D&C 67:13.
  • These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus, D&C 76:69.

As a family, create a simple puzzle by cutting a sheet of paper into several puzzle pieces. Before assembling the puzzle, remove one piece so that the puzzle will be incomplete upon assembly. Give each family member the remaining puzzle pieces and have them label the pieces with things they can do to work toward perfection.

When the pieces are labeled, assemble the puzzle without the piece you removed at the beginning. Once the puzzle is assembled, reveal the final piece. Before placing it, discuss ways that the members of the Godhead help us improve and write some of these down on the final piece.

Through the redeeming power of Jesus Christ and His Atonement, we can become perfect eventually.3

Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 5; Luke 6”

How can you help class members see that the Savior’s command to be “perfect” (Matthew 5:48) means, as President Russell M. Nelson explained, to be “complete” or “finished”? (“Perfection Pending,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 86–88). You could cut a picture of Jesus into a puzzle, and invite class members to write on the back of each piece a teaching from Matthew 5 that they feel inspired to apply to their life. Let them work together to complete the puzzle. How does Jesus Christ’s Atonement help us become “complete” or “finished”? (see Bible Dictionary, “Grace”).

Discuss this statement from Elder Joseph Fielding Smith about perfection: “[Perfection] will not come all at once, but line upon line, precept upon precept, example upon example, and even then not as long as we live in this mortal life. … But here we lay the foundation … to prepare us for that perfection. It is our duty to be better today than we were yesterday, and better tomorrow than we are today” (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:18).

Salt of the Earth

How can our knowledge of gospel truths help “preserve” the lives of others? We preserve their spiritual lives so they do not suffer from spiritual death. What are some ways we can offer “healing” to nonmembers? In what ways is the gospel an “essential nutrient” in our lives? If we are to be like the savior we need to be the salt of the earth. that it preserves food, that it can be used as a medicine, and that it is an essential nutrient.)

Matthew 5:13.

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 5; Luke 6”

Eat together some food seasoned with salt and the same food without salt. What difference do we notice? What does it mean to be “the salt of the earth”? How can we do this?

“Lesson 10: The Sermon on the Mount,” Primary 7: New Testament Unless this lesson is on fast Sunday, prepare a food that usually is prepared with salt, such as popcorn, rice, pasta, and so on. Leave the salt out and ask each child to taste the food. (Check with parents for allergies.) Add a small amount of salt and let the children taste the food again. Point out that a very small amount of salt can make a big difference. A small number of righteous people can also make a big difference. Have the children discuss how they can make a difference by living righteously.

  1. Salt of the Earth (3 Nephi 12:13) What does salt do? It enhances flavor. (Optional: Show an example of this with some cooked pasta.)
  2. Someone who influences and enhances people’s lives for good. Just as salt enhances food and makes it taste better, we should influence people for good. Why wouldn’t you want to use the contaminated salt? (The dirt would give the food a bad flavor, and it could be unsafe to ingest.)  Explain that through contamination, salt loses its desirable taste and flavor. If we contaminate our lives with the dirt and evil of the world, then we could become a negative influence on others, and we could cause great spiritual harm.
  3. How can we be a good influence and example to others?

Friend June 2023 “Salt Painting” Jesus Christ said to His disciples, “Ye are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13). Salt is something ordinary that can be used for lots of amazing things. Make this painting and think of some of the amazing things you can do with God’s help!

New Testament Seminary Student Manual (2023) “Matthew 5; Luke 6”Take a moment to ponder in your heart how you, as the salt of the earth, help bring out the best in those around you. Also consider what temptations you face and how you can keep yourself pure. If you have allowed any impurities into your life, they can be removed through the gift of repentance available through Jesus Christ.

City on a Hill

New Testament Seminary Student Manual (2023) “Matthew 5; Luke 6”

  • How can following Jesus Christ be hard to hide, like a city on a hill?
  • Anciently, cities were built on hilltops to provide protection from potential attacks. How can living the gospel boldly provide protection from bad influences?
  • What does this metaphor teach you about how the Savior expects you, as His disciples, to live?

Who were the Pharisees and Sadducees?

Matthew 3:7Luke 3:7

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 3” The Pharisees were members of a Jewish religious party who prided themselves on strict observance of the law of Moses and its rituals. The Sadducees were a wealthy Jewish class with great religious and political influence; they did not believe in the doctrine of resurrection. Both groups had strayed from the original intent of God’s laws.

See also Matthew 23:23–28; Bible Dictionary, “Pharisees,” “Sadducees.”

Come Follow Me

Acts

Ensign July 2019 “Family Study Fun” Activities and discussion ideas for each week of July’s Come Follow Me. (See link for more discussion information)

Acts 1-4  

Still, Small Voice Obstacle Course: Scatter pillows, couch cushions, and other soft objects throughout the room. Assign someone in the family to be the “person in need” at the end of the obstacle course.Place a blindfold on a member of the family and assign someone else to whisper directions into the person’s ear to guide them safely through the course to the person in need.

Acts 6:1–8

Apostle Social Media Scroll: On your smartphone or computer, go to the Facebook and Instagram accounts of the current Apostles and General Auxiliary leaders.Scroll through their posts and read about some of their recent experiences visiting members of the Church throughout the world. Discussion: What Christlike attributes do you see in the individual Apostles and other Church leaders? Why would the Lord value these attributes in choosing His servants? Which of these attributes would you like to develop?

Acts 10

Mighty Mini Movie Party: After a vision and a series of other events, Peter came to realize that “God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34), meaning God doesn’t prohibit anyone from participating in His gospel. Now, sit back, pop some popcorn, and see how this is happening throughout the world today. With the family, go online to the “Pioneers in Every Land” section of history.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Explore the site and watch some of the many video shorts featuring Church members in Ghana, Brazil, South Africa, Holland, and elsewhere.

Acts 17:16-34

Decoding Your Divine DNA: In Athens, Paul taught people who believed that gods were powers or forces, not living, personable beings. Help your family recognize that we are literally the “offspring of God” (Acts 17:29). Pass out paper to each family member and instruct them to list on the paper the traits they’ve inherited from their parents, such as physical traits or personality traits. Discuss how these traits help you and your family members know who their parents are. Next, have each family member list traits they inherited from Heavenly Father. Refer to patriarchal blessings if appropriate. Discuss how knowing that we have inherited these traits can strengthen our testimony that we are children of God.

Ensign August 2019 “Family Study Fun” (The green pictured items) Activities and discussion ideas for each week of August’s Come Follow Me. (See link for more discussion information)

Masterpiece Testimony Theater Paul bore bold testimony, even in the face of danger. Create an everyday scenario for each family member to role-play bearing testimony. Emphasize that testimonies in conversation need not end in “amen” or include every element of a typical testimony. (Example: A coworker asks why we don’t drink alcohol.) Act out each scenario, being as sincere and authentic as possible.Discussion: What was easy and difficult about the role-play? What motivated Paul to bear such powerful testimony? How can we build our courage to testify?

Friend August 2019 “Family Night Fun” Make a path with string. Put things along the path that help show or grow faith. Ask how each object helps grow or show faith in Jesus Christ as the family walks the path. Also can do the coloring page “A New Path.

Romans

Romans 3:23–24

Grace Carry All of us fall “short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). But with Jesus Christ we can be saved. Designate the sofa as “the celestial kingdom.”Have everyone stand, face the sofa, a take three giant steps backward. Have them take one small step toward the sofa (their efforts), with the sofa still out of reach. Have the strongest person (acting as the Savior would) carry each person to the sofa.

Romans 8:38–39 

Pillar Tower of Doom Life’s obstacles can fill us with hopelessness and impede us from feeling God’s love. Christ can help. Create a tall tower of pillows and sofa cushions (life’s challenges). Sit someone behind the tower and turn off the lights. Shine a flashlight beam (God’s love) at the person behind the tower, with the pillows blocking the light. Invite someone (acting as Christ would) to knock down the pillows to let God’s love shine through. Discussion: Share a time when life was hard, you felt discouraged, and then God’s love reached you when you turned to Him in prayer in the name of Jesus Christ.

 Friend September 2019 “Paul’s Letters” The Apostle Paul helped lead the Church after Jesus returned to heaven. Back then, there were no telephones or internet. So Paul wrote letters to members of the Church.

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1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 1:10

Human Knot (best with four-plus people) Paul tells the Saints that there should be “no divisions among” them and that they should be “perfectly joined together” in mind and judgment (1 Corinthians 1:10). Stand everyone in a circle. Have everyone reach out their right hand and take someone else’s (not next to them). Do the same with the left hand, taking a different person’s hand. Work together to untangle the knot without letting go of any hands. End up in a circle again. Discussion: What can we do as a family to be more “joined together”? How can we work together to remove divisions?

 1 Corinthians 11:23–26

Sacrament Hymn Sing-Along Paul taught how Christ introduced the sacrament to His Apostles and instructed them, “This do in remembrance of me.” Ask each family member to identify a favorite sacrament hymn and explain why it’s a favorite. Sing one or more of the hymns chosen. Watch the “The Last Supper” from the Bible videos series or “The Sacrament” from the children’s Bible videos series (both at ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Discussion: How do the sacrament hymns prepare us to partake of the bread and water? What can we do during the sacrament to help each other focus on the Savior?

Ensign September 2019 “Family Study Fun” Activities and discussion ideas for each week of September’s Come Follow Me. (See link for more discussion information)

1 Corinthians 14

Scripture Stories Coloring Book: Pearl of Great Price “7th Article of Faith: Spiritual Gifts” Match each picture to its spiritual gift.

Corinthians 15:21–22

Post-Resurrection Family Reunion: Paul corrected some of the Corinthians who believed that there would be “no resurrection of the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:12) by teaching them that “in Christ shall all be made alive” (verse 22). Show pictures of your family’s ancestors. Explain what you know of their lives, accomplishments, and personalities. If possible, show other pictures or art from the time period to illustrate daily life. Imagine meeting your ancestors as resurrected beings. What questions would you ask? What stories would you want them to tell?

2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 5:17

Nature Charades: Paul taught the Corinthians that through the Savior’s Atonement, we can each become a “new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17). On strips of paper, write examples of things in nature that go through a transformation (caterpillar to butterfly, egg to bird, seed to flower, tadpole to frog, and so on). Fold each paper and place it in a container. Take turns pulling out a strip of paper and silently acting out the example while everyone else guesses what the transformation is.What must we do to become new creatures in Christ?

Ensign September 2019 “Becoming a New Creature in Christ” Story about a rancher who saved a young, scruffy horse from the slaughterhouse and gave it to his daughter, who was not impressed. With love and good food, the horse regained its health and ended up winning a race at the fair against thoroughbreds.

2 Corinthians 12:5–10

Muscleman Challenge: Challenges and personal weaknesses can weigh us down. With the Savior’s grace, however, we can find strength. Gather some heavy objects (personal challenges). Give each family member one or more heavy objects to carry. Make these “challenges” even more challenging by completing tasks while holding them (for example, making a sandwich, folding clothes, dancing). Try the same activity again, but this time ask someone to help you with the heavy objects. Discussion: What was difficult about carrying the objects alone? How does Christ lighten our burden?

Galations

Galatians 3:7–8

Nations Blessing Bonanza: Paul taught that all those who have come unto Christ through the gospel covenant become “the children of Abraham” and that “in [Abraham] shall all nations be blessed” (Galatians 3:7–8). Flip back to the Cape Verde article at the beginning of this issue to see an example of how one nation of the earth is being blessed. Review the various statistics about Church growth.  Discussion: What blessings have come to the people of Cape Verde? What blessings have come to our family as “the children of Abraham”? What must we do to receive all the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant?

Galatians 4:1–7

Ensign September 2019 You might introduce Galatians 4 by discussing the differences between a king’s servants and his children. What opportunities or potential does a king’s child have that a servant does not? Think about this as you read together verses 1–7. What do these verses teach about our relationship with Heavenly Father?

Galatians 5:22–23

Ensign September 2019 add some fun to your discussion of Galatians 5:22–23, your family could label different fruits with words Paul used to describe the “fruit of the Spirit.” Then each family member could select one, define it, and talk about someone who exemplifies that fruit. This could lead to a discussion about ways your family could invite the Spirit into your home and cultivate this fruit. After the discussion, you could enjoy a fruit salad together.

Friend September 2019 “Family Night Fun” Activity: How many different kinds of fruit can your family name? The Apostle Paul taught the people of Galatia was about the “fruit of the Spirit.”

Ensign October 2019  “Family Study Fun” (See the link for additional discussion ideas for each week.)

Ephesians

Ephesians 5:31, 33

 United We Stand Pair up two people of relatively equal size. Have them sit on the floor back to back, arms linked. Have them stand up by pushing off each other. Repeat, but this time have only one person push.

Discussion: Why is having two people work together easier? Read “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” (see Ensign,May 2017, 145). What roles do fathers and mothers have? How do they work together?

Ephesians 6:10–18

Ensign October 2019 “The Armor of God” Paul’s military metaphor helps us see how to protect ourselves spiritually.

Ensign October 2019 “Safe from Satan’s Sting” Obedience to commandments forges a protective breastplate of righteousness. (Great lesson for a family home evening)

Philippians

Philippians 4:4

Frowny Face Challenge Have someone put on a frowny face. Have each family member try, without touching the person, to turn that frown into a smile. (Extra points for getting a laugh.) Everybody has bad days, but when we follow Paul’s counsel and “rejoice in the Lord alway[s]” (Philippians 4:4), we think of Christ and allow His grace to keep us as happy, optimistic, and positive as possible.

Philippians 4:13

Friend October 2019 “Bright Idea” Handout or visual aid. Boy doing math. “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”

1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 5:2

Second Coming Surprise Jesus Christ will come again “as a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2), meaning unexpectedly and at an unknown time. Are we preparing each day for that event? On small, individual slips of paper, have family members write down what they did yesterday (soccer practice, school, and so on). Put the slips into a hat (or bag). Parents secretly add another slip that reads: “Second Coming.”Take turns drawing an activity from the hat and reading it aloud. When someone draws “Second Coming,” the game’s over. Discussion: Which of the activities drawn from the hat helped prepare our family for Christ’s return? What should we add to our daily routines to prepare us more?

2 Timothy

2 Timothy 3:15–17

Scripture Treasure Hunt Paul taught that scriptures bless us with wisdom, doctrine, correction, instruction, and faith. On separate pieces of paper, write “wisdom (Acts 18:28)”; “doctrine (Titus 1:9)”; “correction (Matthew 4:3–10)”; “instruction (Acts 17:2–3)”; and “faith (Romans 10:17).” Send everyone out of the room. Hide the five papers in the following locations: table, window, door, pillow, book. Invite everyone back. Have them read these scriptures to identify the keyword clue to find each hidden paper. (John 18:16=door; Mark 4:38=pillow; Revelation 22:7=book; Acts 20:9=window; Luke 22:21=table.) Read aloud the scripture on each found paper and discuss how it’s an example of that blessing. Discussion: What can we do to improve our personal and family scripture study? (See links for scriptures at October 2019 Ensign “Family Study Fun“)

1 Timothy

1 Timothy 2:9–10

Come Follow Me for Individuals and Families While aspects of Paul’s counsel for women to dress modestly do not apply to our time, we can all learn from his counsel to “adorn [ourselves] … with good works.” Your family might enjoy putting together a fashion show, with family members dressing up in clothing or jewelry labeled with different kinds of good works. What are some good works your family could do this week?

Hebrews

Hebrews 1-6

Come Follow Me for Individuals and Families Can you think of an object lesson to help your family understand what it means to keep a firm hold on the gospel truths “which we have heard”? You might illustrate this with an object that is hard to hold onto. How are our efforts to maintain our testimony like catching and holding this object? How can we make sure “the things which we have heard” do not “slip” away from us? (Hebrews 2 verse 1).

December 2–8 (1 John 4:7)
Pass-Along Love Cards The Apostle John says, “Let us love one another: for love is of God” (1 John 4:7).Have  the family sit in a circle. Give everyone an index card with their name at the top. Have everyone pass their card to the left. Instruct family members to silently read the name and write on the card how that person shows love in the family. Keep passing the cards to the left until everyone has written on each card. Read the cards aloud. Discussion: How do you feel inside when you show love to others? How do acts of love strengthen our family?

December 9–15 (Revelation 1–22)
Symbol Sketch-and-Guess To better understand the book of Revelation, we must first understand the symbols. Write one word per slip of paper: Lamb, candlestick, stars, dragon, bride, sword. Pass out the papers and take turns drawing the object while the family guesses what it is. When the family guesses correctly, read aloud the scriptures to learn the symbol’s meaning.
Lamb = Christ (Revelation 5:6; 7:13–14)

Candlestick = branch of Christ’s Church (Revelation 1:12, 20)

Stars = Christ’s servants or leaders (Revelation 1:16, 20 [footnote b])

Dragon = Satan (Revelation 12:3, 9)

Bride = Church of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7–8)

Two-edged sword = word of God (Revelation 19:21; Hebrews 4:12)

Discussion: Why is a lamb a frequent symbol of Christ? Why are symbols sometimes used in scripture?

Maps and Locations

For the Strength of Youth January 2023 “The Jordan River”


Baptism: Stories

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Baptism Memories

Friend March 2023 “My Baptism Day” Megan tells about her baptism day.

Friend March 2023 “Baptism Memory Book”

Waiting to Get Baptized

Friend March 2017 “Worth the Wait” Sadie’s dad won’t let her get baptized until she is older. Sadie is sad about that, but she tries to think of the things she can still do at church.

Friend June 2018 “Heavenly Father Knows You” A group of people in a small town in ArgentIna had learned the gospel and wanted to get baptized but couldn’t because they lived far away from other towns; no church leaders had come to visit their town for some time. They were able to pool their money so one man could go find the missionaries. They were eventually able to get baptized in a portable swimming pool.

Clean Again

Friend March 2017 “A Great Feeling” Paulo didn’t want the feeling he had when he was baptized to go away, but the next day he yelled at his brother. Through repentance and the sacrament he was able to get the feeling back.

Friend May 2024 “Clean Again” Emily wanted to keep the good feeling she had when she was baptized. She felt sure she could do it.  But then her brother did something that made her angry and she yelled at him. I’ve ruined it, she thought. I couldn’t even choose the right for one day! But then she was reminded during her confirmation that because of Jesus she can repent and be forgiven, and when she takes the sacrament she can promise again to follow Jesus.

Baptism Questions and Concerns

Friend June 2018 “Twin Jitters” Kaylee is nervous about getting baptized. She worries about being dropped or not being able to breath. Her twin brother is also nervous. Her grandmother suggests they get a blessing from their father. Afterwards they feel much better.

Friend July 2019 “Show and Tell” “When I was little, I was afraid of water. Even though people told me I didn’t need to worry about being baptized, I was scared. The missionaries told me that Jesus Christ was baptized to set an example, and I could feel my fear go away. When I was baptized, I felt a great joy.” Sarah T., age 11, Île de France, France

Friend February 2019 “He Calmed the Waters” Daniel lives on an island in the Pacific. He was worried about getting baptized because he had to get baptized in the ocean, and the waves can be big. The waters were rough on the day of his baptism, but during his baptism they were calm. Heavenly Father answered his prayer and helped him.

Convert Baptism

Friend July 2023 “Baptism Stories” As Mary turns 8 and prepares to get baptized she learns that her other family members got baptized at older ages because they were converts.

Friend February 2022 “Carol’s Three-Year Wait” After Carol and her friends found the church, their parents said they had to wait until they were older to get baptized. They took the bus every week to church for three years and then Carol and another friend were finally able to get baptized.

Friend February 2021 “A Big Day”

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 April 2019 “Feeling New” Rasmussen and his mom took the missionary lessons and read the Book of Mormon, and then Rasmussen’s mom decided to get baptized. After the baptism, Rasmussen is excited to turn eight so he can be baptized and feel new too.

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Friend August 2023 “How I Got Baptized”

Friend February 2025 “Mom’s Baptism” Scott’s mom got baptized on the same day he did. His mom hadn’t grown up going to church like Scott had. She had started going to church after she met Dad. The missionaries had come to their house a lot, but it had taken years before Mom felt ready to be baptized.

Inviting Others to Baptism

Friend November 2021 “Let’s Invite Everyone” Most of Jarom’s family were not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They did not know much about baptism. But they knew it was a special day for Jarom, so when he invited them to his baptism they said, “We will be there!”

Friend July 2019 “Will You Come to My Baptism” Oliver tells everyone about his upcoming baptism and invites them to it. He likes being a missionary.

Friend February 2024 “Friends Following Jesus” Saria went to a Christian school. That meant they all learned about Jesus Christ together even though not everyone went to the same church. When she invited her friends to her baptism they wanted to know why she wasn’t baptized as a baby. She didn’t know what to say. Later, Saria’s mother explained that we believe that when we’re baptized, we make a sacred covenant. And we need to be old enough to understand the promises we make. Saria realized that she and her friends had differences, but one thing was the same. They all loved Jesus and wanted to follow Him.

Friend February 2025 “Sundae’s Song” Sundae invited her friend Amy to her baptism. She sang a song and could tell that Amy was feeling the Holy Ghost.

Receiving Holy Ghost at Baptism

Friend February 2021 “Wrapped Up in Love” Abby received a soft white blanket from her grandparents at her baptism to remind her of how the Holy Ghost feels. After her baptism she felt warm and happy and knew she had made the right decision. She knew it must be the Holy Ghost.

Who Can Baptize?

Friend June 2021 “My Brother Baptized Me” Océane’s brother holds the Aaronic priesthood and her parents asked if she would like him to baptize her. She agreed and her brother practiced with her. At her baptism, every member of her family had a part, musical numbers, talks, witnesses and her father confirmed her. (Photo at link)

Baptism Witnesses

Friend February 2025 ” Margo and Paolo: A Special Job” Margo and Paulo are asked to be the witnesses at their cousins baptism.


Sacrament: Lesson Ideas

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The Sacrament Helps Me Remember My Deliverance Through Jesus Christ.

Exodus CHAPTER 12

The Lord institutes the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread—Lambs without blemish are slain—Israel is saved by their blood—The firstborn of all Egyptians are slain—Israel is thrust out of Egypt after 430 years—No bones of the paschal lambs are to be broken.

Exodus CHAPTER 13

The firstborn of man and of beasts are to be sanctified unto the Lord—The Feast of Unleavened Bread is to be kept in the land of Canaan—Moses takes Joseph’s bones out of Egypt—The Lord attends Israel in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

Old Testament Scripture Stories “The Passover”

Exodus 11:5–612:1–13, 13:10

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Exodus 7–13” The Passover taught the children of Israel that the Lord delivered them from Egypt. The Passover also taught the Israelites about the Savior and the sacrifice He would one day make for us. The Passover is symbolic of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which delivers us from sin and death. Today, the sacrament helps us remember Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for us. Teaching the children about the Passover can help them have a more meaningful experience with the sacrament.

  • Ask some of the children to read Exodus 11:5–6 to learn about the final plague the Lord sent upon the Egyptians. Ask the other children to read Exodus 12:3, 5–7, 13 to learn about how the children of Israel were saved from that plague.
  • To help the children understand that the Savior is the Lamb who saves us, show a picture of a lamb. Invite the children to read Exodus 12:3–7 to find out what kind of lamb God wanted the people to use for the Passover meal. How is this lamb like Jesus Christ? (For example, Jesus was perfect, and Jesus shed His blood to save us.) What other symbols help us think about Jesus Christ?
(Gospel Art Book, no. 64)
  • Ask the children to name things we do to remember important events such as birthdays and holidays. Read Exodus 13:10, and explain that the Lord asked the children of Israel to celebrate the Passover each year to help them remember that He saved them from the Egyptians. What are some ways we can remember that Jesus saved us from sin and death?
  • If possible, visit the sacrament table with the children, and talk about how the sacrament helps us remember Jesus Christ. Sing together “The Sacrament” (Children’s Songbook, 72) or another reverent song about Jesus Christ. Help the children notice the peaceful feeling they have when they think about the Savior, and invite them to seek that feeling when they take the sacrament.
  • 1. As I take the water and bread,
  • I’ll think of the words the Savior said:
  • “This do in remembrance of me.
  • This do in remembrance of me.”
  • 2. Jesus gave his life for me.
  • I want to serve him thankfully.
  • I will remember him.
  • I will remember him.
  • Give the children pieces of paper with the words “I can remember Jesus Christ during the sacrament by …” written at the top. Invite them to draw pictures they can look at during the sacrament to help them remember Jesus.

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “3 Nephi 17–19: “Behold, My Joy Is Full” Have the children draw a picture of themselves with Jesus on the last square.

  • Read the sacrament prayers together (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79), and watch the video “Always Remember Him” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). How is the sacrament similar to the Passover? What can we do to think about Jesus during the sacrament?
  • Share with the children one of your favorite sacrament hymns (see Hymns, nos. 169–96), and talk about how it helps you remember the Savior’s sacrifice. Invite the children to share a hymn that does the same for them.

Exodus 12:1–42.

After reading Exodus 12:1–42 together, you could write on pieces of paper things you can do as a family to remember Jesus Christ’s Atonement. Because the lamb’s blood on the door posts (see verse 23) represented the Savior, you could place these papers around a doorway in your home. You could also eat some of the foods from the Passover, such as unleavened bread (crackers or tortillas) or bitter herbs (parsley or horseradish), and discuss how the Passover helps us remember how God delivered His people. For example, the unleavened bread reminded them that there was not time for their bread to rise before they fled from captivity. The bitter herbs reminded them of the bitterness of captivity. (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Exodus 7–13”)

Lesson 19: Moses Delivers the Israelites from Bondage,” Primary 6: Old Testament When Jesus lived on the earth, he and his family celebrated the Feast of the Passover (Luke 2:4122:7–8). A lamb without blemish was killed for the feast. The lamb represented the Lamb of God, or Jesus Christ, who died to save us. After the Crucifixion, the disciples partook of the sacrament, which Christ instituted at the Last Supper, instead of the Feast of the Passover.

Institute: Old Testament Student Manual Genesis-2 Samuel “Exodus 11–19: The Passover and the Exodus” Great explanation of the symbolism of the passover

During the sacrament, I can think about how I am following the Savior. (Sr)

1 Corinthians 11:23–29

Ask a child to read 1 Corinthians 11:28. What does it mean to “examine” ourselves before taking the sacrament? Ask the children to think of other people who examine things, like doctors, detectives, or scientists (for example, doctors examine us to make sure we are healthy). When we partake of the sacrament, what can we do to examine how we are living our baptismal covenants? (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 8–13” )

Print and cut out the magnifying glass and the pictures of the children. Place one of the pictures from the left onto the magnifying glass. Explain that before we take the sacrament we could examine our actions from the week. If we find any that we might need to repent of, we could try to think of ways we could try to do better, repent, and promise to do be better in the coming week as we take the sacrament. As we do so, we can recommit yourself to always remember Him and keep His commandments.Ask the class for some ideas oh what the child could to do to better keep his or her baptismal covenants. Replace the picture on the magnifying glass with its matching picture on the right. Ask how they think that child now feels. Do the same with the other pictures.

Ask the children to make a list of things they can think about when they partake of the sacrament. Invite them to use their lists as a reminder to examine themselves during the sacrament. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 8–13” )

Friend June 2019 “The Sacrament Reminds Us of Jesus Christ”

Teaching Children the Gospel “Lesson 36: Jesus Christ Gives the Sacrament to the NephitesWhy is it important for us to always remember Jesus? When we remember Jesus, we remember the things he did for us. We remember his love for us, and we remember the things he taught. When we remember those things, our faith and love for Jesus grows and our desire to keep his commandments increases.

Sacrament Flip Book: Make, or have the children make, sacrament flip books to help them think about their covenants and the meaning of the sacrament during the sacrament. The children reads the question and tries to think of the answer and then flips over the question to check their answer.

Sacrament Book Assembly Instructions: For each child, print one copy of the Sacrament Book pages (colored or black and white) onto heavy paper. Cut out the answer pages by cutting straight across the dotted lines (you should only need to make two cuts per page using a paper cutter.) Turn the pages so they all face the same direction and then stack them together in numerical order. Hole punch the left side. Assemble the book by loosely tying the pages together with the ribbons through the punched holes, and then by putting each cut out question on top of its matching answer and taping down the left side edge of each question. (You could have the kids do the assembly part.)

Point out the last few pages and explain that during the week they can draw or glue pictures of things they remember about Jesus on those pages. This will help them remember Jesus throughout the week. They can even add more pages if they desire.

Friend May 2024 “I Can Follow Jesus by Taking the Sacrament” Activity: Jesus Christ taught us how to have the sacrament. We follow the same order every week. Point to what comes first! What comes next?

I Renew My Baptism Covenants When I Take the Sacrament

Friend February 2021 “The Savior and Me” Fill out the page and look at it during the sacrament to remember Jesus and the covenant you made.

Friend June 2002 “The Sacrament and Repentance” Dallin H. Oaks “We are commanded to repent of our sins and to come to the Lord with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and partake of the sacrament in [keeping our part of] its covenants. When we renew our baptismal covenants in this way, the Lord renews the cleansing effect of our baptism. In this way we are made clean and can always have His Spirit to be with us. (Ensign, November 1998, page 38.)

“Lesson 33: The Sacrament Reminds Us of Our Covenants,” Primary 3 

  1. Hand out scissors, glue, and copies of the following handout to the children. Read the top part of the page with the class. Instruct the children to cut along the dotted lines and put the words in proper order. When the children have done this, the words should read “always remember Jesus Christ” and “obey the commandments.” Have them glue the word pieces in place to complete the sentence.

I take the sacrament to show that I will always remember Jesus Christ.

Moroni 4–5

Friend December 2020 “Come Follow Me for Little Ones”

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Moroni 1–6: “To Keep Them in the Right Way”

Sing a song that helps the children think about Jesus, such as “Reverently, Quietly” (Children’s Songbook, 26). Ask the children to practice sitting reverently like they would during the sacrament.

  • Write phrases from Moroni 4:3 and 5:2 on separate strips of paper, and ask the children to put the phrases in the correct order. According to these verses, why is the sacrament important?
  • Invite the children to imagine that a friend is coming to sacrament meeting for the first time. How would they explain to their friend what the sacrament is and why we partake of it? Encourage them to use Moroni 4:3 and 5:2 in their explanations.
  • Invite the children to share things their families do during the sacrament to be reverent and think about Jesus Christ. What other ideas do they have? Invite them to pick one of these ideas and set a goal to spend more time thinking of the Savior during the sacrament.

Always Remember Him

Friend December 2024 “How Does the Sacrament Help Us Remember Jesus?”

Friend June 2023 “Bright Idea: I Will Always Remember Him”

Judges CHAPTER 2

An angel rebukes Israel for not serving the Lord—As a pattern of future events, a new generation arises that forsakes the Lord and serves Baal and Ashtaroth—The Lord is angry with the children of Israel and ceases to preserve them—He raises up judges to guide and lead them—The Canaanites are left in the land to test Israel.

Judges 2:10.

After Joshua died, the next generation of Israelites “knew not the Lord.” Talk with your family about how they know the Lord and “the works which he [has] done” for them. How will you ensure that this knowledge will be preserved for future generations? (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Judges 2–4; 6–8; 13–16”)

How do we come to know the Lord? Through scripture study, prayer, sacrament, living the commandments. etc.

Friend June 2019 “The Sacrament Reminds Us of Jesus Christ” Ways to prepare for the sacrament before hand, what to do during the sacrament, and remembering Jesus and following him after the sacrament.

Friend August 2023 “Taking the Sacrament”

New Era March 2008 “How Can I Come to Know Christ?”

Friend November 2017 “Family Night Fun” Ways you can look for blessings every day.

The sacrament helps me think about Jesus.

Matthew 26:26–29Mark 14:22–24

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 26; Mark 14; John 13” Help the children understand that taking the sacrament is a chance to remember what Jesus has done for us.

  • Summarize the account of Jesus introducing the sacrament. You might use “Chapter 49: The First Sacrament” (in New Testament Stories, 124–26, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org), or the video “Sacrament” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Why do we take the sacrament? Help the children understand that we remember Jesus during the sacrament.

New Testament Scripture Stories “The First Sacrament”

Friend June 2023 “The First Sacrament”

“The Sacrament Helps Us Remember Jesus” Friend September 2015 

Friend June 2019 “Jesus Taught about the Sacrament”

Friend April 2017 “Jesus Gave Us the Sacrament”

  • Show the children a piece of bread and a cup of water. Ask them if they know what the sacrament bread and water stand for. Explain that these emblems help us remember that Jesus died for us and rose from the dead.

Read the sacrament prayers together (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79), and watch the video “Always Remember Him” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Blessing on the Bread

Blessing Bread

Blessing on the Water

Blessing Water
  • Ask the children to close their eyes and think of someone they love, and then invite them to tell you about that person. Ask them to close their eyes again, think of the Savior, and then share things they know about Him. Encourage them to think about Jesus during the sacrament each week.

Friend April 2017 “Jesus Gave Us the Sacrament”

  • Invite the children to show you what they can do to remember Jesus and be reverent during the sacrament.

Friend October 2020 “The Sacrament and Me” The sacrament is the most important part of church. To make the sacrament special, we …

We can show our love for Jesus by being reverent during the sacrament by…

  • Help the children make the booklet described on this week’s activity page and use it to help them think about Jesus during the sacrament. Or let them search some Church magazines for pictures of Jesus and create a collage they can look at during the sacrament.

New Testament Coloring Book “The Last Supper”

Friend June 2023 “I Can Take the Sacrament”

Latter Day Kids “Always Remember Him” Lesson ideas

For Additional Resources see Resources for Teaching Children “Sacrament”

See also “Lesson 38: I Will Remember Jesus Christ during the Sacrament,” Primary 2: Choose the Right A” for story, activity, and lesson ideas.

“Lesson 29: Jesus Christ’s Triumphal Entry and the Last Supper,” Primary 7: New Testament 

Click on image to go to site where you can download this Sacrament Book

Friend May 2024 “I Can Follow Jesus by Taking the Sacrament”

Friend October 2024 “A Reminder to Remember” Make this craft to help you remember Jesus Christ! In the white box, write some things you can do during the week to think of the Savior. Then cut on the dotted lines. Hang your goals on a doorknob where you’ll see them often to help you remember Him.

The sacrament helps me remember Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for me.

Matthew 26:26–29Mark 14:22–24

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 26; Mark 14; John 13” How can you help the children have a more meaningful experience with the sacrament?

Watch the video “Always Remember Him” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

  • Ask the children what they do to help them think about Jesus during the sacrament. Help them find scriptures or words from sacrament hymns that they could read during the sacrament, and then list them on a card that the children can refer to the next time they take the sacrament. Sing a few of these songs with the children (see Hymns, nos. 169–97).

“I Will Remember Jesus Christ” (December 2009 Liahona and Friend)
Create a booklet to write down things learned about Jesus Christ in the sacrament hymns.

  • Write key phrases from the sacrament prayers on the board, and help the children memorize them. What do these phrases mean? Why is it important to renew our baptismal covenants every week?

O God, the Eternal ____________________, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, _______________________________, to bless and ____________________ this bread to the ________________ of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in _______________________ of the body of thy Son, and _______________________ unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the ____________________ of thy Son, and ____________________ remember him and keep his _________________________________ which he has given them; that they may always have his ____________________ to be with them. Amen.

Bonus: What’s different between the prayers for the bread and water? (Hint: see D&C 20:77, 79.)

Blessing on the Bread

Blessing Bread

Blessing on the Water

Blessing Water

Friend June 2023 “A Small Act with Big Blessings” Match the questions and answers below. (See link for lesson ideas)

  • Invite an Aaronic Priesthood holder to tell the children about his experience preparing, blessing, or passing the sacrament. What helps him prepare to do this? How does he feel as he does it? How do the bread and water remind him of the Savior?

  • Ask children who have been baptized to share what they remember about their baptisms. How did they feel? What covenants did they make? (see Mosiah 18:8–10). Tell them that every week when we partake of the sacrament, it can be like being baptized again—we can be forgiven of our sins, and we renew our covenants.

Friend March 2017 “A Great Feeling” Paulo didn’t want the feeling he had when he was baptized to go away, but the next day he yelled at his brother. Through repentance and the sacrament he was able to get the feeling back.

Compare baptism covenants with sacrament prayer:

Friend February 2019 “The Baptism Covenant” Cut out and mix up these cards. Then take turns matching cards that go together. With each match, talk about that part of the baptism covenant.

Blessing Bread

Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School: New Testament 2023 Perhaps you can create a list together of questions that someone might have about the sacrament, such as “Why did the Savior give us the sacrament? Why are bread and water such powerful symbols of Jesus Christ? What do we promise as we partake of the sacrament? What promises do we receive?” Class members could look for answers in the following resources: Matthew 26:26–29Doctrine and Covenants 20:75–79; and Gospel Topics, “Sacrament

Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught, “Figuratively eating [the Savior’s] flesh and drinking His blood [means] to internalize the qualities and character of Christ, putting off the natural man and becoming Saints ‘through the atonement of Christ the Lord’ [Mosiah 3:19]. As we partake of the sacramental bread and water each week, we would do well to consider how fully and completely we must incorporate His character and the pattern of His sinless life into our life and being” (“The Living Bread Which Came Down from Heaven,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 37).

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 But that bread and water are sacred to us because they help us remember Him. They’re our way of saying, “I’ll never forget Him”—not just, “I’ll never forget what I’ve read about His teachings and His life.” Rather, we are saying, “I’ll never forget what He did for me.” “I’ll never forget how He rescued me when I cried out for help.” And “I’ll never forget His commitment to me and my commitment to Him—the covenant we have made.”

For Additional Resources see Resources for Teaching Children “Sacrament”

See also “Lesson 38: I Will Remember Jesus Christ during the Sacrament,” Primary 2: Choose the Right A” for story, activity, and lesson ideas.

“Lesson 29: Jesus Christ’s Triumphal Entry and the Last Supper,” Primary 7: New Testament 

Click on image to go to site where you can download this Sacrament Book

I can think about Jesus when I take the sacrament. As I take the sacrament, I can be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Book of Mormon Stories “Chapter 45: Jesus Christ Teaches about the Sacrament and Prayer” Video and Images

Lesson 36: Jesus Christ Gives the Sacrament to the Nephites

Book of Mormon Coloring Book “Jesus Introduced the Sacrament to the Nephites”

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “3 Nephi 17–19: “Behold, My Joy Is Full” Have the children draw a picture of themselves with Jesus on the last square.

Latter Day Kids “Come Follow Me: Renewing Our Covenants” Video and lesson ideas

Friend October 2020 “The Sacrament and Me” The sacrament is the most important part of church. To make the sacrament special, we …

We can show our love for Jesus by being reverent during the sacrament by…

Friend May 2024 “I Can Think about Jesus”

Friend June 2019 “The Sacrament Reminds Us of Jesus Christ” Ways to prepare for the sacrament before hand, what to do during the sacrament, and remembering Jesus and following him after the sacrament.

Friend October 2018 “For Parents of Little Ones”  Teaching little ones to think about Jesus and show reverence during the sacrament.

Ensign October 2017 “Friends, chores, homework, TV–there are so many things that ask for our attention. But every week, we promise Heavenly Father “that [we] do always remember [His Son, Jesus Christ]” (D&C 20:79).
President Eyring says that we can “make choices every day” that help us remember the Savior. Consider making a goal this month to remember the Savior more each day. You could make a calendar and commit to doing one thing per day. President Eyring lists things like reading the scriptures, praying in faith, and serving the Savior and others. There’s also journaling, attending Church meetings, listening to general conference, going to the temple, singing hymns–the list goes on!”

Friend April 2019 “The Living Christ” Draw a picture of one of your favorite stories about Jesus. Then write down a word about Jesus that begins with each letter of the word sacrament. You could think about these words during the sacrament to remember Jesus.

Ensign July 2017 “The Bread and the Water” What the bread and water teach us about Jesus.

Friend May 2017 “Making the Sacrament Special” Fill in the missing words of the sacrament prayer for the bread. Then cut out the colored card and keep it in your scriptures to help make the sacrament special to you every Sunday!

Friend November 2016

Friend November 2016

Friend November 1987 “Be Grateful for the Sacrament” Jesus Christ has revealed the ordinance of the sacrament on several different occasions. Cut out scripture references and pictures. Study the scriptures listed, then put each one with the picture that it tells about. Color the pictures and put them in the order in which you think they happened. At your next family home evening, use the pictures and scriptures to tell about the sacrament. (See more at link)

Friend November 1987

 “The Sacrament Helps Us Remember Jesus” Friend September 2015

Friend January 2018 “Show and Tell” (See picture at link) “I decided not to color or draw when the sacrament is being passed. My little sisters have followed my example, and I have felt closer to Jesus.” Heidi H., age 6, Tennessee, USA

Sacrament Hymns

Ensign August 2019 “Family Study Fun”Sacrament Hymn Sing-Along (1 Corinthians 11:23–26) Paul taught how Christ introduced the sacrament to His Apostles and instructed them, “This do in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24).

  1. Ask each family member to identify a favorite sacrament hymn and explain why it’s a favorite.
  2. Sing one or more of the hymns chosen.
  3. Watch the “The Last Supper” from the Bible videos series or “The Sacrament” from the children’s Bible videos series (both at ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Discussion: How do the sacrament hymns prepare us to partake of the bread and water? What can we do during the sacrament to help each other focus on the Savior?


Lesson 38: Peace Among the Nephites

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Lesson 38: Peace among the Nephites

Preparation

  • Items needed: two large, clear plastic cups, string, a dowel rod or ruler, a clear glass of water, food coloring, a large clear glass bowl, pencils, a small scoop of dirt in a baggie, tape, tacky wax, chalk and eraser, one sheet of colored card stock, a black marker, and small bag of butter mints.
  • Measuring scale assembly instructions: Punch two holes beneath the top edge of each plastic cup (the holes should be evenly spaced and on opposites sides of the cup). Cut two 24 inch pieces of string. Stick one end of one of the strings through a hole on one of the cups, then stick the other end through the other hole. Tie the ends into knots. Do the same with the other cup and string. Cut another piece of string 40 inches long and tie the ends together so it forms a loop. Hang it around the center of the dowel rod and tape down the string on the dowel. Hang the top of the string loop on a door handle and make sure the dowel rod sits evenly. Make adjustments if needed. Loop each cup’s string over an end of the dowel rod and tape down the string on the dowel. The scale should sit evenly. Once again make adjustments if needed.
  • Print and cutout all the signs. Tape the end of the arrow to the center of the dowel rod so the arrow points up. Using tacky wax, attach all the small words to the cardstock in random order.
  • Print one crossword puzzle for each person in the class. Print and cut out some healthy food items and some junk food items (from clipartix). Print the scripture story pictures or display them on an electronic device.
  • Before class starts, hang the scale on a clip or tack at the top of the board. Attach the sign “Health” in-between the cups on the scale. Attach the smiley face to the left of the scale and the sad face to the right. Put the cup of water and the food colorings in the clear glass bowl to help protect against spillage.

Attention Activity

Show the children the scale. Explain that our physical bodies need the nutrients that are found in healthy food choices in order to sustain good health. Add pictures of healthy foods to the left cup, and the scale arrow will point to the smiley face which represents good health.

  • What happens if we decrease the amount of healthy foods we eat (take off the healthy foods) and increase our consumption of junk food like candy bars, chips, soda, (put these items in the right scale cup)? (Good health could decrease.)

Explain that just as our bodies need proper nourishment to be healthy and strong, our spirits also need proper nourishment to be healthy and strong. (Put the sign “Spiritual” above the health sign, and take off the junk food items from the scale.)

  • What does our spirit need in order to be healthy and strong? (Spiritual food such as scripture study, prayer, church attendance, etc.)

Scripture Story

(Show the children the story pictures as you tell the story.

  1. Explain that after Jesus departed from the Nephites, the disciples continued to teach the people, and within a few years all the people in the land were converted to the Lord.
  2. The people listened to the disciple’s teachings. They repented and were baptized, and they received the Holy Ghost. Their spirits were nourished. (Write the things they did to nourish their spirits on the healthy food pictures. Tape them on the left scale cup as you mention each item.)

Have the children look up 4 Nephi 1:12 to find out what other ways the people nourished their spirits. (Have the children write the items they find on the healthy food pictures and put them in the left cup.) (They kept the commandments, fasted, prayed, and they attended church to hear the word of God.)

Explain that when our spirits are strong and nourished we tend to make righteous choices, and making good choices helps our happiness levels increase. Explain that because the Nephites nourished their spirits and were committed to following Jesus’s teachings, their happiness level increased. According to 4 Nephi 1:16 there never was a happier people.

Activity

Show the children the cardstock with the words on it. Have them take off the words they associate with happiness and put them under the smiley face. Then hand out a crossword puzzle and a pencil to each child. Have the children take turns reading the clues and finding the word on the board that matches the clue. Put a check mark next to the word if it is the correct word. Have the children write the answer in the correct spot on their crossword puzzle. Explain that the clues and words tell us what the Nephites experienced as a result of living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

(See the following answers for discussion ideas on some of the words.)

Activity Answers

Fairness/Every man did deal justly one with another.

Sharing/They had all things common among them. (There were no poor.)

  • What does it mean that the people had “all things common among them”? Each person gave the extra he produced (crops, flocks, etc), and this extra was used for those who were in need of help.

Healing/All manner of miracles did they work.  (Read 4 Nephi 1:5)  The miracles included healing the lame, the blind, the deaf, and raising the dead.)

Peace/There were no contentions, strifes, or tumults in the land.  (Meaning there was no fighting, arguing, riots, or war.)

Charity/The love of God … did dwell in the hearts of the people.

Goodwill/There were no envyings.  (There was no jealousy. There was only gladness that others were blessed.)

Honesty/There were no … lyings.

Safety/There were no robbers or murderers.

Virtue/There were no whoredoms nor any manner of lasciviousness (crude behavior). (The people were chaste and clean.)

Unity/ There were no divisions of race or class. (There was no manner of “ites.” The people were no longer divided into Nephites and Lamanites but were united.)

Help the children understand that each one of the clues in the crossword puzzle relates to how we treat people. Help them see that the most important key to happiness is how we treat others. When we live the gospel, we treat each other with love and kindness, and as a result we enjoy greater peace and happiness in our lives.

Scripture Story Continued

3) The people were blessed in all their doings because of their righteousness. They prospered and built cities. They were strong and multiplied. The people lived in peace for many years. After nearly 200 years, two generations had passed on, and the people had multiplied and had spread out over all the land.

4) Then sin slowly started creeping into the land again.

Object Lesson

Show the children the glass of water, and put one drop of blue food coloring into the water. Have the children watch it spread throughout the glass and observe how quickly one little drop spreads. Explain that if people allow themselves to be exposed to a little sin, it can quickly grow and spread if left unchecked. We need to be careful about what we allow into our thoughts and lives.

4) The people had become very rich because of their prosperity in Christ, and they began allowing pride to take a hold in their lives. (4 Nephi 1:23-24)  The people began to wear expensive clothing, jewelry, and other fine things of the world. From that time forth the people did not have their goods and their substance common among them. (4 Nephi 1:25)

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said this about pride: “At its core, pride is a sin of comparison, for though it usually begins with ‘Look how wonderful I am and what great things I have done,’ it always seems to end with ‘Therefore, I am better than you.’

The people began to focus on themselves instead of helping others. (Put the words “selfishness” and “poverty” on the right side of the board. Do the same for the italicized words as they are mentioned below.)

Have the children read 4 Nephi 1:26-27 & 29 to find the ways pride and sin began to spread. Put a different colored drop of food coloring in the water for every item mentioned. (The water should turn brown.)

  • They once again began to be divided into social classes. (Inequality)
  • They built many different churches to themselves (not to God). The churches were built up to help people get gain (Greed). They denied the true church of Christ.
  • These churches professed to know Christ but denied most parts of his gospel. (These people were no longer nourishing their spirits with the teachings of Christ and they were becoming spiritually weaker and weaker.) (Take out the items from the left side cup on the scale.)
  • The churches became open to all manner of wickedness. They allowed the wicked to participate in sacred ordinances.
  • One of the churches denied Christ and persecuted the members of the true church of Christ because of the members’ humility and belief in Christ. (Persecution) They despised them because of the many miracles which were wrought among them. (Hate) (Jealousy)

Point out that as the people let wickedness into their lives, it spread. Have the children observe the color of the water, and explain that instead of nourishing their spirits, they filled their lives with worthless, self-indulgent thoughts, and their choice became increasingly wicked. They were filling their lives with darkness and dirt. (Put the dirt in the cup on the right side of the scale.) The choices they made resulted in misery and unhappiness for many people.

5) Among the true church of Christ were three disciples that Jesus had given power to remain on the earth until his second coming. Before Jesus Christ departed, he had asked each of his twelve Nephite disciples what they desired of him. Nine requested to speedily return to him when their ministry on the earth was complete.

6) Three of the disciples asked to remain on the earth to bring souls unto Christ. Those three became translated beings who would not taste death.

7) Those who denied Christ began to try and exercise power and authority over the three disciples. They cast them into prison; but by the power of God which was in them, the prisons were broken and they came out. They also cast the disciples into fiery furnaces and into dens of wild beasts, and from each place they came out unharmed. (4 Nephi 1:30, 33)

  • Why didn’t the people repent, realize their mistake, and change their ways after seeing these mighty miracles of God? (Their hearts were set upon wickedness. They wanted to do all manner of iniquity.) (4 Nephi 1:34)

The people dwindled more and more in unbelief and wickedness from year to year. Point out that the people had been given the wonderful blessing of the gospel. Show the children the butter mints and explain that they represent gospel blessings. Give each child a couple of mints to eat. Point out how sweet and wonderful they are. Put two mints in the water near the side of the glass so they are visible to the class. Ask the children to watch what happens to them in the dirty water. (They will dwindle away and disappear.) Explain that the Nephite’s faith and blessings dwindled and wasted away as the people increased in wickedness.

8) Once again the people began to divide into different groups of “ites.” Those who did rebel against God were called Lamanites, Lemuelites, and Ishmealites. They did teach their children that they should not believe. The children were taught to hate the children of God, just as the Lamanites had taught their children to hate the Nephites. The wicked grew in numbers and became more numerous than the people of God. The more wicked part of the people began again to build up the secret oaths and combinations of Gadianton. The robbers of Gadianton spread over all the land. (4 Nephi 1:34-39) (Add “Theft” and “Murder” to the right side of the board.)

9) Eventually, even those who were called the people of Nephi began to be proud in their hearts because of their exceeding riches, and they become vain like unto their brethren the Lamanites. (4 Nephi 1:43) After three hundred years had passed from the time of Christ, both the Nephites and the Lamanites had become exceedingly wicked.

Conclusion

Explain that just as our bodies feel miserable and sick when we are unwell, we can experience misery and unhappiness in our lives when our spirits are not strong and healthy because we tend to make choices that lead to unhappiness. In the next lesson we will learn about the increasingly terrible and sorrowful things that occurred among the Nephites because of the poor choices they made as a result of allowing wickedness into their lives. (Put the words “War” and “Destruction” on the right side of the board.)

Point out the lists under happiness and unhappiness and ask the children which they would prefer. Remind the children that if they desire to live lives filled with the blessings of happiness and peace, they must strive to follow the Savior and his teachings. Remind the children that the gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us how to make good choices that lead to happiness.

Weekly Reading Assignment

Remind the children to do their scripture reading assignment for this week: 3 Nephi 28:1-9 &  4 Nephi 1:1-18, 2346