Tag Archives: primary

Mar 8 2012

Lesson 24 – Alma Counsels His Son Corianton

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Lesson 24
Alma Counsels His Son Corianton

Preparation

  • Items needed: chalk and eraser, two paper bags or boxes- one filled with garbage and the other filled with desirable items such as treats or little party favor toys, two cardboard toilet paper rolls, paper towels, first aid items and medicines.
  • Dip a few sheets of the paper towels in mud and put them in a ziplock bag.
  • Optional: Do a Google search for news articles concerning lost or injured hikers. Print some of the articles.

Lesson Introduction

Show the children the news articles, or ask the children if they have heard of people getting lost or injured while hiking in the mountains. One reason some people become lost or injured is because they stray off the main trail into dangerous areas. Explain that just like the people who stray off the hiking trail, there are some people in life who stray off the path that leads to eternal life; they are tempted to go and things that can injure the spirit.

Show the children the medical items and ask what they are used for. (To help treat and heal physical injuries and sickness.) Explain that in today’s lesson they are going to learn of some ways to heal spiritual injuries and sickness, and also some ways to prevent getting spiritually injured.

Scripture Account
Remind the children that in last week’s lesson they learned of the counsel Alma gave to two of his sons. Explain that in today’s lesson they will learn of the counsel that Alma gave to another son named Corianton. This counsel was different from the counsel he gave to his other sons. His other sons had been living righteously, but Corianton had committed serious sins. He had strayed off the path and was in need of some guidance and healing.

Corianton, along with his brothers, had been called to be missionaries to the Zoramites, but Corianton chose to forsake the ministry to chase a woman with an immoral reputation who had stolen many hearts.

• If someone were to stray off a path, fall, and become injured, what would be some of the possible symptoms and effects of being injured? Answers might include: pain, shock, bruises, scrapes, cuts, bleeding, broken bones, sprain, concussion, etc.

Just like a person would suffer the effects of being injured, a person who had sinned would also suffer the consequences and results of that sin. What are some of the consequences that can occur because of sin? Answers might include: guilt, loss of the Spirit’s help and guidance, possible loss of freedom, loss of other’s trust, damaged relationships, possible loss of good health, loss of inheritance in the kingdom of God, etc.

• What would happen if a person who is injured ignores the injury and doesn’t do anything to help it heal such as cleaning out the wound, putting anti-bacterial cream on it, protecting it with a bandage, or going to the doctor if it is a serious injury? The wound could become infected, or the injury could increasingly get worse. A serious injury could even lead to death if it is not taken care of.

• What happens when we sin and are spiritually injured but we hide the sin and refuse to repent? The sinful action could increase, and the damage could become worse. It could even lead to spiritual death.

Alma told his son Corianton that he could not hide his sin from God, pretend it didn’t happen, and hope its consequences wouldn’t affect him. He needed to repent of his sins or he would suffer the consequences, including having the sin stand as a testimony against him at judgment. Pres Uchdorf said, “The longer we delay corrective action, the larger and more difficult the needed changes become, and the longer it takes to get back on the correct course.”

Just as an injured person would need to treat the injury, so would a person who has sinned and is spiritually sick need to repent in order to heal.

To repent, Corianton needed to follow the steps of repentance. Ask the children if they remember what those steps are. Write a short version of each step on the board as they are mentioned.

Corianton needed to:
• 1. Recognize he had done wrong
• 2.Confess his sins and ask for forgiveness
• 3. Right the wrong
• 4. Never repeat the wrong.

Corianton needed to recognize he had done wrong,  confess his sins, and ask for forgiveness.

• Who is the master physician that can heal our spiritual wounds, small or large? (Jesus Christ)  What did Alma teach about Christ in Alma 39:15? (That Christ would come to take away the sins of the world and bring salvation.) The Savior said: ‘Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you? … If ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life.’”

Corianton also needed to right the wrong he had committed. He would have to try and fix the problems his sins had caused. One of the problems his actions had caused was damage to the Zoramite missionary effort. Alma had tried to teach the Zoramites about obeying the commandments, but they would not listen or believe because they saw his son’s conduct. (Alma 39:11) Alma told Corianton that he needed to return to the Zoramites and acknowledge the wrongs he had done and try to fix the damage he had caused. (Alma 39:13) Alma told Corianton that he also needed to preach the healing power of Christ so that the Zoramites may repent and be healed also. Alma 39:6-19

Another part of the repentance process is forsaking the sin. Corianton needed to commit himself to not follow any more forbidden paths. Alma told Corianton to cross himself in all things. (Alma 39:9)

• What does it mean to cross oneself? It means to deny yourself – to exercise self control and avoid the things that can cause spiritual injury even if they look appealing and tempting.

• What were the attitudes and actions that led to Corianton straying off the path and into sin? (Have the children look in Alma 39:2-4 to find the answers.) (Draw a path on the board that splits in the middle so there are two paths going in different directions – a Y shape.  Mark the end of the left path with the words “sin and unhappiness” and the end of the right path with “righteousness and happiness.” Write the answers to the question on the left of the board.)

Attitudes and actions that led to Corianton’s sin:

1. He boasted in his own strength and overestimated his power to resist temptation.
2. He went where he should not have been, and he gazed upon and considered things he should not have considered.
3. He did not listen to his father and instead followed the crowd.

• What counsel did Alma give to Corianton on how he could avoid sin in the future? (Have the children look up Alma 39:9-14 to find the answer. Write these on the right side of the board.)

Ways to avoid sin and spiritual injury:

1. Be humble and depend on the Lord for strength.

We must be humble and turn to the Lord for guidance and help. Satan has thousands of years of experience in tempting people, and if we try to depend on our own limited knowledge and strength to overcome his temptations we may be overcome. Alma told Corianton to turn to the Lord with all his mind, might, and strength. (Alma 39:13)

2. Avoid places and things that lead to temptation and instead fill our lives with good things.

Things we see or hear can influence our thoughts, and thoughts can become actions. If we choose to spend our time around things or people that depict or promote inappropriate actions, that is where our thoughts will be, and we will eventually do what we focus on consistently.

Object Lesson
Demonstrate this with an empty toilet paper roll or paper towel roll. Shove the dirt covered paper towels into the cardboard roll. Ask what would happen if you continued to shove dirty paper towels into the roll. (They would come out the other end.) What happens when we fill our minds with things that are unclean? They come out and manifest themselves through unclean actions.

Show another toilet paper roll and fill it with clean paper towels and ask the children what will come out the other end. Explain that the clean paper towels represents doing things like going to church, participating in church activities, reading our scriptures, participating in family home evening, etc. When we fill our lives with  things that are good and uplifting, our thoughts and actions become clean. Corianton should have spent his time doing his missionary work which would have helped him keep his thoughts clean.

How could Corianton clean up his already contaminated thoughts? Shove clean paper towels into the cardboard roll that contains the dirty paper towels, and ask what would happen if you continued to do this. (The clean towels will eventually push out the dirt. Explain that it takes time, but eventually thoughts and actions can become clean again.)

3. Follow righteous examples and counsel.

Who were Corianton’s righteous examples? His father and older brothers. Alma told Corianton to counsel with his brothers. (Alma 39:10)

How can counseling with righteous family members help strengthen our resistance to temptation? They love us and want what is best for us, and being experienced in righteous living, they can help give advice on how to avoid temptation and difficulty.

Not only can we receive direction from righteous family members, but there may be other people around us who are also righteous examples.

  • From what other sources can you receive righteous counsel and examples?

Object Lesson
Demonstrate how it helps to have advice and counsel from someone who knows what is right by doing the following object lesson.

Show the children the two bags or boxes, and explain that one has something undesirable in it and the other has something desirable in it. Show one of the children what is in the boxes. Tell the other children that they can ask the child yes or no questions about the items (with the exception of directly asking which is the good or bad container) until they can decide which is the good choice. Ask the children if it helped to talk to someone who was informed about which was the bad choice and which was the good choice. Point out that it also helps to counsel with those who are experienced in righteous living in order to get help and direction in making good choices in life.

Conclusion
• Why did Alma talk to Corianton about his iniquities? Because he loved his son and wanted him to make good choices and be happy. Alma had also received revelation from the Lord directing him to command his son Corianton to do good and refrain from iniquity. (Alma 39:12)

• Why did Heavenly Father want Alma to command his son to be good? Because our Heavenly Father also loves his children and doesn’t want his children to do things that will harm themselves or others.

• If you had done wrong, why would your parents wish to talk to you about it? Because they love you and want to help you.

Corianton eventually repented and returned to full activity and participation in the church (See Alma 43:1-2)

In life there will be many choices we have to make, but if we stay on the path that leads to eternal life and listen to the guides that Heavenly Father has provided for us, we can avoid going down dangerous paths that could damage our spirits and cause suffering and unhappiness.

Weekly Reading Assignment

Remind the children to do their scripture reading assignment for this week: Alma 39

Dec 29 2011

As a Child of God: Song

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As a Child of God – Song

Preparation

  • Items needed: ribbon or yarn, 16 page protectors, magnets, two brads, and one of each the following colors of cardstock  – red, orange, blue, green, yellow, purple, brown, pink.
  • Print the song pages. Cut out the boy and glue him next to the arrow sign on the first page. Put the song pages into page protectors. Also put the colored cardstock into page protectors. Using pieces of ribbon or yarn tied through the page protector holes, attach one colored cardstock to the top of each song page. (Be sure to put brown, green, yellow and orange on the first verse to match the small choosing wheel.) Using glue or double-sided tape, attach strong magnets to the back of each song page. Then attach one magnet to the front of each colored cardstock page.
  • Print the choosing wheels onto cardstock. Cut out each of the blank wheels. Cut open the window boxes on the dotted lines with an exacto knife. Center each blank wheel over the top of its matching color dot wheel. Poke a hole with a pin through the center dot all the way through both wheels. Push a brad through the hole and spread out the brad arms in the back – not too tightly. Note: colored squares can be glued over the dots to match available paper.
  • EXTRA: Here is another choosing wheel for those who want to break the lessons up into three weeks. This wheel would be for the second and third verses and would be used the second week. The final week would use the large wheel and all the verses.

 

Presentation
This song is about two things. It tells us that good choices bless and strengthen our families, and the chorus reminds us that we have the guidance of the Holy Ghost to help us make good choices.

Week One
Put the song pages of the first verse on the board with the cardstock pages covering them. Uncover each song page as you discuss it.  (I have included discussion suggestions for each song line.)

 “I came to earth with power to choose.” – This means we were given free agency to decide what we will do on earth.

“Good choices bless me and my family too.” – Ask the children what choices would bless them and their family and why.

Have the pianist play the first two lines so the children can hear how they sound, then have them sing those lines.

“As a child of God I receive special light.” – This part of the song is the chorus and we sing this with each verse. It talks about a way we can receive help to know which choices are good and which choices are not good. (Ask the children to tell you what light they think the line is talking about, explain that it is a guiding light.)

“The Holy Ghost helps me to know what is right.” – In what ways does the Holy Ghost communicate with us and help us know which choices are right. (Through good feelings, thoughts, or we may even hear a still small voice.)

Have the pianist play the chorus lines so the children can hear how they sound, then have them sing those lines.  Then have the children sing all four lines of the first verse.

Memorizing Activity
Using the small wheel, do the following activity to help the children memorize the first verse. Put the wheel on the board and show the children that there are four different colored spots on the wheel. Have a child spin the wheel and open the window to show which color it landed on. That child covers up the song page with the matching colored cardstock. Sing the song again. Have another child spin the wheel. If it lands on the same color as before, they have to uncover that song line. If it lands on another color they have to cover up that one. Explain that the object of the game is to get every song line page covered up. (After singing the song for the first two spins they only have to sing the song every two spins after that.)

Adapted version of the memorizing activity.

Week Two
The following week put all the song pages on the board. Put each verse in a column and the chorus under the columns. Discuss the lines from the second and third verse, then sing the verses. Afterwards play the memorizing game using the large wheel and all the song pages. Use the same rules as the week before, except add some choices to the game. After they close or open the color that the wheel landed on, they also get to choose another color (or the color they landed on) to close. The object once again is to get all the pages closed.

“I feel so safe and happy because”– Have the children look at the picture. Ask if they think the child looks safe and happy in his father’s arms. Ask why they think the child feels safe and happy. (Because his father protects, takes care of, and loves him.)

 “Such feelings of peace come from family love.”– Point out that the picture of the family and heart remind them of the words family love. Also point out that we feel peace in our home when it is filled with actions that demonstrate our love for each other. What actions might disrupt peace in a home? (Fighting and bickering, selfishness, not helping each other, etc.) Remind the children that the Holy Ghost can help them make good choices in their families, and then review the chorus.

“In my own home I’ll happily serve.” – Why do you think people happily serve in their homes? Because they know that their service helps promote the feelings of love, peace, and joy in their homes.

 “I’ll strengthen my family by my good works” – What good works can we do to help strengthen our family? (Ask what the boy in the picture is doing and how that helps strengthen his family.)

NEW: I added to this idea to make it more effective. See “As a Child of God”  in the song list.

Personal Note: This site  http://mypianolesson.blogspot.com/was the inspiration for this activity. Thank you!

 

Sep 6 2011

Lesson 10: King Benjamin

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Lesson 10
King Benjamin

Preparation

  • Print one copy of the large crossword puzzle and clues from pdf or word and cut out each clue and title. (Or print one copy of the smaller Crossword Puzzle and Clues per child and one copy of the section titles pdf or word.) The crossword puzzle is from the Friend, September 2000, Funstuff.
  •  Items needed: pencils, a marker, a Book of Mormon for each child, magnets or tape, and the Gospel Art Picture “King Benjamin Addresses His People”.

Scripture Story Introduction

Briefly review the previous week’s lesson. Explain that after Enos died, the records of the people were passed down from generation to generation. The Nephites had many battles with the Lamanites through the generations. The Lord warned a Nephite named Mosiah to flee out of the land with as many as would listen to the voice of the Lord. The people fled until they came to a land called the Land of Zarahemla. They discovered a people there called the people of Zarahemla (or Mulekites). The people of Zarahemla had been brought by the hand of the Lord to the promised land. They had come out of Jerusalem at the time King Zedekiah of Judah was carried away captive into Babylon. The Mulekite’s language and religious beliefs had become altered because they had brought no records with them. Mosiah had them taught his language. The people of Zarahemla and the people of Mosiah united. Mosiah was appointed their king.

After King Mosiah died, his son King Benjamin ruled. King Benjamin was a righteous king. King Benjamin ruled the people for many years. When he became old, he called his people together to speak to them and to confer the kingdom upon his son Mosiah. (Display the picture of King Benjamin addressing his people.)

Scripture Story Activity
Hand out a crossword puzzle, crossword puzzle clues (or use the enlarged version of the clues and puzzle and post them on the board when indicated in the lesson),  pencil, and a Book of Mormon to each child. Explain to the children that as they do the crossword puzzle they will learn more about King Benjamin and about his final address to his people.

Instructions: Attach the section title to the board (go in the order given) and read it to the class; also read any explanation that goes with it. Either post the enlarged version of the clues below it (one at a time and in the order given), or have a volunteer read out loud the crossword puzzle clue from their own list. Have a child try to guess what the missing word might be. Direct all the children to look up the scripture reference to see if the guess is correct. Have someone read the whole scripture out loud. Have the children fill in their crossword puzzle space with the correct answer, or have the class fill out the bigger version together on the board. Afterwards, read any further explanations that are given about the answer in the sections below.

King Benjamin called the people together to speak to them before he died.

King Benjamin was getting old and knew that he would die soon. He needed to confer the kingdom upon one of his sons, and he wished to speak to the people before he died. He had his son Mosiah gather the people together.

7 Down) LAND

3 Across) TEMPLE

The temple was of great spiritual consequence to the people, so it was a significant place for King Benjamin to teach and instruct the people.

12 Down) TOWER

The multitude was so great that King Benjamin had a tower built so they could hear his words.

20 Diagonally Up) WRITTEN

Many of the people still could not hear his words as he spoke from the tower, so he had his words written down and sent among the people.

What kind of man was King Benjamin?

We learn more about the kind of man and leader King Benjamin was as he begins his address to his people.

1 Across) LABORED

King Benjamin did not seek for the people’s gold or silver. He labored to serve them. He was a righteous leader.

21 Diagonally Down) COMMANDMENT

5 Across) WICKEDNESS

11 Down) PEACE

There was a serious war between the Lamanites and the Nephites, and King Benjamin was instrumental in driving the Lamanites out of the land. He also taught the Nephites to keep the commandments, and he would not suffer that they commit any manner of wickedness. Because of these things, he established peace in the land.

What are some of the things King Benjamin taught the people during his address?

19 Diagonally Down) ANOTHER

2 Across) SERVICE

Heavenly Father loves his children. When we serve others, we are helping the Lord love and care for his children. The Lord has done much for us, and we can show our love and gratitude to Heavenly Father by serving his children.

6 Across) UNPROFITABLE

The word unprofitable means running at a loss. Everything we have–including our life–our Heavenly Father has given us. The only thing we can give to God in return is our obedience. But when we are obedient, he blesses us and we are indebted to him again. We can never repay our Heavenly Father for the blessings he bestows upon us.

13 Down) HEAVENLY

8 Down) KEEP

4 Across) PROSPERED

22 Diagonally Up) CONTENTIONS

15 Down) SALVATION

An angel had appeared to King Benjamin and had told him of the Savior’s coming in great detail, including of His death and resurrection. Jesus Christ suffered and died for us that we might repent of our sins and live with Heavenly Father again.

9 Down) NAME

When each of us is born into a family, we receive a family name. Ask the children to tell what their family name is.

When we are baptized and become members of the church, we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ.  Because of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, he is the father of our spiritual rebirth and we become his sons and daughters.

Ask the children what characteristics they inherited from their parents. Tell them we can also become like Christ through our covenant to keep His commandments.

Tell the children to read the scripture in this clue again, and then tell why it is important for us to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. (There is no other name or way where salvation can be attained.)

How did the people respond to King Benjamin’s words?

10 Down) SINS

The people of King Benjamin recognized the need for power beyond their own to overcome their sinful condition. They prayed for mercy and asked Heavenly Father to apply the atoning blood of Christ so they could be forgiven of their sins.

16 Down) REMISSION

17 Down) EVIL

The people experienced a mighty change of heart. They had no more disposition to do evil. They had a desire to convert their lives to the things of God.

14 Down) COVENANT

18 Down) SOUL

• When do we make this kind of covenant? (When we are baptized.)  King Benjamin’s people had been baptized; they were members of the church. When King Benjamin spoke to his people, they gained a greater understanding of the gospel and the atonement. They were touched by the Spirit and had a mighty change of heart.  We must also listen to the prophet, study, learn, and gain understanding so we can experience a mighty change of heart and renew and strengthen our commitment to take upon us the name of Christ.

Conclusion
• How did the people of Zarahemla respond to the call to gather to the temple to hear the words of their prophet and king?

• How do we respond to the call to hear the words of the living prophet? Do we eagerly take advantage of those opportunities to hear and read his words?

• When do we have the opportunity to hear the prophet’s words? During General Conference that is held in October and April.

• Where can we read the prophet’s words? Show the children a copy of the Friend magazine and explain that there is a message from the prophet, or one of his counselors, at the beginning of each magazine. We can also read their words in other church magazines.

We need to listen to and obey the living prophet’s words just as King Benjamin’s people listened to and obeyed his words. As we do this, our hearts can change, and we will have no more disposition to do evil but to do good continually.

Weekly Reading Assignment

Remind the children to do their scripture reading assignment for this week: Mosiah 2:1–41 and Mosiah 5:1-8

Aug 18 2011

Review – The Lord Gave Me a Temple

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Review – The Lord Gave Me a Temple – Giant Game Board

Preparation

  • Print another set of the following pictures from the original post for how to teach this song: heaven, earth, and celestial glory scenes. Print the larger version of the boy figures, and cut out each one (the words are to use as a visual aid for the song line “claim blessings promised me”).
  • Items needed: 24 papers, tape, sticky tack, the word pages for both verses (from the original set of visual aids).

Presentation

Make a giant game board on the walls of the Primary room by starting with the heaven scene and then taping twelve papers in a horizontal row next to it. Put the earth scene at the end of the twelve papers, and then put another twelve papers in a row past the earth scene. Put the celestial glory scene as the finish.  Put sticky tack on the back of the spirit figure of the boy and put him on the heaven scene. The boy figure is the game piece, and the papers are the game spaces.

Divide the Primary into six groups, and give each group a visual aid item (from the original group of visual aids). Each visual aid should represent one line of the first verse. Give the children a few moments to think about what line their item represents and to figure out what the words are for that line.  Have the pianist play the song to help remind them.

Put the word pages on the board in order, but have them flipped over (you may also need to put cardstock over them so the kids can’t see the words through the paper). Have the group who thinks they have the first line of the verse come up and say the line. Have them check to see if they are correct by turning over the first word page. If they said all the words correctly they get to move the spirit figure three spots on the game board. If they got only one word wrong in the line, they get to move two spots. If they got more than two words wrong they still get to move one spot. Continue in this manner, having the children making matches in order and moving the game figure on the game board.

When a group gets the spirit figure to the earth scene, they get to trade the spirit body for the mortal body figure. After all the lines and visual aids have been matched for the first verse, have them sing the verse. Take off the word pages and sing it again.

Give each group a visual aid from the second verse and do the same activity. The object of the game is to get to the page marked celestial glory. If they move an average of two spots a turn, they will make it. If they don’t make it, you may want to consider doing the game again the following week and see if they do any better.

If the children make it to the celestial glory page before all the lines are matched, continue making the matches until finished. Give the final groups the option to help lead the music if they get all their words correct (use a two beat pattern). After all the matches have been made, sing the second verse.  Then sing both verses.

Aug 5 2011

Song – The Lord Gave Me a Temple

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Song – The Lord Gave Me a Temple

Preparation

  • Items needed: a flashlight, sticky tack, clear page protectors, a brown piece of cardstock, tape, magnets, and a yellow permanent marker or a piece of yellow paper.
  • Print the visual aid pictures. Place the boy figure on top of the spirit figure and hold it up to the light. Cut out around both figures so the cutouts match. Place the spirit figure on top of the brown piece of cardstock, trace, and then cut out the brown cardstock outline. Write the word “Sins” on the brown cutout.
  • Take one sheet of the page protectors and tape the boy figure to the right, bottom corner.  Cut the page protector in a rectangular shape around the boy figure to form a pocket. When done it should be sealed on the right and bottom, with an opening on the top and left side. (If you don’t have a page protector, use some other kind of clear plastic and tape together the right and bottom edges.)
  • Cut out another sheet of page protector 7 X 7½ inches. Place the boy figure under it, and using a yellow permanent marker (Sharpie) draw rays of light on the page protector around the boy figure.  If a yellow Sharpie is not available you can use a small sheet of yellow paper in place of the rays of light.
  • Cut out the temple outline around the rectangle and glue it to a heavy piece of paper.
  • Cut out around the outline of the mother and baby, the temple, the small sun, and the grave.  Cut off some of the bottom of the sun and tape it to the back of the gravestone. Attach a small magnet or piece of tape behind each figure (removable double-sided tape works great).
  • Print the first verse word pages.

 

VERSE ONE

Place the earth and heaven scenes on the board. Put the word pages in a row on top of the board as you discuss each one.

The Lord gave me a temple to live within on earth. Explain that this song isn’t talking about the temple buildings we normally think of when we hear the word temple. Ask the children what they think the song is talking about. (Our bodies) Show the picture of the boy and put it on the earth scene.

  • Why is the body considered to be a temple?  Remind the children that a temple is a place where the Spirit of God (the Holy Ghost) can dwell.  Read the scripture 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”

Point to the words that say “to live within” and ask the children to explain what it means to live within your temple. (Your spirit lives within your body.) (Put the spirit figure into the clear pocket behind the boy figure.)

Once in Heaven I was spirit.  Take the spirit figure out of the body and put it on the page labeled heaven. Explain that we lived in heaven as spirits before we came to earth.

But I left my home at birth.  Take the spirit figure off the page labeled heaven, and put the picture of the mother and baby on the earth. Tell the children that when they were born, their spirit left heaven and entered into their body on earth.

I’ll make my temple brighter;   To make something brighter you would fill it with light. (Attach the top of the boy figure to the flashlight with sticky tack, and turn the flashlight on.)

  • What does the light represent? The light represents the gospel. Explain that just as light reveals things when turned on, through the gospel, truth is revealed. So in order to make our temples brighter we need to fill our lives with gospel truths, such as honesty, love, etc.

I’ll keep my spirit free.  

  • What should we keep our spirits free of? (Sin) Because sin would extinguish our desire for truth in our lives, and put out the light of the Holy Ghost within us, and bind us in darkness. (Show the dark brown cutout labeled sin and put it in front of the spirit figure. Insert the spirit and the cutout into the body to show how sin would extinguish the light from the body. Emphasize that we need to keep our spirits free from sin.)

My body is the temple my Father gave to me.  Place the boy figure on the outline of the temple, and discuss how we would treat a temple of God. We would keep it clean – uncontaminated from sin and dirt.

After discussing the song, have senior primary sing the song as you operate the visual aids. Then take off the first word page, and have a volunteer do the visual aids for that part as the primary sings the song again. (You will do the rest of the visual aids as they sing). After that take off the next two lines, and have another volunteer do that part of the visual aids. Sing the song again. Then take off the next two word pages and choose another volunteer to do the visuals for that part. By this time you will have three people helping with the visual aids. Be sure to situate them so everyone can see what they are doing.

For junior primary you may need to break the song down so they sing each part after discussing it. After you have discussed all the parts, do the above activity.

VERSE TWO

Preparation: Print the word and activity pages for the second verse. Cut out the yellow signs with their words. Put a small magnet behind each yellow sign.

Presentation

(Place the earth and celestial glory scenes on the board. Place the word pages on the top of the board as you discuss each song line.)

If I keep my body clean and pure and habit free,  (Place the boy figure on the earth scene.)

  • How do we keep our bodies clean and pure, and habit free? By being careful about what we take into our bodies and minds. We need to be selective about what we listen to, read, and watch because some things can encourage unclean thoughts and actions. Some things that are taken into the body and mind can also become habit forming and addictive.
  • What does addiction mean? Addiction is an extremely strong craving for something that can become so powerful that satisfying it becomes a top priority, which can interfere with things we should be doing. (Place the happy and sad face signs on the board across from the boy figure. Show the yellow signs one at a time and discuss if the item would or would not lead us in the direction of keeping our bodies clean, pure, and habit free. Attach each sign in a row, heading from the boy to either the happy or sad face.)

I may in Father’s temple claim blessings promised me.   (Put the picture of the temple on the earth scene next to the boy figure.)

  • If we keep our bodies clean and pure we will be worthy to go to the temple and receive ordinances that are necessary for salvation. In the temple we can also be sealed to our families forever. (Write on the board these blessings, preferably near the temple picture.)

On resurrection morning, I’ll take my body bright. (Take off the boy figure and put the gravestone on the earth scene.)  Explain that when a person dies, their body and spirit become separated, but when they are resurrected their spirit and body come together, never to be separated again. (Put the spirit figure into the boy figure.) If we endure in righteousness to the end (meaning until death) we will be resurrected on the morning (meaning beginning) of the first resurrection. And if we are worthy to be resurrected on the morning of the first resurrection, we will receive a glorified celestial body. (Put the light rays (or yellow piece of paper) behind the boy figure.)

And in celestial glory forever live in light.  (Put the boy figure on the page marked celestial glory.) Remind the children that the celestial kingdom is compared to the glory of the sun. In celestial glory we will live forever filled with the light of truth, knowledge, happiness, love, and in the light of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Note: You may need to simplify the discussion and activity for the first line of this verse for Junior Primary. One idea would be to put all the yellow sign pictures on the board, and have the children take off the pictures of things that would not keep their bodies clean, pure and habit free. Read all the signs to the children first. After the activity, do a simplified discussion about addiction and about keeping our minds, actions, and words clean and pure.

Jul 1 2011

I Love to See the Temple

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I Love to See the Temple

Preparation

  • Print the I Love to See the Temple Visuals.
  • Cut out the temple pieces. You will need to leave the top white edges on all the pieces and the right white edge on the right-sided pieces. Arrange the pieces in the correct order and then glue each piece together (the white edges will give you edges to glue each piece to).
  • Cut open the windows on the temple with an exacto knife as shown on the visual. Fold the back edge of the windows so they can open and close.  Cut out the window pictures and tape each picture to the back of its appropriate window slot.
  • Cut open the door and crease its back edge so it will open and close. Glue a light yellow background behind the door.
  • To trace the sign’s shape around the words that will be on it, center the words over the sign shape on the temple, then trace the outside shape around the words, and then cut it out. Cut the sign in half so one side says “Holiness to the Lord” and the other says “House of the Lord”.
  • Close the windows and doors with sticky tack.
  • Cut out around the boy, the girl figure, and the walking stones. (Optional:  Put magnets on the back of the these pieces.)
  • Items needed: a black marker and magnets or tape.

 

Presentation

Put the picture of the temple on the chalkboard. Post or show the visuals as you discuss each of the following lines of the song:

I love to see the temple – Put the picture of the boy to the left of the temple.

I’m going there someday – Ask the children what age they must be to attend the temple for the first time, and ask what they will do there. (Twelve and baptisms for the dead) Open the window where the baptismal font is.

To feel the Holy Spirit, to listen and to pray – Open the window of the girl praying. Explain that the temple’s sacredness and its peaceful atmosphere is maintained so that the things of the Spirit can be felt abundantly.

For the temple is a House of God – Post the “House of the Lord” on the bottom of the sign area. Explain that these words are etched into the outside of each of the temples. The temple is a house of God. It is a place where his spirit can dwell and a place where he instructs his children.

A place of love and beauty – Open the window to the picture of the celestial room, and point out how beautiful the insides and outsides of temples are. Also point out the heart that is in the picture. Explain that the heart is to help remind them that the temple is a place of love. We feel love from our Heavenly Father as we participate in saving ordinances he provides for our salvation.  We also feel love for our ancestors as we do service for them in the temple

I’ll prepare myself while I am young. This is my sacred duty – Ask the children what things they need to do in order to prepare to go to the temple. Responses might include: pay tithing, attend church, be baptized, be honest, gain a testimony, obey the Word of Wisdom, etc. Write their responses on the walking stones, and put the stones on the board to make a path from the children to the temple. Ask the children why it is their sacred duty to prepare themselves to go to the temple. (If we wish to return to live with our Heavenly Father we must go to the temple so that we can receive certain necessary saving ordinances found only in the temple.)

Second Verse

I love to see the temple. I’ll go inside someday – Open the temple doors. Discuss when they will be able to go to the temple for the first time as adults, such as when they are married or going on a mission.

I’ll covenant with my Father. I”ll promise to obey – Open the window to the words “Covenant, Promise, Obey”, and explain that we make sacred covenants in the temple. Covenants are promises we make with the Lord. The covenants we make help us achieve exaltation, but we must obey the promises we make if we wish to receive the promised blessings.

For the temple is a holy place – Put the top half of the sign on that says “Holiness to the Lord,” and explain that these words are also etched onto the outside of temples. Explain that the temple is a holy place with holy purposes.

Where we are sealed together – Open the window that shows the couple in white.

As a child of God I’ve learned this truth, a family is forever  – Show the picture of the girl, and then open the window and show the family.

 

Note: All the pictures come from church produced materials.

Jun 4 2011

Fathers: Song

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Fathers – pg 209

Father’s Day

Preparation

  • Print the song pages, ties, and word strips. Cut out the ties, small pictures, word strips, and word boxes. Attach one set of the words to the front of the ties, one per tie.
  • Put the word strips in a sentence strip holder.  (A sentence strip holder can be made out of poster board, strips of page protector plastic, and clear tape.) Put the second set of words in the sentence strip holder – in their correct spots but turned around.

Presentation

Post the first song page on the board – “The father of our home leads our family.”

  • As the priesthood holder in the family, the father leads the home. When husband and wife work together in love and righteousness, their decisions are heaven blessed.

Post the next part of the song- “with wisdom’s light, in all that’s right.” Point out the owl in the picture, and explain that it represents the word “wisdom”. Ask if the children have ever heard the expression “a wise old owl”. Explain that because of the ability of an owl to see in the dark, owls have come to represent manifestations of wisdom. Also point out the moon in the picture, and ask the children if they ever been out at night when there is a full moon. The light from a bright, full moon can help you see where to go when it is dark. Just like an owl and the moon are useful in the dark, a father who is following the wisdom, light, and direction of the Lord can help his family see the right (CTR) ways to go in a dark world full of Satan’s temptations.

Post on the board the next line – “My father’s good to me.”  Point out the child a getting a ride on his father’s shoulders. Ask the children to think about all the good and helpful things their father does for them. Invite the children to share some of them.

Post the next line on the board – “Fathers are so special. With a very special love.” Fathers have very special rolls in the family that are vitally important and needed. The next few lines tells about some of these rolls.

Post the next line on the board – “They watch us and protect us.”  Point out that the father  in the picture is watching his child so he doesn’t get hurt as he learns to ride a bike. Fathers do their best to take care of and protect their wives and children.

Post the next line on the board – “They guide us and direct us.” Explain that the words guide and direct have very similar meanings. They both mean to help show us the right ways to go and the right things to do.

Post the last line in the song  -“Back to our home above.”  Explain that the last line of the verse says that a righteous father can help guide us back to our home with Heavenly Father.

Have senior primary sing the song. (In junior primary have them sing after every couple of pages you post.)

Memorizing the Verse

Show the children the word strips. Now explain to the children that you are going to test to them  to see if  they can remember certain words. Show the ties with words on them and explain that their job is to put the tie in the place they think it belongs, and then turn over the word in the slot and see if they are right. (Go in order with the junior primary. Read the lines to them and their choices. Do half of the song at a time. You can post the pictures near each word strip to help junior primary remember the words.)

After all the matches have been made, turn over two to three word strips, but leave the tie words as a clue to the sentence.  Have the children sing the song. Continue in this manner until all the word strips are covered up and the children have the song memorized.

Nov 30 2010

Missionary #1

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Why Share the Gospel –  Activity

Preparation
• Items needed: A gift bag or gift box, paper and pencils, scriptures

Attention Activity
Show the family the gift bag/box. Hand out a paper and pencil to each person. Have the family members write down what they think would be the greatest gift they could give to someone. Collect the papers and put them in the gift bag/box. Pull out one response at a time, and read and discuss the responses. (Make sure to point out the positive of each person’s response, such as fun, needed, useful, long lasting, etc)

Scripture
Have the family look up and read D&C 14:7 – “If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.”

God has given us many wonderful things on this earth, but according to this scripture the gift of eternal life is better than anything we could ever receive on earth. Eternal life (or exaltation) is to live in God’s presence and live the kind of life He has.

We can not give someone eternal life, but we can share something with others that will help them get on the path towards gaining eternal life.

• What do you think that is? The gospel (The gospel is all the doctrines, laws, and ordinances needed to gain eternal life.)

Oct 25 2010

Temples #1 – Ordinances

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 Identify the Saving Ordinances 

 

Preparation 
  •  Print the pictures and labels and cut them out. Write an O on the back of each ordinance picture (baby blessing, father’s blessing, blessing the sick, baptism, confirmation/Holy Ghost, sacrament, Melchizedek Priesthood, temple marriage). Tape together three sheets of card stock  along the middle edges of the back. Do the same on two sheets of card stock.  Glue the Identify the Ordinances label to the three-fold board, and the Ordinances label to the two-fold board, and the Saving Ordinances label to a single sheet of card stock. For more durability, laminate the card stock, or put them in page protectors and cut off the excess plastic before taping them together.

  • Attach all the pictures to the three-fold board with either sticky back Velcro or non-permanent double sided tape. This will make the pictures movable from one board to the another while still being able to display them. If Velcro is used, attach the hook pieces to the pictures and the pad pieces to the three different boards as indicated in the sample picture above.

 

Why are temples an important and necessary part of the gospel? Because saving ordinances are performed in the temple. 

 Many different ordinances are performed throughout a person’s life, some are for comfort and guidance, but others are essential to salvation. (Do the activity below to identify the ordinances and the saving ordinances.) Hint: Ordinances are sacred ceremonies or acts that are performed by the proper priesthood authority.  

 Activity Directions   

 Have the family members take turns identifying the ordinances and moving them to the two-fold board labeled Ordinances. Have them check to see if they are correct by looking at the back of the pictures for an O.  Next have the family members identify the saving ordinances and move them to the page labeled Saving Ordinances. The saving ordinance answers include: Baptism, Confirmation/Holy Ghost, Melchizedek Priesthood Ordination, and Temple Marriage/Sealing.  

 Inform the family that there is one additional saving ordinance. It is received in the temple before going on a mission or before temple marriage. It is called the Endowment.   

 Look up and read D&C 95:8. “I gave unto you a commandment that you should build a house, in the which house I design to endow those whom I have chosen with power on high.”

 We also receive an endowment of divine power from other sacred ordinances that we receive in our life. For example, “remission of sins is extended through the ordinance of baptism, confirmation brings with it the promise of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, and ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood opens the way for “every man [to] speak in the name of God””. (Quote by Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander of the Seventy, Ensign August 2001)  

 As part of these saving ordinances we also make sacred covenants with God.  We promise to serve God and keep his commandments. These covenants and endowments of power are meant to help us become more like our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ so that we can become worthy of and prepared for exaltation. 

Note: This activity could be used for Primary sharing time if bigger pictures from the meetinghouse library are used and if bigger labels are made. Attach the pictures and labels to the chalkboard with magnets.

General Handbook, 18.1 and 18.2.

Ordinances of Salvation and Exaltation: The priesthood includes the authority to administer gospel ordinances that are necessary for salvation and exaltation. People make sacred covenants with God as they receive these ordinances. The ordinances of salvation and exaltation are listed below:

  • Baptism
  • Confirmation and gift of the Holy Ghost
  • Conferral of the Melchizedek Priesthood and ordination to an office (for men)
  • Temple endowment
  • Temple sealing

Other Ordinances and Blessings: Other ordinances and blessings make it possible for God’s children to receive His power, healing, comfort, and guidance. These ordinances and blessings are listed below:

  • Naming and blessing children
  • The sacrament
  • Conferral of the Aaronic Priesthood and ordination to an office (for young men and men)
  • Setting apart members to serve in callings
  • Consecrating oil
  • Administering to the sick
  • Blessings of comfort and counsel, including father’s blessings
  • Dedicating homes
  • Dedicating graves
  • Patriarchal blessings by ordained patriarchs
Oct 14 2010

Tithing #1

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 Pay Tithing with a Grateful Heart – Game and Activity

Preparation

Print one copy of the blessing cards found in the November 2008 Friend.  Glue the cards onto heavier paper so that the images can’t be seen through the cards when playing the game. Cut out each card.   

Print the purse, envelope and the page entitled “Our Blessings from Heavenly Father”.  Cut out the purse and envelope. Cut out the front windows of each, and cut out the handle opening on the purse. Tape a piece of clear plastic (a piece of a Ziploc baggie or page protector) over the window on the inside of the purse and envelope. To form the envelope and purse, fold each on the lines and glue the two side tabs to the inside fold.

Items needed: ten dimes or pennies, Doctrine and Covenant scriptures, a pen or a marker

Game

Place the cards facedown. Have the family take turns flipping over two cards trying to make a match. When someone makes a match, have them tell why they are thankful for that blessing. Have them write that blessing, and an additional blessing they are grateful for (not duplicating any previous ones), on the paper entitled “Our Blessings from Heavenly Father”. When the game is over, point out all the wonderful blessings Heavenly Father has given us.

Discussion

Read D&C 104:14-15    According to this scripture, who created the earth and who does everything belong to? (The Lord)  Everything we have is His, but He has created it and provided it for us to use.

The Lord asks (commands) that we give 10% of the income that He provides to help strengthen and build His church on the earth. This 10% is called tithing. This is a small amount compared to all the many things the Lord has given us.

(Hold out the ten dimes (or pennies) in your hand). Ask the family, “If we are to give 10%, which is one of every ten, how much would we owe the Lord if we had ten dimes.”  Put one dime in the envelope that says “For the Lord”. Put the rest in the container that says “For Us”.  Ten percent is a small amount compared to all he has given us (Indicate the blessing chart and the other 90% of the money).  We should give 10% with gratitude in our hearts.