Jacob 1-4

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Jacob CHAPTER 1 Jacob and Joseph seek to persuade men to believe in Christ and keep His commandments—Nephi dies—Wickedness prevails among the Nephites. About 544–421 B.C.

Jacob CHAPTER 2 Jacob denounces the love of riches, pride, and unchastity—Men may seek riches to help their fellowmen—The Lord commands that no man among the Nephites may have more than one wife—The Lord delights in the chastity of women. About 544–421 B.C.

Jacob CHAPTER 3 The pure in heart receive the pleasing word of God—Lamanite righteousness exceeds that of the Nephites—Jacob warns against fornication, lasciviousness, and every sin. About 544–421 B.C.

Jacob CHAPTER 4 All the prophets worshiped the Father in the name of Christ—Abraham’s offering of Isaac was in similitude of God and His Only Begotten—Men should reconcile themselves to God through the Atonement—The Jews will reject the foundation stone. About 544–421 B.C.

God calls Church leaders to help me follow Jesus Christ

Jacob 1: 1-19

Book of Mormon Stories Before Nephi died, he gave the plates he had written on to his younger brother Jacob. This meant that Jacob would also be the spiritual leader of the people. Jacob 1:1–2, 8

Nephi told Jacob to write the things that would help the people believe in Jesus Christ. Jacob 1:4–6

Nephi gave his younger brothers Jacob and Joseph the power to be priests and teachers in the Church and to teach the Nephites the word of God. Jacob 1:18

Go through the Fifth Article of Faith and explain that Nephi would have prayed to find out who God wanted called to certain responsibilities. He then would have “consecrated” Jacob and Joseph for those responsibilities by the laying on of hands because he had the priesthood authority from God to do so.

Jacob and Joseph labored diligently among their people, that they might persuade them to come unto Christ and partake of the goodness of God Jacob 1:7

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Jacob 1-4”

Junior Primary

  • Make simple puppets to represent Jacob and Joseph, Nephi’s younger brothers, who were leaders in the Church. Share some verses from Jacob 1 and 2 to explain what Church leaders are called to do. For example, leaders persuade us to “believe in Christ” (Jacob 1:8), invite us to repent (see Jacob 2:5–6, 9–10), and “declare [God’s] word” (Jacob 2:2, 11). Let the children use the puppets to pretend to do some of these things.
  • Invite the children to name some Church leaders they know, like Primary leaders, bishopric members, and prophets and apostles. Help the children think of ways these leaders bless us.

Senior Primary

  • Read with the children Jacob 1:6–8 and 2:1–6, 11, helping them look for phrases that describe how God’s servants lead the Church. Ask them to write these phrases on pieces of paper and then display the papers on the board. Why does God call Church leaders to guide us? Ask the children to share experiences with learning or receiving guidance from a Church leader or teacher and the blessings they received.
  • Ask the children to draw a picture of a Church leader they know about, and let the rest of the class guess who they drew. What do these leaders do to help us follow Jesus Christ? Invite the children to write notes to Church leaders, thanking them for their service.
  • Invite a local Church leader to tell the children what he or she does to fulfill his or her calling. Ask the children to name some things they can do to sustain their leaders.

Nephi began to be old, and he saw that he must die soon; so he anointed a man to be a king and a ruler over his people, according to the reigns of the kings. (Jacob 1:9) Because of the great love of the people for Nephi, all kings after Nephi were called Nephi (1st Nephi, 2nd Nephi, etc.). (Jacob 1:11)

God heals the wounded soul.

Jacob 2:8

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Jacob 1-4” To help your children understand how a “wounded soul” can be healed, you could discuss together how our bodies get wounded and what helps them heal. Perhaps your children could talk about times when they got hurt and what helped them heal. You could even show them bandages or medicine as part of this conversation. Maybe you could share with them how the Savior has helped you when your spirit needed healing.

I Can Help Others in Need when I Share with Them

Jacob 2:17–19

The people began to grow wicked during the reign of the second king, wanting lots of riches.

Some of the people in Jacob’s time were very rich and prideful, and they didn’t want to share what they had with people who were poor.

Jacob taught in the temple and told the people to repent of the bad things they were doing.

Jacob taught the following: “And the hand of providence hath smiled upon you most pleasingly (this phrase means that Heavenly Father had blessed them), that you have obtained many riches; and because some of you have obtained more abundantly than that of your brethren ye are alifted up in the pride of your hearts, and wear stiff necks and high heads because of the costliness of your apparel, and persecute your brethren because ye suppose that ye are better than they.” (Jacob 2:13)

Jacob taught that we should clothe the naked, and feed the hungry, liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted. (Jacob 2:19)

Friend April 2024 “Come, Follow Me Activities”

Jacob taught that we should be “free with [our] substance” (Jacob 2:17). That means sharing what we have with others. Make a treat to share with some neighbors or friends!

For younger children: Even small acts of service can help people feel lots of love. Help your children think of a kind thing they can do for someone else.

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Jacob 1-4”

  • Some of the people in Jacob’s time were very rich, but they didn’t want to share what they had with others. As you read Jacob’s teachings to them in Jacob 2:17–19, you could give your children pictures or objects to hold that go with words or phrases in these verses. You might explain that you are sharing these objects with them; maybe you could then invite them to share the objects with you or with each other. Talk about how you feel when you share. What else could we share with others to help them feel happy?
  • After reading together Jacob 2:17, perhaps your children could name some blessings Heavenly Father has shared with them. Why does He want us to share with each other?

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Jacob 1-4”

Jacob 2:12–14, 17–21

  • Invite the children to act out ways they can share what they have with someone in need. Testify that we are blessed as we share with others.
  • Bring something to class that you can share with the children. Give some of it to each child, and explain that you are sharing. Ask them how they felt when you shared with them. How do they feel when they share with others? Help them think of something they could share to help someone feel happy.
  • Tell the children that many people in Jacob’s time became prideful and unkind because they loved riches (see Jacob 2:12–14, 17–21). Invite a few children to read Jacob 2:17–19 out loud, and help them understand any difficult words. What should we seek before we seek riches? What should we seek to do with any riches we receive?
  • Read Jacob 2:17 to the children. What blessings has Heavenly Father shared with us? Why does He want us to share with each other? Invite the children to share times when they shared something with someone else, including how they felt and how the other person felt.

Story Ideas

Friend March 2020 “Harry Shares” Harry is playing with toys. He is having fun. Harry sees a girl who looks sad. Harry shares toys with her. Now they are both having fun!

Friend November 1987 “Hand-Me-Down Box” Leigh is fortunate to have a caring friend who shares her hand-me-down clothes with her. She wants to grow up to be someone who shares with others.

  • Was there someone in the story who was prideful and made fun of Leigh for her hand-me-down clothes?

Jacob taught the following: Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you. Jacob 2:17 

  • What does it mean to think of others like unto yourselves? (Treat others like you would like to be treated, and give to others like you would give to yourself. (Think about the things you need and then help others who don’t have those types of things so they can have them too.)

Friend December 2019 “Martin’s Favorite Toys” Martin was not happy about having to move, but eventually he got used to his new home. One Sunday, he noticed a lot of new people at church. He found out that they were refugees. He wanted to help them, but he didn’t want to give them any of his toys. Then he realized that many of the children had to leave everything behind. He remembered how hard it was for him to move, but at least he got to bring his things with him. He then wanted to give them his favorite toys to help them be happier.

Friend December 2019
Friend December 2019

Invite the children to think of something they could share to help someone feel happy.

Cut out the arrow, and attach it to the center of the circle. Spin the arrow, and tell about how you can share what the arrow points to. CFM for Primary: BofM

Friend March 2020 “Come Follow Me for Little Ones” Play a sharing game. Give each person a toy and set a timer. When it dings, everyone should run to someone else and say, “God is happy when I share!” and trade toys.

Friend July 2018 “Coloring Page: I Can Share with Others”

Unshaken in Their Faith

Jacob 4:4–11

I can strengthen my faith in Jesus Christ.

Jacob 4:6, 10–11

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Jacob 1-4”

  • Jacob’s faith in Christ was so strong it could not be shaken. To teach your children how to build faith like this, you could ask them about things we do to make our bodies stronger. What can we do to make our faith in Jesus Christ stronger? Read Jacob 4:6 together to help the children discover what Jacob and his people did to make their faith “unshaken.”
  • Another way to help your children understand what it means to be “unshaken” in their faith would be to find a large tree and ask them to shake individual branches. Then let them try to shake the trunk. Why is it harder to shake the trunk? What phrases in Jacob 4:6, 10–11 describe what we can do to make our faith in Jesus Christ unshaken?
  • For other comparisons to teach your children about unshakable faith in Jesus Christ, see Neil L. Andersen, “Spiritual Whirlwinds” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 18–21; and the video “Spiritual Whirlwinds“) or “The Wise Man and the Foolish Man” (Children’s Songbook, 281; see also Matthew 7:24–27).

How did Jacob and others develop faith in Christ that is “unshaken” ?

Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can ccommand in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea.

Jacob studied the words of the prophets, and he received revelations from the Spirit. How can we follow his example and develop unshaken faith?

Missing the Mark

Jacob 4:14

The “Mark” is Christ

All the Prophets Taught of Christ
Jacob 4:4 For, for this intent have we written these things, that they may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory many hundred years before his coming; and not only we ourselves had a hope of his glory, but also all the holy prophets which were before us.

Jacob taught this about the Jews: “Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall.”

The Jews misunderstood the law of Moses and its intent to lead them to the Savior. They were looking for a different kind of deliverance than the kind Jesus, the Messiah, offered them—they were looking for deliverance from foreign rule and oppression.

If we fail to keep focused on our Savior Jesus Christ, what could happen?

Activity Ideas

Ensign March 2020 “Family Study Fun” Off-Target Ball Toss

The prophet Jacob taught that the spiritual blindness of the Jews caused them to look “beyond the mark” (Jacob 4:14), which resulted in their stumbling spiritually and missing many gospel truths.

  1. Place a bucket or sturdy bowl in the backyard.
  2. Take turns tossing a ball into the bucket, standing a short distance away.
  3. Now try tossing the ball into the bucket without looking at the bucket.

Discussion: Why was it harder to hit the target when we’re not looking at it? How did the Jews look “beyond the mark”? (Jacob 4:14). Read “Looking beyond the Mark” by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (Ensign, Mar. 2003, 40–44). Discuss how we might find ourselves looking beyond the mark today.

Come Follow Me Kid Blank Arrows (I Can Be Reconciled to God through the Atonement of Jesus Christ) The manual asks, “What has God provided to point you to Christ? How are you using these things to draw closer to God?” Write/draw answers on blank arrows (below) and place around the bucket pointing to it.

Book of Mormon Study Guide “for Home-Study Seminary Students” Lift your pen or pencil at least two feet or one meter above this target, and try to drop it so that it hits the center of the target—“the mark.” You may want to try this several times. Think about how less effective your efforts would be if you were looking somewhere other than the target. How well do you think people would do in archery if they never looked at the target, or mark, while they were shooting or if they looked at what was beyond the mark? Read Jacob 4:14, and identify characteristics of the people Jacob prophesied would look “beyond the mark.”

Song: Wise Man and the Foolish Man

Jacob teaches that the Jews rejected the stone upon which they might build and have safe foundation. (Jacob 4:15-17)

Sing “The Wise Man and the Foolish Man” See here for teaching ideas, sing-along videos, and visual aid ideas.

Additional Resources

The Red Crystal



My Heavenly Father Loves Me: Song

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My Heavenly Father Loves Me

(Children’s Songbook, pg. 228 )

Preparation

  • Items needed: a half sheet of poster board, glue, scissors, drawing compass or ruler, and one brad.
  • Print the visual aid items and assemble the activity using the following steps:
  1. Cut out the earth pieces, and place the two pieces together, with the middle edges overlapping until the scenes on both side match in the middle. Glue the pieces together.
  2. Place the earth on the half sheet of poster board and trace around the outside edge. After removing the earth, find the middle point on the earth picture and on the poster board using a compass or a ruler. (Note: it must be the exact middle in order for this activity to work)
  3. Cut out the triangle pieces inside the blue lines. Place the blank triangle on the earth just left of the top middle, making sure the tip is at the center mark. Trace around the triangle with a pencil and then cut out the piece from the earth.
  4. Place each triangle on the poster board circle outline in the correct order (see above picture). They will overlap each other in order for them to all fit, but the points of all the triangles need to be circling the center mark. Once all the parts are situated, lightly glue down each piece. Place the earth on top of the circle and check to make sure that the opening on the earth shows each picture correctly as you turn it. Cut out the poster board circle, trimming off any parts of the triangles around the edges. Laminate both the earth and the poster board circle. (UPS stores have laminators. They also can enlarge the images and print them bigger if needed.) Cut off the excess laminating around the edges, but do not cut out the laminate on the cut out slice of the earth.)
  5. Place the earth on top of the circle cutout. With a thick needle, poke a hole through the center mark on both items leaving the needle in place. Turn the earth and make sure everything is lined up. If both circles are lined up, put the brad through both holes, opening up the arms in the back. Note: The visual aids were found on Microsoft Word clipart and in the Friend magazine. The idea for this visual aid was posted on Sugardoodle from “The Choristers Corner,” but it didn’t include printable images.
  6. Be prepared to attach the back circle to the board with strong magnets or sticky tack. If you plan on having  the children help with the wheel turning, a tab can be added to the front circle edge to help the younger children turn it. If this song idea is used for family home evening, sing the song with the children throughout the week to help the children remember it.

Presentation

Remind the children that our Heavenly Father loves us, so he had Jesus make this beautiful world for us to live on. Explain that this song reminds us of many of the wonderful things we are blessed with on the earth.

Show the children the earth visual aid.

Senior primary:

Have the children listen for what word each pictures stands for as you sing the song for the children while turning the top circle on the earth visual aid. (See the underlined words below). Make sure the pictures are always at the top of the world. Sing the song again using the visual aid, and stop at each picture and have the children say the word. Sing the song again, two lines at a time, and have the children echo you. Then have them sing the whole song with you using the visual aids as clues.

After the children learn the song, you can use the actions to help remind them of the words instead of using the visual aid.

 

Whenever I hear the song of a bird

Or look at the blue, blue sky,

Whenever I feel the rain on my face

Or the wind as it rushes by,

Whenever I touch a velvet rose

Or walk by our lilac tree,

I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world

Heav’nly Father created for me.

Junior Primary

Sing a line while showing the visual aid. But before singing, tell the children to listen for the word each picture stands for. Sing that line again with the visual aid, but stop at the word and have the children say the word. Sing the line again in parts and have them echo you. Then have them sing the whole line with you. Do the same with the other lines. After they learn a new line, have the children sing it with previously learned lines.

After the children learn the song, you can use the following actions to help remind them of the words instead of using the visual aid.

 

Actions

Whenever I hear the song of a bird. (Cup hand around ear.)

Or look at the blue, blue sky, (Point at your eyes and then point at the sky.)

Whenever I feel the rain on my face (Stroke face, and then put hands up in front of you and wiggle your fingers as your hands move downward. )

Or the wind as it rushes by, (Wiggle your fingers as your hand move side to side.)

Whenever I touch a velvet rose. (Put finger out as if to touch something.)

Or walk by our lilac tree, (Make two fingers move as if walking.)

I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world. (Point to your smiling face, and then hold arms out with palms up.)

Heav’nly Father created for me.

 

Note: Accompaniment can be found at http://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/my-heavenly-father-loves-me?lang=eng



Praise to the Man: Verse One

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Praise to the Man  – Verse One
Preparation
  • Print the pictures, and the word pages. Cut each picture page in half lengthwise so one picture is on each half. Put each of the word pages in a page protector. (Optional: cover each word page with a colored paper, and tape the top edges so the colored paper can be flipped up to show the clue.)
  • Items needed: a large picture of Joseph Smith, a dry erase pen or strips of paper, a digital copy of the song “Praise to the Man” (or a CD player and a CD of “Praise to the Man.” The CD hymns with words can be found at most meetinghouse libraries. If a CD is not available, the song can be downloaded from www.lds.org onto a laptop. A microphone can be put next to the laptop speaker so the children can hear the song. Another idea would be to have the adults in the room sing the song.)

Presentation
Explain to the children they are going to learn a new song, and they are going to do two activities to help them remember it. The first activity is to try and guess who the song is about. (Post the pictures on the board and explain that the song is about one of these people. Also post the first seven word pages on the board, in order, but turned over or covered with another sheet of paper.) Explain that the covered pages are lines in the song, and they are clues to who the song is about. One person on the board will be eliminated as each clue is read. (Some of the children may guess the name before the clues are finished, but tell them not to say it out loud.)

The second activity they are going to do is find the correct word in each line. Explain that there will be two orange words on each song page. One of the words is the correct word that is in the song, and the other is a synonym and means the same thing as the correct word. They are going to listen to the song on CD and see if they can figure out which is the correct word.

To begin teaching the verse, turn over the first song page on the board, and explain to the children that the first line in the song is the name of the song – “Praise to the Man.” Point out that this line doesn’t have any orange words in it, but it is a clue. Have a volunteer take off one of the pictures on the board that doesn’t match with this clue. (Emma Smith, because she is not a man.)

Turn over the second song page on the board – “who talked/communed with Jehovah.”

• Who is Jehovah? (Jesus) Which of the people on the board did not talk to or communicate personally with Jesus. (Benjamin Franklin) (Note: We don’t know if President Monson has talked directly with the Savior, but we do know that as His spokesman on the earth, President Monson has received direction from the Savior through revelation. The picture of President Monson is included because he is needed for a clue further on in the song.) (Lorenzo Snow saw and talked with the Savior Jesus Christ in the Salt Lake Temple – see Friend/August 1993)

Once the children have taken off one of the pictures, have them listen to the CD and see which of the orange words is correct. (Whenever they listen to the CD, start it from the beginning. Have the children sing along until they get to the clue they are working on, and then they should just listen.) Have a volunteer cover up the incorrect word with strips of paper or cross it out with a dry erase pen.

Turn over the third song page on the board – “Jesus anointed/appointed that prophet and seer.” Explain that the clue for this line is the words “prophet and seer.”

  • Which person on the board is not considered to be a prophet and seer? (Joseph had a very special role as Jesus’ guardian, but as far as we know he was not considered to be a prophet and seer.)

After the children guess the clue, have them listen to the CD to find out which of the orange words are correct. After they figure out which is correct, explain that one definition of anointing is- a sacred ceremony or process of appointing someone to a position of great responsibility, usually using consecrated oil. (For example, in the scriptures, kings and priests were anointed to their office in ancient times by prophets.)

Explain to the children that the next line in the verse needs to be skipped for now because it would give away who the song is about. Turn over the line that comes after the skipped line – “Kings shall praise/extol him and nations admire/revere.”

• Which of these prophets is not well enough known for kings to praise and nations to admire?” (The choice would be either the Brother of Jared or Lorenzo Snow. Have them take off Lorenzo Snow.)
After the children remove a picture, have them listen to the CD for the correct words in the line. (Try to start the CD at this point instead of at the beginning.)

Turn over the next song page on the board – “Hail/salute to the prophet ascended /risen to heaven”.

• What does ascended or risen to heaven mean? It means that the person is no longer living and is in heaven. Which prophet is still living in mortal life? (President Monson) (Note: Moses might be a confusing one for this category because he is not dead but was taken up to heaven in a translated state.)

Turn over the next song page on the board – “Traitors and tyrants/oppressors now fight him in vain/unsuccess.”

• Which prophet did not have traitors and tyrants fighting against him, that we know of? (The Brother of Jared)

After the children remove a picture, have them listen to the CD for the correct words in the line. After they have crossed out the incorrect word, go back to the song line that was skipped, and turn it over -“Blessed to open the last dispensation/gospel period“.

• Dispensation is a period were the gospel is renewed upon the earth. Which prophet opened the last dispensation? (Joseph Smith) Remove the picture of Moses and replace the small picture of Joseph Smith with the large picture. Point out that the children have discovered who the song is about.

Have the children listen to the CD for the correct words in the line. Start the CD from the beginning and remind them to sing all lines, except for the current clue.

Put the last two lines on the board one at time starting with – “Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren.”

• Do you think Joseph Smith is still serving in heaven trying to help us, his brothers and sisters?

Turn over “Death cannot conquer/overcome the hero again.”

• How is Joseph Smith a hero? (See D&C 135:3) He gave his all, including his life, in service to God and his fellow man.

  • Can death overcome him again after he is resurrected?  No, he will never die again.

Play the CD all the way through, and have the children sing the song until they come to the last line, then they should listen for the correct word.

 

Note: If you have already taught this verse, this activity can be used as a review. This was a hard song to prepare and teach. If you find any problems with the presentation, please let me know.


Praise to the Man – Verse Three

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Praise to the Man – Verse Three

Preparation

  • Print the word pages and the pictures. Cut out the pictures. Cut out the word strips if you are doing the drawing activity. Fold up each word strip. Put the word pages into page protectors.
  • Items needed: magnets, chalk and eraser, tape, paper, and pencils or crayons.

 

Presentation (I’ve included two teaching ideas for this verse, and they can be used together or individually.)

Explain to the children they are going to learn another verse of “Praise to the Man”, and it is about Joseph Smith’s rewards in heaven for his faithful service.

Post each word page on the board as you read them to the children. Explain that the chorus is sung after those four lines.

First teaching idea to help introduce and get the children thinking about the verse:

Give each child a paper and pencil, and explain that they are going to create visual aids for the verse. Give each class one of the folded up word strips that contain the lines from the verse. (If you have more than four classes you may need to divide the children into four groups.) Have each child in the group draw a picture of the line they’ve been given. Explain that they need to keep it secret from the other groups which line they are drawing.

When the children are finished drawing, have a random group come to the front and hold up their drawings so everyone can see them. Have the other primary children try to guess which line the class drew. Have the children vote for which line the pictures go with by raising their hands. Circle the one on the board with the most votes. Have the class reveal which line they drew by putting their pictures under the correct line (using magnets or tape). When only two classes are left, have both classes come up and show their pictures. Have the rest of the children vote on which line each group’s pictures go with.

In junior primary, if you are short on time, you can use the pictures that senior primary drew for this activity (if you are on the senior first schedule). Have junior vote for which line each group of pictures goes with. Choose a helper who can read, and give the helper the folded up matching line that goes with the class’s pictures. After the children vote, have the helper reveal which is the correct line by putting the pictures under the correct line.

Sing the verse. You may need to review one line at a time with junior primary, and then sing only that line before reviewing the next line.

Memorizing Activity
Explain that they are now going to memorize the verse. Cover up the words on the first page with the pictures that match each word. Discuss and explain those words if needed. Sing the verse. Continue in this manner until each page is covered with the pictures. Remove the word pages from the page protectors and see if the children can sing the song without the words.

Great – (large great) Great means large amount or wonderful.
Glory – (sun) Glory means the grandeur and blessings of heaven. Joseph Smith will inherit the highest degree of glory, the Celestial Kingdom, which is compared to the glory of the sun.
Endless – (arrow circle) Explain that the circle picture is used to represent the word “endless” because there is no end to a circle.
Priesthood – (Joseph receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood) Power and authority from God.
Ever and ever – (two rings)  Explain that ever and ever means forever, and the picture of the rings is used to represent forever because rings have no end. The two rings are also meant to help them remember to say the word “ever” twice.
Keys – (keys) Keys are the directive and governing powers held by presiding priesthood holders.

Hold – (hand holding a key)

Faithful – (Yellowstone’s Old Faithful) Explain that Old Faithful  is a geyser at Yellowstone National Park, and it got its name because its eruptions are regular and reliable, unlike other geysers in the park whose eruptions are unpredictable. Explain that Joseph Smith was also reliable. He could always be depended on to do what the Lord wanted him to do. He did the Lord’s bidding because he trusted and had faith in the Lord.
True – (blue diamond) Explain that real diamonds have great value and are hard rock-solid. Joseph was also solid; he was committed, and faithful to God. His beliefs were real and genuine, and his actions were always true to those beliefs. (The children can also try to remember the word “true” by thinking of true blue.)

Enter – (open door)
Kingdom – (castle)  Explain that the castle picture is used to depict the word “kingdom” because a castle is part of a king’s kingdom.
Crowned –  (crowns)  The word “crowned” means to confer royal status upon someone. (All those who are righteous, obedient, and faithful become heirs of God.)
Midst – (blue circle with the yellow middle) Explain that in the midst means in the middle of, or surrounded by.

Prophets of Old – (picture of prophets) Joseph, along with the prophets of old, will enter into the celestial kingdom, become heirs of God, and be crowned with glory because of their righteousness and faithful  service.

 


Song: Stand for the Right

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Song: Stand for the Right

Preparation

  • Items needed: a razor utility knife, tape, and magnets.
  • For easy assembly, follow just the basic instructions. Basic assembly instructions: Print the song pictures onto white cardstock, including the extra shutters. Cut out the pictures. Glue the extra shutters to the opposite side of the regular shutters so they are double-sided. Attach the shutters to the house by cutting a line down the side edges of the window with the utility knife.  Fold the white rectangle towards the original shutter side. Insert the white rectangle into the the window cuts, then tape the white rectangle to the back of the house. Glue the TV to the bottom right side of the window area.
  • Attach magnets to the back of each of the pictures.
  • Optional: To make this activity more interactive, follow the basic instructions and the optional instructions. Watch the video to see an example of the more interactive version.

 Presentation:

Tell the children they are going to be learning a new song  in March, and it is called “Stand for the Right.” Ask the children what it means to stand for the right. Explain that there will be situations in their lives where they will have to decide if they are going to follow the Lord and do the right things or if they are going to go in a different direction. For example, the Lord wants us to be kind to others, but suppose your friends are leaving out a new boy in your class when they play football. You would have a choice to make: follow along with the other kids or stand for the right and be kind. Another example would be that the Lord has asked us to be obedient to our parents, but suppose your mom asked you to finish the laundry before going to play, but your friends want you to come play with them and they insist that you don’t have to obey your mom. You would have a choice to make: do you stand for the right, or do you go the opposite direction, the way Satan would have you go.

Put the house picture and the picture of the boy on the board. Explain that the song starts off with the following words:

Our Prophet has some words for you. (Open the shutters.)

And these are the words: Be true, be true. (Put on the word bubble, and tell the children they will say the words “Be True” two times.)

Ask the children what the words “Be True” mean. Explain that it means the prophet wants us to honor our commitments to follow the Lord and keep His commandments.  (Have the children sing the first two lines.)

At work or at play (Put the laundry basket in the arms of the boy, and then exchange it for the football. As you do this, remind the children of the example stories you told them earlier.)

In darkness or light  (Put the moon picture slightly behind the roof of  the house, and then exchange it for the sun picture. Place the sun picture so only half  is showing above the roof of the house.) (Optional: You may want to glue the two pictures together, back to back, to make it quicker and easier to place them.)

These two lines mean that we are to be true at all times and keep the commandments, no matter what we are doing or what time of day it is. (Have the pianist play the two lines so the children can hear what it sounds like, and then have the children sing this part.)

Be true, be true (Point to the word bubble, and remind them to say the words twice.)

And stand for the right. (Put the CTR shield in the boy’s hands, and put the word strip on the board.)

Inform the children that when we stand for the right, we are showing that we are on the Lord’s side. We are also setting good examples for those who are around us.

(Have the pianist play this part, and then have the children sing these two lines.)

Have the children sing the song all the way through. Go over any words they have problems with, and then sing the song again. Have one of the children put the pictures on the board while the other children sing the song. Have another child try to put the pictures on the board at the right times as the children sing. Keep doing this until the children have the song and the picture placement correct.

  Stand for the Right visual aid from Camilla Whitman on Vimeo. Optional assembly instructions:

  • Items needed: a half sheet of white poster board, double-sided tape, and clear packaging tape.
  • Attach the house to the poster board with double-sided tape around the side and bottom edges. Also attach the boy to the poster board with double-sided tape. Using the other half sheet of the poster board, cut out the following strips: a one inch by two and a half inch piece, (two) one and a half inch by three inch pieces, a two inch by three and a half  inch piece, a two inch by four inch piece, a two inch by five inch piece, and a one and three quarters inch by ten inch piece.
  • Cut a fourteen inch piece of packaging tape. Lay the tape on a flat surface, sticky side up. Lay the the 2″x3 1/2″ strip on one end of the tape so that the tape covers one side of the long strip. Place the word bubble on the tape, 5 1/2″ from the edge of the strip. Cover the whole thing with another 14″ piece of tape, or with a clear piece of  plastic such as from a ziplock bag. Using the razor utility knife, cut a straight slit from the top of President Monson’s left shoulder to the outside edge of his ear, and then all the way to the top edge of the window.  Cut another slit from the top left corner of the window edge, and down along the edge of the window until it is the same length as the other slit. (These slits must go all the way through the poster board.) Lace the 14″ piece of tape through the slits so that the word bubble shows in the front and the end strip is on the left side of the poster board.  Tape the end of the 14″ piece of tape to the back side of the poster board an inch from the slit. Tape the sides of one of the 1 1/2″ x3″ strips to the back of the left edge of the poster board so that is sits over the tape. This will serve as a guide for the tape.
  • Cut a sixteen and a half inch piece of packaging tape. Lay the tape on a flat surface, sticky side up. Lay the 2″x5″ long strip on the end of the tape. Place the laundry basket on the tape 2 1/2″ from the edge of the strip. The laundry basket should be 1/4″ from the bottom of the tape. Angle the football slightly and lay it on the tape 5/8″ from the laundry basket (1/4″ from the bottom of the tape). Place the CTR shield on the tape 5/8″ from the edge of the football. Cover everything with another 16 1/2″ piece of packaging tape or with a piece of ziplock plastic. Cut a 2″ long slit along the outside edge of each arm of the boy. Start at the top of his shoulders and go down. Lace the 16 1/2″ piece of tape through the slits so that the 2″x5″ strip is on the right of the poster board. Tape the other end of the tape an inch from the second slit. Tape the sides of the other 1 1/2″x3″ strip to the right side edge of the poster board in the same manner as the first guide.
  • Tape the 1″x2 1/2″ strip to the top of the moon picture. This will serve as the pull strip. Cut a twelve inch piece of packaging tape and lay it on a flat surface, sticky side up. Place the moon picture on the end of the tape so the tape starts at the top edge of the picture and goes down the middle of the picture. Place the sun on the tape in the same manner, 2″ below the moon picture.  Place another 12″ piece of tape on top, or cover the sticky side of the tape with a clear piece of plastic. Place the sun picture all the way in the pocket that is behind the roof. Place it as far left as it will go. Pull it straight up and make a small mark with a pencil on the left edge of the sun picture, next to the edge of the roof. Poke a pin through that mark. Measure down on the back of the poster board 4″ from that pin mark, and make a 4 1/2″ horizontal slit going toward the right. Be careful not to cut through the house. Put the sun in the pocket. Pull the tape, that is attached to the bottom of the sun picture, through the slit and tape the end of it an inch from the bottom of the slit. Push the sun picture half way through the slit. Push the moon picture down behind the sun picture in the pocket.
  • Place the top edge of the 1 3/4″x10″ strip along the bottom edge of the house. Center it between the two side edges of the poster board. Tape the top of the strip to the poster board. Tape the 2″x4″ strip to the bottom middle edge of the “Stand for the right” word strip. This will serve as the pull. Cut two 3 3/4″ pieces of packaging tape. Place both pieces of tape on a flat surface so that they are vertically perpendicular to each other and the outside edges are 9 1/8″ apart. Place the 9 1/8″ long word strip over the bottom edges of the tape, so that you end up with a piece of tape on each side. Cut two more 3 3/4″ pieces of tape and place them over each of the other pieces of tape, or cover the tape with clear ziplock plastic. Flip up the 10″ strip, and cut two 2″ slits, one starting on the right end of the strip and going along the top edge of the strip towards the middle, and the other starting on the left end of the strip. Push each piece of tape through a slit. Flip down the 10″ strip and tape its sides down. Turn over the poster board, and tape the ends of each piece of  tape an inch from its slit.
  • Set each item so the board looks like the beginning of the video. Use white tacky putty to close the shutters. Practice with the music so you are familiar with how each item works and how to reset each item afterwards. The children love interactive visual aids, so give them a chance to try it (maybe by having three children operate the different items). Please send me an email if you have any questions camillamw@gmail.com



Sabbath Day Holy: Lesson Item 5

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Song: Remember the Sabbath Day

 (Children’s Songbook pg. 155)

Preparation

  • Materials needed: double-sided tape, page protectors.
  • Print one set of the song activity items. (Print the synonym words and the correct words onto two different colors of paper to help avoid mixup.) Cut out the words and write the word’s number on the back of each piece. Check the list below to find the numbers. (Example: The words “Remember” and “Keep in mind” would be #1).
  • Put the song page and the Synonym Match-up page into page protectors. Put a piece of double-sided tape on the back of the synonym words and put them onto their correct numbered spot on the song page. Using double-sided tape, put the correct words on the Synonym Match-up page in random order.
  • A recording of the song can be found here, or a CD of the Children’s Songbook can be checked out from the meetinghouse library.

Song Directions:

Show the song page to the family and read it to them. Tell them that some of the words are not correct. The incorrect words are synonyms of the correct words, which mean that they are similar in meaning to the correct words.

Show the page that says Synonym Match-Up. Tell the family that the correct words are listed on this page, and they need to replace the synonyms on the song with the correct words.

Have them take turns choosing a word and finding its match. (You may have to read the choices to younger children.)  They can check the numbers on the back of the words to see if they have found the right match.

After all the correct words are in place, sing the song. (You may have to say each sentence out loud before singing to help small children who can’t read.)

You can take off words and try singing again to see if the family remembers the words to the song.

Answers:

Correct Words                  Synonyms

1) Remember                     1) Keep in mind

2) the Sabbath day             2) Sunday

3) always keep                   3) continually hold

4) it holy                            4) it sacred

5) The Lord                        5) God

6) blessed                            6) set apart

7) hallowed it                     7) consecrated it

8) worship                          8) show devotion to