Monthly Theme: Living Prophets Teach Me to Choose the Right
Monthly Scripture: “O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God” Alma 37:35
Week 1 God speaks through living prophets.
* Put a picture of Noah's ark on the board and a picture of President Monson. Why do you think President Monson wasn't commanded to build an ark? Do we need an ark in our day and age?
President James E. Faust (1920–2007) of the First Presidency discussed the necessity for constant revelation:
“Much revelation received, in this time as well as anciently, has been doctrinal. Some of it has been operational and tactical. Much of it is not spectacular. President John Taylor reminds us: ‘Adam’s revelation did not instruct Noah to build his ark; nor did Noah’s revelation tell Lot to forsake Sodom; nor did either of these speak of the departure of the children of Israel from Egypt. These all had revelations for themselves’ (Millennial Star, 1 Nov. 1847, 323)” (“Continuing Revelation,” Ensign, Aug. 1996).
"These all had revelations for themselves."!!! Prophets of all ages are important, but for us to receive current revelations for our times, we need living prophets. God speaks through living prophets.Divide into 5-6 groups. Give each group a picture of a living apostle and a highlighted talk from that apostle. Encourage the group to read the highlighted quotes and be able to share with the entire primary what that living prophet has commanded or encouraged us to do in our lives today.
* Blind in the forest- 4 people are blindfolded. One person will guide them by telling them how far to walk, so that they can come together.
From Gospel Topics on lds.org it says, "We can always trust the living prophets. Their teachings reflect the will of the Lord, who declared: “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (D&C 1:38).
HERE is a story from The Friend about President Monson. It has some good visuals of things he has done to show us how to live our lives. Can we trust his example? Absolutely!! He will lead us to The Savior if we trust him. But don't take my word for it. Encourage the children to go home and pray to know for themselves. Any happy or peaceful feelings they get are the spirit saying, "Yes! This is right!"
* Match the voice! Have some audio clips of the apostles and first presidency speaking. Have their pictures up front. Can anyone match the voice with the picture? God speaks through living prophets.... do we know them? Have simple facts/stories about the apostles to share with the children when they make a match to help them get to know them better.
Week 2: The First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles are prophets.
* Fact or Fiction!! Come up with 3 facts and 1 fiction about the First Presidency and 12 apostles. Have a primary friend come up front and guess which statement is the fiction!! Make sure there are pictures so everyone can put a name to the face!
For example:
President Monson -
One time played with matches and lit a field on fire.
He served in the US Navy.
Used to have pigeons he raised.
Served as Mission President in Paris, France. (Fiction, it was the Canadian Mission headquartered in Toronto)
President Eyring -
Played tennis in highschool. (Fiction, it was basketball)
Loves to paint and sketch drawings.
Has a wife named Kathy and 6 children.
HERE and HERE are links to LDS.org for more information on each apostle
* I SPY!!! Print off the following for partners or small groups. Have children circle the first presidency and 12 apostles. Have one copy with all of them circled correctly. Have some quotes or fun stories to share with the children about our modern day prophets.
Week 3: God’s prophets and apostles speak to us in general conference.
* "In order for the messages of general conference to change our lives, we need to be willing to follow the counsel we hear. The Lord explained in a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith “that when ye are assembled together ye shall instruct and edify each other, that ye may know … how to act upon the points of my law and commandment.” But knowing “how to act” isn’t enough. The Lord in the next verse said, “Ye shall bind yourselves to act in all holiness before me.” This willingness to take action on what we have learned opens the doors for marvelous blessings." (The Blessings of General Conference by Elder Paul V. Johnson October 2005)
Have different quotes (short but meaningful) from the last General Conference throughout the room. Invite 2 children up front. "Bind" or tie one leg of each child to the other. (Like a 3 legged race, but NO RUNNING!) Invite them to work together to choose a quote and go get it. Read the quote and ask them a question pertaining to it.
We need to be willing to do what Heavenly Father asks us during General Conference! We need to tie our leg with His and walk His path!!
* " Several years ago, as this Conference Center was being built and nearing completion, I entered this sacred building on the balcony level in a hard hat and safety glasses, ready to vacuum the carpet that my husband was helping to install. Where the rostrum now stands was a front-end loader moving dirt, and the dust in this building was thick. When it settled, it did so on the new carpet. My part was to vacuum. And so I vacuumed and vacuumed and vacuumed. After three days my little vacuum burned up!
The afternoon before the first general conference in this beautiful building, my husband called me. He was about to install the last piece of carpet—under this historic pulpit. He asked, “What scripture should I write on the back of this carpet?” And I said, “Mosiah 18:9: ‘Stand as [a witness] of God at all times and in all things, and in all places.’”
Bring in your vacuum. Yes. Your vibrant sunbeams will either be thrilled or terrified. Did you know that at General Conference, under the carpet is a scripture written? Pretty fun! Invite a primary friend to vacuum for 20 seconds, then answer a question or read a scripture about General Conference. Life can get pretty messy, but General Conference is like the vacuum, it helps us clean up our lives if we'll listen!!
Week 4: I am blessed when I choose to follow the prophet.
* Invite some special guests (3-4) in to share a short experience of a time they were blessed when they followed the prophet.
* “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” 2 Chr. 20:20
What does it mean to prosper? To make successful! Have children draw a picture of themselves in the future. What do they imagine their lives will be like? What are some things they must do to be successful? How can our lives be blessed when we follow the prophets? Invite children to share who their favorite prophet is with a partner and why. Switch partners as time permits, they can also share their artwork too!
* HERE is another super sharing time from The Friend on how obedience to the prophets brings blessings. Thanks Sister Nichols!!
