Welcome to the original LDS Object Lesson library! Search by student age, keyword, and gospel principle to find an object lesson for your gospel lesson in our library of hundreds of tried and true object lessons.
Like salt, an object lessons can be used with great effectiveness to flavor a lesson. However, also like salt, object lessons are most effective when used ...
Add some Temptation, Evil, Spiritual Danger, and Wickedness to the world (ground pepper)
Dip your finger into the world filled with evil and it will come out covered with pepper, "evil"
Clean your finger completely and dip it into the jar of "Forgiveness"
Dip the finger coated with "Forgiveness" in the center of the dirty water.
The "Temptation, Evil, Spiritual Danger, and Wickedness" scatter to the edges of the bowl and will not stick to your finger that is protected with
"Forgiveness"
Your finger will come out clean demonstrating that forgiving others protects us from Satan's influences. Satan will not have an advantage over us when we forgive others.
Jenny says: You could do this object lesson where the protection is the influence of the Holy Ghost or obedience to God's commandments.
Introduce the doctrine and encourage understanding: Write “Faith in Jesus Christ leads us to love Him, trust Him, and keep His commandments” on the board. Show the children some seeds. Ask: “What can these seeds become?” “How do you know these seeds will grow?” “What must we do to make them grow?” Explain that our faith in Jesus Christ, like a seed, can grow if we nurture it. Discuss things we can do to help our faith grow, and explain how these things will lead us to love and trust Jesus Christ and keep His commandments.
Repetition: Children learn through repetition. Consider expanding the object lesson in week 1 to reinforce the principle of faith. Plant the seeds in a pot, and occasionally bring the growing plant to Primary. Tell the children what you have done to help the plant grow. Compare nurturing a seedling to nurturing faith in Jesus Christ.
I think this lesson is one of the first object lessons out there! It’s a great way to connect a concrete process (growing a plant) to a more abstract, spiritual idea (faith). I’m going to be emphasizing how some things help seeds grow and some things prevent seeds from growing: just like our faith. Things that help our faith grow might include prayer, scripture study, attending church, taking the sacrament, FHE, serving a mission, preparing to attend the temple, serving others, choosing good friends, or keeping the commandments. Things that might prevent our faith from growing: forgetting to pray, thinking you’re too busy to read scriptures, being mean to others at school, starting fights with your brothers or sisters, skipping church meetings, or using bad language.
With our Junior Primary I started looking for a simple science worksheet about how seeds grow. I found a lot of dead leads and old images online, so I decided to put one together myself. It’s designed to be printed two per page and cut in half and it’s available for you below.
I also enlarged all ten images on the worksheet so they are about the size of a quarter page. I’ll use them to talk about the worksheet on the chalkboard while the littles are working on the worksheet in their laps. There are three pages in the following PDF to fit all ten images.
With our Senior Primary I am going to introduce the same metaphor (plants, seeds, faith) but we’ll round it out by reading Alma 32:27-43 together. If we have time we’ll get the kids to memorize Alma 32:21.
Using travel size toothpaste, have the children squeeze out the toothpaste onto paper plates. Then ask them to put it back into the tube. This isn't possible.... This is much like our words and what we say. Once we say something we can't take it back. We can apologize but the mean things that we say can't be taken back and we hurt our friends.
Ephesians 4:29: "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."
Sharing Time Idea from the 2015 Outline - Forgiving Feet
Object Lesson:
At the front of the room display several pairs of shoes. Inside each of the shoes place some small pebbles. On the toe of each shoe have a scenario
Example: Your Mother asked you to take out the garbage. You didn’t want to, so you ignored her. She asked you again and you yelled at her.
Invite a child up to the front and have them pick a pair of shoes. Have the child put the shoes on and walk around a little bit. Ask them how the shoes feel. They may say it hurts and isn’t very comfortable. Explain that when we sin it’s like the pebble in the shoe. Next, read the scenario aloud.
After you have read the scenario ask the child if there is someone that could help us remove the pebble/repent and be forgiven of our sin.
Show a picture of Jesus Christ. Just like the man in the story that helped the other man out of the hole in the story we heard before, Jesus Christ can help and save us so that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father again.
Have them remove the pebble, and explain that repenting and receiving Heavenly Father's forgiveness is like removing the pebble from our shoe. Explain that because of Jesus Christ, we can repent and receive forgiveness of our sins.
Another Idea:
Instead of having several pairs of shoes just have one pair of shoes at the front of the room. Invite a child up to the front and have them put the shoes on (this time without pebbles). Have them share how the shoes feel.
Then have them take the shoes off and share a scenario of a time that they did wrong and add a few pebbles into the shoes. Have the child put the shoes on and walk around and share how it feels. Then have them take the shoes off again.
Once again share another scenario and add a few more pebbles.
Repeat as many times as you would like.
After you have shared several scenarios ask the child(ren) how or who can help get the 'pebbles' out of your shoes. Show the picture of Christ and explain that through Jesus Christ we are able to repent and be forgiven.
Have an empty jar and have the child pour the pebbles into it.
Show the children the jar of pebbles from the shoes. Bear testimony of the importance of the atonement and repentance. Tell the children if they don't want to walk around with pebbles in their shoes, then they need to remember to repent.
#dandc87 I did this little demo today to go along with "standing in holy places" ... I invited a student to come to the front. I asked him to stand on one foot. I pushed his shoulder and he easily lost his balance. Then I had him stand casually, as he normally would. Again, I pushed his shoulder. He was able to stand firmer, but was still easily moved. Lastly, I asked him to stand with his knees and waist bent and his feet apart (I described it as a sports stance). This time he stood firm and did not budge when I pushed his shoulder. I related this to standing with one foot in the gospel (easily moved), being casual about the gospel (still able to move), and being actively engaged and participating in the gospel. My friend used this analogy when this was the mutual theme. It went over really well then and again today with my class. Hope this helps someone.
Judith Bulsiewicz:
Something else you can add to this... Ask them to sit on the ground and then try to stand up while you are pushing down on their shoulders. When trials and temptations come and weigh us down it is difficult to suddenly stand up when you need to face them.
Jenny says: This object lesson also works for being prepared ahead of time for temptations and to keep gospel standards. It could go along with an armor of God discussion.
#dandc67 Had a great lesson today with section 67... Handed out a lg marshmallow on a small plate. One for each student placed at their tables before they got to class... Instructed them that they could eat it now or wait and receive more of a reward. Continued with the lesson.... Once we got to vs. 9-14 we watched the video clip of Dieter F Uchdorf as he explained "the Marshmallow Test" and how he gained a testimony of patience. We talked about how patience is important to our eternal growth and the blessing that come from it. I was very impressed with the understanding of this principle and the discussion of the outcome of those that exercise patience as pointed out in the video. I then asked who ate their Marshmallow. No one had. I then asked if they wanted another treat... They weren't to excited about another marshmallow but once I revealed that I had brought "Marshmallow Rice Crispy Treats" Hands went up so I tossed them around. It was fun. They catch better than I threw. LOL, I love my kids!
Jeanette Brooks: Sorry Yes...D&C 67. We also have a class FB group and I posted the YouTube clip of the actual "Marshmallow Test" very enlightening and interesting watching all the kids enduring this test of patience. (1 day ago)
Shelice Murphy: I literally got out of bed to make rice crispy treats after I read this last Night. I was already going to do the marshmallow part and this was just a brilliant addition. I was inspired to close the lesson by saying something like: that while our plans, like marshmallows are good...God's plans for us, like rice crispy treats, are always better and often that means being patient and trusting Him. I then told them that for the rest of their lives whenever they eat a RCT they should remember this lesson...we all laughed. Thanks for sharing your inspiration!
By Wendi Gunn:
Here is an object lesson that I am going to use for #dandc58 :34-65. It could be used to illustrate #repentance in any lesson though. I used it in a SS class and it was very effective. I took a light bulb and spray painted it black. Then I asked the class what happens to the light within us when we sin and don't repent. We talked about how the darkness overcomes the light and it doesn't matter what we plug that light bulb into the light will not shine throught the blackness. Then we talked about how to change the light bulb so that the light will again shine through the darkness. They come up with ways to physically remove the paint from the light bulb such as turpentine and scratching the paint off the bulb. Both methods will eventually allow light to start shining through but one method, the turpentine, will be much faster and more thorough and less painful and allow our light to shine through much faster than the other method. Then liken the repentance process to removing the paint from the light bulb. There are lots of different connections you can make with this object lesson. Just go with where the Spirit directs you with the discussion.
Wendi Gunn: I taught this lesson today and used the light bulb discussion at the beginning...it took them a minute to make the connection but once they got it, their faces were full of "ah-hah" expressions! I love it when they make a connection! After, I divided the class into 5 groups and gave each of them a quote from the lesson and the questions that go along with each quote. They discussed as a group and then presented to the class. When I was prepping I struggled a bit to think of stories I could share with then as examples. But as we went around the room and each group discussed their quote, I was inspired with a quick example from my life to share that went along with each quote... I didn't necessarily hand them out and discuss them in order so I didn't know which one would be coming up next, but as our discussion unfolded after each group and I shared a story, I was amazed when the next group started and the story I shared led perfectly into the next discussion!!! I love it when the Spirit teaches the class!
Wendi Gunn: I ended with the reclaimed video and one of our students used to live in Idaho Falls and talked about her experience going to that park and how she had no idea that it used to be a landfill. That led us to talking about how repentance can erase the past and we don't have to judge other's based on the garbage that is underneath and that we can look at each other as we are now and enjoy the beauty and strength we each have to offer.
Jenny says: see also "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness"(Isaiah 5:20) and Isaiah 9:2 and Matthew 4:16.
By ShaunaDoctrine and Covenants Section 27 This idea came from a member of the LDS Seminary Teacher Facebook group (seriously, if you are a Seminary Teacher-join that Facebook group).
When I figure out who it was, I will edit and post his name so he receives credit for this brilliant visual for teaching "Dispensations" and "Dispensation of the Fullness of Times" using hymn books.
I took it one step further by attaching the names of the Prophets from the different dispensations.
I used this when teaching Doctrine and Covenants Section 27.
This will work well with Doctrine and Covenants Section 29 and a others regarding Apostasy, Restoration, Prophets, Dispensations, Fullness of Times.
If you have a specific suggestion of a Seminary lesson this goes with, please leave a comment below.
We met in the chapel and sat in front of the Sacrament table that was all draped in white cloths covering the Sacrament trays (this is a subject for another blog post)
After we discussed the emblems and symbolism of the Sacrament, we moved to the other side of the chapel to discuss the Sacrament meeting that will be held at Adam-ondi-Ahman prior to the Savior's second coming.
I had the students search Section 27 to tell me who would be at that Sacrament meeting.
Some of the people who will be in attendance are the Prophets from each DISPENSATION along with Joseph Smith the Prophet of this DISPENSATION of the FULLNESS OF TIMES
To demonstrate DISPENSATIONS, First, line up the hymnals (I labelled mine) and name the Prophets who led during past dispensations...
THEN:
Stack the dispensations up to show that we are living in the DISPENSATION of the FULLNESS OF TIMES. The dispensation that will usher in the Second Coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ.
If I do this again, I may leave a BLANK hymnal in between Peter and Joseph Smith to show the Apostasy. I discussed this verbally, but a blank would have been a more effective visual.
I have understood this concept for most of my adult life, but when I taught with this visual, it gave me clarity and understanding in a way I have never had.
When I was on my mission, many of the missionaries used an object lesson for the apostasy which I fell in love with. It gave the investigator a good visual idea of the apostasy and the need for the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I asked the Elders for some sacrament cups but you could use blocks, small paper cups or any other type of small, stackable object. The idea of this object lesson is to create a "tower" and it is not necessarily important what you use to create it.
Creating your tower:
The bottom layer (first layer) had twelve cups, each one representing one of the apostles when Jesus Christ was here upon the earth (i.e. Peter, James, John, etc.) I've also heard of putting little pictures of the Latter-Day prophets on the other side of the cups. You can either cut out pictures from your Conference Ensign or you can print pictures from www.lds.org.
The next layer represented principles upon which the gospel was founded and which these apostles taught us about during their ministries. I made ten cups. There are so many different ones, just choose some (i.e. sacrament, revelation, atonement, priesthood, repentance, etc.)
The next layer were ordinances upon which are necessary and essential for us to return to live with our Heavenly Father (i.e. baptism, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, temple ordinances, marriage, etc.)
The next layer represented the three fold mission of the church (therefore, three cups). Proclaim the gospel, redeem the dead and endure to the end.
The final and last layer has just one cup. It represents our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is at the head of this church.
Setup: I usually would stack the cups up as I spoke about each layer.
Analogy: Then, once my "tower" was complete, I would tell them that as each apostle died, less authority existed upon the earth. One by one I would take away one of the apostles. There was no way the church could remain on the earth without the apostles and the authority they held to perform and run the church. Teachings that were not true were added to the gospel during the apostasy and teachings that were true were taken away. After a certain point, your "tower" or "gospel upon the earth" fell without the apostles and Jesus Christ leading the church. Therefore, during the Apostasy the Priesthood and it's authority left the earth.
Paper Cup Apostasy lesson from Treasures in Heaven:
Here are some of my thoughts for what they are worth. The bottom layer is where we all start. We are exposed and taught the gospel and learn about it's message, the second layer. Then we choose whether we are going to follow it's message by entering into the ordinances necessary for salvation. We work hard to complete our work and participate in the mission of the church, the next layer. Our ultimate goal is to be with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again. How is that possible if we are given a ladder without any steps? The apostasy was lifted when Jesus Christ completely restored the gospel through Joseph Smith. He put the steps back in the ladder in the exact same way as before. (You could even rebuild your "tower" and explain that many other churches have tried to follow how Jesus had his church set up but Jesus Christ is the only one that could give the authority to have His church re-built upon the earth.)
Another version by Kelly Buchanan:
I used clear cocktail cups, but small bathroom cups would work as well. The bottom layer of the pyramid had 6 glasses. I typed up the names of the 12 original apostles and glued them to the cup (2 names per glass). On the opposite side of the glass, I glued the names of the current 12 apostles. The next layer had 5 glasses. I labeled them with 5 important principles of the gospel (sacrament, revelation, priesthood, repentance, atonement). I explained how these were all things that Christ taught about. The next layer had 4 glasses (baptism, gift of Holy Ghost, endowment, temple marriage). These were ordinances that are essential to return to our Heavenly Father. The next layer had 3 glasses for the 3-fold mission of the church (redeem the dead, proclaim the gospel, endure to the end). I then put a ruler on top and added one cup at the top of the pyramid for Jesus Christ.
I told them the story of the apostasy, and how the apostles were killed off one by one, and were not replaced. If you pull one bottom cup out slowly, only a few of the cups will fall from the upper layers, the entire pyramid does not collapse immediately. The gospel was changed slowly throughout time, until all of the apostles were killed. More and more upper cups fall as you pull the apostle base layer out.
We spoke about how important Joseph Smith was and his role in the Restoration. We talked about how our church is organized, and I put the apostle layer down again, with the current apostles showing. Then we build up the principles, ordinances, 3-fold mission, Christ at the top. We saw that our church has the same organization that existed in Christ’s church.
You might be able to use these as a scripture chase? Not really sure. I’m sure you can come up with an interesting way to incorporate these.
Isa. 29: 10, 13 – This people draw near me with their mouth.
Isa. 60: 2 – Darkness shall cover the earth.
Amos 8: 11 – The Lord will send a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.
Matt. 24: 24 – There shall arise false Christs and false prophets.
Acts 20: 29 – Grievous wolves shall enter in among you.
Gal. 1: 6 – I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him.
2 Thes. 2: 3 – There will be a falling away before the Second Coming.
2 Tim. 2: 18 – Some people err concerning the truth.
2 Tim. 3: 5 – Some people have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof.
2 Tim. 4: 3-4 – The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine.
2 Pet. 2: 1 – There will be false prophets and false teachers among the people.
Jude 1: 4 – Certain men crept in denying the only Lord God.
Rev. 2: 2 – Some men said they were Apostles and were not.
1 Ne. 13: 26 – Nephi saw the formation of a great and abominable church.
2 Ne. 26: 20 – The Gentiles have stumbled and built up many churches.
D&C 1: 15 – They have strayed from mine ordinances and have broken mine everlasting covenant.
D&C 112: 23 – Darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the minds of the people.
JS-H 1: 19 – Joseph was told that the churches were all wrong; their hearts were far from God.
Dress up in strange clothes. Pants, long skirt and a short skirt, Long sleeve shirt and a fishing vest, funny hat and have half your hair up and the other down, wear a snow boot and a high heel (be extravagant). Teach your lesson like you dress like this all the time. Then at the end of the lesson, explain that we, as Mormons, do things that seem strange to others outside our religion, things that make us a 'Peculiar People'. Others may see how we act, talk or how we dress 🙂 as different and that's a good thing because we really are a peculiar people. We are meant to stand out because of the standards we live by so stand out and love it.
http://laytreasuresinheaven.com/paper-cup-apostasy/