A lock and key for the attention activity (for example, a padlock, diary, jewelry box, or suitcase lock)
A cutout copy of a paper key with the word Covenant written on it
Display a key. Ask the children what a key is used for. You might have a child use the key to open a lock. Hold the paper key so the children cannot see the word Covenant, and tear it in half. Explain that a key would not work if you had only half of it. Turn the pieces of the key over to show the word Covenant. Ask the children if they know what this word means. Explain that in the gospel a covenant is a sacred agreement or promise between Heavenly Father and his children. When we keep our covenants with Heavenly Father, he will always fulfill his part. But if we do not keep our covenant promises, the covenant is broken. Keeping our baptismal covenants is a key to blessings and eternal life. Explain that eternal life is becoming like Heavenly Father and living with him forever. Explain that as the children learn of Alma and his people they will be reminded of their baptismal covenants and how they can better keep them.
From (Lesson 12: Alma Baptizes at the Waters of Mormon,” Primary 4: Book of Mormon, (1997),39
And here's a quote: "“Baptism is a holy ordinance preparatory to the reception of the Holy Ghost; it is the channel and key by which the Holy Ghost will be administered. The Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, cannot be received through the medium of any other principle than the principle of righteousness." History of the Church, 3:379; paragraph divisions altered; from a discourse given by Joseph Smith on June 27, 1839, in Commerce, Illinois; reported by Willard Richards.
Also this lesson from the seminary manuals invites teachers to draw a door on the board and then describe the symbolism of keys, one of which is the Key of Baptism. The key opens the door so we can live with our Heavenly Father again.
Have the student stand up with one of their arms outstretched straight to the side. Tell them that you are going to apply pressure on their hand and try and push it down. Their job is to keep their arm up in the horizontal position. Ask the student to think about something horrible that has happened to them. When they have said they have thought of something, give them the instruction to "think, think, think about it" as they are doing that apply the pressure. Their arm will easily go down.
Now do the same activity, but instead of a negative event, have the student think of the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to them. Again tell them to "think, think, think, about it". This time the students arm will remain strong, straight, and immovable.
You put an orange in a bucket of water with the peel on and it will. This is related to us having on the armour of God. When you peel the orange, it sinks in the water. We sink when we don't have on the Armour of God.
microwave
light bulb
microwave-safe bowl
water
salt
Place a lightbulb in a glass of water so the metal base is submersed and place in the Microwave. Turn on. The light bulb won't turn on. Remove the glass and place salt in the water. Place in microwave again and turn on. This time the bulb will light up.
Our good example makes it possible for the light of christ to shine throughout the earth.
Light - Light of Christ
Salt - People are the salt of the earth ~ our good example or our faith.
Microwave - Earth
OR
Miracles happen by faith.
Salt = faith
Light = Miracle.
How many of us like being told what to do? Yet every time we listen to the adversary, in essence we're following his commands.
Here the rules to the game "Simon Says/Satan Says" to get started. This is just like the normal "Simon Says" game, with a twist for the second round.
1. Prior to class, prepare at least 9 cards to flash commands at the kids as you call out "Simon says..." (the cards contain phrases like 'Clap your hands', etc.)
2. Continue to call out "Simon says..." as you show the cards, ending with the final one, which you suddenly drop off "Simon Says." In typical "Simon Says" fashion, some of the kids will have been snagged and will still unthinkingly follow the command.
3. Tell the kids you're going to play again, this time even faster to see who is left standing and you'll be mixing up the order of the printed commands.
4. Only, instead of saying "Simon says", use the phrase "Satan Says..."
They'll soon get what has happened and most will stop obeying. You'll see varying emotions in their faces.
Have them all sit down to talk about what just happened. How does it feel to find out you're being controlled by your enemy? Let them process this for a moment as a perfect lead into what and where Corianton found himself, after having destroyed his mission service (at least for a time being) by being led into temptation.
The adversary hates those who follow the Lord. It is important the students understand just how willing Lucifer is to trick them.
Seminary Mom made an attachment for this, but instead of making an attachment, I've included the 'commands' she listed:
Cross your legs.
Uncross your legs.
Stand up.
Sit down.
Rub your nose.
Laugh.
Clap three times.
Close your left eye.
Sneeze.
Sing.
Sin.
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Originally from Seminary Mom's website. Archived here so it doesn't get lost.
a square sheet of paper
sharp scissors
Present a square sheet of blank white paper. Discuss how this piece of paper in it's current state is not really providing any joy or happiness. Fold the paper several times into a triangular shape. Then take suggestions of things we can do that require sacrifice on our part but provide joy to others. With each suggestion cut a small shape from the folded paper. After several suggestions have been made and several snippets taken from the paper, discuss how the pieces which have been removed represents how our sacrifices take a little bit from our time and talents.
Unfold the paper and reveal the beautiful pattern that was created through our sacrificing. This paper which was blank before is now more enjoyable and visually pleasing to admire.
We as our Lord's servants are blessed immeasurably with every sacrifice we make in our efforts to build up our Heavenly Father's Kingdom on Earth.
by Mindy Dryer
Jenny says: "This lesson makes paper snowflakes, but you could also make a chain of people, and talk about the connection between unity, community, and sacrifice."
worn $20 bill
new $20 bill
Get a worn out $20 bill and a brand new one. Ask students if these are equal in value and could buy the same thing. The answer is yes and that we are all equal worth to Heavenly Father. Here is a good quote from President Uchtdorf.
"I am not suggesting that we accept sin or overlook evil, in our personal life or in the world. Nevertheless, in our zeal, we sometimes confuse sin with sinner, and we condemn too quickly and with too little compassion. We know from modern revelation that “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.” (reference-D&C 18:10) We cannot gauge the worth of another soul any more than we can measure the span of the universe. Every person we meet is a VIP to our Heavenly Father. Once we understand that, we can begin to understand how we should treat our fellowmen.
One woman who had been through years of trial and sorrow said through her tears, “I have come to realize that I am like an old 20-dollar bill—crumpled, torn, dirty, abused, and scarred. But I am still a 20-dollar bill. I am worth something. Even though I may not look like much and even though I have been battered and used, I am still worth the full 20 dollars.”" https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/you-are-my-hands?lang=eng
Mosiah 2:26 And I, even I, whom ye call your king, am no better than ye yourselves are; for I am also of the dust. And ye behold that I am old, and am about to yield up this mortal frame to its mother earth.
2 Nephi 26:33 -- For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.
D&C 18:10 Remember the aworth of bsouls is great in the sight of God;
450 marbles (or gumballs, or beads, or other small items)
Before recounting this story, hold up a marble and tell the group that it represents Abinadi. Ask the group how many people they think were converted through Abinadi's efforts. Write their guesses on the blackboard. Then recount for them Abinadi's short history as recorded in Mosiah 11-17.
In summary, Abinadi, in fervent love and obedience to the Lord, boldly testified against wicked King Noah and his priests. Abinadi was ridiculed, abused, and even eventually condemned to death by fire at their hands, but Abinadi would not withhold his testimony. He died, probably thinking that not one soul had been changed through his efforts. But we all know how a penitent Alma (the Elder) allowed Abinadi's words to penetrate his soul. Alma left these wicked people and converted many.
At this time, uncover a jar holding 450 marbles (see Mosiah 18:35) and dump them out on a tablecloth or blanket on the floor. Demonstrate to them that one tiny obedient person (one marble) has the power to change hundreds of lives, without ever knowing it.
Remind them that this was just the beginning of Abinadi's effect. Alma and his people converted many more. And Alma's son (Alma the Younger) and his friends eventually even served among their enemies the Lamanites and converted many of them. (You could dump even more marbles on the pile as you explain the exponential effect of one faithful soul.
I was asked to speak at a Baptism on the Holy Ghost. The twin girls were 14 and new to the church.
I purchased 2 small $1 flashlights and put them in simple gift bags.
I spoke on the Gift of the Holy Ghost and used Scriptures that talked about how finding truth through the light of Christ and the Holy Ghost. I wove my talk around the power of the Holy Ghost both lightens our paths and leads us to the truth. I then gave the girls their "gifts" of the"Holy Ghost" which were the flashlights.
AS I gave them their flashlights I talked about how different parts of the flashlight could be likened to the Holy Ghost and how He helps guide us to truth.
Lights.... I talked to them about how their lights were small (because they were young in the gospel) but that they still would shine brightly.
Battery ......I asked them what they would do when the batteries in their flashlights grew dim? They said they would replace the batteries. I told them that the Holy Ghost's power might also grow dim, but instead of replacing batteries we simply came to sacrament and recharged our batteries by being around truth and others who were filled with God's love.
Purpose.... we compared the purpose of a flashlight and the purpose of the Holy Ghost
Corrosion...
I had in my pocket a larger and older flashight. I took it out and it refused to work. I acted frustrated because I couldn't get my flashlight to work properly. When I couldn't get it to work I asked one of the missionaries at the baptism to check it out for me. He opened it and found that there was paper between the battery and the lightbulb. On the paper was written sin, anger, jealousy, gossip, and other things that would keep the battery from lighting up the flashlight. When he removed the "sin" the flashlight worked just fine.
Use... Flashlights that don't get used grow old with corrosion. The best way to keep a flashlight working is to use it often. The same holds true with the Holy Ghost. The best way to learn how to use the Holy Ghost is to use it often.
I finished with scriptures that spoke on how important is it to keep our batteries charged and clean from sin. I compared going through life with a flashlight that was in ill repair with being in a dark forest without light.
I bore my testimony to the power the Holy Ghost has in keeping us on the path of truth.
mouse trap
plate
Crackers: Before class take a box of Graham Crackers or any type will work. With masking tape or frosting attach a small card to the back of each cracker.
Cards: Each card will have either a good or a bad decision written on it. I.e. Lying, smoking, stealing, word of wisdom issues, clean entertainment, kindness, charity, honesty, hard work , sharing, etc.
Have students each take a cracker (they will not know (at first) that there are choices on the back)
Do not have them eat them but have them read the choice written on the back of the cracker.
For each cracker ask "Does this choice represent a trap or a truth?"
If it represents a trap have them place it in the trap and let it pop.
If it represents a truth have them place it on the plate for later enjoyment. Or you can let them enjoy it now.
Ask the students "Why do you think a person would make this choice when it leads them to a trap?" "Why do we sometimes make choices that will not lead to freedom and enjoyment?"
This is an attention getter that leads into a deeper discussion concerning 4 Nephi 1
