The Prophets Foretold Jesus Would Come to Earth

There are 2 lessons you can give this week to choose from! TWO is like we always do, and reiterate what was taught in Sharing Time. ONE is a short yet powerful video about the true meaning of Christmas!

LESSON ONE:
Watch this video with your family. Then ask each person 1 or 2 things they will give for Christmas. Personally, I'd like to see a little more sharing and obedience! http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=2874125972001&cid=HPWE120413186

LESSON TWO:
SONG: http://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/samuel-tells-of-the-baby-jesus?lang=eng

Have these pictures ready and set up in different places of the house:

Isaiah



Nephi


King Benjamin


Abinadi


Alma


Samuel the Lamanite


Have the kids get in a "car" and drive around to each of the places. Each place has a picture of a prophet who testified of the coming of Jesus to the Earth. Have your scriptures ready. Once the scripture is read for the prophet's picture, go over what it talked about and match the pictures below to each prophet so your child can visually see what was the prophecy.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a ^asign; ^bBehold, a^cvirgin shall conceive, and bear a ^dson, and shall call his name^eImmanuel.


1 Nephi 11:14 And it came to pass that I saw the ^aheavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me; and he said unto me: Nephi, what beholdest thou?

 15 And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins.

Mosiah 3:5-8 (King Benjamin) 5 For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the ^aLord ^bOmnipotent who ^creigneth, who was, and is from all ^deternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a ^etabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty ^fmiracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the^gblind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases.

 6 And he shall cast out ^adevils, or the ^bevil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men.

 7 And lo, he shall ^asuffer ^btemptations, and pain of body, ^chunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can ^dsuffer, except it be unto death; for behold, ^eblood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his ^fanguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.

 8 And he shall be called ^aJesus ^bChrist, the ^cSon of God, the^dFather of heaven and earth, the ^eCreator of all things from the beginning; and his ^fmother shall be called Mary.
 

Mosiah 15:1 (Abinadi) And now Abinadi said unto them: I would that ye should understand that ^aGod himself shall ^bcome down among the children of men, and shall ^credeem his people.


Alma 7:10-12 (Alma) 10 And behold, he shall be ^aborn of Mary, at ^bJerusalem which is the ^cland of our forefathers, she being a ^dvirgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and ^econceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.

 11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and ^aafflictions and^btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him ^adeath, that he may ^bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities.

 

Helaman 14:1-5 (Samuel the Lamanite) 1 And now it came to pass that ^aSamuel, the Lamanite, did prophesy a great many more things which cannot be written.

 2 And behold, he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for ^afive years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name.

 3 And behold, this will I give unto you for a ^asign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day.

 4 Therefore, there shall be one ^aday and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is ^bborn.

 5 And behold, there shall a new ^astar arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you.

We Should Thank Heavenly Father for All Our Blessings

Normally I don't like the ideas (for toddlers) from Jill's Sharing Time Ideas. But for this week's lesson, I think it is a GREAT supplement to yesterday's Primary lesson!

I would suggest printing pages 9-15 of http://0e2adbce82be14fd6bcb-5584cc5742c63ca82c29a0709ec0b026.r46.cf2.rackcdn.com/Nov_week_4_thank_blessings.pdf and then cut them out and put them face up. Because your child can't read, I would go over each picture and have them identify it.

These are blessings Heavenly Father has given us.

Then ask HOW we can SHOW our thanks to Heavenly Father for each of these things. Go over some of the phrases and ask if it "matches" with the picture you have decided to talk about. When your child has found the right "match," move on to the next one until all the matches are made. Simple enough!

As an activity, you can draw a picture of something you would like to thank Heavenly Father for. Remind your child they can say thank you for it in their prayers tonight!

I am Thankful for Temporal and Spiritual Blessings

Last week was Veterans Day so hopefully you did something special with your family. This week I am combining sharing times from last week and this week because right now my oldest is learning the alphabet and I saw a great idea on Pinterest!

SONG: http://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/thanks-to-our-father?lang=eng

If your toddler does not know the alphabet, you may need to help them out quite a bit, or tweak the lesson to their level of learning.

First, go over what are temporal things vs. spiritual things (some overlap-like family, so there will be some real teaching going on)

Click HERE for your ABC sheet. I would suggest having your child(ren) think of as many things as they can on their own. Then, go around the house and see if they can fill it out more as they see objects (or pictures of Christ, temple, family, scriptures, etc.) After that, you can help fill in the rest. Then go through each one and ask if it is a temporal or spiritual blessing. See how they do! Simple, easy, and a lot to teach! Great lesson for the whole family!

I am thankful for my body, and I know that it is a temple

SONG: http://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/in-our-lovely-deseret?lang=eng (sing the second verse)

Since toddlers aren't able to grasp the abstract, I would try my best to explain that our body is a temple. Maybe show a picture in your house (every room should have a picture of the temple and one of Jesus!) or on the internet, or remind your children of a time you visited the temple. Remind them how beautiful it is and how clean. Then explain our bodies are beautiful and Heavenly Father wants us to keep them clean too!

After looking at some blogs, I finally found a GREAT one that has perfect toddler-appropriate activities to help teach the Word of Wisdom. AAAaaannnd, it comes with printables that aren't extreme or time consuming! Here it is:

http://teachldschildren.com/tag/word-of-wisdom/

I would choose from the first three ideas (we're probably going to use the first idea and incorporate it with the opening song).

My Testimony is Strengthened When I Share the Gospel

SONG: I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ

There are a few teaching opportunities we can do with this topic.

1.) First, WHAT IS THE "GOSPEL?"
You can explain that the gospel is the teachings of Jesus Christ.

2.) And the teachings of Jesus Christ are so wonderful that we can't just keep it to ourselves! We want to share it!

3.) And when we share it, our testimonies are strengthened.

So for numbers 1 and 2, we can teach our children what are the MAIN points of the gospel and of a testimony when we share it. To keep it simple and visual, I would recommend the Testimony Glove. If you are like our family, we have gloves around the house for gardening and cleaning. I know you can also get some at Dollar Tree.

Here are the pictures so you don't have to go looking for them:



For number 3, have each child put on the glove and go up in front of the family and practice giving their testimony! As far as understanding your testimony is strengthened each time you share it, our Primary used a jar of water and put food coloring drops into it. The more food coloring drops used, the darker (or stronger) the color got. I believe she might have gotten this idea from http://0e2adbce82be14fd6bcb-5584cc5742c63ca82c29a0709ec0b026.r46.cf2.rackcdn.com/Oct_week4_tesimony_strenghened_jr.pdf

Because I have boys, they like to fight (hiya!) and say they are "so strong." So I was thinking of the cliche: have a piece of thin string and see how easy it is to break, but with each finger of the glove, add more string so it's harder to break. So the more you share your testimony, the stronger the string is and can't break so easily. You can also use Popsicle sticks or whatever you have on hand.

Living the gospel helps me be a missionary now

Last week, we did this idea for FHE: http://www.sugardoodle.net/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10380

We made the puppets but we did not color them. We also made the puppets talk to each other about Jesus Christ (my sons' favorite gospel subject).

THIS week, we are going to color and talk about HOW we can share the gospel with others in the following situations:

Neighbors
School
In the store
At home
At the park

What would your puppet say to someone in those situations?

General Conference Oct. 2013

Again, my children are TODDLERS, so I've had to search out ideas that they would do during Conference, and not just busy work. Here are the ideas I've chosen:

1.) Conference Activity Packet   *pages 1, 2, 3, 9, and maybe 11
http://0e2adbce82be14fd6bcb-5584cc5742c63ca82c29a0709ec0b026.r46.cf2.rackcdn.com/Fall%202013%20General%20Conference%20Activity%20Packet.pdf

2.) Conference BINGO!
http://www.cressall.net/blogs/boe/General%20Conference%20BINGO.pdf

3.) Conference Basketball (I thought every time they find a bingo square, they can try to make a basket and when they get 3 points, they get a treat!)
http://pinningwithpurpose.blogspot.com/2013/04/general-conference-basketball.html

4.) Color the Tie (kids like coloring, so having them watch for what each apostle is wearing is almost like a matching game that they have to finish one end of)
http://www.occasionalcrafting.blogspot.com/2012/09/general-conference-handout-for-kids.html

5.) Yarn and Sandpaper (take some yarn pieces and lay them on sandpaper in shapes of the temple, a tie, a church house, the podium, scriptures, CTR, music note, etc.)

When I Serve Others, I Serve God-Part 2

Yesterday was my husband's birthday and I had a rough time at church without him there, so I didn't see what the Primary did, but they are supposed to stretch this lesson out over last week and this week. It's also surprising how little I could find in researching ideas for toddlers on service, but I came across this one that I like!

Object Lesson:
Materials Needed
One large box filled with several heavy objects.

Procedure
Have a volunteer try to lift the box. (Ensure the volunteer does not get hurt.) Ask: Is it easy or difficult to lift the box? Is it heavy? Ask for two other people to help the first person lift the box. Together the task will be much easier. 

Explain that the box and its contents are like the burdens we might experience in life. Discuss what some of these burdens might be. As members of the Church we have the responsibility to help each other. Offering service helps to lighten one another’s loads.

****Maybe see if there are any ideas or situations your child(ren) can remember from last week how they can help lift someone's burdens

(Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, Object Lessons Made Easy, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2010], p. 85.)

Activity:
Write a family letter to distant relatives, friends, and/or missionaries.

When I Serve Others, I Serve God

SONG: https://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/fun-to-do?lang=eng and you can sing the "helping a friend" part, or add things like "serving a friend," "cleaning the house," "helping my mom," "picking up trash," or "weeding the yard."

Remind your child that SERVICE is using your talents and gifts to help other people and bless their lives.

Next, have each family member trace and cut out their "helping hands." Explain that for a lot of service, we use our hands.

Then ask them (while holding up, and maybe acting out with their "helping hands") how they can use their helping hands in the following situations:

-You find out a neighbor is really sick. What can you do?
-You notice that your neighbor has a lot of weeds and overgrowth in their lawn. What can you do?
-Your friend tell you he's having a bad day. :(  What can you do?
-Somebody at school says something mean to you. What can you do?
-Your grandmother is getting old and lonely. What can you do?
-Another city in the world has a natural disaster (explain earthquake, fire, etc). What can you do?
-Your Primary teacher has a lot of things to carry in your room. What can you do?
-You see someone new at church. What can you do?
-There is a piece of trash on the ground where you are walking in the park. What can you do?
-Your brother or sister is having trouble figuring out a toy or puzzle. What can you do?
-Mommy is feeling sick. What can you do?
-You and your friend are really excited to eat a treat, but there is only one left. What can you do?

You can get a lot of laughs out of acting these out with your paper hands! Have fun!

Prophets and Apostles Show Us How to Serve

So in Primary the kids were supposed to play a guessing game of prophets and apostles and who did what acts of service. We were visiting a different ward and I'm not sure if they did it, but I think it would be a great reminder to do it again, because it is a great time for my son to learn what the word, SERVICE means.

SONG: http://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/give-said-the-little-stream?lang=eng

WHAT DOES SERVICE MEAN?

Jesus is the best example of service and kids love Jesus, so we'll start out by explaining Jesus' while life was service. It's doing something nice for another person.

Let's talk about examples from the scriptures:

-President Monson gave another boy one of his favorite toys and visits people who are in the hospital who are sick (Ensign Dec. 1995 and No. 2006)

-Moses, though tired and hungry, helped the daughters of Midian get their sheep and give them water (Exodus 2:17)

-King Benjamin was a king, and could have ruled by taking money from the people to build things, but instead, he helped build things with his own hands (Mosiah 2:14)

-Joseph Smith was put in prison, he was beat up, and finally died to bring the gospel to us even though there was nothing to gain from it...well, you know what I mean :) (D&C 135:3)


******Sometimes when we talk directly to my son, he pays attention, and other times it is better to use props or activities. I think this time it might be good to have a picture of the prophets, but to just talk. If you want to play a matching game of sorts, Courtney from the Primary Place has some great cards. 

What are some nice things we can do for another person?

This week, someone I know was very sad, so I made them a basket with tissues and chocolate!
Daddy helps Mommy clean the house when she's tired.

Here's a list from Pergler's Primary Ideas

• Send a note of cheer or thanks in the email
• Do something for MOM today!!!!!
• Take in your neighbor's trash can, mail or newspapers
• Give someone a smile! it can go a long way!
• Wink!
• Visit the elderly or homebound
• Cook a meal
• Visit someone who is sick. Send them a "care" package
• Send flowers anonymously to cheer someone up
• Pray to someone in need
• Watch younger siblings with care
• Lend a listening ear and an understanding heart!
• Compliment someone
• Share a scripture
• Share a talent you have with someone, like giving karate tips to someone younger
• Give a call to someone
• Leave a note of appreciation on a doorstep, on a pillow, or in a lunchbox
• "Phantom" someone with goodies
• Take out the trash
• Rake leaves
• Keep an eye out for neighbors children
• Pray for someone
• Sit with an ill person
• Ask a temple recommend holder to put a name on the prayer roll that is sick
• Weed a neighbor's garden
• Share vegetables or flowers from your garden
• Help mom when she is tired
• Leave anonymous gifts, money, etc. for someone in need
• Speak well of others. Pass on only good information. Never gossip
• Stop to visit with someone
• Say "HI" to someone who looks like they need a friend
• Leave a note on someone's bed or pillow, or something to uplift them
• Make someone's bed
• Clean up after dinner for mom
• Read a story to a child or a younger sibling
• Do a family member's chores for them
• Put coins in expired parking meters for people so they don't get a ticket
• Clean the house while Mom is gone

There is an act of service we can do RIGHT NOW! We can brighten the prophet's day by sending him a letter and maybe a picture of you doing an act of service!

President Thomas S. Monson
The Office of the First Presidency
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
50 East North Temple Street
Salt Lake City, Utah 84150

When my kids are older, I want to try this prophets and apostles Jeopardy idea from Little LDS Ideas!

Examples of Prayers Answered in the Scriptures

This week was Stake Conference, and besides, weeks 3 and 4 were combined in the lesson plan. So this week, I thought we could go over, with my toddler, times in the scriptures when God has answered prayers. Like:

Enos
Joseph Smith
Fish and loaves
Samuel's mom

And then we'll probably play more of the game from last week if we have time since we didn't finish.


So, I'm really glad we are upping our FHE because last night, I was talking with my son about bad guys and he told me we will pray and then the bad guys won't hurt us! After he was done praying, he said, Ok! Now they are gone and sent into outer space! Haha, the faith of a child. By George, I think he's got it!

Answers To Prayers Come From Heavenly Father in Many Ways

*****If you can't go to the store today, see if hubby can swing by the store and pick up some PRETZELS!

Opening Song: A Child's Prayer http://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/a-childs-prayer?lang=eng

Young children are surrounded by electronics. They understand cell phones. To begin, have you or hubby stand outside the room (if you are a single parent or only have one phone, you can use pretend phones; I'm sure your child will get it!), and have your child call you. Then prompt them to ask questions to the person on the other end, like:

Where is my (favorite toy)?
What do we do on Sundays?
Does Jesus love me?
What can I do if I'm scared?
At school, how can I be nice to my friends?

After you're done, tell your child that prayer is like a phone call to heaven. Can you ask these same questions to Heavenly Father? How can He answer you?

(Hopefully this isn't too abstract for them)

• He can give you an idea!
• He can help you feel good about something or bad about something
• Sometimes He has the Holy Ghost whisper inside your ear!
• He can send someone to help you

Thanks to this great idea from Pergler's Primary Place, there is a great game you can play with your toddler! The legend of pretzels say they were made to remind children of folding their arms for prayer. I'm too lazy to cut and color all the pretzels, so we'll use real ones and besides, the kids will love it for an FHE snack! Here is the download:

http://c586449.r49.cf2.rackcdn.com/Sharing%20time-%20Prayer%20with%20pretzels.pdf

Just cut out the strips of questions, and how we'll play it is every move, we'll talk about what is on the square and answer the question on a strip.

Heavenly Father Wants Me To Pray to Him Often-Anytime, Anywhere

Even now it is hard for me to post, but I really need to.

SONG: http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&sourceId=677e2ddde9c20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=637e1b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

I like the idea of teaching the children that there are 2 components to a prayer. And a great idea to use peanut butter and jelly. The peanut butter represents asking and the jelly is for thanking. As you make your sandwich, explain you need both in your pb&j sandwhich and in your prayer.

Put only a little bit of jelly on the sandwhich and ask if it's enough. No! You need to thank Heavenly Father as much as ask!


Then take a clock and ask, when can we pray? In the morning? During mealtimes?  At 1:00? 2:00? 3:00? When you are with family? When you are alone?

Start taking the printables out and as you go over each one, place them around the clock.

When you are scared

When you are with your family, especially studying scriptures

When you are going to eat

If you are sad

Before you go to bed or when you wake up

When you've lost a toy

On vacation or simply in your car

When someone is sick

One last thing, is ask WHAT you can pray for.

What can you THANK Heavenly Father for?
Nature
Family
Friends
A good day
Safety
Home
Something specific that day

What can you ASK Heavenly Father?
Safety
A good nights rest
Blessings for family members
Suffering people from natural disasters
Comfort
The Spirit
Something specific you want (toy lost, etc.)