When I Take the Sacrament, I Renew My Covenants

Oddly enough, Sharing Time for this week was about the Armor of God at our new ward. Yes, they had a child actually put on the tin foil armor and it was very well done!

I wish you could see the AMAZING loins skirt thingy. It was awesome, but the breastplate covers it. 

Fiery darts of the adversary

But in the Primary manual, they were supposed to learn about the Sacrament and Covenants. We already learned about covenants 2 weeks ago, so this week I want my toddler to focus on the sacrament.

SONG: "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" http://broadcast.lds.org/churchmusic/Primary/PR_IfTheSavior_eng.mp3

It is hard for a toddler to sit still during the Sacrament. As far as remembering the covenants, he or she might need to go over the lesson 2 weeks ago:

What are the PROMISES we make at baptism?
1. Take Christ's name upon us (become a member of His church).
2. Always remember Jesus.
3. Keep His commandments.

What are the PROMISES God makes with us at baptism?
1. He will give us the Holy Ghost to be with us, 
2. forgive us when we repent, 
3. and let us live with Him again.  

Print this out:

Have your child hold it for a happy face or a sad face for each of the scenarios/actions DURING the sacrament:

1.) Kicking the chair in front of you
2.) Look over your picture scriptures
3.) Poke your sibling or friend
4.) Lay on the floor
5.) Sit with your bum on the chair and fold your arms
6.) Run to another row to visit a friend
7.) Pray and remember Jesus Christ
8.) Draw pictures of the Savior's life
9.) Talk about how much you want bread and water
10.) Wait reverently for the bread or water

Then have he or she use crayons to draw what they should act like during the sacrament. Maybe bring it with you to church next week so they can look at it and remember what to do during the sacrament!

If I Live Worthily, the Holy Ghost Will Help Me Choose the Right

SONG: "The Still Small Voice" http://broadcast.lds.org/churchmusic/MP3/1/2/words/106.mp3

We've been talking about baptism lately. So remind your child of what that is, and explain afterwards how we receive a gift from Heavenly Father. Children love presents, right? Ask if your child remembers Christmas and getting presents. Heavenly Father gives us the BEST present ever when we are baptized-the Holy Ghost!

I found this from Bean Burrito, No Onions, and I think it's one of the best definitions for a young child of the Holy Ghost:

The Holy Ghost is the best friend we could ever have. You can't see Him, but your can feel Him. He will never lead us astray. He can never lie to us. He will only help us to make good choices. But if we choose to not live the commandments, he cannot stay. 

Explain that the Holy Ghost helps us choose the right.

(Assuming your child is not colorblind) get together some play blocks, or any assortment of colorful objects.

Have your child pick one. Let's say he picks green.
Ask, what color did you pick?
He will respond, Green.
Say, no you picked red!
He'll be confused and say, no, I picked green!
Explain that the Holy Ghost won't try to confuse you or convince you something wrong. The Holy Ghost would say it is green because he tells the truth!

Use page 6 and 7 of http://0e2adbce82be14fd6bcb-5584cc5742c63ca82c29a0709ec0b026.r46.cf2.rackcdn.com/June_week2_holy_ghost.pdf
and have your child help read the scripture, D&C 8:2.

The Holy Ghost will be your best friend and stay with you when you are doing things to invite him into your life. Use the printables from here:

If you want to write on pieces of paper, a variety of things that invite the spirit and things that don't then go ahead. My child can't read, so I'll use pictures:
http://www.askthejudge.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/Smoking.Valentin.Ottone-300x199.jpg
http://bornangels.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/brothers-fight-300x200.jpg
http://ldsblogs.com/files/2008/04/mormon-primary2.jpg
http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/31400000/Praying-for-my-angel-sister-yorkshire_rose-31451820-2550-2557.jpg
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTDDd1215yjx4UT-E4useL_3IIKcQQfbX0pyKqGGfa7PY1XL0PF
http://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/images/magazines/new-era/2012/10/ne12oct10-ALL-6-tips-for-scripture-study-AV120530_cah0001alt.jpg
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTk1ytV5Gz6APlQtp-oRvWDQY7XfexH7YPuIVdeBrEacUH_cE2m

Let your child put the ones that invite the Spirit under the sign. The things that don't invite the Spirit, throw away in the trash (or something like it!)

I Will Follow Jesus Christ By Being Baptized and Confirmed and Keeping My Baptismal Covenants

Sooo sorry! I'm a sinner! lol But no, we were moving and I can't tell you how much I thought, oh no, I need to get a post done...and it never got to happen. But finally this weekend we got internet, so I can actually use the computer to start up again!

SONG: When I Am Baptized

If you didn't do the whole "dirty hands" when you sin, and clean them when you repent object lesson, do that  to show what happens at baptism. Or do it again, because they are young and forget!

After baptism, we're not done! To stay clean, we make and keep covenants, or promises to God.

So to help your young child understand what a promise is, or covenant (a two-way promise), have them do this activity:

I like role play. So take two puppets or figures, or even your hands with eyes drawn on them...and have one of them be the parent and the other, the child.

Mom: (Comes up to child) Hi there! Wow, look at this mess! Your room has toys everywhere. Tell you what. If you PROMISE to clean your room, I PROMISE you can play outside. That is called a covenant.

Scenario 1:
Mom: Did you clean your room? Let's go check.
Child: No, it's still a mess. I didn't put away my toys.
Mom: Ok, you didn't keep your PROMISE. That means you can't go outside and play because you PROMISED to clean your room and you didn't.

Scenario 2:
Mom: Did you clean your room? Let's go check.
Child: Yes! I put away all my toys, just like I PROMISED!
Mom: Great! Because you kept your PROMISE, I PROMISED you could play outside. You may go!

What are the PROMISES we make at baptism?
1. Take Christ's name upon us (become a member of His church).
2. Aways remember Jesus.
3. Keep His commandments.

What are the PROMISES God makes with us at baptism?
1. He will give us the Holy Ghost to be with us, 
2. forgive us when we repent, 
3. and let us live with Him again.  

After explaining a bit about each one, here is a board game you can play to help them think of ways to keep their baptismal covenants. Find the original link and instructions here.

 

But HONESTLY, I think it's too complicated STILL for my 3 year old. So I'm going to modify it. I will use the tiles in our hallway as "spaces" to a "human board game." My son will have to make it from one end of the hall (baptism) to the other (keeping his covenants to finish the game) and "make it back to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus."
Here are the spaces, modified (for my son, and things he needs to work on). I'm just going to put them on cards and have us pick a card for our turn. I'm hoping with enough turns (maybe going through the cards a few times during the game), we'll all reach the end of our hallway!

• I read the Book of Mormon every day. Move forward 2 spaces.
• After arguing with my friends, I say sorry, and ask for their forgiveness. Move forward 1 space.
• When we have family home evening, I don't listen. Move back 2 spaces.

  I don't fold my arms or close my eyes during someone else's prayer. Move back 1 space.
• I help my brother get water when we wants more. Move forward 1 space.
• I ignore my mom when she asks me to help put away laundry. Move back 1 space.
• I am happy to go to Primary and learn with my friends. Move ahead 2 spaces.
• I pick up something someone dropped on the floor and give it back to them. Move forward 1 space.
• I hang a picture of a temple in my room and make a goal to go there. Move ahead 1 space.
• I say my prayers in the morning and at night. Move forward 1 space.
• I sit still and am reverent during the sacrament. Move forward 1 space.
• It’s been a busy day, and I’m tired, so I don’t pray. Move back 2 spaces.
• I want come candy in the store and my mom says no, so I scream and cry. Move back 2 spaces.
• My friend asks me to play on Sunday. I invite him to Primary. Move forward 2 spaces.
• I follow the prophet. And I sing the song! ;) Move forward 2 spaces.
• I don’t listen when my dad reads the scriptures to me. Move back 2 spaces.
• I help my mom clean the table. Move forward 1 space.

  I help my dad in the garden. Move forward 1 space.
• I pushed my brother and made him cry. When mommy asks if I hurt him, I say no. Move back 2 spaces.
• I share my toys with a friend. Move ahead 2 spaces.
• My mom asks me to help my brother. I say no. Move back 2 spaces.
• I watch only church movies on Sunday. Move forward 2 spaces.

Follow the Prophet

I guess they are allowing for 2 weeks on one topic: The Living Prophet Leads the Church Under the Direction of Jesus Christ.

So many great ideas from so many sources. I especially like quite a few from So You Think You Can Learn. (These are in case you don't want to use my lesson plan.) And I don't always like this source for young children (and because you have to pay for some stuff), but in this week's lesson plan, I actually really like it. I think I might use it for next week's FHE.

For FHE tomorrow we are going to start by singing "Follow the Prophet," of course.

We will begin by my husband whispering in my child's ear directions. Then my child will tell us what to do (jump up and down, wiggle our arms, wave our hands, stick out our tongues, etc.)

Then ask, "How did we know what Daddy wanted us to do?"
"....Because he whispered the directions to you!"

Then I'll hold up a picture of the prophet and ask, "Do you know who this is?"

"We followed [child's name] by wiggling our arms and sticking out our tongues! And who did [child] follow?"

"Who does the prophet follow? Did you know that Heavenly Father speaks to President Monson to tell us what to do?"

And then I'll hold up a picture of the Lord, and hold Him up to President Monson like He is whispering in his ear.

"And then President Monson tells us, during General Conference, what Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want us to do!" And I'll hold up this picture:

"These are some of the things he tells us: Go to church, pray daily, be nice to family and friends, and read the scriptures."

Then for an activity, use the printout from this post at Latter-Day Chatter. You can also find directions for the activity in the link I provided for her blog post.

Joseph Smith Translated the Book of Mormon and Restored Gospel Truths

This week in Primary they are learning about Joseph Smith translating the Book of Mormon and restoring gospel truths.

They talk a little about role play so I decided to do one! But more entertaining than having one person play Joseph Smith and talk about abstract things the sunbeams don't necessarily understand. Don't get me wrong. They SHOULD be exposed to abstract principles of the gospel...they've gotta learn sometime! This is for your home to reiterate and encourage understanding.

For this FHE we are taking it to a whole nottha level!

SONG: "Reverently, Quietly"

What you need:

-White bedsheet

-Rope or cord to tie bedsheet around “Moroni”

-Flashlight

-3D glasses (If you can't find any in time, try this: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-3D-Glasses...and you can probably use regular packing tape with colored markers...as long as the 3D glasses are RED!!! To tell you the truth, they will only need to look through the red side.

-Some sort of rock you can place the plates and glasses under

-Printout code to put inside the golden plates FREE PRINTOUT HERE (Make sure to click on "view the PDF version")

-Homemade golden plates (you can use my print out, or cover a book with yellow paper...however you want/can)

-Bed or sofa...something for a "hill"
-A "rock"

Actors:

Joseph

Moroni

Joseph's Father (Joseph Sr.)...this can be played by the same person as Moroni with a little creative costume change

Joseph Smith and the Angel Moroni

(see http://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.27-54?lang=eng#26)

Setting: Joseph is about to go to bed. The lights are off.

Joseph: 

My name is Joseph Smith. It is dark outside and I am tired. Time to go to bed!

(Kneels down to pray)

Dear Heavenly Father, I know sometimes I do not obey you, or my parents, and I'm sorry. Please help me be nice to people and share with them. Please help me be nice to my brothers and sisters. And please help me to know that I am a Child of God. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Enter Moroni. Flashlight shines on Moroni, covered in a white bedsheet for his white robes; Joseph gasps.

Moroni:

Joseph, I am the angel Moroni and I am a messenger from God. I am here to let you know you are a Child of God. Heavenly Father wants you to do a BIG work for him!

Joseph:

Who, me?

Moroni:

Yes. There is a hill, and you are going to go up the hill and under a rock, you are going to find the golden plates! It's a book that has all the things written by the old prophets before and after Jesus came, inside. It is in a secret code! And you need the Urim and Thummim to read it! The Urim and Thummim can be made into glasses to help you see what Heavenly Father wants you to see! But you can't show them to anybody! You have to keep it sacred and secret!

Flashlight turns off and Moroni steps away.

Joseph:

Wow! Jesus loves me and I am going to do a BIG work for Him!

Moroni enters again and flashlight shines on him.

Moroni:

Joseph! 

Joseph:

What?!

Moroni:

I am the angel Moroni and I am a messenger from God. I am here to let you know you are a Child of God. Heavenly Father wants you to do a BIG work for him! There is a hill, and you are going to go up the hill and under a rock, you are going to find the golden plates! It's a book that has all the things written by the old prophets before and after Jesus came, inside. It is in a secret code! And you need the Urim and Thummim to read it! The Urim and Thummim can be made into glasses to help you see what Heavenly Father wants you to see! But you can't show them to anybody! You have to keep it sacred and secret!

Flashlight turns off and Moroni steps away. Joseph lays down on his bed.

Joseph:

Wow, 2 times, the angel came. I really need to go to the hill and get that special book! I need to find the secret code!

Moroni enters again and flashlight shines on him. Joseph sits up in his bed.

Moroni:

I am the angel Moroni and I am a messenger from God. I am here to let you know you are a Child of God. Heavenly Father wants you to do a BIG work for him! There is a hill, and...

Joseph:

Wait wait wait! Didn't you already say this?!?!

Moroni:

Yes! But you need to hear it again! Because there will be BAD people will want to TAKE the special book away! You are going to go up the hill and under a rock, you are going to find the golden plates! And you will find the secret code with the special glasses! 

Flashlight turns off and Moroni steps away. A rooster crows and the lights turn on.

Joseph:

It's morning already? I didn't even sleep! I'm soooo tired! But I better go help my dad work in the garden.

Joseph walks up to his father who is working in the garden and starts helping him.

Joseph:

I don't feel so good...I'm so tired! Joseph falls over.

Joseph Sr.:

Are you alright, son?

Joseph: 

Dad, an angel came to me last night. And he told me I have to find the golden plates to help bring back the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Joseph Sr.:

Well, son, you better go an look for them!

Joseph gets up and walks away. He finds the "hill." He walks up to the rock.

Joseph:

This looks like the rock the angel told me about! Let me lift it up. Aaaaarrrrrrgh! Wow! Look at what is inside! The golden plates and the Urim and Thummim! I will do the BIG work for Heavenly Father and Jesus and find the code.
Will you help me?

End scene.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know it sounds like a TV show like Dora...I just read over it and realized. But it makes sense! That's what they know at this age. :)

Now, inside the plates, you should have put the printable code inside. Because my son doesn't even go to preschool, he doesn't know how to read squat. So I thought pictures would suffice. Have them look through their red lens. Let them tell you the picture they see and discuss its importance with the restored gospel.

My Blog and Others Too!

This blog is for mothers with toddlers who don't understand difficult concepts, and who don't have time or means to make elaborate and amazing lessons, though we may wish we could! Hopefully I direct you to lessons you can effectively put together last minute because I know we all have busy lives, including me!

And I want my child to learn about the gospel! I want to teach him correct principles and have him look forward to Monday nights.

Because I know my ideas aren't amazing or catered towards older kids, here is a place you can go to if you are looking for something a little extra! This list has great ideas for all kinds of subjects! Perhaps one particular FHE, your child needs to learn something else besides reinforcing the previous Primary day. Maybe they need to work on sharing or obedience or faith.

But I know at this age, things are forgotten because of little developing brains. So that is why my FHE's are geared toward reiterating what they learned the day before in Primary!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope I can help you!

Priesthood Authority Restored

We are going to skip to week 3 of the Primary Manual because that is what my son learned today and that's probably what a lot of wards are doing due to General Conference 2 weeks ago. Though I know many are combining weeks 2 and 3.

Today my littlest son had a fever, so I stayed home with him and sent my other son to church with my in-laws. He came back in his hand with a cute little "key chain" in hand and gave it to me (which I thought was cute). The trumpet represents that in the old days, if there was a big announcement, they would blow trumpets. And the two big announcements in the restoration of the gospel are the 2 Priesthood keys: Aaronic and Melchizedeck.

SONG: Another rendition of "I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ"

Again, I want to address the concepts that he is familiar with. He sees the sacrament being passed every Sunday. We've been to some baptisms. He's received many blessings when he's been sick and witnessed other ill people being blessed. So I think we can revisit these things and explain a little more about the Priesthood.

"After the prayer we'll ask, what can we do with keys?"

This is taken straight from the church website:

"With a set of keys, you can do a lot of things that you wouldn't otherwise be able to do-enter buildings, drive cars, and open trunks, among other things. Keys, basically, mean authority and access.

"The same is true of priesthood keys. They control access to the blessings and ordinances of the priesthood."

Then I'll say, there are 2 Priesthood keys:
1. Aaronic
2. Melchizedek

I'll probably have him repeat after me because those are hard words!

Continuing,
AARONIC
"Do you remember the boys to pass the sacrament? That is the Aaronic Priesthood!"
"And the boys who say a prayer before it is passed? They are blessing the sacrament and using the Aaronic Priesthood!"
"Do you remember when we went to a baptism? And they put the person all the way under the water? That was also done by the Aaronic Priesthood!"

MELCHIZEDEK
"Now, you remember when you or your brother are sick? And Papai or Vovo come and put their hands on your head and give you uma bencao? (a blessing) They are using the Melchizedek Priesthood"
"When babies are born, they get brought up to the front of the chapel and they get a blessing too! That's with the Melchizedeck Priesthood!"
"And when mommy and daddy go to the temple, the things done inside are done with the Melchidedek Priesthood!"

And...as always, because my son is 3 and probably more visually oriented in his learning, we'll go over it one more time but with pictures.

I'll take a printed out "Aaronic" and the pictures showing each of these things as well as the word, "Melchizedek." I know he can't read them, but for matching purposes, to group together the pictures that go with each priesthood, it is fine. :) Feel free to print this out, cut out the pictures, and help your child(ren) to place them under the proper place.

(sorry everything is all squished together...not sure how to fix it because my Word wasn't working so I had to do it on Google docs)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-k3T37KcmM9cHQCTvm_EmOviNGss0D7QEahtLMc1y2Y/pub