Lesson 8: 2 Nephi 11-25

February 17-23
2 Nephi 11-25
"We Rejoice in Christ"

Materials: video on temple endowment (see below), web browser, scriptures, picture of local temple. 
Opening Song: "I Love to see the temple" (Children's Songbook, 95)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: 2 Nephi 12:3 And many ^apeople shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the ^bmountain of the Lord, to the ^chouse of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will ^dwalk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Attention Activity:
Show a picture of the temple in your local area. Ask your family, "What do you know about the temple?" Today we are going to talk about the temple.

Manti, Utah Temple

Lesson:

Nephi liked to read from the book of Isaiah in the Bible. He decided to record some of the important chapters into his book. Read 2 Nephi 12:2-3. Isaiah saw latter-day temples in his vision. He called the temple, "the mountain of the Lord" and invited us all to go there so the God may "teach us of his ways." This is exactly what happens in the temple. After we are baptized, we can start to prepare to enter the holy temple. When you reach adulthood and are worthy and ready to enter the temple, you can receive your own temple recommend. When you attend the temple for the first time, you will make personal covenants with God. This is called receiving your temple "endowment." Endowment is another word for gift. And in the temple, the gift we receive is knowledge. We learn key information that will enable us to enter into Heavenly Father's presence in the celestial kingdom. 

On a table or computer show the video, "What is the temple endowment?" found on temples.churchofjesuschrist.org. In the endowment we make sacred promises with the Lord to obey certain gospel laws we learn about in the scriptures--specifically the law of obedience, the law of sacrifice, the law of the gospel, the law of chastity, and the law of consecration. We also learn about the plan of salvation. At the end we get to enter the celestial room which is symbolic for entering into the presence of the Lord. 

The temple is a holy and scared place. We should always speak of the temple and its ordinances with reverence and respect. Certain things we learn in the temple are to be kept sacred and should only be discussed within the walls of the temple. However there is a lot you can learn about the temple ordinances before you enter to receive your endowment.

It is important that we learn about and prepare for our time in the temple. Elder Bednar in last April's general conference stressed the importance of teaching children about the temple ("Prepare to Obtain Every Needful Thing"). And President Howard W. Hunter counseled: “Let us share with our children the spiritual feelings we have in the temple. And let us teach them more earnestly and more comfortably the things we can appropriately say about the purposes of the house of the Lord.”¹³

Activity: 
On your families computer or tablet. Show your family temples.churchofjesuschrist.org. Browse the website with your family. Ask your family if they have any questions about the temple and its ordinances. This website is a wonderful tool if you or your family have questions about the ordinances of the temple and the temple garment. It also has galleries of  exterior and interior pictures of many temples. 

If you have received your endowment, share how your temple covenants help you "walk in [the Lord's] paths?" Bear your testimony of the temple and how it has blessed your life. 


Closing Song: "Families can be together forever" (Hymnal, 300)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment:
Shirley Temple Cake Recipe Here

Lesson 7: 2 Nephi 6-10

February 10-16 
2 Nephi 6-10
"O How Great the Plan of Our God"

Materials: picture of Christ in Gethsemane with cut scripture strips taped to it (see below), photos of sand, grass, and stars (below), video (optional; link below)
Opening Song: "Gethsemane" 
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: 2 Nephi 9:7 Wherefore, it must needs be an ^ainfinite ^batonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the ^cfirst judgment which came upon man must needs have ^dremained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more.

Attention Activity:
Show the picture of the sand below. Ask a family member: Can you count the grains of sand on this beach? Then hold up the meadow picture and the galaxy picture and ask different family members if they can count each blade of grass or each star in the sky. Why can't you count them? These things are infinite--meaning they seem to have no end. They go on forever. 

Lesson:
Last week, we talked about the fall of Adam and Eve and how the fall was part of Heavenly Father's Plan for the redemption of His children. Because Adam and Eve fell and became imperfect, we need a Savior. We will all make mistakes and we need Christ to help us enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Read 2 Nephi 9:7. This verse calls the atonement "infinite". Show the picture of the stars again. How is the atonement infinite? The atonement of Jesus Christ has no end. It goes on forever. 

Activity:
Before FHE, cut out a piece of paper into 7 strips. On each strip right one of the following scripture references from #1 2 Nephi 9:7, #2 2 Nephi 9:10, #3 2 Nephi 9:13, #4 2 Nephi 9:18, #5 2 Nephi 9:21, #6 2 Nephi 9:23-24, #7 2 Nephi 9:2

Loosley tape each strip over a picture a copy of Christ in Gethsemane by Harry Anderson (above) to hide the picture underneath.  Have each family members take turns picking a scripture and reading it. Discuss each scripture as you go. Summarize and clarify each scripture for younger children. There are some ideas below.

2 Nephi 9:7- The atonement means we don't have to be punished for Adam and Eve's transgression in the Garden of Eden and we can be resurrected. 

2 Nephi 9:10- The atonement provides away to escape from Satan.

2 Nephi 9: 13- The atonement allows us to be resurrected again and receive a perfected body. 

2 Nephi 9: 18- Through atonement the righteous can receive eternal life and exaltation.

2 Nephi 9: 21- The atonement is infinite because it saved everyone. All will be saved if they are obedient to Jesus Christ.

2 Nephi 9: 23-24 Faith, repentance, and baptism are essential to fully accept the atonement of Christ and enter into the Kingdom of Heaven

2 Nephi 9: 26- The atonement satisfies the laws of justice. We do not have to be punished for our mistakes because Christ already suffered for them. 

Optional Activity: "Jacob Teaches of the Resurrection" Video from churchofjesuschrist.org (5 min.)

The atonement is infinite in many ways. We already talked about how the atonement is for everyone: children, adults, men, women, righteous, and unrighteous. If we "hearken" unto the Savior, meaning if we are obedient and keep his commandments, we will be saved. 

It is also infinite because it saves us from all our sins. Satan will always try to deceive you and tell you that you are not worth saving, that you're not good enough. But Christ's loving sacrifice covers not only our sins but our weaknesses and imperfections. 

Bare your testimony of the infinite atonement of Jesus Christ. 

Closing Song: "I Stand All Amazed" (Hymnal, 193)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment:
Valentines Pretzel Buttons link here