Lesson 35: Helaman 13-16

August 31- September 6

Helaman 13-16

"Glad Tidings of Great Joy"

Materials: Crayons, 5 pieces of paper cut into 2 halves width wise, a chair, balls of paper, a simple costume for Samuel the Lamanite made our of robes, towels, etc.) 

Opening Song: "Samuel Tells of Baby Jesus" (Children's Songbook, 36)

Opening Prayer:

Scriptures: Hel. 14:28 And the angel said unto me that many shall see greater things than these, to the intent that they might believe that ^athese signs and these wonders should come to pass upon all the face of this land, to the intent that there should be no cause for unbelief among the children of men

Attention Activity: Show the picture below. What are these? These are signs that warn drivers of things to come like railroad crossings, hills, exits, and stops. Why is it important to have warning sings? Heavenly Father also gives us warning signs sometimes. He has prophets tell us of things to come and signs to watch out for. One of these prophets was Samuel the Lamanite.

Lesson:

At this point in the Book of Mormon the Nephites have not been being very good. The Lord sends Samuel to try to teach the people repentance, but they turned him away. God told Samuel to go back and he would help Samuel know what to say to them. Samuel climbed a high wall to get back into the city and started to teach from the wall. He prophesied of many things including the destruction of the Nephites. He also prophesied of the Savior's birth and death. 

Activity: Coloring share. 

Before the lesson: Cut 5 pieces of paper width wise (hamburger) to make 10 halves. On each piece write one of the following verses from Helaman 14: 3, 5, 6, 7, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. Pass out the papers to each person (some may take two depending on the size of your family).

Directions: You will each read the verse from Helaman 14 on the top of your paper. The verse describes a sign of either Jesus's birth of His death. Draw a picture of representing the sign. (i.e. if the sign was that there would be a lot of snow, draw a snowflake or a snowman)

When your family is finished coloring, have each person share their drawings and tell what the sign was that Samuel the Lamanite said would happen. The signs should include: (birth signs) a day with no darkness, a new star, many wonders in the heavens, everyone fallen to the earth in wonder; (death signs) darkness for 3 days, thunderings and lightenings, earthquakes, new mountains and valleys, destroyed cities, people resurrecting (after 3rd day). 

As latter-day saints we are taught to have faith in God and not ask for signs. However sometimes God gives us signs to strengthen our faith and tell of things to come. Samuel said that Heavenly Father gives us these signs with the "intent that ye may believe on His name." (Hel. 14:12) Can you thunk if any signs the Lord has given to help you believe in Him? Signs that leas to faith are often more personal and less dramatic than earthquakes and new stars. What are some simple signs from your own life that lets you know that Jesus is the Christ. 

After Samuel taught about the signs, did the people listen? Some did, but others did not believe his words and were angry with him. What did the unbelievers do to Samuel. They fired many arrows and threw rocks at Samuel. The Lord protected him so that none of the projectiles hit him. When the people saw the Samuel was safe some people believed him and asked the prophet, Nephi to be baptized. 

Activity: Role play.

Have your family members take turns acting as Samuel. They can dress in a simple costume and stand on a chair to act as a wall. Have them tell one of the signs of Christ's birth or death. Then have the others throw paper balls, nerf bullets, etc. towards the Samuel actor. Remember the projectiles are not supposed to hit Samuel. 

Closing Song: "Book of Mormon Stories" verse 7 (Children's Songbook, 118)

Closing Prayer:

Refreshment: Chocolate Delight recipe here

Lesson 34: Helaman 7-12

August 24-30

Helaman 7-12

"Remember the Lord"

Materials: printed pictures of prophets below (1/person), popsicle stick (1/person), scissors, glue

Opening Song: "Follow the Prophet" (Children's Songbook, )

Opening Prayer:

Scripture: D&C 1:38

Attention Activity:

I am going to read out a list of facts about a specific person. When you think you know who it is, raise your hand. 

1. He is one of 4 children; he has two sisters and one brother. 

2. He joined the church when he was 16.

3. He met his wife while acting in a play in college. 

4. He was robbed at gunpoint in Mozambique, Africa.

5. He was a captain in the army.

6. He speaks fluent Chinese.

7. He has 10 children (9 daughters and 1 son)

8. He has perfect pitch and sings baritone.

9. He has performed surgery on dogs. 

10. He completed a surgical residency at Harvard University. 

Who is it? That is right; it is President Russel M. Nelson. 

Lesson:

At this point in the Book of Mormon, the prophet and leader of the church is Helaman's son, Nephi. Nephi encourages his people to "remember the Lord." Today we are going to talk about prophets. What do prophets do? 

Prophet Game: Before the game: print and cut out pictures of the two prophets below. Glue them together back to back on a popsicle stick. Make enough so that each person may have a prophet popsicle stick. 

Directions:  In order to learn more about what prophets do I'm going to read you a quote and I want you to show me with your popsicle stick whether the person talking is Nephi or President Nelson. Hold the correct person out towards me. 

1. Prophets cry repentance and warn of the consequences of sin.

Nephi: Helaman 7:17–19. "17 O repent ye, repent ye! ^aWhy will ye die? Turn ye, turn ye unto the Lord your God. Why has he forsaken you? 18 It is because you have hardened your hearts; yea, ye will not ^ahearken unto the voice of the ^bgood shepherd; yea, ye have ^cprovoked him to anger against you. 19 And behold, instead of ^agathering you, except ye will repent, behold, he shall scatter you forth that ye shall become meat for dogs and wild beasts."

"Repentance is the key to avoiding misery inflicted by traps of the adversary. The Lord does not expect perfection from us at this point in our eternal progression. But He does expect us to become increasingly pure. Daily repentance is the pathway to purity, and purity brings power." (President Nelson, "We Can Do Better and Be Better" General Conference, April, 2019.)

2. Prophets know by revelation from God what the people need to hear.

Nephi: Helaman 7: 29 Behold now, I do not say that these things shall be, of myself, because it is not of myself that I ^aknow these things; but behold, I ^bknow that these things are true because the Lord God has made them known unto me, therefore I testify that they shall be.

"Our Father knows that when we are surrounded by uncertainty and fear, what will help us the very most is to hear His Son. Because when we seek to hear—truly hear—His Son, we will be guided to know what to do in any circumstance...In those two words—“Hear Him”—God gives us the pattern for success, happiness, and joy in this life. We are to hear the words of the Lord, hearken to them, and heed what He has told us!" (President Nelson, "Hear Him" General Conference. April, 2020). 

3. Prophets are given the power to seal on earth and in heaven.

Nephi: Helaman 10:7. "Behold, I give unto you ^apower, that whatsoever ye shall ^bsealon earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven; and thus shall ye have power among this people."

"Dear brothers and sisters, I express my love for you. During this time of tension and uncertainty, and invoking the authority vested in me, I would like to confer upon you an apostolic blessing. I bless you with peace and increasing faith in the Lord. I bless you with a desire to repent and become a little more like Him each day. I bless you to know that the Prophet Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness. Should there be illness among you or your loved ones, I leave a blessing of healing, consistent with the will of the Lord. I so bless you, adding once more my expression of love for each of you, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen." (President Nelson, "Go Forward in Faith" General Conference. April, 2020). 

4. Has priesthood authority to act in God's name. 

Nephi: Helaman 10:6 Behold, thou art Nephi, and I am God. Behold, I declare it unto thee in the presence of mine angels, that ye shall have power over this people, and shall smite the earth with ^afamine, and with pestilence, and destruction, according to the wickedness of this people.

"I give you my solemn witness that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, and that President Russell M. Nelson is His anointed prophet upon the earth." (Neil L. Anderson, "The Prophet of God" General Conference, April 2018). 

5. Declare the word of God (the gospel). 

Nephi: Helaman 10: 11 And now behold, I command you, that ye shall go and declare unto this people, that thus saith the Lord God, who is the Almighty: Except ye repent ye shall be smitten, even unto ^adestruction.

"So tonight, my dear brothers and sisters, in the spirit of the sons of Mosiah, who gave themselves to much fasting and prayer,¹⁴ and as part of our April 2020 general conference, I am calling for another worldwide fast. For all whose health may permit, let us fast, pray, and unite our faith once again. " (President Nelson, "Opening the Heavens for Help" General Conference. April, 2020). 

So what do prophets do? Reread the 5 things prophets do in bold above. Today, our prophet is President Russel M. Nelson. Every general conference, we get to hear from him and listen to his council. We get to sustain him as our prophet, seer, and revelator. Last conference he counseled us to fast and pray, to attend the temple, to remember the work of the prophet Joseph in the Restoration of the gospel, and to "Hear Him," that is to try and come closer to the Savior and hear what He has to say to each of us.

As we read the teachings of the prophets of old and hearken unto the counsel of our current prophet, we will be blessed. 

Closing Song: "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet" (Hymnal, )

Closing Prayer:

Refreshment: Sea salt butterscotch pretzel cookies recipe here