Lesson 9: D&C 18-19

 February 22-28
D&C 18-19
"The worth of souls is great" 

Materials: Picture of Christ, scriptures, gospel music app, optional: hymn books and children's songbook.
Opening Song: "I'm trying to be like Jesus" (Children's Songbook, 78)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity:

Ask a family member to share their favorite scripture story about Jesus. 

Lesson:

**Before you start the lesson, display your favorite picture(s) of Christ.

After Martin Harris lost the 116 pages of the manuscript,  he was distraught. He sought repentance and wanted to know what his current standing was with the Lord. Christ gave a revelation to Martin Harris through Joseph Smith in response to Martin's question. In section 19, we read that the Lord tells Martin Harris to repent. As He speaks of the importance of repentance; He talks of the atonement. Jesus Christ describes His suffering in Gethsemane in His own words. 

As we read Christ's description of the atonement, think about phrases that send out to you. Read D&C 19:15-20. What stands out to you in those verses?

Christ loves us so much that he took upon himself the pain of all our sins, weakness, and afflictions. He knows our every heartache, our every pang of guilt, and our every sore. He suffered all so that we wouldn't have to suffer for our sins in the hereafter. He does not want us to have to suffer as He did. The only thing keeping us from the torment of feeling the depth of our own sins is repentance. Repentance is the key. He enabled us to repent so that we would be worthy to enter into the kingdom of God. 

Activity: Sing of Christ.

Directions: Using the gospel music app, hymn books, and the children's songbook, have everyone choose their favorite hymn or primary song about the Savior. Each person will take a turn explaining why that song is important to them and then the family should sing at least one verse.  

After you have sang a song per family member, ask your family if they have any thoughts they would like to share about Christ. Remind your family we can show our gratitude for Christ's atonement through repentance. As you kneel down to say your personal prayers, ask Heavenly Father for forgiveness for things you have done wrong. 

Closing Song: "I am a child of God"
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Biscoff Truffles recipe here

Lesson 8: D&C 14-17

 February 15-21
Doctrine and Covenants 14-17
"Stand as a witness"

Materials: a bag, paper and art supplies, scriptures, video (optional) 
Opening Song: "The Golden Plates" (Children's Songbook, 86b)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity:

Witness Game: Explain that you will ask a family member to leave the room. When that person is gone the rest of the family will choose something to put into a bag. The family member will return and have to make a guess at what was in the bag. 

While the family member is out of the room, explain that one person will be lying and the rest of the family will tell the truth and stand as a witnesses to what it is in the bag. When the family  member returns they can choose to listen to the witnesses or not.

After the game, explain that the world uses witnesses to testify of the truth. In court, witnesses are called to testify about what they saw or heard in a case. Heavenly Father has also used witnesses to testify of the truth of his gospel. 

Lesson:

Can you think of a time that witnesses are used by the Lord? (baptisms, temple ordinances, missionaries, the witnesses to The Book of Mormon) Why does the Lord use witnesses? Read 2 Corinthians 13:1. After the translation of the gold plates was complete, Heavenly Father gave permission to three special men to be witnesses of The Book of Mormon. These men were Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer. As a family read together the introduction to Section 17. 

Activity: Draw it out

Directions: Have paper and art supplies set out for your family. While a family member reads D&C 17 and "The Testimony of the Three Witnesses", have everyone draw a picture of what they read. It may help to make a list of everything the witnesses saw. Have your family members share their pictures.

Why was it so important for the witnesses to see the gold plates? Why was it also important that the breastplate and the Urim and Thummim were also shown to the witnesses? The sword of Laban was perhaps the item most out of place at the scene. But it also could be seen as a testament to the truth of the writings in The Book of Mormon, that the events described in the book are in fact historical. 

Over time, other witnesses were eventually added to the list of witnesses to the gold plates. These include the eight men who penned "The Testimony of the Eight Witnesses," which comprised of Joseph's brothers and father, as well as more members of the Whitmer family, and Hiram Page. Mary Whitmer was also shown the plates by the angel Moroni although she never wrote an official statement. (Emma felt the plates through a tablecloth that Joseph wrapped them in, but never saw them). 

We've now learned that their were at least 13 people who saw the gold plates. 12 stood as witnesses to the plates divine authenticity. How can you be a witness to The Book of Mormon? How can we be witnesses for the Lord?

As we try to emulate Christ's example and bear our testimonies of His church, we can act as His witnesses. Bear your testimony. 

Optional Activity: "A Day for the Eternities" Video from churchofjesuschrist.org

default50%75%100%150%200%300%400%

defaultmonospaced serifproportional serifmonospaced sans serifproportional serifcasualcursivesmall capital

defaultwhiteblackredgreenbluecyanyellowmagenta

default100%75%50%25%

defaultraiseddepresseduniformdrop shadowed

defaultwhiteblackredgreenbluecyanyellowmagenta

default100%75%50%25%0%

defaultwhiteblackredgreenbluecyanyellowmagenta

default100%75%50%25%0%

Closing Song: "I'll go where you want me to go" (Hymns, 270)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Golden Grahams marshmallow treats