Lesson 10: 2 Nephi 31-33

March 2-8
2 Nephi 31-33
"This is the way"

Materials: copy of game board below printed on card stock, picture of a path, dice
Opening Song: "Fourth Article of Faith"
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: 2 Nephi 31:20

Attention Activity:

Think back to Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life. What led up to the tree? (the strait and narrow path) Show the picture of the path. When it says strait--the way it's spelled--it actually means difficult. Strait means "used in reference to a situation characterized by a specified degree of trouble or difficulty." The journey of life is not straightforward or easy. It is meant to be difficult. Today we are going to talk about the strait and narrow path and our journey of mortal life. 

Lesson:
Ask your family to close their eyes and try to picture a path. As you listen to the following scriptures, try to imagine the path, the gate and anything else described. Read 2 Nephi 31:17-19. What does the gate represent? Is it enough just to get onto the right path? What else do we need or rather who else do we need? That's right; we need Jesus Christ. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is kind of like the car that takes us up the path. Our faith is like gas. If we put the gas/faith in the atonement, grace enables us to travel up the road toward eternal life. If we lose faith or stop relying on Jesus Christ's atonement through repentance, we won't make it up the path. 

Activity: The Pathway to Eternal Life Game. 
You will need the game board below and one die. Each member of your family needs a game piece of some sort (a coin, a matchbox car, a paper clip, etc). To play everyone will start at the "birth" square and take turns rolling the dice, advancing toward death and eternal life. When you come to a blue square you must stop there before your next turn. When everyone has finished the game, they will receive a treat. (A cute idea for a treat would be angel food cake.) The squares all have things the we need to learn and do to prepare to meet God and gain eternal life. 

We often hear the phrase in the church, "endure to the end." What does that mean? Read 2 Nephi 31:20-21. So in other words, we've got to keep on keepin' on. In order to receive exaltation we need to receive ordinances and make covenants--the boxes in blue. But the enduring to the end--that is made up of the small things, the day to day things, the things we learn slowly through a lifetime of practice. If we practice the things in the white squares, that's enduring to the end.

So, "This is the way." This is the way we obtain celestial glory. It's that simple, but it isn't easy. Our path to exaltation will be filled with ups, downs, and curves. We might even have mountains and deep gullies to traverse, but we are not alone. We have an eternal family to travel with us and help us. We have the gift of the Holy Ghost, and we have the atonement of Jesus Christ to make our loads lighter and keep us on "the covenant path."



Closing Song: "I Believe in Christ" (Hymnal, 134)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment: 
Angel Food Cupcakes recipe here

Lesson 9: 2 Nephi 26-30

February 24-March1
2 Nephi 26-30
"A Marvelous Work and a Wonder"

Materials: string or yarn, picture of a dragon, flame printouts (cut out and placed in a bowel), tape
Opening Song: "The Iron Rod" (Hymnal, 274)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: 2 Nephi 26:22 And there are also secret combinations, even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil, for he is the founder of all these things; yea, the founder of murder, and works of darkness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever.

Attention Activity:
Invite a member of your family to come participate in an object lesson. Tie a string or a piece of yarn in a loose knot around their wrists. This string represents a sin they made. Have them try to break free from the string. Do it again but this time, come up with more "sins" they committed and wrap the string around and around until the string is thick around the wrists. Ask them to break it. When they can't tell them this is how Satan gets us. He tells us it's just a little lie or it's just one time until we feel like we can't get out. 

Lesson:

Read 2 Nephi 26:22. Elder Carlos E. Asay said, “The first wrongdoing is like a single strand of flaxen thread; it is easily broken and thrown aside. But each time the wrong is repeated another strand is intertwined around the first, and on and on it goes until an almost unbreakable cord of multi-strands is woven. ‘The chains of habit,’ said Samuel Johnson, ‘are too small to be felt until they are too strong to be broken’” (The Road to Somewhere: A Guide for Young Men and Women[1994], 88).

Satan tries to lead us away from God with temptation and sin like rope around someone's neck. He seeks to bind us forever with our sins in hell. Obviously, we don't want that. We want to live freely with our Heavenly Father. So we need to be aware of all of the ways Satan will try to get us to make bad choices. What are some ways Satan tries to get us to do bad things? (lies, half-truths, tries to get us to act in anger or on impulse, he uses doubt, pride, lust, greed, promises instant gratification, promises no consequences)

Activity: The Dragon
Display the picture of the dragon below. Remind everyone that the dragon is the symbol John used in Revelation to describe Satan. Take the bowl of flame papers (see materials) and have each member of your family take turns pulling out a flame from the bowl and reading the tactic Satan uses against us described in 2 Nephi chapter 28. Tape the flames around the dragon for a visual. 

Why is it important that we understand how Satan operates? Every prophet has warned us against sin and pleaded with us to repent and not to fall into Satan's grasp. President Gordon B. Hinckley has warned us and pleaded with us: ‘I wish to say in the strongest language of which I am capable, stay away from moral iniquity. You know what is right and wrong. You cannot use ignorance as an excuse for unacceptable behavior...I beg of you, my dear young friends, to avoid such behavior. It will not be easy. It will require self-discipline. … You need the strength that comes of prayer’ (“To Men of the Priesthood,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 58–59)”

With the guidance of the Holy Ghost, self control, and perserverance we can withstand the tactics the devil will try to use against us. Bear your testimony. 

Closing Song: "Choose the Right" (Hymnal, 239)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment: 
Dragonfruit popsicles recipe here

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

Lesson 6: 2 Nephi 1-5

February 3-9
2 Nephi 1-5
"We lived after the manner of happiness"

Materials: trifold poster board, 9 cups, tissue paper, 9 rubber bands, scissors, brown and green crayons, slips of paper (see below), hot glue gun
Opening Song: "Follow the Prophet" verse 1 (Children's Songbook, 110)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: 2 Nephi 2: 25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

Attention Activity:
Show the picture of Adam and Eve below. Who are these people? Ask a family member to briefly tell the story of Adam and Eve as they remember it or they can act it out. 

Adam and Eve, by Lowell Bruce Bennett (62461); GAK 101; Primary manual 1-33; Primary manual 5-56; Primary manual 6-04; Genesis 1–3; Moses 2–4


Lesson:
We've been reading about Lehi and his family in The Book Of Mormon. After Lehi and his family crossed the ocean and came to the Americas, Lehi had become very old. He knew he would soon die, so he decided to talk to each of his children to tell them important things. One of the important things he wanted to teach his children was about the fall of Adam and Eve. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we understand the story of the Garden of Eden a lot differently than most churches.

The Fall of Adam and Eve Punch Game
Before FHE: Prepare a punch game with a trifold poster board and 9 plastic cups. First, draw a simple tree in the middle back section of the trifold board. Using the cup as a stencil draw 9 circles to represent "fruit" on the tree, cut out circles with scissors or exacto knife (cut the circle smaller than the brim so the cup won't fall through). Slide the cups into the holes in the board and hot glue in place. Cut out strips below and place one in each of the plastic cups. Cut 9 pieces of tissue paper large enough to cover and wrap around the opening of the plastic cups. Rubber band tissue to brim of plastic cups to stay in place (it needs to be tight). For good tutorial click here. 

To play: Have each member of your family take turns punching into the poster board and reading the strips below discussing the truths about the Fall of Adam and Eve described in 2 Nephi 2. 

- If Adam and Eve had not fallen they would have been stuck forever in the Garden of Eden. In a way the garden of Eden was just a beautiful prison. 2 Ne 2:22 "they must have remained forever and had no end." 

- If Adam and Eve had not fallen, they never would have grown old or died. Death is an essential part of Heavenly Father's plan. 2 Ne 2:22 "And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were created." 

- If Adam and Eve had not fallen, "they would have had no children." Adam and Eve had been commanded to "multiply and replenish the earth." But this was not possible in the Garden of Eden. Having children is an essential part of Heavenly Father's plan. 2 Ne 2:23

- If Adam and Eve had not fallen, "they would remain in a state of innocence." They would never learn anything or gain intelligence. 2 Ne 2:23

- If Adam and Eve had not fallen, they would never be able to experience joy or do anything good because in the Garden of Eden there is nothing bad like pain or sin. In order to appreciate and understand things like joy we have to know what pain is. 2 Ne 2:23

- The fall was a wise part of Heavenly Father's plan. 2 Ne 2:24

- Adam fell so all of God's children could come to earth, receive bodies, and be tested to receive the joy of eternal life. 2 Ne 2:25

- Jesus Christ was an essential part of Heavenly Father's plan. His atonement redeems us from the fall of Adam and Eve. 2 Ne 2:26

- Because of the fall, we know good from evil and can choose to keep God's commandments. We are free to choose liberty and eternal life or captivity and spiritual death. 2 Ne 2:27-29

Optional Activity: Video"Lehi Teaches How We Might Have Joy" 

Many of other churches believe that the Fall of Adam and Eve was just a big mistake. That Adam and Eve were selfish and bad for partaking of the fruit and wanting to gain further light and knowledge. We learn in 2 Nephi that isn't the case. Adam and Eve were meant to partake of the fruit. They were meant to move on from the Garden of Eden, grow, progress, and eventually die. This needed the happen for The Plan of Salvation to come to fruition. 

Brad Wilcox said, "Latter-Day Saints are unique among Christians because we understand that God did not create the world with the goal for us all to live forever in the Garden of Eden. Mortality was Plan A, not Plan B. The Atonement of Christ was not a last ditch attempt to salvage the wreckage Adam and Eve had made of the world. It was planned from the beginning. Repentance was not provided as a safety net for those weak souls who should not be perfectly obedient. It was designed as an essential past of the perfection process for each one of us." (Because of the Messiah in a Manger, xii.)*

Bear your testimony of the fall of Adam and Eve and the Plan of Salvation. 

Closing Song: "I Will Follow God's Plan" (Children's Songbook, 164)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment:
Caramel Apple Pop Recipe here


*Wilcox, Brad. Because of the Messiah in a Manger. Deseret Book, 2018. 

Lesson 5: 1 Nephi 16-22

January 27- February 2
1 Nephi 16-22
"I Will Prepare the Way Before You"

Materials: scriptures, copies of scripture play
Opening Song: "Search, Ponder, and Pray" (Children's Songbook, 109)
Opening Prayer: 
Scripture: 1 Nephi 19: 23 And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.

Attention Activity:
Ask each family member to share their favorite scripture story. Why do you like that story?
Lesson:
The scriptures are full of wonderful stories. Ask your family if they remember what a parable is? A parable is a fictitious story that demonstrates a gospel principle. There are also many true stories in the Bible and Book of Mormon. Stories from the scriptures are fun to read. We can also learn from the scriptures. How can we learn from reading scripture stories? What did you learn from your favorite story?

Read 1 Nephi 19:23. What does it mean to "liken the scriptures unto us?" This means that as we read the scriptures, we need to try to learn from them. We need to apply the gospel principles in the stories and apply it to our own lives "for our profit and learning." 


Activity: The Liahona and the Broken Bow Scripture Play

We are going to practice likening the scriptures unto us by acting out 1 Nephi 16. At the end we will talk about what we can learn from what Nephi and his family experienced in the chapter and how we can apply it to ourselves. 

Cast: Lehi, Nephi, Laman, Lemuel, Narrator for italic text, The Lord, Sam (Optional Cast: Sariah, Zoram, daughters of Ishmael,) *these rolls can be done by Laman & Lemuel as well

Props: A compass or ball (for Liahona), a bow or stick 

Setting: In the wilderness near the Red Sea. Lehi is sleeping on the floor of his tent. He wakes up and opens the tent to find a strange ball.

Lehi: (astonished) What is this? He picks up the ball. How curious? It looks to be a small ball with pointers like a compass, but is not pointing north. 

Laman: Let us go and pitch our tents elsewhere.

Sam: We can go hunting on the way—slaying our food with our bows and arrows, stones and slings.

Lehi: We shall follow the directions on the ball as we journey through the wilderness. 

After traveling many days, they pitched their tents for a time, so they can rest and eat. 

Nephi: I'm going to take my bow and go hunting for food tonight. Pretend to pull the boasting back. The bow breaks. Oh no! My bow has broken!

Laman: (angrily) What are we going to do now?

Lemuel: (angrily) Nephi, you wretch! How will you kill all our food with a broken bow?

Nephi: I guess we'll have to go back to camp and think of something

Laman: (complaining) I'm hungry. 

Lemuel: (whining) I’m starving. 

Laman: (irritated) I can't hunt myself. That's what Nephi's for. And now he's gone off and broken his ruddy bow. 

Lemuel: (hopelessly) I can't remember the taste of food. We'll die out here without food.

Lehi: (complaining) What are we going to do? We need food for our bellies. Oh Lord, how did you let this happen? We're so hungry. We've sacrificed everything and now we have no food. This isn't fair. 

Sam: All the other bows have lost their springs.

Nephi: We cannot lose faith. We will get through this. The Lord will help us if we have faith. I will go and see what is to be done for food.

Nephi leaves. He makes a new bow out of a stick. He takes his new bow and arrow, stones, and a sling to Lehi.

Nephi: Where do you think I should go to have the best chance to find food?

Lehi: (humbly) I'll ask it of the Lord. Lehi prays. I have been chastened by the Lord for murmuring and speaking against him. (Sadly) I am brought down in the depths of sorrow. I must humble myself and have more faith. 

Lord: Look upon the ball

Lehi looks at the ball. When he sees the words written on it he's afraid and trembles. 

Nephi: Looks at the ball. It appears that the pointers on the Liahona only work according to our faith, diligence, and heed we give unto them. This writing upon the ball changes from time to time according to the faith and diligence we are showing. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things. I will follow the direction on the ball and hunt for food on the top of that mountain. 

A short time later, Nephi returns after slaying enough wild beasts to feed their families. 

Lehi: Thank you Nephi for this food. Thank you Lord for providing it for us.

Laman and Lemuel: Thank you. 

End scene.

 

What are some lessons we can learn from Nephi's experience with the Liohona and the broken bow? How can you apply it to your life?

As we read the scriptures this week, we will hear more stories of Nephi and his family. These stories should be instructive to us. They should inspire us to live gospel principles. As we read the scriptures, ask yourself how the stories can help you personally. What can you learn from the example of Nephi or from the reactions of Laman and Lemuel?

“What all of us learn by studying the scriptures: Who we are. What we can become. Prophecies for us and for our posterity. The commandments, laws, ordinances, and covenants we must live by to obtain eternal life. And how we must live in order to endure to the end and return to our Heavenly Father with honor.”—Elder Robert D. Hales

Share your own favorite scripture story and bear your testimony of what you have learned from studying it. 

Closing Song: "Scripture Power" (Songs for Children link here)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment:
Wild beast bear print cookies recipe here

Lesson 4: 1 Nephi 11-15

January 20-26
1 Nephi 11-15
“Armed with Righteousness and with the Power of God”

Materials: video (link below), scripture color by number , crayons, scriptures 
Opening Song: "Search, Ponder, and Pray" (Children's Songbook, 109)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture:  Article of Fatih #8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. 

Attention Activity:
Play several rounds of telephone with your family. 

Lesson:
What did we talk about last week? Last week, we discussed Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life. Nephi wanted to see it too. "I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as i sat pondering in mine heart i was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord." (11:1) Nephi was also shown the Tree of Life, but he also saw a lot more in his vision. Nephi saw important events in the history of the earth: the life of Jesus Christ, the ministry and persecution of his apostles, the rise and fall of the Nephite nation, the apostasy and restoration, and the gathering of Israel. 

In Nephi's vision, he learned that during the apostasy many precious truths were taken out of the Bible. Read 1 Nephi 13: 28. Certain sects of Christian churches decided to pick and choose which doctrines to teach, leaving many truths and covenants to be forgotten over time. A lot of the truths in the Bible also ended up being lost in translation. This is like when we played telephone at the beginning. We started with one sentence but by the time it got to everyone in the room, it had been changed to be something quite different. 

Read 1 Nephi 13: 39-40. Through the Restoration of the gospel, we now have access to the plain and precious truths that were taken from the bible. Under the direction of the Lord, Jospeh Smith made many corrections and clarifications to passages in the Bible that had been misinterrepted through the years. This is known as the "Joseph Smith Translation." Nephi said that he "beheld other books, which came forth by the power of the Lamb." What are these other books? The Book of Mormon acts as a second witness of Jesus Christ and His gospel. It testifies of Him as the great Jehovah and Messiah and restores many of the plain and precious truths that were lost during the apostasy. 

What are some truths about the gospel that are found in the Book of Mormon and not in the Bible? (clarification on the fall of Adam and Eve, baptismal covenant, unnecessary to baptize children, etc.)

Watch the video "The Book of Mormon--a Book from God" by Tad A. Callister found on churchofjesuschrist.org 

Bear your testimony of The Book of Mormon. This year we'll study all of the wonderful doctrines and messages of hope found within this book. 

Activity: Scripture color by number 

Closing Song: The Eighth Article of Faith (Children's Songbook, 127)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment: Snickerdoodle bread recipe here
 

Lesson 3: 1 Nephi 8-10

January 13-19
1 Nephi 8-10
"Come and Partake of the Fruit"

Materials: 2 blankets (one dark colored, one blue), a pole, a tree or plant, sweet treats tied on strings (i.e. powdered donuts), a blindfold

Opening Song: "The Iron Rod" (Hymnal, 274)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: 1 Nephi 8:12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great ^ajoy; wherefore, I began to be ^bdesirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was ^cdesirable above all other fruit.

Attention Activity:
I'm going to read items which all have something in common. Raise your hand when you know what the following elements have in common. (1. a river, 2. a tree, 3. mist, 4. a path, 5. fruit, 6. a great building, 7. an iron rod) These are all elements of the vision of the Tree of Life. Show the picture below.


Lehi's Dream by Jerry Thompson (Gospel Art Book, 69). 

Lesson:
When Lehi is traveling with his family in the wilderness, he has a dream--a vision. In his vision he saw a great tree with white fruit and many people trying to get to it. Today we are going to talk about Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life.

*Before FHE, have the following set up. Tie a sweet treat onto a string and place them onto a small tree or plant you have in your home (fruit). Leading up to the tree, have a large dark blanket folded vertically to symbolize a path. On the blanket, have a pole like a broomstick (iron rod). To the side of the path have a blue blanket or blue paper laid down to symbolize a river. Also, utilize one of your couches as the great and spacious building. Finally, have a blindfold (mists).

Play out the 4 following scenarios with your family.

#1- Read 1 Nephi 8:21-23. Blindfold one member of your family. Tell them the blindfold represents the mists of darkness. Have him walk blindfolded down the path without holding onto the pole. Tell them that because they aren't holding onto to iron rod they get lost and don't make it to the tree. Getting lost in the mists of darkness is like becoming lost in sin. If we don't hold onto the iron rod--the word of god-- we will become spiritually lost when faced with temptation. How can we hold onto the word of God?

#2 Read 1 Nephi 8:26–27, 31–33 Have one person prepare to step onto the path. Have others in your family act like the members of the great and spacious building tempting her to not go on the path but join them. The great and spacious building is the pride of the world. There are those people in the world who care more about themselves than choosing the right. These type of people often make fun of others for choosing the right or being religious. What can we say to those who make fun of us for choosing the right?

#3 Read 1 Nephi 8:24–25, 28 Have one person blindfolded hold on to the iron rod and walk down the path to the tree. When he gets to the tree, the others on the couch (the great and spacious building) should laugh at him. He should act ashamed and then wander off leaving the fruit behind. These are those who once had testimonies of the gospel but have since left the Church. They listened to the adversary saying that living righteously is not fun, not necessary, or just too hard. How can we help those who have forgotten their testimonies?

#4 Read 1 Nephi 8:30, 33. Have this person blindfolded walk successfully down the path while holding onto the rod. When they reach the tree have them taste the treat. These people are those who repent after sinning, try to choose the right, and are happy with who they are as disciples of Jesus Christ. These are the people we ultimately want to be--receivers of eternal life. 

Everyone should have a turn eating the sweet treat (the fruit from the tree of life). Explain that after Lehi had his dream, Laman and Lemuel did not believe their father. Nephi believed but he also wanted to see the dream for himself. So he asked Heavenly Father to show it to him, and he did. When we want to know if something about the gospel is true, we can ask Heavenly Father in prayer. He will send the Holy Ghost to testify to us so that we may know that it is true. 

As we continue on our journey on earth, we will face many hardships. We will have to endure temptation, sincerely repent when we sin, and withstand those in the world who don't like our ways and want us to fail. We have been told that if we "hold to the rod" or "the word of God" we will be able to endure to the end and receive eternal life. This means, we need to be ever seeking the word of God: studying the scriptures, listening to the prophet and apostles, saying sincere prayers, and listening to the guidance from the Holy Ghost. We need to stay on the covenant path by keeping the commandments and repenting when we fall short. If we do this, we have been promised not just a little piece of white fruit, but "all that our Father hath." 

Optional Activity: Tree of Life coloring page


Closing Song: "Choose the Right" (Hymnal, 239)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment: White powdered donuts