Easter Egg Book of Mormon Review Game

Easter Egg Game

Instructions:

1. Draw, color, and cut out some paper Easter eggs. (The more eggs, the longer the game.) On the back of each egg, put points (some 5 points, some 10 points, some 15 points, etc.)

2. Cut out the questions into strips and put them in a basket.

3. Divide the children into two groups.

4. Each group will have a different child each time choose a question. You may want to allow teammates to help with the answers. If the child gets the question correct, he gets to choose an egg. (Note: the child cannot see how much the egg is worth until he picks it.) He scores the amount of points on the egg.

5. Keep rotating until all the eggs or questions are gone.

6. The team with the most points wins.

7. This is a good scripture review and really get the children thinking about the scriptures.

Questions:

1. Who was Nephi's father? (Lehi)
2. In Lehi's dream of the tree of life, how did the people find their way to the tree? (They held on to the iron rod.)
3. Lehi was commanded to go to the promised land. How did he and his family get there? (By ship)
4. Where is the promised land? (America)
5. Nephi built s hip with tools. Where did he get the tools? (He made them.)
6. Who was Ammon? (A Nephite missionary to the Lamanites.)
7. Who was Abinadi? (A prophet who tried to teach King Noah.)
8. What is the Liahona? (A gift from God; an instrument or compass given to Lehi)
9. The older Alma had a son who did not obey the commandments until after he had seen a vision. Who was his son? (Alma the younger)
10. Lehi descended from Judah or Joseph (Joseph)
11. Why did Nephi and his brothers return to Jerusalem? (To get the brass plates from Laban)
12. What was Nephi's mother's name? (Sariah)
13. Who fought against the Nephites? (The Lamanites)
14. Why were the Nephites destroyed? (Because they were wicked)
15. Who went with Nephi back to Jerusalem? (Laman, Lemuel, Sam)
16. Who appeared to the Nephites in the land of Bountiful? (Christ)
17. Who was Mormon's son? (Moroni)
18. Who buried the plates and appeared to Joseph Smith? (Moroni)

The Temple (Poem)

By Mary M. Cardon

The temple is the house of the Lord
A place where the faithful wed;
And Saints on earth do temple work
For their kinfolk who are dead.

The baptismal font is a beautiful sigh
Filled with water warm and blue,
It rests on the backs of twelve oxen grand
Made of bronze and a golden hue.

Then after I have been baptized,
I will be privileged to go
Into the waters of that sacred pool
For those souls who lived long ago.

All that is done in the temple
Is done with prayer and love.
It strengthens our family forever,
And pleases our Father above.

Church Words and Phrases Game

From the Friend Magazine, Written by Laura S. Shortridge

Directions: A neutral scorekeeper reads the definitions alternately to two equal teams. If the team receiving the definition gives the correct answer, it receives 2 points; if it does not give the correct answer, the other team may get 1 point for the correct answer before receiving the next definition.

1. I am the most sacred place on earth, and I hope that you come to me when you get married. What I am? Answer: A temple

2. I am the word of God, written by holy men in ancient times as well as in this dispensation. What am I? Answer: The scriptures

3. I am a meeting, usually held on the first Sunday of each month, in which members share their testimonies of the gospel. What am I? Answer: Fast and testimony meeting

4. I am a solemn agreement between you and Heavenly Father. If you keep your end of the agreement, you are guaranteed that Heavenly Father will keep His. What am I? Answer: A covenant

5. I am symbolic of the sacrifice Jesus made for us. When you partake of me on Sunday, you renew the covenants you made when you were baptized. What am I? Answer: The sacrament

6. I am a sacred ordinance that must be performed by a man with the proper authority when you become a member of the Church? What am I? Answer: Baptism

7. I am the power and authority of God. Worthy young men may receive me when they turn twelve years old. What am I? Answer: Aaronic priesthood

8. I am a Church organization that helps teach children the gospel. What am I? Answer: Primary

9. I teach the gospel, especially to nonmembers, and although not every member is one full-time, President David O. McKay said that every members should be one. What am I? Answer: A missionary

10. I was written when Joseph Smith was asked what Church members believed. I have thirteen parts: you should memorize me before you graduate from Primary. What am I? Answer: The Articles of Faith

11. As President of the Church, I speak for God to all the world. What am I? Answer: The Prophet

12. I am a special health code revealed to Joseph Smith. If you follow my advice, you "shall fine wisdom and great treasures of knowledge" (Doctrine & Covenants 89:19). What am I? Answer: The Word of Wisdom

13. I and my two counselors preside over the ward. You come to me for interviews and tithing settlement. What am I? Answer: A bishop

14. I am given to you when you are confirmed a member of the Church. As long as you try your best to choose the right, I will be your constant companion. What am I? Answer: The gift of the Holy Ghost

15. I am one of the twelve special witnesses of Jesus Christ. You can hear me speak at general conferences. What am I? Answer: An Apostle

16. I am the ten percent of your income that you give to a member of the bishopric to help build new meetinghouses and temples and to help run the Church. What am I? Answer: Tithing

17. I am a blessing given you to by a man in your stake who was called just for this purpose. One important thing that I tell you is your lineage in the house of Israel. What am I? Answer: A Patriarchal Blessing

18. I am an inner knowledge that Jesus is the Christ and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true. What am I? Answer: A testimony

19. I am a group of members presided over by a bishop and his two counselors. What am I? Answer: A ward

20. I am a group of wards presided over by a president and his two counselors. What am I? Answer: A stake

21. I am the weekly meeting when family members study the gospel, serve, and have fun together. What am I? Answer: Family home evening

22. I am the event that took place when Joseph Smith first prayed in the Sacred Grove. What am I? Answer: The First Version

23. I am the words/thought you use when you talk to Heavenly Father. What am I? Answer: A prayer

Game Ideas for Primary

Who Am I? - This is a good review game for characters or things found in the scriptures. The leader selects a name, such as Noah, Nephi, Moroni, Mary, Paul, etc. and the children have to guess in 20 questions who they have selected. The children should be encouraged not just to guess names but to guess about time periods and locations first.

Scripture Chase - This is a fun way to locate books or specific references from the standard works. It is called a chase because the students race to find the reference. The leader begins by introducing specific references to the children. They may read, discuss, and mark the references for future use. When the leader feels that the children are familiar enough with the references, she may give a quote, key word, problem, or situation as a clue to help them turn to the reference in their own standard works. Indicate which book of the standard works the scripture is in, but be sure not to reveal the actual reference.

Know Your Standard Works - This game would be good to play along with scripture chase. The leader calls out the name of a book from the standard works and the children name the particular works from which it comes. Example: The leader says "Peter," and the answer is the New Testament. This works well with teams.

Message Relay: A good game to introduce a scripture or many scriptures. Divide the group into several groups of equal size. Have a scripture written or typed for each group and divide it into single words. Put the words into a container and give a container to each group. When the leader says to begin, the group tries to assemble the words to form the scripture When the group has its scripture figured out, they deliver it to the leader written out on a piece of paper. The winner is the first group to provide the correct scripture in writing. The groups can be given the same scriptures to unscramble or each group can be given a different one.

Truth or Consequences: This game can be played individually or in teams. A fun way to play might be to team up the girls against the boys. Each person or each team has two cards, one marked true, the other false. Make up some questions that apply to the month's theme or the principle to be taught. One point is awarded for each correct card held up. The child or team gaining the most points wins the game. The "consequences" for a wrong answer (or several wrong answer to make the game move faster--maybe three) would be to have the person choose and lead one verse of a favorite Primary song. If teams were being used, the team would sing the song chosen by one of the members. This game would be a good one to use to combine singing time with sharing time.

Guessing Primary Songs: You could use the teachers with this game and have a fun review with the children. A person (adult or child) claps only the rhythm of a Primary song (be prepared to whisper some help into the children's ears). The other players try to name the song from the rhythm being clapped. Now all sing it together. This would make a good combined singing time and sharing time and a fun way to review.

Pass It On: Seat the children in a circle. Tell or read a scripture story, telling the children beforehand that they will be required to answer questions on the details of the story. Prepare a list of questions before Primary in such a manner that answers to them can be brief and objective. Pass an object (a ball or beanbag) about the room while playing music, and stop it without warning. (If it stops with the same person twice in succession, have the last one who touched it and who has not had a turn answer the question.) The person who is left holding the object chooses a number within the total of the prepared questions, and answers the appropriate question. Play the game until all questions have been answered correctly. Give out a small treat (a small piece of candy) to all who participated.

Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral: This would be a good game to use around holidays as you could pick "things that have to do with that holiday. Pick two children from the Primary and seat them at the front of the room with their backs to the chalkboard. Choose your subject and indicate what category it comes in--(a lion in Daniel's den would be an animal, etc.) Write the subject on the board so the children in the audience can recognize it, then allow the panel (two children) twenty questions in which to identify it. Once they have identified the object, choose two more children to be the panel and pick a new object. Around Christmas, you could use things having to do with the celebration of Christmas or the Savior's birth (hay, angel, gold, stable, swaddling clothes, mule, etc.) The same could be done with Thanksgiving or Easter.

Picture Recognition Contest: Cover the titles and hang around the room pictures depicting scriptural events (or gospel activities such as family prayer, blessing a baby, blessing food, etc.) Give each picture a number. Let the children go around and identify the scene or tell something about the even pictured. (This could be used for both Junior or Senior Primary as the pictures could be very simple for the little ones or more complex for the older children. Either group will have a lot of fun with this one.)

Drawing in the Dark: This game could be played to reinforce the need for Gospel Light, the Holy Ghost, Heavenly Father, or Jesus. Blindfold several children and have them attempt to draw an object. The results will usually be quite distorted. Let them try it again with the blindfold removed. Ccompare this to show what our lives would be like without the light of the Gospel, Holy Ghost, Savior, etc. to help us on our way. Without it (or them) we are in the dark and can easily lose our way and become confused.

Count Your Blessings: The children are seated in a circle. One player starts off with "I am grateful for apples"--or something beginning with the letter "A." The next player is grateful for something beginning with the letter "B" as "I am thankful for my brother." The third child says something beginning with "C" and so on. The game continues around the circle and through the alphabet. If a player fails to think of a word beginning with the proper letter, he drops out of the circle. The winner is the one remaining in the circle longest, or those remaining after time runs out.

Habits: Wrap a string around someone's wrist and have him break it. This is fairly easy (you may want to use thread with children). Then wrap it around again; he can still break it quite easily. Now wrap it around seven or eight times, and you will find that it cannot be broken.

Quick Recall: This game would be good to review scripture characters and see how much the children know about people in the standard works. Seat the children in a circle. Choose someone to be "it." "It" points to someone in the circle and says a name and then counts to ten. The other person must respond with something about the name called. Example: "Abraham" - the person responds with "Married Sarah" or something relating to Abraham. On failure to respond, or respond correctly, the person pointed to must take "it's" place.

Pillowcase Braille: This is a good little game to introduce a new theme. Place an object (something that pertains to the gospel principle you want to teach or the story you want to tell) inside a pillowcase and close the end of the pillowcase with an elastic band. Let the children pass the pillowcase from person to person and feel what the object might be. After everyone has had a turn feeling the case, let them guess what the object is and what gospel principle or scripture story it reminds them of.

Remember: Place a dozen or more objects on a table that have to do with the theme for Primary. For instance, if you are going to talk about the importance of school, you could bring a pencil, notebook, paper, eraser, crayons, etc. Cover the objects with a large towel or sheet. Gather the children around the table. Uncover the objects for one minute and allow everyone to study what they see. Now cover the table again and have the children write down as many of the objects as they can remember. Give a small prize as a pencil to the person getting the most objects. (The more objects on the table, the more fun the game!)

Brainstorming: Divide the children into several groups. Have each group pick a "spokesperson" for their group. Give each group a pencil and a piece of paper. Present an idea for brainstorming. You could give the same idea to each group or different ideas concerning the same theme. Some of the children's idea may be on the "fun" side, and accept those, too. However, you might be surprised at how serious the answers become. Give everyone 7-10 minutes to organize their ideas, and then have the spokesperson reports to the entire group. This could be done on gratitude near Thanksgiving or on serving others in December.

Twelve Days of Christmas Activities

1. Make a list of possible family traditions. Discuss and choose one in family home evening. Examples: caroling, visiting children in the hospital, watching a special program.

2. Send a birthday card to somebody who has a birthday this month. Write a poem or a story about something nice about that person, then illustrate it and put it inside the card.

3. Read Christmas stories to your younger brothers and/or sisters.

4. Think of somebody who might be sad or lonely and spend some time with him/her - play a game or do something else that he/she might like.

5. Find out how Hanukkah is celebrated, and tell about it in family home evening.

6. Babysit for a busy neighbor so that he/she can do some Christmas shopping.

7. Sincerely compliment seven different people for things they do well.

8. Send a Christmas card to your Primary teacher or home teachers. Add a note telling them about something you learned from them.

9. Do something nice for each member of your family without them finding out. Example: make Mom's bed, put a treat in a brother or sister's pocket

10. Plan some special treats for your family members or neighbors.

11. Help your mom by making gingerbread men or some other kind of Christmas cookies and clean up the kitchen when you are finished.

12. Make a special decoration - one that shows love for Jesus - for your Christmas tree.

Simple Felt Nativity Glove Puppets

Mary & Infant Jesus:
Cut body from light blue felt, sash of royal blue felt, hair of brown or black felt, rick-rac headband, swaddling clothes out of white felt, infant's hair of tan felt, mouths of pink, eyes: Mary's blue felt, infant's brown felt

Joseph:
Cut body from gold felt, staff is black pipe cleaner, head cloth is white felt, trim of rick-rac or braid, beard and brows of brown felt, mouth of pink felt

Shepherd:
Cut body from tan felt, staff is black pipe cleaner, beard of black felt, nose of tan felt, mouth of pink felt, trim of colored braid, (other shepherds could be made using basic body pattern of other colors, mix'n'match features)

Wiseman #1:
Cut body of purple felt, face of tan felt, nose of gold felt, beard of brown felt, trim of gold braid with jewels (use old earring or sparkling trim)

Wiseman #2:
Cut body of turquoise felt, headband-lace trim, metallic jewel trims and old earring, beard of brown felt, eyes of turquoise felt, face of gold felt

Wiseman #3:
Cut body of orange felt, face of brown or dark felt, nose and eyes of black felt, beard of black felt, jewels and lace trim

Angel:
Cut body of white felt (wings optional), hair is regular felt, gold braid trim criss-crossing in front, gold trim on head

Sheep:
Cut body of white felt, cut face of white fur, glue black ear-tips behind fur face, paws of white fur with black felt, eyes and nose of black felt, nostrils and tongue of pink felt

The Cactus, the Cross, and Easter

Friend to Friend: The Cactus, the Cross, and Easter

By Jeffrey R. Holland

Probably all of us have experienced when we really needed someone to help us. I remember once as a small boy I surely did. While playing on a mountainside near our home, I fell into the middle of a huge, prickly cactus plant. It really hurt! The prickly spines of the cactus went through my canvas shoes, through my stockings, through my trousers, through my shirt—they went through everything! I felt like a human dart board.

Immediately I let out a cry that was loud enough to shake the mountains. I couldn’t move up, down, in, or out. Every movement I made seemed to send those needles deeper and deeper into my skin. I just stayed there and howled.

I was five years old at the time and my older brother, who immediately rushed to my rescue, was eight. He was overwhelmed at the sight of me and the complexity of my plight. Nevertheless, he began to pull out some of the spines, but they seemed to hurt more coming out than going in and I howled even louder. Furthermore, the pin-sized wounds bled so much when the spines were removed that after a few minutes I looked like an advertisement for Red Cross blood donations.

Finally my brother saw that his feeble plucking was hopeless. There were dozens of spines yet to pull, and I was still screaming as loud as I could. He did the only thing an eight-year-old brother could do. He ran down the mountain, got his small red wagon, and labored painfully to get it up the side of the hill to where I was awaiting death—I thought. With some tugging and hauling and lifting—and plenty of noise from me—he got me out of the cactus and into the wagon. Then in some miraculous way, known only to children and Providence, he brought me down off that steep mountain in his wagon.

The rest of the story is blurred in my memory. As I recall, my mother got me out of my clothes and the rest of the prickly spines out of me. What I do remember clearly and will never forget is the sight of my brother tugging that wagon and determinedly making his way toward me. He was so concerned that he worked wonderfully hard to get to me. If I live to be one hundred, I suppose no memory of my brother will be more vivid than the view I had of him that day. I needed him desperately. And there he was, coming to help!

Easter is always a special time for us (to me it is the very best day of the whole year), and we should all try to remember that we once faced a most difficult problem and needed someone to help us. It was a problem much worse than a lost pet or a broken toy or a fall into a cactus plant. Through a long history of experience, beginning with Adam and Eve and stretching down to our own lives, it was a problem that if unsolved, would have left us in the presence of Satan and his hateful followers. We could then never be united again with our family, with our friends, and with our Heavenly Father who loves us. We would have been in a prison forever.

But Jesus, our elder Brother, did not allow himself to be captured by Satan. He was still safely outside the prison gates. In a way that we may not fully understand, even when we are very old, Jesus set us free. It was as though He had the only key to the prison door and that only He had the strength to swing it open. In doing so, He saved our lives so our families can be kept together and so we can someday return to our heavenly home. But He paid a terrible price to do this for us, a price for which we must give Him honor and reverence by keeping His commandments. He suffered a horrible death on a cross.

In that anguish of physical and spiritual pain Jesus, too, momentarily thought He was all alone and without help, and yet He did not turn away from helping us.

Jesus died for us, and only the mountains that trembled and the sun that darkened seemed to understand the gift that was being given. Then something wonderful happened! One who had died and was buried came to life again in a special way called resurrection.

In the peaceful setting of a spring garden, Jesus arose from His burial tomb to live again with our Heavenly Father. And in some wonderful, miraculous way, He gave us the same power and privilege. I do not know exactly how this will happen, but I know that we have, through Jesus, been given the opportunity to conquer all doubt and despair and death. That is what Easter means to me.

Each year at Eastertime, I would like you to remember how much nicer all the beautiful spring flowers look (and feel) than do those prickly cactus plants I once fell into. And I would especially like you to remember our Brother Jesus Christ to whom we owe everything, for He came to heal our wounds, calm our fears, and bring us safely home when we really, really needed Him.

December Sharing Time Ideas

December Sharing Time Ideas:

1. Read the story "The Giving Tree" and show the pictures. Then pass out paper ornaments made from construction paper with a piece of yarn attached. Have each child write on his ornament what he would give this Christmas that wouldn't cost any money, such as love, kindness, neatness, help, etc., and then have each child hang his/her ornament on a small Christmas tree. Let them report if they are giving their gifts.

2. Place a Nativity scene in a box--let the children come up and choose what they would like from the box. Seat the children in a circle and as you tell the story of Christmas, let the children place the figures in the middle of the circle. An inexpensive gift you could give to the children would be a salt dough star ornament. You can discuss the light of the star that guided the Wise Men and Shepherds to the New Born King.

O Come, Let Us Adore Him - Christmas Advent Calendar

December 1: Matthew 18:20 - Create your calendar

December 2: Mosiah 3:8-10 - Make a decoration that will remind you of the Savior and His mission.

December 3: Luke 17:12-17 - In one of your prayers today give thanks for every blessing you can name.

December 4: Matthew 14:15-19 - Feed someone spiritually and bear your testimony.

December 5: Doctrine & Covenants 88:6-13 - Look up at the heavens and think about who made them. Write your feelings down.

December 6: 3 Nephi 17:5, 6, 9 - Try to be as kind as possible to others today.

December 7: Matthew 11:28 - Go out of your way to befriend someone who needs a friend.

December 8: 3 Nephi 12:3-9 - Foster peace on earth by not arguing or fighting with your brothers and sisters.

December 9: Luke 10:30-36 - Do a good deed anonymously.

December 10: Moses 4:1-3 - Use your free agency to set some goals for yourself. Write them in your journal.

December 11: Matthew 25:37-40 - Visit someone who is sick or lonely.

December 12: 3 Nephi 18:1, 3, 5, 7, 9-11 - Think about the sacrament and the Savior.

December 13: 3 Nephi 13:19-20 - Do volunteer work for some worthy cause.

December 14: John 11:35-44 - Do something to bring cheer to someone who has reason to feel sad.

December 15: 3 Nephi 17:12, 21, 24 - Do something fun with a little brother or sister or another child.

December 16: John 13:34-35 - Today tell someone that you love them and express your love for the Lord in your prayers.

December 17: 3 Nephi 12:44 - Try to forgive someone who has wronged you.

December 18: Matthew 8:23-26 - Be a calming influence today; try extra hard to control your temper.

December 19: Doctrine & Covenants 19:16-19 - Accept the gift of forgiveness, pray and ask for help in overcoming weakness.

December 20: Mark 15:29-32 - Read the accounts of the crucifixion in the four Gospels. Write down your feelings.

December 21: Isaiah 25:8 - Read the accounts of the Resurrection and record your feelings.

December 22: John 8:12 - Go look at Christmas lights and think about where all light really comes from.

December 23: Doctrine & Covenants 76:19-20, 22-24 - Go out with friends singing Christmas carols.

December 24: Matthew 24:27-42 - Try to live this day as if it were the day of Christ's second coming.

December 25: Luke 2:1-16 - Consider what gift you could give the Savior and give it all year long.

Christmas Every Day of the Year

From the Friend Magazine, December 1976

My name is Ginger Lyn and I've always loved Christmas, but last year was the best one we've ever had. It all started on Thanksgiving Day as our family knelt in prayer to give thanks for our blessings. We were all so happy that we talked about some of the things we could do to help others have that same happy feeling.

Together we came up with many ideas, but the best one of all was our plan for Christmas Day. What we like most is our large family, and the happiness the gospel brings to us. We decided to share both these blessings as our gift to others.

The Salt Lake Temple is only a short drive from our home, and going there was part of our plan. We decided that on Christmas Day, after opening our gifts and eating breakfast, we would clean up the house, fix a big dinner, and then go to the temple grounds and find someone to spend Christmas with us. Before going down to the Visitors Center on Temple Square to find our unknown guests, we would set the table with candles, and our best silver and crystal, lay a fire in the fireplace all ready to light, and turn on the Christmas tree lights.

We pasted a picture of our family inside the cover of some copies of the Book of Mormon, wrote a message under each picture, and signed our names. These books were to be given to our names. These books were to be given to our dinner guests as we sat around the fire and talked in the evening.

We were excited about our plan, and we knew the Lord would help us. In all our family prayers from Thanksgiving until Christmas, we asked Him to prepare for us someone in need of our love who would be ready to hear the gospel.

Christmas Day finally came and we were all excited. It took us a lot longer to cook the dinner and clean the house than we thought it would. Because of this we arrived at the Visitors Center later than we had planned. We were afraid everyone would have eaten by then and we wouldn't find anyone to share Christmas dinner with us. We talked with a number of people and invited several of them to our home. Some said they had already eaten and others looked a little puzzled and said, "No, thank you." But we just kept asking because we knew that our Heavenly Father had prepared somebody for us. And sure enough, He had!

We found a father and mother from Michigan and their seventeen-year-old son. They were surprised at our invitation, but said they were very hungry and were just going to look in the phone book to find a place to eat. The father and mother had been to the Visitors Center before on another vacation, and on this visit they wanted their son to learn a little bit about the Latter-day Saint people. The father said, "There isn't a better way for us to learn about your church and lifestyle than to go right into one of your homes. We'd be delighted to come!"

We also invited two young women who were on vacation from Australia to our home. They seemed excited, too. They said they hadn't eaten dinner and would enjoy being with a family at Christmastime.

We had a wonderful time on that Christmas night, eating and talking and answering questions about the Church. Before we said good-bye to our guests, they thanked us over and over again. The Michigan family said they would always remember their Christmas dinner with us as a highlight of their trip, and before they left they took a picture of us around the Christmas tree.

The girls from Australia were a little teary as we gave them each a copy of the Book of Mormon with our picture inside the cover.

After the visitors had left, our family gathered in the kitchen to do the dishes. We agreed that the real spirit of Christmas had touched each one of us and that it had been the best Christmas ever. We learned, too, that we don't have to wait for Christmas to find a Christ-like feeling--all we have to do is share the gospel with others and it can be Christmas every day of the year!

Christmas: Message from the First Presidency

President Ezra Taft Benson
President Gordon B. Hinckley, First Counselor
President Thomas S. Monson, Second Counselor

Long before the Savior was born, several Book of Mormon prophets foretold the coming of the Lord. Nephi, King Benjamin, and Alma each rejoiced when they learned of the birth and mission of the Savior. They knew that He would bring everlasting joy to the world.

When Christ was born in Bethlehem, many others were given cause to rejoice as the prophecies of old were fulfilled. Since then, Christmas has become a time when we, too, are given the opportunity to celebrate and think that blessed event.

We read in the scriptures of many miracles that Christ performed during His earthly ministry. He healed the sick, raised the dead, and blessed the needy. And through His loving example and gospel teachings. He showed us the way to happiness. It was part of His divine plan that we be happy. "Men are, that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25).

With Christmastime upon us, and all the presents and goodies and festivities that accompany it, we must remember that, as nice as they are, these are not the things that bring true, lasting happiness. It is through service--the helping hand, the loving heart, and the willing spirit--that we receive real joy. In Romans, Paul reminds us that "the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14:17).

The spirit of Christmas prompts us to open our hearts and take notice of others in a special way. The love of Christ, however, should be the object of worship and the focus of our lives not only during this holiday season but at all times. Let us make Christmas the beginning of a year-round celebration of Christ's birth. His life, and His mission.

Let us work also to give some of the joy the Savior has given us back to Him. We can make the Lord happy by having faith in Him, by keeping His commandments, and by loving our fellowmen as He does. As the Apostle John said, there is no greater joy than to hear that children walk in truth. (See 3 John 1:4.)

At this time, we express our sincere love to children all over the world. Know that you are a source of great joy to us as you seek to do what is right, and it is our prayer that you may all have the joy that comes from following the Savior.

True Meaning of Christmas

And Santa whispered, "Teach the children the true meaning of Christmas."

The Star: A heavenly sign of prophecy fulfilled long, long, ages ago--the shining hope of mankind.

Red: The first color of Christmas, symbolizing the Savior's sacrifice for all.

Fir Tree: Evergreen--the second color of Christmas shows everlasting life. The needles point heavenward.

The Bell: Rings out to guide lost sheep back to the fold--signifying that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord.

The Candle: A mirror of starlight reflecting our thanks for the Star of Bethlehem.

Gift Bow: Tied as we should be tied together in bonds of goodwill forever.

Candy Cane: The shepherd's crook used to bring lambs back into the fold--a reminder that we are all our brother's keeper.

The Wreath: A symbol of the never ending eternal nature of love . . . having no beginning and no end.

I am Thankful for . . . List

Have the children fill out a list of things they are thankful for during Thanksgiving time. This is also a good exercise during Christmas to help them remember what they have, not what they want.

Give Yourself Away

Give Yourself Away

By Laurel Rohlfing

What gift can I give you for Christmas this year?
What gift can I give to bring love and good cheer?
What gift can I give you to tell you I care,
A gift you'll remember, a gift we can share?

The gift that I'll give can't be bought in a store,

It doesn't cost money--it's worth much, much more!

The gift that I'll give doesn't come from a shelf.

The gift that I'll give is a gift of myself!

A gift of yourself is a gift of service. It is one of the best gifts you can give, and it doesn't cost any money! When you serve others, you are giving something that only you can give. You are giving of yourself.

Jesus gave Himself by serving others. He didn't give gifts that cost money. He blessed the sick to get well, the blind to see, the lame to walk, and the sad to feel happy.

To give yourself in service, you could share with others your love, your time, and your talents. You could serve your parents by cheerfully doing chores and by helping your brothers and sisters. You could serve at church by helping keep the building and grounds clean and orderly. You could serve the poor and needy in your community by collecting food, clothes, or other things they might need. Someone lonely or sick might enjoy a visit, a letter, or a homemade gift. You could serve the missionaries by sharing your testimony in a Book of Mormon.

King Mosiah told his people that "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17). When you bless others' lives, you bless your own as well. So for a very satisfying Christmas, give yourself in service!

Instructions

On the next page is a list of those to whom you might want to give a gift of yourself this Christmas. Think of a way you can serve each one, and write it in the blank next to the name.

Sharing Time Ideas:

1. Review events in the Savior's life and have the children determine ways He served others.

2. Tell scripture stories of people who gave themselves away in service (Good Samaritan, King Mosiah, Esther, etc.)

3. Have children generate their own list of ways they can serve, then describe why these gifts might be more valuable than those they could buy.

4. Plan a class or an entire Primary service project.

5. Put objects in a basket or container that suggest ways children can serve others, and have younger children guess what each object stands for. Examples: Hoe (gardening), plate (setting the table), book (reading to someone). Children could use charades to express ways in which they could serve others.

6. Make an outline of a simple Nativity scene for each child. As children perform an act of service, they can color or paste in a picture until the scene is completed.

Gift List:

Mother:

Father:

Brothers:

Sisters:

Grandparents:

Friends:

Church leaders or teachers:

Missionary:

My community:

My ward/branch:

Someone who is in trouble:

Someone who is lonely:

Someone who is poor:

Someone who is sick:

Easter's Promise (Poem)

Easter's Promise

By Marie Myer

Now the snow begins to melt;
The earth is cold and brown.
I wonder where the flowers are--
There's not a bloom around.

Do they sleep beneath the earth
And stretch impatiently
And wait until the sun comes out
To be alive and free?

And do you think that when we die,
We'll slumber for a while
And then like flowers bloom again
With Heavenly Father's smile?

Easter Hunt - The True Meaning of Easter

Preparation:

An egg carton or Easter basket containing 12 plastic colored eggs, each plastic egg is filled with an object that symbolizes a scriptural reference of the Resurrection and the scripture reference.

1. Matthew 26:39 - sacrament cup (Let this cup pass. . .)
2. Matthew 26:14, 15 - 3 dimes (30 pieces of silver . . .)
3. Matthew 27:1, 2 - piece of knotted twine (bound Jesus)
4. Matthew 27:24-26 - sliver of soap (Pilate - "I am innocent")
5. Matthew 27:28-30 - square of red felt (his robe)
6. Matthew 27:31, 32 - a nail and a toothpick cross
7. Matthew 27:35, 36 - dice (cast lots for his robe)
8. Matthew 27:50, 51, 54 - bag of dirt and rocks (earthquake)
9. Matthew 27:58-60 - piece of white cloth (Jesus wrapped)
10. Matthew 27:60, 65, 66 - stone (rolled in front of tomb)
11. Luke 25:56 - bay leaf (herbs on Jesus)
12. Matthew 28:6 - empty (He was resurrected)

Procedure:

Ask 12 children (one at a time) to choose an egg out of the basket. The egg will contain both a small object and the scriptural reference it relates to. Read the scripture and discuss what the object symbolizes.

The children should gain a deeper understanding of the true meaning of Easter.

An Easter Walk

An Easter Walk

By Suzee Peterson

Find the following:

1. A branch: The week before His crucifixion, as Christ entered the city, the people waved branches from palm trees

2. A piece of wood: For it was out of wood that His cross was made

3. Something prickly: His crown was made of thorns

4. Something no long alive: For truly, the Savior did die

5. Find three things that are dark in color: Three days of darkness, light could not be found following His death

6. A stone: It was a huge stone at the opening of the grave that the angel removed

7. Something living: To remind us that Jesus Christ died and was resurrected and He surely lives today.

How to Be a Member Missionary

How to Be a Member Missionary

By Elder Quentin L. Cook Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

From a Brigham Young University devotional given on March 13, 2007.

I believe with all of my heart that we are on the threshold of the most significant missionary success to date.

Our challenge is to share the joyous, eternally significant gospel with our brothers and sisters so they can find peace and happiness and exaltation.

With this in mind, how can we be effective missionaries?

First: Be a missionary all your life. President David O. McKay (1873–1970) taught that every member is a missionary, and it is as true today as when it was first declared.

Second: Overcome feelings of hesitancy or inadequacy.

Third: Do not be discouraged because missionary work is hard.

Fourth: Be a good example and take every opportunity to share the gospel (see 1 Timothy 4:12). It is not enough to preach the gospel. One must also live the gospel. Very often people are receptive to being taught because they have had a positive experience with a Church member.

I know one BYU graduate who is a great example. He points out that there is a mirror quality to conversation. If we talk about the weather, people respond by talking about the weather. If we talk about sports, they respond by talking about sports. This friend says he asks people he meets about their school and listens intently. After they respond by asking him about his school, he tells them about BYU and then shares his testimony of the gospel. Then, in a positive way, he offers to let them learn more from the missionaries. He has been very successful in sharing the gospel. He has also remained on excellent terms with his friends who do not respond to his challenge because he genuinely loves them and is interested in them.

I am very enthusiastic about where we are at this time in missionary work. But, as President Hinckley (1910–2008) always counseled the Brethren, “We can still do better.”

There are great blessings, including eternal joy, in helping to bring souls unto Christ (see D&C 18:15).

Missionary work is not just one of the 88 keys on a piano that is occasionally played; it is a major chord in a compelling melody that needs to be played continuously throughout our lives if we are to remain in harmony with our commitment to Christianity and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

My specific challenge to each of you is to make a commitment to be a missionary for the rest of your life.

If you look at your group of friends, there are many who would respond to the gospel if you would have the faith to share the message of the Restoration with them.

What we desperately need is for member-missionary work to become a way of life—for the Savior’s mandate to share the gospel to become part of who we are.

He Will Hold Me in His Hands (Story)

He Will Hold Me in His Hands

By April Gohier
Based on a personal story told to the author in the London Temple

"Blessed are all the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (3 Ne. 12:8).

Anna sat up in bed. The room was still dark. She strained to hear sounds of Mama fixing breakfast in the kitchen. The only thing she heard was the chirping of crickets. She had been dreaming again—the same dream she had had every night for a week: She was walking out of darkness into a brilliant light. Seated in the center of the light was a man in a white robe, surrounded by children. As she neared him, he looked at her with the kindest eyes she had ever seen. He reached for her with large, strong hands and lifted her onto his lap. Then she woke up. But the feeling of loving hands holding her lingered.

The next day Anna had a hard time keeping her mind on what her teacher was saying. Anna thought, My teacher has promised to spend her whole life serving God. Surely she must know, if anyone does. Anna raised her hand.

“Why, Anna,” her teacher responded, “I didn’t think you were even listening this morning. Can you tell the class the answer?”

“I—I didn’t know that you had asked a question,” Anna stammered.

The children around her snickered. She felt a hot flush burn her cheeks.

“Then perhaps you have a question of your own?” the teacher inquired gently.

“Yes, I do have a question. Does God have hands?”

Again the children laughed. The teacher gave them one of her stern looks. “That’s not the sort of question I expected in the middle of mathematics,” she admitted. “However, class, there is never a wrong time to ask about God.” An orderly quiet returned to the room. Turning back to Anna, she said, “The Holy Bible tells us that God is a spirit. We might say that He is like the wind or the sunshine. We feel His power and love, but He cannot be seen. He does not have hands like you or I. We are His hands as we serve one another.”

Anna had always believed everything her teacher told her. She was very kind and wise. But every time Anna tried to think of God as a spirit without a body, she remembered the hands in her dream and their loving touch. It isn’t true, she whispered to herself. He does have hands. The dream made her feel so good that she knew that it must be true.

Her mother was in the garden when she arrived home from school. “Hello, Anna,” Mama greeted her. “I’ll be finished shortly.”

Anna sat on the warm earth near the flower bed and watched silently as Mama dug up the daffodil and tulip bulbs, separated the old ones from the new, and reburied them.

“My, but you’re the quiet one this afternoon,” Mama said as she finished the last bulb and sat on her heels to survey her work. “Usually it’s talk, talk, talk when you come home from school. Is there a test coming tomorrow that’s got your tongue?”

“No, Mama, there’s no test. I’m just thinking about a dream I keep having.”

“Do you want to tell me about it?” Mama asked, rising to her feet and reaching for Anna’s hand.

“There’s really not much to tell,” Anna said. “I’m in darkness. Then I see a light. As I go toward it, I see a kind man in white seated among some children. When I get close to him, he reaches out and picks me up. That’s when I wake up.”

“Who do you think this man is?”

“I think it’s God, Mama,” Anna answered. “But my teacher said that God is a spirit and doesn’t have hands.” Anna took one of her mother’s hands in both of hers. “When he picks me up, his hands are just as real as yours are right now, Mama.”

Her mother was silent for a few moments. Then she placed her free hand on top of Anna’s and looked lovingly into her face. “It’s a sweet dream,” Mama said slowly, “but I’m afraid that that’s all it is. Your teacher is right—a spirit has no hands.”

“It’s more than a dream,” Anna insisted. “I know it is.”

Mama patted Anna’s hands and smiled. “If it makes you happy to think of God in that way, I don’t see any harm in it. But I wouldn’t go talking about it at school anymore, all right?”

“All right,” Anna agreed. “I won’t.”

Anna stopped having the dream, and she stopped talking about it, but she never stopped thinking about it. Sometimes when she sat between Mama and Papa in their pew at church, she closed her eyes and thought of those loving hands holding her close.

Several years later two young Americans in dark suits came to Anna’s village. She felt a strange longing to talk to them. Sometimes she followed them a short distance. But when they turned to talk to her, she always ran away shyly.

One afternoon there was a knock on the door just as Anna and her mother sat down to eat. It was the Americans.

“We’re missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” said the taller one. “We have a message of joy that we’d like to share with you and your family.”

“We’re happy with our own church, thank you,” Mama replied quickly and began to shut the door.

Anna jumped up from her chair at the table. “Please, Mama, let them come in. Just this once,” she pleaded.

“All right, Anna. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt just once,” Mama said.

The taller one introduced himself as Elder Thomas, and his companion as Elder Johnson. Anna liked to listen to them talk.

“Anna,” Elder Thomas said now, smiling at her, “I’m glad we finally got a proper introduction. Every time we’ve tried before, you’ve run away.”

Anna blushed. “I see them on my way home from school sometimes, Mama,” she explained.

“So that’s why you wanted me to let them in.”

“I only wanted to ask them about America,” said Anna. “I thought it might help me with my studies.”

“I’m glad that you’re interested in America,” Elder Thomas told her with another smile. “That’s just what we’ve come to talk to you about. You see, something very exciting happened in America—something that isn’t even in the history books.” He paused, then asked her, “How old are you, Anna?”

“Fourteen, almost,” Anna answered.

“Fourteen. That’s how old a boy named Joseph Smith was when something very special happened to him.” Elder Thomas told Anna and her mother how Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in a grove of trees.

Excitement filled Anna’s heart as she listened. “You mean he actually saw God?” she asked when Elder Thomas finished.

“Yes, Anna,” he assured her. “He saw God just as plainly as you can see me at this moment.”

“Did God have hands?” she asked.

Elder Johnson started flipping through the book he carried with his Bible. “This book has what we call the Doctrine and Covenants in it,” he explained. “It contains revelations given to Joseph Smith. Listen to what it says in section 130, verse 22 [D&C 130:22]: ‘The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also.’ So he does have hands, Anna. ‘Tangible’ means that you can feel them.”

“I knew it, Mama!” Anna cried. “It’s just like my dream.”

“I had forgotten the dream,” Mama said softly.

As Anna told the missionaries of the dream, she felt as though the whole room was filling with love. “I know that God has a body, just as Joseph Smith said. And someday I will see Him, and He will hold me in His hands.”

A Good Neighbor (Story)

A Good Neighbor

By Brennon Fuelling

NOTE: Elder David B. Haight, of the Quorum of the Twelve, was so impressed with a letter he received from eleven-year-old Brennon Fuelling of Oakley, Utah, that he suggested it be printed in the Friend. He had asked Brennon in person what he was doing for the Church, and Brennon had replied, “Well, I helped people join.” At Elder Haight’s request, and with the hope that other boys and girls will catch the spirit of missionary work, Brennon explains in the following letter what he did recently to help someone join the Church.

Dear Elder Haight,

Five months before Christmas, a family consisting of a husband, a wife, and their twin boys came to our door to ask if the house right by us was for rent. We said yes and took them over to show them around. They said it was nice and that they would think about it.

Well, the next day we received a phone call. It was from Mr. Nacy, the father of the family that had knocked on our door. He told us they would move into the house within two days, so I took over the lawn mower and started mowing the lawn and cleaning up the yard. When the Nacys got there with the moving van and saw me working on the yard, Mr. Nacy offered to pay me, but I refused. I helped them move in.

As the days passed, I started wondering if the Nacys were Mormons. I asked Mom and Dad if they knew, but they said they probably weren’t because the Nacys hadn’t attended our church.

I went over the next day, and Mrs. Nacy answered the door. I asked if they were Mormons. She said that she was a Baptist and that Mr. Nacy was a Mormon. I asked if they would like to come to church with us the next Sunday. It was stake conference, and I told them what time church started and everything.

Sunday I saw the Nacys in church on the front row.

The next day I went over and asked if they enjoyed the meeting, and they said yes. Later, a little before Christmas, I asked if they had a Christmas tree. Mrs. Nacy said no. I knew we had an extra one, so I told her that I had better be going home, and I ran over and got our extra Christmas tree. I took it over and gave it to her and said it was a Christmas present from me.

The Nacys moved shortly after Christmas. And last summer when I was hauling hay, Mr. Nacy stopped and told us his wife had been baptized.

Respectfully,
Brennon Fuelling

Strangers at the Door (Story)

Strangers at the Door Print

(Adapted from “A True Thanksgiving,” The Young Women’s Journal, vol. 9, 1898.)

Mr. and Mrs. Eldon lived with their two daughters and son in a small village in South Carolina. Once prosperous, the family was having a struggle to gain the necessities of life. The father had lost his eyesight in a farm accident, and now the mother and the girls did sewing for some of the wealthier families in the village. Johnny, the son, received a small wage working in a local store.

One Thanksgiving Day, the Eldons were trying to help each other forget the sadness in their lives. Mother had many times looked up from her sewing that morning to mention some blessing they enjoyed. Once she said, “How happy we should be that another year has passed and that we can all be together this day.”

At noon Mother decided they had all worked enough for the day, and it was time to clean the house and then prepare the Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone readily agreed to the plan, and soon the small house had a bright appearance.

Then came the question of dinner. One of the few remaining chickens must be sacrificed. Johnny considered himself the executioner and soon brought in his headless victim.

Meanwhile, Mother mysteriously disappeared, but she soon returned with a surprise in the shape of a large yellow pumpkin, declaring that she knew it would not seem like a Thanksgiving dinner without pumpkin pies.

Even Father began to laugh and enjoy the happy spirit of his family. He went to and fro with Johnny, bringing in wood and helping in other ways. Their father’s happier attitude made everyone feel brighter, for he had taken little interest in anything since he had fully realized that he could not expect to ever see again.

When all was ready for Thanksgiving dinner, the eldest daughter said, “Mother, we really have more than enough to eat. I wish some needy person would come to our door that we might share with him. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

“Yes, we have much to be thankful for this day, I’m sure,” answered Mother, and then she added, “Come, Father, your chair is waiting.”

Everything smelled tempting indeed. The chicken had been made into soup, and there was plenty of it. The pies were delicious. The large plain cake was light and wholesome. The rosy apples had been polished until they shone. And the bunch of autumn leaves and red berries in the center of the table helped to make the meal appear even more tempting. Loving hands and thankful hearts had prepared it so that it was really more than a royal feast.

While this festive meal was being prepared, two weary young men were walking toward the village where the Eldons lived. They introduced themselves at each house they came to, and explained, “We are missionaries, traveling without purse or scrip. Can you take us in for the night?”

“What church do you claim to be missionaries for?” they were asked and the answer was given with pride, “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

“That’s another name for the ‘Mormon’ Church is it not?”

“Yes.”

“Then you can leave, for Mormons aren’t welcome here.”

Having been turned away from several houses with similar replies, one of the missionaries said to his companion, “It seems to me we might as well make up our minds to sleep outside tonight.”

But his companion answered, “We must continue to have faith. Somewhere there are honest hearts awaiting us, and we will be led to them.”

Finally, the young elders came to the Eldons’ door where they paused and overheard the father of the house earnestly thanking God for their food and also asking His blessings on their household. When the simple prayer was ended, the elders knocked lightly, for they felt in their hearts that they had found a place where they could rest.

When Mother answered the door and heard their story, she said, “You must be the ones we were wishing for to help us eat our Thanksgiving dinner. Come right in. They are welcome, are they not, Father?” she asked, turning to her husband.

“Indeed they are,” he answered. “You know the stranger has ever been welcome in our home.”

Places were quickly made at the table, and the missionaries soon felt at ease. They were happy to have found one family who had the true Thanksgiving spirit in their hearts.

Then to the family seated around the cheerful fire on that Thanksgiving night the missionaries told the simple story of the gospel being restored to the earth through Joseph Smith and of God’s great goodness to His children in these latter days.

Each listener within that little house felt that what these young missionaries were saying was true. The father and mother especially rejoiced, for the gospel as Christ taught when He ministered upon the earth was something they had longed for and often spoken of.

It was late when the family thought of retiring. Father asked the elders to pray, which they did in a simple, fervent manner that touched every heart.

It was certainly a Thanksgiving Day never to be forgotten. To the Eldons had come the greatest of all blessings—a new understanding of the gospel of Christ.

Attention-Getting Activities for Missionary Work Lessons

1. Dress in a costume from another country.

2. Using a large map of the world, circle the areas of the church presence, explaining that Heavenly Father loves all His children, worldwide, and that he desires all to receive the gospel.

3. Using drawings/pictures of children from all over the world, match them to the areas on the map.

4. Play a game where you blow up balloons with names of countries or areas inside. And the children match them to a map. (Or draw the names out of a can.)

5. As they are matched, talk about the customs of each area (display items if possible).

6. Teach a word from a different language.

7. Match pictures of different temples to areas on a map. Talk about how far some people travel to receive the blessings of the temple.

8. Arrange to have pen pals from another country.

9. Explain that missionaries serve all over the world. Have a returned missionary relate his or her experiences.

Stories of Sharing the Gospel and Testimonies of Missionary Work

Teaching My Teacher

By Billy Brim, age 9, Belgium

One day, my piano teacher saw me talking to the Latter-Day Saint missionaries. After my lesson was over, she offered me a drink of lemonade, and then she asked me how I knew the elders. I told her I was a Mormon.

She said that the elders had knocked on her door a while ago, but she hadn't let them in. She asked if we believed in Jesus. I told her we did and recited the first Article of Faith. I also told her about Joseph Smith in the sacred grove and about how he became the first prophet of the Church.

She was really interested and asked me a lot of questions. Since that day we have talked about the Church at almost every piano lesson. When I told her about the Word of Wisdom, she said she thought it was a good rule and that it would keep our bodies healthy.

It makes me feel good to tell my piano teacher about the gospel. She is very nice and I hope someday she will become a member of the Church.

Sealed in the Temple

By JoAnne Hilditch, age 10, Fountain Valley, California

When I was eight years old, we moved to Fountain Valley, California. Since we had some friends who were Mormons, Mom and Dad wanted to learn about the gospel. So when the missionaries knocked on our door, Mom asked them to come back that night when Dad was home. They did. The feeling was so good that evening that we asked the missionaries to return.

Later on, Mom, Dad, and I were baptized, and a few weeks later my little sisters were blessed. Then my older sister was baptized. A year later, my dad died of cancer. About a year after this death, our family was sealed together in the temple.

I am really thankful that we have the gospel in our home.

The Work of God

By Tina Perry, age 12, Salt Lake City, Utah

When my brother Jeff was called on a mission to Houston, Texas, we were all excited. It was hard to think that we wouldn't see him for two years, but we had a strong feeling that Jeff would be safe and do well on his mission. Time passed quickly and soon we went with him to President Pulton's office where he received a blessing. The Spirit was truly there.

We are very happy now even though our brother is away from us. I know that this is the true Church and that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. I hope boys and girls can plan and prepare for a mission. It truly is the work of God.

A Day to Remember

By Debra George

When I was four years old, we lived in Mebourne, Florida, near Cape Kennedy where my father worked. While living there, I often went across the street to visit a really nice family, the Cranstons, who had recently moved in. Usually I played with their youngest son, Thad, who was my age. Other times I would sit and talk with Mrs. Cranston while she ironed or folded clothes.

One day I asked Mrs. Cranston if she would like to hear a story. She said she would, so I told her the story of Joseph Smith. After I was through she looked sort of surprised, but said it was a nice story. Later that afternoon, Mrs. Cranston asked my mother about it, because she was amazed that a little girl could relate a story so vividly.

My mother told her a little more about the Church and invited her older son to join the Cub Scout den she was teaching in our home. He joined and completed all of his requirements. Their whole family even came to our monthly pack meetings.

Later we invited them all over for a special family home evening, and the missionaries showed the filmstrip "Meet the Mormons." The Cranstons asked questions about it and became even more interested, so the missionaries came back and taught the discussions. A couple of months later, my father baptized the whole family. I remember after they were baptized, Sister Cranston cried because she was so happy that they had all become members of the Church.

Some years later, our family attended fast meeting in Titusville, Florida, where the Cranstons had moved. Sister Cranston was the Relief Society President of their ward, and her husband was adviser to the priests. During the meeting, Sister Cranston bore her testimony and said how happy and grateful she was for that day years ago when a little neighbor girl told her about Joseph Smith and his vision.

Our Lives Changed

By Kent Richards, St. Clairsville, Ohio

After I had been living in Fairfield, Ohio, for about a year, the Nielson family moved into our neighborhood. It wasn't long until Brett Nielson and I became best friends. One day, he asked me to go to his church for a dinner. My parents said it was okay.

When we arrived at the Church, he showed me around the building. Later we saw a movie called "Meet the Mormons," and he asked if I would like to join the Mormon Church. I said I might, and when I got home, I told my mom that I wanted to be a Mormon when I grew up.

My mom thought she'd better see what her son was getting into. So she went to see Sister Nielson, and asked her if she had any books about the Mormons. Sister Nielson gave Mom some books and pamphlets to read.

Pretty soon, the missionaries gave us the discussions and we were baptized. Dad was baptized a year later and this year we were sealed together as a family for time and all eternity.

Even though we have since moved to St. Clairsville, Ohio, Brett and I are just like brothers. We plan to go to Brigham Young University together. I know that when you bring the gospel to someone, you grow closer to that person.

Good Neighbor

By Tina Bubar, age 13, Fort Fairfield, Maine

Soon I'll be celebrating the first anniversary of my baptism, thanks to the efforts of my neighbor Diane Novak who is ten.

Diane invited me to Primary at thee Caribou Branch of the Church at Houlton-Maine District of the Canada-Halifax Mission. Later, I met with the missionaries and was baptized by Diane's father in the swimming pool at Loring Air Force Base. Now I got to Mutual and take my nonmember brother and one of his friends with me.

How I Became a Mormon

By Sandy Tandy

I was born and reared in England. When I was ten years old, my friend Kathy asked me to go to Primary with her. I went out of curiosity and because I didn't have anything else to do. That first Primary was a great beginning for me. Every Thursday after that, I went to Primary.

As I began to understand the first principles of the gospel, my own church became less important to me. Soon it was time for me to start taking classes of confirmation in the Church of England, but the lessons seemed confusing. I was especially confused about babies being born in sin, for I couldn't see how my new baby sister could have already sinned.

I told my mother how I felt, and fortunately she understood and let me go to Sunday School with Kathy. Then the elders started visiting our home to give the missionary lessons. My mother could not accept the gospel, but she gave me permission to be baptized.

I was baptized one week after my thirteenth birthday. What a beautiful birthday present to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost! I will always be grateful to my wonderful friend Kathy and to the Primary where I first learned about the Church.

Wade's Miracle

By Karla Hayne, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Before Wade Holmstead passed away, I had the opportunity of being his Primary president. All his life he had serious health problems, but he also had an insight and understanding that few eleven-year-olds have.

When I interviewed Wade for Primary graduation, he was well prepared and anxious to become a deacon and a scout. Then we spoke of missionary work and his future plans. Some of his neighbors were inactive and the children did no attend Primary. I asked Wade if he would be a missionary and try to get these children to attend Primary. He agreed.

The next week, Primary was about to begin when Wade and these children entered the chapel. I was stunned! What a miracle. Later, I asked him, "How did you ever get the children to come to Primary?"

Wade looked at me with wonder and answered quietly, "It wasn't hard at all, Sister Haynie. I just reminded them. All they needed was to be reminded."

Best Friends (Story)

Best Friends

By Alma J. Yates

Tommy Wilson had always been my best friend, even though he wasn’t like most of the friends I ran around with at school. Actually, Tommy was old enough to be my grandpa, but that didn’t matter to me. He lived next door, and ever since I was old enough to play outside by myself, I had spent a lot of time with Tommy.

Tommy had his very own garage. It wasn’t just a place to park a car, but a repair shop. In fact, he didn’t even park his car in the garage because there were so many tools—and usually a customer’s car—in it.

Although I had to be careful and do more watching than touching, Tommy let me hang around his garage and help him by getting him tools or holding a spark plug or even undoing a bolt he’d loosened.

But Tommy didn’t work just on cars; he was a carpenter too. He could make anything. Once he even made me a bed out of big, thick boards. He sanded them smooth, then bolted them together so that the bed was extra strong. When he was finished, he stepped back and grinned. Then in his big, gruff voice he boomed, “Jared, that’s a boy’s bed! You could jump on that all day and it would never come apart.”

Sister Wilson had died a long time ago, so some days Tommy came to our house for dinner. And sometimes after supper I’d sit with Tommy on his front porch and he would tell me about the places he’d seen and the things he’d done. He had been a lumberjack in Oregon and had fished in the ocean and had driven a bulldozer in Wyoming and had even drilled for oil in Texas!

There was no doubt about it—Tommy was my best friend. That’s why one thing kept bothering me: Tommy would take me lots of places with him, but he wouldn’t ever go to church with me. He didn’t go to church with anybody, for that matter. Sometimes he came to our family home evenings, but whenever I was helping him and tried to talk about the Church, he just cleared his throat, asked for a tool, or pretended he didn’t hear me.

When I talked to Dad about it, he put his arm around my shoulders and said, “Well, Jared, I don’t have the answer to that one. Tommy might be afraid of people, or maybe he’s upset about something that happened in the past. The decision to go to church must be his choice. The Lord doesn’t force us to do anything. But you and I need to help Tommy if we can. If we just love him and continue inviting him to come to church with us, maybe he will someday.”

I already loved Tommy, and he knew that, so the next day I said to him, “How would you like to come to church with me next Sunday?”

“Can you hand me that screwdriver?”

I handed him the screwdriver and licked my lips. “I wouldn’t miss church for anything,” I said, “and that’s not just because it’s the right thing to do. I like church, and so would you. Will you come with me?”

“Do you see that wrench by your foot? Will you hand it to me?”

I didn’t say anything for a long time, long enough for Tommy to forget that I’d been asking him about church. Then I said, “Will you answer me one question, Tommy?”

“Sure, Jared. What is it?”

“Have you ever gone to church?”

He started to clear his throat, so I hurried and said, “You promised, Tommy. You promised you’d answer my question. We’re best friends, and I just want to know.”

“Yeah, I’ve been to church. When I was your age, I went all the time.”

“What happened? Why did you stop?”

“You said one question.”

“But I just want to know. Then if you don’t want to talk about it, I won’t ask.”

Tommy walked over and sat down on an upturned bucket. He picked up two spark plugs and rolled them around in his hands. “I always went to church before my dad died,” he began. “I was eleven when he died. After that we were really poor, so I didn’t have anything nice to wear. I went to church anyway, but I was worried that the kids would make fun of me. Well, they didn’t—at least not at first. Then one Sunday I had to wear my dad’s big, old dress shoes. They were all I had except my work boots, and I couldn’t wear them to church. I was worried about going to church that day, but I went. That was the last time.”

“Did they make fun of your shoes?”

Tommy nodded. “I decided then that I’d never go back. I never have.”

For a long time neither one of us said anything. I felt real bad, and I wished that I had been with Tommy when he was a boy so I could have helped him out. But I wasn’t even born then.

“People wouldn’t laugh at you now, Tommy,” I said. “I know they wouldn’t. I wouldn’t let them.”

Later I told Dad about my conversation with Tommy. We decided to stop every Sunday on our way to church and ask Tommy to come with us. But he never went with us. He just smiled and called, “No thanks. Not today.”

Then one Sunday my Primary teacher, Sister Poulsen, talked about missions and how we were all supposed to prepare for our missions. She said that when we grew up we might even get sent to Russia or Africa or India. It sounded exciting, and I was ready to go right then, even if I wasn’t nineteen yet. Then I remembered Tommy, and I thought, How can I preach to the people in Russia or China when I can’t even get my best friend to go to church?

Each Sunday Dad and I stopped by for Tommy, and I prayed for him, too, but he still didn’t come to church. I thought I was doing all that I could, but deep inside I knew I hadn’t done quite enough.

For our Primary sacrament meeting we had learned songs like “I Hope They Call Me on a Mission,” and I had to give a little talk about saving money for my mission. As we were practicing our parts before sacrament meeting the day of our program, I knew there was no way I could sing those songs and say my talk while Tommy was in his garage working.

I slipped over to my mom, who was a Primary teacher, and told her what I was going to do. Then I ran the two blocks to Tommy’s house. I was panting and puffing when I ran up Tommy’s driveway, and I could hear him pounding on something inside the garage. When I stepped inside, he stopped pounding and asked, “What are you doing here, Jared? Aren’t you supposed to be in church? I thought you were singing in a program today.”

I stared at his greasy hands and dirty pants and messy hair. I looked away from him and mumbled, “I came to get you, Tommy. I had to.”

“What?”

“Aren’t we best friends, Tommy?”

“Why sure. You know that.”

“Then I need you to be there. I can’t sing those songs and say my talk unless you’re there. It just isn’t right. I thought I could do it without you, but now I know that I can’t.”

“Well, Jared, I’m not dressed, and I’m all dirty and greasy.”

“I can wait for you. If you hurry, we can make it.”

“I don’t know. I haven’t been to church for years …”

I could tell he was thinking about it, so I started talking really fast. “You just have to, Tommy, because I need you there. Just this once, so you can hear my program, and then if you don’t want to ever go back, well, then … But I know you’ll like it, and you’ll want to go all the time.”

He put his tools away and stuffed his hands into his pockets. “It’s been a long time, Jared. I just don’t think—”

“You can sit with me,” I interrupted, “except when I sing. Then I have to go up front. But if you’re afraid to sit alone, I’ll stay right with you, because they don’t really need me to sing.”

Tommy smiled. “Do you really want me to go that badly?” he asked.

I could feel my eyes start to burn. I looked at the ground and nodded my head because I couldn’t say anything.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Tommy was going to church! I was so excited I wanted to yell. Then I got scared. What if somebody laughed at Tommy? What if nobody talked to him? What if he got upset and decided never to go back?

I started to shake, and my stomach got all fluffy and full of tickles. There was only one thing I could do. I found a clean old blanket and knelt down on it and prayed, “Heavenly Father, I know You want Tommy to go to church, and I want him to go too. But I need some help. I invited him, and he’s going, but somebody’s got to tell the people at church not to laugh at him or make him feel bad. I can’t do that part, but You can. Help them to love Tommy as much as I do. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

Pretty soon Tommy came back wearing a clean shirt and pants, and his hands were washed and his hair was combed. As we walked to church, I could tell that he was worried and scared because he didn’t talk much and he kept putting his hands in his pockets and taking them out again. I was scared, too—maybe more than Tommy—but I didn’t tell him that. I just took his hand when we went into the church.

Everything was quiet when we walked in. The chapel was full, and Bishop Call was just starting to welcome everyone to sacrament meeting. I saw room for us right next to Mom and Dad, so I pulled him over there as fast as I could.

I was so scared that I didn’t dare look at anyone. Then Dad reached over and shook Tommy’s hand and whispered, “It’s good to see you, Tommy.” Brother Baker leaned over my shoulder and whispered, “Brother Wilson, good to have you here.” Brother and Sister Roberts, who were sitting in front of us, turned around and smiled. After that I wasn’t scared any more, because I knew Heavenly Father had answered my prayer.

I remembered all of my talk without looking at my paper or down at Mom. And when I sang “I Hope They Call Me on a Mission,” I sang as loud as I could, because I was ready to go.

After the closing prayer, I tried to hurry back to my seat so that Tommy wouldn’t be alone, but I didn’t have to. By the time I got to Tommy, he was surrounded by people. Why, it looked like the whole ward wanted to shake his hand!

It was a long time after the meeting ended before Tommy and I started home. We didn’t say anything until we stopped in front of his house; then I asked, “Can I pick you up next Sunday? I don’t have to sing or do anything special, but I’d sure like you to come.”

Tommy’s eyes were all watery, and he rubbed them with the back of his hand. “No, Jared, I won’t let you stop for me next Sunday.”

I couldn’t believe it! I thought he had liked going to church. I didn’t know what to say.

Then Tommy said, “Next week I’ll take you to church.”

Tommy didn’t work in his garage on Sundays after that, because every Sunday he went to church. And when I’m old enough, I can go to India or Russia or any other place and feel good about preaching the gospel to all those strangers because now my best friend goes to church.

Sharing Time: Be A Friend

Sharing Time: Be a Friend
By Pat Graham

And thou shalt do that which is right. (Deut. 6:18)

Be a Friend

Being a friend to someone is the first step in being a good missionary. Friendshipping is a way of showing love to others. When people know we care about them, it could help them to want to learn about the gospel.

Here is a friendship circle with ideas about how to bring someone into your circle of friends. Use one idea each day, and soon you will have the talent for being a friend to others.

Instructions:
1. Glue circles to lightweight cardboard, then cut them out. Punch hole in center of each circle and fasten together. Try making a circle with your own ideas about being a friend.







2. Sing “Come with Me to Primary” (see page 42) as you are working.

Sharing Time Ideas

1. Enlarge circles. Make six hearts on separate pieces of paper. Print ideas on hearts for older children, or draw pictures for younger children. Before Primary begins, attach hearts to undersides of seats of six chairs. Discuss friendshipping and missionary work, and ask children to think of ways that they could begin to be a friend to someone new. Ask them to look at bottom of seats of their chairs and, as hearts are found, have each child with an idea attach it to friendship circle.

2. Make a copy of the Sharing Time page for each child to assemble. Have children sing “Come with Me to Primary” (see page 42). Ask children to try using ideas each day of coming week, and then report at next Sharing Time.

3. Have children answer questions beginning with “How would you do right if …”

Friends Forever

After David had slain Goliath, King Sault was so impressed with the young man's ability and courage that he took him into his own household. It was there that David became the best of friends with Jonathan, Saul's oldest son. Their admiration for each other quickly developed into such a strong bong that the Bible says, "the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David and Jonathan loved him as his own soul." And the two made a covenant to honor their friendships forever.

So strongly did Jonathan feel about their pledge that he "stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle [belt]."

Whatever task King Saul gave to David, he excelled at it. And when Saul set David over a legion of soldiers to fight against the Philistines, he was victorious. The Israelites had accepted David as a great leader and when he returned from the fighting there was singing and dancing and much celebrating. As the women played their instruments and sang, they rejoiced and called to one another, "Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands."

To hear such praise heaped upon David caused Saul to become very angry, and the seeds of jealousy and suspicion began to grow in his heart. The next day, as he had done many times before to soothe Saul's nerves, David played his harp for the king. But the music didn't gentle the king's soul. Instead of spirit of evil entered his heart, and he threw a javelin he was holding at David and tried to kill him--not once, but twice. However, the deadly javelin missed David both times as he dodged out of the way.

King Saul then made David his captain over a thousand soldiers, hoping that he would be killed in battle. But "David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him. Wherefore. . . Saul. . . was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David."

When he was unsuccessful in getting rid of David as he had planned, Sault ordered all his servants and also Jonathan to slay David. But Jonathan had covenanted with David to be his friend, so he warned David to go into hiding. Then he pleaded with his father, "Let not the king sin against his servant. . . David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good."

Jonathan reminded his father how valiant David had been in battle and how he had saved Israel from their Philistine enemies. He concluded by saying, "Thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?"

Saul's heart softened at these words, and he promised that his son's friend would not be slain. Jonathan was very happy and brought David to be reunited with Saul. But when there was a war again and David and his army were victorious, King Saul was furious that the Lord had favored David. When David innocently played and sang as before for the king, an evil spirit entered into Saul and again he tried to kill David with his javelin. But it just missed David and thudded into the wall next to him.

David fled into the night and Saul in his fierce anger sent messengers after him to slay him. Saul's changeable attitude was frightening and puzzling to David. When he met secretly with his friend Jonathan, he said, "What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is m y sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?"

It was difficult for Jonathan to believe that his father would break his promise to let David live. But when Saul in his fury tried to kill Jonathan, too, Jonathan warned David by a prearranged signal of spent arrows that his friend's life was in great danger.

When the two friends knew that for David's safety, they must part, they kissed one another as brothers and wept bitterly. "And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city." (1 Samuel 18-20)

Jon, Randolph, and Me

Our school was pretty small. It had only about twenty kids in each class, so everybody got to know everybody else pretty well. From kindergarten on, I always had plenty of friends. But a few kids in each class were a little shy, and the rest of us didn't always try to bring them into our activities.

I remember Randolph especially. He was really quiet and never said anything in class. The teacher sometimes asked, "What do you think, Randolph?" just to get him to talk. I never played much with Randolph,  but it wasn't because I didn't like him. He was just too quiet. At recess he would usually go off to play by himself or sometimes with one other boy. That was the way it was until the fourth grade. Then Jon moved to town. Jon was a great guy, and everybody like him, including me. But he was so good at sports that all the guys made him their hero. I had been the leader, and I was still everybody's friend, but Jon was their hero!

One day I was a little late getting outside for recess. When I did get outside, the kdis had already started a soccer game, and it didn't look like there was any room for me. So I went over to the tetherball and started hitting it around the pole. Then I saw Randolph. He was standing to the side just watching the soccer game. I guess that's what he usually did, just watched. I called, "Hey, Randolph, wnt to play tetherball with me?"

He looked kind of funny for a minute. I guess he wasn't used to being asked, because he said, "Me?"

I said, "Yeah, sure, you."

We had a good time, and that afternoon at recess we played tetherball some more. We laughed a lot, and Randolph even talked a little. It made me feel good to see him open up like that.

The next day at morning recess, Randolph and I headed for the tetherball pole again. We'd just started, when Jon came over to me and said, "Hey, don't you want to play soccer with us?"

I felt pretty good that Jon had asked me, since he usually had all his friends around him, so I said, "Sure," and ran to get in place.

Then I looked back. There was Randolph, just standing alone by the tetherball, bopping it a little bit. I hollered, "Hey, Randolph, come on over. We need you to play, too."

He looked that funny way again, like he did the first time I asked him to play tetherball. I said, "Randolph, I'm not playing unless you do."

Then the greatest thing happened. Jon spoke up and said, "Right, Randolph. We need you, too. Come on."

And Randolph came running over, grinning the biggest grin I ever saw.

How to Deal with Disagreement

How to Deal with Disagreement

Check those things you do when you disagree with people.

A. _____ Avoid the person.
B. _____ Change the subject.
C. _____ Try to understand the other person's point of view.
D. _____ Admit that you are wrong even if you do not believe you are.
E. _____ Give in.
F. _____ Apologize.
G. _____ Try to reach a compromise.
H. _____ Pretend to agree.
I. _____ Whine and complain until you get your way.
J. _____ Play the martyr; give in but the other person know how much you are suffering.


Ask your teacher to help you devise a plan whereby you can disagree with someone while still giving them the respect they deserve. Tell about your proper way of disagreeing.

Characteristics of Friendship Worksheet

Friendship Slogans

Write a friendship slogan. Make a poster of your slogan. Give your poster to a friend.

Examples:

A friend is a present you give yourself

Recipe for having friends: Be one!

One does not make friends, one recognizes them.

I Can Be Reverent By Showing Respect, Honor, and Love for My Friends

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you." -John 13:34

Gospel Truth:

Friendship is a loving relationship between two people. Friends respect each other, care about each other, remain true to each other, and overlook and forgive each other's faults. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be friends with all His children.

As I tell the following story, listen for the qualities of a true friend:

Bill was approached by some kids he knew at school. They were angry because Jim, a member of the group, said Bill had pushed Jim's brother into the park pond that morning. Bill had not been near the pond. At this tense moment, Bill saw his friend John walking toward him. He was excited to see John because he had been with John all morning. John could prove his innocence. As John came nearer, the other boys threatened him, but he kept coming. He stood up for Bill and finally convinced the others that he was innocent; they were accusing the wrong man.

What qualities of friendship were displayed by John?

Read and discuss the description of the friendship of Jonathan, a son of King Saul, and David, the shephed boy. (See Samuel 18:1-4) Ask the children how they would complete the following statement: "A true friend is a person who _______________________." Discuss the answers given.

Perhaps the best one word description is found in Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loveth at all times. Also see John 13:34.

If we can be a true friend, we can make a difference at home, at schoo, at church, in our country, and in the world. Joseph Smith said about this: "Friendship is one of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism; [it is designed] to revolutionize and civilize the world, and cause wars and contentions to cease and men to become friends and brothers." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith)

Challenge the children to be true friends in the coming week.

Other concepts that might be taught:

1. Important to understand that if we want friends, we must be a good friend. List on poster or on slips of paper the following:

  a. Learn to love them.

  b. Be yourself

  c. Include someone who is feeling left out

  d. Be interested in what others are doing

  e. Help others

  f. Say good things about others

  g. Share with others

  h. Invite others to do something with you

A second list would be the negatives:

Do not:

  a. Buy friendships by giving treats or expensive gifts

  b. Lie about others

  c. Give false praise

  d. Threaten to desert your friend if he won't agree with you

2. Our family should be our most important friends. Encourage the children to be kind to brothers and sisters and parents. This could be done using stories with pictures and figures. Perhaps you could have children do some role playing.

3. It is important that children understand that being a friend does not mean lowering your standards. It is important that we try to influence our friends for good and not allow them to drag us down. There are many stories in the scriptures where friends were true to their words or maintained their standards when others did not.

4. Enlarging upon #3, the children can be missionaries to their nonmember friends and perhaps even influence them to learn about the church. There are many stories in which members share how small chidlren were the catalyst for seeking the truth of the gospel. Stories such as these could be shared or presented during sharing time.

5. Talk to the children about service and that service done in secret is very fulfilling. Encourage them to consider doing things for other people and see how they feel inside.

6. A discussion concerning those in the world who are different from us because of handicaps both physically and mentally would be appropriate. Point out that in other times, people with handicaps or illness were required to live apart from society because of people's fears. But Jesus loved all people and encouraged us to do the same. Perhaps you could have someone come and discuss their experiences in dealing with a physical handicap. The children need to learn that it is the inner soul that we must strive to know.

7. The church is a worldwide churcch and there are many different nationalities and races represented in church membership. It is important that we get to know and appreciate their cultures. Have a presentationabout another country - including church, food, schooling, and interests.