Ideas for Teaching Children
When I keep the commandments, the Lord guides me.
If you have a compass, a map, or something else that helps us find our way, you could show it to your children.
This could be a good way to begin a discussion about the Liahona, which you can read about in 1 Nephi 16:10, 28–29. What are some reasons a compass or map might not work? Why did the Liahona sometimes not work for Lehi’s family? (see 1 Nephi 18:9–12, 20–22). What has Heavenly Father given us today to guide us back to Him?
Younger students: Have them pass around the assembled Liahona as you read1 Nephi 16:10, 28–29.
Older students : 1 Nephi 16:10, 28-29 describes the Liahona with writing on it. Older students can be encouraged to write important things that the Lord has told them on this Liahona (like their favorite scripture or a scripture of guidance from the lesson).
Movement Activity (For younger children):
Have these letters placed on each wall for North, South, East, West. Turn the spindle to the N and say where is the Liahona telling you where to go? Hopefully they all run and stand under the N (North). Then do it a couple more times, having them come back to you to see where the Liahona is pointing to next.
To help your children apply what they learn about the Liahona in 1 Nephi 16:10, 26–31; 18:8–22, you could invite them to think about an important or difficult decision. What has God given us to guide us today that works like the Liahona? (See, for example, Alma 37:38–44.) Consider sharing a personal experience in which Heavenly Father guided you.
For younger children:
Make a path of arrows leading to the picture of Heavenly Father. As you place the arrows with the pictures on them talk about how these help guide them back to Heavenly Father.
For Older children:
Have the students write or draw things on the arrows that help guide them back to Heavenly Father.
Click on the image to be taken to Etsy. There are pictures on the listing of different angles.
Heidi Stoddard says "I found if you cut the back like this it’s easier to get the chocolate in. I just taped over the opening ."
Valentines is coming, here is some fun hand outs. Click on the image to be taken to Etsy.
I can be a good example to my family.
As you read 1 Nephi 16:21–32 together, help your children discover how Nephi’s example blessed his family (see also the video “The Lord Guides Lehi’s Journey” [Gospel Library]). This could lead to a discussion about how we could be like Nephi. Invite your children to plan one thing they can do to be a good influence on other family members.
I did this 4 years ago, I don't bring everything back. But we had so much fun writing down ideas on the arrows and shooting them across the room. Maybe just do this as a family.(:
Heavenly Father can help me do difficult things.
Children love telling stories. You could invite them to help you tell the story of Nephi being commanded to build a boat (see 1 Nephi 17:7–19; 18:1–4; see also “Chapter 7: Building the Ship,” in Book of Mormon Stories, 21–22; or the video
Here a puzzle that also tells the story.
“The Lord Instructs Nephi to Build a Ship” [Gospel Library]).
They could also sing together the second verse of “Nephi’s Courage” (Children’s Songbook, 120–21). What helped Nephi have courage when his brothers mocked him for trying to build the boat?
Nephi did not know how to build a boat, so he relied on instruction from the Lord. After reading 1 Nephi 18:1 with you, your children could complete this week’s activity page. As they do, talk with them about how Heavenly Father can help us do hard things, just as He helped Nephi.