Ideas for Teaching Children
I can have my own testimony.
How did Nephi know that what his father taught was true? Help your children find answers to this question in 1 Nephi 2:16, 19. They might also enjoy writing Nephi’s actions on blocks or other objects and then building something with the objects. This could lead to a conversation about how these actions help us build a testimony.
Nephi is taped to a smaller cup so he can fit on top.
This one is for younger children to build and talk about the actions that helped Nephi build his testimony.
Here is one for older students who can study the scripture and write/draw the actions that helped Nephi build His testimony.
You could show your children pictures or objects that represent things they might seek a testimony of, such as a copy of the Book of Mormon or a picture of Jesus Christ, a temple, or the living prophet. Invite them to pick one and share their testimonies of that thing. You could also tell your children how you gained your testimony. Why do we need our own testimony?
Couple of ideas for this one:
You an have your students build their own testimony tower.
You can attach these images on cups and have the children share what they know about each picture while stacking them. Afterward, inform the children that they just shared their testimony of gospel truths. Praise them for their growing testimonies just like Nephi and have them or you place a boy or girl on top as the finishing touch (:
OR If you are looking for MOVEMENT
Put these pictures on the walls around the room. Tell the students you are going to close your eyes and count to 10, by the time you get to ten they need to be standing under one of the pictures. Then encourage them to tell you what they know or feel about that object. Count to 10 a couple more times so all the students get a turn sharing their feelings about each picture. Tell the children that they just practiced sharing their testimonies. Compliment them on their growing testimonies.
Click on the image to be taken to Etsy. Be sure to look at the pictures on the listing so you know what size to print.
God will help me keep His commandments.
Consider using one or more of these resources to help your children talk about how God helped Nephi get the brass plates: 1 Nephi 3–4; this week’s activity page; “Nephi’s Courage” (Children’s Songbook, 120–21); and “Chapter 4: The Brass Plates” (in Book of Mormon Stories, 8–12).
You and your children might enjoy role-playing 1 Nephi 3:2–7. Maybe you could pretend to be Lehi and ask your children to return to Jerusalem to get the brass plates. Invite them to respond in their own words as if they were Laman and Lemuel or Nephi. What are some things God has commanded us to do? (see pictures 103–15 in the Gospel Art Book or Mosiah 18:8–10 for ideas). How can we be like Nephi?
Make two copies and play the memory game, when a match is made you can talk together about that commandment. OR you can read the scriptures and have students put the commandments in order.
Click on the image to download these printable masks. It will be in a zipped file.
Here is an interactive song you can sing with the students, about this story.
Sorry It only prints in color.
Click on the image to be taken to Etsy.
The scriptures are a great treasure.
The scriptures were very important to Lehi’s family. To illustrate this, you could invite your children to help you tell or act out what Nephi and his brothers did to get the brass plates: they traveled a long distance, gave up their gold and silver, and hid in a cave to save their lives. Then you could read 1 Nephi 5:21 and talk about why the scriptures were so valuable to Lehi’s family. Why are they valuable to us? How can we treat the scriptures like a treasure?
The Holy Ghost will lead me as I seek to do the Lord’s will.
After reviewing together in 1 Nephi 3 how Nephi and his brothers tried to get the brass plates, read with your children 1 Nephi 4:6 to find out what Nephi did that allowed him to finally succeed. Then your children could make a list of things that God wants them to do. How can the Holy Ghost help us in these situations?
Fun stuff
Listen to the Holy Ghost
This is from the 2024 Friend Magazine. Great movement activity. Click on the image.
