Choose from the following resources:
Children’s Songbook
Follow the Prophet (pg. 110)
Nephi’s Courage (pg. 120)
Hymns
’Twas Witnessed in the Morning Sky (#12)
Praise to the Man (#27)
The Ten Commandments (picture 14)
Moses and the Brass Serpent (picture 16)
Scriptures
Lesson
Sometimes scary things happen and we don’t know what to do. If we follow the counsel of the prophet, we will be safe. For example, in the Book of Mormon, Nephi and his family followed the counsel of their father, Lehi, who was a prophet. They left Jerusalem and were not destroyed with the wicked people who remained there.
In the early days of the Church, the pioneers followed the counsel of the prophet. They left behind their homes and started new lives in different cities across the United States. Because they followed the prophet, they were able to flee from the wicked people who didn’t like the Church and wanted to hurt them.
In our day, we do not have to leave behind our homes, but it is important to follow the prophet in other ways. For example, the prophet has taught us to have food storage. Sometimes people experience earthquakes or other natural disasters that leave them without electricity. They can’t go to the store, so they’re grateful they have food stored in their homes.
The prophet has also taught us to prepare ourselves spiritually for hard times. If we read the scriptures, pray daily, and keep the commandments, we will feel close to Jesus Christ. When we experience hard times, such as a death in the family, we will not feel as sad if we have prepared ourselves spiritually. In Doctrine and Covenants 21:7, the Lord explains the importance of following the prophet: “For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will dis¬perse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory. For thus saith the Lord God: Him have I inspired to move the cause of Zion in mighty power for good, and his diligence I know, and his prayers I have heard.”
Discuss
Why is it so important to follow the prophet?
What are some of the ways we are safe because we follow the prophet?
Activity
All Ages: Play pin the tail on the donkey. (See page 36 for the printout.) Have one family member be the “prophet” and have the rest of the family take turns being blindfolded and trying to pin the tail on the donkey. Place a small rug or a blanket on the floor to be a danger zone. When each family member takes a turn, the “prophet” directs the player to the right location and makes sure he or she doesn’t step into the danger zone. When everyone has had a turn, remind your children that following the prophet keeps us safe. You can download and print the activity at www.primaryhelper.com/downloads.
Challenge
As a family, watch a recent general conference talk together.
Lead image from Wikimedia Commons
For more great lessons for families with young children, check out I Know the Scriptures Are True: A Year of Prepared Family Night Lessons and Activities to Strengthen Your Home.
