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Book of Mormon Reading Chart & Goal Setting Chart

April 25, 2015

One thing I love almost as much as the Book of Mormon itself are creative reading charts. There are SO MANY out there, and there’s just something about an empty chart that entices me to get reading. I literally have an entire Pinterest board devoted to reading charts.

 

My stake is challenging all of its members to read the Book of Mormon by July 1st, and I must say that I’ve fallen far behind. So I decided to get my creative energy flowing and come up with a reading chart, and I must say I’m pretty proud of the result.

 

I tried a bunch of different styles, but ultimately decided to make a target-style chart, with a ring for each book. As I was making it, I really liked the idea of a target, because not only is reading the Book of Mormon an important goal to aim for, it also helps us achieve our other goals and keeps us centered on Christ.

 

I also went back and updated the Book of Mormon goal-setting chart I made a year ago after realizing that it was actually pretty hard to read, and not very cohesive with most of the designs of this website.

 

You can download PDFs of both charts in either black and white or color.

And as a bonus I made a little handout saying “Don’t Miss the Mark—Read the Book of Mormon” to tie with the idea of aiming at a target, which can hopefully help motivate young women who are working on reading the Book of Mormon.

 

Download Reading Chart in Color

Download Reading Chart in Black and White

Download Goal Setting Chart in Color

Download Goal Setting Chart in Black and White

Download “Don’t Miss the Mark” Handout

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{Sharing Time} Joseph Smith Translated the Book of Mormon by the Power of God.

April 7, 2015


Sharing Time Idea from the 2015 Sharing Time Outline
ENCOURAGE UNDERSTANDING: Write power of God on the board using a code (for example, you could replace each letter with a symbol). Ask if anyone can read the message. Write a key on the board that shows which letters the symbols replaced, and have the children work in groups to decode the message. (Remind the children not to call out the answer.) Read the phrase together. Read D&C 1:29.
Explain that Joseph Smith could not read the writing on the gold plates without the help of the Lord. Invite the children to share what they know about how Joseph Smith was able to translate the Book of Mormon. Invite several children to share how they feel about the Book of Mormon.

Sharing Time Idea from Little LDS Ideas
In my Sharing Time idea, I have a game idea that you can use for Jr. and/or Sr. Primary. It’s called ‘Search for the Gold Plates’. This is an activity I shared years ago, but would be great for this week’s Sharing Time. 


First, to begin the Sharing Time I thought it would be fun to show ‘The Book of Mormon’ written in several different languages. 

Then ask if anyone can read any of the writings. You could go over each one, telling them what language it is written in. Then ask them, ‘Wouldn’t it be hard to read something in a different language?’

‘You would have to know the language wouldn’t you?’


 Tell them that when Joseph Smith received the plates, they were written in a very weird language. The language was Reformed Egyptian.

Here is an example of Reformed Egyptian that you could show to the children.
After you have discussed how hard it would be to translate…you will explain to the children that they will be searching for the Gold Plates.

What you will Need:
You’ll need to print out a picture of a stone/rock (Here’s the image I used). You’ll also need a few file folders or boxes.

Print out your rock {just find a picture online} and cut it out. Attach the rock to the front of the file folder. That’s easy enough, right?

Then, inside place a picture of the Gold Plates. You’ll only need one picture of the Gold Plates. Underneath the other rocks you could put silly pictures. I.E- Snakes, bugs, a shoe, etc.

Here is my picture using a box instead of a file folder. You’ll want to cover the box with brown or green paper. Then attach the picture to the top of the box. You could use any type of box.

Inside, place the Gold Plates. If you are feeling very craftsy, you could always make some gold plates.

I know at our church, in the library, we have some gold plates that someone made using wood. They’re really neat, the children loved them. And the same as above, you’ll only need one set of Gold Plates, you could put other things in the other boxes.

And that’s it!

I share several different ways you could play. Just click the link below to read the whole Sharing Time Idea and to print it out.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful day & a great Sharing Time!

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Resurrection Easter Egg Activity

April 1, 2015

The Resurrection of Christ….the greatest event to ever take place for us….

I have SO loved this idea since getting it once in Relief Society in a lesson on the great sacrifice of our Savior and His Atonement. I have used this around the Easter dinner table in my family. I’ve used it teaching teenagers in Sunday School and in a Family Night. And I’ve reused it in primary.

Kids love object lessons. And this easter egg “signs of the Savior’s Sacrifice for us” is a great object lesson for kids and adults alike.  Every year, when I’ve taken out my little basket of eggs I’ve got a tear in my eye. I love the Savior. I believe in Him with all my heart. And I know in whom I have trusted.

If you want to hear a great talk check it out HERE.

In this chaotic life we are all a part of, it is a simple and clear walk through the steps to the Savior’s crucifixion and  resurrection, easily understood. I would try to do this activity as a family on Easter Sunday.

I love this painting depicting the sacrifice our Savior made for us….

As a former Catholic, and a convert to the church,  I always have mixed feelings about not telling exactly what happened to Christ during his great sacrifice in Gethsemane and the events leading up to the Crucifixion. Why not recognize the greatest sacrifice ever made, given by the greatest who ever lived among us, on the universal celebration of Easter?  I never did get that. Try to honor the Savior on Easter. That’s my simple and heartfelt message.

Another favorite painting of mine…I’m looking for a big copy of it to put in my greatroom remodel…it says to me….”I will look for you  when you  are lost…even though you are odd, different, ugly, damaged”  His love for us, evident.

The eggs can be put together using this easy tutorial HERE at Serving Pink Lemonade’s blog. . Use stuff around the house to fill your eggs. Another with a LIST is HERE at scribd.com. I actually like both of them. You could do a combination of both lists. I would skip the vinegar though, yucky :D.  A third lists is here copied from Yahoo Voices.

Egg #1: (palm) Jesus rode into Jerusalem and the people waved palm branches. Matthew 21:1-11
Egg #2: (cotton ball with cologne on it) Mary poured perfume on Jesus’ feet. John 12:3
Egg #3: (bread) Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples. Matthew 26:26
Egg #4: (coins) Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Matthew 26: 14-15
Egg #5: (a thorny stick) Soldiers placed a crown of thorns on Jesus’ head. John 19:2
Egg #6: (cross made from toothpicks) Jesus carried His own cross. John 19:17
Egg #7: (dice) Soldiers took Jesus’ clothes from him and cast lots for them. John 19:24
Egg #8: (nail) Jesus was nailed to the cross. John 19:18
Egg #9: (sponge) They gave Jesus vinegar mixed with gall to drink. Matthew 27:34
Egg #10: (whole cloves) Spices are used to prepare Jesus for burial. John 19:40
Egg #11: (rock) The stone covering to Jesus’ tomb was rolled away. Matthew 28:2
Egg #12: (empty) He is not here He has risen! Matthew 28:6

 Some links for flipcards on good Easter songs  are HERE at Precious Primary.  1. Jesus Has Risen 70, 2. Hosanna 66, Beautiful Savior 62 To Think About Jesus 71, etc. HERE  is a flipchart on He Sent His Son at Sugardoodle. Pick a child to come up and choose an egg. Read the scripture inside and show what object is inside and explain what part it played in the Easter story. It is usually a very quiet and reverent time.

This picture is from another bogger Beyond Sippy Cups HERE.

 I loved getting this for my family and using it many times. It has made a big difference in my life and my family’s too I believe.

I am looking forward to Easter and Conference. My little kid’s table all ready…..

These eggs can be used for Resurrection Easter Eggs and the leftovers for an Easter Egg Hunt! 

“The grace of God is a precious gift, an enabling power to face life with quiet courage, to do things we could never do on our own. The Great Physician does more than forgive sins. He ministers relief to the disconsolate, comfort to the bereaved, confidence to those who wrestle with infirmities and feelings of inadequacy, and strength and peace to those who have been battered and scarred by the ironies of this life.” Robert Millett (see Isaiah 61:1–2, Alma 7:11–13).” 

As we contemplate the gifts we have received from our Savior, and Redeemer, I have hope and trust in the above quote. I know there is a power we can turn to when life gets hard. And I, for one, need that power every single day.

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Personal Progress for General Conference

March 24, 2015

I think it’s pretty evident that Personal Progress and General Conference go together better than Peanut Butter & Chocolate! Personal Progress is designed to help us draw closer to Christ and become like Him, and General Conference offers us specific revelation to help us do that!

 

Of course we know that General Conference serves as a great value project, but I went through the value experiences and found quite a few that include studying the teaching found in General Conference.

 

Download as a PDF

 

Faith #1

The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Learn about faith from the scriptures and living prophets. Read Hebrews 11; Alma 32:17–43; Ether 12:6–22; and Joseph Smith—History 1:11–20. Read two general conference talks on faith. Exercise your own faith by establishing a habit of prayer in your life. Begin by regularly saying your morning and evening prayers. After three weeks of following this pattern, discuss with a parent or leader what you have learned about faith and how daily personal prayer has strengthened your faith. In your journal express your feelings about faith and prayer.

 

Divine Nature #2

As a young woman you are blessed with divine feminine qualities. Increase your understanding of and appreciation for womanhood. Read Proverbs 31:10–31 and two talks on womanhood from a conference issue of the Church magazines. Review what “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” says about being a wife and a mother. Then ask your mother or another mother you admire what she thinks are important attributes for being a mother. List the attributes in your journal. Then choose one of those attributes and strive to develop it. After two weeks report your success to a parent or leader.

 

Individual Worth #2

Learn about the importance of patriarchal blessings by studying about them in True to the Faith and recent conference talks. Find out why they are given and who can give them. Discuss with a parent or Church leader how to prepare to receive a patriarchal blessing and how it can teach you of your worth and identity and be a guide throughout your life. If you have not received your blessing, prepare to receive it.

 

Knowledge #4

Select a gospel principle you would like to understand better (for example, faith, repentance, charity, eternal families, or baptismal covenants). Read scriptures and the words of latter-day prophets that relate to the principle. Prepare a five-minute talk on the subject and give the talk in a sacrament meeting, in a Young Women meeting, to your family, or to your class. Record in your journal how you can apply this gospel principle in your life.

 

ANY Choice and Accountability Experience

In my opinion, it seems like the majority of conference talks touch on the topics covered in these experiences, so it should be easy to find one to correlate with the experience of your choice!

 

Good Works #4

Teach a lesson about service in family home evening or in another setting. Use pictures, music, examples [from General Conference], or demonstrations in your lesson. You may want to use the manual Teaching, No Greater Call as a resource.

 

Integrity #7

List the issues, trends, and problems that weaken the family. Read the First Presidency message, “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”, and the section on family in For the Strength of Youth. Then research in the Church magazines the counsel of those whom we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators. Write in your journal your plan to strengthen your present family and the values and traditions you want to establish with your future family.

 

ANY Virtue Experience

As with Choice and Accountability, so many talks touch on the topics discussed in the value of Virtue, so there should be no problem finding one that fits!

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D&C 88-108, 137

March 11, 2015

Whoa.  It’s been a while. :) We ended up having class canceled a couple of times due to poor weather this month (unplanned), we missed one day because school was out (planned), and I’m pretty sure that I’ve only taught three times since my last post. D&C 106-108, 137 I’m not sure why D&C 137 was tossed in with this material, though I will say it did end up fitting…
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{Sharing Time} Prophets Testify of Jesus Christ

March 6, 2015

Sharing Time Ideas From the 2015 Outline

ENCOURAGE UNDERSTANDING: Before sharing time, place a picture of Jesus Christ on the board and cover the picture with pictures of the following prophets: Isaiah, John the Baptist, Nephi, and Joseph Smith. Assign one of the following scriptures to each class: Isaiah 9:6; Mark 1:6–8; 2 Nephi 25:26; Doctrine and Covenants 76:20–24. Have the children read the scripture with their class and identify which prophet is testifying and what he testifies about Jesus Christ. Have one class point to the picture of the prophet they read about and share with the Primary what they learned. Take the picture of the prophet off the board. Repeat with the other three prophets. Point to the picture of Christ and tell the children that all prophets testify of Jesus Christ.

Sharing Time Ideas From Little LDS Ideas

 
The cute prophet clip art is from Susan Fitch Design

To introduce this topic, I thought that it might be kind of neat to have a man from the ward/branch come in and talk to the children. Have him come dressed as one of the prophets from the Old Testament, New Testament, or Book of Mormon.
This is what I was thinking of, but this is just an example:

Have your prophet come in at the beginning of Sharing Time.

Hi, I am King Benjamin (or any prophet you choose). I am a prophet from the Book of Mormon. Throughout history Heavenly Father has called courageous and honorable men to be His prophets. They are special witnesses of the Savior Jesus Christ. The prophets are called to testify of the Savior, to teach all of us that He died so that we might repent and return to live with our Father in Heaven. Prophets tell us of Christ’s great love for us. Many of the prophet’s testimonies are found in the scriptures. I too have a testimony of Jesus Christ. An angel of the Lord came to me, and told me many important things about our Savior. Have him read from the Book of Mormon, Mosiah 3:5-8.

After he has read from the Book of Mormon, have him testify of Jesus Christ.

After the prophet has talked to the children and testified of Christ you can talk to the children about the prophet and about Testifying of Christ. Explain to the children what ‘Testifying of Christ’ means, and why it is so important. Tell the children that today they are going to be learning about a few more prophets.

From The Outline: Before sharing time, place a picture of Jesus Christ on the board and cover the picture with pictures of the following prophets: Isaiah, John the Baptist, Nephi, and Joseph Smith. Assign one of the following scriptures to each class: Isaiah 9:6; Mark 1:6–8; 2 Nephi 25:26; Doctrine and Covenants 76:20–24. Have the children read the scripture with their class and identify which prophet is testifying and what he testifies about Jesus Christ. Have one class point to the picture of the prophet they read about and share with the Primary what they learned. Take the picture of the prophet off the board. Repeat with the other three prophets. Point to the picture of Christ and tell the children that all prophets testify of Jesus Christ.

At the end of the Sharing Time, show the children a picture of President Monson. Our prophet today, President Thomas S. Monson, also testifies of Jesus Christ. He said, “He is the literal Savior of the World, the Son of God, the Prince of Peace, the Holy One of Israel, even the risen Lord. … As His witness I testify to you that He lives. (Ensign, May 1988, page 56.)

All prophets, whether they lived during Book of Mormon Times or they live today, testify of Jesus Christ. When we listen to the prophets, we can learn about our Savior, Jesus Christ, and gain a testimony for ourselves. Bear Testimony to the children.

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{Visiting Teaching} March 2015- The Attributes of Jesus Christ: Long-Suffering & Patient

March 3, 2015

It’s been a little while since I have posted a Visiting Teaching printable.

But lucky for you….I finished one for this month’s message! YAY!
Here is what they look like:
This is such a great message, and talks about something I strive to be better at every day…PATIENCE!
One of my favorite quotes from this month’s message is:

“Ultimately, patience means being ‘firm and steadfast,
and immovable in keeping the commandments of
the Lord’ [1 Nephi 2:10] every hour of every day,
even when it is hard to do so.”

I hope you enjoy this month’s Visiting Teaching message. If you would like to print out your own, just click the link below. There are 2 to a page. Print as many as you would like. :)


Other Exciting News!

Little LDS Ideas will be moving to a new site {littleldsideas.net}! I am so excited and have been working hard trying to get it ready. The new website should be more organized and a whole lot easier to find exactly what you’re searching for. As soon as it’s ready I will be sure to let you know. Until then…just keep visiting here.
Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful day!

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{Sharing Time} Prophets Are Called by God

February 24, 2015

Sharing Time Idea from the 2015 Primary Outline

INTRODUCE THE DOCTRINE: Write each of the following words on separate strips of paper: Prophets, are, called, by, God. Give the strips of paper to five children. Arrange the children in front of the Primary so the words are out of order. Invite other children to arrange the words in the correct order. Repeat the sentence together.

ENCOURAGE UNDERSTANDING: Prepare clues about how Moses, Lehi, and Joseph Smith were called by God. For example, the clues about Moses could be: “I was called by God as He spoke to me from a burning bush”; “God called me to write the first five books of the Bible”; and “God called me to lead His people out of Egypt.” Choose three children to represent these prophets, and invite them to give the clues to the Primary. Invite the children to raise their hand when they think they know who the prophet is. Have the children say the answer together. After they have identified each prophet, read a scripture about that prophet (Moses: Exodus 3:4–5; Lehi: 1 Nephi 1:5–6; Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith—History 1:16–17). Point out that Moses was called by God, Lehi was called by God, and Joseph Smith was called by God. Tell the children that all prophets are called by God.

ENCOURAGE APPLICATION: Ask the children, “Who is our prophet today?” Show a picture of the current President of the Church. Explain that he was called by God. Have the children discuss in class groups how they can follow the current prophet. Invite a child from each class to come to the front and act out one thing they discussed in their group. Invite the other children to guess what the action is. Ask the child to share how following the prophet in this way will bless his or her life.

Sharing Time Ideas from Little LDS Ideas

For this week’s Sharing Time I thought it would be fun to invite some men to Primary and play a ‘Who Am I’ game.

 

For this Sharing Time you will need to ask 3 men to dress up like one of the prophets listed in the outline (Moses, Lehi, Joseph Smith). Explain that they will be reading clues to the children about that particular prophet. The children will then be guessing who they are.

Other Items you will need:

-‘Prophet‘ typed or written onto a piece of paper, big enough for the children to see.

-‘Prophets are called by God.’ typed or written on a piece of paper, big enough for children to see.

-GAK Picture 107: Moses

-GAK Picture 300: Lehi

-GAK Picture 400: Joseph Smith

-A Picture of President Monson

To Begin: 

Post the ‘Prophet’ sign on the board and ask the children what the word says. Then ask, “What do you think of when you hear that word?”

Perhaps you think of a prophet from Old Testament times, wearing a long robe. Or a Book of Mormon prophet holding the Liahona. Perhaps your prophet is old, like Moses, or did you imagine a young boy prophet like Josiah? Maybe you thought of today’s prophet, who wears a suit and tie?

But it doesn’t matter what the prophets look like or how old they are, the most important thing is that the Prophets are called by God and they are called to be messengers for our Heavenly Father. {From The Friend}

Underneath the word Prophet, post the sign ‘Prophets are called by God.’

What does that mean, Prophets are called by God?

Who chooses the Prophets? Do we all vote? Does your Dad get to choose who he thinks should be the Prophet? NO! Prophets are called by God!

Throughout the History of the church, the Prophets have always been called by God.


Who Am I?

Today we have some visitors coming in to Primary. They are going to share some clues/information and you are going to have to guess who they are.

Are you ready to meet them?

Invite the men in one at a time or all at once…up to you.

You can also choose to post the pictures of each of the prophets on the chalkboard to help give the children a little hint or wait to show the picture until after they have guessed who it is.

Invite the first ‘helper’ up to the front and have him read his clues aloud (I have provided some clues below). Have the children listen to the clues and when they think they know who it is have them raise their hand.

 Another Way to Play:
{You could also post the pictures in different areas of the room and have the children go stand by the picture of who they think it is.}

After the prophet has been guessed correctly invite the next helper up and have him read his clues aloud. Continue until all clues have been read and each prophet has been guessed.

Clues:

Moses:

– I was called by God as He spoke to me from a burning bush.

– I led my people out of bondage in Egypt.

– The Lord revealed the Ten Commandments to me.

– Exodus 3: 4-5

Lehi:

– I warned the people in Jerusalem to repent or they would be destroyed.

– The Lord told me to take my family and flee into the wilderness.

– One night the Lord told me that we must continue our journey into the wilderness. The

   next morning I went to the door of my tent, and found the Liahona.

– 1 Nephi 2: 1-2

Joseph Smith

– I went to the woods and prayed to know which church I should join.

– Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to me and told me to to join none of the churches that existed

   then.

– I was obedient to God and helped restore the true Church of Jesus Christ to the earth.

– Joseph Smith History 1:16-17

To close, tell the children that you have one more Prophet that they need to guess {President Monson}. Read the clues (below) aloud and have the children raise their hand when they know who it is.

Clues:

– This Prophet is the sixteenth prophet of our church.

– This Prophet was born in Salt Lake City, UT

– And this prophet was called by God to be our Prophet today.

Bear testimony that Prophets are called by God.

You could have President Monson’s picture on a bulletin/chalkboard. Cover the picture with a piece of paper and draw a big question mark on the front. Then reveal the picture after you have read the clues.



I hope you enjoy my Sharing Time Idea that I have shared today. 
Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful day & a great Sharing Time!

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