Appendix B

Preparing Children for a Lifetime on God’s Covenant Path

In months that have five Sundays, Primary teachers are encouraged to replace the scheduled Come, Follow Me outline on the fifth Sunday with one or more of these learning activities.

Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

The doctrine of Christ teaches us how to return to God.

When Jesus Christ appeared to the people in the Americas, He taught them His doctrine. He said that we can enter the kingdom of God if we have faith, repent, are baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end (see 3 Nephi 11:31–40; Doctrine and Covenants 20:29). The activities below can help you teach the children that these principles and ordinances will help us draw closer to the Savior throughout our lives.

To learn more about the doctrine of Christ, see 2 Nephi 31.

Possible Activities

• Give the children pictures that represent faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and confirmation (see Gospel Art Book, 1, 111, 103, and 105). Read or recite with the children the fourth article of faith, and ask them to hold up their pictures when that principle or ordinance is mentioned. Help the children understand how each of these principles and ordinances helps us become more like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

• How can you help the children understand that faith, repentance, baptism, and confirmation are not one-time events but influence our spiritual growth throughout our lives? For instance, you could show them a picture of a seed and a large tree (or draw these things on the board). Help them think of things that help the seed grow into a large tree, such as water, soil, and sunlight. Help them see that these are like the things we do to grow closer to God throughout our lives—building our faith in Jesus Christ, repenting each day, living our baptismal covenants, and listening to the Holy Ghost.

• Share with the children the story about the firecracker from Elder Dale G. Renlund’s message “How Can Repenting Help Me Feel Happy?” (Friend, Dec. 2017, 12–13, or Liahona, Dec. 2017, 70–71; see also the video “Repentance: A Joyful Choice” [ChurchofJesusChrist.org]). At various points during the story, invite the children to think about how Elder Renlund might have felt. Why do we feel joy when we repent? Share with the children the joy and love you have felt when you have asked Heavenly Father to forgive you.

Baptism

Jesus Christ set an example for me when He was baptized.

Even though Jesus was without sin, He was baptized to set a perfect example of obedience to Heavenly Father (see 2 Nephi 31:6–10).

To learn more about baptism, see Doctrine and Covenants 20:37; Gospel Topics, “Baptism,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Possible Activities

• Show a picture of the Savior’s baptism and another person’s baptism (or see Gospel Art Book, no. 35 and either no. 103 or no. 104). Ask the children to share what is different and what is the same between the two pictures. Read together Matthew 3:13–17 or “Chapter 10: Jesus Is Baptized” in New Testament Stories, 26–29, or watch the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Let the children point to things in the pictures that are mentioned in the reading or the video. Tell the children about your love for the Savior and your desire to follow Him.

• Listen to or sing a song about baptism, such as “When Jesus Christ Was Baptized” (Children’s Songbook, 102). What do we learn about baptism from the song? Read 2 Nephi 31:9–10, and invite the children to listen for why Jesus Christ was baptized. Invite them to draw a picture of themselves on their baptism day.

I can choose to make a covenant with God and be baptized.

Preparing for baptism means much more than preparing for an event. It means preparing to make a covenant and then keep that covenant for a lifetime. Ponder how you can help the children understand the covenant they will make with Heavenly Father when they are baptized, which includes the promises He makes to them and the promises they make to Him.

Possible Activities

• Explain that a covenant is a promise between a person and Heavenly Father. As we strive to keep our promises to God, God promises to bless us. Write on the board My Promises to God and God’s Promises to Me. Read together Mosiah 18:10, 13 and Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, and help the children make a list of the promises they find under the appropriate headings (see also Dallin H. Oaks, “Your Baptism Covenant,” Friend, Feb. 2021, 2–3). Share how Heavenly Father has blessed you as you strive to keep your baptismal covenant.

• Show the children pictures of things Jesus Christ did when He was on the earth (for some examples, see Gospel Art Book, nos. 33–49). Let the children talk about what Jesus is doing in each picture. Read Mosiah 18:8–10, 13, and invite the children to listen for things they promise to do when they are baptized (see also “The Baptism Covenant,” Friend, Feb. 2019, 7; Liahona, Feb. 2019, F3). How will these promises influence our actions every day? Invite the children to draw a picture of themselves helping someone the way Jesus would. Or you could make the children a simple badge to wear with the Savior’s name on it.

  boy being baptized

  When we are baptized, we make promises to God and He makes promises to us.

Confirmation

When I am confirmed, I become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Becoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints brings many blessings, including opportunities for the children to be active participants in God’s work.

To learn more about confirmation and the gift of the Holy Ghost, see Gary E. Stevenson, “How Does the Holy Ghost Help You?,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 117–20; Gospel Topics, “Holy Ghost,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Possible Activities

• Invite someone who was recently baptized and confirmed to come to class and share what it was like to be confirmed. What does it mean to this person to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Help the children think of ways they can keep their baptismal covenant as members of the Church (such as serving others, inviting others to learn more about Jesus, saying prayers in meetings, and so on). Share how doing these things has helped you feel the joy of being a member of Christ’s Church.

• Show a picture of the people at the Waters of Mormon (see Gospel Art Book, no. 76), and ask the children to describe what they see in the picture. Tell the story of Alma and his people being baptized there (see Mosiah 18:1–17; “Chapter 15: Alma Teaches and Baptizes,” Book of Mormon Stories, 43–44, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Review Mosiah 18:8–9 and invite the children to do actions to help them remember the things the people were willing to do as members of Christ’s Church. Share an experience when you have witnessed members of the Church serving in these ways.

When I am confirmed, I receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

When we are baptized and confirmed, Heavenly Father promises that we “may always have his Spirit to be with [us]” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:77). This wonderful gift from God is called the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Possible Activities

• Read Doctrine and Covenants 33:15, and ask the children to listen for the special gift that Heavenly Father gives us when we are baptized and confirmed. To help them learn more about how the gift of the Holy Ghost will help them, review together John 14:26; Galatians 5:22–23; 2 Nephi 32:5; 3 Nephi 27:20. You could also review the article “The Holy Ghost Is …” (Friend, June 2019, 24–25; Liahona, June 2019, F12–F13).

• Before class, ask the parents of one or more of the children to share how they have been blessed because they have the gift of the Holy Ghost. How does He help them? How do they hear His voice?

• Sing together a song about the Holy Ghost, such as “The Holy Ghost” (Children’s Songbook, 105). Help the children understand what the song teaches us about how the Holy Ghost can help us.

The Holy Ghost can speak to me in many ways.

Children who can recognize the voice of the Spirit will be prepared to receive personal revelation to guide them throughout their lives. Teach them that there are many ways the Holy Ghost can speak to us.

Possible Activities

• Help the children think of different ways we could talk to a friend who lives far away, such as writing a letter, sending an email, or talking on the phone. Teach them that Heavenly Father can speak to us through the Holy Ghost. Use President Dallin H. Oaks’s message “How Does Heavenly Father Speak to Us?” to help the children understand the different ways the Holy Ghost can speak to our minds and hearts (Friend, Mar. 2020, 2–3; Liahona, Mar. 2020, F2–F3).

• Share an experience when the Holy Ghost communicated with you, either through thoughts in your mind or through a feeling in your heart (see Doctrine and Covenants 6:22–23; 8:2–3; see also Henry B. Eyring, “Open Your Heart to the Holy Ghost,” Friend, Aug. 2019, 2–3; Liahona, Aug. 2019, F2–F3). Testify to the children that the Holy Ghost can help them in similar ways.

• Help the children think of times they may have felt the Spirit—for example, when singing a song about the Savior or when doing something kind for others. Help them recognize the spiritual feelings that the Holy Ghost brings. Why do you think the Holy Ghost gives us those feelings? Help the children think of things that we need to do to hear the Holy Ghost speak to us. Talk about what you do to hear the Spirit more clearly.

The Sacrament

When I take the sacrament, I remember the Savior’s sacrifice and renew my covenants.

The Savior gave us the sacrament to help us remember His sacrifice for us and renew our covenants. Because of this weekly ordinance, we can continue to enjoy the blessings of our baptism throughout our lives.

To learn more, see Matthew 26:26–30; 3 Nephi 18:1–12; Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79.

Possible Activities

• Invite the children to color “Jesus Introduced the Sacrament to the Nephites” in Scripture Stories Coloring Book: Book of Mormon (2019), 26. Ask them to point to what the people are thinking about in the picture. Read to the children portions of 3 Nephi 18:1–12 or “Chapter 45: Jesus Christ Teaches about the Sacrament and Prayer,” Book of Mormon Stories, 126–27, or watch the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. What can we do to remember Jesus Christ during the sacrament?

• Ask the children to tell you some things they should always remember to do, such as tying their shoes or washing their hands before they eat. Why is it important to remember these things? Read Moroni 4:3 to the children, and invite them to listen for what we promise to always remember when we take the sacrament. Why is it important to remember Jesus Christ? Help the children understand how the bread and water of the sacrament help us remember what Jesus has done for us (see Moroni 4:3; 5:2).

• Write on the board “I promise to .” Read the sacrament prayers to the children (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79). When they hear a promise we make to God, pause and help them complete the sentence on the board with the promise they heard. Help them understand that when we take the sacrament, we are making the same promises we made at baptism.

• What does it mean to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ? To help the children answer this question, share an example of something that we put our names on. Why do we put our names on these things? Why would Jesus Christ want to put His name upon us? Consider sharing this explanation from President Russell M. Nelson: “Taking the Savior’s name upon us includes declaring and witnessing to others—through our actions and our words—that Jesus is the Christ” (“The Correct Name of the Church,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 88).

Priesthood Power, Authority, and Keys

God blesses His children through priesthood power.

All of God’s children—female and male, young and old—receive God’s power as they keep the covenants they have made with Him. We make these covenants when we receive priesthood ordinances such as baptism (see General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3.5, ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

To learn more, see Russell M. Nelson, “Spiritual Treasures,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 76–79; “Priesthood Principles,” chapter 3 in General Handbook.

Possible Activities

• Help the children notice the blessings they receive because of the priesthood. To give them some ideas, you could show the video “Blessings of the Priesthood” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Consider listing these blessings on the board. Why are these blessings important to us? Testify that these blessings come to us because of Jesus Christ and His priesthood power.

• Write the following headings on the board: God’s power and God’s power and authority given to men on earth. Ask the children to place pictures under the first heading that help us understand how God has used His power to bless us, such as by creating the world, guiding and directing us, showing us that He loves and knows us, and hearing and answering our prayers (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 3, 68, 90, 111). Ask them to place pictures under the second heading that help us understand how worthy men on earth use God’s power and authority to bless us, such as by blessing the sick, baptizing, confirming, administering the sacrament, and sealing families (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 46, 104, 105, 107, 120). Share why you are grateful for the priesthood and the blessings it brings.

• One of the main ways we receive the blessings of God’s power in our lives is through priesthood ordinances (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:20). To help the children learn this truth, you could list the following scriptures on the board: 3 Nephi 11:21–26, 33 (baptism); Moroni 2 (confirmation); Moroni 4–5 (sacrament). The children could each choose one of these passages and identify the ordinance it describes. Invite the children to share how they have been personally blessed by receiving priesthood ordinances.

• Help the children understand that they will receive power from God as they are baptized and keep their baptismal covenant. Ask the children how this power could help them.

God’s work is directed by priesthood keys and accomplished by priesthood authority.

Worthy male Church members can be ordained to an office in the priesthood. In addition, whenever a person is set apart for a calling or assigned to help in God’s work, he or she can exercise delegated priesthood authority. The use of all priesthood authority in the Church is directed by individuals who hold priesthood keys, such as the stake president, the bishop, and quorum presidents. Priesthood keys are the authority to direct the use of the priesthood in doing the work of the Lord.

Possible Activities

• Read with the children Mark 3:14–15, and show them a picture of the event described there (such as Gospel Art Book, no. 38). Ask the children if they have ever seen someone be ordained to a priesthood office or get set apart for a calling (or tell them about experiences you have had). How is that similar to what the Savior did with His Apostles? Help the children list on the board priesthood offices or callings that can be given to members of the Church, such as a teacher or leader in an organization. Next to each office or calling, you could write what someone with that office or calling has the authority to do. Tell the children how being set apart by someone under the direction of priesthood keys has helped you serve.

• Invite the children to think of something that you need a key for, such as a car or a door. What happens if you don’t have the key? Read together Doctrine and Covenants 65:2, and share your testimony about the importance of having priesthood keys on the earth. You could also watch the video “Where Are the Keys?” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) and look for what Elder Stevenson teaches about priesthood keys.

• Ask someone in the ward who holds keys to come to class and share with the children what it means to hold priesthood keys. Invite him to describe his responsibilities. What parts of the Lord’s work does he lead? How does the Savior help him?

The Temple and the Plan of Happiness

The temple is the house of the Lord.

Temples are a part of Heavenly Father’s plan for His children. In temples, we make sacred covenants with Him, are endowed with priesthood power, receive revelation, perform ordinances for our deceased ancestors, and are sealed to our families for eternity. All of this is possible because of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice.

How can you help the children you teach recognize the sacredness of the Lord’s house and prepare themselves to be worthy to participate in temple ordinances? Consider reviewing these resources: Doctrine and Covenants 97:15–17; Russell M. Nelson, “Closing Remarks,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 120–22; “Why Latter-day Saints Build Temples,” temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

youth outside a temple

Temples are a part of Heavenly Father’s plan for His children.

Possible Activities

• Display one or more pictures of temples. Ask the children what makes the temple a special place. Point out that on each temple is this inscription: “Holiness to the Lord: The House of the Lord.” Ask the children what they think “Holiness to the Lord” might mean. Why is the temple called the house of the Lord? What does this teach us about the temple? If any of the children have been to a temple, they could also share how they felt when they were there. If you have been to the temple, share how you have felt the Lord’s presence there, and talk about why the temple is a sacred place to you.

• Read together Doctrine and Covenants 97:15–17. Ask the children to look for what the Lord expects of those who enter His holy house. Why do we need to be worthy to enter His house? As part of this conversation, talk to the children about temple recommends, including how to receive one. You could invite a member of the bishopric to share with them what a temple recommend interview is like and the questions that are asked in one.

In the temple, we make covenants with God.

President Russell M. Nelson taught, “Jesus Christ invites us to take the covenant path back home to our Heavenly Parents and be with those we love” (“Come, Follow Me,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 91). Help the children understand that the covenant path includes baptism, confirmation, and the temple endowment and sealing.

Possible Activities

• Ask the children to help you review the covenant that we make with God when we are baptized and that we renew when we partake of the sacrament (see Mosiah 18:10; Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79). Show a picture of the temple and explain that Heavenly Father has more blessings He wants to give us in the temple.

• Draw a gate leading to a path. Ask the children why they think it is helpful to have a path to walk on. Read together 2 Nephi 31:17–20, where Nephi compares the covenant of baptism to a gate and invites us to continue on the path after baptism. There are more covenants to make after baptism, including covenants made in the temple. Explain that President Nelson has called this path the “covenant path.”

In the temple, we can be baptized and confirmed for ancestors who have died.

The gospel of Jesus Christ makes it possible for all of God’s children to return to live with Him, even if they die without knowing the gospel. In the temple, we can be baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ on their behalf.

Possible Activities

• Talk about a time when someone did something for you that you could not do for yourself. Invite the children to share similar experiences. Explain that when we go to the temple, we can receive sacred ordinances such as baptism for others who have died. How are we being like Jesus when we are doing work for the dead? What has He done for us that we couldn’t do for ourselves?

• Invite one or more youth who have been baptized for their ancestors to share their experience. Ask them what it was like in the temple. Encourage them to share how they felt doing this work for their ancestors.

• Draw a tree on the board, including the roots and branches. Ask the children to think of how a family is like a tree. Label the roots Ancestors, label the branches Descendants, and label the trunk of the tree You. Read together this sentence from Doctrine and Covenants 128:18: “For we without them [our ancestors] cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect.” Ask questions like the following: “Why do we need our ancestors? Why do our descendants need us? How have our parents, grandparents, and other ancestors helped us?” Invite the children to search the rest of Doctrine and Covenants 128:18 for a phrase that describes how we can help our ancestors.

• Consider working with the parents of each child to find an ancestor’s name for the child to take to the temple (see FamilySearch.org).