COME FOLLOW ME Book of Mormon – OCTOBER Lesson 40 “Ye Are the Children of the Covenant” 3 Nephi 20-26 – Activities and Song Visuals for Primary and Home, family home evening (individual families), Sunday School, Seminary

Ask the children to show you what they do when they pray. What do they do with their arms? their heads? their eyes? Explain that sometimes we want to talk to Heavenly Father, but we can’t kneel or close our eyes. What can we do? Read to the children from 3 Nephi 20:1: “[Jesus] commanded them that they should not cease to pray in their hearts.” Tell the children how you pray in your heart.

Draw a mouth and a heart on the board. Ask the children to point to the mouth and tell you some things they say when they pray. Then ask them to point to the heart, and explain that we can say those same things in our hearts. Testify that Heavenly Father knows our feelings and thoughts.

If your classroom has a window, invite the children to look at it. What can come into the room when the window is open? Read 3 Nephi 24:10, and explain that when we pay tithing, the “windows of heaven” open, and blessings can come into our lives.
DOWNLOAD “Windows of Heaven Seek-and-Say” Post-and-Present Activity (HERE or below).

Show the children 10 coins (or other small objects). Invite them to count the coins with you. Testify that everything we have is a blessing from Heavenly Father. Separate one coin, and explain that when we pay tithing, we give back to Heavenly Father one-tenth of what we earn. Show pictures that represent how tithing is used to bless the Lord’s Church (such as building temples, spreading the gospel, and so on; see Gospel Art Book, nos. 109–10, 118–19).

Sing together a song about tithing, like “I Want to Give the Lord My Tenth” (Children’s Songbook, 150). Point out phrases that teach why we pay tithing.

• You might point out that the teachings about tithing in 3 Nephi 24:8–12 are in response to the question in verse 7: “Wherein shall we return [to the Lord]?” What is the relationship between returning unto the Lord and paying tithing? Class members could share how they have received the blessings listed in verses 10–12 as they have paid tithing. How could these truths be helpful to someone who is struggling to pay tithing?

• What attitude described in 3 Nephi 24:13–15 is often found in today’s world? Encourage class members to share what they would say to someone who feels that life is easier or better for those who do not keep the commandments. According to 3 Nephi 24, how does the Lord bless those who serve Him? You might also encourage them to find examples in 3 Nephi 22. (See also Mosiah 2:41; Alma 41:10.)

Read 3 Nephi 25:6, and invite the children to put their hand on their heart every time they hear the word “heart.” Explain that Heavenly Father wants “the children”—all of us—to learn about and feel love for “the fathers”—our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

Invite a parent of one of the children to tell about their ancestors. Or tell the children a story about one of your ancestors; show pictures if possible. Testify that Heavenly Father wants us to be with our families forever, and this is why He gave us temples. Sing together “Families Can Be Together Forever” (Children’s Songbook, 188).
DOWNLOAD “Families Can Be Together Forever” song visuals (HERE or below).

The promised return of Elijah has been eagerly anticipated by Jews around the world for centuries. Latter-day Saints know that Elijah has returned, appearing to Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple in 1836 (see Doctrine and Covenants 110:13–16). The work of turning hearts to the fathers—temple and family history work—is well underway. What experiences have you had that helped turn your heart to your ancestors?

Invite the children to read 3 Nephi 23:1, 5, and look for a word that is repeated three times. What does it mean to search the words of the prophets? How is searching different from just reading? Tell the children how you search the scriptures and what you find there.

Give each child a small card or piece of paper, and invite them to write the reference to a favorite scripture. (Give them suggestions if needed.) Let them take turns hiding their card in the room while the rest of the children cover their eyes. Ask the children to search for the scripture, and when they find it, read it together. What do we find in this scripture that is important to us?
DOWNLOAD “Sweet Words from the Prophets” Post-and-Present Activity – ideal for General Conference listening (HERE or below).

3 Nephi 20:10–12; 23; 26:1–12

Jesus’s words and actions throughout these chapters reveal how He feels about the scriptures. What do you learn about the scriptures in 3 Nephi 20:10–12; 23; and 26:1–12? What do you find in these verses that inspire you to “search these things diligently”? (3 Nephi 23:1).
DOWNLOAD ColorQuote Poster/Card set “When we choose to live according to the words of the prophets . . . “ (HERE or below)