Interactive Activities For Children and Youth
LESSON LIFESAVER Activities For CHURCH & HOME:
Primary, Sunday School, Youth Doctrine, and Family
Doctrine & Covenants LESSON 3
Teaching Come Follow Me lessons just got easier with our activities for JANUARY (week #3)
Theme: “I Saw a Pillar of Light”
Joseph Smith—History 1:1-26
YOU WILL FIND:
• SCRIPTURE SCHOLARS to get them reading with reward stamps and pop-ups to match the lesson theme.
• Lesson-Match Interactive Activities to match the CFM curriculum for all ages.
COME FOLLOW ME Super Activities
PART 1 SCRIPTURE SCHOLARS
bookmarks, stamps, & pop-ups
Lesson 3 Scripture Scholars
Week’s Scripture Scholars BOOKMARKS & scripture POP-UP Includes:
• BOOKMARKS with Come, Follow Me scriptures to read and discuss topics for Primary and Individuals and Families. Also, for Sunday School (teens).
• POP-UP to glue in scripture binding next to scripture you underline.
EXTRA ITEMS – THERE’S MORE:
• STAMP. Award readers with a STAMP for the week’s scripture reading. See below to find matching STAMPS.
• STAMP KEEPER. These can be placed on the STAMP KEEPER (see below) where you can collect 50 stamps for the year
Lessons 1-4 Scripture Scholars
DECEMBER’s BUNDLE of BOOKMARKS, POP-UPs, and STAMPS. Glue STAMPS onto the STAMP KEEPER (to download separately, below).
JANUARY
STAMPS & STAMP KEEPER
(included in this KIT)
• STAMPS for reading the scriptures (found on the bookmarks* for weeks 1-4)
• STAMP KEEPER chart to place stamps for the entire year of SCRIPTURE SCHOLAR reading
*The scriptures to read are found on the Scripture Scholar bookmarks for each week (sold separately)
COME FOLLOW ME
PART 2 LESSON-MATCH ACTIVITIES
poster presentations & games, handouts, puzzles, and song visuals
Click on the weekly lesson posters (below) to find interactive activities:
. . . 6 LESSONS & 48 ACTIVITIES . . .
Step 1 CHOOSE LESSON
Step 2 CHOOSE ACTIVITY
Step 3 CLICK ON POSTER
Step 4 DOWNLOAD ACTIVITY
January 13–19: “I Saw a Pillar of Light”
Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26
You might say the Doctrine and Covenants is a book of answers to prayers: many of the sacred revelations in this book came in response to questions. The question that began it all—the one that sparked the latter-day outpouring of revelation—was asked by a 14-year-old boy. A “war of words and tumult of opinions” (Joseph Smith—History 1:10) had left Joseph Smith confused about religion and his relationship with God. Perhaps you can relate to that. We find many conflicting ideas and persuasive voices in our day. When we want to sort through these messages and find truth, we can do what Joseph did. We can ask questions, study the scriptures, ponder, and ultimately ask God. In response to Joseph’s prayer, a pillar of light descended from heaven. God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared and answered his questions. Joseph’s testimony of that miraculous experience boldly declares that anyone “who [lacks] wisdom might ask of God, and obtain” (Joseph Smith—History 1:26). We can all receive, if not a heavenly vision, at least a clearer vision, illuminated by heavenly light.
COME FOLLOW ME
Ideas for Learning at Home and Church
with MATCHING ACTIVITIES
. . . GOD’S TRUE PROPHET . . .
Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration.
The purpose of Joseph Smith’s history was to put us “in possession of the facts” because the truth about Joseph has often been distorted (Joseph Smith—History 1:1). As you read Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26, what strengthens your testimony of his divine calling?
See also Saints, 1:3–19.
SEE LESSON ACTIVITIES BELOW:
Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Joseph Smith was prepared to be a prophet of God.
. . . PERSONAL REVELATION . . .
How can I receive answers to my prayers?
Have you ever “lacked wisdom” or felt confused about a decision you needed to make? (Joseph Smith—History 1:13). The experience Joseph Smith had in 1820 can serve as a good pattern for your own personal revelation. For example, as you search Joseph Smith—History 1:5–25, look for experiences you can relate to. What do you learn about:
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How Joseph prepared for a sacred experience in prayer? (see verses 8, 11, 14–15).
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The role of scripture study in seeking revelation? (see verses 11–12).
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What to do when you face opposition? (see verses 15–16, 21–26).
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Accepting and acting on answers you receive? (see verses 18–25).
What additional insights can you gain from President Henry B. Eyring’s article “The First Vision: A Pattern for Personal Revelation”? (Ensign or Liahona, Feb. 2020, 12–17).
You might also look for other examples in the scriptures of people communicating with God. Images in the Gospel Art Book or other Come, Follow Me books could give you ideas. Try answering the questions listed previously for each example you find. What experiences have you had receiving answers to prayer? What can you do to help others have good experiences as well?
See also Russell M. Nelson, “Hear Him,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 88–92; Topics and Questions, “Personal Revelation,” Gospel Library.
ALL AGES
AGES 1-5
AGES 4-7
AGES 8-11
TEENS
ALL AGES
SONG VISUALS
. . . THE FIRST VISION . . .
Joseph Smith’s First Vision: 1820
Ask of God: Joseph Smith’s First Vision
Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Joseph Smith trusted that God would answer his prayer, but he didn’t anticipate how that answer would change his life—and the world. As you read about Joseph’s experience, ponder how the results of the First Vision have changed your life.
For example, the First Vision revealed several truths about God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, that were different from what many people in Joseph’s day believed. As you read Joseph Smith—History 1:15–20, consider writing down different ways to complete a statement like this one: “Because the First Vision happened, I know that …”
What feelings do you have as you ponder Joseph’s experience and everything that came of it?
See also “Ask of God: Joseph Smith’s First Vision” (video), Gospel Library; “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer,” Hymns, no. 26.
ALL AGES
AGES 1-5
AGES 4-7
AGES 8-11
ALL AGES
large size Post-and-Present
ALL AGES
small size (handout)
ALL AGES
ALL AGES
. . . A FIRM TESTIMONY . . .
I can remain true to what I know, even if others reject me.
After his remarkable First Vision, Joseph Smith naturally wanted to share his experience with others. The opposition he faced surprised him. As you read his account, what inspires you to remain true to your testimony? What other examples—from the scriptures, an ancestor, or people you know—give you courage to stay true to the spiritual experiences you have had?
See also Gary E. Stevenson, “Nourishing and Bearing Your Testimony,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 111–14.
ALL AGES
AGES 1-5
AGES 4-7
AGES 8-11
TEENS
ALL AGES
ALL AGES
ALL AGES
. . . JOSEPH WAS PREPARED . . .
Joseph Smith was prepared to be a prophet of God.
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Learning about Joseph Smith’s youth could help your children relate to him as they learn from his experiences. Maybe they could hold a picture of Joseph Smith and share what they know about him. If needed, you might add some facts about him from Joseph Smith—History 1:3–14 (see also “Chapter 1: Joseph Smith and His Family,” in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 6–8, or the corresponding video in Gospel Library). What did Joseph experience that helped prepare him to become a prophet? What might God be preparing us to do?
ALL AGES
AGES 1-5
AGES 4-7
AGES 8-11
. . . ANSWERS IN SCRIPTURES . . .
God can answer my questions through the scriptures.
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Consider showing your children a variety of books, including the scriptures. Help them think of questions these books can answer. Then you could read together Joseph Smith—History 1:10–11 to find out what questions Joseph Smith had and what answers he found in the scriptures.
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Your children might be able to find words in verse 12 that describe how reading James 1:5 affected Joseph. Then you could share experiences with each other in which a passage of scripture had a powerful influence on you. You could also sing together a song about reading the scriptures, such as “Search, Ponder, and Pray” (Children’s Songbook, 109). What does the song teach about why we read the scriptures?
ALL AGES
AGES 1-5
AGES 4-7
AGES 8-11
TEENS
ALL AGES
ALL AGES
ALL AGES
JANUARY 2025 Music Song Visuals for Singing Time
“Follow the Prophet,” Children’s Songbook, 110 DOWNLOAD song visuals (HERE)
“Search, Ponder, and Pray,” Children’s Songbook, 109 DOWNLOAD song visuals (HERE)
SUMMARY OF SUBJECTS FOR:
DOCTRINE & COVENANTS
Joseph Smith—History 1:1-26
JANUARY (week 3)
Lesson 3: January 13-19, 2025
“Come unto Christ, and Be Perfected in Him”
#ComeFollowMe #BookOfMormon #Primary #FamilyHomeEvening #SundaySchool #YouthClasses #YoungMen #YoungWomen #FamilyScriptureStudy #ChurchOfJesusChrist #GospelGrabBag #LessonActivities #SongVisuals #ISawAPillarOfLight #JosephSmith #FirstVision
