COME FOLLOW ME Doctrine and Covenants – JANUARY Lesson 5 “This Is the Spirit of Revelation” D&C 6-9 – Activities and Song Visuals for Primary and Home, family home evening (individual families), Sunday School, Seminary

Use “Chapter 5: Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery” (Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 22–25, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org) to tell the children about Oliver Cowdery and what he learned about how Heavenly Father speaks to us. Ask the children to tell you their favorite parts of the story, and let them take turns telling you about Oliver Cowdery.

Draw on the board a head and a heart. Help the children read the following verses and determine which describe the Holy Ghost speaking to our minds, to our hearts, or to both: Doctrine and Covenants 6:15, 23; 8:2; 9:8; 9:9. Tell the children, from your experiences, what it’s like when the Holy Ghost speaks to your mind and heart.
DOWNLOAD The Holy Ghost Speaks to My Heart and Mind stand-up card (HERE or below)

Read together Doctrine and Covenants 6:5, and invite the children to share experiences they have had with praying and receiving answers. Help them think of examples of someone in the scriptures who prayed and received an answer to a question (see 1 Nephi 2:16; Enos 1:1–6; Ether 2:18–3:6).

Write on the board How does the Holy Ghost speak to us? Invite the children to search in Doctrine and Covenants 6:15–16, 22–23; 8:2; 9:7–9 for answers to the question. Share experiences in which you felt the Holy Ghost speaking to you.

Also See:
• Heavenly Father speaks to me through “the Spirit of truth.” (Individuals and Families)
• Heavenly Father speaks to me through “the Spirit of truth.” (Sunday School)

Ask the children to repeat the phrase “fear not, little flock” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:34) several times. Explain that a flock is a group of animals, like sheep. Show a picture of the Savior as a shepherd (see Gospel Art Book, no. 64), and testify that He is watching over us like a shepherd watches over His sheep. Because He loves us, we don’t need to be afraid.
DOWNLOAD Jesus Is the Good Shepherd: 1) John 10:4 memorize tent-card, 2) Footstep Flash Cards match game (HERE or below)

Let the children pretend to be a flock of frightened sheep. What might sheep sometimes be afraid of? Let one child pretend to be the shepherd keeping the sheep safe. What are we sometimes afraid of?
DOWNLOAD Keeping Inside the Fence: Commandments Keep Us Safe QUIZ (HERE or below)

Bear your testimony that Jesus Christ is like our shepherd and that He can calm our fears. 
DOWNLOAD Find the Little Lost Lamb picture puzzle (HERE or below)

Read Doctrine and Covenants 6:36 to the children, and invite them to repeat the phrase “doubt not, fear not.” Help the children think of ways that they can “look unto,” or remember, the Savior during the coming week (see also this week’s activity page).

The children you teach may at times feel afraid to stand for the right. Doctrine and Covenants 6:33–37 can inspire them to be courageous, even in difficult circumstances.
TO REMIND CHILDREN TO BE RIGHTEOUS AND PREPARE FOR THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS WITH THIS ACTIVITY:
DOWNLOAD After Second Coming: Lamb and the Lion Millenial Match Game (HERE or below)

Write on the board Without that without ___________ you can do nothing; therefore ask in ________. Invite the children to try to think of a word that fits in both blanks. Then read together Doctrine and Covenants 8:10 to find the answer. What are some things we can do if we have faith?
DOWNLOAD 2 Nephi 27:23 scripture poster/card set (HERE or below)

After reading together Doctrine and Covenants 8:10, help the children think of things they could ask the Lord to help them with. Invite them to draw a picture that represents something they should ask for. As they show the class their pictures, let the other children guess what the picture represents.

Notice how many times words like “desire” or “desires” appear in sections 6 and 7. What do you learn from these sections about the importance God places on your desires? Ask yourself the Lord’s question in Doctrine and Covenants 7:1: “What desirest thou?”

One of Oliver Cowdery’s righteous desires—to translate as Joseph Smith did—was not fulfilled. As you read Doctrine and Covenants 9:3, 7–14, what impressions do you receive that might help you when your righteous desires go unfulfilled?

See also Doctrine and Covenants 11:8; Dallin H. Oaks, “Desire,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 42–45.

Even though Joseph had already experienced “difficult circumstances” while doing the Lord’s work (Doctrine and Covenants 6:18), he and Oliver likely had no idea how difficult those circumstances would become over the next several years. But the Lord knew, and He knows what trials are in your future too. His counsel to Joseph and Oliver in Doctrine and Covenants 6:18–21, 29–37 can also help you. How might Joseph and Oliver have felt after hearing these words? What do you find in these verses that helps you trust the Lord?
DOWNLOAD 2 Nephi 4:15-24 “I know in whom I have trusted” scripture poster (HERE or below)

How can you look unto Christ more in your life?