COME FOLLOW ME Doctrine and Covenants – MARCH Lesson 13 “Jesus Christ Will Gather His People” D&C 29 – Activities and Song Visuals for Primary and Home, family home evening (individual families), Sunday School, Seminary

Jesus Christ speaks of gathering His people “as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings” (Doctrine and Covenants 29:2).
DOWNLOAD “Hen gathereth her chickens” tent-card (HERE or below)

What does [the image of a hen gathering her chickens] teach you about the Savior’s desire to gather you? As you read Doctrine and Covenants 29:1–8, look for insights about why we gather, who will gather, and how we can help gather the “elect” (verse 7).

In our day, gathering to Zion means uniting in stakes of Zion around the world. How does gathering as Saints help us “be prepared in all things” for the tribulations that will come before the Savior’s Second Coming? (verse 8; see also verses 14–28).

See also Articles of Faith 1:10
DOWNLOAD Articles of Faith 1:10 scripture poster/card kit (HERE or below) regarding the gathering

See also Russell M. Nelson and Wendy W. Nelson, “Hope of Israel” (worldwide devotional for youth, June 3, 2018, ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Show a picture of the Second Coming (see Gospel Art Book, no. 66), and help a child read Doctrine and Covenants 29:11. Help the children notice phrases in the scripture that describe what they see in the picture. Share with the children how you feel about Jesus Christ coming to earth again.

As a class, sing a song about the Second Coming, such as “When He Comes Again” (Children’s Songbook, 82–83).
DOWNLOAD When He Comes Again song visuals (HERE or below)

Show the children pictures of things they can do to prepare to meet the Savior and live with Him forever (see Gospel Art Book for some ideas). Help them find other ways to prepare in Doctrine and Covenants 29:2–10.
See these activities illustrating putting oil in our lamps to prepare to meet Jesus like the 10 Virgins (“drop by drop in religious living” quote from the Prophet Spencer W. Kimball*
• *DOWNLOAD Second Coming Be Prepared Game (HERE or below)
• DOWNLOAD Parable of the Ten VIrgins story puzzle (HERE or below)

Ask several children to share an example of a time when they had a plan, such as for a trip or for accomplishing a task. You could also share examples of plans, such as a calendar with activities written on it or instructions to make something. Why are plans useful? Share with the children that Heavenly Father has a plan that will allow us to become like Him.

To help the children understand God’s plan, make signs with these terms: premortal life, the Creation, the Fall, earth life, and the Second Coming. After explaining each term (see Doctrine and Covenants 29:9–45), give each sign to a different child, and ask them to stand in a line in the correct order to show when each event occurs in Heavenly Father’s plan. Each child could share what he or she knows about what is on his or her sign. Help the children see how knowing about Heavenly Father’s plan helps us become more like Him and the Savior.

Use one or more of the activities below to teach truths about the plan and how they apply to us. Consider asking a few of the children to come prepared to help you teach.

• Agency. Help the children understand that Heavenly Father has given us the gift of agency—the freedom to choose—and holds us accountable for our choices (see Doctrine and Covenants 29:39–40). Create two signs for each child: one that represents making a good choice (for example, a smiling face) and one that represents making a bad choice (for example, a frowning face). Share examples of good choices and bad choices, and ask the children to raise the correct sign. Ask the children to share blessings that come when we follow Jesus Christ. Why does Heavenly Father let us make our own choices?

• The commandments. Invite the children to make a list on the board of some of the commandments. (For examples, they could search Exodus 20:3–17 and Gospel Art Book, nos. 103–15.) Why does Heavenly Father give us commandments? What do we learn from Doctrine and Covenants 29:35 about Heavenly Father’s commandments?
  DOWNLOAD Build a True Princess and Prince: Choose the Right Consequences puzzle (HERE or below)

• The Atonement of Jesus Christ. Help the children see that Heavenly Father prepared a way for us to be forgiven when we make wrong choices. Ask each child to read one of the verses in Doctrine and Covenants 29:1, 42–43 and share what it teaches about the Savior’s Atonement. Find a creative way to invite the children to share what they found, like in order of their birthdays, or shortest to tallest, and so on.

  Doctrine and Covenants 29

  Heavenly Father prepared the perfect plan for our exaltation.

  Doctrine and Covenants 29 teaches many truths about God’s plan for His children. As you read, look for truths you learn about each of the following parts of the plan:
  DOWNLOAD Plan of Salvation Choosing Choices – Divine Destiny Decisions (HERE or below)

  • Premortal life (see verses 36–37)

  • Creation (see verses 31–33)

  • The Fall of Adam and Eve (see verses 40–41)

  • Mortal life (see verses 39, 42–45)

  • The Atonement of Jesus Christ (see verses 1, 42–43, 46–50)

  • The Resurrection (see verses 13, 26)

  • The Final Judgment (see verses 12–13, 27–30)

  What new insights did you gain? How would your life be different if you didn’t know about these truths?

  You can study more about Heavenly Father’s plan in “The Plan of Salvation” (Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service, rev. ed. [2018], ChurchofJesusChrist.org/manual/missionary).