COME FOLLOW ME Doctrine and Covenants – MAY (week 2) Lesson 19 “Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts” D&C 46-48 (May 3-9, 2021) – Activities and Song Visuals for Primary and Home, family home evening (individual families), Sunday School, Seminary

Use Doctrine and Covenants 46:13–26 or “Chapter 20: Gifts of the Spirit” (Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 77–80) to explain to the children some of the gifts Heavenly Father gives us through His Spirit and why He gives them. If possible, show objects or pictures that represent each gift. Pause occasionally to ask the children how these gifts could bless someone.
DOWNLOAD Gifts of the Spirit D&C 46 match puzzle (HERE or below)

The early Saints believed in spiritual gifts but needed some guidance about their purpose. As you study about gifts of the Spirit using Doctrine and Covenants 46:7–33, ponder why it is important that you “always [remember] for what they are given” (verse 8). Consider how these verses apply to this statement from Elder Robert D. Hales: “These gifts are given to those who are faithful to Christ. They will help us know and teach the truths of the gospel. They will help us bless others. They will guide us back to our Heavenly Father” (“Gifts of the Spirit,” Ensign, Feb. 2002, 16). What else do you learn from these verses about spiritual manifestations? How can these truths help you “not be deceived”? (verse 8).
DOWNLOAD Spiritual Gifts writing activity and game (HERE or below – see Teens)

Ponder what your spiritual gifts are—and how you can use them “for the benefit of the children of God” (verse 26). If you have a patriarchal blessing, it likely identifies gifts you have been given.
DOWNLOAD Patriarchal Blessing Prep Checklist and Messages Memo (HERE or below)

See also Gospel Topics, “Spiritual Gifts,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

• The early Saints firmly believed in manifestations of the Holy Ghost. How can you help your class members build their faith that these gifts can be manifest in our lives today? You could begin by inviting class members to read Doctrine and Covenants 46:7–33 in pairs or small groups. Ask them to look for at least five spiritual gifts and to discuss ways they have seen those gifts manifested in their life or the life of someone they know—including people in the class. What did they find that they could share with the class to build their faith in these gifts?

• The Lord declared that gifts of the Spirit benefit those who are faithful and are “not for a sign” (verse 9). Perhaps class members could discuss how spiritual gifts benefit the faithful. How can these gifts help those who want to gain or strengthen their testimony of the gospel?
  DOWNLOAD Don’t Bottle-up Your Testimony – Share It! spin-the-bottle (HERE or below)

• Some people love God and try to keep His commandments but don’t feel they have experienced any gifts of the Spirit. How could the counsel in Doctrine and Covenants 46:7–33 help?

Read together Doctrine and Covenants 47:1, 3, and ask the children to discover what the Lord wanted John Whitmer to do. What does the word “continually” mean in verse 3? How are we blessed by knowing about the history of the Church?

If the children you teach keep a journal, ask them to talk about the kinds of things they write about in their journal. The children might enjoy hearing a story from your childhood journal or the journal of an ancestor.
DOWNLOAD Meet My Ancestory Spotlight share a family story (HERE or below)

Show the children examples of ways they could keep a regular history of their lives. For example, they can write in a book, collect pictures in a scrapbook, type on a computer, or make audio or video recordings. Help the children make a list of things that would be good to include in their personal histories, such as their testimony of Jesus Christ. Invite the children to make a sign or poster to take home with some of these ideas to remind them to record their personal histories.
DOWNLOAD Families Forever Pedigree and Story Sketch goal (HERE or below)

John Whitmer’s calling to keep a history of the Church continued a long tradition of record keepers among God’s people (see 2 Nephi 29:11–12; Moses 6:5; Abraham 1:28, 31). In fact, the position of Church Historian and Recorder still exists today. Why do you think keeping a history is so important to the Lord? Ponder this as you read His instructions to John Whitmer about this assignment in section 47. Also, consider what personal experiences you need to record. For example, what has the Lord taught you that you want to be preserved?

As you ponder these questions, consider this insight from Elder Marlin K. Jensen of the Seventy, who served as Church Historian and Recorder from 2005 to 2012:

“We keep records to help us remember. … We desire to help Church members remember the great things God has done for His children. … Lessons from the past help us cope with our present and give us hope for our future” (“There Shall Be a Record Kept among You,” Ensign, Dec. 2007, 28, 33).

To learn more about the work currently being done under the direction of the Church Historian, visit history.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
DOWNLOAD Turning the Hearts of the Children to the Fathers finding temple workers concentration (HERE or below)

Show the children a map of New York and Ohio (see the outline for April 12–18 in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families). Explain that the Lord commanded the Saints in New York and other areas to gather to Ohio, but many of them didn’t have enough money to build a house when they arrived. Help the children find in Doctrine and Covenants 48:1–4 what the Lord asked the Saints in Ohio to do to help. Ask the children what they would want to do to help if they were living in Ohio at this time. What have we been given today that we could use to help others? For an example, see “The Coat” SEE VIDEO BELOW (video, ChurchofJesusChrist.org).