Why Is It Important to Follow God’s Living Prophets?
(Lesson-match Interactive Activities)
“I remember one year when my family and I were reading in the book of Mosiah before conference. We read about how the people listened to the words of the prophet, King Benjamin, in their tents as he invited them to have faith in God, repent, and humble themselves (see Mosiah 4:9–12). My sweet mother then built a tent in the middle of our living room so that we could do the same as we listened to conference. It helped us understand the importance of listening to the prophet’s voice, and it was something I’ve never forgotten.” “Following the Prophet’s Invitation Blessed My Life ….” Jonas Weitzel – READ MORE
YOUTH CLASSES
July 10, 2022
TOPIC #1
2 KINGS 2-7
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW GOD’S LIVING PROPHETS?
(below)
July 24, 2022
TOPIC #2
Ezra 1; 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8
LESSON-MATCH ACTIVITIES 4 in on 1 bundle to save $ or click individual activities below
Counsel Together
Led by a member of the quorum or class presidency; 10–20 minutes
At the beginning of the meeting, repeat together the Young Women Theme or the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme. Then lead a discussion about the work of salvation and exaltation using one or more of the questions below or questions of your own (see General Handbook, 10.2, 11.2, ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Plan ways to act on what you discuss.
SEE FOUR LESSON TOPICS (below): Live the Gospel. Care for those in need. Invite all to receive the gospel. Unite families for eternity.
At the end of the lesson, as appropriate, do the following:
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Testify of the principles taught.
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Remind class or quorum members about the plans and invitations made during the meeting.
- Live the gospel. What has the bishopric discussed in our ward youth council meetings? What actions can we take based on that discussion?
- Care for those in need. How can we reach out to people in Christlike ways when we see a need and don’t know what to say?
- Invite all to receive the gospel. What is something we have found in the gospel of Jesus Christ that brings us joy? How can we share that joy with others?
Unite families for eternity. What are some ways we can better connect with extended family members, such as grandparents and cousins?
MUTUAL NIGHT, SUNDAY SCHOOL, SEMINARY, FAMILY NIGHT
HEART ATTACK: Surprise someone with a large cookie or box of candy that reads, “Heart Attack!” Attach several notes with heart stickers or heart-shaped cards with warm encouraging messages. Have youth and leaders and the bishopric leaders write notes and sign them. Ring the doorbell and run, or stay and visit. Contact the youth leaders or Relief Society compassionate service leaders, bishop, or community representatives to find those who need a boost.
GUEST SPEAKER: Have someone who has a disability come and tell about their life. Youth could visit them in their home if invited. Speakers could tell how they get along, how they would like to be treated, what they are planning for their lives and their dreams for the future.
QUOTE TO PONDER: “I hope that we welcome and love all of God’s children, including those who might dress, look, speak, or just do things differently.” —President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
LESSON-MATCH ACTIVITIES 4 in on 1 bundle to save $ or click individual activities below
Teach the Doctrine
Led by an adult leader or youth; 25–35 minutes
Prepare Yourself Spiritually
There may be a little bit of Naaman the leper in all of us (see 2 Kings 5:1–15). Like Naaman, who grew angry when the prophet Elisha told him to simply wash in a river to be healed, we may not always understand the reasons for our prophets’ counsel. We may think that some of their counsel doesn’t make sense to us and therefore doesn’t apply to us. But God promises great blessings if we are humble enough to follow the prophet (see Doctrine and Covenants 21:4–7). How has following the prophet helped you draw closer to the Lord? What other examples from 2 Kings 4–6 show how we are blessed as we follow living prophets?
As you prepare to teach about the blessings that come from following the living prophet, think about the challenges that youth face. How can following the prophet help them with these challenges? You might also read Elder Neil L. Andersen’s message “The Prophet of God” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 24–27) or Elder L. Whitney Clayton’s message “Whatsoever He Saith unto You, Do It” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 97–99). SEE VIDEOS (below)
Two Prophets: Elisha and Jesus Christ (telling lepers how to heal)
COMPARE THE TWO STORIES:
#1 The Healing of Naaman 2 Kings 4-6 (Read above, and go HERE to read these important comments to better understand the story)
#2 The Ten Lepers (read the story here)
DOWNLOAD the Thank You! card (HERE or above) to write 10 things you would thank Jesus for.
OBJECTIVE (with these two stories): Be humble and teachable. At first, Naaman wouldn’t believe the Prophet Elisha’s simple request to wash in the river; but the lepers ran to the priests to be healed (but, only one returned to thank Jesus). Both stories are lessons in humility and teachability.
$1.75
MUTUAL NIGHT, SUNDAY SCHOOL, SEMINARY, OR FAMILY NIGHT
O“BEE”-DIENT BUZZ SESSION:
- Have the youth bring scriptures and divide the chalkboard into two sides, writing “Obeyed” on the left, and “Disobeyed” on the right.
- Have youth “buzz” (discuss) people in the scriptures who obeyed (Amulek, Nephi, Naaman, Lehi, Ester, David, Daniel, 10 lepers) and people who disobeyed (Lamen and Lemuel, King Noah, and Coriantumer).
- Write these names on the chalkboard.
- Discuss the consequences that followed their actions.
- Talk about people of today who are obedient and who are not (without gossiping or revealing names of friends or family that the others know).
- Talk about the consequences of their actions.
- Ask why we risk all that is precious to us and our eternal blessings to be disobedient.
BUZZZZZZ YOUR WAY TO HEAVEN TAFFY PULLING:
Have the youth gather in the kitchen to cook and pull honey taffy. All you need is a stove, pan, honey, a board, butter, and a knife.
To Make:
1. Place two cups of honey in a saucepan and bring to boil, reducing heat to medium.
2. As you stir taffy, talk about 1) ways youth can buzz their way to heaven, and 2) challenging situations they are facing and how they can “bee” obedient.
3. When the honey has cooked for 10 minutes or so, test it. Place 1/2 teaspoon full of honey in a cup of cold water, and if it stays together it is done. If not, continue cooking and testing.
4. Pour onto a buttered board or pie plate and cool until it’s very warm to the touch.
5. With buttered fingers, pull and cut into taffy. Wrap pieces in wax paper squares.
6. *Cut out and give youth the “Buzzzzzz your way to heaven!” label to place on taffy.
LESSON-MATCH ACTIVITIES 4 in on 1 bundle to save $ or click individual activities below
Learn Together
To begin a discussion, you could ask each class or quorum member (or small groups) to review one of the following accounts: 2 Kings 4:1–7; 5:6–14; 6:8, 13–17. Ask them to look for something that inspires them to read and follow the teachings of today’s prophets and apostles. After each group shares something they found, you could ask a few youth to finish this sentence: “When I follow the living prophets and apostles, I …” To continue a discussion about following prophets, choose one or more of the following ideas.
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Because living prophets are found only in the Lord’s restored Church, members of your class or quorum may have opportunities to answer others’ questions about living prophets. You might write on the board the following questions that people could have about living prophets: Why do you have a prophet? How is a prophet chosen? How do you know that the prophet really speaks for God? The youth could search for answers to these questions in the resources under “Supporting Resources.” They could practice answering these questions and others they have using the truths they found and their own thoughts and experiences.
- How can the words of our living prophet help us when we face personal challenges? To help the youth answer this question, you could invite them to list on the board some of the counsel and invitations the prophet gave in the most recent general conference. What have we done to act on his counsel and invitations? What changes have we seen in our lives because of these efforts? You might invite someone to share a personal experience in which the prophet’s counsel helped him or her with a personal challenge.
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How can you help those you teach understand that following the prophet will help them come closer to the Savior? One way would be to give them each a small card and invite them to read parts of Elder Neil L. Andersen’s message “The Prophet of God.” SEE VIDEO (above)
They could write on one side of the card something they learned about how the prophet can help them come closer to Christ. On the other side of the card, they could write something they are inspired to do to follow the prophet. Invite them to share what they wrote.
DOWNLOAD the BUNDLE with the Prophet Ponder Journal (or HERE/below)
MUTUAL NIGHT, FAMILY NIGHT, SUNDAY SCHOOL, SEMINARY ACTIVITIES
TESTIMONY TIME MACHINE: Assign each youth a prophet from the scriptures or the latter-day prophets. Ask them to dress like this prophet (to the best of their ability without expense) and give a three-minute talk on this prophet’s testimony. Tell a story that the prophet told. Arrange these stories chronologically, writing the names of these prophets on the blackboard. Write Testimony Time Machine on the board. Then ask the youth to give their prophet’s testimony.
CONFERENCE REVIEW GAME: Print/copy quotes from prophets have said in general conference. Place them in a box labeled “A Latter-day Prophet Speaks.” Ask youth to take turns drawing a message from the box, reading the message ahead of time, reading the message aloud, or saying it in their own words, then explaining what it means to them.
Act in Faith
Encourage class or quorum members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. If they would like, they could share their ideas. Invite them to think about how acting on their impressions will strengthen their relationships with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Supporting Resources
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Amos 3:7; Doctrine and Covenants 1:4, 37–38; Moses 6:26–27, 32–36; Gospel Topics, “Prophets,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org; “Why Do We Have Prophets?” (video), ChurchofJesusChrist.org (Why we have prophets) SEE VIDEO (below)
