Use For: CHURCH and HOME children and youth activities and Come Follow Me lessons.

LESSON LIFESAVER Activity
Signs Can Strengthen My Testimony of Jesus
sign seeker show-and-tell

Activity: BOOK OF MORMON Sign Seeker Show-and-Tell — HOVER OVER or ZOOM IN (to view)

OBJECTIVE Teaches youth to have faith in prophecies and heavenly messengers and not to be seeking or asking for signs like Sherem, and Korihor in the Book of Mormon. The featured Laman and Lemuel did not ask for signs, but they ignored them. SEE DISCUSSION (below).

ACTIVITY—Sign Seeker Show-and-Tell

Explain that a sign is an event that shows the power of God.

Ask the youth to name unfaithful people they learned about in previous lessons who asked for or saw signs and discuss the effect signs had on their testimonies. Use the following examples if the youth help to SHOW-AND-TELL reading the matching cue cards and the suggested scriptures (posted on the back):
1. Laman and Lemuel saw an angel yet would not believe (1 Nephi 3:28–31; 17:45)
2. Sherem demanded a sign and was smitten of God (Jacob 7:13–20)
3. Korihor demanded a sign and was struck dumb (Alma 30:43–56)
See the videos below to further illustrate the stories.

See Lesson 32 (Book of Mormon Primary 4) “Signs in America of Jesus Christ’s Birth” Enrichment Activity #1 (as suggested above).

TO MAKE Print in color or in black-and-white and color the sign seeker posters and cue cards for each youth or one set to present. Cut out and glue the matching cards to the back of the posters.

SCRIPTURE CHALLENGE CARD: Help youth Search and Ponder this scripture card by filling in the blanks. PRINT this 5 x 7 scripture card from the pdf included with the above activity. You can punch the two holes on the left and tie a ribbon to attach cards or use two metal rings to connect cards.

3 Nephi 1:20-21 “And it had come to pass, yea, all things, every whit, according to the words of the prophets. And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word.”

3 Nephi 1:20-21 Scripture Challenge Card BOOK OF MORMON Sign Seeker — HOVER OVER or ZOOM IN (to view)

. . . DISCUSSION . . .

Help Youth Watch For Signs Through God’s Prophets

Follow these Questions to help youth search and ponder the scriptures.

• God loves us and wants us to return to Him someday. He has given us prophets to guide us. These prophets speak of signs to watch for.

What were some of the signs given to know Jesus Christ would be born? (a new star, an angel, a night with no darkness)
How can we know what signs to look for? (scriptures, words of the prophets)

• Samuel the Lamanite was a Book of Mormon Prophet who came to the Nephites telling them that the Savior would be born in five years. As that time came there were signs and miracles in the land. Many unbelievers said the time had passed and made fun of the believers.
• DOWNLOAD Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus song visuals (HERE).
• DOWNLOAD Samuel the Lamanite announces the birth of baby Jesus mobile ornament (HERE or below)
How do you think the believers felt when they heard the unbelievers? (They were sad but “did watch steadfastly for that day and that night and that day which should be as one day as if there were no night, that they might know that their faith had not been vain.” (3 Nephi 1:8)
What can we do when others do not believe what we believe? (be kind, be prayerful, and steadfast)

• It was about time for the Savior’s birth. Though signs and wonders abound, the wicked unbelievers planned to slay the righteous. This made Nephi sorrowful so he prayed “mightily” to God for guidance. Jesus told him “On the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.” (3 Nephi 1:9-13)
How do you think this made the believers feel?
Why do you think the unbelievers were afraid when they saw the sign?
What was the other sign they saw that was also seen in Bethlehem? (a new star)

• Satan continued to spread lies among the people but “the more part of the people did believe and were converted unto the Lord.” (3 Nephi 1:22).
What can you do when someone lies and tries to persuade you to not believe? (bear testimony, pray for them, ignore them)

• Other non-believers in the Book of Mormon asked for signs or saw signs but refused to believe.
Who were they? (Laman and Lemuel, Sherem, Korihor)
What happened to them? (see activity above)

Heavenly Father will fulfill all the prophecies that have been made by His prophets. There are also prophecies of the second coming of the Savior. We need to live righteous lives to prepare to meet Jesus when He comes again.

SECOND COMING More Activities Index

Nephi Prays for Laman and Lemuel | 1 Nephi 2:8–24

Sherem Denies Christ | Jacob 7

Book of Mormon: Korihor

Samuel and the Star
The Book of Mormon contains many cherished stories of faith and courage. One such story tells of a brave man named Samuel who, amid opposition and great personal danger, stood upon a city wall and proclaimed to a wicked and sinful populace that within five years the Savior, Jesus Christ, would be born. He urged the people to repent and return to God, but he was met with scorn. Samuel predicted many things that would precede the Savior’s birth, including a new star appearing in the sky. The faithful believed in Samuel’s prophetic words. And sure enough, five years later, all of Samuel’s prophecies were fulfilled, including a new star shining brightly in the heavens. “And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you.” —Helaman 14:5

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE Other lesson activities on:

• SHEREM What Would Jesus Do? choices situation sack (illustrating the Book of Mormon Lesson 8 “The Prophet Jacob Is Confronted by Sherem” HERE).

LESSON 32

Signs in America of Jesus Christ’s Birth

“Lesson 32: Signs in America of Jesus Christ’s Birth,” Primary 4: Book of Mormon (1997), 114–17

Purpose

To teach the children that when we have faith, signs can strengthen our testimonies of Jesus Christ.

Preparation

Prayerfully study 3 Nephi 1–2. Then study the lesson and decide how you want to teach the children the scripture account. (See “Preparing Your Lessons,” p. vi, and “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.)
Select the discussion questions and enrichment activities that will involve the children and best help them achieve the purpose of the lesson.
Materials needed:
1. A Book of Mormon for each child.
2. The visual aids included at the end of this lesson (or you may make simple drawings on the chalkboard).

Suggested Lesson Development

Invite a child to give the opening prayer.

Attention Activity

Tell the children that you are going to give them some clues about an event that took place many years ago. Ask them to raise their hands when they know what event the clues are describing. Invite children to come to the front of the class and hold the pictures (see the visual aids at the end of the lesson) of the following items as you hand them out:

Angel
Shepherd’s staff
Donkey
Star
Manger
Baby

When the children have guessed that the event is the birth of Jesus Christ, leave the star on display. Explain that this lesson teaches about a place far from Jerusalem where people watched for the signs of the birth of the Savior and saw a star.

Scripture Account

Teach the children the account in 3 Nephi 1–2 of the people in Zarahemla at the time of the birth of Christ. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture account, see “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.) Explain that the Nephi in this account was the son of Nephi who was the son of Helaman.

Discussion and Application Questions

Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading the references with the children in class will help them gain insights into the scriptures.

What were some of the people saying about Samuel the Lamanite’s prophecies? (3 Nephi 1:5–6.) How did the believers react to the unbelievers? (3 Nephi 1:7.)
What sign were they looking for? (3 Nephi 1:8.) What does their steadfastness teach us about their faith?
What threat did the unbelievers make to those who believed? (3 Nephi 1:9.) Why do you think some people get angry with those who believe in God?
What did Nephi do when he saw the wickedness of the people? (3 Nephi 1:12.) What was the answer to Nephi’s prayer? (3 Nephi 1:13–14.) Why did Jesus Christ say he was coming into the world?
How was the prophecy fulfilled? (3 Nephi 1:15, 19.) Why were the unbelievers so afraid when they saw the signs that the prophecy was fulfilled? (3 Nephi 1:18.) How would you have felt if you had been there?
What sign did the Nephites see that was also seen in Bethlehem? (3 Nephi 1:21.)
What did Satan do to try to keep the people from believing the signs? (3 Nephi 1:22.) How did the people show their belief in the Lord? (3 Nephi 1:22–23.)
What happened that caused the people’s faith and righteousness to decrease? (3 Nephi 1:29–30.) Why is it important to follow the righteous example and teachings of our parents? How have you been blessed by obeying your parents?
What was the attitude of the people toward the many signs they saw? (3 Nephi 2:1–2.) What can we learn about the strength of testimonies that are based on signs? What can we do to strengthen our testimonies?
What were the results of the Nephites’ unbelief? (3 Nephi 2:3, 11.) What did the righteous Nephites and Lamanites do to protect themselves? (3 Nephi 2:12.) How does being with other Church members and worshiping Heavenly Father help us grow stronger?
What finally happened to the people because of their wickedness? (3 Nephi 2:17–19.)
How do you know that the prophecies of Jesus Christ’s second coming will be fulfilled? (3 Nephi 1:20.)
What do you think the world will be like when Jesus Christ comes again? What kind of a person do you want to be when he comes? What can we do now to prepare for the Second Coming?

Enrichment Activities

You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.

Ask the children to name unfaithful people they learned about in previous lessons who asked for or saw signs and discuss the effect signs had on their testimonies. Use the following examples if the children need help:
- Laman and Lemuel (1 Nephi 3:28–31; 17:45)
- Sherem (Jacob 7:13–20)
- Korihor (Alma 30:43–56)
Ask the children to pretend that they are home teachers or visiting teachers. Let them volunteer to share what they would teach the people to help them stay strong in their testimonies of Jesus Christ.
Help the children memorize 3 Nephi 1:20, and discuss how it applies to our lives.
Help the children memorize the tenth article of faith.
Sing or read the words to “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Songbook, p. 34), “Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, p. 36), or “When He Comes Again” (Children’s Songbook, p. 82).

Conclusion

Testimony

Bear testimony that Heavenly Father will fulfill all the prophecies that have been made. Emphasize the need to live righteous lives and to be prepared to meet the Savior when he comes again.

Suggested Family Sharing

Encourage the children to share with their families a specific part of the lesson, such as a story, question, or activity, or to read with their families the “Suggested Home Reading.”

TESTIMONY OF JESUS – Book of Mormon Lesson “Signs Can Strengthen My Testimony of Jesus” sign seeker show-and-tell – For Primary, Sunday School and Home (sign seekers: Laman & Lemuel, Sherem, and Korihor)