Week 1: Easter Sunday, General Conference - No lesson
Week 2: Jesus Christ formed his church on earth but it was torn apart in the apostacy. I'm going out of order on this one. I'm actually using the ideas on Weeks 3 and 4. I wanted to do it this way so that we could discuss Easter a little more. Also, I thought it would help them learn and understand the song better during music time.
- Start with a quick review of Jesus's death and resurrection = this is why we celebrate Easter.
- Explain that while Jesus was on the earth he established his Church.
- Piece by piece, put the picture of the church on the board and explain the words on the pieces.
Jesus Christ and the Prophets = foundation and corner stones of the church
Apostles = aid the two above and also form the foundation.
Holy Ghost and Priesthood = walls and support structure
Revelation and Ordinances = roof and protection
Scriptures = steeple, word of God, symbolism of God, points to God.
- Read page 2 of April's Friend. Explain that Jesus wanted the apostles to carry on the leadership of his church. They worked hard and spread the Gospel. But eventually Kings and Emperors took control of the church and the true gospel was lost.
- Explain that after Jesus' death, the church lasted for a little while, but eventually the gospel and doctrines were lost, this is called the apostacy. Tear the picture up to show that the church fell apart.
- Have Easter eggs hidden around the room with pieces of the same church placed in them (You'll have to print out two copies of the church, one to hide in the eggs and one to of torn up in front of them). Let the kids find the pieces and put the church back together again.
- Explain to the children that this month we will learn that Joseph Smith was chosen by God to restore the church = to put it back together again. In essence, to "resurrect" the church. The same church we have today. Next week we will discuss more about Joseph Smith.
(The original of the picture bellow was found in "I Belong To the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Volume 1" by Karen Finch 2002. I photo shopped it a bit to make it fit with our lesson.)
Week 3: Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith
- Felt Board Story Time. If you have a small primary like me, you can have the kids sit on the floor around you and a felt board. If you have a big primary you'll probably have to do this standing up.
- Read the story and practice repeating it before hand. Children love elaborate descriptions. Tall, Tall Trees swaying in the wind. Beautiful Grove with grass and no trees, the sun shining down on his face, ect.
- After the story, divide the class into two groups and play the board game bellow. (Found in: "Sing a Song Activity and Idea Book Volume 1" by Karen Finch 1994). You'll need dice and to of created a list of questions from your own story. A few questions can be found in Week 1 of the outline.
Week 4: Joseph Smith Translated the Book of Mormon
- Matching Game: using the message and key shown in the outline. Make duplicate of the cards shown bellow so you'll have two of each. Play a matching game. Once all of the matches are made, display them on the chalk board.
- Next, write on the chalk board the crypted message. Let the kids silently cypher it, but don't let them yell out the answer.
- Work out the answer on the board. "Explain that Joseph Smith could not read the writing on the gold plates without the help of the Lord. Ask the children to share what they know about how Joseph Smith was able to translate the Book of Mormon."
- Bare your own testimony of Joseph Smith.
Extra Time?
There are some good games and activites in the friend about finding Lost Sheep that you could expand on, and there is a Joseph Smith pin wheel that the kids can color and pin together.
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