The living prophet is a special witness of Jesus Christ.
(by JoLayna Arndt)

Materials needed
Home:
Special Witness of Christ Video
Strips with scripture references
Apron
Seed
Gift tag

Library:
Picture of Brother of Jared
Picture of Joseph Smith
Picture of Paul
Picture of Moses
Picture of Christ
Picture of Gordon B. Hinckley
Extra Scriptures

D&C 21:5 Review Scripture Memorization (from last week)

I will ask 6 children to come to the front of the room. (I use objects to represent each part of the scripture. I used this technique last year and it was great. I used this exact representation last week and was amazed at how the children remember!)

  1. The first child holds a picture of Pres. Hinckley (to represent "for his word")
  2. The second child stands with their hands out like they are waiting to receive a gift (to represent "ye shall receive")
  3. The third child holds a gift tag (to represent "from")
  4. The fourth child holds a picture of the Savior (to represent "mine own mouth")
  5. The fifth child stands wearing an apron. (The apron represents moms who are always so patient! It represents the word "patience")
  6. The sixth child holds a seed (to represent "faith")

We repeat the scripture together several times as I point to the children who are holding our reminders. Then, one by one, I have the children sit down & we repeat the scripture trying to remember the scripture without the prop. (I want to make sure the kids really are memorizing the scripture so I often ask the teachers not to repeat it with us. I like to hear the kids!)

Messenger Activity
Have each class teacher select a child to be a messenger and quietly tell her/him something important in that class's lesson for the day.
Have each messenger come forward and tell the whole Primary what that
something important is. Thank the messengers, then explain that they were sent to speak for their teachers to the whole Primary. Ask all the children if they've ever been messengers (for parents, friends, siblings). Have a few tell what message they were asked to give. Ask them if it was important for them to give the right message; explain that whenever we speak for someone else, that person is depending on us to give the entire message correctly and to not leave out any of it. Ask, "Whom does Heavenly Father ask to give us His messages?" (The prophet.) Some of the messages warn us of things to come; some teach us to do certain things; others witness to us that Jesus Christ lived and atoned for our sins. Explain that sometimes the people did not want to hear the message the prophet was asked to give and that it took great courage for the prophet to speak for Heavenly Father.

Sing: We Listen to a Prophet's Voice (Our song leader will take 10-15
minutes teaching more of the song.)

Activity (Depending on time I will either skip or modify this activity in Jr. Primary)
Divide the children into four groups & assign each group one of the following scripture references:

  1. Ether 3:4-13 (Brother of Jared)
  2. Joseph Smith History 1:17, 25 (Joseph Smith)
  3. Acts 9:3-6 (Paul)
  4. Acts 7:30-35 (Moses)

Have the children discover how each prophet came to know the Savior.
Then have each group share the prophet's experience with the entire Primary. Discuss with the children how the testimonies of these prophets strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ and help us follow the Savior.

Sing: My Beloved Son

VIDEO
Special Witness of Christ (just the last part--with President
Hinckley's testimony)

MY TESTIMONY