April 13-19

Opening Song

Opening Prayer

Introduction: Who remembers listening to General Conference about a week ago? What were some of your favorite parts? What did you learn? What did the Spirit teach you? Well today, we’re going to talk a little bit about an ancient people that did some very similar things that we did when we watched Conference.

Scriptures: Mosiah 2:1 (read verse 1 for now, you’ll read verse 3 later)

1 And it came to pass that after Mosiah had done as his father had commanded him, and had made a proclamation throughout all the land, that the people gathered themselves together throughout all the land, that they might go up to the temple to hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them.

Discussion: What special announcement did President Nelson make during his talk Sunday morning? He gave a proclamation. What was the proclamation about?

Now there are a couple different ways to study this new proclamation. Here are a couple options:

1) Pick out a couple of your favorite lines. Help your young child read them, and bear your testimony of them.

2) Have each child take a paragraph (or a couple of paragraphs depending on level of maturity and capability). Everyone takes a minute to read their paragraph and then, in order, share what each paragraph was about to the rest of the family.

3) Watch President Nelson give the proclamation again. Which phrases or parts stuck out to each child? Feel free to start with your favorite parts to encourage participation.

Scriptures: Mosiah 2:3

3 And they also took of the firstlings of their flocks, that they might offer sacrifice and burnt offerings according to the law of Moses;

Discussion: Explain that all these people had gathered to hear their leader just like we gathered to hear our leaders. While everyone was together, they also decided to make some sacrifices and offerings to Heavenly Father. Why do you think they decided to make sacrifices and offerings?

During his talk in General Conference, Elder Ballard said, “As we listen to the Spirit during this 200th anniversary celebration this weekend, consider what offering you will present to the Lord in righteousness in the coming days. Be courageous—share it with someone you trust, and most important, please take the time to do it!”

Activity: Children who are in the Children and Youth program could take some time to evaluate their goals. How are they going? Is it time to make new goals? How can they improve on goals they already have? Is there a better way to be accountable? Make some room for discussion. 

For younger children, it might be appropriate to make different kinds of goals. They could get potty trained, stop hitting a sibling, or learn a new skill. There are small ways of being accountable for young children. Sticker charts, a fun movie night with mom and dad, or simple recognition and praise all work well depending on the kind of goal you make with them.

Bear testimony. It would be appropriate to bear testimony of how the Lord blesses us when we make “offerings” to Him. It would also be appropriate to bear testimony of how the Lord asks us to make these goals and offerings in order to become better people and get closer to Him.

Closing Song

Closing Prayer