I Know the Scriptures Are True

*I did this lesson for sharing time and it was a hit! The original lesson can be found here (January, week 4). There is also a similar idea here using jellybeans (scroll down to week 4).

Song: Search, Ponder, and Pray (CS #109)

Scripture: Moroni 10:4-5

Lesson:

Can you tell me your 5 senses? (sight, hear, smell, taste, touch)

Because of our 5 senses, we can learn about things.

Give each family member an orange and ask them to describe it using each of their 5 senses.

You may need to ask questions:

What does it look like? (orange, round)

What does it smell like? (citrus, orange!)

What does it feel like? (bumpy, cold, squishy)

What does it sound like? (when you peel it)

What does it taste like? (sweet, juicy)

A testimony is when we know something is true. Tell them now they know what an orange is because they have used all of their senses to experience it. They now have a testimony of what an orange is.

Next, have each family member hold their scriptures. Ask them to describe their scriptures using their 5 senses.

What do they look like? What color are they?

Are the hard or soft?

Do they make any noise? (ruffle the pages, or tap on them gently)

Now that you have used your senses to learn about the scriptures, do you have a testimony of them? No. What do you need to do to gain a testimony of the scriptures?

Read Moroni 10:4-5

Explain that in order to gain a testimony of the scriptures, there is one other "sense" we need. We need the Holy Ghost to tell us in our hearts that it is true. This can happen if we read the scriptures and study them and then pray and ask Heavenly Father if the scriptures are true.

Set a goal as a family to read the scriptures regularly. Or bear testimony of the scriptures and tell if you have taken Moroni's challenge.

The Church of Jesus Christ

Opening Song: "The Church of Jesus Christ," CS #77

Scripture: Doctrine & Covenants 115:4-5

"For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations."

Discussion:

Who is the leader of our church? The Savior, Jesus Christ. His church is named after him.

This song tells others what we as members of the church know and do.

Sing the song again counting the number of times the song says "I" or "I'll." (10 times)

Go through and explain each phrase. (sharing time idea, January 2003, Friend)

Activity:

Match each phrase with a picture and use the pictures to help learn all the words of the song.

(I used pictures from the gospel art kit and ldsclipart.com)

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I know who I am.

I know God's plan.

I'll follow him in faith.

I believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ.

I'll honor his name.

I'll do what is right; I'll follow his light.

His truth I will proclaim.

The Scriptures are the Word of God

(this idea comes from a Sharing Time, January 2011, I have added a few of my own ideas to it.)

Opening Song: "Search, Ponder, and Pray" CS #109

Opening Activity: Gather a variety of books (cookbook, storybook, schoolbook, songbook, scriptures, etc.) Discuss similarities and differences of each book, including authors. Point out that the scriptures are unique because they are written by God's prophets and are the work of God. In our church, we have 4 books of scripture we often call the "standard works." They include: The Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine & Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price.

Teach about each book of scripture. I made it into a game: Read 3 clues and see if you can guess what book of scripture it is.

Bible- This book of scripture takes place many, many years ago.

This book of scripture is divided into 2 parts, OLD and NEW.

The first 3 books in this book of scripture are Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus.

Book of Mormon- This book of scripture is Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

This book of scripture is written about the ancient inhabitants of America called Nephites, Lamanites and Jaradites.

This book was hidden in the Hill Cumorah by Moroni.

Doctrine and Covenants- This book of scripture is different from the others because it is not a translation of an ancient document.

This book of scripture is made up of revelations given mostly through the prophet Joseph Smith.

This book of scripture has 138 sections.

Pearl of Great Price- This book of scripture is the shortest.

This book of scripture contains the book of Moses, the book of Abraham, and the writings of Joseph Smith.

This book of scripture contains the Articles of Faith.

Additional Activity: Gather pictures of stories found in the scriptures. Have a child pick a picture. Briefly tell about the story and decide what book of scripture it comes from.

Conclusion: Share a favorite scripture or story and bear your testimony of the scriptures.