The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

from the Friend magazine, July 2001, Sharing Time Ideas

Opening Song: "The Church of Jesus Christ" (CS, 77)
Scripture: D&C 1:30 (use in attention activity below)

Attention Activity
Display a bouquet of four artificial flowers and one real flower.  Ask how the flowers are similar and different from one another.  Point out that the main difference is that only one is a true flower.  Explain that though there are many churches in the world today, only one of them is the true Church of Jesus Christ.  Look up D&C 1:30 and read it together.
Write each word of the name of the Church on strips of paper.  As a family, put the word strips in the correct order.  You could take turns pulling the word strips out of a bag or find them hidden around the room.

Activity
Ask questions about the name of the Church and when it was organized.  Use the scriptures listed to find the answer.

Why is the Church named after the Savior? (3 Nephi 27:8; D&C 115:4 - He is the had of the Church)

Why is the date the Church was organized, April 6, important? (D&C 20:1 - It is the date of the Savior's birth)

Why is "of Latter-day" in the name? (D&C 20:1; D&C 115:4 - Because we are living in the last days; the name was revealed to Joseph Smith)

What were members of the Church called in New Testament times? (Romans 1:7 - Saints)

Explain that the Church was taken from the earth after Jesus Christ was resurrected and all the apostles died.  Members then strayed from the truth.  The Lord chose Joseph Smith to help restore (bring back) the true church.  Jesus Christ is the head of the Church, and He chooses the prophets of His Church today just as he chose Joseph Smith to be the first prophet and President of the Church in the latter days.