Sharing Time: Sensing God's Creations

This sharing time will involve the children in an activity to help them learn about the beautiful world around them.

Preparation: On ten index cards write a sense word: SMELL, TASTE, TOUCH, HEAR, and SEE (two cards of each word). Place them face down on a table at the front of the room. Post the "sight" pictures somewhere in the room. Gather the other items needed for the sensory activities below.

Be familiar with the scripture Doctrine and Covenants 59:18-20:

Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart;

Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul.
And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man.

Presentation: Slowly read the scripture D&C 59:18-20. As you read, touch your eye, put your hand on your heart, mime eating, act out putting on clothes, point to your mouth and nose, and make a strong muscle with your arm (see bolded words).

Tell the children that they are going to discover some of the things God created for them by using their senses. Ask the children to name the senses (help them remember all five senses).

Point out the cards on the front table. Have a child come pick a card. Have them complete one of the sensory activities that matches the word they picked. Repeat until all the cards are used or time is up.

Smell: Blindfold the child and have them sniff as you hold something under their nose. Let them guess what it is. (Suggestions: orange, flower, or peanut butter.)

Taste: Blindfold the child and have them open their mouth and taste the item you give them. Let them guess what it is. (Suggestions: apple slice, popcorn, or chocolate.) You may wish to give each child a small portion of one of the items to taste at the end of the lesson.

Touch: Blindfold the child and have them feel an item that you place in their hands. Let them guess what it is. (Suggestions: cotton ball, pinecone, rock, or feather.)

Hear: Blindfold the child. Show the other children a picture of an animal and have them imitate the sound that animal makes. Let the blindfolded child guess what animal it is. (Suggestions: bird, cow, cat, or sheep.)

Sight: Describe something to the child and let them find a picture of it somewhere in the room. (Suggestions: sun, flowers, fish, or river.)

Bear your testimony that Heavenly Father loves us and created the world with many wonderful things in it for our families to use and enjoy.

Sing songs to reinforce the lesson such as, "My Heavenly Father Loves Me," Children's Songbook 228; "I Think the World is Glorious," CS 230; "Two Little Eyes," CS 268; and "I Have Two Ears," CS 269.

Sharing Time: Family Members in the Scriptures

This sharing time will teach the children about different family members in the scriptures and Church History.

Preparation: Familiarize yourself with the people in this sharing time. If possible, obtain pictures of each of them (Lucy Mack Smith, Mary [the mother of Jesus], Lehi, Alma, Miriam, Mary and Martha, the Brother of Jared, and President Gordon B. Hinckley.)

Presentation: Tell the children that you are thinking of a person in the scriptures or in the history of our church. You are going to give them some clues. When they think they know who it is, they should quietly raise their hand (do not shout out the answer). Continue to give all the clues, then call on someone with their hand up to guess who it is. If they are not correct, ask for other answers. If none of the children know who it is, tell them the answer. If you have a picture, show it to the children.

Option: Cover the picture with a sheet of paper cut into six pieces. Take one piece off with each clue until the picture is fully revealed.

Lucy Mack Smith (see Joseph Smith--History 1:4, and Richard Lloyd Anderson, "The Early Preparation of the Prophet Joseph Smith," Ensign, Dec 2005, 12-17):

1. This person is a mother.

2. She taught her children to read the scriptures.

3. She moved many times. At one time she lived in a log cabin in the state of New York.

4. When one of her sons needed surgery, he asked her to leave the room so she didn't have to see him in pain.

5. Her husband and one of her sons are named Joseph.

6. Her son Joseph became a prophet.

Lehi (see 1 Nephi 1-2, 8, 16):

1. This person is a father.

2. He prayed to Heavenly Father.

3. He had a vision and taught his family the things the Lord wanted them to do.

4. He took his family out of Jerusalem into the wilderness, because the people in the city had become very wicked. They lived in a tent in the wilderness.

5. He found a curious ball that showed him the way to go, it was called the Liahona.

6. One of his sons is named Nephi.

Mary and Martha (see John 11-12, Luke 10):

1. These clues are about two people, they are sisters.

2. They were friends of Jesus, cooked for him, and listened to his words.

3. They had a brother named Lazarus.

4. They sent for Jesus when their brother was very sick, because they had faith and knew Jesus could heal him.

5. They were very sad, because Jesus didn't come in time and their brother died. But after Jesus arrived, He brought Lazarus back to life.

6. One of the sisters anointed Jesus with oil. (Mary)

Brother of Jared (see Ether 1-3):

1. This person is a brother.

2. He was a large and mighty man.

3. He had great faith.

4. He prayed for his family, so the Lord wouldn't confound their languages.

5. He built boats for his family and made stones to light them.

6. He saw the finger of the Lord, then saw the Lord and spoke with Him.

Mary (see Bible Dictionary, page 729):

1. This person is a mother.

2. She had a cousin named Elizabeth.

3. While she was expecting a baby, she went with her husband to Bethlehem to pay their taxes.

4. Shepherds came and visited her when she had the baby.

5. When her son was 12 years old, they went on a trip. Her son became lost. They found him in the temple, teaching the doctors.

6. Her son is Jesus.

Miriam (see Exodus 1:22, 2:3-8; Numbers 26:59, Bible Dictionary, page 733):

1. This person is a sister.

2. Her name means exalted.

3. She had great courage.

4. She watched over her baby brother when her mother hid him in the bulrushes.

5. When the Pharaoh's daughter found her brother and decided to adopt him, this person told Pharaoh's daughter of a woman who could help take care of the baby.

6. Her brother became a prophet named Moses.

Alma (see Mosiah 18, 27, 29):

1. This person is a father.

2. He became a prophet, and the leader of the church after he heard Abinadi preach.

3. He has a son with the same name.

4. His son was an unbeliever and tried to destroy the church.

5. He prayed that his son would learn the truth.

6. An angel visited his son and told him to stop trying to destroy the church. After that, his son became a great missionary and later became the high priest over all the land.

President Hinckley (see Jeffrey R. Holland, "President Gordon B. Hinckley: Stalwart and Brave He Stands," Ensign, June 1995, 5 and Gordon B. Hinckley, "Lessons I Learned as a Boy," New Era, Oct 1998, 4):

1. This person is a brother.

2. He and his brothers and sisters learned to work hard when they were children.

3. He had a brother named Sherman.

4. In the summertime, he and Sherman would sometimes sleep outside in a wagon filled with hay.

5. They would watch the stars, and learned that the North Star never changed. He wanted to pattern his life after the North Star and always be someone his family and others could depend on.

6. He became a prophet and the President of the Church.

Explain that we should love and take care of our families just as these people did. Bear your testimony of the importance of your family.

Sing songs to reinforce the lesson such as, "My Eternal Family," 2009 Outline for Sharing Time, 10-11; "A Happy Family," Children's Songbook 198; "Families Can Be Together Forever," CS 188; and "Love is Spoken Here," CS 190.

Sharing Time: Following His Way

This sharing time will help children understand that by following Jesus they can return to live with Heavenly Father.



Preparation: Obtain a ball of yarn and the pictures of Jesus Christ mentioned in the presentation. Before sharing time, post the pictures around the room. Tie one end of the yarn to a chair near the back of the room.



Presentation: Ask the children to look around the room and raise their hand if they can see a picture of Christ. Choose a child. Have them take the ball of yarn and string a line from the chair to the picture they found. Place a chair near the picture and tie the yarn to it. Discuss what Jesus is doing in the picture and how the children can follow His example. Sing a song that reinforces the principle, if desired.



Choose additional children and repeat choosing pictures, stringing yarn, discussing principles, and singing until all the pictures have been used.



Jesus Washing the Apostles Feet (Gospel Art Kit #226 or Gospel Art Book #55)



Jesus served his Apostles by washing their feet. (See John 13:14-15.) During Christ's time the people's feet got very dirty from walking on dirt roads, so washing their feet was a kind service. We don't have to wash feet to give service, we can serve in other ways. Children can do things like setting the table, sharing a toy with a younger child, helping set up chairs for Pack Meeting, vacuuming the car, feeding their pets, or many other things.



Song: "I'm Trying to Be like Jesus," Children's Songbook 78.



Boy Jesus in the Temple (Gospel Art Kit #205 or Gospel Art Book #34)



When Jesus was twelve years old he went to the temple and sat "in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers." (See Luke 2:46-47.) Jesus listened and learned from the wise men of the Church. We can go to Primary and Sacrament Meeting and listen and learn.



Jesus' Baptism (Gospel Art Kit #208 or Gospel Art Book #35)



Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist to "fulfill all righteousness." (See Matthew 3:15.) He knew it was a commandment to be baptized, so even though He had no sins, He obeyed this commandment. We can follow Jesus' example by being baptized when we are eight-years-old.



Song: "Baptism," Children's Songbook 100.



Jesus Praying (as a child: Gospel Art Book #33; as an adult: Gospel Art Kit #227 or Gospel Art Book #56)



Jesus taught the people that they should pray to Heavenly Father. He showed them how to do it. (See Matthew 6:5-13.) We should remember to pray to Heavenly Father every day.



Jesus Reading the Scriptures (as an adult: Cover of Teaching, No Greater Call or Ensign, Jul 2002, p. 46; as a child: Ensign, Dec. 2005, p. 44.)



Jesus taught the people that they should search the scriptures because they testify of Him. (See John 5:39.) Jesus went to the synagogue (the church building) and read to the people from the scriptures. (See Like 4:16-17, 20-21.) We should read our scriptures to learn more about Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.



Song: "Search, Ponder, and Pray," Children's Songbook 109.



Jesus Teaching (Gospel Art Kit #212 or Gospel Art Book #39)



On many, many occasions Jesus taught the gospel to those around Him. (For example, see Matthew 5.) He bore testimony of the truth. We should be good missionaries and teach others the gospel. We should bear our testimonies.



Song: "I Want to Be a Missionary Now," Children's Songbook 168.



Have some of the children start at the first chair, and follow the yarn from picture to picture. Reinforce the idea that we can FOLLOW Jesus Christ's example. Bear your testimony that Jesus shows us the way to return and live with our Heavenly Father.

Photo by Marija Rajkovic

Sharing Time: To be Baptized

This sharing time will help children learn more about baptism.

Preparation: Obtain a flannel board and cutout pictures of a mother, a father, and two sisters from Primary Visual Aids Cutouts, Set 7-Pioneers and the Restoration; two missionaries from Primary Visual Aids Cutouts, Set 2-People; and a winter scene from Primary Visual Aids Cutouts, Set 3-Nature. Put tape or flannel on the back of each picture.



Make enough copies of the baptism coloring page on page 111 of the Nursery Manual for each Junior Primary child. Write one letter on seven separate sheets of paper to spell B-A-P-T-I-S-M. Post the papers at the front of the room.



Presentation: Using the picture cutouts and the flannel board, tell the following true story:



As a young girl, Christina and her family lived in Uddarp, Sweden. Her father was a mason who built houses, fences, and fireplaces out of stone. There was a forest nearby where her father and older brother, Lars, would hunt for meat for the family. Christina and her mother grew vegetables in their yard. Not far from Christina's home was a large grist mill where grain was ground into flour so they could make bread.


In 1858, when Christina was ten years old, the wife of the miller asked Christina to come stay with them and tend her baby. Even though Christina was young, she was very good with babies and the woman liked her. Christina went to live with the miller's family, but was able to visit her own family often.


Christina liked living at the mill. The townspeople would gather there, and other people would come from many miles away to have their wheat ground. It was a place where everyone enjoyed talking to one another and sharing news. Christina liked sitting and listening to all the things the grownups had to say.


One day Mormon missionaries came to Uddarp and began teaching the restored gospel. People were afraid of this new religion from America. Most of the townspeople did not like the missionaries and would not listen. Christina even heard many people say the missionaries were evil. She believed all the rumors that she heard.


Meanwhile, Christina's family invited the missionaries into their home. The elders taught them about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. They soon came to know that the missionaries were teaching the truth.


After Christina had lived with the family who ran the mill for three years, they moved away. Christina did not want to return home because her family had been listening to the missionaries and had been baptized. She went to work for another lady in the neighborhood whose husband was the blacksmith.


After a few months, her family convinced her to come back home. When the missionaries came to visit, Christina would refuse to listen to them. She did not want to sing or pray with them as her family did. Her parents were very worried about her, but the missionaries told them she was old enough to make this important decision for herself.


One day Christina picked up the Book of Mormon and began looking though the pages. Her sister, Anna, teased her and said, "Be careful, it might burn you." Christina didn't pay much attention to her sister. But as she read, she became more and more interested. She soon felt the book was true.


In December of 1862, two days after Christina's 14th birthday, the missionaries came to her parents' home. Elder Josephson told Christina, "I had a dream last night that I'd caught a fish." He teased her about it and said, "It couldn't possibly be this little girl?" Christina did not laugh at his joke. She was thinking very hard about what Heavenly Father wanted her to do. While her family talked to the elders, Christina went into another room and knelt down and prayed. She asked to know what she should do. Her prayer was answered, and the Holy Ghost made her feel as if she had been "lifted up." She returned to her mother and whispered that she wanted to be baptized. Her family was very pleased.


The next day they walked six miles to the sea where they broke a hole in the ice and Christina was baptized. She felt very happy. She was glad she had found out for herself that the Church is true. ("To Know for Herself," by Shauna Gibby. A true story about Christina Peterson Jeppson.)



Bear testimony of your own decision to be baptized. Help the children understand that Heavenly Father wants them to be baptized and He wants them to know for themselves it is the right thing to do.
Have the younger children color the baptism picture.



Point out the letters at the front of the room to the older children. Explain that baptism is a wonderful blessing. As you point to each letter ask the children to think of other blessings that start with that letter. Have them share their ideas.



Sing baptism songs such as, "Baptism," Children's Songbook 100; "When I Am Baptized," CS 103; "When Jesus Christ Was Baptized," CS 102; and "I Want to Be Baptized," Friend, July 2005, 45.

Photo from LDS.org

Sharing Time: Seeking the Lord

This sharing time will engage the children in a game to help them learn principles that will strengthen their families.



Preparation: Obtain a small rock, a package of seeds, a bar of soap, and a coin. Familiarize yourself with the scriptures in the lesson below.



Presentation: Tell the children that they are going to learn about some principles of the gospel that will help strengthen them and their family. Explain that after they learn about each principle, they will play a game.



Faith. Tell the children that the Book of Mormon prophet Alma taught that faith is like a seed (see Alma 32:26-32). When we plant a seed, then take care of it and water it, it will grow. When we want to know the truth we "plant" the seed of faith. Then we take care of it by obeying the commandments and seeking the Lord's help. Our faith will grow and we will learn truth.



Ask the children what seek means (remind them of the game "hide and seek" if they need help). Tell them that they have to seek after faith. Show them the package of seeds. Explain that they are going to play a game of hide and seek. Ask one child to leave the room. Ask another child to hide the seeds somewhere in the room. Have the first child return and look for the seeds. Have the other children sing "Faith" (Children's Songbook, p. 96) as he looks. Sing louder when he gets closer and softer when he gets farther away. Once the child finds the seed packet, ask the children how faith can strengthen them or their family.


Prayer. Tell the story of Daniel in the lion's den (see Daniel 6:1-23). Reiterate that Daniel knew it was important to pray, even when others told him he shouldn't do it.


Show the children the small rock. Tell them that some people have a prayer rock they keep on their pillow to remind them to say their prayers every night. Play the hide and seek game again using the rock as the hidden object. Sing "Seek the Lord Early" (Children's Songbook, p. 108) as the child seeks the rock. Once the child finds it, ask the children how prayer can strengthen them or their family.


Repentance. Tell the story of Aaron teaching the Lamanite king. Once the King was converted to the church he was willing to "give away all his sins" to know God (see Alma 22:1-11, 15-18). Help the children understand that giving away your sins means repenting, or not sinning anymore.


Show the children the bar of soap. Explain that repenting cleans our spirit from sin just like soap cleans our bodies from dirt. Play the hide and seek game again using the soap as the hidden object. Sing "I Am a Child of God" (Children's Songbook, p. 1) as the child looks for the soap. Once the child finds it, ask the children how repentance can strengthen them or their family.


Forgiveness. Tell the parable of the unmerciful servant (see Matthew 18:23-35). Explain that God expects us to forgive others.


Show the children the coin. Explain to them that the talents and pence in the story are kinds of money. Play the hide and seek game again using the coin as the hidden object. Sing "How Firm a Foundation" (Hymns, no. 85) as the child seeks the coin. Once the coin has been found, ask the children how forgiving others can strengthen them or their family.


Bear your testimony of these principles of the gospel. Tell the children how they have blessed you and your family. Challenge them to seek these things in their own lives.

Image from LDS.org image library