In this post, we’ll be looking at some activity ideas you could do with your little ones to better learn the principles in Doctrine and Covenants 2; Joseph Smith—History 1:27–65.
1. The Coming of Elijah
Principle: Elijah restored the keys of sealing, allowing families to be united forever.
- Practical Life: Building Family Connections
- Provide a set of “family tree” cards (pictures or symbols for parents, grandparents, and siblings). Let children arrange the cards to show how families are connected.
- Use yarn or ribbons to physically connect family members on a large board or wall display.
- Art: “Families Are Forever” Collage
- Give children cutouts of family pictures, hearts, and trees. They can create a collage showing their family and symbols of love.
- Sensorial: Sealing Keys Matching Game
- Use simple matching cards with pictures of keys and phrases like “Sealing,” “Families,” and “Eternal.” Explain that Elijah brought keys to help families be together forever.
2. Preparing Joseph Smith to Translate the Book of Mormon
Principle: The angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith to guide and prepare him.
- Art: Angel Moroni and the Golden Plates
- Provide an outline of the angel Moroni or golden plates for children to color or decorate with gold foil, yellow paper, or glitter.
- Practical Life: Treasure Hunt
- Hide a small box or pouch representing the golden plates. Provide a simple map or clues, and let children search for it, just as Joseph Smith had to wait and prepare before receiving the plates.
- Sensorial: Golden Plates Experience
- Create “golden plates” using thin wooden boards or cardboard wrapped in gold foil. Let children hold and explore them as you discuss how sacred the plates were.
3. Obedience and Patience
Principle: Joseph showed obedience and patience in waiting to receive the plates.
- Practical Life: Waiting Practice
- Set up a simple activity that requires waiting, like transferring beans with a spoon or building a block tower. Discuss how Joseph had to wait patiently for God’s timing.
- Control of Error: Delayed Gratification
- Provide a puzzle or game where children must complete one step before moving to the next. Relate it to how Joseph had to learn and grow before receiving the plates.
4. Genealogy and Family History
Principle: The hearts of the children turn to their ancestors.
- Language: Family History Journal
- Create simple booklets where children can draw pictures of their family or write their names. Discuss how knowing about family members brings us closer to them.
- Practical Life: Memory Box
- Provide a small box where children can place objects or pictures that remind them of family members. Explain how this connects to remembering and honoring ancestors.
- Sensorial: Family Matching Game
- Create cards with pictures of family roles (e.g., parent, grandparent, sibling) or family-related symbols (e.g., tree, house). Children can match pairs or sort them into categories.
5. The Restoration of the Priesthood
Principle: Priesthood keys were restored by John the Baptist and Peter, James, and John.
- Practical Life: Passing Authority
- Use a simple relay activity where children pass an object (representing priesthood authority) from one person to another. Discuss how authority is passed through proper channels.
- Sensorial: Key Sorting Activity
- Provide a set of toy keys with different shapes and sizes. Label them with symbols or words representing the priesthood keys (e.g., baptism, sealing). Let children sort and match the keys.
6. Following Heavenly Messengers
Principle: Joseph received guidance from angels to accomplish God’s work.
- Movement: Angel Guidance Game
- Set up a simple path or obstacle course. Have one child guide another through the course, representing how heavenly messengers guided Joseph.
- Art: Heavenly Messenger Mobile
- Provide materials for children to create a mobile with pictures or drawings of angels, stars, and keys. Hang it where they can reflect on heavenly guidance.
7. Preparing for the Second Coming
Principle: The Restoration prepares the earth for Jesus Christ’s return.
- Practical Life: Planting Seeds
- Have children plant seeds and discuss how preparing the earth for Christ’s return is like planting seeds of faith, love, and service.
- Cultural Activity: World Map
- Use a world map to mark places where the gospel is shared today. Discuss how this helps prepare the world for Jesus Christ’s Second Coming.
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