Looking for a way to bring Sister Amy A. Wright’s April 2025 General Conference talk, “Thou Art the Christ,” to life in your next lesson? This blog post is packed with teaching helps to make her message both personal and powerful. Whether you’re leading a Relief Society discussion or teaching youth, you’ll find engaging questions to spark conversation, creative object lesson ideas to reinforce key principles, and thoughtful prompts to encourage personal sharing. Plus, we’ve included a free Canva presentation template to help you present with confidence and clarity. Let’s dive into Sister Wright’s testimony of the Savior and help those we teach come to know Him more deeply.
You can access the free Canva Presentation Template by clicking here: https://otherthanamom.myflodesk.com/thouartthechrist
In order to more easily digest all the information we could take from this talk, we’ll be separating it by sections, focusing on one point from the talk at a time.
When our son Eli was in fourth grade, his class set up a mock government where he was elected by his peers to serve as class judge. One day a sitting judge from the Utah Second District Court visited, put his official robes on Eli, and then administered an oath of office for their class. This ignited in Eli’s young, impressionable soul a passion for studying law and the Lawgiver Himself, Jesus Christ.
After years of diligent effort, Eli received an invitation for an interview with one of his top choices for law school. He pronounced, “Mom, I was asked 10 questions. The final question was, ‘Where do you derive your moral compass?’ I stated that throughout history humankind has derived systems of morality by patterning their lives from archetypes. The archetype of morality I strive to pattern my life from is that of Jesus Christ. I stated if all of humanity abided by the teachings of Jesus Christ in the Sermon on the Mount, the world would be a better, more peaceful place.” Then the interview ended, and he thought to himself, “There go my childhood dreams. No one in secular academia wants to hear about Jesus Christ.”
Two weeks later, Eli was admitted with a scholarship. Before committing, we visited the campus. The law school looked like a castle and was set high on a hill overlooking a beautiful lake. Remarkably, as we walked through the magnificent library and stately corridors, we found on banners and carved in stone attributes from the Sermon on the Mount.
The Sermon on the Mount is decisively the most noteworthy discourse ever delivered, pioneering in its teachings. No other sermon can help us better understand the character of Jesus Christ, His divine attributes, and our ultimate purpose to become like Him.
Lifelong discipleship of Jesus Christ begins in our homes—and in Primary as early as 18 months of age. We want our children to believe in Jesus Christ, belong to Jesus Christ and His Church through covenant, and strive to become like Jesus Christ.
Engaging Questions:
- What stands out to you most about Eli’s courage to speak about Jesus Christ during his law school interview?
- How do you think it strengthened Eli’s faith to see Sermon on the Mount principles woven into the law school itself?
- What does this experience teach us about being bold in sharing our beliefs—even in unexpected or intimidating places?
- Why do you think the Sermon on the Mount is such a powerful guide for becoming like Jesus Christ?
- How can we use the Savior’s teachings in the Sermon on the Mount to shape our own moral compass?
- What does lifelong discipleship look like in real life, especially within a home or family setting?
- How can we help young children feel that they belong to Jesus Christ and His Church?
- In what ways has learning about Christ’s attributes helped you try to become more like Him?
- How do you stay committed to following Jesus Christ in a world that may not always value religious faith?
- What small, daily actions can help us live the Sermon on the Mount more fully?
Object Lessons:
- Judge’s Robe & Gavel
- Materials: A black robe (or cape) and a toy gavel.
- Lesson: Let a child or participant “put on the robe” as you read “Blessed are the peacemakers…” from Matthew 5. Discuss how becoming like Christ is like “putting on” His attributes—just like Eli putting on the judge’s robe inspired him to follow justice and truth.
- Moral Compass Object
- Materials: A real or printed compass.
- Lesson: Talk about how a compass points north and helps us find direction. Ask, “What helps you stay on course spiritually?” Connect it to Jesus Christ as our moral compass, especially as outlined in the Sermon on the Mount.
- Sermon on the Mount Stones
- Materials: Smooth stones with Beatitude words written on them (Mercy, Peace, Meek, etc.).
- Lesson: Invite individuals to choose one “stone” and discuss how that Christlike attribute can guide their decisions. Emphasize that building a life on His teachings is like building on a rock.
- Mirror of Christ
- Materials: A hand mirror.
- Lesson: Look in the mirror and ask, “Do I reflect Jesus Christ?” Share how the Sermon on the Mount helps us understand who He is—and how we can reflect Him through our choices.
- Castle on a Hill
- Materials: Picture of a castle or a paper model.
- Lesson: Christ said, “A city set on a hill cannot be hid.” Talk about how being a disciple of Jesus means standing out and being visible in a world that may not always share our values—but that our light is needed.
Activities:
- Build-a-Beatitude Puzzle
- Activity: Create a puzzle or matching game with phrases from the Beatitudes (e.g., “Blessed are the pure in heart…” → “…for they shall see God”). Let kids or youth assemble them and talk about what each promise means.
- Sermon on the Mount Treasure Hunt
- Activity: Hide cards with attributes from the Sermon on the Mount (meekness, mercy, peacemaking, etc.) around a room or outside. Let participants find and read each one. As they collect them, discuss how these “treasures” help us become like Christ.
- Family Crest of Discipleship
- Activity: On a blank shield outline, invite families or youth to draw symbols representing Christlike values they want their “home” or “discipleship” to stand for (e.g., heart for love, olive branch for peace, lamp for light, etc.).
- Footsteps to the Mount
- Activity: Lay paper footprints in a path and write one Beatitude or teaching of Christ on each. Walk along the path and pause at each step to briefly discuss what it looks like to follow Jesus in that way.
- “I Am Becoming…” Reflection Cards
- Activity: Give participants a card that starts with “I am becoming more like Jesus when I…” and invite them to write a sentence based on a Sermon on the Mount principle. Let them decorate or share aloud if they’d like.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
- Think of a time when you felt guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ in a difficult decision. What scripture or principle helped you know what to do?
- Think of a time when you spoke about your faith in a secular or unexpected setting. How was your testimony received? What did you learn from that moment?
- Think of a time when a child’s innocent example reminded you of what it means to believe in Jesus Christ. How did that moment strengthen your own discipleship?
- Think of a time when you patterned your choices after the Savior’s teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. How did it impact your relationships or perspective?
- Think of a time when you were surprised to see God’s influence in an unexpected place. What was it like to see reminders of Christ or gospel principles where you didn’t expect them?
- Think of a time when you taught someone—especially a child—about Jesus Christ and saw their testimony begin to grow. How did that experience shape your own?
- Think of a time when you worried your belief in Jesus Christ might not be accepted. What happened? How did your faith help you stay true to who you are?
- Think of a time when you felt deeply connected to Christ’s words in the Sermon on the Mount. What part of His message stood out to you, and why?
- Think of a time when someone’s respect for Christ—even outside a church setting—surprised or touched you. What did that teach you about the Savior’s influence?
- Think of a time when you were reminded that your efforts to raise believing, belonging, becoming children are working—even if imperfectly. What gave you hope?
Believe in Jesus Christ
First, believe in Jesus Christ.
After the bread of life sermon, “many of [the Lord’s] disciples” found it hard to accept His teachings and doctrine, and they “went back, and walked no more with him.” Jesus then turned to the Twelve and asked a heart-wrenching question: “Will ye also go away?”
Peter responded:
“Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
“… We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”
As Peter demonstrated, belief is “to have faith in someone or to accept something as true.” And for our faith to lead to salvation, it must be centered in the Lord Jesus Christ. “We … exercise faith in [Jesus] Christ when we have an assurance that He exists, [an understanding] of His [true] character [and nature], and a knowledge that we are striving to live according to His will.”
Our beloved prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, declared, “Faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation of all belief and the conduit of divine power.”
How can we help children strengthen their belief in Jesus Christ and access His divine power? We need to look no further than to our Savior Himself.
“[The Lord] spake unto the people, saying:
“Behold, I am Jesus Christ. …
“Arise and come forth. …
“… The multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one … and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he.”
I invite you to ponder what this can look like in the life of young children. Do they hear testimonies of Jesus Christ and His gospel? Do they see reverential, worshipful images of His ministry and godhood? Do they feel and recognize the Holy Ghost testifying of His reality and divinity? Do they know of His message and mission?
Engaging Questions:
- How do you think Peter’s response, “To whom shall we go?” reflects deep belief in Jesus Christ?
- What do you think it means to believe in Jesus Christ with both your mind and your heart?
- How has your belief in Jesus Christ given you strength during hard times?
- What experiences have helped you come to “know of a surety” that Jesus Christ lives?
- How can we help young children not only learn about Jesus, but truly believe in Him?
- In what ways can we create moments where children can “see,” “feel,” and “know” Christ—like the people who touched His hands and feet?
- What role does the Holy Ghost play in helping us and our children believe more deeply in Christ?
- How can we share our testimonies of Jesus in everyday conversations with children?
- What kinds of images, stories, or songs help strengthen a child’s understanding of who Jesus is?
- What does belief in Jesus Christ look like in your daily life?
Object Lessons:
- Feel and Believe – Hands-on Testimony
- Materials: Gloves or felt cutouts of hands with small marks in the palms.
- Lesson: Just as the Nephites felt the prints in Jesus’s hands and feet, allow children to touch something symbolic (e.g., soft felt hands with “nail marks”). Teach them that belief is not just hearing, but also feeling and recognizing truth in our hearts.
- Jesus Is the Bridge
- Materials: A simple toy bridge, two blocks (us and God), and a Jesus figure.
- Lesson: Show how Jesus connects us to God and eternal life. Explain that our belief in Him gives us the strength to follow Him and cross the gap from earth to eternal life.
- Light of Belief Candle
- Materials: A battery tea light or candle.
- Lesson: In a darkened room, turn on the light and say, “Jesus is the light of the world.” Just like a flame, our belief in Him helps light our way even when things are hard or scary.
- Testimony Telescope
- Materials: Paper rolled into a telescope shape.
- Lesson: Looking through a telescope helps us focus on things far away. Belief in Jesus helps us see the bigger picture—eternal life, forgiveness, and love—even when it’s not visible right now.
- Footsteps of Faith
- Materials: Cutout paper footprints.
- Lesson: Lay out a few “footsteps” that say things like Read about Jesus, Pray to Jesus, Believe Jesus loves me, Feel the Holy Ghost. Talk about how belief grows as we take small steps toward Him.
Activities:
- Jesus Scavenger Hunt
- Activity: Hide pictures, scriptures, or symbols of Jesus around a room. As kids find each one, discuss what it teaches about Him (e.g., picture of Christ healing → He has power to heal; the tomb → He lives).
- Goal: Reinforce seeing Jesus in everyday places.
- “I Believe” Testimony Wall
- Activity: Give children a star or heart cutout and have them finish the sentence, “I believe Jesus…” (e.g., “…loves me,” “…can help me when I’m scared”). Post them on a board or wall to display growing testimonies.
- Draw the Scene – Come Unto Him
- Activity: Read the 3 Nephi story aloud while children draw what it might have felt like to touch Jesus’s hands and feet or look into His eyes.
- Goal: Help them visualize and internalize personal belief through artistic expression.
- “Do You See Jesus?” Picture Matching
- Activity: Show a variety of pictures (some gospel, some everyday scenes). Have children point to which pictures help them see or remember Jesus. This encourages discernment and reverent recognition of Christ’s presence in daily life.
- Scripture Spotlight
- Activity: Use a flashlight and a Bible/Book of Mormon to “shine” on scriptures about Jesus. Let kids take turns reading or repeating a line. Reinforce that belief comes from hearing His word.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
- Think of a time when your belief in Jesus Christ helped you stay on the path, even when others chose to walk away. What gave you strength to stay?
- Think of a time when you felt certain that Jesus Christ lives and knows you personally. What happened that strengthened that belief?
- Think of a time when you saw a child demonstrate sincere belief in Jesus Christ. How did their faith touch your heart or deepen your own?
- Think of a time when a simple testimony helped you believe more deeply in the Savior. What words or feelings stayed with you?
- Think of a time when you struggled to believe—but chose to believe anyway. What did that choice teach you about faith?
- Think of a time when you felt the Holy Ghost confirm that Jesus is the Christ. How did that spiritual witness come to you?
- Think of a time when seeing art, music, or a sacred image helped you feel closer to the Savior. Why do you think it had such an impact?
- Think of a time when your understanding of who Jesus is changed or deepened. What helped you grow in your knowledge of His true character?
- Think of a time when you taught a child about Jesus and saw their eyes light up with belief. What did you say or do that brought that moment about?
- Think of a time when you needed divine power—and found strength through faith in Jesus Christ. What was the outcome of your trust in Him?
Belong to Jesus Christ and His Church
Second, belong to Jesus Christ and His Church.
King Benjamin’s people experienced a mighty change of heart and by covenant dedicated their lives to doing God’s will. Because of the covenant they made with God and Jesus Christ, they were “called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters.” As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have a covenantal responsibility to build His kingdom and prepare for His return.
How can we help children make and keep sacred covenants? In the Come, Follow Me manual, in appendix A and B, we find conversation starters and lessons that will empower families and support teachers and leaders in their sacred responsibility to prepare children for a lifetime on God’s covenant path.
Engaging Questions:
- What does it mean to belong to Jesus Christ and His Church?
- How does making and keeping covenants help us feel more connected to Christ?
- When have you felt a strong sense of belonging in the Church?
- Why do you think King Benjamin’s people called themselves the “children of Christ” after making covenants?
- What are some ways we can help children prepare to make sacred covenants?
- How can covenants guide our decisions and strengthen our identity as disciples of Christ?
- What can families do to teach and talk about covenants in everyday life?
- What are simple ways Primary leaders and teachers can help children understand their role in building the Lord’s kingdom?
- How have you seen covenants bless your life or the lives of your children?
- What does walking the covenant path look like in practical, everyday moments?
Object Lessons:
- Name Tag of Belonging
- Materials: Blank name tags or stickers that say, “I belong to Jesus Christ.”
- Lesson: Talk about how King Benjamin’s people were given a new name—“children of Christ.” When we make covenants, we take His name upon us. Let each child write their name and decorate their “I belong” tag.
- Optional add-on: Place tags on a poster of a tree labeled “Christ’s Family Tree.”
- Path of Promises (Covenant Path Map)
- Materials: Paper pathway with milestones labeled (e.g., Baptism, Sacrament, Temple, etc.).
- Lesson: Walk through the “covenant path” with children, explaining each step as a promise to follow Jesus. Place small feet or hearts along the path with children’s names on them.
- Connection: Show how this path helps us stay close to Christ and His Church.
- Shield of Belonging
- Materials: Paper shields, markers, gospel symbols (CTR ring, temple, scriptures).
- Lesson: Teach that when we belong to Christ’s Church, we are protected by truth. Children can draw or paste symbols on their shield that represent their covenants and beliefs.
- Family Crest of Faith
- Materials: Printable family crest outlines, crayons, images of baptism, prayer, etc.
- Lesson: Help kids design their own “family of Christ” crest showing how they’re part of His Church. Include symbols like the temple, the sacrament, Jesus, and service.
- Covenant Chain
- Materials: Paper strips to create a chain.
- Lesson: Each link represents a covenant-related act (e.g., being baptized, praying, attending church, taking the sacrament, etc.). As children share something that shows they belong to Christ, add a new link to build the chain of discipleship.
Activities:
- Belonging Bingo
- Activity: Create a bingo board with squares like “went to church,” “helped someone,” “took the sacrament,” “sang Primary song,” “said a prayer,” etc. As kids complete actions during the week that help them stay on the covenant path, they mark them off.
- Goal: Reinforce habits of belonging to Christ and His Church.
- Covenant Matching Game
- Activity: Create cards that match an action (like “baptism”) with its promise (“take His name upon us”). As kids find matches, discuss each covenant’s meaning.
- Lesson tie-in: We show we belong by keeping promises to God.
- Who Do I Belong To? Puzzle
- Activity: Create a puzzle that, when assembled, says: “I belong to Jesus Christ.” Each piece has an action that shows belonging (e.g., “follow the prophet,” “serve others,” etc.).
- Purpose: Visualize how each piece of our life helps us belong to Him.
- Temple Steps Relay
- Activity: A team game where each child completes a simple task or answers a gospel question to move up a “temple steps” board.
- Message: We make and keep covenants as we progress toward the temple and prepare for Jesus Christ’s return.
- Belonging Jar
- Activity: Have a jar labeled “Belong to Christ.” Throughout the week, children or class members write things they did that reminded them they are part of Jesus’s Church and place them in the jar. At the end of the week, read a few out loud and celebrate the efforts.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
- Think of a time when you felt a deep sense of belonging in the Church of Jesus Christ. What helped you feel included and valued?
- Think of a time when you made or renewed a covenant and it strengthened your relationship with the Savior. How did that moment affect you?
- Think of a time when someone helped you feel like you truly belonged—in a class, ward, or group. What did they say or do?
- Think of a time when you witnessed a child make their first covenant, such as baptism. What did that experience teach you about belonging?
- Think of a time when being part of the Church helped you through a difficult season. How did the covenant community support you?
- Think of a time when you helped a child or youth prepare for a sacred ordinance. What was meaningful about that preparation?
- Think of a time when you were reminded that you are part of something bigger than yourself—God’s kingdom. How did that perspective affect your choices?
- Think of a time when you taught or discussed the covenant path with your own children or in a class. What resonated most with them?
- Think of a time when someone else’s testimony or example strengthened your desire to keep your covenants. How did their faith help you?
- Think of a time when your identity as a son or daughter of Christ gave you courage to stand up for truth or do something hard. How did that identity shape your confidence?
Become like Jesus Christ
Third, become like Jesus Christ.
In the Book of Mormon, the Savior admonished His newly called disciples to emulate Him as closely as possible: “What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.”
How can we help baptized and confirmed children fulfill their covenantal responsibility to gather themselves and others unto Jesus Christ? Lifelong discipleship requires us to “be … doers of the word, and not hearers only.”
When extending invitations to the Lord’s youngest disciples, please take every opportunity to lead them, guide them, walk beside them, and help them find the Way. Counsel with these precious little ones as they prepare to teach, testify, pray, or serve so they are confident and experience joy in fulfilling their responsibilities. Seek inspired ways to help them come to know this is their Church and they have a vital role to play in preparing for the Savior’s return.
As Jesus Christ becomes the focus of our lives, what we desire, and how we desire it, is forever altered. Conversion changes everything! It changes our nature “that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.” It changes how we spend our time, our resources; what we read, watch, listen to, and share. It even changes how we respond in a distinguished, academic, career-on-the line interview.
We need to infuse the Light of Jesus Christ into every corner of our lives. If we are not testifying to the veracity of His premortal godhood, His divine mission, and His prison-bursting Resurrection in our homes and in every single meeting of this Church, then our messages of love, service, honesty, humility, gratitude, and compassion can become nothing more than a jaunty pep talk of thoughtful living. Without Jesus Christ there is no power to change, no purpose to aspire to, and no reconciliation of the travails of life. If we become casual in our discipleship of Jesus Christ, it could be catastrophic for our children.
When we tell our children we love them, are we also telling them that their Father in Heaven and Savior Jesus Christ love them? Our love may comfort and inspire, but Their love can sanctify, exalt, and heal.
This Jesus should not be a fictional Jesus, or a simplistic Jesus, or a bodiless Jesus, or a casual Jesus, or an unknown Jesus, but a glorified, omnipotent, resurrected, exalted, worshipful, powerful Only Begotten Son of God, who is mighty to save. And as a young child in the Philippines compellingly testified to me one day, “We are worth saving!” In the sacred and holy name of Him “whom God hath set forth to be [the great] propitiation,” Jesus Christ, amen.
Engaging Questions:
- What does it look like in everyday life to become more like Jesus Christ?
- How has your understanding of Jesus influenced your goals, habits, or relationships?
- What helps children see themselves as active disciples of Jesus Christ, not just observers?
- In what ways can we “infuse the Light of Jesus Christ” into our homes and routines?
- How do our covenants help us become doers of the word and not hearers only?
- What changes in someone’s heart and life when they’re truly converted to Christ?
- How can we help children feel joy and confidence as they teach, testify, and serve?
- What difference does it make to know and worship the real, glorified Jesus Christ?
- How can we teach the next generation to see Jesus Christ not as a casual idea, but as their living Redeemer?
- What role does testimony—spoken out loud—play in helping us become more like the Savior?
Object Lessons:
- Mirror of Christ
- Materials: A handheld mirror, pictures of Jesus, and sticky notes.
- Lesson: Show the mirror and ask, “When people look at you, do they see Jesus in the way you act?” Have kids write Christlike traits (e.g., kindness, honesty) on sticky notes and stick them around the mirror. Emphasize that to become like Jesus, we reflect His light and love.
- Footsteps to Follow
- Materials: Paper cutouts of footprints with Christlike attributes (serve, forgive, pray, love, testify).
- Activity: Lay them down in a path across the room. As children walk the path, discuss each trait and how they can “walk like Jesus” by living those principles.
- Clean Hands and Pure Heart
- Materials: Bowl of water, soap, towel, and small heart cutouts.
- Lesson: Have kids wash their hands to represent being clean through repentance. As they dry, give them a paper heart and say, “When we try to become like Jesus, our hearts change too. He helps us become new.”
- Backpack of Discipleship
- Materials: Small backpack and slips of paper or objects labeled with discipleship responsibilities (pray, share testimony, serve, forgive, etc.).
- Lesson: One by one, add each responsibility to the backpack and talk about how these practices help us become like Christ. Let them feel the weight—but also point out how He helps us carry it.
- Spotlight on the Savior
- Materials: Flashlight and images representing different parts of life (home, church, school, media).
- Lesson: In a dim room, shine the light on each area. Discuss how we can bring the light of Jesus Christ into every part of our lives and how doing so changes our choices and goals.
Activities:
- Christlike Character Scavenger Hunt
- Activity: Hide cards around the room or outdoors with Christlike traits and scriptures attached. When children find a card, read the trait and discuss how we can apply it in everyday life.
- Goal: Help children identify what it looks like to become like Jesus.
- Jesus Journals
- Activity: Provide journals or folded booklets titled “Becoming Like Jesus.” Each day or week, children draw or write one way they tried to act like Christ—being brave, forgiving a sibling, helping a friend, etc.
- Message: Becoming like Jesus is a daily practice of small, powerful efforts.
- Transformation Jar
- Materials: A jar filled with small stones labeled with “old habits” and a second set of light beads labeled with “Christlike habits.”
- Activity: As kids share ideas for how to become like Jesus, replace stones with light beads to symbolize the transformation He helps us make.
- “Be Like Him” Charades
- Activity: Play charades where children act out Christlike actions (e.g., healing, teaching, comforting, praying). Others guess the action and talk about how they could do something similar in their life.
- Purpose: Show that becoming like Christ is active and joyful.
- My Discipleship Plan
- Materials: A printable goal chart with sections: Pray Daily, Serve Others, Share Jesus, Be Kind, Learn His Word.
- Activity: Children create their own “discipleship plan” by choosing actions in each category to work on. Celebrate progress weekly or monthly.
Personal Sharing Prompts:
- Think of a time when you felt changed by the Savior—when your desires or actions shifted to be more like His. What helped that transformation happen?
- Think of a time when you felt prompted to testify of Jesus Christ in an everyday setting. What was the outcome?
- Think of a time when you saw a child or youth take their discipleship seriously—teaching, praying, or serving with power. What did you learn from them?
- Think of a time when you had to stand for Christ even when it was unpopular or risky. How did you find the courage?
- Think of a time when you were casual in your discipleship and recognized the need to refocus on the Savior. What did you do to course-correct?
- Think of a time when your love for someone helped them feel Christ’s love, too. How did you see that divine love at work?
- Think of a time when your conversion to Jesus Christ changed how you used your time, media, or relationships. What prompted that change?
- Think of a time when you helped a child or teen prepare for a gospel responsibility (like giving a talk or leading a class). How did that moment build their confidence?
- Think of a time when you experienced the power of the resurrected Christ in a deeply personal way. How did that strengthen your testimony?
- Think of a time when someone else’s testimony of Jesus Christ inspired you to recommit to becoming more like Him. What did they say or do?
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