President Hinckley has counseled parents: “Read to your children. Read the story of the Son of God. Read to them from the New Testament. Read to them from the Book of Mormon. It will take time, and you are very busy, but it will prove to be a great blessing in your lives as well as in their lives. And there will grow in their hearts a great love for the Savior of the world, the only perfect man who walked the earth. He will become to them a very real living being, and His great atoning sacrifice as they grow to manhood and womanhood, will take on a new and more glorious meaning in their lives” (quoted in Church News, 6 Dec. 1997, 2)

Monday, May 25, 2009

Week 15: Chapter 15 - Alma Teaches and Baptizes

Book of Mormon
Chapter 15: Alma Teaches and Baptizes

I'll admit it - I have back-dated this post so it looks like I was diligent and posted it two weeks ago instead of the beginning of June. But if you don't read this paragraph I am sure you will be none the wiser.

This week Alma teaches and baptizes a slew of people. I have just taught a lesson in Primary about the blessings of being baptised that included the story of Alma teaching and baptising. The blessings included: 1) We become members of Jesus Christ's church; 2) We get the gift of the Holy Ghost; and 3) Heavenly Father forgives us.

These important blessings are outlined in Alma's story and would definitely be a great guideline for teaching the story this week.

Other activities that you may want to do:
  • Help your child realise the importance of writing in his/her journal. After hearing what Abinadi had to say, Alma immediately wrote down everything that had been said. Write in a journal or draw a picture about something you have done during the day.
  • Build a tent and hide in it for a day. You know I love me a tent!
  • LDS Family Fun (aka the Living Scriptures) has an activity book about Abinadi. The last part of the book covers part of this Alma story.
  • You could also use the flash cards at the end of the LDS Family Fun activity book to make a card match up game.
  • Invite the missionaries over for dinner.

Activities from the Friend:
July 2005 - Help your toddler complete the diorama used for sharing time

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Week 14: Chapter 14 - Abinadi and King Noah

Book of Mormon
Chapter 14: Abinadi and King Noah



While searching for activities to go along with this particular story, I came across many Sharing Time suggestions that had the theme of Obeying the Prophets. I think a perfect activity to complement Abinadi's story is to make up some flash cards with the pictures of the First Presidency and the 12 Apostles. As you go through the cards, tell your toddler what that Apostle spoke about at the last General Conference (obviously in a VERY summarised version).

Other activities include:

Abinadi's story is quite long and important, so I would be inclined to spend two weeks going over this particular story. But I will still be back next week with the next chapter!

Felt Stories Winner

Comment number 6 - Bloomin Babes!

Bloomin' Babes said...

I also really like the LDS Collection. The pictures are great. My mom used to make something similar for me when I was young. I still remember how much better I remembered the stories we had pictures for.

Congratulations! Please email me at toddlerscripture@gmail.com with your address so I can have Awnya send your gift.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Week 13: Chapter 13 - Zeniff

Book of Mormon
Chapter 13: Zeniff



Things I have learned from the Zeniff story:

  1. Zeniff was a spy who learned to love the land he had spent so much time in. It seems he had also learned to love the people within that land.
  2. Even though we may live in a different land to the majority of saints, the Lord still delights in giving us blessings and protecting us.
  3. Fasting and Prayer used in faith can work miracles (eg; you CAN beat the lamanite armies)

Activities that can be used when teaching these lessons from Zeniff:
  • Spy on the neighbours
  • Go for a walk to find things you wouldn't normally find
  • The lesson, "I Can Pray to Heavenly Father", from the new Nursery Manual has a few ideas on teaching your child to pray.
  • Learn about different cultures
  • Show and talk about the GAK picture 608 - Christ and Children from around the world
  • Sing "Children all over the World" - Childrens Songbook, page 16.
  • Look at a map of the world and talk about the different people that live on the different continents.
  • Move to a different country and fight the natives


Activities from the Friend:

My initial reaction when I first read over this chapter was one of despair. I couldn't think what I could do to create lessons from a story about Nephites that moved to a hostile land and fought the Lamanites. But once I delved further into the scriptures associated with the pictures I was able to see why Heavenly Father had wanted this particular story included in the scriptures.

I love doing this blog just for the mini lessons that I learn each week. I am sure that as you study out each lesson before you teach your little one, you too will start to benefit from your toddler's scripture study.

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Don't forget to leave a comment on the post below to be in with a chance to win one of those snuggly felt scripture stories!!!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Felt Stories and GIVE AWAY!!

Over a month ago I was approached by Awnya Boam, the owner of Time4Felt, to do a product review. I was a bit reluctant to do anything like that on the blog that was really only started to give me an extra incentive to continue on with LQ's scripture reading. Moral dilemma and all that... I soon got over my moral dilemma and realised I could not only help Awnya out, but I could also get you guys another chance to win something!!

I know, I know... I am fantastic, you can thank me later.

Just this week I received some Book of Mormon felt stories to help with our scripture studies. Awnya sent me Nephi and the Brass Plates and Samuel the Lamanite.

Upon opening our special package I immediately noticed how beautifully rich the colours are on the felt. The side of the felt that is printed on is also VERY soft and I will make LQ play with them just so I can touch the felt. I know... weird! I am quite certain that the Quiet Books could be doubled up as a VERY nice pillow (if needed during church).

I was very excited that we got the story of Nephi and the Brass Plates, because just this Sunday gone, I was supposed to tell that particular story in my class. My class consists of 10 very boisterous 4 & 5 year olds. EEEEK! Each week I seem to outdo myself in creating an interesting way of telling what seems to be the longest story ever told. I have actually gone through quite a few of the archives on this blog and used a few of the activities that I had found. Hooray for me.

Back to the Felt Story. I can't tell you how relieved I was, when my class sat still (or as still as any five year old will sit) through the entire story of Nephi and the Brass Plates. I honestly haven't been able to capture their attention as well with any other prop. BUT - the all important question is: How did I go with teaching the scripture stories to LQ?

It was incredible! I wasn't sure if LQ would be into it, but as I told a summarised version of Nephi and the Brass Plates I handed each character to LQ to place on the felt board. She loved that she could tell the story in her own creative way. And once again, I was able to get through the ENTIRE story. SUCCESS! The felt even held up after LQ decided that it was more fun scrunching them and then throwing them into the air.

Would you like to be included in the chance to win a Mystery Story worth $17.00?

Go to Awnya's website www.time4felt.com. Check out her products - it is ok if you are there for a while, she has a LOT of fantastic products - and then come back here and leave a comment telling me which product you like the best. I have my eye on the LDS Book of Mormon collection, but until we move out of the whole student budget thing, I may just be content with the Book of Mormon Activity Book. Awnya even offers a cheaper alternative by selling the pieces uncut (you cut them yourself).

Well, what are you waiting for? Get on over to Time4Felt. Spread the word by posting about this competition on your blog (let me know in an extra comment) and I will give you an extra chance to win.

Time4Felt will definitely enhance your toddler's scripture study time.

Competition ends Midnight Monday 18th May 2009 (Australian Eastern Standard Time). Winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be announced on Tuesday 19th May 2009.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Week 12: Chapters 11 & 12 - Enos and King Benjamin

Book of Mormon
Chapters 11 & 12: Enos and King Benjamin

I have combined these two chapters because, although the King Benjamin chapter is quite lengthy, Chapter 11 (Enos) is just about Enos praying about E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.

LQ and I are going to read the Enos story on one day and then cover King Benjamin for the rest of the week.

King Benjamin is going to be read in a makeshift tent made from blankets and chairs. We will also dress up like a king and build a block tower.

Other ideas that I have for this week include:
  • Making cookies and giving them to our friends (covering the service part of King Benjamin's speech)
  • Look at all the pictures we have of Christ's earthly life and talk about that (just like King Benjamin)
  • Colour, cut and paste the first two images on this page
  • Sugardoodle.net has this idea for using a refrigerator box to make a tower
The possibilities are endless because King Benjamin taught a lot of different things. What ideas have you had?