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, June 8, 2009

Week 17: Chapter 17 - Alma and His People Escape

Book of Mormon Stories
Chapter 17: Alma and His People Escape

Another great escape. As mentioned in my previous post, this story is similar to King Limhi and his people escaping. The big difference being that Alma's people were already doing the right thing to begin with. They also didn't have to get the Lamanites drunk - they just fell asleep!

I love the scriptures in this story that tell how the people prayed in their hearts and Heavenly Father made their burdens light. I gotta tell you, I know that feeling of having my burdens made light - it's a nice feeling. Because I particularly like those verses, I will read with LQ Mosiah 24:10-15.

Another verse in Mosiah 24 mentions that after the Lord delivered Alma and His People from bondage everyone who could, lifted up their voice in praise and thanksgiving. Giving thanks could definitely be a good theme for the week. So I have thought of and found activities that will go along with the theme of giving thanks.

  • Sing "Children All Over The World" (Children's Songbook pg #16)
  • Sing "Thanks to Our Father" (Children's Songbook pg #20)
  • Behold Your Little Ones: Nursery Manual has a lesson on Thankfulness - there is a great colouring activity that we will definitely be using this week.
  • Go on a picnic and pack a backpack for your toddler. Make it heavy enough for them to realise when you lift it a little bit. Explain to them as you are lifting it that you are easing their burden just like Heavenly Father eased the burdens of the People of Alma.
  • During dinner each day this week have each family member tell what they are grateful for.
  • You can use last week's suggestions for the prayer part of the story
  • Go for a walk and point out all the things you are thankful for.

The Friend Activities:
  • November 2008 - Has a WONDERFUL matching game for things we are thankful for. The Sharing Time suggestions recommend that you discuss why you are thankful for the particular blessing when it is matched (you know I LOVE, love, LOVE matching games).

I just wanted to point out that whatever activity you choose to do, make sure that while you are doing it point out the similarities between what you are doing and the story that you read each day. It is through these small "chats" that your toddler will learn that he/she can learn important lessons from reading scriptures and that it is not just a boring thing to do.



On a different note, I have had some wonderful emails and comments recently and I just wanted to thank you for them. I have recently been in a blogging slump (if you haven't noticed) and it is the comments and emails that have kept me going. THANK YOU!!

Monday, June 1, 2009

Week 16: Chapter 16 - King Limhi and His People Escape

Book of Mormon Stories
Chapter 16: King Limhi and His People Escape


Ah.... those Lamanites. I had a sneak peek at next week's story - Alma and his people escape. It turns out the same group of Lamanites hosted the great escapes of both Limhi and his people AND Alma and his people. I just don't think they were ready to be leaders...!

This story is a good example of praying in faith, obeying the commandments and repenting of wickedness. Any activities that you can think of that will help your toddler to remember to choose the right, listen to the prophets or that teaches him/her to pray will go along nicely with the story. The activity involving the current apostles and flashcards I suggested two weeks ago would also go well with this story.

Specific activities I have thought of:
  • Sing "I Pray in Faith" (Children's Songbook pg 14)
  • Sing "I Need My Heavenly Father" (Children's Songbook pg 18)
  • Show a picture of Jesus Christ and tell your toddler that he wants us to obey
  • The Nursery Manual has two great lessons on obeying and praying
  • Pretend to sneak past the guards at the door. If you have someone who's willing - why not post them at the door, get them drunk enough to pass out and then sneak past.

Activities from The Friend
  • May 2001 - A colouring activity to hang on your wall
  • May 2003 - If you are ambitious you could try creating this mobile with your toddler
  • September 2008 - This activity is probably too much for a toddler, but I just had to show it to you. I think it is a GREAT idea for older children.
  • June 1985 - You could use the little cards in this sharing time idea for a match up game.

Thank you for bearing with me and my tardy posts. I can't wait to review next week's story!!