CLASSROOM PREP
1/ Post my family history all the way to Adam (I happen to have this!)
2/ Post the Gospel Art image of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
3/ Post the words POWER PRESENCE PRIESTHOOD PREPARATION
4/ Post “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy” 2 Nephi 2:25
OPENING ACTIVITY
Salt and pepper static experiment!
Good example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQbnc7DE7j4
(more videos on how to do it are online)
Do it first without relating it to anything.
Today we’re going to talk about POWER.
Redo the experiment (just add more of the same or point out the elements etc.)
Here we are (salt).
We are pure.
But (sprinkle pepper onto the salt) we all sin, none of us is perfect.
We become like the salt with pepper in it - impure.
What hope is there for us?
The spoon represents our Savior Jesus Christ.
Static electricity is a type of energy and power.
The Atonement is an amazing power in our life, too.
No matter how serious our sins are, the Atonement has made it possible for us to be clean again.
Adam and Eve were created by God “in mine own image” and God blessed them and said unto them “be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth” and they were placed in the beautiful Garden of Eden. God was with them in the Garden of Eden and they enjoyed His presence.
Out of the ground grew fruit and flowers in the Garden of Eden, and also the tree of life and tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Heavenly Father commanded “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee; but, remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” They would have to leave the Garden of Eden. If they did not eat it, they could always stay in the Garden of Eden. God said they could choose.
Adam and Eve did not know the difference between good and evil. One day Satan came to the Garden and sought to tempt Eve to go against Heavenly Father. He wanted to destroy the world.
Satan asked Eve - you can’t eat of every tree? And she said God had told them not to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil or even touch it, or they should die.
Satan said the fruit was good, that they would be of gods and not die but be wise and that they would know good and evil.
Eve decided that she would eat of the fruit of that tree and Adam did also because he had to be with her. If she was going to go against God and be cast out, he had to be cast out too as they had to be together.
Once they had partaken of the fruit, they heard the voice of the Lord and hid. They were afraid and knew they had disobeyed God.
God called for Adam and Adam told him that he had been hiding. God knew this meant he had eaten of the tree. Adam said Satan told them to eat it, so they did.
God told them that they now had to leave the Garden of Eden. They could no longer live there. They had to work hard to get food. They grew older and knew that someday they would die. They knew good and evil. They had children. They knew both sadness and happiness.
In the end, they were grateful for their choice because they would know good from evil, they would have joy, and they could return to the presence of the Lord. “Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.”
After they've successfully put it in order, no need to review very much as they will have internalized the story simply by having to arrange it in order.
Why was it necessary?
Because of the fall of Adam and Eve, we are blessed with mortal physical bodies, we can choose between good and evil, we have the opportunity for eternal life.
If they’d remained in the Garden of Eden, would those things have been ours? No, they would have remained in the Garden and never known good from evil or had mortal bodies
So let’s talk a little bit more about power.
Today we’re going to talk about POWER.
Redo the experiment (just add more of the same or point out the elements etc.)
Here we are (salt).
We are pure.
But (sprinkle pepper onto the salt) we all sin, none of us is perfect.
We become like the salt with pepper in it - impure.
What hope is there for us?
The spoon represents our Savior Jesus Christ.
Static electricity is a type of energy and power.
The Atonement is an amazing power in our life, too.
No matter how serious our sins are, the Atonement has made it possible for us to be clean again.
Today we're going to discuss POWER and the ATONEMENT.
Print out each line, and post each line as you say them so they can learn the concepts better (especially for visual learners):
Adam and Eve were prepared from the beginning to play a role in the Plan of Salvation.
The Savior was prepared from the beginning to play a role in the Plan of Salvation.
That Plan makes it possible for us to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.
It’s through the power of the Atonement that we have the opportunity to return!
And it’s through the Priesthood that we can return!
The Savior was prepared from the beginning to play a role in the Plan of Salvation.
That Plan makes it possible for us to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.
It’s through the power of the Atonement that we have the opportunity to return!
And it’s through the Priesthood that we can return!
LESSON
Print out the story of Adam and Eve onto many pages, 1-2 sentences in large font per page.
Mix them all up.
Have the class (or small groups with their own set) put the story in order.
Since this is the first “story” this year, it’s a nice way to get them interested in the stories in the Old Testament by actively thinking about the process of the story and what they are learning.
Key tip is to write a tiny code on the back of the papers so you know what order they’re in as it can be hard to remember in the moment, in class.
You could do a simple tiny number in pencil on the back but if it’s in a dark pen and large, they’ll spot it and want to cheat.
You can summarize on your own, or use my version below - sources include the scriptures, illustrated scriptures, and manuals.
The best method is to have them spread the papers out on the floor and when they have two or three together that they think is right, tell them it's right and perhaps stick together with a piece of tape. They will feel more confident continuing if they know some of it is right, plus it saves time in case they doubt themselves and rearrange.
Print out the story of Adam and Eve onto many pages, 1-2 sentences in large font per page.
Mix them all up.
Have the class (or small groups with their own set) put the story in order.
Since this is the first “story” this year, it’s a nice way to get them interested in the stories in the Old Testament by actively thinking about the process of the story and what they are learning.
Key tip is to write a tiny code on the back of the papers so you know what order they’re in as it can be hard to remember in the moment, in class.
You could do a simple tiny number in pencil on the back but if it’s in a dark pen and large, they’ll spot it and want to cheat.
You can summarize on your own, or use my version below - sources include the scriptures, illustrated scriptures, and manuals.
The best method is to have them spread the papers out on the floor and when they have two or three together that they think is right, tell them it's right and perhaps stick together with a piece of tape. They will feel more confident continuing if they know some of it is right, plus it saves time in case they doubt themselves and rearrange.
Each separate section would be its own page:
Adam and Eve were created by God “in mine own image” and God blessed them and said unto them “be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth” and they were placed in the beautiful Garden of Eden. God was with them in the Garden of Eden and they enjoyed His presence.
Out of the ground grew fruit and flowers in the Garden of Eden, and also the tree of life and tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Heavenly Father commanded “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee; but, remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” They would have to leave the Garden of Eden. If they did not eat it, they could always stay in the Garden of Eden. God said they could choose.
Adam and Eve did not know the difference between good and evil. One day Satan came to the Garden and sought to tempt Eve to go against Heavenly Father. He wanted to destroy the world.
Satan asked Eve - you can’t eat of every tree? And she said God had told them not to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil or even touch it, or they should die.
Satan said the fruit was good, that they would be of gods and not die but be wise and that they would know good and evil.
Eve decided that she would eat of the fruit of that tree and Adam did also because he had to be with her. If she was going to go against God and be cast out, he had to be cast out too as they had to be together.
Once they had partaken of the fruit, they heard the voice of the Lord and hid. They were afraid and knew they had disobeyed God.
God called for Adam and Adam told him that he had been hiding. God knew this meant he had eaten of the tree. Adam said Satan told them to eat it, so they did.
God told them that they now had to leave the Garden of Eden. They could no longer live there. They had to work hard to get food. They grew older and knew that someday they would die. They knew good and evil. They had children. They knew both sadness and happiness.
In the end, they were grateful for their choice because they would know good from evil, they would have joy, and they could return to the presence of the Lord. “Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.”
After they've successfully put it in order, no need to review very much as they will have internalized the story simply by having to arrange it in order.
Brief review questions:
When we shouted for joy and supported Heavenly Father’s Plan of Salvation and accepted that the fall of Adam and Eve was a necessary step.Why was it necessary?
Because of the fall of Adam and Eve, we are blessed with mortal physical bodies, we can choose between good and evil, we have the opportunity for eternal life.
If they’d remained in the Garden of Eden, would those things have been ours? No, they would have remained in the Garden and never known good from evil or had mortal bodies
We needed a Savior so we could live again and return to our Heavenly Father.
Jesus Christ was this Savior that we needed and he was chosen before the world was created.
POWER DISCUSSION AND PRIESTHOOD PREPARATION INCORPORATED*
*Because my first 11-year-old to turn 12 is in February, I need to incorporate a portion of the Priesthood Preparation lesson in with our lesson this weekSo let’s talk a little bit more about power.
I want all the boys to stand up.
Boys, what’s a power that you are preparing to be worthy of receiving? Priesthood
Boys, what’s a power that you are preparing to be worthy of receiving? Priesthood
Who is the first one of you to turn 12?
What is the Priesthood? How would you define it? Power and authority to act in God’s name
What things can happen through this power? Baptism, gift of the holy ghost, sealings, blessings, etc.
Why do you think being prepared is important?
You learned last year that Joseph Smith was prepared for many things after the First Vision in the Sacred Grove.
What are some things he had to be prepared to do? Receive the plates, translate them, establish the church, etc.
How do you think those years of preparation helped him?
Became more wise and mature, gained a stronger testimony, showed faith through sacrifice
What are the duties of a Deacon? - print out to pass out to everyone or have one of the boys read it out loud to everyone:
Pass the sacrament, watch over the Church, assist the bishop with temporal things, fellowship quorum members and other young men - Priesthood manual
Why do you think being prepared is important?
You learned last year that Joseph Smith was prepared for many things after the First Vision in the Sacred Grove.
What are some things he had to be prepared to do? Receive the plates, translate them, establish the church, etc.
How do you think those years of preparation helped him?
Became more wise and mature, gained a stronger testimony, showed faith through sacrifice
What are the duties of a Deacon? - print out to pass out to everyone or have one of the boys read it out loud to everyone:
Warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ - D&C 20:59
Pass the sacrament, watch over the Church, assist the bishop with temporal things, fellowship quorum members and other young men - Priesthood manual
If you have time, you can plan to have a current Deacon (perhaps the Deacons Quorum President) come in to talk about how he prepared for the Priesthood and what the duties are.
How can you boys, future Priesthood holders, and you girls, future YW who will benefit from the Priesthood (including having faith in it), prepare?
Let’s play a little game to find out...
PRIESTHOOD PREPARATION PICTIONARY (this was done in one of my prior lessons for Primary 5)
Get them to guess the bold term through either Pictionary on the board or through Charades, then talk about how it relates to the gospel: (cut some of these if you don’t have time)
Water → baptism Get them to guess the bold term through either Pictionary on the board or through Charades, then talk about how it relates to the gospel: (cut some of these if you don’t have time)
Food → bread of life/sacrament
Rain Jacket → worthiness to have the holy ghost
Navigation (compass, map) → scriptures
Rain Jacket → worthiness to have the holy ghost
Navigation (compass, map) → scriptures
Illumination (headlamp, flashlight) → personal revelation
Knife/Tool → prayer
First aid kit → atonement
Fire (matches, fire starter) → gift of the holy ghost
Emergency shelter → worthiness to enter the temple
A Story of Survival: The Importance of Being Prepared
Last week, we heard news of a 62 year old Californian hiker who survived 9 days with a broken leg in the rugged Sierra Nevada wilderness. While hiking with the Sierra Club, Miyuki Harwood left her hiking group and headed back to camp because of her low water supply. On the way, she slipped and fell about 6 feet, breaking her leg.
After two days of waiting in place, Harwood crawled about 150 yards down a ravine to a source of running water. She was able to use her water bottle’s filter to make the water safe to drink and waited for help to come. Unfortunately, a nearby wildfire clogged the air with smoke, making it difficult for searchers in aircraft to be of use. While she waited, she took shelter under a tree and drank from the nearby creek. She had no food to eat or pain relief from her broken leg. Nine days after her initial fall, Harwood made contact with search and rescue groups by using her emergency whistle.
Review what you learned from that story!
The world may tell you that Adam and Eve made a big mistake.
We know that it was a necessary step in the Plan of Salvation.
We should be very grateful for Adam and Eve!
Grateful for knowing how to prepare!
For being able to return to the Lord’s presence!
For the Priesthood! Options for a scripture to include with a take-home item: "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy” - 2 Nephi 2:25
“Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.”
- Moses 5:10
Also include the four P words: POWER PRESENCE PRIESTHOOD PREPARATION
Take home item ideas: Preparation things like a small first aid kit, a small flashlight, band-aids, hand sanitizer, hand warmers, or something related to light or power like a glow stick.
SURVIVAL STORY
And now I’m going to read you a true story of survival and the importance of being prepared!
Listen carefully for ways this hiker was able to survive because of their preparedness!
A Story of Survival: The Importance of Being Prepared
Last week, we heard news of a 62 year old Californian hiker who survived 9 days with a broken leg in the rugged Sierra Nevada wilderness. While hiking with the Sierra Club, Miyuki Harwood left her hiking group and headed back to camp because of her low water supply. On the way, she slipped and fell about 6 feet, breaking her leg.
After two days of waiting in place, Harwood crawled about 150 yards down a ravine to a source of running water. She was able to use her water bottle’s filter to make the water safe to drink and waited for help to come. Unfortunately, a nearby wildfire clogged the air with smoke, making it difficult for searchers in aircraft to be of use. While she waited, she took shelter under a tree and drank from the nearby creek. She had no food to eat or pain relief from her broken leg. Nine days after her initial fall, Harwood made contact with search and rescue groups by using her emergency whistle.
Review what you learned from that story!
WRAP UP/TYING EVERYTHING TOGETHER
Reference what’s on the board:
Adam and Eve were prepared from the beginning to play a role in the Plan of Salvation.
The Savior was prepared from the beginning to play a role in the Plan of Salvation.
That Plan makes it possible for us to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.
It’s through the power of the Atonement that we have the opportunity to return!
And it’s through the Priesthood that we can return!
The Savior was prepared from the beginning to play a role in the Plan of Salvation.
That Plan makes it possible for us to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.
It’s through the power of the Atonement that we have the opportunity to return!
And it’s through the Priesthood that we can return!
TESTIMONY / TAKE HOME
The world may tell you that Adam and Eve made a big mistake.
We know that it was a necessary step in the Plan of Salvation.
We should be very grateful for Adam and Eve!
Grateful for knowing how to prepare!
For being able to return to the Lord’s presence!
For the Priesthood! Options for a scripture to include with a take-home item: "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy” - 2 Nephi 2:25
- Moses 5:10
Also include the four P words: POWER PRESENCE PRIESTHOOD PREPARATION
Take home item ideas: Preparation things like a small first aid kit, a small flashlight, band-aids, hand sanitizer, hand warmers, or something related to light or power like a glow stick.
