Article of Faith # 4

Preparation:

GAK 101
A pillowcase or other sack
Heavy items (books, rocks, cans, etc)
A bottle

Opening Song: The Fourth Article of Faith


Scripture: A of F 1:4
We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are first faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, second repentance, third baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, fourth, the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Discussion: What would happen if you went to college before you went to kindergarten? Could you learn to add numbers before you learned to count? Could you run before you learned to walk? When you learn something, you usually start with the simplest part of it, then move on to a more difficult part. Joseph Smith said that when you become a member or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the first things that you need to do are to have faith, to repent, to be baptized, and to have those with the proper authority lay their hands on you head so that you con receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. When we obey these first principles and ordinances, we can then learn other things that Heavenly Father wants us to learn and do.

The first principles and ordinances of the gospel are the same today as they were in ancient times. Tell the story on the back of GAK 101, Adam and Eve, in your own words. Recite the fourth article of faith, holding up one finger for each principle or ordinance mentioned. Read Moses 6:52 and have the children hold up their fingers, one at a time, as they hear you read the same four principles and ordinances in that scripture. (You can continue this activity, if you wish, by reading Moses 5:4-6, Moses 6:53, Moses 6:64, and Moses 6:65-66 to identify which principle or ordinance Adam followed.)

Activity: Each verse, picture and story (included) are examples of either faith, repentance, baptism, or the gift of the Holy Ghost. Read each example and have your children decide where each word strip belongs.

Faith in Jesus Christ: What does it mean to have faith? Alma says that “if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true” (Alma 32:21). We have faith when we believe and trust in something that is real and true even though we have not seen it for ourselves. What does it mean to have faith in Jesus Christ? To have faith in Jesus Christ means that although we have not seen Him, we believe that He lives and loves us and that we trust Him. When we read the scriptures, we can learn about Him. When we listen to the prophets, we can understand what we can do to follow Him. When we pray in faith for help to choose the right, we can know that our prayers will be answered. When we listen to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, we can feel Him close to us and know that He loves us. We have faith in Jesus Christ when we believe Him, trust Him, obey Him, and follow Him.

Repentance: Repentance is turning from doing wrong to doing right. The Savior wants you to turn away from wrong and turn to Him. He gave his life to pay for your sins so that if you repent, you can be forgiven and be clean again. Repentance begins inside of you – in your thoughts and in your heart.

Activity: Put different size rocks, cans, books, or other heavy objects in a pillow case or other sack. Have each child take a turn lifting and carrying the sack around. Tell the children that weight of our sins can hold us back from living with Heavenly Father. We can rid ourselves of our sins by repenting. Take the contents out of the sack and say that when we repent, our sins are forgiven, and we can forget them. We no longer have to bear their heavy burden.

*If you wish to further teach the principle of repentance use the story of Alma the Younger, using Mosiah 27 and Alma 36.

Baptism: In the scriptures we learn about many people who were baptized. When the people of Alma gathered at the waters of Mormon, he invited them to be baptized. He taught them that being baptized was entering into a covenant with Heavenly Father. In that covenant we promise to do certain things and Heavenly Father promises to bless us. The people of Alma were so happy that they clapped their hands with joy. They wanted to show their love for Heavenly Father, and their desire to keep his commandments, by being baptized. Alma taught his people that to honor their baptismal covenants they must be willing to be called God’s people and to obey His commandments. He told them that they should help one another and comfort one another. They were to be witnesses of God, which means that they would tell other people about Heavenly Father and how much he loves each one of His children. When we are baptized today we promise to do the same things that the people of Alma promised. When Jesus was baptized, He made the same covenant that He would be obedient to Heavenly Father’s commandments.

Gift of the Holy Ghost: The Holy Ghost is a member of the God head. He has a body of spirit rather than of flesh and bones. Because he is spirit, you cannot see him. But you can feel him with you. After you are baptized, you are confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost will dwell within you as you live righteously. He will protect you by warning you of danger. He will help teach you right from wrong. He will help you remember important things. He will comfort you when you are lonely, sad, or frightened. He will bring you a happy warm feeling when you think about Jesus and Heavenly Father.

Activity: Have your family sit in a circle. Place a paper sack filled with word strips (printable below) in the middle. Also, place a bottle in the middle. Play spin the bottle: the child who the bottle points to gets to pull a situation out of the sack. Read the situation and as a group decide how the Holy Ghost can help you in that situation.

*If you wish to further teach about the Holy Ghost use the story of Simon in Acts 8:9-25.

Word Strips to print for spin the bottle game

You have studied hard for a test but are afraid you won’t remember what you have studied.

Someone in your family has died, and you are sad.

You have read and studied the Book of Mormon and want to know if it is true.

You have prepared a talk for church but are afraid that you will be nervous and forget what comes next.

You are in a store and wonder if you should take some candy without paying for it.

Your father lost his job, and you are worried and sad.

Your sister broke one of your toys, and you wonder what to do.

You are lost and afraid.

Closing Song: I Belong to the Church


Other Activities

Look up the following scriptures: Hebrews 12:2, Proverbs 28:13, D&C 35:6, John 3:5, Galatians 3:26, D&C 20:72-74. Have your children identify which principle or ordinance of the gospel is mentioned in each scripture.

Give each child a sheet of paper that you have divided into quarters. Have your children illustrate a principle or ordinance from the fourth article of faith in each of the four sections.

Sing a Story about how to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Possible songs include: Faith (CS pp.96-96), Repentance (CS p.98), When Jesus Christ was Baptized (CS p. 102), The Still Small Voice (CS pp. 106-107).

Dramatize the four stories used in the lesson activity.

For older children: Hebrews 11 contains a recounting of many stories of faith. Write the following verse numbers on slips of paper: 5, 7, 8, 11, 17, 22, 23, 24–25, 29, 30, 32–34. Have the children sit in a circle with their scriptures open to Hebrews 11. Pass a beanbag around while the children sing “Faith” (CS, p. 96–97). When the music stops, the child with the beanbag selects a slip of paper and reads the verse it refers to. Point out that all these people had their faith centered in Jesus Christ.

This Lesson was created by Nicole Crawley ~ Thank you Nicole!