Article of Faith # 5

Opening Song: The Fifth Article of Faith

Scripture: A of F 1:5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophesy and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority to preach the gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.



Attention Activity: Ask the children to take turns doing actions such as the following with their hands: Tie a knot in a piece of string. Stack and un-stack several objects. Snap your fingers. Shake hands with someone.
Point out that every day we do many things with our hands. Explain that men and boys who hold the priesthood do additional important things with their hands.



Discussion: The fifth article of Faith speaks of men who teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and administer the ordinances in our church. Anyone who wished to do this must have approval or permission of our Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ. The approval or permission is being called of God. It is not enough to have a desire to represent the Church of Jesus Christ, any more than it is possible to be a policeman or a nurse just because you want to. If a person wishes to become a policeman, he must prepare himself and then be given the authority to do this work by someone who has this authority. If we wish to become a nurse we must prepare ourselves and then receive permission to do this work by someone who has that authority. Desire to do the work is not enough; neither is it enough when we wish to teach the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In order to do this for the Church one must be called and appointed to serve by someone who has the power and authority to call people to this work. This power and authority is called the priesthood. It is given from one person to another through the laying on of hands. We may all prepare ourselves in many ways to be called to serve in the Church of Jesus Christ. Young men at the age of twelve become eligible to receive this priesthood, if worthy. Young men may advance in the Aaronic priesthood as they grow and mature. First they are ordained a deacon, then a teacher, and a priest. When it is time for them to advance to the Melchizedek Priesthood, this priesthood must be conferred upon him and then he is ordained to an office in that priesthood. (Elder, seventy, high priest, patriarch, or apostle. While only boys and men hold the priesthood, everyone can be blessed by it. Women may have hands laid upon their heads by priesthood holders when they are set apart to serve in different positions in the Church.


Closing Song: The Priesthood is Restored



Treat Idea: Sharing the Priesthood Cupcakes: Make cupcakes. Divide family into groups of two, giving each group two cupcakes (one each). Have them feed each other the other person’s cupcake. This signifies that a blessing of the priesthood has to be done by someone else: we can’t perform a priesthood blessing on ourselves.



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


Additional Activities

1. Explain that from the earliest times the laying on of hands has been used in ordaining individuals to the priesthood, in conferring the Holy Ghost, and in giving priesthood blessings. Have the children look up some of the following scriptures, which talk about times when the laying on of hands is used: Numbers 27:18, Numbers 27:22–23; Mark 6:5; Acts 8:17; Alma 6:1; D&C 20:70; D&C 35:6; D&C 42:44; D&C 68:27; D&C 107:65–67



2. Let the children talk about times when they have experienced the laying on of hands by priesthood holders (such as when they were blessed as babies, when they were confirmed and given the gift of the Holy Ghost, or when they were given blessings because they were sick). Remind them of experiences they may have forgotten.



3. Create a word strip: Priesthood power __ __ for sale. Tell the story of Simon, found in Acts 8:9–22. Explain that Simon was a skillful magician, so the people believed he had the power of God. But when Simon became converted and was baptized into the Church, he realized he did not have the true power of God, the priesthood. Have a child read aloud Acts 8:18–19 to explain how Simon tried to get the priesthood. Have another child read aloud from verse 20 the answer Simon received from Peter, one of Jesus’ Apostles. Have one of the children write the words: is not in the blank spaces. Remind the children that the priesthood cannot be gained with money, but only through righteous living.



4. If possible have a priesthood bearer in the home share their line of authority with the family. Explain how every priesthood holder can trace their authority to act in God’s name back to Christ.