I Will Be His Servant

By Linda Christensen

Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day (D&C 4:2).

Ammon, a great Nephite missionary, went to the land of the Lamanites to “declare unto them the word of God” (Alma 17:12). When Ammon entered the land, the Lamanites bound him and took him to the king. The king asked Ammon if he wanted to dwell in the land. Ammon asked the king if he could be his servant.

Ammon served the king with all his heart, might, mind, and strength. He showed love to the people. He used his power to protect the king’s sheep and servants. He used his mind to learn the gospel and share it with the king. He used his strength to be firm and steadfast in living the gospel. (See Alma 17–18.)

The words of the Primary song “I Will Be Valiant” (Children’s Songbook, 162) remind us to be like Ammon.

The Lord needs valiant servants,
To do his work in the latter day,
Who follow the teachings of Jesus
And serve his people in a loving way.

We can learn to serve others as Ammon did. We can show love to those around us, especially our family and friends. We can use our energy to do good things, such as being kind or helping. We can use our minds to learn the gospel by reading the scriptures and listening to our parents and teachers. We can choose to be firm and steadfast in doing what is right.

I will be his servant
And keep my cov’nants valiantly.
I’ll stand for truth. I’ll stand for right.
The Lord can depend on me.

Activity

Cut out the ovals on page 10, and glue them together back-to-back. Cut out the four rectangles, fold them in half, and glue the backs together to make squares. Cut out the circular picture of Ammon for the top of the mobile, and punch holes where indicated. Attach a photo or draw a picture of yourself in the oval frames. Punch a hole at the top of the picture frames and in each of the four squares. Use string or yarn to complete the mobile. Hang the mobile where it will remind you to serve the Lord and others.

Ammon Defends the Flocks of King Lamoni, by Arnold Friberg; background © Corbis

Heart

Might

Mind

Strength

I will be the Lord’s servant

Sharing Time Ideas

(Note: All songs are from Children’s Songbook unless otherwise noted; GAK = Gospel Art Picture Kit; TNGC = Teaching, No Greater Call.)

Prior to sharing time, prepare a list of Sabbath-day activities for children to role-play (see Primary 6, lesson 20, enrichment activity 3, p. 87). Begin sharing time by writing these letters on the chalkboard: R T S D T K I H (see “Memorization,” TNGC, 172). Explain to the children that these letters will help them learn and remember an important message. Show picture 6-24 (Moses and the Ten Commandments), and briefly share the story of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments. Sing the first line of “Saturday” (p. 196), and have the children listen for a clue to one of the Ten Commandments. Remind the children that another name for Sunday is the Sabbath.

Invite the children to look up Exodus 20:8. Read it together. Show the children how the letters on the chalkboard are the first letter of each word in the scripture. Ask them to close their scriptures and use the letters on the chalkboard to help them memorize the scripture. Ask several children to repeat the scripture by memory.

Read D&C 4:2, and remind the children that we serve with our heart, might, mind, and strength. One way we can serve is by keeping the Sabbath day holy. From the list of Sabbath-day activities, give each class an activity to role-play for the other children. Following each role play, ask the children to identify how the activity helps them serve with their heart, might, mind, and strength. Repeat as time allows.

Give each child a piece of paper and a pencil or crayon. Ask the children to draw a way they can serve God by doing things on the Sabbath that will help them feel close to Heavenly Father. Bear testimony of how keeping the Sabbath day holy is a way to serve Heavenly Father.
Sing “I Will Be Valiant” (p. 162), and ask the children to listen for how many times they sing the word serve or servant. Show GAK 307 (King Benjamin Addresses His People), and share the story of King Benjamin, a valiant servant to his people and to Heavenly Father. Invite the children to look up Mosiah 2:17. Remind the children that this scripture is one that King Benjamin taught his people. Read the scripture together. Discuss how we serve Heavenly Father when we serve others. Refer to D&C 4:2, and remind the children that we should serve with our heart, might, mind, and strength.

Have the pianist play “I Will Be Valiant,” and ask the children to hum along. Give each class a small ball or soft object to hand to one another as the music plays. When the music stops, ask the children with the objects to share a way they could serve someone. Continue to allow all children a chance to share ideas.

Conclude by singing “I Will Be Valiant.” Bear testimony that when we serve others we are serving Heavenly Father.
Prior to sharing time, obtain pictures of the current First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Place them on the chalkboard or white board. Make wordstrips of their names, and place them along the side of the chalkboard.

Begin by asking the children to match the names of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve with their pictures. Help the children put the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the correct order by calling and seniority.

From the most recent general conference, choose addresses from the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles that focus on service. Share these messages, and discuss ways that the children can apply what they learn to help them as they serve others. Refer to D&C 4:2 to remind the children that we serve with our heart, might, mind, and strength. Sing “Follow the Prophet” (pp. 110–11), verse 9. Bear testimony of the blessing of having prophets, seers, and revelators, who teach us by their words and their examples how to serve one another.
Write the weekly gospel principle across the top of the chalkboard: “Because others serve me, I too want to serve.” Invite the children to sing songs to discover who serves them: “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (pp. 78–79)—Jesus Christ; “Follow the Prophet” (pp. 110–11)—prophet; “Teach Me to Walk in the Light” (p. 177)—teachers; “Families Can Be Together Forever” (p. 188)—families; “Love Is Spoken Here” (pp. 190–91)—parents; “Hello Song” (p. 260)—friends. Write their answers under the words Because others serve me.

Compare D&C 4:2 and 59:5. Help the children find the words heart, might, mind, and strength in both scriptures. Point out that we should love and serve Heavenly Father and others with our heart, might, mind, and strength. Prepare the necessary materials for the children to complete the mobile on page 10.

When the mobiles are completed, invite the children to sing songs to discover ways they can serve: “Love One Another” (p. 136), “I’ll Walk with You” (pp. 140–41), “Kindness Begins with Me” (p. 145), “I Want to Live the Gospel” (p. 148), “I Hope They Call Me on a Mission” (p. 169), “Quickly I’ll Obey” (p. 197). Write their answers under the phrase I too want to serve. Bear testimony of the blessings that come from serving others and from others serving you.
Friend references: “Ben’s Busy Day,” Jan. 2005, 40–42; “Doing Good on the Sabbath Day,” Sept. 2007, 24–25; “Sharing the Gospel through Service,” May 2007, 36; “Love at Home,” Sept. 2004, 42–43; “Mysterious Visitors,” Oct. 2004, 4–6; “Sammy’s Sabbath Dilemma,” Apr. 2006, 34–35.