13

My Family Can Be Together Forever

Introduction for the Teacher

To prepare yourself spiritually to teach this lesson, please read and ponder the following:

Heavenly Father has made it possible for family relationships to continue after this life. If family members are sealed in the temple and faithfully keep the commandments, they can be united as a family eternally and live in Heavenly Father’s presence. (See Matthew 16:19; D&C 138:47–48.)

Preparation

If possible, bring a picture of a temple in your area.

Learning Activities

Begin with a gathering activity. For ideas, see page 3.

Prayer

Invite a child to give the opening prayer.

Picture

Show a picture of a temple in your area (or show the picture on page 58). Tell the children that this is a picture of a temple. Describe the picture for them, pointing out the spire, windows, doors, and so on. Ask them to repeat the word “temple” a few times. Have them pretend to be a beautiful temple by putting their hands together above their heads to make a temple spire.

Song

Invite the children to stand. Sing or say the words to “I Love to See the Temple” (Children’s Songbook, 95) and do the actions below. Invite the children to join you.

I love to see the temple. (put fingertips together to form a spire)

I’m going there someday (walk in place)

To feel the Holy Spirit, (put hand over heart)

To listen and to pray. (fold arms)

Tell the children that the temple is the house of the Lord. Invite them to say, “House of the Lord.” Emphasize that the temple is a very special place; because of the temple, our families can be together forever.

Activity Verse

Recite the following activity verse and invite the children to join you:

This is Mother. (hold up hand; point to thumb)

This is Father. (point to index finger)

This is Brother tall. (point to middle finger)

This is Sister. (point to ring finger)

This is Baby. (point to little finger)

Oh, how we love them all. (hold both hands to chest)

Song

Sing or say the first two lines of the chorus of “Families Can Be Together Forever” (Children’s Songbook, 188):

Families can be together forever

Through heavenly Father’s plan.

Invite the children to repeat these lines with you several times slowly.

Conclusion

Briefly share your feelings about the temple. Share your testimony that families can be together forever.

Prayer

Invite a child to give the closing prayer.

Teaching Tips

Note: Be sensitive to the family and home situations of the children during this lesson.

Songs: Consider making a list of songs the children enjoy singing, and sing them each week at various times during the nursery class. For example, you could sing while the children are playing with toys, before or after snack, or while the children are waiting for their parents. This is a good way to review previous lessons.

Conclusion: This conclusion can be very brief; for example: “I love the temple! I know that families can be together forever.”

Optional Activities

Preparation

• For the activity verse: Copy and cut out the finger puppets on page 59 or use the puppets you made for the optional activity in lesson 12. Color the puppets if desired.

  

  My Family Can Be Together Forever

  Copy this page and cut out the finger puppets on the solid, straight lines. Fold on the dotted lines. Then tape the sides, leaving the bottom edges open so the children can put the puppets on their fingers.

• For the guessing game: Copy and cut out the family figures on page 51 or use the figures you prepared for lesson 11. Bring something to cover the figures, such as a blanket or cloth. If possible, bring a picture of a temple in your area.

  

  I Love My Family

• For the coloring activity: Copy and cut out the circles on page 59 for each child. Thread yarn or a string through the top of the two circles to make a necklace.

Finger Activity

Tell the children that we must prepare to go to the temple. Ask them to hold up five fingers, and help them list on their fingers five things they can do to prepare to go to the temple when they are older (pray, obey parents, love others, go to church, follow the prophet, and so on). This activity is especially appropriate for older children.

Activity Verse

Repeat the activity verse on page 56, this time using the finger puppets.

Guessing Game

Place the family figures on the floor next to the picture of the temple (one you have brought or the one on page 58). Cover the figures with a blanket or cloth. Take away one of the puppets. Remove the cloth and ask the children to guess who is missing. Then put the missing figure back in place and tell the children that Heavenly Father wants all families to be together forever, with no one missing. This activity is especially appropriate for older children.

Coloring

Invite the children to color the necklaces you prepared. While they are coloring, reinforce the principle that because of the temple, families can be together forever.

Teaching Tips

Finger puppets: It’s a good idea to save the illustrations, finger puppets, games, and other items you prepare for these lessons. You can use them in future lessons or at any time during the nursery class to review principles you have taught previously.

Coloring: Encourage the children to show their necklaces to their families. This can help them remember what they learned, and it gives their parents an opportunity to discuss the principles of the lesson with them. (See Teaching, No Greater Call, 167.)