Lehi and the Liahona, by Joseph Brickey

January 27–February 2

1 Nephi 16–22

“I Will Prepare the Way before You”

The inspiring stories in 1 Nephi 16–22 teach truths that can bless the children in your class. Read these chapters and record impressions you receive.

Record Your Impressions

Invite Sharing

Write the following words on the board, or show pictures of them: the Liahona, the bow, and the boat. Invite three children to each pick one of the words or pictures and share the part of Nephi’s story that features that object. Give help if needed.

Teach the Doctrine: Younger Children

1 Nephi 16:10, 28–29; 18:8–13, 20–22

The Lord can guide and direct me.

Teach the children that even when they face difficult challenges, the Lord can guide them (see 1 Nephi 16:29).

Possible Activities

• Show the children a compass, a map, or something else that helps us find our way, and explain how to use these tools. Compare these tools to the Liahona as you summarize the story in 1 Nephi 16:10, 28–29 and 18:9–13, 20–22. Point out that when Lehi’s family was not obedient, the Liahona did not work (see also 1 Nephi 18:9–12, 20–22). What helps us today to find our way back to Heavenly Father?

• Bring a box containing several clues that describe a location in or around the church building. Use the box and clues to represent the Liahona, and let the children take turns selecting clues and guessing what the location is. Then travel to the location together. Explain that when we show faith and follow the direction the Lord gives us, He will help us return to Him (see Alma 37:38–42). How does Heavenly Father guide us in our journey back to Him?

1 Nephi 16:14–32

I can be a good example to my family.

Nephi’s interactions with his family during a difficult time can help the children see that even though they are young, they can be examples to their families.

Possible Activities

• Assign each child to draw a picture of something from the story of Nephi’s broken bow (see 1 Nephi 16:14–32), such as Nephi, a bow, or the Liahona. Then use the pictures to tell the story to the class, and let the children take turns doing the same. How can we be like Nephi when our families are going through hard times?

• Invite the children to each cut out a paper circle and draw a sad face on one side and a happy face on another. As you tell the story of Nephi’s broken bow, invite them to use the faces to show how Nephi’s family was feeling during different parts of the story. How did Nephi help make his family happy? What can we do to make our families happy?

1 Nephi 17:7–19; 18:1–4

Heavenly Father can help me do difficult things.

Like Nephi, the children you teach are learning to do things that seem hard. Nephi’s experience can help them know that Heavenly Father will help them when they ask.

Possible Activities

• Tell the children the story of Nephi being commanded to build a boat, using 1 Nephi 17:7–19 and 18:1–4. You might also use “Chapter 7: Building the Ship” (Book of Mormon Stories, 21–22) or related videos in the Book of Mormon Videos collection on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. This week’s activity page can reinforce the principle that Heavenly Father helped Nephi, and He will help us.

• Sing together the second verse of “Nephi’s Courage” (Children’s Songbook, 120–21). What helped Nephi have courage when his brothers mocked him for trying to build the boat?

Teach the Doctrine: Older Children

1 Nephi 16:10, 28–29; 17:13–15; 18:8–13, 20–22

When I keep the commandments, the Lord guides me.

Use the account of Lehi’s family being guided by the Liahona to show the children how God will guide them as they strive to do His will.

Possible Activities

• Select one or more of the following passages to read with the children: 1 Nephi 16:10, 28–29; 17:13–15; and 18:8–13, 20–22. Ask them to look for what we must do to get guidance and direction from God and discuss what they learn.

• After reviewing the stories in 1 Nephi 16–18, interview several children as if they had traveled with Lehi’s family. You could ask questions like these: Why were you grateful for the Liahona? What did you need to do so that the Liahona would work? (see 1 Nephi 16:28–29). Invite the class to discuss things the Lord has provided to guide us in our day.

• Ask the children to consider how they might use the story of the Liahona to help a friend who needs to make an important decision. Suggest that in addition to 1 Nephi 16:10, 26–31 and 18:9–22, they could also refer to Alma 37:38–44. Share an experience in which Heavenly Father helped you through a difficult time, or invite the children to share one. What must we do to receive His help?

1 Nephi 16:14–39; 18:1–5

My attitude and choices can have a good influence on my family.

Nephi’s faith was a great blessing when his family faced trials. How can you help the children learn from his example?

Possible Activities

• Invite the children to draw pictures depicting the story of Nephi’s broken bow (see 1 Nephi 16:14–39). Review the story with them, if needed. As they share their drawings, help them identify ways in which Nephi’s faithfulness blessed his family. Invite the children to ponder challenges they or their families are facing. What can they do to follow Nephi’s example?

• Read together some verses from 1 Nephi 16:21–32. Discuss some goals the children’s families might have, such as having regular family home evenings or family prayer. How can the children help their families achieve these goals? Invite them to plan to do one thing to help their families meet their goals this week.

1 Nephi 19:22–24

I can liken the scriptures to my life.

Help the children see that the accounts in the scriptures are more than stories—they contain principles that can bless their lives.

Possible Activities

• Ask a child to read 1 Nephi 19:22–24 out loud, and ask the children what they think it means to “liken all scriptures” to ourselves. Help them discover how Nephi likened a scriptural account to his experience of getting the brass plates (see 1 Nephi 4:1–4; see also Exodus 14). How did remembering this story help Nephi and his brothers?

• Review some of the stories that the children have learned about Lehi and his family from 1 Nephi, and invite them to share what they learned from these stories. Help them think of situations in their lives that might be similar to these stories. For example, the Lord asking Nephi to build a ship might remind them of times when they needed to do something difficult and sought the Lord’s help.

Encourage Learning at Home

Invite the children to choose a story from 1 Nephi 16–22 and share with their families how they can “liken” that story to their life.

Improving Our Teaching

Use stories. Stories help children understand gospel principles because they demonstrate how others live those principles.