March 29–April 4

Easter

“I Am He Who Liveth, I Am He Who Was Slain”

An Easter Sunday Primary class is an excellent opportunity to help the children strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Seek the Lord’s guidance on how to do that. You may find some helpful ideas in this outline.

Record Your Impressions

Invite Sharing

Let the children share with you what they know about the reason we celebrate Easter. Ask them what their families do to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter time. Or let them share what they are learning about Jesus Christ at home and in the scriptures.

Teach the Doctrine: Younger Children

Doctrine and Covenants 138:11–17

Because of Jesus Christ, I will be resurrected.

As you teach the children about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Doctrine and Covenants 138:11–17 can help you explain what it means to be resurrected. These verses can also help build their faith that they will be resurrected someday.

Possible Activities

• Show pictures of the death, burial, and Resurrection of the Savior (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 57, 58, and 59). Ask the children what they know about these events. Testify that Jesus died for us and rose from the dead so that we can all be resurrected after we die.

• Think of an object lesson that can help the children understand what happens when we die (our spirits and bodies separate) and when we are resurrected (our spirits and bodies come back together). For example, what happens when we remove the battery from a flashlight or the ink container from a pen? What happens when these things are reunited?

• Read to the children from Doctrine and Covenants 138:17: “The spirit and the body [will] be united never again to be divided, that they might receive a fulness of joy.” Why are we grateful for our bodies? Share the joy you feel to know that we will all be resurrected and have our bodies again.

• Sing together a song about the Resurrection, such as “Did Jesus Really Live Again?” or “Jesus Has Risen” (Children’s Songbook, 64, 70). Give the children pictures that represent words or phrases in the song (for examples, see Gospel Art Book, nos. 59, 60, and 61), and invite them to hold up their pictures when they sing those words.

Doctrine and Covenants 76:11–24; 110:1–7; Joseph Smith—History 1:14–17

The Prophet Joseph Smith saw Jesus Christ.

One way to help the children strengthen their faith in the Savior is to share with them Joseph Smith’s testimony: “He lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 76:22–23).

Possible Activities

• Show the children a picture of Joseph Smith’s First Vision (see the January 4–10 outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families). Invite the children to tell you what is happening in the picture, and ask them to find Jesus Christ. Ask the children if they know about other times Joseph Smith saw the Savior. In your own words, tell about the experiences described in Doctrine and Covenants 76:11–24; 110:1–7. Tell the children how these scriptures build your faith in Jesus Christ.

• As the children color this week’s activity page, read to them the scriptures it refers to. Point out details in the pictures that are described in the verses. Testify to the children that the Prophet Joseph Smith saw Jesus Christ, and this is one reason we know that Jesus lives.

Teach the Doctrine: Older Children

Doctrine and Covenants 76:11–24; 110:1–10; Joseph Smith—History 1:14–17

The Prophet Joseph Smith testified that Jesus Christ lives.

A prophet’s most important mission is to testify of Jesus Christ. Help the children build their faith in the Savior by learning from Joseph Smith’s testimony of Him.

Possible Activities

• The following passages describe times when Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith: Doctrine and Covenants 76:11–24; 110:1–10; Joseph Smith—History 1:14–17. On the board, list some truths we learn about the Savior from these verses. Invite the children to identify which verses teach the truths listed on the board. What else do we learn about Jesus Christ from Joseph Smith’s experiences?

• On this week’s activity page, help the children match the pictures with the scripture verses. Why is it a blessing to know that Joseph Smith saw the risen Savior? Share your testimony that Jesus Christ lives and that Joseph Smith is a prophet.

Doctrine and Covenants 63:49; 88:14–17, 27; 138:11, 14–17

Because of Jesus Christ, I will be resurrected.

How will you help the children deepen their appreciation for the Savior’s gift of resurrection to all of us?

Possible Activities

• Assign each child one of the following scripture passages: Doctrine and Covenants 63:49; 88:14–17, 27; 138:11, 14–17. Invite the children to search their verses to find a phrase that they feel captures the message of Easter. Let them share their thoughts. If time allows, let them make cards that feature the phrases they found that they can give to family members or friends.

• Ask the children how they would explain to a younger sibling or a friend what it means to be resurrected. For ideas, read together Doctrine and Covenants 138:14–17, and consider questions like these: What happens to our spirits and bodies when we die? What happens when we are resurrected? How did Jesus Christ make resurrection possible?

• Show the video “Because He Lives” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), and let the children share how they feel about what the Savior did for them.

  He Lives Again and So Will You

  

  Lord of Prayer, by Yongsung Kim

Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–13; 19:16–19; 45:3–5; 58:42–43

Because of Jesus Christ, I can be forgiven of my sins.

In addition to saving us from physical death, Jesus Christ provided a way for us to be saved from spiritual death—in other words, to be forgiven of our sins and return to God’s presence.

Possible Activities

• Write on the board two headings similar to these: What the Savior did and What I must do. Invite each child to search one of the following passages to find something that belongs under these headings: Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–13; 19:16–19; 45:3–5; 58:42–43. Share your joy and gratitude for what the Savior did for us.

• Help the children learn the third article of faith. You could help them memorize it by showing pictures that go with key phrases.

• Show the video “The Shiny Bicycle” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), or tell a story of your own about a child who made a wrong choice and then repented. Help the children discuss what the child in the story did to receive forgiveness. How has the Savior made it possible for us to be forgiven?

  The Shiny Bicycle

Encourage Learning at Home

Help the children think of something they can do to tell other people—especially their family members—what Jesus Christ has done for us. The next time you meet, ask them to share with you what they did.

Improving Our Teaching

Children benefit from repetition. Don’t hesitate to repeat activities multiple times, especially with younger children. Repetition will help the children remember what they are learning.