“Lesson 40: The Jaredites Are Led to the Promised Land,” Primary 4: Book of Mormon (1997), 141–43

“Lesson 40,” Primary 4, 141–43

Lesson 40

The Jaredites Are Led to the Promised Land

Purpose

To encourage the children to seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost throughout their lives.

Preparation

Prayerfully study Ether 1:1–4, 33–43; 2; 3; 6:1–13; and Genesis 11:1–9. Then study the lesson and decide how you want to teach the children the scripture account. (See “Preparing Your Lessons,” p. vi, and “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.)
Select the discussion questions and enrichment activities that will involve the children and best help them achieve the purpose of the lesson.
Write the phrase “Stand up, turn around, and sit quietly” on a slip of paper. Then, using the other languages below, make enough copies of the phrase in foreign languages so the rest of the children can have one.
- German: Steh auf, dreh dich um, und sitz still.
- Italian: Alzati, girati, siediti, e stai tranquillo.
- Danish: Rejs dig op, vend dig omkring, sæt dig stille ned.
- Swedish: Ställa upp, vänd dig omkring, sätt dig stilla ned.
- French: Lève-toi, tourne-toi, et assieds-toi tranquillement.
- Portuguese: Levante-se, vire-se, e sente-se silenciosamente!
- Spanish: Ponte de pie, date una vuelta, y siéntate en silencio.
Materials needed:
1. A Book of Mormon for each child.
2. A Bible.
3. Pictures 4-44, World Map; 4-52, The Brother of Jared Sees the Finger of the Lord (Gospel Art Picture Kit 318; 62478); 4-53, The Jaredite Barges; and 4-9, Jesus the Christ (Gospel Art Picture Kit 240; 62572).

Suggested Lesson Development

Invite a child to give the opening prayer.

Attention Activity

Give each child one of the papers with the phrase “Stand up, turn around, and sit quietly” written on it in one of the various languages. Ask the class members to follow the instructions on their papers.

Why are you all not able to follow the instructions?

Briefly tell the story of the Tower of Babel from Genesis 11:1–9.

What would it be like if you were not able to understand the people around you? Explain that today the children will learn about a family who lived at the time of the Tower of Babel.

Scripture Account

Using the pictures at appropriate times, teach the children the account from Ether 1–3 and Ether 6:1–13 of the Jaredites being led to the promised land. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture account, see “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.)

Discussion and Application Questions

Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading the references with the children in class will help them gain insights into the scriptures.

Who were the Jaredites? (Ether 1:33.) Why didn’t the Lord confound (change or confuse) their language? (Ether 1:34–37.)
What did the brother of Jared ask Heavenly Father? (Ether 1:38.)
What preparations did the Jaredites make for their journey? (Ether 1:41; 2:2–3; 6:4.)
What is the meaning of deseret? (Ether 2:3.)
How did Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ guide the Jaredites in their journey to the sea? (Ether 2:4–6.) How can we receive divine guidance in our lives? (Answers to prayer, through the Holy Ghost, through prophets and other leaders, through the scriptures.)
Why were the Jaredites being led to a choice land? (Ether 1:42–43.)
Why was the Lord unhappy with the brother of Jared? (Ether 2:14.) What did the brother of Jared do after the Lord chastised him? (Ether 2:15.) Explain that chastised means to be told that you are doing something wrong so you will know what the right thing to do is.
After the barges were nearly finished, what two problems did the brother of Jared need help with? (Ether 2:19.) What did the Lord expect the brother of Jared to do to solve the problem of lighting the barges before giving him guidance? (Ether 2:23, 25; 3:1.) What can we learn from the experiences of the brother of Jared about solving our own problems?
Because of his great faith in Jesus Christ, what did the brother of Jared do to provide light for the barges? (Ether 3:1, 4–5.) How did Jesus Christ help him? (Ether 3:6.) How can we exercise our faith in Jesus Christ?
What did the brother of Jared see as the stones were lighted? (Ether 3:6–8.) Why was the brother of Jared able to see Jesus Christ? (Ether 3:9–15.) What did the brother of Jared learn about the body of Jesus Christ? (Ether 3:6, 15–17.) Help the children understand that the brother of Jared saw the spirit body of Jesus Christ, which looked very much like the physical body Jesus received when he came to earth.
What problems did the Jaredites face as they crossed the sea? How did the Lord help them? What did the Jaredites do? (Ether 6:5–9.)
What did the Jaredites do as soon as they landed on the shore of the promised land? (Ether 6:12–13.) What blessings are you thankful for? How can we show Heavenly Father that we are grateful for our blessings?

Enrichment Activities

You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.

Show several objects or pictures of objects such as a map, compass, flashlight, and so on. Have the children discuss how each object helps guide us. Display the picture of Jesus Christ and discuss how we receive spiritual guidance in our lives.
Review and discuss the fourth article of faith. Display the picture of Jesus Christ, and ask the children why they think faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel. Discuss why we must have faith before we can repent, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Let the children give some examples of how faith in Jesus Christ improves our actions and behavior. Emphasize the great power that can be ours as we develop faith in him.
Using the chalkboard or a poster, make a tic-tac-toe board. Divide the class into two groups, one using the x’s and the other the o’s. If the question you ask is answered correctly, that group gets to choose where to put the x or o. The object is to get three x’s or o’s in a row. When any question is missed, the opposing team gets a chance to answer the same question. (Refer to lesson 18 for directions.) The following are possible review questions about the Jaredites (you will need to add others):
- How many stones were placed in each barge? (Two.)
- How long did it take for Jared, his brother, and their families and friends to cross the ocean? (Almost a year.)
- What was the name of the high tower the wicked people were building? (Tower of Babel.)
- Why did the brother of Jared prepare the sixteen small stones? (To make a source of light for their journey.)
- How did Jesus Christ make each stone shine? (With his power by touching them with his finger.)
Sing or read the words to “I Need My Heavenly Father” (Children’s Songbook, p. 18) or “I Am a Child of God” (Children’s Songbook, p. 2).

Conclusion

Testimony

Bear testimony that the children can each receive guidance from the Holy Ghost if they will live worthy of having the Spirit in their lives.

Suggested Family Sharing

Encourage the children to share with their families a specific part of the lesson, such as a story, question, or activity, or to read with their families the “Suggested Home Reading.”