I teach the 12-13 year old sunday school class. We have a large group of tweens in our ward and I consider it a blessing to spend an hour with them each week.
Here is the text for the lesson I am preparing to teach tomorow at church: The Fall of Adam and Eve
Note to the teacher
The decision of Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit was not a sin, as it is sometimes considered by other Christian churches. It was a transgression—an act that was formally prohibited but not inherently wrong (see Dallin H. Oaks, in Conference Report, Oct. 1993, 98; or Ensign, Nov. 1993, 73). The Fall was necessary for us to progress toward exaltation. We have to experience mortality to become like our Father in Heaven, and Adam and Eve fulfilled their mission to make this possible. Help class members appreciate that the Fall of Adam and Eve enabled each of us to receive a body and come to earth to gain experience in choosing between good and evil.
Suggested Lesson Development The Callings of Adam and Eve
Discussion
• Imagine you were given the opportunity to live in a world where sickness, sorrow, sin, pain, and death were unknown. Would you like to live in such a world?
Point out that when Adam and Eve were first placed on the earth, they lived in such a world. In the Garden of Eden there was no sorrow, pain, or death. However, Adam and Eve made a choice they knew would require them to leave the Garden of Eden. (Display the picture of Adam and Eve leaving the garden.) This lesson will discuss why they made that choice and how their choice has affected all of us. Explain that Adam and Eve were chosen in the premortal life for a special mission.• What was their mission? Why were they chosen to do this?
Help class members realize that Adam and Eve were chosen to be the first people on earth because of their faithfulness. They were among the “noble and great” of our Heavenly Father’s children (see Abraham 3:22). Adam (then known by the name of Michael) helped create the world and was one of those who led the righteous spirits to victory in the war against the rebellious Lucifer. The Fall
Scripture discussion
• What commandments did God give Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden?
Have class members read Genesis 1:28 (or Moses 2:28) and Genesis 2:16–17 (or Moses 3:16–17) to discover two commandments given to Adam and Eve by Heavenly Father: to multiply and replenish (fill) the earth and to refrain from eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Agency, The Power to Choose
I taught this lesson over the past two sundays. We had to cut it short the first sunday because we spent so much time doing introductions. I have a huge class and wanted to give the new 12 year olds a chance to get to know the older teens. So I had them say their names, where they went to school, and one thing about themselves that no one else knew. Our sacrament meeting had gone over and we only had a few minutes anyway, so the lesson was cut short.
We had a good discussion about Agency again this past sunday. These youth are very smart and know the basic doctrines of the gospel. I focused on the scriptures and had them do scripture chases with each, this is a contest where I call out the scripture and the first to find it stands up and reads. They loved it and it is a great prep for early morning seminary, which will start for some of these teens next year. My own Son Jeff is an 8th grader and he will attend early morning seminary at the church next year as a high school freshman. I told them to work hard on their scripture chase skills because they will do it all the time in Seminary.
Here is the actual text of the lesson from the manual.
President Spencer W. Kimball, twelfth President of the Church, described agency as the “basic gospel law” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 38). So important is this law that Heavenly Father has always protected it. Before we came to this earth he cast Satan out because Satan sought to destroy our agency. Heavenly Father allows us to use our agency in this life even though he knows many of us will use it unwisely. President David O. McKay, ninth President of the Church, said, “Next to the bestowal of life itself, the right to direct that life is God’s greatest gift to man” (Gospel Ideals [1953], 299). Help class members understand the importance of this great gift.
Note that although the term “free agency” is often used, the correct, scriptural term is simply “agency” (see D&C 29:36; see also page 11 of this lesson).
Suggested Lesson Development
Agency Is the Power to Choose Good or Evil
Activity
Give class members pens or pencils and paper. Ask them to think of the choices they have made so far today and list as many as they can in one minute. At the end of a minute, invite them to share some of the choices on their lists. Then ask:
• Which of your choices today do you think was the most important?
Have class members circle this item on their list. Invite a few volunteers to tell which choice they circled and why they feel it was most important.
• Where did you get your ability to choose?
Have a class member read aloud Moses 7:32. Suggest that those who are using their own scriptures mark this verse (class members should not mark in library copies or borrowed copies of the scriptures).
Explain that Heavenly Father has given us agency—the power to choose between good and evil. But agency is more than just the ability to do what we want; agency is one of the most basic and important of all gospel laws. Quotation
Have a class member read the following statement from Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“Your agency, the right to make choices, is not given so that you can get what you want. This divine gift is provided so that you will choose what your Father in Heaven wants for you. That way He can lead you to become all that He intends you to be. That path leads to glorious joy and happiness”
(in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 33; or Ensign, May 1996, 25). Jenny Hatch
A Few weeks ago I was released from my Ward Welfare Specialist Calling and then I was asked to teach the 12 and 13 year old Sunday School Class. With the start of a new year, we have a new course of study and I thought I would share these lessons. The Topic for the Youth for the year is Preparing for Exaltation.
I am also serving as Visiting Teacher and lead the singing in Sacrament Meeting. Paul and I sing with our ward choir and we love being members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!
Jenny Hatch
To read all of the text from this lesson, please click here.
A Loving Father—An Eternal Plan
Our Earth Experience Is Part of the Plan of Salvation
Story and discussion
Read the following story told by Bishop H. Burke Peterson, who was a member of the Presiding Bishopric:
“My parents and grandparents were born and raised in Utah. However, my mother and father began their married life in Phoenix, Arizona. That is where my three brothers and I were raised. Almost every summer my father and mother would take all of us to Utah … to enjoy the association with our cousins and other relatives.
“… One spring before school was out I asked my father if I could go to Salt Lake City to work and then return to Phoenix at the end of the summer to be with my family and begin school again. After thinking it over, my parents decided it would be fine. When school was out in May, Dad took me with him to the [bus station] and, since I had no money of my own as yet, bought me a ticket to Salt Lake City. I was somewhat taken back when I found out that he had purchased for me a one-way ticket instead of a round trip. He said he would take the responsibility to see that I arrived in Salt Lake City but it would be up to me to do what was necessary while I was there to purchase the ticket for a return home to Phoenix at the end of the summer. As you can imagine, I was most anxious to come back home after my work experience as I had burning in my memory the happy experiences we had always enjoyed in our home. I enjoyed the association with and loved my three brothers and was most happy and comfortable being with my parents.
“When I arrived in Salt Lake City I immediately set about to find work. This I was able to accomplish, and as soon as my first paycheck was given to me, guess what I did. First I paid my tithing, and then I took the rest of the money to the bus depot downtown in Salt Lake City and purchased a return trip ticket to Phoenix. I wanted to be sure that when summer was over there would be nothing to stand in the way of my returning home. I loved my home very much. For the rest of the summer I was particularly mindful of taking good care of myself and doing everything necessary to insure my return home to Phoenix. More than anything else I wanted to enjoy again the experience of being with my family.”
• Have you ever had an experience where you were away from your family and home and were anxious to return?
Give class members a few moments to comment, and then read Bishop Peterson’s comments on the story:
“We all had an experience similar to this long ago before we came to this earth. We were in a gathering where we were being instructed by our Father in heaven concerning the earth he had prepared for us. … He let us know that the decision to come here would be ours, and if this was our wish, he would see to it that we arrived into this mortal experience safely. Like the experience I had in Phoenix as a boy, our Father in heaven would provide a one-way ticket for us. Whether or not we returned again to him at the end of our mortal experience on earth would depend upon the things we did while we were here” (“Return Trip Ticket Home,” New Era, Apr. 1974, 5).
Explain that this year in Sunday School, class members will learn about Heavenly Father’s plan for us, Jesus Christ’s role in that plan, and what we must do to return to them when our earth life is over.
• What do these boxes and circles represent?
If class members do not immediately realize that the drawing represents the plan of salvation, label one or two of the boxes or circles. Then ask class members to fill in the rest of the chart, helping them as needed. Explain that this diagram answers three universal questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going after this life?
• Which box or circle represents where we are right now? (The circle labeled “mortality.”)
Point out that our earth life is only part of our eternal existence. We lived before we came to earth, and we will live after we die. Briefly review the plan of salvation as illustrated on the chart, and tell class members that they will be learning about it throughout the year.
Scripture discussion
Have class members turn to Moses 1:39. Ask one of them to read the verse aloud.
• What does God tell us his work is?
Point out that the scripture names two things as God’s work—to bring to pass immortality and eternal life. Explain that these two words do not refer to the same thing. Immortality is a state of being resurrected, of being free from physical death. This blessing will come to all people. Eternal life is living with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the celestial kingdom. This blessing—which is also called exaltation—comes only to those who keep the commandments and make the necessary covenants. (You may want to point out that the title of this course of study is “Preparing for Exaltation.” The lessons that will be taught in Sunday School this year focus on how we can prepare to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus again.)
• How does it make you feel to know that Heavenly Father’s most important work is helping you return to live with him again? (Invite class members to answer this question to themselves if they do not wish to share their feelings with the class.)
Explain that Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation provides a way for us to gain a body, learn by experience, show that we will obey his commandments, and return to him stronger and wiser. Emphasize that this plan is given because of Heavenly Father’s great love for us.
Knowing the Plan Helps Us Make Wise Decisions
Activity
Give each class member or pair of class members a pen or pencil and a copy of the “Mortality Maze” (or have all class members work together on a large copy of the maze). Explain that the objective is to draw a continuous line from “Birth” to “Death,” passing through the center (“Fulfill the purpose of life”).
When class members finish the maze, explain that in life, as in this maze, we must make many decisions about which way we should go. However, when we understand that life on earth has a purpose and is part of Heavenly Father’s plan, we can begin to make correct decisions. (You may want to point out that there is a second path from “Birth” to “Death,” but this path does not go through the center. Likewise, some people finish their earth life without understanding or fulfilling its purpose.)
Stories and discussion
Read or have a class member read the following stories. Discuss with class members how being aware of God’s plan could influence the decisions of the person in each story. Help class members see how a knowledge of God’s plan can help them better understand themselves and the decisions they will have to make in life.
Paul
All his life, Paul had planned to go on a mission. From the time he was very young, his parents had taught him the importance of serving the Lord in this way. He had built a substantial savings account, which he called his “mission money.” It had never occurred to him that he might do anything else.
As Paul grew older, however, it became harder for him to save money for a mission. Any money he earned seemed to be spent before he got around to putting any in his savings account. In addition, he saw many expensive things he wanted to have. Paul began to doubt whether he wanted to spend so much money and time on a mission.
• What does God expect of Paul?
• How could understanding the plan of salvation help Paul make a correct decision about serving a mission?
• What difference will this decision make in Paul’s progress toward eternal life?
Note to the teacher
Good questions cause class members to think. Avoid asking questions that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” (See Teaching—No Greater Call, 105–6.)
Melissa
Melissa had many friends in her ward until she began attending a new school. She made new friends at the school, and soon her new friends became very important to her. She saw her old friends in the ward less and less, and she began to feel that she had outgrown them. Her new friends seemed more exciting and mature and seemed to be doing adventurous things she had never done before.
One day Melissa attended a party at the home of one of her new friends. Everyone she thought was important was there. As the party progressed, the activities became much different from what Melissa was accustomed to. Even people she would never have expected such conduct from were drinking, and some were using drugs. Melissa wanted to have fun and be accepted by these people who were so important to her, but she was very uncomfortable. When one of her friends offered her an alcoholic drink, she thought maybe it wouldn’t hurt to drink just one.
• What do you think Melissa should do? Why?
• How could understanding the plan of salvation help Melissa make the right choice?
• If you were to talk to Melissa privately, what might you say to her to help her make the right decision?
Carl
Carl played basketball and played it well. But he did not do as well in schoolwork. Because of his interest in basketball, he devoted little time to studying for his classes. Carl’s parents told him that if his grades were poor, he would no longer be able to play on the basketball team. Carl didn’t know what to do. Then a possible solution appeared. Mike, a member of Carl’s basketball team, mentioned that the same thing had happened to him. He solved his problem by cheating on tests. He was able to get good grades without studying. Mike suggested that Carl do the same thing. Carl knew it was dishonest, but it seemed like such a simple solution to his problem.
• What could Carl do to solve his problem without cheating?
• How could a testimony of the plan of salvation help Carl decide what to do? Understanding the Plan of Salvation Makes a Difference
Discussion
Ask class members to think about some of the decisions they face each day.
• How can understanding and having a testimony of the plan of salvation help you with your daily decisions?
Invite class members to explain how understanding that Heavenly Father has a plan for them could help them with a decision they have faced or are facing. If appropriate, share an experience in which knowing the plan of salvation helped you make a good decision in a difficult situation.
Testimony
Testify that because Heavenly Father loves us, he has given us a plan to help us return to live with him. Knowing this plan can help us make wise decisions. Explain that the best way to make a decision is to think of the eternal consequences of each choice and choose that which will lead back to Heavenly Father.
Encourage class members to keep in mind the plan of salvation when making choices.
Enrichment Activities
You may want to use one or more of these activities during the lesson.
1. If it is available, show “Man’s Search for Happiness,” a thirteen-minute segment of the Come unto Me videocassette (53146), to explain the plan of salvation.
2. Display a road map.
• What is this? Why would someone use this?
Explain that life is like a journey. Heavenly Father knew that we would need directions to help us find our way back to him, so he provided the plan of salvation as a kind of map for us to follow.
• How can we “read” this map and know what we must do to reach our destination of living with Heavenly Father again? (Answers may include by studying the scriptures, following the prophets, and listening to our teachers and parents as they teach us about the gospel.)
• How would our lives be different if we did not have this map, or plan?
3. Invite a recently returned missionary to come to class and share an experience he or she had with teaching the plan of salvation in the mission field.
4. Sing with class members “I Am a Child of God” (Hymns,no. 301; or Children’s Songbook,2).
More Here: Heavenly Fathers Plan of Salvation
