Introduction for the Teacher
To prepare yourself spiritually to teach this lesson, please read and ponder the following:
The priesthood is the power and authority of God. God gives this authority to worthy male members of the Church ages 12 and older so that they can act in His name to bless others. The ordinances of the gospel, such as baptism and confirmation, the sacrament, and others, are performed by the authority of the priesthood (see D&C 13; 20:73–79; 84:19–22). All members of the Church benefit from the priesthood.
Preparation
Mark pages 26 and 114 in this manual so that you can turn to them easily.
Learning Activities
Begin with a gathering activity. For ideas, see page 3.
Prayer
Invite a child to give the opening prayer.
Doctrinal Instruction
Tell the children that the priesthood is God’s power; God gives the priesthood to older boys and men so that they can bless their families and others. Have the children say “priesthood.” (Note: During this lesson, be sensitive to the feelings of children in the nursery who do not have a father in their homes or whose fathers do not hold the priesthood.)
Pictures
Show the picture on page 118 and invite the children to pretend to hold a baby. Explain that babies can be blessed and given a name by men who have the priesthood. Invite the children to say “priesthood.”
Show the illustration on page 119 of a blessing for the sick. Tell the children that a person who has the priesthood can bless those who are sick so that they can feel better. Turn to the picture on page 26. Point to Jesus and explain that in this picture Jesus is blessing someone who is blind. Invite the children to say “priesthood.”
Show the picture on page 114. Remind the children that we take the sacrament each Sunday. Explain that it is prepared, blessed, and passed by those who have the priesthood. Invite the children to say “priesthood.”
Song
Invite the children to hold hands and walk in a circle while you sing or say the following words from
Conclusion
Share your testimony that Heavenly Father blesses us through the priesthood.
Prayer
Invite a child to give the closing prayer.
Optional Activities
Preparation
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For the guest activity: Arrange for a father who blessed his baby recently to bring his baby to the nursery class and talk about his experience.
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For the flip book: Copy the illustration on page 119. Color if desired. Cut along the solid lines and fold along the dotted line.
Activity Verses
Recite any or all of the following activity verses and invite the children to join you. After each verse, remind the children that the priesthood blesses our lives.
Baby blessing (display the picture on page 118):
Blessing for the sick (point to the illustration on page 119):
Sacrament (display the picture on page 114):
[M. W. Verbica, “The Sacrament,” Friend, Feb. 1995, 17]
Guest
Introduce your guest to the children. Explain to them that he has the priesthood and that he used the priesthood to bless his baby. Ask the father questions such as, “Do you have the priesthood?” “What is your baby’s name?” “What did you say when you blessed your baby?” “How will you use the priesthood to bless your baby as he [or she] grows older?”
Flip Book
Show the children the flip book you prepared. Lift the first flap, read the caption, and have the children say it with you. Repeat for each flap.
