Come Follow Me: Ephesians (September 30–October 13) Part one Preparing for General Conference

Edit: Thank you for being patience with me again!  The post has been updated :)

I did not forget about Come Follow Me lesson helps but I was unexpectedly busy today and late as usual getting this posted :)  Ephesians will be studied over the next two weeks and I'm going to be posting the lesson helps/ideas in pieces over the next week.  Tonight I have a couple of ideas to help you teach Ephesians 2:19–22; 4:11–16. "The Church is founded on apostles and prophets, and Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone." (individual and family manual) I love that this goes perfect with preparing for General Conference next weekend.  Tomorrow I will share an additional idea that works for this topic or can be used as more of a countdown-it will be added to this post (edit it has now been added).  Then Tuesday or Wednesday I'll be sharing some fun General Conference activities.  If you have any requests for me to make please let me know and I'll try and accommodate :)  Then Friday or Saturday I'll post lesson helps for the rest of Ephesians for you to use the following week.  

For Family Night we are going to talk about the importance of having a living prophet.  I found this article on churchofjesuschrist.org. I plan to share these quotes from President Uchtdorf and then the video clip on that page as well. I also included a journal page.  Older kids can share their testimony of the prophet, maybe thoughts on a favorite talk or any thing they want.  Younger kids may like to draw a picture of President Nelson or of something he has asked us to do.

We are also going to talk about way we can prepare for general conference.  I used this article as a reference. There are actually 11 ideas on the page but I narrowed it down 6 and hopefully picked ways your kids can participate as well.  This can be done as a family or individually.  

Before the lesson cut out the cup and hot chocolate pieces.  As a family start with number 1 and build the hot chocolate cup.  There is a page of quotes that go with this that you can also use.  You can finish your lesson with a delicious cup of cocoa OR use the checklist page turn this in to a week long activity.  The idea is to do each of these steps during the week and as the step is completed you will earn something to help them make a yummy treat to enjoy during General Conference.  In this case hot chocolate (I was going to do ice cream sundaes but it is freezing here so I switched it).  Print of the checklist and as the task is done circle the item you get to enjoy.  During conference have your hot cocoa bar set up and let your family members make their treat based on their preparation.  For example if you "dedicated yourself to truly listening" then you will get a cup or a mug or if you you prpared your home and cleared your schedule then you get whip cream.  The last one is a candy cane but you can use any topping-maybe sprinkles! Explain that General Conference will only be as special and meaningful if we prepare ourselves to listen to the messages and act on the prompting we receive.  If we put little effort into it we will receive little just like with our hot chocolate if we only add an ingredient or two our hot chocolate their won't be much to it.

I'm not sure if my explanation made much sense so please don't hesitate to ask any questions!  I will be including some fun printables and activities to go along with this theme in the Conference pack.

To help with studying past talks I included this activity.  This is another one that can be used in one night or spread through out the week.  Print the leaves and the quotes (glue or tape the matching cards back to back).  I plan to pick 1-3 a day and read the quote.  This will be in place of our normal scripture study.  If you would like to use these to learn more about the apostles and prophet you can find some fun fact cards in the fishing post linked below.  You can hide the leaves around the house and have your family collect them, maybe add paper clips and a magnetic fishing pole to gather the leaves, or you can keep it simple and place them in a bowl.  I did include a basket that you can cut, fold, and tape the sides.  This would be a fun way to store and save your leaves.  I also included some planning sheets.  I like to use these with my kids and let them plan an fhe.  I know some of you do mini devotionals so I added that option and I added a page for personal study.  Use what works for you. 

That's everything for now :)  If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.  Also quickly send in any requests for activities!  See you soon.

Download the printables here! 

additional ideas here

and here

General Conference Bingo, Match Game, and Mini Notebook

General Conference is a few days so I wanted to get this to you in time for you to use it! I'll add extra pictures of the finished product late. This post is going to be short and sweet but full of some fun ideas.  I actually put this together for activity days (find additional ideas for this at the end of the post) but will also be using it for my family.  As always if you have any trouble downloading one of the files please let me know!

First up is General Conference Bingo.  There are a lot of cute ones available (check pinterest) but I can't help myself when it comes to making something with adorable graphics.   And Melonheadz's graphics can't be beat.  There are 6 different board and 2 sizes.  If you need more boards let me know and I'll try and put a few more variations together.  This can be played 2 ways: 1. While watching Conference listen for the words on the board.  2. Use the cute calling cards below and play over and over.

Download here:

Full Page

Half Page

Calling Cards OR Match Game:  Print one set to use with the Bingo game above or Print 2 of each page on cardstock and use as a match game.

Download here

Mini Notebook.  There is one page per apostle & the Prophet.  A cover page, a question and answer page (w/ quote for the youth), and 3 extra blank pages.  Print (preferably on cardstock), cut the pages apart, hole punch the top corner, and add a book ring.  These can also be used after conference as you re-read and study the talks.

Download here

You can find more general conference ideas here.

If using this for activity days we are also going to talk about the Holy Ghost and Personal Revelation.  We are going to use this activity Share some of the quotes and play the game.

Put together the Conference Notebook and Play Bingo if time.

We also plan to make these fun Monster Mash Brownies found here.

and I'm being super ambitious and we'll be making these cute black cats out of socks found here.

I'll be sending home these Faith in God Task Cards.  Have the girls let you know if they finished at the next activity.

Download here

General Conference Basket and Hide and Seek Activity

*update: Find your updated October 2017 note cards here.

General Conference weekend is my favorite.  I love that we fill our weekend with family time and listening to the words of the prophet and apostles.  It is so uplifting.  As you know one of the challenging parts if you have younger children in your home is to actually hear and focus on what is being taught. I've tried many things over the years, some successful, and others not so much.  This year we are going to keep it simple.  Before I could even ask my kids if they had any ideas they asked if we could do the "packets" again.  So  we will have a word search, Bingo, I spy game, coloring pages, and a few toddler activities.  There are so many fun options I'll be linking to the ones we are going to use in tomorrows post along with a few other fun ideas I found.   

Here's what we will be doing.  

Conference Basket.  I filled a basket with some fun items I had around the house.  This is just to keep them entertained, in the room, and hopefully focus on the talks. Its hard sitting that long.  It contains a puzzle, their "conference pack" on the clip board, a game, crayons, stickers, play dough (and a play dough mat), bubbles, candy, match game, bubbles, their prophet and apostle fact cards, a little craft project from Targets Dollar section, and a few other little things.  

Other ideas that didn't fit in the basket: build a temple with legos or play dough, and make a special treat, puzzles for the younger kids.  I always let them bring blankets and pillows and I'm sure we'll see lots of barbies and trains.

The basket if fun but our main activity is going to be General Conference Hide and Seek.  I wanted a way for my kids to not just hear the talks but actually listen to them.  In the past I've printed off cute note taking pages but they don't really get used. So I decided we will take notes together this year but here's where the hide and seek come in.  

*feel free to change this idea to fit your family or just use the cards with out the game!  I kind of want a set for myself. (download is at the end)

I made these cute cards (one for the prophet and the apostles as well as some blank ones).  Print them out and cut them apart (I recommend cardstock).  There are 2 cute cover page options that we will use later.  Since we don't know who else will be speaking you can use the blank cards if you want.  I am not going to hide these ones and we will add a few people to each card.

 Hide them around the room or house before conference starts.  

 When you know who will be speaking next it time to find the right card.  (This is where the pause button comes in handy so they don't miss any of the talk especially if you hide them in other parts of the house).  

 Listen to the talk and take a few notes together.  This can be as simple as you want to make it. The main idea of the talk is great, a favorite story, anything that stands out to you and your kids.  I picture ours will say something like...he talked about being kind to our family, or "The Holy Ghost."  

After conference gather all your cards and cute cover and create a book by stapling them together or hole punching the top and add a ring.

You'll have a cute reference as you study the talks through out the year.  I plan to use these for future family home evening lessons.

Download your copy here.  

General Conference Activities

I am so excited for General Conference this week end! Today I am sharing a few fun ideas to help keep your kids busy, quiet, and hopefully listening during General Conference.  You can find of the printables in one download at the end of this post.

The first page is a choice board.  It is full of quiet activities they can do during Conference.  You can even use it as a bingo and if they do 4 in a row they get a little prize :)  I know all of our families are different so I did include a blank board for you to fill in as well.  Some of the options like the sequence board can be found on my website or search past Come Follow me posts for tons of games, coloring pages, and other fun activities.

Find out who the mystery person using the pictures as clues.  Write down the first letter of each picture to reveal the person.  For example on the top card you would write O under the octopus, A under the apple, K under the kite, and S under the snake.  The person would be Oaks.  You can print and go OR cut the cards apart.  I was thinking I might laminate, cut, and put on a ring.  Then use a dry erase marker so they can be used over and over.

Book of Mormon Match game.  (I do have this posted on my website but included it for convenience).  Print on cardstock OR glue to colored paper so you can't see through the back.

I really like to encourage even the youngest to listen to Conference so I love these games.  The first page is a listen and color coloring page.  Once they hear the word they can color the picture.  The next two can be played with a dice and as you roll the number you cover the number with a pom pom (or something similar like cereal, buttons, etc) or you can color it.  Another option is to turn it into a listening game and use the next page as a key.  It has two different options so you can play more than once.  If you are using the tie board when you hear the word associated with the number one you would color a polka dot with the number 1.  Continue until all of the spots are covered.  Same idea with the spring bird page-for this one use dot markers, or x through the number.  You can also just cover them with pom poms and play multiple times.

Here's another listening game-this one I shared in October.  We used dot markers and filled in a circle each time we heard the word.  You can also use it as a race and see which word is said 4 times first!

Mini puzzles- cut out each box and along the lines down the center. 

 Mini Books for notes-There are 4 different covers options and you only need to print one of them. There is a box for the prophet and the apostles as well as some blank squares.  My daughter loves these and requests them each year.  She cuts them apart and staples it together to make a book.  You can always leave them as a full page and they are still awesome :)  When they are cut down it is easier to use the back side for additional notes.

 Last activity are spring play-dough mats.  Print and cut.  If you are going to use the play dough on the mat you will want to laminate them OR do not cut and place inside a sheet protector.  To use roll or smash  your dough on top of the mat to create the different designs.  Or use it as an example and create it next to your card. 

I hope some of these ideas help!  Also use the search bar and look for other general conference ideas I've shared in the past including our favorite conference bingo game. I like to set out a special basket with games, puzzles, and art supplies. We really keep it simple to be honest it is still a little crazy around here but we try haha.  If you have any questions or have some last minute requests please let me know!

Download Here

Come Follow Me:Matthew 16-17, Mark 9, and Luke 9 (Part 1) April 1-14

The Come Follow Me chapters for the next two weeks cover Matthew 16-17, Mark 9, and Luke 9.  Since we have two weeks to cover these chapters I decided we are going to use this week to learn about testimonies.  We are going to focus on how we gain a testimony, cover Matthew 16:13-17 (Peter's Testimony), and prepare for General Conference by getting to know a little more about the prophet and apostles and reading their testimonies of the Savior.

The first activity can be done two ways.  You can do it in one night OR you can do one or two a day and use it as more of a count down to General Conference.  Before I explain how we are going to do this activity here's a quick run through on what's included in the download for this activity.

Get to know you cards for the prophet and apostles.  Each card has their picture and some fun facts about them (pictures and facts found on lds.org).  Print preferably on cardstock. If you want to save some ink you can find a power point version in this post.  Easy to pull up on your computer each day.  I've updated the file and there is a fun fishing game you can use as well or instead of the activity below. 

Testimonies of the prophet and apostles.  I was so excited to find this article.  When they were in Rome for the temple dedication they shared excerpts from the Living Christ (I plan to show the video clip ) and their personal witness of Jesus Christ.  I put these on individual hearts.  They can be printed and left as is or print on the back of patterned or colored paper and fold into mini envelopes.  (you can find a tutorial here). You can place these in a basket, clip to a ribbon, tape them to the wall, or keep in a pile to pull out as needed. I need to finish cutting mine out but here's how I'm displaying my envelopes for the week.

 The 3rd part of this activity is the this quote page.  There is a black and white option.  To set up this activity read and display the quote below.  Each day pick a couple of hearts.  Read the testimony on the heart and find the matching person.  Read the fun facts about that person.  Display the heart and the fact card under the quote.  Add the hearts and fact cards through out the week.  I hope to have all of them displayed before conference starts.  This will be a fun reference to help your kids recognize the prophet and apostles as they speak.

After conference I plan to hole punch the top corner and add a book ring to create a mini book for our church bag.  I did laminate mine.  I like to spend some time introducing my children to the apostles and prophet before each conference because I've noticed if they recognize the person talking to them they are more likely to stop and listen.  They are little and sometimes they only stop for a couple of minutes but during those few minutes they hear the message of the gospel and have the opportunity to feel the spirit.  This is how they develop their own testimonies of the Savior and the gospel.  

The second activity for this week will be our FHE night. We are going to talk about gaining a testimony and how to find answers to our questions. To do this we are going to use steps President Nelson shared in his talk from last April's General Conference.  We did this fhe last year and I included the outline I used. I am following it pretty close when we do it this week.  I did change the game to a board game which is included in this post.  To play print the board and page of cards.  cut the cards apart and mix them up.  Place on the cards spot.  On your turn roll a dice and move the correct number of spaces.  Pick a card and do what it says.  Most are fun active movements.  There are 7 cards that are numbered and correspond with the steps in President Nelson's talk.  Set these aside and the player moves forward one extra space.  The goal is to find all 7 steps before every player reaches the end.  If you run out of cards mix the movement cards up and use again.   

In the original fhe post you will find the puppets I reference to in the outline and it has a life size version of this game instead of the board game.  Its played a little differently but has a lot of the same elements.

That's my plan for this week.  Early next week I'll be back with some updated Conference activities and a new game.  Next Friday I will post the 2nd half of this lesson covering much more of the assigned chapters and topics .  As always if you have any questions, find any mistakes, or have trouble downloading something please don't hesitate to let me know.  

Download this weeks lesson helps here

Come Follow Me: Preparing for General Conference (March 28-April 5th)

"Immerse yourself in the glorious light of the Restoration. As you do, general conference next April will be not only memorable; it will be unforgettable." 
-President Nelson

With General Conference next Sunday I decided to use this week to prepare for conference using the quote above as inspiration for our study and activities. This is from President Nelson's closing remarks last General Conference (found here) There are 5 days planned with the suggestion of watching one of the videos (found here), suggested scriptures, and an activity or two to go with the topic.  We are going to watch this movie (it's also on the church website but I can't get it to open) on Sunday and then start day 1 on Monday so we finish on Friday and are ready for Conference on Saturday.   I did not include specific clips because there are a few different options for some of the topics-pick the one that works best for your family :)

Here's what the schedule looks like.  I also included parts of President Nelson's talk that I plan to share with my family...I thought it may be useful to someone else :)

 Day 1-Story sequence.  There is also a black and white option included.  To use leave the page with the numbers as is.  Cut out the pictures and use them as you share the story of the first vision.  You can use cardstock and velcro or glue them to the board.

Day 2: Has 3 different game options.  You will need the 2 pages of cards for all three.

The first is an I spy game.  Hide the cards around the room and let your children find them.  Use the "I spy" mat to cross off as you find them.  As the cards are found use them to tell the story.

 Option #2 Print two sets of the cards on cardstock and use as a match game.

 Option #3-Bingo!

 Day 3-We are going to talk about some of the blessings of the priesthood and play a match game.  Print 2 on cardstock-if you do not have any you can glue it to some construction paper.

 Day 4-We are going to practice the 6th Article of Faith and then make cards for either the Bishop or our primary teachers.

 Day 5-Draw, paint, use play-dough, legos, blocks, etc to make your favorite temple.  I did include some pages that can be used if they are drawing or painting.  Even if they are building these pages are a great way to have them "plan" their build.  They also make great journal pages.

That's all I have for this week.  I did have a request for the videos I'm using and will link those below.  If you have any questions or trouble with the download please let me know :)

If you are looking for something else to study this week this is one of my favorite talks (found here)

 Click Here to Download the Free Printables

Video clips I'm planning on using

Day 1 First Vision

Day 2 Angel Moroni Appears

Day 3 Restoration of the Priesthood 

Day 4 Organization of the Church

Day 5 Temple 

General Conference Activities

 Good Morning! Can you believe it's Conference weekend?!?  This is such a special way to spend Easter weekend.  I wanted to give a HUGE thank you to my kind friend that generously offers her time to translate all my activities into German. I couldn't do this without her and she helped me create some of the activities in this packet.  She is truly amazing.

While I LOVE General Conference it can be a little difficult to listen when you have young kids in your home.  I am hoping this new Conference Activity pack will help you have a few minutes to listen as your children are happily entertained and maybe even listening too.  I've included 18 activities that are easy to print and play.  I also like to pull out some quiet games, puzzles, and art supplies. 

In addition to this activity packet I have tons of other ideas on my website from past General Conferences or any of the Come Follow Me activities are perfect! I hope you have a wonderful Conference weekend and Happy Easter!

Download Here

Find our German Activities in the download below.

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