Scripture
“This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”
Hymn
The Morning Breaks – Hymn #1 or The Golden Plates -Children’s Songbook #86
1. The morning breaks, the shadows flee;
Lo, Zion’s standard is unfurled!
The dawning of a brighter day,
The dawning of a brighter day
Majestic rises on the world.
2. The clouds of error disappear
Before the rays of truth divine;
The glory bursting from afar,
The glory bursting from afar
Wide o’er the nations soon will shine.
3. The Gentile fulness now comes in,
And Israel’s blessings are at hand.
Lo, Judah’s remnant, cleansed from sin,
Lo, Judah’s remnant, cleansed from sin,
Shall in their promised Canaan stand.
4. Jehovah speaks! Let earth give ear,
And Gentile nations turn and live.
His mighty arm is making bare,
His mighty arm is making bare
His cov’nant people to receive.
5. –Angels from heav’n and truth from earth
Have met, and both have record borne;
Thus Zion’s light is bursting forth,
Thus Zion’s light is bursting forth
To bring her ransomed children home.
1. The golden plates lay hidden
Deep in the mountainside,
Until God found one faithful,
In shom he could confide.
2. A record made by Nephi,
Written in days of old;
Now, in the Book of Mormon,
The story is retold.
Lesson
*For Younger Children*
Read and use the tips from “Special Witness: The Book of Mormon” (taken from the Friend). Testify of the blessing it is to have the Book of Mormon and the importance of it in your lives.
Did you know that Elder Russell M. Nelson has nine daughters and a son? He bears testimony that the Book of Mormon is true.
The King James Version of the Bible was produced by 50 English scholars who accomplished their work in seven years, translating at the rate of one page per day. Expert translators today do well if they can also translate scripture at the rate of one page per day.
In contrast, Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon at the rate of about 10 pages per day, completing the task in about 85 days! (Many of us feel good if we can read the book in that time.)
Each individual who prayerfully studies the Book of Mormon can receive a testimony of its divinity. In addition, this book can help with personal problems in a very real way. Do you want to get rid of a bad habit? Do you want to improve relationships in your family? Do you want to increase your spiritual capacity? Read the Book of Mormon! It will bring you closer to the Lord and His loving power. He who fed a multitude with five loaves and two fishes—He who helped the blind to see and the lame to walk—can also bless you! He has promised that those who live by the precepts of this book “shall receive a crown of eternal life” (D&C 20:14).
The Book of Mormon is true!
Testify of the blessing it is to have the Book of Mormon and the importance of it in your lives.
*For All Family Members*
Read or summarize “Why We need the Book of Mormon” by Elder Tad R. Callister (taken from the April 2013 Liahona). Testify of the blessing it is to have the Book of Mormon and the importance of it in your lives.
Some people may ask you why we need the Book of Mormon when we already have the Bible. In fact, Jesus Christ testified that this would happen (see 2 Nephi 29:3). There are many reasons why the Book of Mormon is important in our day (for example, see 2 Nephi 29:7–11). Here are just a few reasons why it’s essential.
Another Witness of Jesus Christ
The scriptures show us a pattern of using multiple witnesses to establish truth in Christ’s Church. The Book of Mormon adds a second witness to the Bible as a testimony of Christ. Elder Mark E. Petersen (1900–84) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles once said, “The chief reason we have the Book of Mormon is that in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall all things be established. (See 2 Cor. 13:1.) We have the Bible; we also have the Book of Mormon. They constitute two voices—two volumes of scripture—from two widely separated ancient peoples, both bearing testimony to the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ.” President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) has added, “We must not forget that the Lord Himself provided the Book of Mormon as His chief witness.”
The Fulness of the Gospel
We know that “plain and precious things … have been taken away from” the Bible throughout time (1 Nephi 13:40). The Book of Mormon clarifies Christ’s doctrine and brings the fulness of the gospel to the earth once again (see 1 Nephi 13:38–41). For example, the Book of Mormon helps us know that baptism must be performed by immersion (see 3 Nephi 11:26) and that little children do not need to be baptized (see Moroni 8:4–26).
Central to the Restored Church
Joseph Smith testified that the Book of Mormon is “the keystone of our religion.” Since we know this, it does not seem a coincidence that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized on April 6, 1830, just 11 days after the Book of Mormon was first available for public sale on March 26, 1830. The Church was not organized until its keystone scripture was available for its members.
A Blessing in Our Lives
Regarding the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith taught that “a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” It has the power to change lives—including yours and those you share the Book of Mormon with. President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, has testified, “The effect of the Book of Mormon on your character, power, and courage to be a witness for God is certain. The doctrine and the valiant examples in that book will lift, guide, and embolden you. … Prayerful study of the Book of Mormon will build faith in God the Father, in His Beloved Son, and in His gospel. It will build your faith in God’s prophets, ancient and modern. … It can draw you closer to God than any other book. It can change a life for the better.”
Join the Conversation
Throughout April you’ll be studying about the Apostasy and the Restoration in your priesthood quorums and Young Women and Sunday School classes (if your ward or branch has the new lessons in your language). The coming forth of the Book of Mormon was an important part of the Restoration. After reading this article, think about how your life is different because you have the Book of Mormon. You could write down your feelings in your journal and consider sharing them with others by testifying at home, at church, or on social media.
Two Witnesses
“The Bible is one witness of Jesus Christ; the Book of Mormon is another. Why is this second witness so crucial? The following illustration may help: How many straight lines can you draw through a single point on a piece of paper? The answer is infinite. For a moment, suppose that single point represents the Bible and that hundreds of those straight lines drawn through that point represent different interpretations of the Bible and that each of those interpretations represents a different church.
“What happens, however, if on that piece of paper there is a second point representing the Book of Mormon? How many straight lines could you draw between these two reference points: the Bible and the Book of Mormon? Only one. Only one interpretation of Christ’s doctrines survives the testimony of these two witnesses.
“Again and again the Book of Mormon acts as a confirming, clarifying, unifying witness of the doctrines taught in the Bible.”
Testify of the blessing it is to have the Book of Mormon and the importance of it in your lives.
Treat
Poundcake or Trifle
Poundcake with lemon cream and strawberries
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 c. sugar
- 1/2 c. shortening
- 1/2 c. butter
- 4 eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/2 tsp. lemon extract
- 3 c. all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1 c. buttermilk
- Lemon Cream:1 pint heavy cream1/2 c. powdered sugar1 T. lemon extract (or to taste..I like it strong)Whip the cream until it’s starting to form soft peaks. Add the powdered sugar, and then the lemon extract once the sugar is incorporated.
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the sugar, shortening (I use butter flavor), and butter. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla and lemon extract.
- Stir together flour and baking soda. Add to creamed mixture, alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. **You can substitute sour milk for buttermilk, if you don’t have any on hand. Just pour 1 T. vinegar into a 1 c. measuring cup, then fill the rest with milk. Let sit for a few minutes before adding to batter.
- Spray a bundt pan or 10 inch tube pan with cooking spray, then coat with granulated sugar. Pour the batter in the pan, and bake in a 325 degree oven for 75 minutes (or until done–watch after 45 to 50 minutes). Cool 10 minutes before serving. Serve with lemon cream and sliced strawberries.
(Taken from Simply Kierste)
Trifle in a Jar
Ingrediens:
- This time I used raspberries and blueberries , but any berry will work.
- Lemon Cream:1 pint heavy cream1/2 c. powdered sugar1 T. lemon extract (or to taste..I like it strong)Whip the cream until it’s starting to form soft peaks. Add the powdered sugar, and then the lemon extract once the sugar is incorporated.
- Add a layer of berries on the bottom, cream next, another layer of berries, and a last layer of cream.
- Top with more berries! It’s best when served immediately.
- You could also add cubed poundcake for another layer of flavor, but the berries and cream can stand on their own.
(Taken from Simply Kierste)
Activity
1- Write your testimony in a Book of Mormon and pray for an opportunity to share it with someone
2. Play Hide and Seek, Capture the Flag, or Kick the Can
