The first member of my family to join
the Church followed Jesus Christ in
faith. I can learn about my family history.


 

Attention Activity - Scatter the small pictures of people or papers with names around the room. Ask for a volunteer. When you say “go,” have the volunteer gather as many “people” (pictures or pieces of paper) as possible in a specified amount of time (about five seconds, or the amount of time it takes all of the other children to count slowly to five). Count how many people the child was able to gather.
 

Ask the children if more people could be gathered if the child had help. Scatter the pictures or papers around the room again, and ask for a second volunteer. Have the two children gather as many people as possible in the same amount of time as before. Count how many people the two children were able to gather.

• • How many people did one child gather? How many people did two children gather?
   

• • Ask how many people they think could be gathered if the whole Primary worked together?

         • To whom does the gospel need to be preached?

• • How long do you think it would take for one person to teach the gospel to everyone on the earth?

Song - Family History, I Am Doing It

Recommendation - Because this sharing time is directed to the first member of "my" family....I would recommend you find out who that is.  Fill in a pedigree chart for your family and cut it up into puzzle pieces.  Hide each puzzle piece under a chair or around the room.  As each puzzle piece is returned to you, tell them about one of your ancestors.  As the last puzzle piece is being put in place....make a sigh of relief...Whew!  NOW our family is complete...all the pieces are together and our family isn't missing anyone...right??  We're all there.  (If you are going to do this recommendation, skip to the bottom....if not, continue reading....)  If you don't have time to make a personalized sharing time, here is a recommendation instead.

For senior primary - Help the children see how family records assist others in doing family history work. Using the scriptures, have the children fill in a pedigree chart for a Book of Mormon family.  On the chalkboard, draw a seven-generation family tree, following the fathers’ lines. On the child line, write “4 Nephi 1:21.” On the father line, write “4 Nephi 1:19.” On the grandfather line, write “3 Nephi 1:2.” On succeeding-generation father lines, write “Helaman 3:20–21,” “Alma 63:11,” “Alma 31:1, 7,” “Mosiah 27:8.” Cover the references with pieces of paper.
 

On separate pieces of paper, write “Amos,” “Nephi,” “Nephi,” “Helaman,” “Helaman,” “Alma,” “Alma.” Place the names in random order on the walls around the room.

Uncover the first (child) reference. Have the children find the scripture and raise their hands when they know whose name goes on that line. Ask a child to read the verse out loud, then locate one of the “Amos” names and place it on the line over the reference. Sing the first verse of “Book of Mormon Stories” (pp. 118–119). Continue uncovering the references one by one, then reading the scripture aloud and locating the correct name for the pedigree chart. Sing different verses of “Book of Mormon Stories” between each generation. Some of the verses relate directly to the people mentioned on the chart; other verses deal with the approximate time period: Amos, v. 2; Nephi, v. 8; Helaman, v. 7; Helaman, v. 6; Alma, v. 3; Alma, v. 4.
 

For junior primary - Invite seven priesthood holders to dress in simple costumes and role-play the seven generations, starting with Alma. Have each tell a story about the man he represents, if a story is available.  Have the man representing the first Alma hold the Book of Mormon while he tells his story. Upon finishing, he should write his name on the great-great-great-great-grandfather line, then hand the Book of Mormon to his son (Alma) to continue. Repeat this process, with the second Amos testifying of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and the knowledge that was passed from father to son.

Music - “Book of Mormon Stories”

Handout - Give each child a family pedigree chart and challenge them to go home and fill it out with their parents. 

Summary - Express to the children how important it is that we get to know our ancestors.  The first members of our families followed Jesus Christ in faith and so can we.  Share your testimony.
 

Other Ideas -

The children need to know that not everybody has a million "pioneer ancestors".  Here is a story that might be good to share called, "A Different Kind of Pioneer".