I can recognize the
promptings of the Holy Ghost

 

Explain that the day we become members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the most important days of our lives. On that wonderful occasion, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ give us a precious gift.  Tell the children that you will give them some clues that will help them discover what the gift is. Ask them to not give any answers until you have given them all of the clues.

• 1. The gift Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ give us can’t be purchased with money.

• 2. We can’t hold this gift in our hands and look at it as we would a book or a toy.

• 3. This gift is worth more than any other gift a person can receive.

• 4. Worthy Church members are helped and comforted by it throughout their lives.

• 5. We receive this gift when men who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood lay their hands upon our heads and confirm us members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Ask all who know what the gift is to raise their hands.

• • What is this gift? (The gift of the Holy Ghost.)

Sing - Learn the words to the song “The Still Small Voice” (pg. 106)

Object Lesson - Bring a small paper bag and several crayons for each child, and a flashlight. Draw and color a child’s face on a paper bag. Tell the children that because the Holy Ghost is a spirit, He can dwell inside of them. Demonstrate that the flashlight (the Holy Ghost) can fill the bag (our souls) with light and warmth. Say that sometimes it is possible to see the light through the bag. This is like the Holy Ghost brightening our souls and making us happy (see Alma 5:14).

Read and discuss Gal. 5:22–23. Talk about the types of feelings the Spirit brings. Let each child draw and color on her/his paper bag a face showing one of these feelings.

Explain that the Holy Ghost can be felt in many different ways. Review Gal. 5:22–23 and list some of the feelings the Holy Ghost can bring into their hearts. Let them know that the Holy Ghost will lead them to do only good things. Read together D&C 11:12–13. Tell them that many times the still, small voice is more a feeling than a voice.

(1) We feel it in our hearts. (Have each place a hand over his/her heart.)
(2) Sometimes thoughts and words come to our minds. (Have each place a hand on his/her head.)
(3) At times we may even hear a voice. (Have each touch his/her ears.)

Story - Share the following story about President Monson:

Some time ago, Elder Monson and his wife were sent by the prophet to visit the islands of Samoa. While they were there, they visited a class of children who lived in the village of Sauniatu. Elder and Sister Monson each spoke to the class. After they finished their talks and as the children’s teacher was announcing the closing song, a thought came into Elder Monson’s mind. He was prompted to personally greet each one of the 247 children.

However, when he glanced at his watch, he realized that it was getting late and that he wouldn’t have time to greet each child individually.  He tried to put the thought out of his mind, but he couldn’t.  Before the closing prayer, he was prompted again to take the time to shake the hand of each child.  He finally turned to the teacher and said, “I would like so much to shake the hand of each boy and girl. Would this be possible?”

The teacher smiled and, in the Samoan language, spoke to the children. They nodded their heads eagerly in approval. He told Elder Monson the reason for the children’s smiles. When the teacher learned that the President of the Church had asked one of the Twelve Apostles to visit them in Samoa, the teacher had told the children that if they would each pray sincerely and have faith as did the people in the Bible and Book of Mormon, the Apostle would visit their village. He would also be prompted by the Holy Ghost to shake the hand of every child (see Thomas S. Monson, “Talofa Lava,” Friend, May 1972, pp. 12–13).

• Who prompted Elder Monson?

• How did the Holy Ghost prompt Elder Monson?

Point out that the Holy Ghost prompts people in different ways. Most often he speaks to our minds as he did to Elder Monson’s.  Explain that because Elder Monson listened to the promptings or instructions of the Holy Ghost, he was able to do what Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ wanted him to do.

Game - Play the following quiet game with the children to show them that they can be guided by a still, small voice: Show the children a small item you will hide for this game. Invite one child to leave the group for a moment while you hide the item. Have the child return to the group, and tell him that he must listen to find the way to the hidden item. Use a quiet noise, such as lightly tapping a pencil, gently clapping your hands, or humming a song, to show the child which way to turn to look for the hidden object. Make sure that the noises you make are very soft and reverent. Gently tap when the child looks in the correct direction. Tap more quickly as the child moves closer to the hiding place, until he finds the item.  Emphasize to the children that they can be guided in their lives by listening to the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost.

Summary - Testify of the importance of following the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

Other optional ideas -

- Sing the song “The Holy Ghost” (p. 105).  It teaches us many things about the Holy Ghost. Sing the melody and clap the rhythm. Explain that just as the beat is constant, the Holy Ghost can be our constant companion. Invite them to clap the beat with you as you sing it again. Repeat again, this time inviting the children to hum the melody with you as they clap. Because each half of each verse teaches one of the missions of the Holy Ghost, teach the words in four sections. Write the main words of the first two lines on separate pieces of paper (Christ, earth, promised, send, Holy Ghost, comfort). Sing that much of the song as you direct the children to listen for one thing the Holy Ghost does for us. Take responses. As you sing it again, invite two or three children to post the words in order. Sing that much of the song with the children over and over, removing words until they know it. Learn the rest of the words by repeating this process.

- Prepare the following “question flowers” out of heavy paper:
 

Ask the children to tell what they know about the Holy Ghost. You may want to use the question flowers as a review. You can use questions such as these:

• • What valuable gift can you receive after you are baptized? (The gift of the Holy Ghost.)

• • Who is the Holy Ghost? (A being who helps Jesus and Heavenly Father; a spirit; someone who can comfort and help us.)

• • When are we given the gift of the Holy Ghost? (After we are baptized; when we are confirmed members of the Church.)

• • Where can we feel the promptings of the Holy Ghost? (In our hearts and minds. Answers such as “at home,” “at church,” or “wherever we are when we choose the right” are also acceptable.)

• • Why did Heavenly Father send the Holy Ghost to be with us? (To help and comfort us; to guide and warn us; to tell us what is true; to give us feelings of love and peace.)

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