Heavenly Father has a plan for me. Jesus Christ and His Atonement are central to this plan.
by Melanie Day


 

Usually I try and give suggestions that are low key and easy to prepare.  I really wanted to share this idea and figured someone might benefit from it.  It will take extra planning and preparation, and most likely will not be possible for everyone.  However, I feel the children will benefit more from this sharing time as they will be able to have a more hands-on experience.  You'll probably want to ask a few parents or additional leaders to help in the cultural hall as the children move through the course.
 

Drape a white sheet over one of the dividers in the cultural hall and put a poster that says "ETERNITY".

(Optional) Shine a spotlight on divider to make it very bright.  You could have eternity be set up with a chair and lamp (possibly from the foyer) with calm and beautiful music playing. 

Have papers taped to the floor that they can stand on; however, make a huge gap in the path so that they'll have to step on the floor at some point.  You want them to better understand the atonement.  No matter how well they can jump, they couldn't stay on the path without the Savior's Atonement.

Line the way to "Eternity" with a pictures or posters of Christ, the Book of Mormon, a Young Women Medallion/ Eagle Scout Award, Mission, a picture of the Temple and Temple Wedding, etc. (Something representing different phases of their lives).

Begin in the Primary room and say: "Have you ever gone on a long trip? How did you know which direction to go in to reach your destination? Did you follow a road map? Did you follow the road signs? These things can help us find our way when we travel here on earth.
 

All of us are on a very important journey—a journey back to our heavenly home. Our destination is the celestial kingdom, where we can live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father has provided a “map” to guide us as we travel back to Him. It is called the Plan of Salvation, or the Plan of Happiness. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Lord’s commandments are like road signs to help us reach our destination. 

Today each one of you are going to go on a trip to Eternity.  You are going to go as families.  Each class represents a family. 

Escort one class at a time to the Cultural Hall.  Take the Primary on a tour through "Eternity".  Begin by having everyone stand on the opposite side of the Cultural Hall from "Eternity". The  floor represents sin and you can't touch sin (or walk on the floor). You can only use the pieces of paper on the floor to get across to the other side. 
 
The papers on the floor represent the iron rod or the gospel.  When they pass each thing you've lined the way with, such as the picture of Christ it means they'd accepted Christ as their Savior and had a testimony of Him.  The Book of Mormon meant they had read the Book of Mormon and knew it was true, etc.

Just point things out, but don't explain much...let them enjoy the experience.  Once everyone is seated back in the Primary room, ask them some questions to see what they understood, like, "Why was it necessary to walk on the papers instead of the floor?" or  "Is it possible to return to our Heavenly Father without Jesus Christ's help?"  Explain that the choices we are making (explain the things you lined on the pathways to eternity - medallions, awards, missions, marriage, etc.) are important, but without Jesus Christ, we would not have a chance to return and live with Him or our families.  He loves us so much!

OBJECT LESSON (from Christy's Clipart): Have 3 empty jars on a table.  Tell a child they can choose to have anything in one of the jars. Have 3 jars on a table -- one of them empty.  Fill two of the jars with "desirables" (i.e.: candy, bookmarks, etc.).  Label them #1, #2, #3.  (Have #1 be the empty one.)  Tell a child they can choose anything from jar #1 that they want.  As long as it is jar #1. 

Now is that much of a choice?  Is that really fair?  No, but the plan that Heavenly Father has created is fair and made out of love.  Absolutely everyone will have the chance to return to Heavenly Father because of Jesus Christ and his Atonement.

SONG: I'm trying to be like Jesus

HANDOUT: Have each child make a crown....write on it "Well down, thou good and faithful servant."  You could even ask Burger King to donate x amount of crowns for your lesson or use one as a template.

SUMMARY: When we heard that Jesus would be our Savior, we were so grateful and so happy that we shouted for joy. Heavenly Father does have a plan for us, it is called the Plan of Happiness.  If we keep his commandments and follow His example...each one of us will be give the opportunity to live with Him forever!  Share your testimony.
 

SOURCES:

“Sharing Time: On the Right Path,” Friend, Jan. 2000, 44