ATTENTION GETTER:
 

Tell the kids that today we’re going to talk about superheroes and supervillian. Ask them to name their favorite superhero, and what makes them a superhero. (They might talk about super powers, like being able to fly, etc., but emphasize to them that the powers themselves don’t make them a superhero, but it’s how they USE their powers to help others that makes them heroic.)  Tell the kids that every superhero has a supervillian. Let them name some of the supervillians that go with their favorite superheroes, and emphasize that they use their powers to hurt others.  There are many heroes and heroines in the scriptures. As we read about them, we grow to admire the courage of those who served the Lord in the past. We want to be like them. They can be our heroes and heroines.

OPTIONAL:
 

"We had a young man,  (actually it was my own 18 year old son) come in dressed as a stripling warrior.  He told them the the story of the stripling warriors from a first hand account starting from the time he was a little boy and watched his parents bury their weapons and how important their covenant was. He then went on to tell about the circumstances that led to the forming of the army with his friends and the astonishing results that no one was killed although many were wounded.  He has a broken elbow right now and told the kids he got it fighting the Lamanites.  He was very animated with his presentation, especially telling about the battle. It was great to hear it from this perspective and the kids really enjoyed it." (Idea by Chris Dietzel from Your Ideas Page! from Christy's Clipart)
 

QUESTIONS:
 

Ask them “Who is the greatest superhero of all time?”  They will probably think about it for a few minutes, and maybe offer up their favorite superhero again.  If they need hints, you might emphasize that this superhero was a real-life superhero.  This is of course Jesus Christ.
 

Ask them who the worst villain is of all time? (Satan).

The scriptures have a lot of heroes and a lot of villians.  We can learn a lot of things from these people.  One we are going to talk about today are the Stripling Warriors.  These young men followed the teachings of their parents and were preserved in battle.

GAME:
 

To learn more about these valiant young men, we're going to play a game.  Play the Stripling Warriors Game from the August 2000 Friend.  You could enlarge game board or make up one similar on butcher paper so everyone can see it.

MUSIC:  Book of Mormon Stories or Dare to do right or We'll Bring the World His Truth

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES:

Stripling Warriors from October 1996 Friend (Story)

OTHER:

Flannel Board Figures of Stripling Warriors

OPTIONAL IDEAS:

An interview with Helaman and his Stripling Warriors

HANDOUT IDEA: Print the following and put on 3x5 card.  You could
even have them color it if time allowed.

“They are young, and their minds are firm, and they
do put their trust in God continually.” Alma 57:27

SUMMARY:  We are blessed by the example of righteous leaders and teachers who love the Lord and have testimonies of the Gospel. They can be our heroes. Jesus Christ, our Savior and Heavenly King, is our greatest example. He is always obedient to His Heavenly Father. He lived a life full of love and sacrifice for others. We want to be like Jesus Christ.

TESTIMONY: Close with your testimony and/or personal experiences of how we are blessed when we are faithful.
 

MY SOURCES:

- FHEtc.
- Karen Ashton, “Sharing Time: My Heroes and Heroines,” Friend, Aug. 1997, 35
- Primary 4 Manual
- Scriptures
- Teaching, No Greater Call
- Your Ideas Page from Christy's Clipart