Heavenly Father’s Plan for Us Lesson 1: Primary 6: Old Testament, (1996),1

Purpose To help the children understand that they are spirit children of Heavenly Father and that he has a plan that will help them become like him and return to live with him again.

OUR OPENING PRAYER WILL BE GIVEN BY (Enter name here)

I Lived in Heaven Words and music: Janeen Jacobs Brady, b. 1934 1. I lived in heaven a long time ago, it is true; Lived there and loved there with people I know. So did you. Then Heav’nly Father presented a beautiful plan, All about earth and eternal salvation for man. 2. Father said he needed someone who had enough love To give his life so we all could return there above. There was another who sought for the honor divine. Jesus said, “Father, send me, and the glory be thine.” 3. Jesus was chosen, and as the Messiah he came, Conquering evil and death through his glorious name, Giving us hope of a wonderful life yet to be— Home in that heaven where Father is waiting for me.

This year we will be studying the gospel mostly from the Old Testament and Pearl of Great Price.

The Old Testament is the history of God’s dealings with his people from the creation of the earth until about four hundred years before Jesus Christ was born. The Pearl of Great Price contains sacred writings by several prophets, including two Old Testament prophets, Moses and Abraham.

The Old Testament and Pearl of Great Price tell about our premortal life, the early history of the world, Heavenly Father’s plan for us, and the restoration of the gospel.

WHERE? Where did we live a long time ago? In heaven Let’s read D&C 93:29, first sentence Let’s read Abraham 3:22–23 “Long before this world was created, all of the spirits of the men and women who were assigned to this earth lived in a spiritual existence” (Spencer W. Kimball, The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], p. 30). WHERE?

WHO? Who lived there with us?

WHAT? What was Heavenly Father’s plan for us? Heavenly Father wanted us to be able to receive a physical body To learn to choose between right and wrong And to have the opportunity to become like him.

Let’s read! Abraham 3:22–26 22 Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;  23 And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born.

 24 And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;  25 And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;  26 And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.

In Abraham 3:22–26 The first estate refers to our premortal life The second estate is our life on earth

Doctrine and Covenants 138:55–56 Let’s read! Doctrine and Covenants 138:55–56 55 I observed that they were also among the noble and great ones who were chosen in the beginning to be rulers in the Church of God.  56 Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men.

In Doctrine and Covenants 138:55–56 Intelligences as used in these scriptures refers to the spirit children of Heavenly Father and that premortal life means our life before we were born on the earth.

Spirit World The Plan of Salvation Celestial Kingdom Telestial Kingdom Pre-Mortal Existence The Plan of Salvation Spirit World Terrestrial Kingdom Veil of Forgetfulness Resurrection Final Judgment Birth Death Telestial Kingdom Outer Darkness Earth Life

Who is the Father of our spirits? (Romans 8:16) How are we as mortals like our heavenly parents? (Genesis 1:27)

What did we do in the spirit world? (D&C 138:56)

What did we do when Heavenly Father presented his plan to us? We shouted for joy (Job 38:4 & 7)

Elder L. Tom Perry said this about the Plan of Salvation: “We first heard about the plan of salvation before we were born, in what the scriptures call our first estate.” Enrichment activity 3

Why don’t we remember our premortal life? When each of us was born on the earth, we forgot our life with Heavenly Father. This allowed us to develop faith in him and in Jesus Christ. We can do this through believing the prophets, studying the scriptures, praying, and following the guidance of the Holy Ghost.

The Plan Of Salvation Birth We came to earth so we could receive a body of flesh and bones and… “to have experiences that we could not obtain in any other way.” - Elder L. Tom Perry Birth Enrichment activity 3

How is earth life different from our premortal life? Be with our family Have the Bible and Book of Mormon to guide us Have a physical body Be taught Heavenly Father’s plan Experience hard work, sorrow, and death Be able to have children Live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ Be with our family Have only a spirit body Be taught Heavenly Father’s plan Enrichment activity 6

The Plan Of Salvation “We are now being tried and tested to see if we will do all the things the Lord has commanded us to do.” - Elder L. Tom Perry Enrichment activity 3

What are we supposed to do while we live on earth? Let’s read Abraham 3:25 Alma 34:32–33 What will happen if we keep the commandments while we are on earth? Abraham 3:26

The Plan Of Salvation Death “There comes a time for all of us when the spirit and the body are separated in death. The Plan Of Salvation “But because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, we will all be resurrected, regardless of whether we have accomplished good or evil in this life. Death “Immortality is the gift to every mortal child of our Father in Heaven.” - Elder L. Tom Perry Enrichment activity 3

What happens to our physical bodies when we die? Where do our spirits go? Let’s read Ecclesiastes 12:7 Alma 40:11–14 At death our spirits do not actually go into God’s presence but go to the spirit world, where we receive a partial judgment.

The Plan Of Salvation “Death must be viewed as a portal to a new and better life.” - Elder L. Tom Perry Spirit World Enrichment activity 3

The Plan Of Salvation Resurrection “Through the glorious resurrection, body and spirit will be reunited. “We will have a perfect, immortal body of flesh and bones that will never be subjected to pain or death.” - Elder L. Tom Perry The Plan Of Salvation Resurrection Enrichment activity 3

What does it mean to be resurrected? Let’s read 2 Nephi 9:12 Who will be resurrected? 1 Corinthians 15:22

What will happen after we are resurrected? Let’s read 2 Corinthians 5:10 Who will be worthy to live in the celestial kingdom? D&C 76:51–53

The Plan Of Salvation Final Judgment “… the glory we attain in the next life will depend on our performance in this life. “Only through the gift of the Atonement and our obedience to the gospel can we return and live with God once again.” - Elder L. Tom Perry The Plan Of Salvation Enrichment activity 3

To be able to enter the celestial kingdom, we must have faith in Jesus Christ, repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Ghost. Then we must live worthy and prove our faithfulness.

The celestial kingdom is the highest of the three kingdoms of glory. The Plan Of Salvation Those in this kingdom will dwell forever in the presence of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Celestial Kingdom To inherit this gift, we must receive the ordinances of salvation, keep the commandments, and repent of our sins. Enrichment activity 3

Who will live in the terrestrial kingdom? Let’s read D&C 76:71–79

The Plan Of Salvation Those who inherit terrestrial glory will “receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fullness of the Father. Enrichment activity 3

Telestial Kingdom The Plan Of Salvation Telestial glory will be reserved for individuals who “received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus” Enrichment activity 3

Who will live in the telestial kingdom? D&C 76:81, 101–103

“Those who follow Satan will be cast into outer darkness, “where there is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth.” (D&C 133:73.) The Plan Of Salvation “How terrible to live in such a place of darkness and cold. It is entirely different from what we usually think of as ‘burning in hell.’ “That burning is the lasting regret one feels who has chosen the darkness of Satan in preference to the light of Christ.” Elder Theodore M. Burton, Of the First Quorum of the Seventy Enrichment activity 3

What will it be like to live in the celestial kingdom? D&C 76:92–94 What are we promised if we are worthy of living in the celestial kingdom? We will be like God D&C 76:95

Our life on earth is like a school. We are here to learn and be tested Our life on earth is like a school. We are here to learn and be tested. If we make right choices, we will pass the tests and be able to return to Heavenly Father.

The following is a quote by President Spencer W The following is a quote by President Spencer W. Kimball, The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 28: “My brothers and sisters, we’re away from home. We’re off to school. Our lessons will not be easy. “The way we react to them, the way we conquer and accomplish and live will determine our rewards, and they will be permanent and eternal”. Enrichment activity 4

TESTIMONY We are all children of a loving Heavenly Father. I am grateful for the plan of salvation, which will help us return with our loved ones to live with Heavenly Father someday.

OUR CLOSING PRAYER WILL BE GIVEN BY (Enter Name Here)

THE END

Images and clipart are from lds Images and clipart are from lds.org, Microsoft office, and other websites indicating the images were in the public domain or permitted for church and home use. The hymns, Lesson and Scripture story are from lds.org. The original presentation is by Ericka Covalt as published on Sugardoodle.net. Please do not use this presentation for commercial use. Feel free to alter the presentation for use in church or home to suit personal preference. This presentation is intended to supplement, not replace, the lesson manual and scriptures. Teachers should refer to the manual, scriptures and other resources when preparing and conducting the lesson.

D&C 93:29 29 Man was also in the beginning with God. . . .

Abraham 3:22–23 22 Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;  23 And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born.

Abraham 3:24–26 24 And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;  25 And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;  26 And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.

Romans 8:16 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Genesis 1:27  27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

D&C 138:56 56 Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men.

Job 38:4, 7 4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. 7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Abraham 3:25;  25 And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;

Alma 34:32–33 32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.  33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.

Abraham 3:26 26 And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.

Ecclesiastes 12:7  7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Alma 40:11–14 11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.  12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

Alma 40:11–14  13 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil.

Alma 40:11–14  14 Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection.

2 Nephi 9:12  12 And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel.

1 Corinthians 15:22 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

2 Corinthians 5:10 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

D&C 76:51–53 51 They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given—  52 That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power;  53 And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true.

D&C 76:71–79 71 And again, we saw the terrestrial world, and behold and lo, these are they who are of the terrestrial, whose glory differs from that of the church of the Firstborn who have received the fulness of the Father, even as that of the moon differs from the sun in the firmament.  72 Behold, these are they who died without law;  73 And also they who are the spirits of men kept in prison, whom the Son visited, and preached the gospel unto them, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh;

D&C 76:71–79 74 Who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it.  75 These are they who are honorable men of the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men.  76 These are they who receive of his glory, but not of his fulness.  77 These are they who receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father.

D&C 76:71–79  78 Wherefore, they are bodies terrestrial, and not bodies celestial, and differ in glory as the moon differs from the sun.  79 These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus; wherefore, they obtain not the crown over the kingdom of our God.

D&C 76:81, 101–103 81 And again, we saw the glory of the telestial, which glory is that of the lesser, even as the glory of the stars differs from that of the glory of the moon in the firmament.  101 But received not the gospel, neither the testimony of Jesus, neither the prophets, neither the everlasting covenant.  102 Last of all, these all are they who will not be gathered with the saints, to be caught up unto the church of the Firstborn, and received into the cloud.

D&C 76:81, 101–103  103 These are they who are liars, and sorcerers, and adulterers, and whoremongers, and whosoever loves and makes a lie.

D&C 76:92–94 92 And thus we saw the glory of the celestial, which excels in all things—where God, even the Father, reigns upon his throne forever and ever;  93 Before whose throne all things bow in humble reverence, and give him glory forever and ever.  94 They who dwell in his presence are the church of the Firstborn; and they see as they are seen, and know as they are known, having received of his fulness and of his grace;

D&C 76:95 95 And he makes them equal in power, and in might, and in dominion.