Army of Helaman 1. We have been born, as Nephi of old, To goodly parents who love the Lord. We have been taught, and we understand, That we must do as the Lord commands. 2. We have been saved for these latter days To build the kingdom in righteous ways. We hear the words our prophet declares: “Let each who’s worthy go forth and share.” 3. We know his plan, and we will prepare, Increase our knowledge through study and prayer. Daily we’ll learn until we are called To take the gospel to all the world. Words and music: Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938 © 1983 by Janice Kapp Perry. This song may be copied for incidental, noncommercial church or home use. Chorus We are as the army of Helaman. We have been taught in our youth. And we will be the Lord’s missionaries To bring the world His truth.

Raise your hand when you think you know which person is being described! Cornelius Peter Angel I am a messenger. Besides delivering God’s messages, I teach, bless, and do whatever I am commanded to do to build the kingdom of God. Today you will learn about a special message I brought. I was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus called me to follow him. I received a vision, which you will learn about today, that opened the way for everyone to be taught the gospel. I am a centurion in the Roman legion and command from 50 to 100 men. I was the first Gentile (someone who was not a Jew) to come into the Church. You will learn about my baptism in today’s lesson.

Peter and Cornelius “Lesson 40: Peter and Cornelius,” Primary 7: New Testament, 139, Scripture story adapted from “Seek, Then Follow the Prophets Counsel,” Friend, June 2001, 42 & “Cornelius and Peter,” Friend, Nov. 2003, 36

After Jesus Christ was resurrected, He left the care of His church to His Apostles. Peter was the chief Apostle, or President of the Church. At this time, there were only Jews as members, and no gentiles (non-Jews).

There was a Roman centurion (a man who commanded one hundred soldiers) named Cornelius. Although he was not a Jew, he was a good man who believed in God. He and his family “gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always” (Acts 10:2).

Cornelius had a vision in which an angel told him that his prayers had been answered. The angel also told Cornelius to send for Peter to come and teach him. Peter would tell him what to do.

The next day, Cornelius sent two servants and a soldier to bring Peter to him. While Cornelius’s servants were coming to get Peter, he, too, had a vision.

Peter saw a “vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: “Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts . . . , and creeping things, and fowls of the air.”

Now, the Jews had been taught to not mingle with gentiles and that certain animals were “unclean” and were not to be eaten. So when a voice came to Peter, telling him to eat the animals that were in the vessel, he protested, “Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.”

But the voice told him, “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” While Peter was wondering about the meaning of what he had seen, Cornelius’s men came, and the Spirit told him, “Go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them” (Acts 10:20).

Peter went with them the next day Peter went with them the next day. He found not only Cornelius but also his family and friends. Cornelius told Peter about the angel and said, “Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God” (Acts 10:33).

Peter then understood what he had seen in his own vision. The Lord was showing him that the gospel wasn’t only for the Jews but for all people. He taught the gospel to Cornelius and all of his household.

As the chief Apostle, or prophet, taught them, the Holy Ghost testified to them that what he said was true. Peter told them that they must be baptized so that they might receive the blessing of the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Cornelius had obeyed the counsel of the angel and called for Peter, a prophet of God. When Peter taught him and his family and friends, they received the witness of the Holy Ghost. They followed the counsel of the prophet and became members of the Savior’s church.

The Jews who followed Christ heard about Peter teaching these gentiles, and they asked Peter about it. When he told them about his and Cornelius’s visions and how the Holy Ghost had testified to them of Jesus Christ and His gospel, the Jews accepted them into the Church. This was another blessing for Cornelius and his household.

Discussion Time!

Why was Cornelius worthy to receive a vision from the Lord and be baptized? Let’s read Acts 10:2 How can you be a devout (faithful) member of the Church? What was the angel’s message to Cornelius? Let’s read Acts 10:3–6

What did Peter see in a vision? Let’s read Acts 10:11–16 Why was the vision disturbing to him? How did Peter accept this vision at first? What changed his mind?

Why was it so unusual for Peter to teach Cornelius the gospel? Let’s read Acts 10:28

Up to this time the Apostles had been teaching the gospel to the Jewish people, and most of the people in the Church thought that only the Jewish people should be taught the gospel. But Cornelius was not a Jew.

What did Peter finally realize that his vision meant? Let’s read Acts 10:34–35 Who should be taught the gospel today?

Why do you think Cornelius gathered all his friends and relatives to hear Peter? Let’s read Acts 10:24–27 What are some of the gospel principles you want to share with your family and friends?

What did Cornelius do to find an answer to his problem? Let’s read Acts 10:30 What experiences have you or your family had with fasting and prayer? How has the Lord helped you find an answer to a problem?

What did the disciples and the other Apostles think when they heard that Peter had been teaching Gentiles? Let’s read Acts 11:2–3 How did Peter explain his actions? Let’s read Acts 11:4, 17

How did the disciples and Apostles accept Peter’s vision? Let’s read Acts 11:18 What does this teach us about Heavenly Father’s love for his children?

Something similar to Peter’s vision happened in 1978 when President Spencer W. Kimball received a revelation from the Lord that all worthy men and boys could receive the priesthood and their families could receive the blessings of the temple (see Official Declaration—2 in the Doctrine and Covenants). Enr Act 5

How can you teach the gospel to some of Heavenly Father’s children? What are some ways we can be missionaries now? How can we prepare to serve full-time missions?

Read your list while I write the items on the chalkboard. Let’s read Acts 10:36–43 in small groups and make a list of the things Peter taught Cornelius and his family and friends. Read your list while I write the items on the chalkboard. Enr Act 1

Our special guest is a returned missionary who has come to our class to share experiences that illustrate the importance of teaching all of Heavenly Father’s children. RWH Enr Act 2

The following statement is adapted from a quotation by Elder Howard W The following statement is adapted from a quotation by Elder Howard W. Hunter: Little children are precious to our Father in Heaven. He loves them and looks after them with the same tender care no matter where they live or how they dress or look. Enr Act 3

Heavenly Father loves the dark, curly-haired Fijian, and the kind, brightly dressed children in Samoa. He loves the little English boys and girls who all dress alike at school. He loves the children in Japan. Enr Act 3

Heavenly Father loves the suntanned children in South America and the Lamanites. Our Father loves his children everywhere. When it is bedtime, loving parents in all lands kneel with their children to say prayers. Enr Act 3

It may be by a high, fluffy featherbed in the Alps or a little mat on the floor of a hut. But our Heavenly Father hears and understands them all. (See Friend, Oct. 1971, p. 10.) Enr Act 3

Although people in different countries have different traditions and practices, we are all similar in that Heavenly Father loves us all and wants us all to return to Him. Enr Act 4

I bear my testimony that God loves all His children and wants all of us to be taught the gospel, be baptized, and keep our covenants so we can live with Him again. I am grateful for my knowledge of the gospel and for my baptism.

The lesson is from lds. org. The scripture stories are from lds The lesson is from lds.org. The scripture stories are from lds.org and paraphrased from various articles on lds.org and from the scriptures. 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. 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.