2016 LDS Sharing Time Ideas for May Week 4: The priesthood has been restored.

2016 Sharing Time Outline Theme: "I Know the Scriptures Are True"

May 2016 Sharing Time Topic: The Church of Jesus Christ Has Been Restored

May 2016 Scripture: “I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Joseph Smith—History 1:17).

May 2016 Song:  “Praise to the Man,” verses 1 and 3

May Week 4 Topic: The priesthood has been restored.

Preparation:

Prayerfully study and think about what the specific needs of your primary are and how you can teach them this doctrine.

Sharing Time Instruction:

To begin primary, show the primary children a container with some small treats or prize (like stickers) inside. Ask the children if they would like some?  Place the container into a gift sack and place a lock through it and close the lock.

Image can be found for download on lds.org: Christ Ordaining the Apostles (Christ Ordaining the Twelve Apostles), by Harry Anderson (62557); GAK 211; GAB 38

Ask the children if they have they keys to open the lock to enjoy what is inside?  Show the picture of Christ ordaining his apostles. Explain that when Christ was on the earth the priesthood keys were on the earth. But when him and his apostles were killed, those keys were taken from the earth. Kind of like the treat being locked away. The people were unable to enjoy the blessings of the priesthood.

Image can be found for download on lds.org: John the Baptist Conferring the Aaronic Priesthood (The Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood), by Del Parson (62013); GAK 407; GAB 93

Invite a primary child to come up and hold the picture of the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery receiving the Aaronic priesthood.  Ask the primary children if they know what the picture is? Explain that while translating the gold plates, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery went to a secluded area and inquired of the Lord regarding  baptism. Invite a child to read or you read the following quote, 

"John the Baptist, a resurrected being, came to them as “a messenger from heaven . . . in a cloud of light.” He conferred upon them the Aaronic Priesthood. Then, in obedience to his instructions, Joseph and Oliver baptized each other and ordained each other to the Aaronic Priesthood. (See Joseph Smith—History 1:68-72; see also D&C 13.)" {Restoration of the Priesthood}

Place the picture on the board and invite a primary child to come up. Hand a key to him/her that says Aaronic Priesthood. (see free download above) Invite the primary child to place it on the board next to the picture of the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood.

This picture can be found for download from lds.org: Melchizedek Priesthood Restoration (The Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood), by Kenneth Riley (62371); GAK 408; GAB 94

Next invite a primary child to come up and hold the picture of the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood. Ask the primary children if they know who ordained the Joseph Smith with the Melchizedek Priesthood? (Peter, James and John)  Invite the primary children to share what they know about the Melchizedek Priesthood, how is it different from the Aaronic Priesthood? Discussion might include that the Melchizedek Priesthood is the high priesthood and holds more keys. Those who are ordained with the Melchizedek priesthood and live their life worthy can give blessings and confirm a person a member of the church and give them the Holy Ghost. 

Place the picture on the board and invite another primary child to come up and hand them another key that says Melchizedek priesthood. Have them place it on the board next to the picture of the restoration of the Melchizedek priesthood.

Image can be found for download on lds.org: Elijah Appearing in the Kirtland Temple, by Dan Lewis; GAB 95; Malachi 4:5–6

Next, invite a primary child to come up an hod the picture of the restoration of the keys in the Kirtland Temple. Invite the primary children to look up, D&C 110:11-16. Invite a primary child to read the scripture.  Explain that in the Kirtland temple, three prophets appeared to Joseph Smith, restoring some important priesthood keys. Discuss with the children, that Moses restored the keys of the gathering of Israel. Elias restored the keys of  "committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham", which can only be fulfilled through temple covenants. Lastly, Elijah restored the keys of sealing, the power that binds families. 

Place the picture on the board and invite three primary children to come up. Hand them the keys that say, "Gathering of Israel", "Dispensation of the Gospel of Abraham", and "Power that Binds Families".  Invite them to place the keys on the board next to the picture of the keys being restored in the Kirtland temple.

Show the primary children the week's theme poster and invite them to repeat, "The Priesthood has been restored". Explain that because the priesthood has been restored we are able to enjoy those blessings.

Show the primary children the key that opens the lock on the bag. Open the lock and let the children enjoy the blessing that come from it.

Close by sharing any additional thoughts you might have.

What else have the primary children learned this month? Here are links to this month's past sharing times:

1. 2016 LDS Sharing Time Ideas for May Week 1: The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored.
2. 2016 LDS Sharing Time Ideas for May Week 2: Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration.
3. 2016 LDS Sharing Time Ideas for May Week 3: The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.

Want more ideas:

• Family Home Evening on Priesthood Ordinances and Temple Work Bless My Family (June 2014 LDS Primary Topic)
• Restoration of the Priesthood (Video)

Click this link for past Sharing Time post: LDS Primary Sharing Time Ideas

***Basic ideas for this sharing time came from the 2016 Outline for Sharing Time, you can find a link here: 2016 Outline for Sharing Time