This singing time idea teaches the 1st and 2nd verses to Nephi’s Courage. It uses simple actions for the chorus and some fun stick puppets for the verses. The first 2 verses go together nicely since they are all about the story of Nephi. Below is a link for teaching the 3rd verse if you need. But I suggest teaching that another week.
My popsicle puppets were created using Susan Fitch artwork:
The colored artwork is available on her Etsy shop HERE, or a black and white version is available free on her blog HERE.
Print the images pictured above on white card stock, laminate, cut out and attach to a popsicle stick. I may swap out the popsicle stick for a paint stick so they are a little bigger.
Also available is a version I created using images from comeuntochrist.org but it’s no comparison to Susan Fitch’s free black and white artwork in my opinion:
You can download these images using my Resource Library. Instructions for accessing my Resource Library is found at the bottom of this post. Once downloaded, print on card stock, color, and tape to popsicle sticks.
Teaching Nephi’s Courage:
I’m going to use these simple actions for the CHORUS ONLY. I’ll teach the actions first before pulling out the stick puppets. Here are the actions:
- I will go (create a shield with one arm in front of body)
- I will do (hold a sword upward with other hand)
- the thing the Lord commands (hold the soldier pose)
- I know the Lord provides a way (point to forehead)
- he wants me to obey (soldier salute as if standing at attention)
- (REPEAT)
I have these actions available to download and print in my Resource Library as well.
After the chorus is learned pull out the puppets. Tell the kids they are going to put on a puppet show.
Have 4 kids come hold the figures for the first verse: Nephi, Lamen and Lemuel, Laban and the plates. Tell the primary they are going to sing the story to the puppeteers as they act out what we are singing (posting words as necessary as teachers help sing or play the song on CD).
Use half the primary on the 1st verse to come forward and take turns using the puppets. Repeat with new children each time. The puppeteers also lead the primary in the chorus actions.
Same thing for the second verse but use Nephi, Laman and Lemuel and the boat. Repeat until all the children have had a turn to come to the front to use the puppets and to lead in the actions.
Bear testimony that you know the stories in the Book of Mormon about Nephi are true. We can be brave like Nephi and “go and do” what God commands!
*If you have a very large primary, I’d suggest printing several copies so each class will get a set of puppets. Teachers can choose children to work the puppets from their seats as indicated in the lesson plan above.
Find my lesson plan for teaching the 3rd verse HERE.
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Category Title > Nephi’s Courage.
16 thoughts on “Nephi’s Courage 1st and 2nd Verse”
Thanks for your ideas. I was trying to combine many of the great suggestions as well. FYI the first verse is about Laban and the plates. The second verse is about the boat. 🙂
Oops…thanks, I'll fix it ;).
Thank you so much for sharing. This is a great combination of visuals and actions!
Tracy in Frisco, TX
Fantabulous…just what I needed for Sunday, easy and effective. Thanks for putting the visuals all in one spot.
I'm doing this tomorrow but had a question, did you use some sort of backdrop for the puppeteering? Or just on a table or something?
I a PC. Can you explain how to enlarge and isolate the images?
I mean I HAVE a PC 🙂
Thank you! I used your ideas and the puppets and it worked wonderfully! The children loved the actions.
Sorry, this is a late response but maybe it can still help out…
Christine, I didn't do a backdrop. Thought about it but then decided it would be too much work so the kids just stood there. With the Jr. I put my hand on their head so they'd know when to raise up their puppets.
Bonnie, I just copied and pasted the webpages onto Pages (similar to Microsoft Word but on Mac) and then kind of played with the sizes. I really didn't need to change much. Then I just printed ALL the pictures out and discarded the ones I didn't use which was a lot but whatever works, right?
Hope that helps.
Everyone else, glad to help. For our Primary, it was a hit. The kids enjoyed the puppets and then being involved with the actions for the chorus.
Still looking for help on this. It didnt go as smoothly as I'd hoped. How do you do the actual acting out part?
Sorry about that…the kids just basically came up front and held the puppet. When we sang about that puppet, they just held it up. Some kids did a little more "acting" than others but for the most part it was simple. For Jr. primary I'd put my hand on their heads when their puppet should be held up. I did have some teachers come and do it and that was fun as they really hammed it up. I hope that helps. Good luck this week!!
where can you find the figure for Laban? I have all the other puppet figures.
I need to start to teach this next week so hurry hurry.
Hi Cherie,
Susan and I both overlooked that she's got no Laban. There is one if you are using the lds.org options. But I spoke with Susan and she will get Laban added this week (because she's the best!). Thanks for bringing this to our attention.
~Camille
Hi Cherie,
Susan has updated her artwork to include Laban. I hope that helps you. If you purchased her artwork, you should have received an email from her with the artwork to download.
~Camille
I could not find the sing language for command on the link you sent. Is there something I'm missing. Thank you.
Oh I found command sign language.