Did you know Book of Mormon Stories has 8 verses? With this lesson plan, I’ll have it span over the course of 2 weeks. The first week’s focus will be on verses 3-5 (Assuming verses 1 and 2 are VERY familiar). Then the next week will be the same layout but with verses 6-8.
To introduce the song, I’ll tell the kids we will be learning Book of Mormon Stories this month and proceed to sing verses 1 & 2 with the actions and post this picture of Nephi and Laman and Lemuel:
Verse 1:
- Book of Mormon stories that my teacher tells to me (Hold hands like an open book)
- Are about the Lamanites in ancient history. (Make feathers with your index and tall finger, and place behind head or use the ASL sign for Native American found HERE)**
- Long ago their fathers came from far across the sea, (Move hand up and down like a ship on the ocean)
- Giv’n the land if they lived righteously (RH out, LH out, RH cross to fold arms, LH cross over, lift folded arms and hit chest with them).
Verse 2
- Lamanites met others who were seeking liberty, (Make feathers with your index and tall finger, and place behind head or use the ASL sign for Native American found HERE)
- And the land soon welcomed all who wanted to be free. (Motions with both arms as if you’re
- motioning someone to come to you–make a circle)
- Book of Mormon stories say that we must brothers be, (Holds hands like an open book)
- Giv’n the land if we live righteously. (RH out, LH out, RH cross to fold arms, LH cross over, lift folded arms and hit chest with them)
They’ll probably think we’re all done and I might play along ;). Then I’ll mention that there are 6 more verses that they are going to help teach over the next 2 weeks! I’ll pass out a strip of paper with their verse and actions that I found HERE or there are more actions in the comments on this FB thread HERE (I created a printable below in this post) and the relating Gospel Art Book picture (download pictures HERE or see how I took apart the actual book I purchased from the Distribution Center HERE).
Verse 3
- Alma was rebellious, and he fought against the right. (Both hands in fists, ready to fight.)
- Then one day an angel came to turn him to the light. (Look up diagonally to the right-use both hands palm up to gesture to something above you.)
- Struck before his brethren, Alma learned humility. (Fall down!)
- Then he taught in the land righteously. (RH out, LH out, RH cross to fold arms, LH cross over, lift folded arms and hit chest with them)
Verse 4
- Don’t forget Abinadi, who stood before the king. (Put hands on top of head in shape of a crown)
- All chained up from head to toe, the gospel he did bring. (Grasp hands behind you, and cross legs as if tied up.)
- If he would deny it, then the king would set him free. (Shake head, then hands out and legs apart)
- He was true, and he died righteously. (RH out, LH out, RH cross to fold arms, LH cross over, lift folded arms and hit chest with them)
Verse 5
- Ammon was a missionary serving Lamanites, (Use a finger to make a circle where a missionary tag would be)
- Tending King Lamoni’s sheep for several days and nights. (Pretend to hold a little lamb, and stroke it’s fur)
- Robbers came; he saved the sheep by fighting fearlessly. (Swing a pretend sword back and forth)
- He had learned he could live righteously. (RH out, LH out, RH cross to fold arms, LH cross over, lift folded arms and hit chest with them)
Verse 6
- Once two thousand sons of God were called to fight the foe. (Put fists up as if to fight)
- Marching as an army into battle they did go. (March in place)
- They believed that Christ their Lord their guardian would be. (Give yourself a hug)
- They had learned they should live righteously. (RH out, LH out, RH cross to fold arms, LH cross over, lift folded arms and hit chest with them)
Verse 7
- Samuel the Lamanite, high on the city wall, (Stand with legs apart and arms up and out)
- Came to warn the people, and repentance was his call. (Shake a finger–like your grandma would)
- Arrows could not hit him, for a man of God was he, (Pretend to shoot with a bow and arrow)
- And he taught in the land righteously. (RH out, LH out, RH cross to fold arms, LH cross over, lift folded arms and hit chest with them)
Verse 8
- After Christ was crucified and died for you and me, (Point to yourself and others)
- He came forth to teach the truth to all who would be free. (Sweep hand out, with palm up to indicate all in the room)
- Hands were laid upon each child. He blessed them tenderly, (Put both hands out, on top of one another, palms down, as if performing a blessing)
- And they lived in the land righteously. (RH out, LH out, RH cross to fold arms, LH cross over, lift folded arms and hit chest with them)
Download my document below with the verses and actions to print. Cut strips so they can be passed out to classes.
Give each class about 5 minutes to prepare (with teachers heading up each class). The classes can either assign each child a line/action or just come up and do it all together. Then the primary can watch, then repeat it again as a whole. You can also ask Sr. primary to see if they can find their assigned verse in the scriptures and read it as a group, then paraphrase the story when they come up front to teach.
After all the classes have finished teaching, review all verses with actions, posting pictures on the chalkboard. Bear testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.
I also have a coloring book/flip chart for this song. You can find more details HERE.
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Song Title > Book of Mormon Stories.
6 thoughts on “Book of Mormon Stories”
Carmella,
do you do this same thing with jr?
Hi Jamie,
Yes, I did it with the little kids and it was fun! The teachers helped a lot and I helped direct once they were up front.
~Camille
Camille,
Love the new look of the website. I’m Have difficulty getting the the resource Library. Is it under construction? I have enrolled 3 time, I’m sorry if that is messing thing up. Congrats on all the new step on you wedsite.
Starting this today. Can’t tell you how relieved I was to find the actions! I never went to primary, so this site is a godsend.
Think we should get rid of the feathers gesture altogether, and even saying Native American is speculation, according to current church standing on Lamanite descendants.
Hi Tequitia!
Definitely do what feels best for you and your primary! Thanks for your perspective!
~Camille