Reading Scriptures with Young Children

Yesterday, I posted a blog called “Choosing Your Battles at Scripture Time.” In it, I talked about how it can be difficult to get children to pay attention to the scriptures, and that we want to make scripture time as positive as we can so that our children will want to read them by themselves later on. I also promised some tips for how to make scripture time less of a battle. This would be that promised blog. 1. Read scriptures while gathered around the dinner table. Most children take longer to eat than the adults do, and you can … Continue reading

Is It Hard to Get into Your Scriptures?

Some of us find it hard to get into our scriptures. No, it’s not because the pages are glued shut or the zipper is stuck! Often, when I sit down to read, I find my mind wandering the minute I turn the page. Instead of reading about Alma, I’m wondering if I’m out of milk and need to run to the store. Instead of commiserating with Nephi, I’m trying to figure out how to keep my children from fighting. What are some ways we can make our scripture time more productive? 1. First, we liken the scriptures unto ourselves. We … Continue reading

Likening the Scriptures to Ourselves

As I’ve prepared for my new, upcoming calling as Seminary teacher (of which, I’m sure, you will hear a lot about!), I have seriously pondered Nephi’s method of teaching. You see, as Nephi instructed his brothers, he states, “I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning” (1 Nephi 19:23). As he put himself in the scriptures, they began to mean more to him. Similarly, it is my hope as Seminary teacher to help my students realize that all scripture – even from the Old Testament – relates to them in some way. … Continue reading

Liken the Scriptures: Daniel and the Lions

“Liken the Scriptures” introduces a new series starring Devin, a six-year-old boy who is learning about the scriptures in this DVD entitled “Daniel and the Lions.” Devin and his sisters have been left in the care of their grandfather while their parents go on a week-long cruise, and he misses his parents too much to want to say his prayers. This concerns his grandfather, who tells him that prayer is the perfect way to stop feeling sad. He then tells Devin the story of Daniel, and Devin of course imagines everything he sees. Renowned singer George Dyer stars as King … Continue reading

Liken the Scriptures: Esther and the King

With this third installment in the Amelia series, “Liken the Scriptures” tells us the story of Esther, one of my all-time favorite stories from the Bible. Amelia wants to invite her butler to church, but can’t work up the courage to do it. Every time she walks up to talk to him, she chickens out. She turns to her mother, wondering what she can do to feel stronger. Her mother tells her the story of Esther, to show Amelia what the power of fasting can do. Esther, as told to us in the book by the same name, was a … Continue reading

Liken the Scriptures: The First Christmas

In this installment of the “Liken the Scriptures” series, we learn about Christmas. As a newly baptized Mormon, Amelia is new to Christianity and is still learning much about the religion. Christmas time is coming and she has her heart set on a new baby doll, one that is just like a real baby. As her parents prepare for the holiday, they tell her about a family in the neighborhood that is struggling financially, and they ask for her cooperation in giving this family a Christmas. Amelia doesn’t know if she really wants to give up some of her gifts … Continue reading

Liken the Scriptures: Alma and King Noah’s Court

For the first three installments in the “Liken the Scriptures” series, we see the stories through the eyes of Spencer, a young boy who has trouble with reading the scriptures until he learns to use his imagination to bring them to life. His older brother McKay helped him out with the story of Ammon in the Book of Mormon, and now in this movie, McKay is serving a mission. He sends letters home to Spencer regularly, and tells Spencer of a special family he is teaching. This family has chosen to be baptized, and they have a daughter named Amelia … Continue reading

Liken the Scriptures: David and Goliath

On today, Veteran’s Day, we pay tribute to those men and women who have given of themselves to fight for our freedom. I’d like to also pay tribute to those who fight for our religious freedom. David of the Bible did both. In the first Bible-based movie in the Liken the Scriptures lineup, Spencer has finished reading the Book of Mormon from cover to cover, and he feels pretty good about it. But then he gets a phone call from the stake president, asking if he’ll give a talk in stake conference about his experiences reading the Book of Mormon. … Continue reading

Liken the Scriptures – Ammon and Lamoni

In this installment of the Liken the Scriptures Gold Series, we find Spencer struggling through the Book of Mormon, trying to understand it but not making much headway. His older brother McKay brings home a CD with music his mother objects to, but McKay doesn’t see why it’s so bad. He goes upstairs to find Spencer waiting for him with questions about the story of Ammon, and he takes the time to explain it to his little brother, who of course uses his imagination to bring it all to life. Ammon is on a mission in the land of the … Continue reading

Liken the Scriptures: Nephi and Laban

The first movie in the Liken the Scriptures Gold Series, and in fact the first movie they made, tells us about Spencer, a little boy who’s having a really hard time sitting still in church. Instead of listening to the Sharing Time presentation about Nephi and his family, Spencer would rather play with his toy car. His Primary teacher takes him out into the hall and challenges him to use his imagination to make the story come to life in his mind, and Spencer takes her up on it. Before he knows it, he’s seeing the story in living color, … Continue reading