The Iron Rod Sharing time

Sharing Time - “Hold to the Rod”
 

 “I have agency, and I am responsible for my choices.”

 

SETUP

·         Draw a tree on the chalkboard (or have a Picture or diagram of one) and attach the white fruit (see graphic)

·         Create an “Iron Rod” – consider tying a piece of strong string between two chairs and putting an empty wrapping paper (or paper towel) roll wrapped in tinfoil on the string

·         Draw a “Great and Spacious Building” or create one from posterboard

INTRODUCTION

In the Book of Mormon (1 Ne. 8; 1 Ne. 11) there is a wonderful dream given to the prophet Lehi. (http://www.lds.org/friend/1983/01/sharing-time-resolve-to-have-a-happy-new-year?lang=eng&query="iron+rod”).  (For preparation for this lesson you may want to watch “Lehi’s Dream” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3KbdQzxNDQ.  If time allows you could show part of this in your lesson.)

THE TREE OF LIFE

Lehi, the prophet had a vision from God in which he saw the tree of life with white fruit on it and a rod that people were holding onto leading to the tree of life.  He also saw a mist of darkness (temptation from the devil) that was causing people to become lost and he saw a great and spacious building that was filled with people that were making wrong choices.  After tasting the fruit that was the most delicious to the taste, Lehi wanted more than anything for his family to also partake of the fruit so he called them to come to him.  His wife Sariah, and sons Nephi and Sam held to the rod and made it to the tree of life.  His other two sons Laman and Lemuel let go of the rod and ended up in the great and spacious building.

Just like Lehi’s family, we need to hold to the rod leading to the tree of life. The rod is the word of God or scriptures.  We need to follow the gospel so we can taste of the delicious fruit, and gain eternal life – meaning to live with Heavenly Father again.  We all have agency, the freedom to act to make decisions for ourselves.  If we continue to sin or stay away from the rod, we could end up in the great and spacious building – apart from God.  We are responsible for our choices. We must make good choices and hold fast to the Iron Rod to earn a great eternal reward.

HOLDING TO THE ROD

 

What things do we need to “Hold to the Rod” and keep us on the path to the Tree of Life? (reading the scriptures, praying, listening to our parents, not lying, stealing, following commandments, etc.) (with each answer, move a primary child toward the tree)

What would be a mist of darkness that could lead us away from God? A temptation(forgetting to pray, activity on Sunday, a classmate trying to get you to cheat, an inappropriate party). With each bad decision we move closer to the spacious building and further away from God.

We are going to review some situations and see if we can make the right decisions and hold on to the Iron Rod and not get lost in the mist of darkness.  (Invite a child to come up and hold on the end of the Iron Rod away from the Tree of Life)

 

(Choose a number of the following 24 Situations that fit the needs of your Primary and the available time for your lesson.  Consider having a different child for each situation. Place situations in a choosing bag.  NOT MY SITUATIONS, but hidden ones! Taken from Rachel Woods, About LDS Guide, lds.about.com Thanks Rachel! http://lds.about.com/od/visualmusicalaids/a/tree_of_life_2.htm)

1.      There’s a new boy in your class, and he’s standing alone on the playground. You choose the right and soon he is playing with you and your friends. You made a good choice and are holding fast to the iron rod. Continue to make right choices and live with Heavenly Father forever. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

2.      You know some of the other children are cheating on the test at school, but you choose the right and do your own work. You made a good choice and are holding fast to the iron rod.  The consequence may be that you get a good grade. Continue to make right choices and live with Heavenly Father forever. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

3.      You see cookies in the kitchen after school. Your mom asks, “Who’s been eating these cookies?” and you thought that they tasted great. You could keep quiet, but you choose the right and admit that you ate some. The consequence may be that your mom may not punish you because you told the truth. Continue to make right choices and live with Heavenly Father forever. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

4.      At the store you find your favorite candy bar, and no one else is in the aisle to see you take it. You might be tempted for a minute, but you choose the right and leave it there. You made a good choice and are holding fast to the iron rod.  Continue to make right choices and live with Heavenly Father forever. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

5.      You help pick up money that has spilled and are tempted to take some. You take some in your pocket. (Have child let go of Rod and head towards the spacious building) How can you find your way back to the Iron Rod? By returning the money and giving an apology. Now you are back on track to make good choices and hold onto the rod. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

6.      Your mother asks you to read a story to your little sister, and you do. You made a good choice and are holding fast to the iron rod. Continue to make right choices and live with Heavenly Father forever. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

7.      You play with your brother’s new toy without asking permission and break it. (Have child let go of Rod and head towards the spacious building) How can you find your way back to the Iron Rod? By apologizing and earning your brother a new toy. Now you are back on track to make good choices and hold onto the rod. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of  the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

8.      Your grandmother comes to visit. You let her sleep in your bed, while you sleep on the couch. You made a good choice and are holding fast to the iron rod. Continue to make right choices and live with Heavenly Father forever. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

9.      You ate the last two pieces of dessert after your mother said that the last piece was for your father. (Have child let go of Rod and head towards the spacious building)  How can you find your way back to the Iron Rod? By apologizing and helping make something else for Father or do a service for him. Now you are back on track to make good choices and hold onto the rod. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

10.  True or False: Making a choice is like picking up a stick. When you pick up one end of a stick, the other end always comes with it. When you make a choice, a consequence always comes with it. When you make a choice, there is a consequence that follows. Sometimes, what happens is good and sometimes not. Continue to make right choices, hold to the rod and live with Heavenly Father forever. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

11.  You took a job weeding a neighbor’s garden, but when a friend asked you to play you went with your friend. (Have child let go of Rod and head towards the spacious building) How can you find your way back to the Iron Rod? Go and weed the neighbor’s yard. Now you are back on track to make good choices and hold onto the rod. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

12.  Satan does not want you to be happy, and he tries to make you choose the wrong. Satan wants you to go towards that great and spacious building and get lost. (Have child let go of the rod and head towards the spacious building).  However, if you keep trying to hold to the rod and follow the Savior’s example you can make it to the Tree of Life. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

13.  You remembered your baptismal covenants and tried to listen to the Holy Ghost when making a choice. The Holy Ghost will always help you hold onto the rod and stay on the path. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

14.  You fought with your brother. (Have child let go of Rod and head towards the spacious building) How can you find your way back to the Iron Rod? Say you are sorry and try and be nicer to him. Now you are back on track to make good choices and hold onto the rod. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

15.  You seek good friends and treat others kindly. (from My Gospel Standards) You made a good choice and are holding fast to the iron rod. Continue to make right choices and live with Heavenly Father forever. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

16.  You choose to dress modestly to show respect for your body and Heavenly Father. (from My Gospel Standards) You made a good choice and are holding fast to the iron rod. Continue to make right choices and live with Heavenly Father forever. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

17.  You only read and watch things that are pleasing to Heavenly Father. (from “My Gospel Standards”) You made a good choice and are holding fast to the iron rod. Continue to make right choices and live with Heavenly Father forever. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

18.  You are at the grocery store and want some gum but have no money, so you put the gum in your pocket. (Have child let go of Rod and head towards the spacious building) How can you find your way back to the Iron Rod? Say you are sorry to the store manager, return the item. Now you are back on track to make good choices and hold onto the rod. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

19.  You only listen to good music that Heavenly Father would approve of. (taken from “My Gospel Standards”) You made a good choice and are holding fast to the iron rod. Continue to make right choices and live with Heavenly Father forever. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

20.  You reverently use the names of Heavenly Father and Jesus reverently. You don’t swear or use crude words. (from My Gospel Standards) You made a good choice and are holding fast to the iron rod. The consequence is that your mind is more pure. Continue to make right choices and live with Heavenly Father forever. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

21.  You keep your mind and body pure by not partaking of harmful substances, like drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. (from My Gospel Standards) You made a good choice and are holding fast to the iron rod. Continue to make right choices and live with Heavenly Father forever. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

22.  You are living worthy to someday go to the temple and serve a mission. (from “My Gospel Standards”) You made a good choice and are holding fast to the iron rod. Continue to make right choices and live with Heavenly Father forever. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

23.  You pray to Heavenly Father at anytime, and anywhere. Heavenly Father is willing to help you make good choices and wants you to stay holding onto the iron rod and make it back to Him. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing part of chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

24.  You paid your tithing to the Bishop. You made a good choice and are holding fast to the iron rod.  The consequence is that you will recieve blessings. Continue to make right choices and live with Heavenly Father forever. (Have a Primary child move along the rod from one end of the room to the tree at the front while other children sing the chorus of “The Iron Rod”, Hymn no 274.)

“Resolve that you, too, will be happy by keeping the commandments—by holding on to the iron rod.” http://www.lds.org/friend/1983/01/sharing-time-resolve-to-have-a-happy-new-year?lang=eng&query="the+iron+rod" In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Fruit clipart  on the tree taken from: http://www.arthursclipart.org/fruits/fruit/pear%203.gif