A Latter-day Prophet: Watchman on the Tower

Preparing for General Conference

by Lara Goold

Materials needed: scriptures, stuffed animal (for hiding in the Perspective Activity),

Preparation: In advance of FHE, hide a stuffed animal in a high location that will not be visible to see from the ground,
but would be easily seen from a nearby higher perspective (on top of the kitchen counter, on a ladder or
chair, on an elevated deck, or on top of a swing set).

Purpose: The purpose of this lesson is to teach that the role of the prophet and apostles is to teach and to warn the
people. Additionally, the prophet and apostles are called of God and sustained by church members to
fulfill this role.

Scripture: “And the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen.”
Doctrine and Covenants 1:4

Opening song(s): “Follow the Prophet,” Children’s Songbook, page 110

“We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet,” Hymns, page 19
Opening Prayer:

Lesson: Story, “The Farmer’s Garden” with accompanying visual aids: Use this simple story to relate to the
following analogy about how the Lord has given us a prophet to lead and guide us until He can return
again.

Analogy: Heavenly Father and Jesus love us much more than Mr. Sparks loved his garden. Jesus worked
hard to be our Savior. He showed us the way to live. He suffered for our pains and sins. Then he needed
to go back to his Father. But who would take care of us while our Savior was away? Who would make
sure that we would continue to grow strong until Jesus returned?
Heavenly Father and Jesus did not leave us alone. They gave us a prophet. The prophet follows all of
Jesus’ instructions. He works very hard to help people to live the gospel. He teaches them about
Heavenly Father and Jesus. He warns them of danger. He prepares them for the Master Gardener’s
return. The Prophet is a friend that God can trust.

Perspective Activity: If possible, determine a place in or around your home where a stuffed animal may
be placed that cannon be seen from the ground (high on a shelf, on top of the fridge, or on top of a large
bush). However when a child stands on something high (such as an elevated deck, top of a swing set,
kitchen counter top, or ladder etc) they will be able to easily see the hidden toy. The point of the activity
is to have the child look for the toy while on the ground and not find it and then when directed (and
helped) to move to a higher perspective they can easily find it. Explain that by going up higher, they have
a better view and can see so much more.

Discuss (use Perspective Pictures of Washington DC as part of the discussion): Now imagine that
you are standing on the top of a very tall building or a high mountain and are looking down on the city or
valley below. The view from such a high spot is different from the one you would see if you were down
below, isn’t it? From below, you see only the things that are near to you. But when you are up high, you
can see many more things that are not visible below.
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 Watchmen in the Savior’s time: Tell the following: In the Savior’s time, farmers grew grapes in great
fields called vineyards. Grapes were very valuable to them, but sometimes robbers would come into the
vineyard to steal or destroy the crops. Wise farmers built tall towers just outside their vineyards. They
would hire a trusted watchman to stand in the tower and watch for danger. From where he stood, the
watchman could see things far beyond the vineyard. He had a much better view than those who were
working on the ground, because he could see so far. He would warn the people below if danger was
coming and the other workers would then have time to prepare to do defend the vineyard. (NOTE: We
got out our toy castle and re-enacted this with action figures and dolls. The kids LOVED it.)

Relate: Through the ages, Heavenly Father has given his children “watchmen”. These watchmen are
called prophets and apostles. They have been called by Heavenly Father to watch over his children. They
are given a better view of the dangers that lie ahead of us. They warn us about how we can be prepared
and defend ourselves against these dangers, including those that are sometimes hard to recognize, such as
temptations and evil influences.

(SHOW Watchmen Pictures) In the Book of Mormon we can read about a prophet, King Benjamin,
who actually stands on a tower to teach the people gathered to hear him. Today in the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are led by a prophet who is the President of the Church, and his two
counselors in the First Presidency of the Church. We also have twelve apostles whom we sustain as
prophets, seers, and revelators. They are our watchmen today. While they don’t stand on a tower, they
do receive direction and inspiration from Heavenly Father to know what dangers, problems, and
challenges that await us as a people.

Show Picture of President Monson (or current prophet): Discuss what a blessing it is to have a living
prophet on the earth. Talk briefly about some of the things he has taught us. Prepare them (if applicable)
for General Conference. Bear your testimony of having a living prophet on the earth today.

Enrichment Activity:
For the Strength of Youth: Older kids read and discuss the booklet and talk about how it contains the
current warnings and teachings from the prophet and apostles to the youth of the church. Answer
questions that they may have and pose hypothetical questions based on the information in the booklet.

Follow the Prophet: Learn all the verses to “Follow the Prophet”

General Conference: Distribute index cards to each of the children before General Conference and have
them write the topics of some of the warnings and teachings that were spoken about. Hang them up in the
shape of a watch tower, with the picture of President Monson at the top to help you remember what
Heavenly Father wants us to know right now.

Visit a tall building or mountain together as a family and notice and enjoy the difference in perspectives.

Closing song(s): “Latter-day Prophets”, Children’s Songbook, page 134 (sheet music including Pres. Monson included )
“Come Listen to a Prophet’s Voice,” Hymns, page 21

Closing Prayer:

Refreshments: see recipe below

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O Henry Bars
From http://recipeshoebox.blogspot.com

1 cup sugar
1 cup light Karo syrup

Mix in a large saucepan and bring to a boil, then take off heat
immediately*. It is really important to make sure it doesn't boil
too long, as it is quite easy to over-cook them and have them
become too hard or chewy.

Add: 1 cup peanut butter

Stir together and then add 6 cups of Rice Krispies

Pour into greased 9x13 pan

Melt: 1 cup of chocolate chips and 1 cup of butterscotch chips in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every thirty
seconds and watching carefully not to burn or over-melt them. (I usually just use 1 pkg. of whatever chocolate chips I
have in the house).

Spread melted chips on top of Rice Krispies mixture and give it a couple of hours for the melted chocolate to harden.
Enjoy!

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The Farmer’s Garden (author and artist unknown)

1. Mr. Sparks had a beautiful garden. He worked very hard to plant vegetables and fruit trees. Every day he
would water the rows of beets, carrots, onions, squash, and tomatoes.

2. Every week he trimmed the grapevines and fruit trees and pulled up the weeds. Every other week he
fertilized. He watched for signs of rabbits or insects chewing on the leaves. Mr. Sparks worked so hard that
sometimes he got blisters on his hands. He got hot and sweaty. But he didn’t mind. He loved his garden.

3. In the middle of the summer, Mr. Sparks needed to go away for six weeks. What would happen to his
garden if no one took care of it for six weeks? What could Mr. Sparks do?

4. He had worked too hard to let his fruits and vegetables die. He asked his friend Mr. Garcia to ten his garden.
He knew he could trust him. He gave Mr. Garcia all the tools he would need.

5. Mr. Garcia also loved gardening. He followed Mr. Sparks’ instructions: every day he watered, every week
he trimmed trees and pulled weeds, every other week he fertilized. He kept the plants safe from insects and
animals. When Mr. Sparks returned, he found that his little plants had grown large and strong. He hugged Mr.
Garcia. “Thank you for taking care of my garden!” he said, “I couldn’t have done it better myself.”
Pi c

Picture #1

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The Farmer’s Garden—flannel board figures

Picture #2

Picture #3

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The Farmer’s Garden—flannel board figures

Picture #4

Picture #5

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Perspective Discussion:

View of Washington DC from the ground

View of Washington DC from the top of the Washington Monument

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 Watchmen Pictures:

King Benjamin teaching the people from

up on a tower. (Mosiah 2-3)

Our watchmen of today:

The First Presidency: (Thomas S. Monson,

Henry B Eyring, Dieter F Uchtdorf)

12 Apostles: (Boyd K Packer, L. Tom Perry,

Russell M Nelson, Dallin H Oaks, M. Russell
Ballard, Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales,
Jeffrey R. Holland, David A Bednar, Quentin
L. Cook, D. Todd Christofferson, Neil L.
Andersen)

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 President Thomas S. Monson

"This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless.
While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right,
such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents
who sacrifice, and friends who help."We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when
we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts
an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then
gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues" ("An Attitude of Gratitude, Ensign,
May 1992, 54).

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For more ready-to-print FHE lessons visit http://thegoldenseven.blogspot.com