Gospel Sparks Join the beta

Samuel on the Wall

A brave prophet told about Jesus from the top of a wall, and his words were written down so I can read them

  • 🛡️ CTR 4–7
  • ⚡ Fast Sunday
  • 📅 Sunday, March 7, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Heavenly Father speaks through His prophets, and their words are written in the scriptures so I can learn about Jesus and follow Him.

I can listen to the prophets and read the scriptures, and they will light my way.

Study it yourself firstRead Exodus 20:1–17; Matthew 4:1–11; 1 Nephi 15:23–24; 2 Nephi 32:3; Helaman 13:4; Doctrine and Covenants 84:85; Joseph Smith—History 1:17 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this fast-Sunday lesson (Exodus 20:1–17; Matthew 4:1–11; 1 Nephi 15:23–24; 2 Nephi 32:3; Helaman 13:4; Doctrine and Covenants 84:85; Joseph Smith—History 1:17)
Know the chapters

This is the March fast-Sunday lesson from Appendix B of the 2027 manual. On fast Sunday it takes the place of the regular Come, Follow Me lesson. Its big ideas: prophets share Heavenly Father’s words and testify of Jesus Christ, studying the scriptures brings God’s power into our lives, and Jesus loved the scriptures, so we can too. Some kids may be hungry or trying to fast with their families today (children aren’t required to). Keep it cheerful and skip food rewards.

The story is Samuel the Lamanite (Helaman 13–16), one of the prophets the manual lists. The Lord sent Samuel to the Nephite city of Zarahemla to call the people to repent. They threw him out, but the Lord told him to go back and say whatever the Lord put into his heart. The people wouldn’t let him in the city, so he climbed up on the city wall and preached from there (Helaman 13:2–4). He promised that in five years Jesus would be born, and there would be a sign: a night with no darkness and a new star (Helaman 14:2–5). Some people believed and went to Nephi to be baptized. Others were angry and threw stones and shot arrows, but the Spirit of the Lord protected Samuel and they could not hit him (Helaman 16:1–2). Then he left and went home to his own land (Helaman 16:7). Five years later, everything happened just as he said (3 Nephi 1:15–21). Keep the arrows part light: nobody could touch him.

The best part for this lesson comes later. When the resurrected Jesus visited the Nephites, He asked to see their records. He reminded them of something Samuel had prophesied that had come true, and He noticed it hadn’t been written down. So Jesus told them to write it (3 Nephi 23:9–13). Jesus cared that the prophets’ words were written, so we could read them. Jesus loved the scriptures Himself: when Satan tempted Him after He fasted forty days, Jesus answered each time with “It is written” (Matthew 4:1–11).

Other prophets in the manual make great quick examples: Moses received the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1–17), and Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (Joseph Smith—History 1:17). We also have a living prophet today. Nephi said the word of God is like an iron rod to hold on to (1 Nephi 15:23–24) and invited us to feast on the words of Christ (2 Nephi 32:3). Mixed ages: give readers the secret message, Nephi’s writing job and the verse on the screen; give 4- and 5-year-olds the wall, the twinkling stars and the big actions. Your 7-year-olds will want to know the people who believed Samuel asked to be baptized, just like they soon will be.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Helaman 13:2–4, Helaman 16:1–2 and 3 Nephi 23:9–13 so you can tell Samuel’s story in your own words. Open Teach Mode and let the Story Drama carry you: a few kids link arms to be the wall, and Samuel stands behind them. Teach the Psalm 119:105 lamp motions, play Guess That Prophet! and Forehead Guess, and end by holding up your scriptures and sharing why you love them. Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing” and the envelope and flashlight become kids and actions.

What to bring4 items

Tick what you have. Forgot something? Every step that needs a supply has a no-supplies version in the plan below.

Before class

  1. On a card, write the secret message with a picture for pre-readers: “Heavenly Father loves you! 💛 Everyone stand up and give yourself a big hug. 🤗” Seal it in the envelope and write TOP SECRET on the front.
  2. Put a sticky note or bookmark in your Book of Mormon at Helaman 13 so you can show where Samuel’s words are written.
  3. Choose a 6- or 7-year-old reader to be Nephi the Record Keeper, and another to open the secret envelope.
  4. Add your kids’ names in the My Class tab so you can hand out story parts with one tap.
  5. Think of one scripture story or verse you love and why. You’ll share it at the end.

If your class is wild

  • It’s fast Sunday. If someone is hungry and cranky, make them the Star Keeper with the flashlight. A job fixes a lot of grumpiness.
  • The Wall links arms and stands very still. Standing still is their job, which is a gift for wiggly kids who need a reason to hold on.
  • Arrows and stones are only pretend, only air, and always miss. Everyone says “Whoosh! Missed!” Nobody throws anything real.
  • Samuel never stands on a chair. He stands behind the Wall and waves his arms up high so everyone can see him.
  • Use “Samuel says…” as your attention getter: “Samuel says, fold your arms!” Kids love it and it resets the room fast.

The 25-minute plan23 min + bonus

Bonus steps are for when you have extra time. Steps that mention Teach Mode, the Sound Board or other class games refer to the Gospel Sparks app; on the web you can play Forehead Guess and Scripture Showdown from this page.

1. Hook

The Top Secret Envelope

3 min

A sealed secret message shows how Heavenly Father tells His prophets, and the prophets tell us.

  1. Hold up the envelope marked TOP SECRET. Say: “I have a secret message from someone who loves you very much. Only one person gets to open it.”
  2. Choose your reader helper. Say: “You’re like a prophet today. You get the message first, then you tell everyone.”
  3. The helper opens it and reads it out loud (help them sound it out; pre-readers can look at the picture). Everyone does what it says: a big hug!
  4. SAY“Heavenly Father gives His messages to prophets, and prophets tell us. The Bible says He tells His secrets to His prophets. And do you know what prophets do so nobody forgets? They write them down. That’s the scriptures!”
🌪️ Only sitting kids can be chosen to open the next secret. Save the envelope for another week to use as a reward.

Class screen: ✉️ Top secret message! · 🤫 Who gets to open it?

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: An envelope with a secret message card inside (see prep)

The Whispered Secret

  1. SAY“I have a secret message from someone who loves you very much. Only one person gets to hear it first.”
  2. Choose a helper. Cup your hands and whisper in their ear: “Heavenly Father loves you! Everyone give yourself a big hug.”
  3. The helper stands up and tells the class. Everyone does it: a big hug!
  4. SAY“Heavenly Father gives His messages to prophets, and prophets tell us. And so nobody forgets, prophets write them down. That’s the scriptures!”

Class screen: 🤫 Who will hear the secret?

2. Story

Story Drama: Samuel on the Wall

6 min

Standing on the wall, dodging air arrows and seeing the new star make a prophet’s courage and God’s promises unforgettable.

  1. Hand out the roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode to assign them from your class list). Give the flashlight to the Star Keeper and tell them it only comes on in scene 7.
  2. Line up the Wall in the middle of the room. Samuel stands behind them. Samuel never climbs on furniture.
  3. Read each scene aloud and pause for the action cue. You read what the Lord and Jesus say. No child plays Jesus.
  4. In scene 6, arrows are only air and always miss. Everyone says, “Whoosh! Missed!”
  5. At the end, open your Book of Mormon to Helaman 13 and show them: “Samuel’s words are right here.”
🌪️ If the Grumpy Crowd gets too wild, Samuel shouts, “Samuel says freeze!” and everyone becomes a statue.

Class screen: 🎭 Story Drama time! · Everyone gets a part

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A flashlight (or your phone’s flashlight)

  1. Hand out the roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode). The Star Crew will make the new star with twinkling fingers.
  2. Line up the Wall in the middle of the room. Samuel stands behind them. Samuel never climbs on furniture.
  3. Read each scene aloud and pause for the action cue. You read what the Lord and Jesus say. No child plays Jesus.
  4. In scene 7, the whole Star Crew jumps up at once, opens their hands wide like a bursting star and shouts, “It came true!”
  5. At the end, open your Book of Mormon to Helaman 13 and show them: “Samuel’s words are right here.”
3. Wiggle break

Guess That Prophet!

2 min

Acting out famous prophets burns off energy and shows that Heavenly Father has always had prophets, even today.

  1. SAY“I’ll act like a prophet. You copy me and shout who it is!”
  2. Act each one, and kids copy: hammer and walk animals two by two (Noah) · lift two heavy stone tablets with the Ten Commandments (Moses) · swim, then get gulped by a big fish (Jonah) · stand tall and dodge arrows (Samuel) · kneel in the trees and look up (Joseph Smith).
  3. Last one: stand at a pretend pulpit and wave. Say: “Who talks to the whole world at General Conference?” (The living prophet!)
  4. SAY“Heavenly Father always gives us prophets, long ago and today.”
🌪️ Act in place. Noah’s animals march on their own spot, and Jonah swims standing up.

Class screen: 🧔 Guess that prophet! · 🚢 🪨 🐋 🧱 🌲

4. Scripture

The Lamp: Psalm 119:105

3 min

A flashlight on a darkened path shows how the scriptures light the way to Jesus.

  1. Dim the lights if you can. Show the verse on the screen and let a reader read it.
  2. Choose a walker. Shine the flashlight on the floor just in front of their feet as they walk slowly from one side of the room to the door.
  3. Ask: “What did the light do?” (Showed where to step!) Say: “The scriptures are like that. They show us how to follow Jesus.”
  4. Turn the lights back on. Teach the motions and say the verse together twice: once whispering, once in a bright, happy voice.
🌪️ Walkers walk heel-to-toe, slow as a snail. Everyone else sits and counts their steps.

Class screen: 🔦 Thy word is a lamp! · Psalm 119:105

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A flashlight (or your phone’s flashlight)

The Lamp Buddy

  1. Show the verse on the screen and let a reader read it.
  2. Pick two kids. One is the Walker, who closes their eyes. The other is the Lamp, who holds the Walker’s hand and says, “Step… step… careful… step,” leading them slowly to the door.
  3. Ask: “How did the Walker know where to go?” (The Lamp helped!) Say: “The scriptures are like that. They show us how to follow Jesus.”
  4. Teach the motions and say the verse together twice: once whispering, once in a bright, happy voice.
5. Game

Forehead Guess: Prophets Edition

4 min

A Heads Up–style game reviews Samuel’s story and the prophets, and the pictures let pre-readers play too.

  1. Tap Forehead Guess. The guesser holds your phone or tablet on their forehead, screen facing the class.
  2. The class gives clues without saying the word. The picture shows with each word, so little ones can act it out: link arms for Wall, twinkle for Star, “whoosh” for Arrow.
  3. The guesser tilts your phone or tablet down for “got it” and up to pass. Each turn lasts about 45 seconds.
  4. When a 4- or 5-year-old guesses, give them a big buddy (a 6- or 7-year-old) who stands beside them and helps.
🌪️ Clue-givers stay sitting on their spot. Pick each new guesser with the Name Spinner so nobody argues about turns.
▶ Play Forehead Guess on the web

Class screen: 🤔 Forehead Guess! · Give clues. Don’t say the word!

6. Object lesson

It Is Written!

3 minBONUS

Jesus used the scriptures to say no to temptation, and kids can too.

  1. SAY“After Jesus fasted for forty days, He was very hungry. Satan tried to trick Him. Every time, Jesus answered with the scriptures: ‘It is written!’” Read Matthew 4:4 from the screen.
  2. Now practice. Name a tricky moment, and everyone raises an arm like a shield and shouts, “It is written!”: someone wants you to take a toy that isn’t yours · you want to hit your brother · a friend says a bad word.
  3. After each shout, say what the scriptures teach: be honest, love one another, be kind.
  4. SAY“The more scriptures you know, the more shields you have!”

Class screen: 🛡️ It is written! · Matthew 4:4

7. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A fast team quiz reviews everything they learned.

  1. Split into two teams, mixing big kids and little kids on each team. Tap Scripture Showdown to start.
  2. Read each question and the picture choices aloud. Teams whisper together, then point to an answer.
  3. Tap the team that got it right to give them a point.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown!

8. Talk it over

Pass the Scriptures

3 min

Help children see the scriptures as their own treasure, not just a grown-up book.

  1. Sit in a circle. Pass your scriptures gently to whoever answers next. They hold them with two hands like treasure.
  2. Ask one question at a time. Little ones can answer with one word or by pointing. Share your own answer too.
💬 Ask the class
  • What was brave about Samuel?
  • What is your favorite scripture story?
  • Why did Jesus want Samuel’s words written down?
  • When could you read or listen to the scriptures this week?

Class screen: 📖 Pass the scriptures and share!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: Your scriptures, especially a Book of Mormon (or Gospel Library on your phone)

  1. Sit in a circle. Hold your hands open like a book. Pass the pretend book gently to whoever answers next, and they open it like a treasure.
  2. Ask one question at a time. Little ones can answer with one word or by pointing. Share your own answer too.
9. Testimony

A Light for My Path

2 min

End calm and reverent with love for the prophets and the scriptures.

  1. Everyone folds arms. Hold up your scriptures. Say softly: “Heavenly Father gave us prophets like Samuel, and He made sure their words were written down, just for you.”
  2. Share the scripture story or verse you love and why.
  3. SAY“Today is fast Sunday. Jesus fasted and used the scriptures to be strong. Kids don’t have to fast, but we can all feast on God’s words.”
  4. Show the Lamp Time challenge on the screen. Ask a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: 🪔 The scriptures light my way to Jesus · This week: Lamp Time every night!

Story drama

Samuel on the Wall

Helaman 13:2–4; 14:2–5; 16:1–7; 3 Nephi 1:15–21; 23:9–13 ↗

Parts to hand out

  • SamuelThe brave prophet. Stands behind the Wall, waves his arms high and says, “Jesus is coming!”
  • The WallThree or four kids who link arms and stand strong and still, like a big city wall.
  • BelieversListen, nod, and hurry to Nephi to ask to be baptized.
  • Grumpy CrowdFold their arms, shake their heads, and throw pretend air arrows that always miss.
  • Nephi the Record KeeperA reader! Writes in the air and reads a line out loud at the end.
  • Star CrewTwinkle fingers for the bright night and the new star. One Star Keeper holds the flashlight.

Scenes

  1. 🧔🏾🏙️ Samuel goes to the big city

    Long ago, Heavenly Father sent a prophet named Samuel to a big city called Zarahemla. Samuel had an important message: stop doing wrong things, and believe in Jesus!

    🎬 Samuel marches in place. Everyone pats their knees for his footsteps.

  2. 🚪🙅 The people pushed Samuel out

    But the people didn’t want to listen. They pushed Samuel out of the city. Samuel started walking home. Then the Lord told him to go back and say whatever the Lord put into his heart.

    🎬 Grumpy Crowd folds arms: “Go away!” Samuel turns around bravely: “I’m going back!”

  3. 🧱🧔🏾 Up on the wall!

    The people wouldn’t let Samuel in. So what did he do? He climbed up on top of the city wall, where everyone could see him, and he shouted the Lord’s message!

    🎬 The Wall links arms. Samuel stands behind them and raises both hands high. Everyone: “Look! He’s on the wall!”

  4. 🌟🌙 Good news: Jesus will be born!

    Samuel shouted good news: in five years, Jesus would be born! There would be a sign: a whole night with no darkness, and a brand-new star in the sky.

    🎬 Samuel shouts, “Jesus is coming!” Star Crew twinkles their fingers way up high.

  5. 💧🙋 Some people believed!

    Some people listened, and they believed. They hurried to Nephi, another prophet, and asked to be baptized. Samuel’s words helped them come to Jesus.

    🎬 Believers hurry-walk to Nephi and say, “We want to be baptized!” Nephi smiles and shakes their hands.

  6. 🏹🛡️ Whoosh! They couldn’t hit him!

    Other people were angry. They threw stones and shot arrows at Samuel. But the Lord protected him. Not one of them could hit him! Then Samuel jumped down and went safely home.

    🎬 Grumpy Crowd throws pretend air arrows. Everyone says, “Whoosh! Missed!” Samuel stands tall and smiles.

  7. ⭐🌞 Five years later… it came true!

    Five years later, the sun went down, but it didn’t get dark! It stayed bright all night long. And a new star came out. Jesus was born, just like Samuel said!

    🎬 The Star Keeper switches on the flashlight and holds it high. Everyone gasps: “It came true!”

  8. 📜✍️ Jesus asks them to write it down

    Years later, Jesus visited the Nephites. He looked at their records and asked about something Samuel had promised. It had come true, but nobody had written it down! Jesus told them to write it. So they did.

    🎬 Nephi writes in the air super fast. Then Nephi reads: “Now we can read it in the Book of Mormon!” Hold up your Book of Mormon.

Key verse

Psalm 119:105 ↗
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”
In kid words: God’s words in the scriptures are like a flashlight. They show me where to walk.
🙌 “Thy word” = open your hands like a book · “is a lamp” = make a fist, then pop your fingers open like a light turning on · “unto my feet” = point to your feet · “and a light unto my path” = sweep one arm forward like a path

More verses

Amos 3:7 ↗
“he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets”
In kid words: Heavenly Father tells His prophets what to teach us.
Matthew 4:4 ↗
“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God”
In kid words: Jesus said we need more than food. We need God’s words too!
John 5:39 ↗
“Search the scriptures … they are they which testify of me”
In kid words: Jesus told us to look in the scriptures, because they tell about Him.
2 Timothy 3:15 ↗
“from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures”
In kid words: You can know the scriptures even when you’re little!

Forehead Guess words16 words

  • 🧔 Prophet
  • 🧱 Wall
  • 🏹 Arrow
  • ⭐ Star
  • 📖 Scriptures
  • 🪔 Lamp
  • 🔦 Flashlight
  • ✉️ Envelope
  • 🤫 Secret
  • 🚢 Noah
  • 🪨 Moses
  • 🐋 Jonah
  • 💧 Baptism
  • 📘 Book of Mormon
  • ✍️ Write
  • 🌙 Night
Clues for each word
  • Prophet: Heavenly Father’s messenger
  • Wall: Samuel stood on top of it
  • Arrow: Whoosh! They all missed Samuel
  • Star: A new one came out when Jesus was born
  • Scriptures: God’s words, written down
  • Lamp: It lights your path. Like God’s word!
  • Flashlight: Click! It shows where to step
  • Envelope: The secret message was inside
  • Secret: Shhh! Only one person knows
  • Noah: Prophet who built a big boat
  • Moses: Prophet with the Ten Commandments
  • Jonah: Prophet swallowed by a big fish
  • Baptism: The believers asked Nephi for it
  • Book of Mormon: Samuel’s story is written in it
  • Write: Jesus told Nephi to do this
  • Night: The sign: this one wasn’t dark at all!
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown8 questions

  1. Where did Samuel stand to share his message?
    • A. 🌳 In a tree
    • B. 🧱 On the city wall
    • C. 🚢 On a boat
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🧱 On the city wall The people wouldn’t let him in, so he climbed up on the wall!

  2. What good news did Samuel share?
    • A. 🌟 Jesus would be born
    • B. 🍦 Free ice cream
    • C. 🌧️ It would rain
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🌟 Jesus would be born He said Jesus would be born in five years.

  3. What was the sign that Jesus was born?
    • A. 🌈 A rainbow
    • B. 🌋 A volcano
    • C. ⭐ A new star and no darkness
    Show answer

    ✅ C. ⭐ A new star and no darkness It stayed bright all night, and a new star came out.

  4. Could the arrows hit Samuel?
    • A. ✅ Yes, lots
    • B. 🛡️ No, the Lord protected him
    • C. 🤷 Only one
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🛡️ No, the Lord protected him Whoosh! Missed! Not one could hit him.

  5. What did the believers ask Nephi for?
    • A. 🍪 Cookies
    • B. 🎈 A party
    • C. 💧 To be baptized
    Show answer

    ✅ C. 💧 To be baptized Samuel’s words helped them want to follow Jesus.

  6. What did Jesus tell the Nephites to do with Samuel’s words?
    • A. ✍️ Write them down
    • B. 🗑️ Throw them away
    • C. 🙊 Keep them secret
    Show answer

    ✅ A. ✍️ Write them down Jesus wanted them written so we could read them today.

  7. The scriptures are like a…
    • A. 🍌 banana
    • B. 🪔 lamp for my feet
    • C. 🎈 balloon
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🪔 lamp for my feet Psalm 119:105. God’s words light the way to Jesus.

  8. Who gives prophets their messages?
    • A. 🦉 A wise owl
    • B. 📺 The TV
    • C. 🙏 Heavenly Father
    Show answer

    ✅ C. 🙏 Heavenly Father Amos 3:7. Heavenly Father tells His prophets, and they tell us.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus Children’s Songbook, p. 36

    It’s about today’s prophet, Samuel, and the sign of Jesus’s birth. Find it ↗

  • Follow the Prophet Children’s Songbook, p. 110

    A march through the prophets, perfect after Guess That Prophet! Find it ↗

  • Search, Ponder, and Pray Children’s Songbook, p. 109

    A gentle song about reading the scriptures, great for the calm ending. Find it ↗

  • Book of Mormon Stories Children’s Songbook, p. 118

    The Book of Mormon is where Samuel’s words were written down. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Lamp Time

Every night this week, turn on a flashlight or a lamp and read or listen to one scripture story with your family. Tell your family about Samuel on the wall, and show them the lamp motions for Psalm 119:105.

Text the parents

Today in Primary we learned about Samuel the Lamanite, a brave prophet who stood on a city wall to tell the people Jesus would be born (Helaman 13–16). Later Jesus made sure Samuel’s words were written down, so we can read them in the Book of Mormon. We learned Psalm 119:105: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet.” Ask your child: why did Samuel stand on the wall, and what was the sign that Jesus was born?

📝 After class

What worked? Who needs a check-in this week? Jot it here on a printed copy, or in the app’s private class notes.

Got extra time?

🔖 Lamp Bookmark · 5 min

  1. Give each child a paper strip and crayons.
  2. Draw a lamp or flashlight at the top with light shining down onto a path.
  3. Readers write “Thy word is a lamp.” Little ones draw their favorite scripture story. Use it at home for Lamp Time.

🧵 Hold On to the Rod · 4 min

  1. Stretch a string or have kids hold hands in a long line across the room: that’s the iron rod.
  2. SAY“Nephi said God’s word is like an iron rod. If we hold on tight, it leads us to good things” (1 Nephi 15:23–24).
  3. Everyone walks along the rod with eyes open while you make wind sounds on the Sound Board. Nobody lets go!

🍽️ Feast on the Words · 3 min

  1. SAY“Nephi said we should feast on the words of Christ” (2 Nephi 32:3). Pretend to eat a giant feast together: yum!
  2. SAY“Our tummies need food, and our spirits need God’s words.”
  3. Ask each child to name one thing Jesus taught (love one another, pray, be kind) and pretend to take a big, happy bite.

Sources

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, the Bible used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tap or click a reference to open it in Gospel Library. Start with the official Come, Follow Me manual; these ideas are here to help it come alive.

All CTR 4–7 lessons