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Open the Windows of Heaven

Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament, and it begins with the Lord saying, “I have loved you.” Malachi teaches that the Lord opens the windows of heaven when we pay tithing and calls His faithful people His jewels. He also promised Elijah would come to turn families’ hearts to each other. That happened in the Kirtland Temple in 1836. This week your family will hear Elijah’s story by flashlight, look for the windows of heaven, share family memories at dinner, sing, and give the Lord your best.

  • Week 51
  • 📅 Dec 14–20, 2026
  • 📖 Malachi
Start with Monday
Come, Follow Me manualOld Testament 2026, week 51

What your kids learn in class

Stories, verses and games for the week come from each child’s own Primary or youth lesson, so home matches Sunday.

Daily sparks

Five to ten minutes a day, Monday to Sunday, with everyday things you already have. Grown-ups lead; kids act, play and answer. Where a step says to tap something, that’s in the Gospel Sparks app; on the web, use the “Play along” links.

Monday · 9 min · Cozy story time

Couch Story by Flashlight

🔑 The very last Old Testament promise… came true!Snuggle up by flashlight.Watch for the key!Families can be forever!

✋ Grab: a flashlight · any key

⏱ Only 10 minutes?

💡 Malachi promised Elijah would come, and he brought keys so families can be together forever.

  1. Read Malachi 4:5–6 together.
  2. Ask: “Whose hearts turn to each other in this verse?”
  3. SAY“Elijah came to the Kirtland Temple. Now families can be sealed forever.”

😄 Heart chain: hook pinkies in a circle and squeeze around the family. Can you make it all the way back?

📖 Read together: Malachi 4:5–6 ↗

  1. Dim the lights and snuggle on the couch. Turn on a flashlight.
  2. Tap Story. Read each scene by flashlight.
  3. On the Moroni scene, ask: “Why do you think Moroni told Joseph about Malachi’s promise?”
  4. On the Kirtland Temple scene, hold up any key from your keyring.
  5. SAY“Elijah brought the keys so families can be sealed forever. Malachi’s last promise came true!”

🎭 Play along: the story scenes (from the Valiant 7–8 lesson; pick your kid’s class above for theirs)

Talk about it
  • What did Elijah bring to the Kirtland Temple?
  • Why is it wonderful that families can be together forever?
🧸 Little ones (2–5)Let your little one hold the flashlight and the key. At the temple scene, they say, “Families forever!”
📚 Big kids (10–13)Have your older kid read Malachi 4:5–6. Then find the same promise in Joseph Smith—History 1:38–39 to hear how Moroni said it.
🧑 Teens (14–18)Have your teen read Malachi 4:5–6 and Doctrine and Covenants 110:13–16. Ask them to explain what the sealing power makes possible. Joseph Smith—History 1:39 says the earth would be “utterly wasted” without it. Ask why.
☕️ For grown-upsThe Old Testament ends on a promise about families, and the Restoration opened by repeating it. Whatever your family tree looks like, the sealing power is how the Lord means to heal it and link it together.

Sticker for today: 🔑

Tuesday · 8 min · Walk

Window Watch

🌧️ Look up! The windows of heaven are open!Name a blessing.Ten fingers. Fold one down.Malachi 3:10

✅ Nothing to prep. Just start!

⏱ Only 10 minutes?

💡 When we pay tithing, the Lord promises to open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings.

  1. Read Malachi 3:10 together.
  2. Hold up ten fingers. Fold one down and say that’s the Lord’s part.
  3. Ask: “What blessings has the Lord poured out on our family?”

😄 Blessing blast: set a 30-second timer. Name as many blessings as you can before it rings!

📖 Read together: Malachi 3:10 ↗

  1. Tap Key Verse and read Malachi 3:10 together.
  2. Go to a window or step outside. Look up at the sky together.
  3. Take turns naming a blessing the Lord pours out. Family, food, a home and answered prayers all count.
  4. Everyone holds up ten fingers. Now fold one down.
  5. SAY“Tithing is one out of every ten. The Lord promises to open the windows of heaven.”
  6. Tell your kids how your family pays tithing. Kids who earn money can set theirs aside.

📖 Play along: the key verse (from the Valiant 7–8 lesson; pick your kid’s class above for theirs)

Talk about it
  • Which blessing are you most thankful for?
  • Why do you think Heavenly Father asks us to pay tithing?
🧸 Little ones (2–5)Let your little one open their arms wide like a window each time someone names a blessing.
📚 Big kids (10–13)Ask your older kid for a tithing blessing that isn’t money, like faith or feeling close to the Lord.
🧑 Teens (14–18)If your teen earns money, help them pay tithing themselves this week. Read Malachi 3:10–12 together. Why does the Lord ask for a tenth, not just whatever we feel like giving?
☕️ For grown-upsMalachi 3:10 is a rare invitation from the Lord to “prove me.” If tithing has become automatic, watch this week for quieter windows of heaven: wisdom with money, contentment, renewed faith.

Sticker for today: 🪟

Wednesday · 8 min · Dinner table

Jewels at Dinner

💎 You are the Lord’s jewel!Name someone in our family.Share a memory.Write it down!

✋ Grab: paper and a pen

⏱ Only 10 minutes?

💡 The Lord remembers everyone who loves Him and calls them His jewels.

  1. Read Malachi 3:16–17 together.
  2. SAY“The Lord calls the people who love Him His jewels.”
  3. Each person names one family member and one thing they love about them.

😄 Jewel sparkle: take turns saying “You’re a jewel!” to someone while everyone makes sparkle fingers.

📖 Read together: Malachi 3:16–17 ↗

  1. At dinner, read Malachi 3:16–17 together.
  2. SAY“The Lord keeps a book of remembrance. He calls the people who love Him His jewels.”
  3. Go around the table. Each person names someone in the family, living or passed on.
  4. Share one thing you remember or know about that person.
  5. Write one memory on paper together. That’s the first page of your family’s book of remembrance.
Talk about it
  • Why would the Lord call people His jewels?
  • What’s a family memory you never want to forget?
🧸 Little ones (2–5)Let your little one name a grandparent or cousin. Help them tell one happy thing about them.
📚 Big kids (10–13)Have your older kid do the writing. After dinner, they can look up one ancestor on FamilySearch.
🧑 Teens (14–18)Have your teen read Malachi 3:16. The book was written when people who loved the Lord “spake often one to another.” Invite them to start their own: one line a day about something the Lord did for them.
☕️ For grown-upsMalachi 3:16 says the Lord “hearkened, and heard” when faithful people talked with each other about Him. The small talks about faith at your dinner table are noticed and remembered in heaven.

Sticker for today: 💎

Thursday · 10 min · Game

Malachi Draw & Guess

🎨 Draw it fast! Can they guess it?Window. Key. Elijah. Jewels.No letters allowed!

✅ Nothing to prep. Just start!

⏱ Only 10 minutes?

💡 Malachi’s last promises point to Jesus and to families turning their hearts to each other.

  1. Read Malachi 4:2 together.
  2. Ask: “What do you think the Sun of righteousness means?” Talk about how it points to Jesus.
  3. Share one way Jesus brings light to your family.

😄 Guess the prophet: give three clues about an Old Testament prophet. First to guess picks the next one.

  1. Tap Draw & Guess.
  2. Take turns drawing a word on your phone or tablet while everyone guesses. No letters allowed!
  3. After each word, ask: “What does that have to do with Malachi?”
  4. Cheer for every right guess.

🖍️ Play along: Draw & Guess with this week’s words (from the Valiant 7–8 lesson; pick your kid’s class above for theirs)

Talk about it
  • Which drawing was the funniest?
  • Which word helps you remember the most important thing from Malachi?
🧸 Little ones (2–5)Let your little one draw with a big helper holding their hand, or be the official guess shouter.
📚 Big kids (10–13)Let your older kid draw the hardest words, like Book of Remembrance.
🧑 Teens (14–18)Add a teen round. Your teen draws “refiner’s fire” and “fullers’ soap” from Malachi 3:2–3. Then they explain how the Lord changes us. He purifies. He doesn’t destroy.
☕️ For grown-upsMalachi 3:3 says the Lord “shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” A refiner sits close and watches the fire. If this year has felt like one, He hasn’t left the room.

Sticker for today: 🎨

Friday · 10 min · Service

Our Best, Not Our Leftovers

☎️ Call Grandma or Grandpa! Ask a question!Ask about their Christmases.Give them your BEST listening.

✋ Grab: a phone

⏱ Only 10 minutes?

💡 The Lord wants our best, not our leftovers.

  1. Read Malachi 1:8 together.
  2. Ask: “What does it look like to give the Lord our best?”
  3. Each person picks one thing to do their best at tomorrow.

😄 Best-effort high-five chain: pass a high five around the circle as fast as you can. Go twice!

📖 Read together: Malachi 1:8; 4:6 ↗

  1. Read Malachi 1:8 together.
  2. SAY“Some people gave the Lord their sick animals. Their leftovers. The Lord wants our best.”
  3. Call or video-chat a grandparent or older relative. No answer? Record a short video instead.
  4. Give them your best. Put other screens away and really listen.
  5. Ask: “What was Christmas like when you were a kid?” Then each child says one thing they love about them.
  6. SAY“When our hearts turn to our family, that’s Malachi 4:6 happening in our house!”
Talk about it
  • What did you learn about your grandparent or relative?
  • What’s the difference between giving your best and giving your leftovers?
🧸 Little ones (2–5)Let your little one say “Merry Christmas!” and blow a big kiss goodbye.
📚 Big kids (10–13)Have your older kid jot down the answers for your family’s book of remembrance.
🧑 Teens (14–18)Let your teen lead the call and ask the follow-up questions. With permission, they can record the answers to save in FamilySearch Memories.
☕️ For grown-upsIn Malachi 1:13 the priests sigh, “what a weariness is it!” about their offerings. Which of your offerings to the Lord have become leftovers? A calling, prayer, ministering? Pick one to give your best this week.

Sticker for today: 💌

Saturday · 8 min · Music

Old Testament Finale

🎵 The last book! Sing, celebrate and quiz!Sing “Follow the Prophet.”Name your favorite story.Quiz time!

✅ Nothing to prep. Just start!

⏱ Only 10 minutes?

💡 The Lord doesn’t change, so the God who helped people long ago helps us today.

  1. Read Malachi 3:6 together.
  2. Each person names a favorite Old Testament story from this year.
  3. Ask: “How did the Lord help the people in your story?”

😄 Thumbs-up vote: name three stories and vote for the family favorite. Cheer for the winner!

📖 Read together: Malachi 3:6 ↗

  1. SAY“We made it to the last book of the Old Testament! Let’s celebrate!”
  2. Sing or play “Follow the Prophet” together. Listen for prophets you know.
  3. Each person names their favorite Old Testament story from this year.
  4. Read Malachi 3:6 together.
  5. SAY“The Lord never changes. The same God who helped them helps us today.”
  6. Tap Quiz to warm up for Primary. Then lay out Sunday clothes.

🏆 Play along: Scripture Showdown (from the Valiant 7–8 lesson; pick your kid’s class above for theirs)

Talk about it
  • What was your favorite Old Testament story this year?
  • Which prophet would you most like to meet?
🧸 Little ones (2–5)Let your little one clap along with the song and name a favorite Old Testament animal.
📚 Big kids (10–13)Challenge your older kid to name as many Old Testament books as they can in one minute.
🧑 Teens (14–18)Challenge your teen to name the story from this year that taught them the most about Jesus Christ. They get sixty seconds to say why.
☕️ For grown-upsYou made it through the Old Testament with your family this year, even the weeks you missed. Malachi 3:6 is a good place to end: “I am the Lord, I change not.” The God who helped Abraham, Hannah and Jonah is the same God who has been helping you.

Sticker for today: 🏆

Sunday · 6 min · Sabbath

“I Have Loved You”

❤️ What did you learn in Primary today?The Lord says: I love you!How do you know He loves you?

✅ Nothing to prep. Just start!

⏱ Only 10 minutes?

💡 The last book of the Old Testament begins with the Lord saying He loves His people.

  1. Read the first part of Malachi 1:2 together.
  2. Take turns finishing this: “I know the Lord loves me because…”
  3. Share your testimony of forever families.

😄 Love whisper: whisper “The Lord loves you” around the circle. Does it come back the same?

📖 Read together: Malachi 1:2 ↗

  1. Ask: “What did you learn in Primary today? Who is Elijah?”
  2. Read the first part of Malachi 1:2 together.
  3. SAY“The last book of the Old Testament starts with the Lord saying, ‘I have loved you.’”
  4. Take turns finishing this sentence: “I know the Lord loves me because…”
  5. Share your testimony of the temple and forever families. Invite anyone who wants to share too.
Talk about it
  • What did you learn in Primary today?
  • How do you know the Lord loves you?
🧸 Little ones (2–5)Help your little one finish the sentence with something simple, like “He gave me my family.”
📚 Big kids (10–13)Invite your older kid to share how the temple helps families, or a time they visited temple grounds.
🧑 Teens (14–18)Invite your teen to answer Israel’s question in Malachi 1:2 honestly: “Wherein hast thou loved us?” Where have they seen the Lord’s love this year, even in the hard parts?
☕️ For grown-upsIsrael’s reply to “I have loved you” was basically “Prove it.” If you’ve felt that way this year, you’re in good scriptural company. The Lord’s answer across the whole Old Testament is to keep showing up.

Sticker for today: 💖

Family challenge

Heart-Turning Interviews

This week, each child interviews a parent, grandparent or older relative about when they were young. Tell your favorite answer at dinner on Sunday, and if you started a book of remembrance page, write it there together.

Parent Corner

Malachi is the last voice of the Old Testament, and much of it is written as a conversation: the Lord makes a statement, the people push back with a question (“Wherein hast thou loved us?” “Wherein shall we return?”), and the Lord answers. That pattern invites honesty. The people were going through the motions, offering blind and lame animals and holding back their tithes, yet the Lord still opens with love and a promise: “Return unto me, and I will return unto you” (Malachi 3:7). Malachi closes by looking ahead to Elijah, who would “turn the heart of the fathers to the children” (Malachi 4:6). Latter-day Saints know that promise was kept in the Kirtland Temple in 1836 (Doctrine and Covenants 110:13–16), so the Old Testament’s final word is a promise you can watch being fulfilled every time a family is sealed or an ancestor’s name is taken to the temple.

  • Ponder: If the Lord asked you directly this Christmas, “Where do you need to return to Me?”, what would your honest answer be?
  • Try this: Before the year ends, take one family name to the temple, or spend an evening on FamilySearch finding one ancestor’s story, and share it with your kids at Christmas.

From general conference

“With access to the sealing power, our hearts naturally turn to those who have gone before.”

— Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “The Sealing Power,” October 2023

Share on Monday after the Elijah story, or at Wednesday’s dinner of family memories.

Read the talk ↗

Dinner-table questions

  • If you could open a window in heaven, what blessing would you hope pours out?
  • What’s one thing you know about your great-grandparents?
  • What’s something you can give your best to this week?
  • Why do you think the Old Testament ends with a promise about families?
  • What would you want your own grandkids to remember about you someday?

Sources

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, the Bible used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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