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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 4–6
  • ⚡ 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 replaces 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. Jesus loved the scriptures, so we can too. Some kids may be hungry or trying to fast with their families today. Children don’t have to fast. Keep it cheerful and skip food rewards.

The story is Samuel the Lamanite, from Helaman 13–16. He’s 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, so he climbed the city wall and preached from there. That’s Helaman 13:2–4. He promised that in five years Jesus would be born. There would be a sign: a night with no darkness and a new star. That’s Helaman 14:2–5. Some people believed and went to Nephi to be baptized. Others were angry. They threw stones and shot arrows, but the Spirit of the Lord protected Samuel. They couldn’t hit him. That’s Helaman 16:1–2. In Helaman 16:7, he went home to his own land. Five years later, everything happened just as he said, in 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 prophesied that had come true. He noticed it hadn’t been written down, so He told them to write it. That’s 3 Nephi 23:9–13. Jesus cared that the prophets’ words were written, so we could read them. He loved the scriptures Himself. After He fasted forty days, Satan tempted Him. Each time, Jesus answered with “It is written.” That’s Matthew 4:1–11.

Other prophets in the manual make great quick examples. Moses received the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1–17. Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in Joseph Smith—History 1:17. We also have a living prophet today. In 1 Nephi 15:23–24, Nephi said the word of God is like an iron rod to hold on to. In 2 Nephi 32:3, he invited us to feast on the words of Christ. Mixed ages? Give readers the secret message and the captions on the screen. Your 4- and 5-year-olds will love saying lines back to you, like “Jesus is coming!” Your 7-year-olds will like knowing that the people who believed Samuel asked to be baptized. Soon they will be too.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Helaman 13:2–4, Helaman 16:1–2 and 3 Nephi 23:9–13. Seal a secret message in an envelope and grab a flashlight. Open the Top Secret Envelope. Tell the story in Teach Mode. Play Samuel Says and say Psalm 119:105 with motions. Do A Lamp unto My Feet, then close holding up your scriptures. Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing” and a whisper and a buddy do the job.

What to bring3 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. Read Helaman 13:2–4, Helaman 16:1–2 and 3 Nephi 23:9–13. Bookmark Helaman 13 in your Book of Mormon.
  2. On a card, write: “Heavenly Father loves you! 💛 Give yourself a big hug. 🤗” Seal it in the envelope and write TOP SECRET on the front.

If your class is wild

  • It’s fast Sunday. If someone is hungry and cranky, make them the Star Keeper. A job fixes a lot of grumpiness.
  • Arrows are only a swish of the hand, and they always miss. Nobody throws anything real.
  • Use “Samuel says…” to get attention all lesson, like “Samuel says, fold your arms!” Kids love it, and it resets the room fast.
  • Echo lines are easy for little ones. Whisper a line, and wait for the whisper to come back.

The 25-minute plan24 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 secret message shows how Heavenly Father speaks through prophets.

  1. SAY“I have a top secret message. It’s from someone who loves you very much. Only one person gets it first.”
  2. Give the envelope to a reader helper. The helper opens it and reads it out loud. Pre-readers can look at the picture.
  3. Everyone does what it says: a big hug! Say: “Heavenly Father gives His messages to prophets. Prophets tell us. They write them down so nobody forgets. That’s the scriptures!”

Class screen: ✉️ Top secret message! · 🤫 Top secret!

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 top secret message. It’s from someone who loves you. Only one person hears it first.”
  2. Whisper to a helper: “Heavenly Father loves you! Give yourself a hug.” The helper tells the class. Everyone does it: a big hug!
  3. SAY“Heavenly Father gives His messages to prophets. Prophets tell us. They write them down so nobody forgets. That’s the scriptures!”

Class screen: 🤫 Top secret message! · 🤫 Top secret!

2. Story

Story: Samuel on the Wall

7 min

A brave Book of Mormon prophet shows that Heavenly Father’s messages come true. Jesus wanted them written down for us.

  1. SAY“This is a true story. Sometimes I’ll say a line, and you say it back to me.”
  2. Open the story in Teach Mode. A big-kid reader can read each caption. When a line shows at the bottom, say it first. Then the class says it back.
  3. After scene 5, ask: “What was brave about Samuel?” Listen for: he went back, and he kept telling about Jesus.
  4. After scene 7, open your Book of Mormon to Helaman 13. Say: “Samuel’s words are right here!” Ask: “Why did Jesus want them written down?”
🌪️ Arrows are only a swish of your hand, and they always miss. If “Whoosh!” gets wild, whisper it and they’ll follow.

Class screen: 🧱 Samuel on the Wall · 🔁 Say it back! · ✨ It came true!

3. Wiggle break

Samuel Says

2 min

A quick listening game gets the wiggles out and practices listening to a prophet.

  1. SAY“Stand up by your chair. Let’s play Samuel Says! Only do it when Samuel says.”
  2. Call: “Samuel says, reach up high like the wall!” “Samuel says, twinkle like a star!” “Hop!” Oops, Samuel didn’t say. Keep it fast and silly.
  3. End with: “Samuel says, sit down and fold your arms.” Say: “Listening to prophets helps us follow Jesus.”

Class screen: 🧔🏾 Samuel says… · Only do it when Samuel says!

4. Scripture

Key Verse: Psalm 119:105

3 min

Motions help children remember that God’s words light the way.

  1. SAY“Here’s what the scriptures say about God’s words.”
  2. Show the verse on your phone or tablet. A big-kid reader reads it, and everyone repeats after you.
  3. Teach the motions one phrase at a time. Say it twice: once whispering, once in a bright, happy voice.
  4. Ask: “What does a lamp do in the dark?” It shows where to walk! Say: “God’s words show us how to follow Jesus.”

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

5. Object lesson

A Lamp unto My Feet

6 min

A flashlight guiding a walker’s feet shows how the scriptures light our way, and kids name what the scriptures teach.

  1. SAY“The scriptures are like a flashlight. Let’s see how.”
  2. Dim the lights if you can. Choose a walker. Shine the flashlight on the floor just ahead of their feet as they walk slowly to the door.
  3. Ask: “What did the light do?” It showed where to step! Say: “The scriptures show us how to follow Jesus.”
  4. Give three or four walkers a turn. Before each walks, the class names one thing the scriptures teach: pray, be kind, tell the truth, be baptized.
  5. Lights on. Hold up your scriptures. Say: “Samuel’s words were written down for you. They light the way to Jesus.”
🌪️ Lights go off only when everyone is sitting still, and back on the second anyone runs. Never shine the light in eyes.

Class screen: 🔦 The scriptures light my way! · Psalm 119:105

No supplies? Do this instead

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

The Lamp Buddy

  1. SAY“The scriptures are like a lamp. Let’s see how.”
  2. Pick two kids. The Walker closes their eyes, and the Lamp holds their hand. The Lamp leads the Walker slowly to the door: “Step… step… careful… step.”
  3. Ask: “How did the Walker know where to go?” The Lamp helped! Say: “The scriptures show us how to follow Jesus.”
  4. Give three or four pairs a turn. Before each walks, the class names one thing the scriptures teach: pray, be kind, tell the truth, be baptized.
  5. SAY“Samuel’s words were written down for you. They light the way to Jesus.”

Class screen: 🤝 The scriptures light my way! · Psalm 119:105

6. Testimony

A Light for My Path

3 min

End calm and reverent, with the scriptures in hand and a way to read them this week.

  1. SAY“Heavenly Father gave us prophets like Samuel. And He made sure their words were written down, just for you.”
  2. Hold up your scriptures. Share the scripture story or verse you love and why.
  3. SAY“It’s 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. Share the Lamp Time challenge, then ask a child to say the closing prayer.

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

7. Game

Forehead Guess: Prophets Edition

4 minBONUS

A picture guessing game reviews the lesson, and the pictures let non-readers give clues too.

  1. SAY“Let’s see what you remember! Give clues, but don’t say the word.”
  2. Tap Forehead Guess. One kid holds your phone or tablet on their forehead, screen facing the class. Everyone else gives clues from their seats.
  3. Little ones can do a motion or a sound for the picture. Pair each little guesser with a big-kid buddy.
  4. Tilt down for “got it,” up to pass. Each turn is 30 seconds, then your phone or tablet moves to the next kid.
🌪️ Go around the room: each kid gives one clue, then it’s the next kid’s turn, so nobody shouts over anybody.
▶ Play Forehead Guess on the web

Class screen: 🤔 Forehead Guess! · Give clues, don’t say the word!

8. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A fast team picture quiz reviews everything they learned.

  1. SAY“It’s Team Wall against Team Star!”
  2. Split the class in two, mixing big and little kids, and tap Scripture Showdown.
  3. Read each question aloud. Teams whisper together, then point to an answer.
  4. Tap the team that got it right to give them a point. Cheer for both teams.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown!

The story

Samuel on the Wall

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

Optional helpers

  • Star KeeperSits by you and clicks on the flashlight, pointed at the ceiling, at scene 6 for the new star.

Scenes

  1. 🧔🏾🏙️ Samuel goes to the big city

    Long ago, Heavenly Father sent a prophet named Samuel to a big city called Zarahemla. His message was, stop doing wrong things, and believe in Jesus! But the people didn’t want to listen. They pushed him out.

    🙌

  2. 🧱🧔🏾 Up on the wall!

    The Lord told Samuel to go back. But the people wouldn’t let him in. So Samuel climbed up on top of the city wall. Everyone could see him. And he shouted the Lord’s message!

    🙌 Cup your hands and say it back: “Jesus is coming!”

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

    Samuel said Jesus would be born in five years! And there would be a sign. A whole night with no darkness. And a brand-new star in the sky.

    🙌

  4. 💧🙋 Some people believed!

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

    🙌

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

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

    🙌 Swish a hand past your head: “Whoosh! Missed!”

  6. ⭐🌞 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!

    🙌 Say it back: “It came true!”

  7. 📜✍️ Jesus asks them to write it down

    Years later, Jesus visited the Nephites. He asked about Samuel’s promise. It had come true, but nobody had written it down! Jesus told them to write it. And now we can read it in the Book of Mormon!

    🙌 Say it back: “Write it down!”

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 Samuel Says. 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. Read or listen to one scripture story with your family. Tell them 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, from Helaman 13–16. He was a brave prophet who stood on a city wall to tell the people Jesus would be born. Later, Jesus made sure Samuel’s words were written down. Now 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 across the room, or have kids hold hands in a long line. That’s the iron rod from 1 Nephi 15:23–24.
  2. SAY“Nephi said God’s word is like an iron rod. If we hold on tight, it leads us to good things.”
  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. Tell the class that in 2 Nephi 32:3, Nephi says to feast on the words of Christ. Pretend to eat a giant feast together. Yum!
  2. SAY“Our tummies need food, and our spirits need God’s words.”
  3. Each child names one thing Jesus taught, like love one another, pray or be kind. Then they take a big, happy pretend bite.

🛡️ It Is Written! · 3 min

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

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 4–6 lessons