A Marvelous Work and a Wonder

The sealed book, a professor who couldn’t read it, and a desert that bursts into flowers

  • 💧 CTR 8
  • Week 39
  • 📅 Sunday, September 27, 2026
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Heavenly Father brought back His lost treasures through Joseph Smith, and Jesus can make anything that feels dry or broken bloom again.

I can thank Heavenly Father for the restored gospel and trust Jesus to help me when I feel sad.

Know the chapters

Isaiah prophesied about 700 years before Jesus was born, in a scary time when huge empires like Assyria and Babylon were bullying Israel. In chapters 13–14 he says proud Babylon will fall. Babylon becomes a symbol of worldly pride, and Isaiah 14:12–15 even describes Lucifer, who wanted to put himself above God and fell. In chapters 24–30 and 35, Isaiah looks far ahead to the last days: the Restoration, the Savior’s victory over death, and a desert that blossoms.

For eight-year-olds, the star of this week is Isaiah 29:11–14. Isaiah saw a sealed book, a learned man who says he cannot read it, and an unlearned man who is given the book. In 1828, Martin Harris took characters copied from the gold plates to Professor Charles Anthon in New York City. When Martin explained that part of the plates was sealed, the professor answered that he could not read a sealed book (Joseph Smith—History 1:63–65). Joseph Smith, a young farmer with little schooling, translated the plates by the gift and power of God. Nephi explains this prophecy in 2 Nephi 27. Kids love a prophecy that “comes true,” and they already know how this one ends.

The big doctrine is the Restoration. After Jesus’s Apostles died, priesthood authority and many truths were lost. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ brought them back through Joseph Smith: the Book of Mormon, the priesthood, prophets, temples, and baptism with the gift of the Holy Ghost. Isaiah calls it “a marvellous work and a wonder.” The children who have been baptized already hold some of these restored treasures.

Isaiah 25 and 35 add hope. Jesus is a shelter from the storm and shade from the heat (25:4). He will swallow up death and wipe away tears (25:8), and He makes the desert bloom (35:1). Whatever feels broken in a child’s life, a sick pet, a hard school day, a mistake, Jesus can help make it new.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Isaiah 29:11–12 and Joseph Smith—History 1:64–65 so you know the story. Tape a shoebox shut and write SEALED on it. Open Teach Mode and let your phone or tablet carry the story, then play Scripture Showdown. Skip the flowers and the treasure hunt. No time to tape a box? Tap “I brought nothing” and a kid becomes the sealed book instead.

What to bring7 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. Put the Book of Mormon (or your foil “gold plates”) inside the box. Tape it shut with way too much tape and write SEALED in big letters.
  2. Cut one flower per child from printer paper, about 4 inches across with 5–8 petals. Test one at home: fold the petals tightly into the center, float it on water, and watch it open in under a minute.
  3. Write one treasure on each card: 📖 The Book of Mormon · 🗝️ Priesthood power · 🧔 A living prophet · 🏛️ Temples · 💧 Baptism with God’s authority · 🕊️ The gift of the Holy Ghost · ⛪ Jesus Christ’s name on His Church.
  4. Before class, hide the 7 cards around the room: under chairs, behind the door, taped under the table.
  5. Add your kids’ names in the My Class tab so you can hand out story parts with one tap.

If your class is wild

  • Give the Professor role to your most dramatic kid. Tearing up the paper is a huge release of energy, and everyone will be watching.
  • Use the sealed box as your reward: “Whoever is sitting ready gets to shake the box next.”
  • Treasure hunters tiptoe. Anyone who runs puts their card back and counts to ten before hunting again.
  • Keep the water bowl on a tray and let one helper carry it. Everyone else stays in their seat until the countdown.
  • If they come in bouncing, start with the Desert to Garden wiggle and do the Sealed Box afterward.

The 25-minute plan25 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 Sealed Box

2 min

Suspense grabs their attention before anyone can start wrestling.

  1. Set the taped box on the table. Say nothing about it until everyone is sitting.
  2. SAY“There is a real treasure in this box. Who can tell me what it is… without opening it?”
  3. Let two or three kids who are sitting ready shake it and guess.
  4. SAY“Why can’t you just read what’s inside?” (It’s sealed!) “A prophet named Isaiah wrote about a sealed book 2,700 years ago, and it really happened. Let’s find out how.”
🌪️ Only kids who are sitting criss-cross get a turn to shake the box. It works like magic.

Class screen: 📦 Can you read a SEALED book? · No peeking! · No opening!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A shoebox or small box, lots of tape, and a marker, A copy of the Book of Mormon (or a small stack of cardboard wrapped in foil to look like gold plates)

The Sealed Kid

  1. Pick a volunteer who is sitting ready. Say: “You are a very special book. Curl up tight and hug your knees. Don’t open for ANYBODY.”
  2. Everyone helps seal the book with invisible tape: pull it off the roll with a loud “RRRRIP!” and wrap it around the book. Tap the knock sound on the Sound Board and write SEALED on the book with an invisible marker.
  3. Whisper a secret treasure into the book’s ear (“gold plates”). Say: “There is a real treasure inside this book. Who can read it… without opening it?”
  4. Let two or three kids who are sitting ready knock gently on the book’s shoulder and guess. The book stays sealed: head down, no talking, just a tiny shake of the head.
  5. Have the book pop open and whisper the answer. Say: “Why couldn’t you just read it?” (It was sealed!) “A prophet named Isaiah wrote about a sealed book 2,700 years ago, and it really happened. Let’s find out how.”

Class screen: 🙊 Can you read a SEALED book? · No peeking! · Knock, knock…

2. Story

Story Drama: The Book Nobody Could Read

6 min

Acting it out lets wiggly kids move while the story sinks in.

  1. Hand out the roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode to assign them from your class list).
  2. Everyone without a role is the Sound Effects Crew.
  3. Read each scene aloud and pause for the action cue.
  4. At scene 7, practice the big line together: “I cannot read a sealed book!”
  5. Finish by opening the sealed box and pulling out the Book of Mormon.
🌪️ Keep scenes moving fast. If an actor gets silly, give them the next sound effect so their energy has a job.

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

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A shoebox or small box, lots of tape, and a marker, A copy of the Book of Mormon (or a small stack of cardboard wrapped in foil to look like gold plates), A scrap sheet of paper for the Professor to tear

  1. Hand out the roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode to assign them from your class list).
  2. Everyone without a role is the Sound Effects Crew.
  3. Read each scene aloud and pause for the action cue.
  4. At scene 6, the Professor tears an invisible paper into tiny pieces while the Crew makes the loudest “RRRRIP!” they can.
  5. At scene 7, practice the big line together: “I cannot read a sealed book!”
  6. Finish by holding up your own Book of Mormon (or open it in Gospel Library). Say: “Here it is! The book the professor couldn’t read, translated by a farm boy with God’s help.”
3. Wiggle break

Desert to Garden

2 min

Isaiah 35 turns into a full-body wiggle break.

  1. SAY“Isaiah said the desert would bloom! Everyone curl up small like a dry seed in the hot desert.”
  2. Make rain: pat your legs softly, then faster. Kids slowly grow into tall flowers.
  3. SAY“Isaiah said the lame man would leap like a deer!” Everyone does three big deer leaps in place.
  4. SAY“And the tongue of the dumb would sing!” Everyone hums one happy note, then freezes as a statue flower.

Class screen: 🌵➡️🌸 Grow from a seed to a flower! · Curl up · Grow · Leap like a deer · Freeze!

4. Object lesson

Blooming Paper Flowers

4 minBONUS

A little science surprise shows how Jesus opens up what feels dry and closed.

  1. Give each child a paper flower. In the center, they draw something they want Jesus’s help with, or write the name of someone to pray for.
  2. Show them how to fold the petals tightly over the center so it’s all closed up.
  3. SAY“When we’re sad, hurt, or we’ve made a mistake, we can feel closed up and dry, like a desert.”
  4. Count down together: 3, 2, 1. Everyone gently sets their flower on the water at the same time.
  5. Watch the petals open. Say: “Jesus is like living water. He can open up hearts, heal what’s broken, and help us bloom again.”
🌪️ Kids set flowers down only on “1.” Anyone who splashes becomes the towel helper.

Class screen: 🌼💧 Watch the flowers bloom! · 3… 2… 1…

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: Printer paper, scissors, and crayons or markers, A clear bowl or baking dish of water, set on a tray, plus a towel

Blooming Kid Flowers

  1. SAY“Today YOU are the flowers.” Everyone cups their hands like a closed flower bud and whispers into them something they want Jesus’s help with, or the name of someone to pray for.
  2. Everyone curls up small on the floor, hands still closed. Say: “When we’re sad, hurt, or we’ve made a mistake, we can feel closed up and dry, like a desert.”
  3. SAY“Jesus is like living water.” Tap the rain sound on the Sound Board and walk around the room, sprinkling pretend water on each flower.
  4. When the water touches you, bloom in slow motion: open your hands, stretch your arms like petals, and rise up tall. Count down together for the last few: 3, 2, 1!
  5. When the whole garden is in bloom, say: “Jesus can open up hearts, heal what’s broken, and help us bloom again.”

Class screen: 🌷 You are the flowers! Bloom when the water comes. · Close up tight · Rain is coming… · Bloom!

5. Scripture

Scripture Spotlight: Isaiah 29:14

3 min

Motions help active kids memorize the key phrase.

  1. Show the verse on your phone or tablet and read it once slowly.
  2. Teach the motions one phrase at a time.
  3. Say it three ways: normal voice, whisper voice, then your best robot voice.
  4. Ask: “What was the marvelous work Isaiah saw?” (The Book of Mormon and the restored gospel.)

Class screen: ✨ A marvelous work and a wonder!

6. Game

Restoration Treasure Hunt

4 min

Kids move while they learn what Heavenly Father restored through Joseph Smith.

  1. SAY“When Jesus’s Apostles died, some of God’s treasures were lost. Heavenly Father brought them back through Joseph Smith. That’s called the Restoration. Seven treasures are hidden in this room!”
  2. Treasure hunters tiptoe. When you find a card, bring it back and sit down.
  3. Each finder reads their card out loud and drops it in the sealed box (now a treasure chest).
  4. After each one, ask: “Why is that a treasure?” Keep it quick.
  5. When all 7 are found, give a cheer (and the treat, if you brought one).
🌪️ One card per kid. Once you’ve found one, you become a helper who gives “hot” or “cold” clues.

Class screen: 🗝️ Find the 7 lost treasures! · 📖 🗝️ 🧔 🏛️ 💧 🕊️ ⛪ · Tiptoe only!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: 7 index cards or scraps of paper for the treasure hunt

Restoration Treasure Statues

  1. SAY“When Jesus’s Apostles died, some of God’s treasures were lost. Heavenly Father brought them back through Joseph Smith. That’s called the Restoration. Seven treasures are hidden in this room… and they’re YOU!”
  2. Whisper one treasure and its pose to each of 7 kids: Book of Mormon (open your hands like a book), priesthood power (hands on someone’s head to bless), a living prophet (stroke a long beard), temples (fingertips together like a steeple), baptism (hold your nose and dip down), the Holy Ghost (flap dove wings slowly), Jesus Christ’s name on His Church (point up and smile).
  3. The 7 treasures hide around the room (behind a chair, by the door, under the table) and freeze in their pose.
  4. Treasure hunters tiptoe. Tap a statue on the shoulder and it comes alive and does its pose. Everyone guesses the treasure. Tap the ding sound on the Sound Board for each one found.
  5. After each one, ask: “Why is that a treasure?” Keep it quick. Fewer than 14 kids? Play two rounds and swap hunters and treasures.
  6. When all 7 are found, give a cheer (and the treat, if you brought one).

Class screen: 🗝️ Find the 7 lost treasures! They’re frozen statues! · 📖 🗝️ 🧔 🏛️ 💧 🕊️ ⛪ · Tiptoe only!

7. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A fast team quiz reviews everything they learned.

  1. Split into two teams. Tap Scripture Showdown to start.
  2. Read each question aloud. Teams whisper together, then point to an answer.
  3. Tap the team that got it right to give them a point.

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown!

8. Game

Forehead Guess: Sealed Book Edition

4 min

A Heads Up–style guessing game that reviews every person and treasure from today.

  1. Tap Forehead Guess. One kid holds your phone or tablet on their forehead, screen facing the class.
  2. The class gives clues (no saying the word!). The clue under each word helps if they get stuck.
  3. Guesser tilts your phone or tablet down for “got it,” up to pass. Each turn lasts 45 seconds.
  4. Switch to Act It Out mode for your wiggliest kids: clue-givers can only act, no talking.
🌪️ Clue-givers stay in their seats. Anyone who shouts the word loses their next clue turn.

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

9. Talk it over

Talk It Over

2 min

Connect the story to their own lives.

  1. Sit in a circle. Toss a soft ball (or a rolled-up sock) to whoever answers next.
  2. Ask one question at a time, and share your own answer too.
💬 Ask the class
  • Have you ever lost something special and then found it? How did it feel?
  • Which of the 7 treasures do you think is the most amazing? Why?
  • Which treasures did you receive when you were baptized? (Baptism with authority and the gift of the Holy Ghost!)
  • Isaiah said Jesus is a shelter from the storm. When is a time you might need Jesus to help you?

Class screen: 💬 Let’s talk!

10. Testimony

Testimony & Wonder Hunt

2 min

End calm and reverent, with something to do at home.

  1. Lower your voice. Share one or two sentences about how you know the Book of Mormon is true, or a time Jesus helped something in your life bloom again.
  2. Introduce the Wonder Hunt challenge on the screen.
  3. Ask a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: 🔎 This week: go on a Wonder Hunt! · Find 3 marvelous things God did · Tell your family at dinner

Story drama

The Book Nobody Could Read

Isaiah 29:11–14; Joseph Smith—History 1:59–65 ↗

Parts to hand out

  • IsaiahPretends to write on a long scroll and says, “The book will be sealed!”
  • Angel MoroniStands on a chair (carefully!) and points to the hill where the plates are hidden.
  • Joseph SmithDigs up the plates, copies the strange letters, and translates by the power of God.
  • Martin HarrisCarries the paper of characters all the way to New York City.
  • Professor AnthonStudies the paper, writes a note, then tears it up and says, “I cannot read a sealed book!”
  • Emma SmithWrites down the words as Joseph translates.
  • Sound Effects CrewEveryone else: horse hooves, city noise, gasps, and a big “Whoa!”

Scenes

  1. 🧔📜 Isaiah sees the future

    About 2,700 years ago, the Lord showed the prophet Isaiah something amazing: a book that would be SEALED. Isaiah wrote it down so that someday people would recognize it when it happened.

    🎬 Isaiah writes on a pretend scroll. Everyone whispers, “Whoa…”

  2. 👼⛰️ An angel and a hill

    Thousands of years later, an angel named Moroni visited a young man named Joseph Smith. Moroni told him about a record written on gold plates, buried in a hill near his home.

    🎬 Moroni points. Joseph pretends to dig. Crew: “Dig, dig, dig!”

  3. 📖🔒 Part of the book was sealed

    The plates were heavy, and part of them was sealed shut. Joseph was told not to open that part. The Lord would reveal it in His own time.

    🎬 Everyone lifts a heavy pretend book, then locks it with a key: “CLICK!”

  4. ✍️🐴 Martin takes the characters

    Joseph copied some of the strange characters onto paper. His friend Martin Harris, a farmer, wanted to help, so he carried the paper all the way to New York City to show a smart professor.

    🎬 Martin waves goodbye. Crew: clip-clop, clip-clop on your knees!

  5. 🏙️🎓 The smart professor looks

    Professor Charles Anthon studied the characters. At first he said they looked real, and he even wrote a note saying so. Then he asked where the writing came from.

    🎬 The Professor pushes up pretend glasses: “Hmmm… very interesting!”

  6. 😲📄 “An angel? No way!”

    Martin told him an angel of God had shown Joseph the plates. The professor took his note back and tore it to pieces! He said there was no such thing as angels anymore.

    🎬 Professor tears the scrap paper. Crew gasps: “Ohhh no!”

  7. 🔒📖 “I cannot read a sealed book!”

    The professor said, “Bring me the plates and I will translate them.” Martin said part of the plates was sealed. And the professor answered with almost the very words Isaiah wrote: “I cannot read a sealed book.”

    🎬 EVERYONE together: “I cannot read a sealed book!” Then a big gasp.

  8. 👦🙏✨ A farm boy translates it

    Isaiah said the book would go to someone who was “not learned.” Joseph Smith had very little schooling, but he translated the plates by the gift and power of God, while Emma and others wrote down the words.

    🎬 Joseph kneels. Emma writes. Everyone makes sparkle fingers: “Twinkle, twinkle!”

  9. 📘🌍 A marvelous work and a wonder!

    In 1830, the Book of Mormon was printed. Today it is read in many languages all around the world. Isaiah called it “a marvellous work and a wonder,” and it happened exactly as he said.

    🎬 Everyone opens their hands like a book and shouts, “MARVELOUS!”

Key verse

Isaiah 29:14 ↗
“I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder”
In kid words: God said, “I am going to do something amazing and wonderful for My people.”
🙌 “I will proceed” = march in place · “a marvellous work” = pound fist on palm like a hammer · “among this people” = point around the room · “and a wonder” = hands burst open like fireworks: “Wow!”

More verses

Isaiah 29:11 ↗
“the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed”
In kid words: People would give a sealed book to a smart man, and he would say, “I can’t read it. It’s sealed!”
Isaiah 35:1 ↗
“the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose”
In kid words: Even a dry desert will be happy and burst into flowers.
Isaiah 25:4 ↗
“a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat”
In kid words: Jesus is like a safe shelter in a storm and cool shade on a hot day.
Isaiah 25:8 ↗
“the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces”
In kid words: Someday the Lord will wipe away every tear.

Forehead Guess words18 words

  • 🧔 Isaiah
  • 👦 Joseph Smith
  • 🧑‍🌾 Martin Harris
  • 👼 Angel Moroni
  • 📙 Gold Plates
  • 🔒 Sealed Book
  • 🎓 Professor
  • ✍️ Emma Smith
  • 🏜️ Desert
  • 🌹 Rose
  • 🦌 Deer
  • ⛈️ Storm
  • 📘 Book of Mormon
  • 🏛️ Temple
  • 🗝️ Priesthood
  • 💧 Baptism
  • 🕊️ Holy Ghost
  • 😢 Tears
Clues for each word
  • Isaiah: Prophet who wrote about the sealed book
  • Joseph Smith: Translated the gold plates by God’s power
  • Martin Harris: Carried the characters to New York City
  • Angel Moroni: Showed Joseph where the plates were buried
  • Gold Plates: Heavy metal pages covered in writing
  • Sealed Book: You can’t read it. It’s locked shut!
  • Professor: A super smart teacher at a college
  • Emma Smith: Joseph’s wife, who wrote while he translated
  • Desert: Hot, dry and sandy
  • Rose: Isaiah said the desert would bloom like this flower
  • Deer: Isaiah said the lame man would leap like one
  • Storm: Jesus is a shelter from it
  • Book of Mormon: Another testament of Jesus Christ
  • Temple: The house of the Lord
  • Priesthood: God’s power and authority
  • Baptism: You go all the way under the water
  • Holy Ghost: A gift you receive after you’re baptized
  • Tears: The Lord will wipe them all away
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown8 questions

  1. Which prophet wrote about a book that was sealed?
    • A. Isaiah
    • B. Moses
    • C. Jonah
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Isaiah Isaiah wrote it about 2,700 years before it happened!

  2. What was the Book of Mormon first written on?
    • A. Clay tablets
    • B. Paper
    • C. Gold plates
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Gold plates The words were engraved on thin metal plates that looked like gold.

  3. Who took the copied characters to a professor in New York?
    • A. Joseph Smith
    • B. Martin Harris
    • C. Moroni
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Martin Harris Martin Harris, a farmer and friend of Joseph, made the long trip.

  4. What did the professor say when he heard part was sealed?
    • A. “I cannot read a sealed book.”
    • B. “Let’s get pizza.”
    • C. “I already have that book.”
    Show answer

    ✅ A. “I cannot read a sealed book.” Almost the exact words Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 29:11!

  5. Who did Isaiah say would be given the book?
    • A. A king
    • B. The smartest man in the world
    • C. Someone who was not learned
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Someone who was not learned Joseph Smith had little schooling. He translated by the gift and power of God.

  6. Isaiah said the desert would blossom like a…
    • A. Cactus
    • B. Rose
    • C. Pine tree
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Rose Isaiah 35:1: “the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.”

  7. Isaiah said the Lord will wipe away…
    • A. Mud from our shoes
    • B. The ocean
    • C. Tears from all faces
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Tears from all faces Isaiah 25:8. Because of Jesus, every sad tear will be gone someday.

  8. What does “restore” mean?
    • A. To bring back something that was lost
    • B. To take a nap
    • C. To go shopping
    Show answer

    ✅ A. To bring back something that was lost Heavenly Father brought back His Church, priesthood and scriptures through Joseph Smith.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • The Golden Plates Children’s Songbook, p. 86

    Sing it right after the story drama. Find it ↗

  • On a Golden Springtime Children’s Songbook, p. 88

    Isaiah said the Lord would swallow up death in victory (Isaiah 25:8). Jesus rose again! Find it ↗

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

    How we can know the Book of Mormon is true. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Wonder Hunt

Find three “marvelous works” Heavenly Father did for you this week, like an answered prayer, something beautiful outside, or someone’s kindness. Tell your family about them at dinner.

Text the parents

Today in Primary we learned that Isaiah wrote about a “sealed book” 2,700 years before it happened. It came true when a professor told Martin Harris, “I cannot read a sealed book.” We hunted for 7 treasures Heavenly Father restored through Joseph Smith. Ask your child: which treasure do you think is the most amazing, and why?

📝 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?

🥤 Line upon Line Cup Tower · 5 min

  1. Read Isaiah 28:10: “line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.”
  2. Kids take turns adding one cup to a tower. Each one names something we learn little by little: praying, reading scriptures, being kind, repenting, paying tithing.
  3. SAY“Heavenly Father teaches us one line at a time. We don’t have to know everything at once.”

⛈️ Shelter from the Storm · 4 min

  1. Make a storm together: rub hands (wind), snap fingers (rain), pat legs (heavy rain), stomp (thunder).
  2. One child holds a blanket or umbrella over the others while the storm rages.
  3. Read Isaiah 25:4. Ask: “How is Jesus like a shelter when life feels stormy?”

🧱 Sure Foundation Challenge · 4 min

  1. Try to build a small block or book tower on a squishy pillow, then on the hard floor.
  2. Read Isaiah 28:16. Jesus is the “sure foundation.”
  3. Ask: “What happens when we build our lives on Jesus?”

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.

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