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Loved Forever and Ever

A stuck teddy, squishy mud stomps, a pull-pull-pull rescue, and a hug that goes round and round

  • 🧸 Nursery
  • Week 44
  • 📅 Sunday, November 1, 2026
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Heavenly Father loves me forever.

I can give myself a big hug and remember that Heavenly Father loves me forever.

Study it yourself firstRead Jeremiah 31–33; 36–39; Lamentations 1; 3 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Jeremiah 31–33; 36–39; Lamentations 1; 3)
Know the chapters

This week’s chapters tell of the last hard years before Babylon took Jerusalem. In the middle of it, the Lord told His people, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love.” That’s Jeremiah 31:3. In Jeremiah 38, angry leaders let the prophet Jeremiah down on ropes into a dry pit. He sank in the mud. A kind man named Ebed-melech spoke to the king. He let down soft old rags so the ropes wouldn’t hurt, and he pulled Jeremiah out. That’s Jeremiah 38:6–13. Lamentations 3:22–23 adds that the Lord’s mercies are “new every morning.”

For toddlers, keep just two things. Heavenly Father loves me forever. And helpers pull us up when we’re stuck. Little ones know both feelings well. Think of a child stuck in a sweater, or reaching up to be picked up. Keep the pit squishy and silly, never scary.

“Forever” is a big word. Show it with a hug and a circle that goes round and round. The lesson takes six minutes. The play-time ideas repeat “Heavenly Father loves you forever” all through nursery. Kids stomp, lift, scribble and snuggle, so the words sink in without anyone sitting still.

Only have 5 minutes?

Grab a teddy bear and a small blanket. Hide Teddy under the blanket, then pull him out: “Up, up, up!” Swipe through the five-picture story on your phone or tablet. Stomp in pretend mud. Hug yourself and say “Heavenly Father loves me forever!” End with a quiet “I know Heavenly Father loves you.” For play time, pick three ideas below. Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing.” Your hands become the stuck teddy, and your phone or tablet shows the pictures.

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. Tuck the teddy under the blanket in your bag, with one paw peeking out.
  2. Check the floor for anything small, especially Halloween candy, wrappers and costume bits. If it fits through a toilet-paper tube, put it up high or away.
  3. Decide with the other adult who leads the lesson and who greets at the door. There are always two adults in nursery.
  4. Practice the motion. Hug yourself tight and rock side to side while you say “Heavenly Father loves me forever!”
  5. Open the Sound Board on your phone or tablet and find the magic and cheer buttons. Turn the volume low.

If your class is wild

  • Tears at drop-off are normal. Let the other adult hold the crying child near the fun. They can whisper, “Mommy will come back. Heavenly Father loves you.” A quick, happy goodbye beats sneaking out.
  • Nobody has to sit. Lead from the floor at their level. Wanderers still hear you, and they often copy the motions from across the room.
  • Mud stomping getting wild? Switch to slow motion: “Suuuuper sticky mud…” Slow, big moves calm a room faster than “Stop!”
  • Follow your ward’s policy for diapers and potty trips. Never leave one adult alone with the class, and never go off alone with one child.

The 25-minute plan6 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

Stuck Teddy!

1 min

A teddy stuck under a blanket is a tiny rescue toddlers can see, and pulling him out gets everyone to come close.

  1. Sit on the floor with the blanket in a lump and Teddy’s paw peeking out.
  2. SAY“Uh-oh! Teddy is stuck! Can you help?”
  3. Let the kids pat the blanket or tug the paw with you: “Pull, pull, pull… up, up, up!”
  4. Pop Teddy out and hug him: “Teddy is out! Hooray!” Tap cheer on the Sound Board.
  5. SAY“Today a man got stuck in the mud. A helper pulled him out.”
🌪️ Everyone grabbing for Teddy? Hold him up high and count, “One, two, three, pull!” Then everyone pulls the air together.
🔊 Sound Board (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🧸 Uh-oh! Teddy is stuck!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A teddy bear or other soft stuffed animal, plus a small blanket or towel to hide it under

Stuck Hands!

  1. Sit on the floor and tuck both hands behind your back.
  2. SAY“Uh-oh! My hands are stuck! Can you help?”
  3. Wiggle and pull: “Pull, pull, pull… up, up, up!”
  4. Pop your hands out and wave them high: “Hooray!” Tap cheer on the Sound Board.
  5. SAY“Today a man got stuck in the mud. A helper pulled him out.”

Class screen: 👐 Uh-oh! My hands are stuck!

2. Story

Picture Story: Pulled Out of the Mud

2 min

Five pictures with one sentence and one action each let toddlers stomp in the mud, feel the soft clothes and pull Jeremiah up.

  1. Hold your phone or tablet at their eye level. Everyone gets to be a Mud Stomper and a Rope Puller.
  2. Read the one sentence, then do the action big so they can copy you. Don’t wait for everyone.
  3. On the pulling picture, pull slowly, then fast, then shout “Up!” Toddlers will want to go again.
  4. Losing them early? Jump to the last picture: “Heavenly Father loves you forever!”
🌪️ Got a child who won’t stop moving? Let them tap your phone or tablet to change the picture, with your hand on it too. A job beats a battle.

Class screen: 🕳️ Squish, squish! Pull, pull!

3. Wiggle break

Mud Stomp

1 min

Toddlers need to move after two minutes, and stomping in pretend mud repeats the story with their whole bodies.

  1. SAY“Stand up! Let’s stomp in the mud!”
  2. Stomp slowly: “Squish… squish… sticky mud!” Then stomp fast: “Squish-squish-squish!”
  3. Freeze your feet and wiggle your arms: “Uh-oh, stuck!”
  4. Reach up and pull: “Pull, pull, pull… up!” Stretch up tall, then do it again while they giggle.
  5. Finish with a hug: “Heavenly Father loves me forever!” Then sit down together.

Class screen: 🥾 Squish! Stuck! Pull! Up! · 🥾 Stomp · 🧊 Stuck! · 💪 Pull · ⬆️ Up!

4. Scripture

Our Little Verse: Jeremiah 31:3

1 min

Five words and one hug, said many times, is how a toddler carries a scripture home.

  1. Hold up your scriptures.
  2. SAY“This is the Bible. It tells about Heavenly Father. Listen!”
  3. Read slowly: “an everlasting love.”
  4. SAY“That means Heavenly Father loves me forever!”
  5. Hug yourself and rock side to side. Say it together three times: a tiny whisper, a normal voice, a happy voice.

Class screen: 🤗 Heavenly Father loves me forever! · 🤗 Hug and rock!

5. Testimony

I Know He Loves You

1 min

A quiet moment with a picture helps each child feel loved, right after a big stompy story.

  1. Drop your voice to a whisper and hold up the picture.
  2. SAY“Look! Heavenly Father loves this family.”
  3. Let each child look, point or pat the picture. Then kneel by each one: “Heavenly Father loves Ella forever.”
  4. SAY“I know Heavenly Father loves you. He loves you forever.”
  5. If your nursery has a prayer now, fold arms while a grown-up says a short one.

Class screen: ❤️ He loves you forever!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A picture of Jesus Christ or of a family praying (from your meetinghouse library, a Friend magazine, or home)

  1. Drop your voice to a whisper and put your hand on your heart.
  2. SAY“Shhh. Let’s think about Heavenly Father.”
  3. Touch each child’s hand or wave, and whisper, “Heavenly Father loves you.”
  4. SAY“I know Heavenly Father loves you. He loves you forever.”
  5. If your nursery has a prayer now, fold arms while a grown-up says a short one.
6. Song

Round and Round Forever

2 minBONUS

If they’re still with you, a slow song with a never-ending circle shows “forever” without any big words.

  1. Sit close together.
  2. SAY“Let’s make a circle that never stops.”
  3. Sing “My Heavenly Father Loves Me,” Children’s Songbook page 228. Go slowly and roll your hands around and around.
  4. At the end, wrap your arms into a hug: “Heavenly Father loves you forever!”

Class screen: ⭕ Round and round forever!

The story

Pulled Out of the Mud

Jeremiah 38:6–13 ↗

Optional helpers

  • Mud StompersEveryone! Stomp slowly in place: squish, squish.
  • Rope PullersEveryone! Reach up and pull hand over hand: pull, pull, pull!

Scenes

  1. 🧔 This is Jeremiah. He loved Heavenly Father.

    This is Jeremiah, a prophet who loved Heavenly Father.

    🙌 Wave hello to Jeremiah on your phone or tablet: “Hi, Jeremiah!”

  2. 🕳️🥾 Squish, squish! Jeremiah is stuck in mud!

    Uh-oh! Jeremiah is down in a hole, stuck in squishy mud.

    🙌 Stomp slowly in place: “Squish, squish!”

  3. 🧑🏾👕 A kind helper brings ropes and soft clothes.

    A kind helper named Ebed-melech brings ropes and soft clothes.

    🙌 Rub your arm gently: “Soft, soft.”

  4. 💪⬆️ Pull, pull, pull! Up comes Jeremiah!

    Everyone pulls, and up comes Jeremiah, out of the mud!

    🙌 Pull hand over hand, then stretch up high: “Up!”

  5. 🤗❤️ Heavenly Father loves you forever!

    Heavenly Father loved Jeremiah, and He loves you forever and ever!

    🙌 Hug yourselves and rock. Then say each child’s name: “Heavenly Father loves Ella!”

Key verse

Jeremiah 31:3 ↗
“an everlasting love”
In kid words: Heavenly Father loves me forever!
🙌 Hug yourself tight and rock side to side the whole time you say it.

More verses

Jeremiah 38:13 ↗
“So they drew up Jeremiah with cords”
In kid words: They pulled Jeremiah up with ropes!
Lamentations 3:22–23 ↗
“his compassions fail not. They are new every morning”
In kid words: Heavenly Father loves me every morning.

Forehead Guess words8 words

  • 🟤 Mud
  • 🪢 Rope
  • 🤗 Hug
  • 🧸 Teddy Bear
  • 👕 Shirt
  • 🥾 Boots
  • ☀️ Sun
  • ❤️ Heart
Clues for each word
  • Mud: Squish, squish! Stomp your feet.
  • Rope: Pull, pull, pull!
  • Hug: Squeeze someone you love
  • Teddy Bear: Soft, and we pulled him out
  • Shirt: Soft clothes, pat pat
  • Boots: Stomp in the mud
  • Sun: Good morning! It comes up every day.
  • Heart: Love that lasts forever
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown5 questions

  1. Which one goes squish, squish?
    • A. 🟤 Mud
    • B. 🍪 Cookie
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🟤 Mud Squish, squish! Jeremiah was stuck in the mud.

  2. What pulled Jeremiah up?
    • A. 🦆 Duck
    • B. 🪢 Rope
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🪢 Rope Pull, pull, pull! A kind helper used ropes.

  3. Which one is soft?
    • A. 👕 Shirt
    • B. 🪨 Rock
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 👕 Shirt Pat pat! Soft clothes kept the ropes from hurting Jeremiah.

  4. Who loves me forever?
    • A. 🐸 Frog
    • B. ❤️ Heavenly Father
    Show answer

    ✅ B. ❤️ Heavenly Father Hug and rock: Heavenly Father loves me forever!

  5. Which one is a hug?
    • A. 🤗 Hug
    • B. 🚂 Train
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🤗 Hug Squeeze! Give yourself a big hug.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • My Heavenly Father Loves Me Children’s Songbook, p. 228

    Sing it slowly with rolling hands, or hum it during the Forever Rock. Find it ↗

  • Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes Children’s Songbook, p. 275

    Sing it in slow, sticky-mud motion, then quick once you’re pulled out. Find it ↗

  • Kindness Begins with Me Children’s Songbook, p. 145

    Ebed-melech was a kind helper, and toddlers can be helpers too. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Forever Hugs

Each morning this week, give your little one a big rocking hug. Say, “Heavenly Father loves you forever!” See if they hug and rock back.

Text the parents

Today in nursery we learned about Jeremiah. He got stuck in the mud, and a kind helper pulled him out with ropes and soft clothes. You can read it in Jeremiah 38. We stomped, pulled and hugged. We said, “Heavenly Father loves me forever!” That comes from Jeremiah 31:3. Try it at home. Give your child a rocking hug and see if they say it with you.

📝 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.

Nursery play time

The lesson is short on purpose. Fill the rest of nursery with these: pick what fits your little ones today.

🧺 Stuck Teddy Rescue · 10 min

  1. Put the soft toys in a laundry basket on the floor. That’s the muddy hole. Set other toys nearby and let kids play.
  2. Every few minutes, call out, “Uh-oh! Teddy is stuck in the mud!” Help kids lift toys out: “Pull, pull… up!”
  3. Cheer each helper: “You’re a kind helper, like Ebed-melech!”
  4. Hug the rescued toy: “Heavenly Father loves Teddy forever, and He loves you forever too!”
  5. No basket? Use a pile of pillows or a low table. Keep the basket on the floor, and don’t let toddlers climb in.

🎵 Sticky Mud Songs · 5 min

  1. Sing “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” Children’s Songbook page 275, in slow sticky-mud motion. Then pull up and sing it fast.
  2. Sing “Kindness Begins with Me,” Children’s Songbook page 145. Pat a friend’s back gently or wave: “Kind helpers!”
  3. Tap Freeze Dance on your phone or tablet. When the music stops, everyone hugs themselves: “Heavenly Father loves me forever!”
  4. Don’t know a tune? Play it once in the Gospel Library app. Or just chant “Squish, squish, pull, pull” while you move.

🍎 New-Every-Morning Snack · 10 min

  1. Check allergies and your ward’s snack policy first. Wipe every child’s hands, and yours. Skip Halloween candy today.
  2. Everyone sits to eat while an adult watches. Skip popcorn, nuts, whole grapes, hard candy and raw carrot chunks.
  3. Fold arms while a grown-up says a short blessing: “Thank you for our snack.”
  4. Stretch and yawn like it’s morning: “What do you eat for breakfast?” Then tell them, “Every morning, Heavenly Father loves you.”
  5. No snack today? Pretend to wake up, stretch and munch toast. Then say thank you to Heavenly Father.

🖍️ Round-and-Round Forever Art · 8 min

  1. Tape a big sheet of paper down. Draw one big circle and trace it around and around: “This circle never stops!”
  2. Give each child one chunky washable crayon. Skip stickers, glitter, pom-poms and marker caps. They’re choking hazards.
  3. SAY“Round and round, Heavenly Father loves you forever.”
  4. Write each child’s name by their scribbles and hang the picture by the door. Count the crayons back into the box.
  5. No paper or crayons? Open Draw & Guess on your phone or tablet. Hold it while each child finger-draws circles.

👕 Soft Clothes Basket · 6 min

  1. Set out a basket of big soft clothes and towels, like an old sweatshirt, a fleece and a fluffy towel. Let kids dig in.
  2. SAY“Ebed-melech brought soft old clothes, so the ropes wouldn’t hurt Jeremiah. Soft, soft!”
  3. Rub a towel gently on your arm. Then wrap a stuffed animal in it: “Teddy feels safe and loved.”
  4. Check for loose buttons and drawstrings before class. An adult sits with the basket. Never wrap anything around a child’s head or neck.
  5. No basket? Pat your own soft sleeves, and a child’s if they like it: “Soft, soft! Heavenly Father loves you.”

🫧 Bubbles Pop, Love Stays · 5 min

  1. A grown-up blows bubbles up high, away from faces. Kids reach and pop them: “Pop! Pop!”
  2. SAY“Bubbles go away. Pop! But Heavenly Father’s love never goes away. It’s forever!”
  3. Blow a few more and let everyone pop. Then give yourselves a big rocking hug: “Forever and ever!”
  4. Grown-ups keep the bottle and wand. Blow bubbles over carpet, not a slick floor, and wipe up drips.
  5. No bubbles? Puff pretend bubbles and clap them: “Pop!” Then hug: “His love stays forever!”

🖼️ Picture Walk: Helpers Everywhere · 5 min

  1. Sit on the floor with a child or two in your lap. Swipe back through today’s story pictures, or open a book about helpers.
  2. Name one thing in each picture: “Mud! Squish.” Ask, “Where’s the rope?” and let them point.
  3. Walk around the room together and spot helpers: “Sister Lee helps you. You help pick up toys!”
  4. Finish with a hug: “Heavenly Father sends helpers because He loves you.”
  5. Both adults stay in the nursery room. Anyone who wants to keep playing can.

😴 Forever Rock · 4 min

  1. Spread out a blanket or sit on the carpet. Kids can lie down, sit or climb into a lap. Nobody has to.
  2. Rock gently side to side and softly hum “My Heavenly Father Loves Me,” Children’s Songbook page 228.
  3. For kids who like it, draw slow circles on their backs: “Round and round, forever.”
  4. Whisper each child’s name: “Heavenly Father loves you forever, Ella.”
  5. Upset child? Hold them, rock side to side and walk to the window together. Calm comes before learning.

👋 Up You Come! Goodbye · 5 min

  1. Five minutes before the end, call out, “Helpers, help! Toys are stuck on the floor!” Put toys in their bins together.
  2. Sit together once more. Hold out your hands and help each child stand: “Pull, pull… up you come!”
  3. Hug and rock together one last time: “Heavenly Father loves me forever!”
  4. Hand each child only to their own parent or guardian. Share the family note and one happy moment about their child.
  5. Kids still waiting? Try the Soft Clothes Basket or a picture book. Both adults stay until every child is picked up.

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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