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Write It Down!

Samuel prophesies from the wall, the risen Savior checks the records, and Jesus answers Satan with “It is written”

  • ⭐ Valiant 9–10
  • ⚡ Fast Sunday
  • 📅 Sunday, March 7, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Heavenly Father speaks through prophets and cares so much about their words that He makes sure they are written down, so I can use the scriptures to stand strong like Jesus did.

I can treasure up the words of the prophets in the scriptures and use them to stand strong when I’m tempted, like Jesus did.

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, taught in place of the regular Come, Follow Me lesson. The key verse fits fast Sunday perfectly: after fasting forty days, Jesus answered the tempter by saying we live by every word from God, not by bread alone (Matthew 4:2–4). Some kids may be fasting with their families today; children aren’t required to. Skip food rewards and keep the energy positive.

Heavenly Father reveals His will to His prophets (Amos 3:7), from Moses receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1–17) to Lehi seeing the tree of life (1 Nephi 8) to Joseph Smith seeing the Father and the Son (Joseph Smith—History 1:17). Their words, written down, become scripture, which is given by inspiration of God and useful for doctrine, correction and instruction (2 Timothy 3:16). The Lord also teaches that what His servants say when moved by the Holy Ghost is scripture for us (Doctrine and Covenants 68:4), which includes the living prophet today. All of it testifies of Jesus Christ (John 5:39).

Today’s story is Samuel the Lamanite (Helaman 13–16), which the manual points to. The Nephites of Zarahemla threw him out; the Lord told him to go back, and when they wouldn’t let him in, he preached from the city wall (Helaman 13:2–4). He prophesied that in five years the Son of God would be born, with a day, a night and a day without darkness and a new star as the sign (14:2–5), and that at the Savior’s death there would be darkness and many saints would rise and appear to many (14:20–25). Believers sought out the prophet Nephi, son of Helaman, to be baptized; others threw stones and shot arrows but could not hit him (16:1–2). The sign came exactly as he said (3 Nephi 1:15–21). Years later the resurrected Savior asked that Nephi’s son, also named Nephi and one of His twelve Nephite disciples, bring the records, pointed out that Samuel’s prophecy about the saints rising had not been written, and commanded that it be added (3 Nephi 23:7–13). Nine-to-eleven-year-olds love this detail: the Savior Himself checked the scriptures for a missing entry.

The Lord invites more than reading: feast on the words of Christ, and they will tell you what to do (2 Nephi 32:3); listen to and hold fast to the word of God, and temptations won’t overpower you (1 Nephi 15:23–24); treasure up His words, and the right words will come when you need them (Doctrine and Covenants 84:85). Jesus modeled this in the wilderness: all three times He answered with “It is written,” quoting Deuteronomy (compare Matthew 4:4, 7, 10 with Deuteronomy 8:3; 6:16; 6:13). Your oldest kids are close to Young Women and deacons quorum lessons where they’ll be asked to teach from scripture; today is good practice.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Helaman 13:1–4, Helaman 16:1–3, 3 Nephi 23:7–13 and Matthew 4:1–11. Run Whisper vs. Write. Tell The Prophecy That Almost Went Missing from Teach Mode. Hunt the footnote on Matthew 4:4 and learn the motions. Race through Feast, Hold Fast, Treasure Up, then close with the living prophet. Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing.” Your phone or tablet becomes the written message, and you read the team verses aloud.

What to bring2 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. Write the hook message on the paper and fold it: “Samuel saw seven silver stars sparkle south of the city wall.”
  2. Bookmark Helaman 13:3–4, Helaman 14:2–5 and 3 Nephi 23:9–11 for readers. Also mark the team verses: 2 Nephi 32:3, 1 Nephi 15:23–24 and Doctrine and Covenants 84:85.
  3. Find one short thing the living prophet taught recently. You’ll share it in your testimony.

If your class is wild

  • Pointing at the screen pulls every eye to the front. Use it anytime you lose the room.
  • Make your most energetic kid the Sound Helper. Tapping the sounds gives that energy somewhere to go.
  • In Whisper vs. Write, anyone who says the message out loud too early moves to the end of their row.
  • In Feast, Hold Fast, Treasure Up, each team picks a Finder, a Reader and a Reporter. That way everyone has a job.
  • Some kids may be fasting and feel hungry or cranky. Never ask who’s fasting, and skip food rewards.

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

Whisper vs. Write

3 min

A two-team race shows why the Lord has prophets write His words down.

  1. SAY“Team Whisper versus Team Write! Whose message will survive?”
  2. Each team sits in a row. Team Whisper whispers the message down the row, once each. Team Write passes the paper, and each kid reads it silently.
  3. The last kid on each team says it out loud. Read the real one. Ask, “Which team got it right? Why?”
  4. SAY“Heavenly Father doesn’t want His words to drift. So His prophets write them down.”
🌪️ Anyone who says the message out loud too early moves to the end of their row.

Class screen: 📝 Team Whisper vs. Team Write: whose message survives? · 🗣️ Whisper? · ✍️ Write?

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A sheet of paper and a pencil (for the written message in the hook)

Whisper vs. Screen

  1. SAY“Team Whisper versus Team Screen! Whose message will survive?”
  2. Each team sits in a row. Team Whisper whispers the message down the row, once each. Team Screen passes your phone or tablet, and each kid reads it silently.
  3. The last kid on each team says it out loud. Read the real one. Ask, “Which team got it right? Why?”
  4. SAY“Heavenly Father doesn’t want His words to drift, so His prophets write them down.”

Class screen: 📱 Samuel saw seven silver stars sparkle south of the city wall. · Read it silently, then pass it on

2. Story

Story: The Prophecy That Almost Went Missing

7 min

Samuel’s prophecy and the Savior’s visit show that prophets speak for God and that He cares that their words are recorded.

  1. SAY“Here’s a true Book of Mormon story. A prophet on a wall, and a prophecy that almost went missing. Watch the pictures closely.”
  2. Open the story in Teach Mode. At “Find” or “Count,” give kids a moment. Volunteers read Helaman 13:3–4 at scene 1 and Helaman 14:2–5 at scene 2.
  3. At scene 6, have a volunteer read 3 Nephi 23:9–11. Ask, “What did Jesus notice was missing?”
  4. After scene 7, ask, “Why would the Savior care so much about one missing prophecy?”
🌪️ If the room drifts, ask everyone to point to something on the screen. Then read on.

Class screen: 🧱 A prophet on the wall and a missing prophecy! · 👀 Look closely! · ✍️ Written!

3. Scripture

Key Verse: Matthew 4:4

4 min

Kids learn the key verse and discover that Jesus answered temptation with scripture He had treasured up.

  1. SAY“Jesus had fasted forty days. Satan came to tempt Him three times. All three times, Jesus answered, ‘It is written.’”
  2. Have a volunteer read Matthew 4:4.
  3. Footnote hunt! A kid checks the footnote on Matthew 4:4. Where did Jesus’s answer come from? Deuteronomy 8:3. Bonus: 4:7 and 4:10 do too.
  4. SAY“Jesus didn’t look it up in the moment. He already knew it. That’s treasuring up.”
  5. Teach the motions, seated, and say it twice. Ask, “What verse or song could be your own ‘It is written’ when you’re tempted?”

Class screen: ✨ Tempted? Answer like Jesus: “It is written.” · Matthew 4:4 · Deuteronomy 8:3

4. Game

Feast, Hold Fast, Treasure Up

7 min

Teams discover that the Lord asks for more than reading, and every invitation comes with a promise.

  1. SAY“The Lord asks for more than reading. Three teams, three verses. Find His action word, and the promise that goes with it.”
  2. Give out the verses. Team 1 gets 2 Nephi 32:3. Team 2 gets 1 Nephi 15:23–24. Team 3 gets Doctrine and Covenants 84:85.
  3. Start the Big Timer for 60 seconds. Reporters share the action word and its promise, a point for each. Listen for feast, hold fast and treasure up.
  4. Ask, “What’s the difference between reading and feasting?” Then ask, “What would treasuring up a verse look like for you?”
🌪️ Each team picks a Finder, a Reader and a Reporter, so everyone has a job.
⏱️ Big Timer (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 💎 Find the action word. Find the promise. · 2 Nephi 32:3 · 1 Nephi 15:23–24 · D&C 84:85

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: 3 copies of the scriptures (classroom set, ward library or the kids’ own), bookmarked for the three teams

Feast, Hold Fast, Treasure Up: Listen Mode

  1. SAY“The Lord asks for more than reading. Three teams, three verses. Listen for His action word, and the promise that goes with it.”
  2. Give each team one passage: 2 Nephi 32:3, 1 Nephi 15:23–24 or Doctrine and Covenants 84:85. Read all three aloud.
  3. Teams huddle for about 20 seconds. Then they report their action word and its promise, a point for each.
  4. Ask, “What’s the difference between reading and feasting?” Then ask, “What would treasuring up a verse look like for you?”

Class screen: 👂 Listen for the action word and the promise. · 2 Nephi 32:3 · 1 Nephi 15:23–24 · D&C 84:85

5. Testimony

Treasure It Up

3 min

End calm, with the living prophet and a verse of their own.

  1. SAY“Heavenly Father still speaks through a living prophet today.”
  2. Share one short thing the prophet taught recently and why it matters to you. Then tell about a time a verse came to mind right when you needed it.
  3. SAY“Today is fast Sunday. Jesus fasted, and then He said we live by every word from God. Whether you’re fasting or not, you can feed your spirit this week.”
  4. Share the Treasure Up challenge on the screen. Then invite a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: 💎 This week: treasure up one verse · Read 10 minutes a day · Memorize one verse · Read one message from the living prophet

6. Game

Forehead Guess: Prophets and Scriptures Edition

4 minBONUS

A quick Heads Up–style team review of the story and the scriptures.

  1. SAY“Team Whisper versus Team Write! Give clues, but don’t say the word. Don’t say any word in the hint either.”
  2. Tap Forehead Guess. One kid holds your phone or tablet to their forehead, screen facing the class. Their team gives clues from their seats.
  3. Tilt down for “got it” and up to pass. Teams trade after 45 seconds. Most words wins.
🌪️ Pass your phone or tablet hand to hand to the next guesser. No tossing.
▶ Play Forehead Guess on the web

Class screen: 🤔 Forehead Guess: no saying words from the hint!

7. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A fast team quiz reviews the story and the verses.

  1. SAY“Team Whisper versus Team Write, same teams as before!”
  2. Tap Scripture Showdown and read each question aloud. Teams whisper for ten seconds, then point to an answer.
  3. Tap the team that got it right. They earn a bonus point if they can name the verse.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown!

The story

The Prophecy That Almost Went Missing

Helaman 13:1–4; 14:2–5, 20–25; 16:1–8; 3 Nephi 1:15–21; 23:7–13 ↗

Optional helpers

  • Sound HelperSits next to you and taps each scene’s sound on your phone or tablet.

Scenes

  1. 🧱📢 Samuel preaches from the wall

    About five years before Jesus was born, a Lamanite prophet named Samuel preached in Zarahemla. The Nephites threw him out. But the Lord told him to go back. When they wouldn’t let him in, he climbed the city wall and preached.

    🙌 Find the wall on the screen. Raise one arm high, like Samuel on top!

  2. ⭐🌙 A night with no darkness

    Samuel prophesied that in five years the Son of God would be born. Here was the sign. A day, a night and a day, with no darkness at all. And a brand-new star in the sky.

    🙌

  3. 🌑⛈️ Signs of His death too

    Samuel also told of signs at the Savior’s death. Three days of darkness. Thunder and earthquakes. And many saints would rise from their graves and appear to many. Remember that last part. It’s going to matter.

    🙌

  4. 🏹🪨 Not one arrow hit him

    Some believed Samuel and went to Nephi to be baptized. Others were furious. They threw stones and shot arrows at Samuel on the wall. But the Spirit of the Lord was with him, and not one hit him.

    🙌 Count on your fingers how many arrows hit Samuel. Zero!

  5. 🌟🌃 Five years later: no darkness!

    Samuel escaped to his own land. Five years later, just as he said, the sun went down and it didn’t get dark. A new star rose. The next day, Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

    🙌 Find the new star. Twinkle your fingers!

  6. 📜❓ The risen Savior checks the records

    Years later, the resurrected Savior visited the Nephites. He asked Nephi to bring the records. He reminded them He had commanded Samuel to prophesy that saints would rise. Had it happened? Yes! So why wasn’t it written?

    🙌

  7. ✍️✅ Jesus commanded that it be written

    Nephi remembered it had not been written. Jesus commanded that it be added, and it was. The Savior cared that His prophet’s words were recorded exactly. That’s how much the scriptures matter to Him.

    🙌 Write on your palm: “Written!”

Key verse

Matthew 4:4 ↗
“But he answered and said, 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 answered Satan with scripture: food keeps our bodies alive, but our spirits live on every word God speaks.
🙌 “It is written” = pretend to write on your palm · “Man shall not live by bread alone” = hold a pretend loaf, then set it down · “but by every word” = open your hands like a book · “that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” = fingers move out from your mouth, then point up.

More verses

Amos 3:7 ↗
“Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets”
In kid words: Heavenly Father tells His prophets what He is going to do.
2 Timothy 3:16 ↗
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”
In kid words: The scriptures come from God, and they teach us, warn us, correct us and train us to do right.
John 5:39 ↗
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me”
In kid words: Jesus told us to search the scriptures, because they are all about Him.
Psalm 119:105 ↗
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”
In kid words: God’s word is like a flashlight that shows me where to step next.

Forehead Guess words19 words

  • 📢 Samuel the Lamanite
  • 🧱 City wall
  • 🏙️ Zarahemla
  • 🏹 Arrows
  • 🌟 New star
  • 🌃 Night without darkness
  • 📜 Nephi
  • 📚 Records
  • 🧔 Prophet
  • 🪨 Moses
  • 🧵 Iron rod
  • 🍽️ Feast
  • 💎 Treasure up
  • 🏜️ Wilderness
  • ✍️ It is written
  • 📘 Deuteronomy
  • 🔎 Footnote
  • 👂 Living prophet
  • 🔦 Lamp
Clues for each word
  • Samuel the Lamanite: Prophet who preached from the city wall
  • City wall: Where Samuel stood when they wouldn’t let him in
  • Zarahemla: The Nephite city that threw Samuel out
  • Arrows: Shot at Samuel, but not one hit him
  • New star: Sign that the Son of God was born
  • Night without darkness: Samuel said it would come in five years
  • Nephi: Disciple who added Samuel’s missing prophecy to the record
  • Records: The risen Savior asked to check them
  • Prophet: God reveals His secrets to them, Amos 3:7
  • Moses: Received the Ten Commandments on stone tablets
  • Iron rod: Nephi said it stands for the word of God
  • Feast: What 2 Nephi 32:3 says to do with Christ’s words
  • Treasure up: Store God’s words in your mind for later
  • Wilderness: Where Jesus fasted forty days
  • It is written: Jesus said it three times to Satan
  • Deuteronomy: Old Testament book Jesus quoted when tempted
  • Footnote: Tiny letter that leads to another verse
  • Living prophet: Speaks for the Lord today
  • Lamp: Psalm 119:105 says God’s word is one to my feet
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown10 questions

  1. Why did Samuel preach from the top of the city wall?
    • A. It had the best view
    • B. He was afraid of the crowd
    • C. The people wouldn’t let him into the city
    Show answer

    ✅ C. The people wouldn’t let him into the city Helaman 13:4. The Lord told him to go back, so he found a way.

  2. Samuel said the Son of God would be born in how many years?
    • A. Five
    • B. Forty
    • C. One hundred
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Five Helaman 14:2. And it happened right on time.

  3. What sign did Samuel give for the Savior’s birth?
    • A. An earthquake
    • B. A night with no darkness and a new star
    • C. A rainbow over the temple
    Show answer

    ✅ B. A night with no darkness and a new star Helaman 14:3–5; fulfilled in 3 Nephi 1:15–21.

  4. What happened when people shot arrows at Samuel?
    • A. He caught them
    • B. He ran away right away
    • C. None of them could hit him
    Show answer

    ✅ C. None of them could hit him Helaman 16:2. The Spirit of the Lord was with him.

  5. What did the risen Savior notice was missing from the Nephite records?
    • A. Samuel’s prophecy about saints rising
    • B. The Ten Commandments
    • C. A list of the kings
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Samuel’s prophecy about saints rising 3 Nephi 23:9–13. He commanded that it be written, and it was.

  6. Amos 3:7 says the Lord reveals His secret to whom?
    • A. Kings and queens
    • B. His servants the prophets
    • C. Nobody at all
    Show answer

    ✅ B. His servants the prophets The Lord speaks through prophets, then and now.

  7. How long did Jesus fast in the wilderness before Satan came?
    • A. Three days
    • B. Forty days and forty nights
    • C. One week
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Forty days and forty nights Matthew 4:2. Then He answered every temptation with scripture.

  8. Which Old Testament book did Jesus quote when He was tempted?
    • A. Genesis
    • B. Psalms
    • C. Deuteronomy
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Deuteronomy Check the footnotes: Matthew 4:4, 7 and 10 point to Deuteronomy 8:3; 6:16; 6:13.

  9. In 1 Nephi 15:24, what does the iron rod stand for?
    • A. The word of God
    • B. A sword for battle
    • C. The city wall
    Show answer

    ✅ A. The word of God Hold fast to it, and temptations can’t overpower you.

  10. 2 Nephi 32:3 says to do what with the words of Christ?
    • A. Skim them
    • B. Feast upon them
    • C. Save them for later
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Feast upon them Feast on them, and they will tell you what you should do.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

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

    Today’s prophet on the wall and the sign of the Savior’s birth. Find it ↗

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

    A fun review of the prophets, from Adam to today, who all testified of Jesus Christ. Find it ↗

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

    How we feast on and treasure up the scriptures ourselves. Find it ↗

  • We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet Hymns, no. 19

    Gratitude for the living prophet who guides us today. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Treasure Up

Read the scriptures for 10 minutes every day this week. Pick one verse to treasure up, and memorize it by Sunday. Matthew 4:4 is a great choice. Read or watch one message from the living prophet, and tell your family one thing he taught. Want more? Make daily scripture study a Children and Youth goal.

Text the parents

Today in Primary we learned that Heavenly Father speaks through prophets and wants their words written down. We heard how Samuel the Lamanite preached from the wall. Then we found out the risen Savior checked the Nephite records and had a missing prophecy added. We also learned how Jesus answered every temptation with “It is written.” Ask your child what Jesus noticed was missing from the records. What verse is your child treasuring up this week?

📝 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?

🌽 The Great Page Rescue · 5 min

  1. Tell the true story of Mary and Caroline Rollins. You’ll find it in Doctrine and Covenants Stories in Gospel Library.
  2. A mob wrecked the press printing the Book of Commandments in Independence, Missouri. The two sisters grabbed armfuls of pages and hid in a cornfield.
  3. Ask, “Those pages became part of the Doctrine and Covenants. What would you risk to protect the Lord’s words?” Then compare it with Samuel’s missing prophecy.

🗼 Watchman Report · 5 min

  1. Show a recent message from the living prophet or another apostle in the Gospel Library app.
  2. In pairs, kids find one warning and one promise in the message.
  3. Each pair reports like Samuel on the wall: “Warning! … Promise! …”

⚡ It Is Written Speed Round · 4 min

  1. Name an everyday temptation. Maybe a friend dares you to lie, or someone shows you something you shouldn’t watch.
  2. Teams race to find a verse or a Primary song line that answers it. Then they stand, say “It is written,” and share it.
  3. SAY“The more you treasure up now, the more you’ll have ready when you need it.”

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 Valiant 9–10 lessons