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Ye Are My Witnesses

The Lord puts the idols on trial, names a king 150 years early, and calls you as His witness

  • ⭐ Valiant 9–10
  • Week 40
  • 📅 Sunday, October 4, 2026
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Jesus Christ is the only Savior, more powerful than anything the world trusts, and He calls me to be His witness.

I can be a witness of Jesus Christ by trusting Him more than the world’s “idols” and telling what I know about Him.

Study it yourself firstRead Isaiah 40–49 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Isaiah 40–49)
Know the chapters

Isaiah 40 opens with “Comfort ye,” and the tone of the book changes. Isaiah now writes to people who’d live more than a century after him. They’re the Jews carried off to Babylon after Jerusalem and its temple were destroyed. Some of them felt the Lord had forgotten them, as 49:14 says. The Lord’s answer runs all through these chapters: “Fear not.” See 41:10 and 43:1. The Lord speaking here is Jehovah, and Jehovah is Jesus Christ before His birth on earth. Nephi had these chapters on the brass plates. He read Isaiah 48–49 to his brothers so they would believe in the Redeemer. See 1 Nephi 19:22–23 and chapters 20–21.

Isaiah frames part of his message like a court case. In 41:21–24 and 43:9–12, the Lord challenges the idols of the nations. Bring your evidence, He says. Prove you are gods by telling what will happen in the future. The idols have nothing to say. Isaiah also pokes fun at idol worship in 44:14–17. A man burns half a log to bake bread and warm his hands. Then he carves the other half into a god and prays to it. When Babylon falls, its idols Bel and Nebo have to be loaded onto tired animals and hauled away. But the Lord promises to carry His people all the way to old age. That’s 46:1–4.

Then comes the evidence only God could give. Isaiah names Cyrus, the Persian king who would conquer Babylon. Cyrus would let the Jews go home to rebuild the temple. That’s 44:28 and 45:1–4, written more than 150 years before Cyrus did it in Ezra 1:1–3. The verdict is Isaiah 43:10–11: “Ye are my witnesses… beside me there is no saviour.” All four Gospels quote Isaiah 40:3 about John the Baptist: “Prepare ye the way of the LORD.” The Aaronic Priesthood that John held still helps prepare the way today. See D&C 84:26–28.

Nine- to eleven-year-olds can handle the real argument. The Lord proves who He is by what He has declared and done. And He invites us to testify of Him. Help them spot “modern idols.” These are good things like phones, winning or popularity that we can start trusting more than God. At baptism they promised to stand as witnesses of God at all times. That’s Mosiah 18:9. This weekend, apostles speak at General Conference. D&C 107:23 calls them special witnesses of Christ. Your 11-year-olds will soon be ordained deacons or join Young Women. They can start going to the temple in January. Each is another way to be His witness.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Isaiah 41:21–23, 44:14–17 and 44:28. Seal the name CYRUS in an envelope. Tell the courtroom story in Teach Mode. You read the Lord’s words. Teach Isaiah 43:10–11 with the motions. Run the Cross-Reference Chase, then close as witnesses. Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing.” One kid guards the secret name in their head, and the chase becomes a team shout-out.

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 Isaiah 41:21–23, 44:14–17 and 44:28. Write CYRUS on a card, seal it in the envelope, and label it “Do not open for 150 years.”
  2. Write one pair on each slip: “Isaiah 40:3 + Luke 3:4” · “Isaiah 40:11 + John 10:11” · “Isaiah 43:11 + Acts 4:12” · “Isaiah 49:16 + John 20:27.”

If your class is wild

  • Nine- to eleven-year-olds hate being babied. Frame the story as a real trial and the chase as a real competition. They’ll lean in instead of rolling their eyes.
  • “Order in the court!” doubles as your quiet signal: two knocks, then three seconds of silence. Brag on the class when it works.
  • Let your class clown read the woodcarver’s prayer in scene 2, “Deliver me!” The laugh lands on the idols, right where it belongs.
  • No one plays the Lord. When He speaks in the story, you read His words.
  • Keep team points light and fast. If one team runs away with it, give a “witness bonus” point for a thoughtful answer to a why question.

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 Envelope from 150 Years Ago

3 min

An impossible challenge sets up the trial: only God can tell the future.

  1. SAY“Inside this envelope is the name of a real king. Isaiah wrote it down more than a hundred years before that king was born.”
  2. SAY“Your turn to be prophets. Who will lead our country in the year 2176? Go!”
  3. Take three quick guesses and let them laugh. Ask: “Why can’t we do it?” Only God knows the future.
  4. Teach one quiet signal. Knock twice on your knees and say, “Order in the court!” Then three silent seconds.
  5. Hand the envelope to the Keeper. Say: “Don’t open it until the story tells you to.”
🌪️ Only kids sitting ready get to guess. Three guesses, then move on.

Class screen: ✉️ Can you name a king 150 years early? · ⚖️ Order in the court!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: An envelope with a card inside that says CYRUS in big letters, sealed and labeled “Do not open for 150 years”

The Human Vault

  1. SAY“I’m going to whisper the name of a real king to one person. Isaiah wrote it down more than a hundred years before that king was born.”
  2. Whisper “Cyrus” to your most trustworthy kid. Say: “Everyone else, who will lead our country in 2176? Go!” Take three quick guesses.
  3. Ask: “Why can’t we do it?” Only God knows the future.
  4. Teach one quiet signal. Knock twice on your knees and say, “Order in the court!” Then three silent seconds.
  5. Say to your secret keeper, the Vault: “Don’t tell anyone until the story says so.”

Class screen: 🤐 Can you name a king 150 years early? · ⚖️ Order in the court!

2. Story

Story: The Lord vs. the Idols

7 min

You tell the Lord’s courtroom challenge from Isaiah 41–46 and how it came true. The class joins in with real verses.

  1. SAY“Court is in session. Study the evidence on the screen closely. When the Lord speaks, I’ll read His words.”
  2. Open the story in Teach Mode. At “Find” or “Count,” give kids a moment. The Scripture Reader reads Isaiah 41:23 at scene 4 and 44:28 at scene 5.
  3. At scene 5, the Keeper opens the envelope, or the Vault says the name. At scene 7, the Reader reads Isaiah 43:10.
  4. Ask: “What evidence did the Lord give that He is God?” Listen for: He told the future and it came true. He carries His people.
  5. Ask: “Why would the Lord name Cyrus so early?” Then: “What does that do for your faith?”
🌪️ If the room gets loud, knock twice: “Order in the court!” Then three silent seconds.

Class screen: ⚖️ The Lord vs. the Idols · 🔎 Study the evidence · ✋ We are His witnesses!

3. Scripture

Key Verse: Isaiah 43:10–11

4 min

Kids memorize the Lord’s verdict and learn that the LORD in Isaiah is Jesus Christ.

  1. SAY“Here’s the verdict. Read it with me from the screen.”
  2. Read Isaiah 43:10–11 together once. Say: “The LORD in the Old Testament is Jehovah. And Jehovah is Jesus Christ, before He was born. You’re reading the Savior’s own words.”
  3. Teach the motions one phrase at a time. Say it twice, the second time as firm as a courtroom verdict.
  4. Ask: “What does a witness do?” They tell what they know is true. Then ask: “What could you be a witness of this week?”

Class screen: 🙋 Ye are my witnesses. · Isaiah 43:10–11

4. Game

Cross-Reference Chase

8 min

A friendly team race proves from the New Testament that Isaiah’s LORD is Jesus Christ, the only Savior.

  1. SAY“A good witness brings evidence. Let’s use the New Testament to prove who the LORD in Isaiah really is.”
  2. Split into two teams, each with scriptures. Read one slip aloud. Both teams race to find both verses.
  3. The first team to read both aloud and answer “Who is this about?” scores a point. Short on time? Race two slips.
  4. Answers: 40:3 ➜ Luke 3:4, where John prepares the way for Jesus. 40:11 ➜ John 10:11. 43:11 ➜ Acts 4:12. 49:16 ➜ John 20:27.
  5. Ask: “Why does it matter that the God of Isaiah is Jesus Christ?” Listen for: the Savior has always been watching over His people.
🌪️ Only one kid per team holds the scriptures at a time. Teammates help by calling out where the book is. Rotate each round.

Class screen: 🔍 Cross-Reference Chase: who is the LORD? · Isaiah 40:3 · Prepare the way · Isaiah 40:11 · Feed his flock · Isaiah 43:11 · No other saviour · Isaiah 49:16 · Graven on My palms

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: Scriptures for two teams: Bibles, or the Gospel Library app, Four slips of paper, each with one cross-reference pair written on it (see prep)

Cross-Reference Shout-Out

  1. SAY“A good witness brings evidence. I’ll read a verse from the New Testament. Huddle with your team. Then tell me which Isaiah verse on the screen it matches.”
  2. From your own scriptures or Gospel Library, read Acts 4:12, Luke 3:4, John 20:27 and John 10:11, in that order.
  3. The first team with a hand up, the right match and who it’s about scores a point.
  4. Ask: “Why does it matter that the God of Isaiah is Jesus Christ?” Listen for: the Savior has always been watching over His people.

Class screen: 🔍 Which Isaiah verse does it match? · Isaiah 40:3 · Prepare the way · Isaiah 40:11 · Feed his flock · Isaiah 43:11 · No other saviour · Isaiah 49:16 · Graven on My palms

5. Testimony

Witnesses

3 min

A quiet ending lets kids act as witnesses right now, with no pressure.

  1. SAY“In a courtroom, a witness tells what they know for themselves. I want to be a witness right now.”
  2. Share one thing you know about Jesus Christ.
  3. Invite anyone who wants to raise their right hand and share one sentence: “I know…” or “I’m still learning, and I want to know.”
  4. SAY“At baptism, you promised to stand as a witness of God at all times. That’s in Mosiah 18. Deacons, Young Women and temple trips help you do it.”
  5. Share the Conference Witness Tally challenge, then ask a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: ✋ Ye are my witnesses. · I know… · I’m still learning, and I want to know.

6. Game

Forehead Guess: Courtroom Edition

4 minBONUS

A fast, competitive review of every person, idol and prophecy from the lesson.

  1. SAY“Valiant rules! Give clues, but don’t say the word. And don’t say any word from its hint.”
  2. Tap Forehead Guess. One kid holds your phone or tablet on their forehead, screen facing the class. Teammates give clues from their seats.
  3. Teams take turns, 45 seconds each. Double point if the guesser can name the chapter, like Isaiah 44–45 for Cyrus.
🌪️ Clue-givers raise a hand and wait to be picked by the guesser.
▶ Play Forehead Guess on the web

Class screen: 🤔 Forehead Guess: Courtroom Edition · No saying words from the hint!

7. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A tough team quiz reviews the trial, the prophecy and the witnesses.

  1. SAY“Same teams as the chase. The court will now hear the final evidence!”
  2. Tap Scripture Showdown. Read each question aloud. Teams get 10 seconds to whisper, then point to an answer.
  3. Give a bonus point to a team that can name the verse.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown!

The story

The Lord vs. the Idols

Isaiah 41:21–24; 43:9–12; 44:9–28; 46:1–4; Ezra 1:1–3 ↗

Optional helpers

  • Keeper of the EnvelopeHolds the sealed envelope and opens it at scene 5 to reveal the king’s name.
  • Scripture ReaderA strong reader who reads Isaiah 41:23, 44:28 and 43:10 aloud from their seat.

Scenes

  1. 😢⚖️ Captives far from home, and a trial

    God’s people were captives in Babylon. Some said, “The Lord has forgotten me.” So in Isaiah 41, the Lord calls a trial. It’s the idols of the nations against the God of Israel. He says, “Bring forth your strong reasons.” Prove you’re real.

    🙌

  2. 🪓🔥 Exhibit A: the half-dinner god

    A woodcarver chops down a tree. Half goes on the fire to bake his bread. From the other half, he carves a statue. He bows down to it and prays, “Deliver me.” He never thinks, I cooked dinner on this!

    🙌 Find the fire on the screen. Half for dinner, half for a god?

  3. 🫏😩 Exhibit B: idols that need a ride

    When Babylon fell, its idols were loaded onto tired animals and hauled away. But the Lord says, “Even to hoar hairs will I carry you.” Idols have to be carried. The Lord carries you. All the way to gray hair.

    🙌 Find the donkey. Who has to carry whom?

  4. 🔮🤐 The ultimate test: tell the future

    Now the Lord gives the idols the hardest test. He says, “Shew the things that are to come hereafter.” Tell us the future, and we’ll believe you. The courtroom waits. And waits…

    🙌 Count the silence on your fingers: 1… 2… 3…

  5. 📜✍️ The Lord names a king before he’s born

    Then the Lord does what only God can do. Through Isaiah, He names a king who hasn’t even been born. His name is Cyrus. The Lord says Cyrus will be His shepherd. Cyrus will order Jerusalem and the temple rebuilt.

    🙌

  6. 👑🏛️ King Cyrus sends them home

    More than a hundred and fifty years later, a Persian king named Cyrus conquered Babylon. In his very first year, he made an announcement. The Lord’s people could go home and build the Lord’s house again. The people who felt forgotten were going home!

    🙌

  7. 🙋⚖️ The verdict: “Ye are my witnesses”

    The idols had no evidence. But the Lord has witnesses. He says, “Ye are my witnesses.” And He says there’s no Savior besides Him. That means you. Everyone who knows Jesus Christ is His witness.

    🙌 Raise your right hand: “We are His witnesses!”

Key verse

Isaiah 43:10–11 ↗
“Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen … I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.”
In kid words: The Lord says: “You are My witnesses. I chose you. I am the Lord, and there is no other Savior but Me.”
🙌 “Ye are my witnesses” = point around the circle at each other, then raise your right hand like you’re taking an oath · “my servant whom I have chosen” = hand on heart, then point up · “I, even I, am the LORD” = both arms stretch high · “beside me there is no saviour” = look left, look right, shake your head (“no one else!”), then point up again.

More verses

Isaiah 43:1 ↗
“Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.”
In kid words: Don’t be afraid. I paid to set you free, I know your name, and you belong to Me.
Isaiah 46:4 ↗
“even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”
In kid words: Idols have to be carried. The Lord carries you, all the way until your hair turns gray.
Isaiah 40:31 ↗
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
In kid words: When you trust the Lord and keep following Him, He recharges your strength so you can keep going.
Isaiah 49:15–16 ↗
“yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands”
In kid words: Even if a mother forgot her baby, the Lord will never forget you. You are carved on His hands.

Forehead Guess words20 words

  • 👑 Cyrus
  • 🏰 Babylon
  • 🗿 Idol
  • 🪵 Graven image
  • 🪓 Woodcarver
  • 🙋 Witness
  • ✨ Jehovah
  • 🔓 Redeemer
  • 📜 Prophecy
  • ⚖️ Courtroom
  • 🫏 Beast of burden
  • 🐑 Shepherd
  • 🦅 Eagle
  • 🗣️ John the Baptist
  • 🛣️ Highway
  • ✋ Palms
  • 🔥 Furnace of affliction
  • 📖 Brass plates
  • 🏛️ Temple
  • 🎤 General Conference
Clues for each word
  • Cyrus: Persian king named more than 150 years early
  • Babylon: Empire that carried the Jews away captive
  • Idol: Can’t hear, can’t see, can’t tell the future
  • Graven image: A carved statue people prayed to
  • Woodcarver: Cooked dinner with half his log
  • Witness: Tells what they know is true
  • Jehovah: The LORD of the Old Testament: Jesus Christ
  • Redeemer: Pays the price to set captives free
  • Prophecy: Telling the future by God’s power
  • Courtroom: Where the Lord put the idols on trial
  • Beast of burden: Had to haul Babylon’s heavy idols
  • Shepherd: Gathers the lambs with his arm
  • Eagle: Isaiah 40:31: mount up with wings like one
  • John the Baptist: A voice crying in the wilderness
  • Highway: Make it straight to prepare the way
  • Palms: Where the Lord has graven your name
  • Furnace of affliction: Hard times that refine us (Isaiah 48:10)
  • Brass plates: Nephi read Isaiah from these
  • Temple: Cyrus said: go home and build it again
  • General Conference: Prophets and apostles speak twice a year
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown10 questions

  1. In Isaiah 41, what test does the Lord give the idols?
    • A. Lift a mountain
    • B. Tell the future
    • C. Win a race
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Tell the future Isaiah 41:23: “Shew the things that are to come hereafter.” The idols had nothing to say.

  2. What did the woodcarver do with the half of the log he didn’t burn?
    • A. Carved a god and prayed to it
    • B. Built a table
    • C. Sold it at the market
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Carved a god and prayed to it Isaiah 44:17. He prayed to the leftovers from his dinner fire!

  3. In Isaiah 46, who has to carry Babylon’s idols?
    • A. The priests
    • B. Nobody; they fly
    • C. Tired animals
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Tired animals Isaiah 46:1. Idols have to be carried, but the Lord carries us (46:4).

  4. Which king did Isaiah name more than 150 years before he freed the Jews?
    • A. Nebuchadnezzar
    • B. David
    • C. Cyrus
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Cyrus Isaiah 44:28; 45:1. Cyrus let the Jews go home and rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:1–3).

  5. Cyrus was king of which empire?
    • A. Persia
    • B. Egypt
    • C. Rome
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Persia Ezra 1:1 calls him “Cyrus king of Persia.” Persia conquered Babylon.

  6. Who fulfilled “Prepare ye the way of the LORD” in the New Testament?
    • A. Peter
    • B. John the Baptist
    • C. Paul
    Show answer

    ✅ B. John the Baptist Luke 3:4 and all four Gospels quote Isaiah 40:3 about John the Baptist.

  7. Finish Isaiah 43:11: “I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no…”
    • A. other king
    • B. saviour
    • C. prophet
    Show answer

    ✅ B. saviour Acts 4:12 says the same: salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone.

  8. Who is the LORD (Jehovah) speaking in Isaiah?
    • A. An angel
    • B. King Cyrus
    • C. Jesus Christ before His birth
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Jesus Christ before His birth Jehovah is the premortal Jesus Christ. Isaiah is full of the Savior’s own words.

  9. Which Book of Mormon prophet read Isaiah 48–49 to his brothers?
    • A. Nephi
    • B. Alma
    • C. Moroni
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Nephi 1 Nephi 19:22–23; 20–21. He wanted them to believe in the Redeemer.

  10. Isaiah 43:1: “I have called thee by thy…”
    • A. number
    • B. family
    • C. name
    Show answer

    ✅ C. name The Lord knows you personally. You aren’t a number to Him.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • How Firm a Foundation Hymns, no. 85

    This hymn draws on Isaiah 41:10, 43:2, and 46:4. Challenge teams to spot the Isaiah promises while they sing. Find it ↗

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

    Perfect for General Conference weekend, when living prophets and apostles testify of Christ. Find it ↗

  • I Will Be Valiant Children’s Songbook, p. 162

    A Valiant class song about standing up for what you know, just like a witness. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Conference Witness Tally

Watch at least one session of General Conference, or one talk later in Gospel Library. Make a tally mark every time a speaker testifies of Jesus Christ. Write down one sentence you want to remember. Eleven-year-olds, turn what you hear into a Children and Youth goal for the rest of the year.

Text the parents

This week we studied Isaiah 40–49 as a courtroom story. The Lord challenged the idols to tell the future. Then He named King Cyrus more than 150 years before Cyrus freed the Jews. We learned that people have to carry their idols, but the Lord carries us. That’s Isaiah 46:4. And we are His witnesses, from Isaiah 43:10. Ask your child: how did the Lord prove He is God? What’s one thing you can be a witness of?

📝 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?

🪣 A Drop in the Bucket · 3 min

  1. Set out a clear bowl of water. Dip a spoon and let one drop fall back in.
  2. Read Isaiah 40:15: “Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket.” Ask: “Babylon was the superpower of its day. What does Isaiah say it is compared to God?”
  3. Read Isaiah 40:26. God knows every star by name, and not one is missing. Ask: “If He keeps track of every star, how well does He know you?”
  4. Let kids name something that feels huge in their lives, then say together: “A drop in the bucket to Him.”

📖 Nephi’s Copy of Isaiah · 4 min

  1. Explain that Nephi had Isaiah on the brass plates. He copied Isaiah 48–49 into 1 Nephi 20–21. See 1 Nephi 19:22–23.
  2. Teams compare Isaiah 48:1 with 1 Nephi 20:1. They race to find the extra words in Nephi’s version. It mentions the waters of baptism.
  3. Compare Isaiah 49:15–16 with 1 Nephi 21:15–16. Ask: “Why would Nephi want his family to hear these promises while they were far from home?”
  4. Read 1 Nephi 19:23 and talk about what it means to “liken” scripture to yourself.

🌊 Peace Like a River, Righteousness Like the Waves · 3 min

  1. Read Isaiah 48:18. Half the class makes a calm, steady river with flowing arms. The other half makes waves that keep rolling in.
  2. Ask: “A river never runs out. Waves never stop coming. What does that teach about the peace and strength that come from keeping commandments?”
  3. Switch groups and let kids share a commandment that has brought them peace.

🎒 Who Carries Whom? · 4 min

  1. Load a backpack with heavy books. Label them with sticky notes: My Phone, Being Popular, Money, Winning, Looking Cool. A volunteer carries it around the room twice.
  2. Read Isaiah 46:1 and 46:4. Say: “Here’s how you spot an idol: you have to carry it. The Lord carries you.” Take the backpack off.
  3. Ask: “Is a phone bad? Is winning bad?” No. A good thing becomes an idol when we trust it more than God.

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