I am Doing a Great Work – Ezra 1; 3-7; Nehemiah 2; 4-6; 8

Gathered in this post are resources to help you teach your family not only the stories of the people in the Old Testament but also the doctrine and principles found in the study block for the Come, Follow Me reading of Ezra 1; Nehemiah 2; 4-6; 8. There are resources for children, youth, and adults. Every resource linked to is free! Most links are to church websites or websites approved for further gospel study. Choose on thing a day to do with your family or a couple to do for family home evening. Enjoy!

Everyone

Music – Thy Holy Temple – Gather the family to learn this new Primary song.

Music – I Love to See the Temple – Gather the family to sing along to this Primary song.

Video – Spiritual Dynamite – Invite more spiritual power into your life by combining family history with the blessings of the temple. Elder Dale G. Renlund has promised that those who do will experience protection from temptation and receive personal power to change, repent, learn, become more holy, and help turn the hearts of family members to “heal that which needs healing.” (2:40 minutes)

Video – Inspiring Short: Lessons from Liberty Jail | Jeffrey R. Holland – Jeffrey R. Holland explains the lessons Joseph Smith’s experience in Liberty Jail can teach us about God’s mercy and love. (1:42 minutes)

Primary Children

Video – Return to Jerusalem – Old Testament Scripture Reader

The temple can bring me joy. The temple gives me reason to rejoice. Ezra 3:8-13; 6:16-22

Activity – Build a Temple – A paper temple you can construct plus other ideas for building your own model temple.

Activity – Find that Temple! – Match the stained-glass windows to the temple they are in.

Activity – Graham-Cracker Temples – Use graham crackers and icing to make model temples.

Activity – Temple Tour – Take your child on a tour of the temple with these pictures and descriptions.

Article – The Temple and You – Joy D. Jones of the Primary presidency encourages children to do family history work and prepare to enter the temple. 

Story – The Sweetest Goal – David couldn’t wait to go to the Dubai Temple someday.

Story – Abby’s Scripture Rock – A girl has the opportunity to put her favorite scripture on a rock that will be used in the building of a new temple.

Story – A Piece of the Temple – Natalie and her friends visit a temple under construction, learn about the importance of temples, and make a commitment to be worthy to enter one day.

The Lord will help me do His work. The Lord will strengthen me to do “a great work.” Nehemiah 2:17-20; 4; 6:1-9

Story – Courageous Examples: Keeping the Orphans Warm – George remembered a story from the Bible where the walls of Jerusalem were built quickly because the builders had a “mind to work” (Nehemiah 4:6).

Story – Don’t Delay – Henry B. Eyring discusses the importance of preparing every day to do the right thing.

Story – It’s Your Turn – Gary E. Stevenson, presiding bishop, relates preparation for the Olympics with preparation for life.

Video – Nehemiah – Old Testament Stories

The scriptures are a blessing. I am blessed when I study the scriptures. Nehemiah 8:1-12

Activity – The Scriptures are a Blessing – Color and draw

Activity – Bringing the Scriptures to Life – Ideas for applying the scriptures to your own life.

Activity – Gospel A to Z – Use each letter of the alphabet to draw a gospel picture.

Article – Scripture Power – James B. Martino shares a story about his grandson who has made a habit of reading the scriptures every day.

Article – My Special Books – Kent F. Richards shares how important his scriptures have been to him.

Story – Ready to Read – A girl who struggles with dyslexia is brave and reads her scriptures aloud in Primary.

Sunday School – Youth and Adults

Video – Rebuilding Jerusalem and Ourselves – Book of Mormon Central (5:01 minutes)

Video – Understanding the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah – Book of Mormon Central (14:35 minutes)

Video – Ezra Reinstates the Passover to Remember God – Book of Mormon Central (5:35 minutes)

The Lord inspires people to bring about His purposes. Ezra 1

Article – Small and Simple Things – The Lord has graciously provided the means for conversion even in the most simple and humble of circumstances. Unfortunately, some of us look beyond the mark and depend too much on buildings, budgets, programs, and activities for conversion rather than on the small and simple things that are central to the gospel.

Video – Pray for Eyes to See as He Sees– Michelle Craig shares how each of us can see life and other people as Jesus Christ does. (6:30 minutes)

Video – How I Hear Him: Camille N. Johnson – How do you #HearHim? President Camille N. Johnson says that we can #HearHim through the comforting words of those around us. (2:06 minutes)

Temples can bring me joy. Ezra 3:8-13; 6:16-22

Article – The Temple and YOUR Eternal Journey – How blessed we are to be guided in the house of the Lord. Some of the greatest things you will learn on this eternal journey are in temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Article – Preparing for the Dubai Temple – Youth in Dubai and Qatar share their love of the temple and their excitement about the one being built near them.

Article – Temple Ordinances: Preparing to Return to God’s Presence – I invite you to diligently learn about and appreciate the eternal importance of temple covenants, temple ordinances, and temple worship as you strive to come unto the Savior.

Article – Seeing the Long-Awaited Blessings of the Temple – Members around the world share the blessings they’ve seen as temples have become available in their areas.

Article – Making Temple Ordinances More Available – Throughout history, the Lord has made essential ordinances available in His holy temples.

I can help the work of God advance despite opposition. Ezra 4-5; Nehemiah 2; 4; 6

Article – We are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come Down – We cannot and we must not allow ourselves to get distracted from our sacred duty. We cannot and we must not lose focus on the things that matter most.

Article – Wanted: Modern Nehemiahs – The valiance of Nehemiah, governor of Jerusalem, is an example of what the Lord asks of us.

Article – That is Christian Courage – When we respond to our accusers as the Savior did, we not only become more Christlike, we invite others to feel His love and follow Him as well.

Video – Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem’s Wall – Book of Mormon Central (6:23 minutes)

Video – Who was Nehemiah in the Bible? – Book of Mormon Central (11:09 minutes)

I am blessed when I study the scriptures. Ezra 7; Nehemiah 8

Article – My Heart Pondereth Them Continually – I sincerely pray you will choose to ponder God’s words in an extended and deeper manner.

Article – The Key to Spiritual Protection – Peace can be settled in the heart of each who turns to the scriptures and unlocks the promises of protection and redemption.

Article – The Power of Scripture – Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high.

Youth Doctrinal Topics

What Blessings Come from Receiving Temple Ordinances?

Article – Blessings of the Temple – As we attend the temple, there can come to us a dimension of spirituality and a feeling of peace.

Article – Why Ordinances and Covenants Matter – Ordinances and covenants have been a part of the gospel from the beginning.

Article – The Power of Godliness – Each temple is God’s holy, sacred house, and therein each of us may learn and know the powers of godliness.

Video – Blessings of the Temple – Come to the temple and receive blessings from Heavenly Father. Through ongoing service and worship in the temple, we can be prepared for whatever happens in life. (3:59 minutes)

Adults

Article – The Exiles Return (Ezra) – Old Testament Institute Manual

Article – Builder of Walls and Wills (Nehemiah) – Old Testament Institute Manual

Article – The Temple of Herod – BYU Religious Studies Center

Article – Between the Testaments – BYU Religious Studies Center

Podcast – Audio Roundtable: Ezra 1; 3-7; Nehemiah 2; 4-6; 8 – from The Interpreter Foundation

Podcast – Follow Him: Ezra 1; 3-7; Nehemiah 2; 4-6; 8 part 1 (video link) – Do we ever simultaneously rejoice and weep? Dr. Jared Ludlow explores the Jewish people returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and rejoicing to have what they had lost, as well as feeling sorrowful for the years of exile and the loss of the glory of Solomon’s temple. Find the audio of this episode here.

Podcast – Follow Him: Ezra 1; 3-7; Nehemiah 2; 4-6; 8 part 2 (video link) – Dr. Ludlow returns to discuss the Apocrypha, Esther, Ezra, and Nehemiah and the importance of remaining steadfast while completing the Lord’s work. Find the audio of this episode here.

Video – Discussions on the Old Testament: Ezra 1-6 – The Return of the Exiles – Scholars from BYU discuss these chapters. BYUtv (27:29 minutes)

Video – Discussions on the Old Testament: Nehemiah 1 – 13 – Scholars from BYU discuss these chapters. BYUtv (27:26 minutes)

Video – Come Follow Up: Ezra 1; 3-7; Nehemiah 2; 4-6; 8 – Ben, Patrick, and Carol Costley, discuss Israel’s Return from Exile and how we can help the work of God advance despite opposition. BYUtv (54:46 minutes)