My children and I have a few games that we like to play on Sundays. One of them is to simply act out the scripture stories. Usually we act them out as they are in the scriptures and call it a day, but this afternoon I had a new idea. We decided to act them each out twice, once the way they are in the scriptures and then a modern version of that same story. So here is how our stories played out. I have 4 kids ( I have five, but my one-year-old was sleeping) so they each chose a story. Braden is 8, Tanner is 6, Sadie is 5 and Daniel is 3 and they all decide what parts they are going to play.

Story One: The Good Samaritan-

A Samaritan ( Tanner) is lying on the ground after being beaten up by the bad guys. One man( Braden) walks by and ignores him. A second man (Daniel) walks by and ignores him. A third man (Or woman, Sadie) walks by and seeing he needs help takes care of him.

Modern version-

A boy (Tanner) is sitting alone at lunch. A girl (Sadie) walks by and ignores him. A boy (Daniel) walks by and walks right past to a different table. Another boy (Braden) walks by sees him by himself and sits by him. He talks with him and invites him to play at recess with him.

Application-

Just like the good Samaritan had to reach out of his comfort zone and take the time and energy to help the beaten man, we, too, need to reach outside of our comfort zone and use our time and energy to help those we see who are struggling in any way.

Story Two: Samuel The Lamanite-

Samuel (Sadie) goes to preach to the people (Braden, Tanner, Daniel). The people reject his words and kick him out. He does not give up and climbs a tower (couch) to finish his message. The people (Braden, Tanner and Daniel) do not like his message and throw arrows ( paper airplanes work great here;) at him. He is protected by the Lord and able to finish his message.

Modern version-

Two missionaries (Braden and Tanner) go to preach the gospel to the people. They go to the first door (mom) and she rejects them. They go to the next door (Daniel) and he rejects them. They go to the third door (Sadie) and she lets them in.

Application-

We talked about the reality that as we try and share the gospel with our friends and neighbors and eventually in their missions fields, how many people will not want to hear what we have to say but we need to be like Samuel the Lamanite and not give up.

Story Three: Nephi builds a boat-

Nephi (Tanner) is asked by the Lord (mom) to build a boat. He goes to Sam, Laman and Lamuel to ask them to help. Sam (Daniel) agrees and they begin working. Laman and Lamuel (Braden and Sadie) murmur saying it is too hard and they would rather be doing other things.

Modern version-

Mom asks Her kids to clean their room. Tanner and Daniel say yes and begin cleaning. Braden and Sadie murmur and say it’s too hard and they would rather be doing different things.

Application- We talked about how easy it is to murmur. Anytime something stretches us or takes us away from our games we automatically want to murmur, but we need to fight those feelings and try to remember Nephi and Sam and their quick obedience.

Story Four: Abinadi-

Abinadi (Tanner) is brought by the guards (Daniel) before King Noah (Braden) and tells him to repent and turn from his wicked ways. King Noah (Braden) is not happy with this message and tells Abinadi to take it all back or he threatens to kill him. Abinadi (Tanner) will not take it back. He stands up for what he believes even when his life is threatened. He is killed but one of the Priests, Alma (Sadie) hears Abinadi’s message and believes him. He goes on to do great things for the work of the Lord.

Modern version-

Braden’s friends Tanner and Daniel want Braden to do something that Braden know is wrong. Tanner threatens Braden that if he doesn’t do it they will make fun of him and not be his friend anymore. Braden remains strong. He tells them he will not participate because he knows it is wrong. They make fun of him and turn away but Sadie heard Braden stand up for what he believed in and takes courage and also decides not to participate.

Application-

We talked about how important it is to be like Abinadi and stand up for what we believe in even if our friends threaten to reject us. We also talked about how our actions can influence others just like Alma was influenced by Abinadi.

——-My children had such a blast acting out these stories. I was the narrator, of course, and together I think we learned a lot. Each scripture story has endless applications, so enjoy reading them and applying them to your own life and your children’s lives.

–Debbie