Army of HelamanArmy of Helaman1. We have been born, as Nephi of old,1. We have been born, as Nephi of old,To goodly parents who love the Lord.To goodly parents who love the Lord.We have been taught, and we understand,We have been taught, and we understand,That we must do as the Lord commands.That we must do as the Lord commands.

2. We have been saved for these latter days2. We have been saved for these latter daysTo build the kingdom in righteous ways.To build the kingdom in righteous ways.We hear the words our prophet declares:We hear the words our prophet declares:““Let each who’s worthy go forth and share.”Let each who’s worthy go forth and share.”

3. We know his plan, and we will prepare,3. We know his plan, and we will prepare,Increase our knowledge through study and prayer.Increase our knowledge through study and prayer.Daily we’ll learn until we are calledDaily we’ll learn until we are calledTo take the gospel to all the world.To take the gospel to all the world.

Words and music:Words and music: Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938 © 1983 by Janice Kapp Perry. This song may be copied for incidental, Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938 © 1983 by Janice Kapp Perry. This song may be copied for incidental, noncommercial church or home use.noncommercial church or home use.

ChorusChorus We are as the army of We are as the army of Helaman.Helaman.We have been taught in We have been taught in our youth.our youth.And we will be the Lord’s And we will be the Lord’s missionariesmissionariesTo bring the world His To bring the world His truth.truth.

Raise your hand when you Raise your hand when you think you know which person think you know which person

is being described!is being described!

Raise your hand when you Raise your hand when you think you know which person think you know which person

is being described!is being described!

I am a messenger. I am a messenger. Besides delivering Besides delivering God’s messages, I God’s messages, I

teach, bless, and do teach, bless, and do whatever I am whatever I am

commanded to do commanded to do to build the to build the

kingdom of God. kingdom of God. Today you will learn Today you will learn

about a special about a special message I brought.message I brought.

I am a messenger. I am a messenger. Besides delivering Besides delivering God’s messages, I God’s messages, I

teach, bless, and do teach, bless, and do whatever I am whatever I am

commanded to do commanded to do to build the to build the

kingdom of God. kingdom of God. Today you will learn Today you will learn

about a special about a special message I brought.message I brought.

I was a fisherman I was a fisherman on the Sea of on the Sea of

Galilee when Jesus Galilee when Jesus called me to follow called me to follow

him. I received a him. I received a vision, which you vision, which you will learn about will learn about

today, that opened today, that opened the way for the way for

everyone to be everyone to be taught the gospel. taught the gospel.

I was a fisherman I was a fisherman on the Sea of on the Sea of

Galilee when Jesus Galilee when Jesus called me to follow called me to follow

him. I received a him. I received a vision, which you vision, which you will learn about will learn about

today, that opened today, that opened the way for the way for

everyone to be everyone to be taught the gospel. taught the gospel.

I am a centurion in I am a centurion in the Roman legion the Roman legion

and command from and command from 50 to 100 men. I 50 to 100 men. I

was the first Gentile was the first Gentile (someone who was (someone who was not a Jew) to come not a Jew) to come

into the Church. You into the Church. You will learn about my will learn about my baptism in today’s baptism in today’s

lesson.lesson.

I am a centurion in I am a centurion in the Roman legion the Roman legion

and command from and command from 50 to 100 men. I 50 to 100 men. I

was the first Gentile was the first Gentile (someone who was (someone who was not a Jew) to come not a Jew) to come

into the Church. You into the Church. You will learn about my will learn about my baptism in today’s baptism in today’s

lesson.lesson.

CorneliusCorneliusCorneliusCornelius

AngelAngelAngelAngelPeterPeterPeterPeter

Peter Peter and and

CorneliCorneliusus

““Lesson 40: Peter and Cornelius,” Lesson 40: Peter and Cornelius,” Primary 7: New Testament, Primary 7: New Testament, 139, 139, Scripture story adapted from “Seek, Then Follow the Prophets Counsel,” Scripture story adapted from “Seek, Then Follow the Prophets Counsel,”

FriendFriend, June 2001, 42 & “Cornelius and Peter,” , June 2001, 42 & “Cornelius and Peter,” FriendFriend, Nov. 2003, 36, Nov. 2003, 36

After Jesus Christ was resurrected, After Jesus Christ was resurrected, He left the care of His church to His He left the care of His church to His Apostles. Peter was the chief Apostles. Peter was the chief Apostle, or President of the Church. Apostle, or President of the Church.

At this time, there At this time, there were only Jews as were only Jews as members, and no members, and no gentiles (non-Jews).gentiles (non-Jews).

There was a Roman There was a Roman centurion (a man who centurion (a man who commanded one commanded one hundred soldiers) hundred soldiers) named Cornelius. named Cornelius.

Although he was not a Jew, he was a Although he was not a Jew, he was a good man who believed in God.good man who believed in God.

He and his family “gave much alms to He and his family “gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always” the people, and prayed to God always” (Acts 10:2).(Acts 10:2).

Cornelius had a Cornelius had a vision in which an vision in which an angel told him that angel told him that his prayers had been his prayers had been answered. answered.

The angel also told Cornelius to The angel also told Cornelius to send for Peter to come and teach send for Peter to come and teach him. Peter would tell him what to him. Peter would tell him what to do.do.

The next day, The next day, Cornelius sent two Cornelius sent two servants and a servants and a soldier to bring Peter soldier to bring Peter to him.to him.

While Cornelius’s While Cornelius’s servants were coming servants were coming to get Peter, he, too, to get Peter, he, too, had a vision. had a vision.

Peter saw a “vessel descending unto Peter saw a “vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to at the four corners, and let down to the earth: the earth:

““Wherein were all Wherein were all manner of fourfooted manner of fourfooted beasts . . . , and beasts . . . , and creeping things, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.”fowls of the air.”

Now, the Jews had been Now, the Jews had been taught to not mingle with taught to not mingle with gentiles and that certain gentiles and that certain animals were “unclean” animals were “unclean” and were not to be eaten. and were not to be eaten.

So when a voice came to Peter, telling So when a voice came to Peter, telling him to eat the animals that were in the him to eat the animals that were in the vessel, he protested, “Not so, Lord; for I vessel, he protested, “Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.”common or unclean.”

But the voice told him, But the voice told him, “What God hath “What God hath cleansed, that call not cleansed, that call not thou common.” thou common.”

While Peter was wondering about the While Peter was wondering about the meaning of what he had seen, meaning of what he had seen, Cornelius’s men came, and the Spirit Cornelius’s men came, and the Spirit told him, “Go with them, doubting told him, “Go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them” (Acts nothing: for I have sent them” (Acts 10:20).10:20).

Peter went with them Peter went with them the next day. He found the next day. He found not only Cornelius but not only Cornelius but also his family and also his family and friends. friends.

Cornelius told Peter about the angel Cornelius told Peter about the angel and said, “Now therefore are we all and said, “Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of things that are commanded thee of God” (Acts 10:33).God” (Acts 10:33).

Peter then understood what he Peter then understood what he had seen in his own vision. had seen in his own vision.

The Lord was The Lord was showing him that showing him that the gospel wasn’t the gospel wasn’t only for the Jews only for the Jews but for all people. but for all people.

He taught the gospel to Cornelius He taught the gospel to Cornelius and all of his household.and all of his household.

As the chief Apostle, or prophet, As the chief Apostle, or prophet, taught them, the Holy Ghost testified taught them, the Holy Ghost testified to them that what he said was true. to them that what he said was true.

Peter told them that Peter told them that they must be they must be baptized so that they baptized so that they might receive the might receive the blessing of the gift of blessing of the gift of the Holy Ghost.the Holy Ghost.

Cornelius had obeyed Cornelius had obeyed the counsel of the angel the counsel of the angel and called for Peter, a and called for Peter, a prophet of God. prophet of God.

When Peter taught him and his family When Peter taught him and his family and friends, they received the witness and friends, they received the witness of the Holy Ghost. They followed the of the Holy Ghost. They followed the counsel of the prophet and became counsel of the prophet and became members of the Savior’s church.members of the Savior’s church.

The Jews who followed Christ heard The Jews who followed Christ heard about Peter teaching these gentiles, about Peter teaching these gentiles, and they asked Peter about it. and they asked Peter about it.

When he told them about his and When he told them about his and Cornelius’s visions and how the Holy Cornelius’s visions and how the Holy Ghost had testified to them of Jesus Ghost had testified to them of Jesus Christ and His gospel, the Jews Christ and His gospel, the Jews accepted them into the Church. accepted them into the Church.

This was another blessing for This was another blessing for Cornelius and his household.Cornelius and his household.

DiscussiDiscussion on

Time!Time!

Why was Cornelius worthy to receive Why was Cornelius worthy to receive a vision from the Lord and be a vision from the Lord and be baptized? baptized?

Let’s read Let’s read Acts 10:2How can you be a devout (faithful) How can you be a devout (faithful)

member of the Church?member of the Church?What was the angel’s What was the angel’s message to Cornelius? message to Cornelius?

Let’s read Let’s read Acts 10:3–610:3–6

What did Peter see in a vision? What did Peter see in a vision? Let’s read Acts 10:11–16Let’s read Acts 10:11–16Why was the vision disturbing to Why was the vision disturbing to

him? him? How did Peter How did Peter

accept this accept this vision at first? vision at first?

What changed What changed his mind? his mind?

Why was it so Why was it so unusual for unusual for Peter to teach Peter to teach Cornelius the Cornelius the gospel? gospel?

Let’s read Acts Let’s read Acts 10:2810:28

Up to this time the Up to this time the Apostles had been Apostles had been teaching the gospel to teaching the gospel to the Jewish people, the Jewish people, and most of the and most of the people in the Church people in the Church thought that only the thought that only the Jewish people should Jewish people should be taught the gospel. be taught the gospel.

But Cornelius was not But Cornelius was not a Jew. a Jew.

What did Peter finally realize that What did Peter finally realize that his vision meant? his vision meant?

Let’s read Acts 10:34–35Let’s read Acts 10:34–35Who Who

should be should be taught the taught the gospel gospel today? today?

Let’s read Acts 10:24–27Let’s read Acts 10:24–27What are some of the gospel What are some of the gospel

principles you want to share with principles you want to share with your family and friends?your family and friends?

Why do you think Why do you think Cornelius gathered Cornelius gathered all his friends and all his friends and relatives to hear relatives to hear Peter? Peter?

What did Cornelius do to find an What did Cornelius do to find an answer to his problem? answer to his problem?

Let’s read Acts 10:30Let’s read Acts 10:30What experiences What experiences

have you or your have you or your family had with family had with fasting and prayer? fasting and prayer?

How has the Lord helped you find How has the Lord helped you find an answer to a problem?an answer to a problem?

What did the disciples and the What did the disciples and the other Apostles think when they other Apostles think when they heard that Peter had been teaching heard that Peter had been teaching Gentiles? Gentiles?

Let’s read Acts 11:2–3Let’s read Acts 11:2–3How did Peter explain How did Peter explain

his actions? his actions? Let’s read Acts 11:4, 17Let’s read Acts 11:4, 17

How did the disciples and Apostles How did the disciples and Apostles accept Peter’s vision? accept Peter’s vision?

Let’s read Acts Let’s read Acts 11:1811:18

What does this What does this teach us about teach us about Heavenly Heavenly Father’s love for Father’s love for his children? his children?

Something similar to Peter’s vision Something similar to Peter’s vision happened in 1978 when President happened in 1978 when President Spencer W. Kimball received a Spencer W. Kimball received a revelation from the Lord that all revelation from the Lord that all worthy men and boys could receive worthy men and boys could receive the priesthood and their families the priesthood and their families could receive the blessings of the could receive the blessings of the temple temple (see Official Declaration—2 in the Doctrine and (see Official Declaration—2 in the Doctrine and Covenants).Covenants).

Enr Act 5

How can you teach the gospel to How can you teach the gospel to some of Heavenly Father’s some of Heavenly Father’s children? children?

How can we prepare to serve full-How can we prepare to serve full-time missions?time missions?

What are some What are some ways we can ways we can be missionaries be missionaries now?now?

Let’s read Acts Let’s read Acts 10:36–43 in small 10:36–43 in small groups and make groups and make a list of the things a list of the things Peter taught Peter taught Cornelius and his Cornelius and his family and friends. family and friends.

Enr Act 1

Read your list while I write the Read your list while I write the items on the chalkboard. items on the chalkboard.

Our special guest is a returned Our special guest is a returned missionary who has come to missionary who has come to

our class to share experiences our class to share experiences that illustrate the importance that illustrate the importance

of teaching all of Heavenly of teaching all of Heavenly Father’s children.Father’s children.

Enr Act 2

Little children are precious to our Little children are precious to our Father in Heaven. He loves them Father in Heaven. He loves them and looks after them with the same and looks after them with the same tender care no matter where they tender care no matter where they live or how they dress or look. live or how they dress or look.

Enr Act 3

The following The following statement is statement is adapted from a adapted from a quotation by Elder quotation by Elder Howard W. Hunter:Howard W. Hunter:

Heavenly Father Heavenly Father loves the dark, loves the dark, curly-haired curly-haired Fijian, and the Fijian, and the kind, brightly kind, brightly dressed children dressed children in Samoa. in Samoa.

Enr Act 3

He loves the little English boys and He loves the little English boys and girls who all dress alike at school. girls who all dress alike at school. He loves the children in Japan. He loves the children in Japan.

Heavenly Father Heavenly Father loves the loves the suntanned suntanned children in South children in South America and the America and the Lamanites. Lamanites.

Enr Act 3

Our Father loves his children Our Father loves his children everywhere. When it is bedtime, everywhere. When it is bedtime, loving parents in all lands kneel loving parents in all lands kneel with their children to say prayers. with their children to say prayers.

It may be by a It may be by a high, fluffy high, fluffy featherbed in the featherbed in the Alps or a little Alps or a little mat on the floor mat on the floor of a hut. of a hut.

Enr Act 3

But our Heavenly Father hears and But our Heavenly Father hears and understands them all. understands them all. (See (See Friend,Friend, Oct. 1971, p. Oct. 1971, p. 10.)10.)

Although people in Although people in different countries different countries

have different have different traditions and traditions and

practices, we are all practices, we are all similar in that similar in that

Heavenly Father loves Heavenly Father loves us all and wants us all us all and wants us all

to return to Him.to return to Him.Enr Act 4

I bear my testimony I bear my testimony that God loves all His that God loves all His children and wants all children and wants all of us to be taught the of us to be taught the gospel, be baptized, gospel, be baptized, and keep our and keep our covenants so we can covenants so we can live with Him again. live with Him again.

I am grateful for my knowledge of the I am grateful for my knowledge of the gospel and for my baptism.gospel and for my baptism.

• The lesson is from lds.org. The scripture stories are The lesson is from lds.org. The scripture stories are from lds.org and paraphrased from various articles on from lds.org and paraphrased from various articles on lds.org and from the scriptures.lds.org and from the scriptures.• Images and clipart are from lds.org, Microsoft Office, Images and clipart are from lds.org, Microsoft Office,

and other websites indicating the images were in the and other websites indicating the images were in the public domain or permitted for church and home use. public domain or permitted for church and home use. • Please do not use this presentation for commercial Please do not use this presentation for commercial

use. Feel free to alter the presentation for use in use. Feel free to alter the presentation for use in church or home to suit personal preference.church or home to suit personal preference.• This presentation is intended to supplement, not This presentation is intended to supplement, not

replace, the lesson manual and scriptures. Teachers replace, the lesson manual and scriptures. Teachers should refer to the manual, scriptures and other should refer to the manual, scriptures and other resources when preparing and conducting the lesson.resources when preparing and conducting the lesson.