Ether 13-15 (chapter headings) Jaredite Battles

Activity: Remember the "bucket of soldiers" from the movie Toy Story? The green army men? If you have some of them, they will be great for the next few chapters. You might think this activity is only for the boys, using toys that are stereotypically for boys. But you might be surprised how much fun the girls can have too. If you don't have any of the soldier toys, just have the kids get any toys. As you read these chapters, have the kids pick out the toys that will represent people from the book -
"This is Coriantumr."
"Here is Shared and his army."
"Here's Ether hiding out in the cave way over here."
As you read the chapters, ask the kids to listen carefully so that they can reenact the verses with the toys. But help them to understand that what you're reading was real - "Was Shiz a real person?" Be sure to have discussion as you read (and play). The following posts contain some good discussion questions.

Ether 13:12-15 Cavity of a Rock

Activity: If you have pictures of a visit to a cave, bring them out and show them as you discuss these verses. Take just a couple of minutes to build a "cavity" with blankets, furniture, cushions, etc. Why did Ether have to live in the "cavity of a rock?" How would you like to live in a cave.

Ether 13:18-22 Coriantumr Ignores Ether's Call to Repent

Discussion: Have each person share a time when he/she didn't obey (Heavenly Father, parents, the law, rules, etc).

What happened? What would have happened if he/she had obeyed? What steps did you take to repent?

Ether 14:1-2 A Great Curse

Discussion: What could be happening to the tools and swords that were disappearing? As a group, write down some of the ways that you think the tools and swords might have been disappearing. What could the people have done to prevent this?

Ether 14:11-21 Coriantumr vs Lib

Activity: Play dodge ball. Get the kids outside if possible. If not, be sure to pick a room that doesn't have any items that could be broken! Keep it short. No more than 15 minutes. 10 is ideal. We will have round 2 in a couple of days, and discuss how dodge ball relates to the scriptures.

Ether 14:26-31 Coriantumr Wounded

Search: How many times in The Book of Ether was Coriantumr wounded? How could he survive so many "deep wounds?" What was the prophecy about his survival? Who prophesied it? How was it fulfilled?

Ether 15:1-10 Coriantumr Battles Shiz

Dodge ball, round 2!

For a change, try a different flavor of dodge ball from last time.
How is dodge ball similar to the battles of the Jaredites? (You battle until there are only 1 or 2 left standing, it's not clear what the purpose of the battle is, there is a complete absence of love)

Ether 15:12-19 The Final Battle

Search: Find scriptures where it was prophesied that the Jaredites would be destroyed. How does a people come to such a state? What could they have done to avoid this fate?
Activity: Make a list of things can we learn from the Jaredites.

Ether 15:29-32 Coriantumr Slays Shiz

These verses might be a little bit intense for your children. But they might get a kick out of them as well. You could have them draw a picture of Coriantumr and Shiz doing battle. But I wouldn't recommend having them act out these verses.

Ether 15:33-34 Ether Surveys the Destruction

Activity: To give everyone an idea of how small 1/100th is, draw one line, and then 100 lines.