Family Home Evening - "Little Pioneer Children"

Little Pioneer Children 

My kids are still small so instead of focusing on dates, and places, and details 

about the suffering and hardships the pioneers faced, this lesson is about how 

children today can be pioneers. It is based on the song “Pioneer Children Were 

Quick to Obey” in the Children’s Songbook. –Jocelyn C. 

FHE Theme: Little Pioneer Children                                                             

Scripture: 2 Nephi 31:20                                                                           

Song: “Pioneer Children Were Quick to Obey”                                                

Story: For little kids I suggest including this story from the June 2008 

Friend “What is a Pioneer?” (Mormon Channel, (audio) about 5 minutes) 

http://www.mormonchannel.org/magazines/friend/2008/6/whats-a- 

pioneer                                                                                                    

Family Discussion: Start by asking: “What is a Pioneer?”                                          

Now it’s time for family discussion, which is the best part of FHE (besides 

the treats at the end)!  Take the song “Pioneer Children Were Quick to 

Obey” line for line and ask questions (words by Viginia Maughan Kammeyer): 

“Pioneer children were quick to obey.”  What does “quick to obey” mean 

and why is it important? 

“Walking along the wagons all day.”  Why did they have to walk? Why was 

this hard for them? 

“Then in the firelight, kneeling to pray, little pioneer children.”  Do you 

think they prayed like we do at our house?  What do you think they 

prayed for?  What do you think they were thankful for in their prayers? 

“Carrying water and gathering wood, building a campfire and cooking the 

food.”  What chores do you have to do?  Would you rather have the chores 

of a pioneer child?  Did you know they sometimes had to burn buffalo 

chips when wood wasn’t available? 

“Learning and helping the best that they could, little pioneer children.” 

 Do you always do things the best that you can?  Are you trying your 

hardest to learn and help? 

“Children today can be pioneers too.”  What does this mean? 

“Willing and cheerful in all that we do.”  How can we be more willing and 

cheerful with our families, at church, or with our friends? 

“Walking our pathway with heaven in view, little pioneer children.” Have 

each member of your family tell how they plan on walking “with heaven in 

view”. 

Close: Song “Pioneer Children Sang as they Walked” (Children’s 

Songbook), Prayer and a little treat!