October 2026 General Conference › Lessons › Elder Alfred Kyungu › Children
Peace Words
From “Using the Language of Peacemakers,” by Elder Alfred Kyungu · Sunday morning session, October 2026 General Conference
The big idea
Jesus wants me to use kind words that bring peace.
Objective
Children will say and practice at least one peace word, such as “Please,” “Thank you,” or “I’m sorry,” and will feel that kind words help them follow Jesus.
Before you teach
- Bring building blocks (or small boxes), a soft ball, a blanket, paper, and crayons.
- Bring a picture of the Savior.
- Choose four peace words from Elder Kyungu’s talk to use all lesson long: “Please.” “Thank you.” “I’m sorry.” “I care about you.”
- Read Alma 24:19 so you can tell it simply in your own words.
Lesson plan
Thirty minutes in 7 parts. Times are a guide; let the Spirit and the learners set the pace.
Sing and feel
- Sing “Kindness Begins with Me” together, with simple hand actions if you like.
- Ask the question and let several children answer.
- Say: Today we will learn about peace words. Peace words are kind words that help people feel calm, safe, and loved.
- How do you feel inside when someone says something kind to you?
Kind words build
- Put the blocks in the middle. Say: Kind words build. Let’s see.
- Each child takes a turn saying one of the four peace words and adds a block. Build a tower or a bridge together. Help little ones by whispering a word to them.
- When it is built, say: Look what kind words can build. Words that hurt can knock things down, so we choose words that build.
- Have the children repeat after you: I can use words that bring peace.
Jesus and His prophet
- Show the picture of the Savior. Say: Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. He wants us to have peace.
- Say: Our prophet, President Oaks, asked us to talk like peacemakers. At general conference, Elder Kyungu taught that peace begins with our hearts, our choices, and our words.
- Teach the actions: hands on heart (hearts), finger to the side of the head (choices), hands open by the mouth (words). Do it three times together, a little faster each time.
- Say the truth again together: I can use words that bring peace.
- Who can show me the three places where peace begins?
Bury it for peace
- Tell the story simply: Long ago, some people in the Book of Mormon learned about Jesus and loved Him. They wanted peace. So they dug a deep hole and buried their weapons in the ground. Elder Kyungu said we can bury unkind words the same way.
- Give each child a paper and one crayon. Have them make a quick grumpy scribble. Say: This scribble stands for words that hurt.
- Crumple the papers. Walk together, digging with pretend shovels, to the blanket, and bury every paper under it.
- Pat the blanket down and say together: We bury unkind words. We choose peace.
Peace word ball
- Sit or stand in a circle. Roll or gently toss the ball to a child and give a pretend moment: someone bumps into your blocks; a friend looks sad; you want a turn with a toy; someone shares with you; you said something unkind and feel bad about it.
- The child holding the ball says a peace word that fits, and everyone repeats it. Then that child rolls the ball back.
- Go around until every child has had at least one turn. Praise each answer.
- What peace word could you say?
Draw my peace word
- Give each child a fresh paper. Ask them to draw themselves saying a peace word to someone.
- As they draw, go to each child and ask which peace word they will use this week. Write it on their paper.
- Invite them to put the picture where they will see it and to show it to someone at home.
Jesus gives peace
- Hold up the picture of the Savior again. Say: Jesus promised to give us His peace. When we use peace words, we are following Him.
- Share Elder Soares’s words, which Elder Kyungu quoted (see aligned quotes), in simple terms: we can be helpers who bring Jesus’s peace to others. Bear a one-sentence testimony that Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to live in peace.
- Sing one verse of the song I’m Trying to Be like Jesus and close with prayer.
- Follow up: next week, start by asking each child which peace word they said and to whom.
Key passages from the talk
“This peace is real. It is powerful, and it begins with us—with our hearts, our choices, and our words.”
“let us use words that encourage understanding and peace.”
“our Heavenly Father loves us and desires us to live in peace and harmony. Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace.”
The speaker’s direct invitations
“let us use words that encourage understanding and peace”
“Let us use the language that uplifts, edifies, comforts, and brings people together.”
Scriptures
- Alma 24:19 Tell in your own words as the story of people who buried their weapons for peace; older children can read the verse aloud first.
- John 14:27 Open your scriptures to it at the close and tell the children that here Jesus promises to give us His peace.
- Ephesians 4:29 For older children: have one read it aloud, then ask what kind of words Paul wants us to say.
Other voices that agree
“We can become instruments of His peace in the world.”
Three things to remember
- Jesus is the Prince of Peace.
- Kind words build, and I can choose them.
- I can use words that bring peace.
Ways to act this week
- Say your chosen peace word to someone every day this week.
- When you feel upset, stop, take a big breath, and pick a peace word.
- If you say something unkind, say “I’m sorry” soon.
- Ask Heavenly Father in your prayers to help you use kind words.
Suggestions written for this lesson, not the speaker’s words.
Music
- Kindness Begins with Me
- I'm Trying to Be like Jesus
Adapting the lesson
- Ages 3–7. Use only two peace words (“Please” and “Thank you”) plus “I’m sorry.” Whisper the word for the child to repeat in the ball game, roll the ball instead of tossing it, and repeat the heart, choices, words actions between activities. Let a helper lead the burying walk.
- Ages 8–11. Have a child read Alma 24:19 and another read Ephesians 4:29 aloud. Let older children make up the pretend moments for the ball game and add longer phrases from Elder Kyungu’s list, such as “We can work this out” or “I am here for you.” Ask: Why is it sometimes hard to say “I’m sorry”? What helps?
This lesson is an independent study aid written for this site. It is not an official lesson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Quotations are word for word from the official talk; paragraph numbers count the paragraphs of the talk as published at churchofjesuschrist.org, not counting headings or picture captions. The activities, questions and ideas for acting are suggestions; follow the Spirit and adapt them to those you teach.