A man on a mission against the Church, a light at noon, a voice, three days in the dark, and a disciple who was afraid but went. Walk the road and let the scales fall away.
After Stephen was killed, a young Pharisee named Saul worked hard to stop the followers of Jesus. He went to the high priest and asked for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that he could bring any disciples he found back to Jerusalem bound.
Near Damascus, a light from heaven shone around him, and he fell to the earth. A voice said, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” It was Jesus. Saul, trembling, asked, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Blind, he was led into the city, where he fasted and prayed for three days. The Lord sent a disciple named Ananias, who was afraid but went. He called him “Brother Saul,” and something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes. Saul was baptized and began to preach that Jesus is the Son of God.
Who’s who
Saul: a young Pharisee from Tarsus, later called Paul
Jesus: the risen Lord, who spoke to Saul from the light
Ananias: a disciple in Damascus
His companions: men traveling with Saul
Where and when
The road from Jerusalem to Damascus, a city in Syria, a few years after the Resurrection. The light came “at midday” (Acts 26:13).
Watch for the Savior
Watch how Jesus calls Saul by name, and how He sees who Saul can become.
Eight stops from Jerusalem to the synagogues of Damascus. Scroll, or tap a number on the map.
Part 2 of 7
The story, plainly
Four scenes: the light, the dark, the disciple who went, and the scales. Look for the Savior in each one.
Read it plainly
The words that trip people up
Tap any dotted word for its meaning. The scripture stays exactly as written.1
Acts 9:1 “breathing out Meaning: threats, angry warnings. and slaughter”
Acts 9:2 “any of this Meaning: the early name for followers of Jesus and their way of life.”
Acts 9:5 “kick against the Meaning: goads: sharp sticks used to drive oxen.”
Acts 9:7 “stood Meaning: too stunned to speak.”
Acts 9:18 “received sight Meaning: at once, immediately.”
Part 3 of 7
Look closer
Small details tell the story. Some cards are details in the text; others share insights from prophets or context. Each card says which.
0 of 9 turned
All nine. The letters, the light, the goad, the voice, the hand, the three days, the street, the scales and the chosen vessel. Acts 9:1–22
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Where are you?
Saul, his companions, Ananias, and anyone who is still waiting. Which one feels most like you right now?
A next step for you
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Try it
Scales fall away
For three days Saul waited in the dark, praying. Then the Lord sent Ananias. Press and hold the button, and keep holding, to let the light in. As it grows, the words of the story appear. Let go and it waits for you.
“Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Acts 9:6
Part 5 of 7
Their world, their words
A little background helps us see the road as Saul saw it. Outside sources are labeled.
Church resource · Bible Dictionary
An ancient city
The Bible Dictionary: Damascus is “an ancient city of Syria, standing on a rich plain on the edge of the desert.”8
Saul traveled far from Jerusalem to find the disciples there.
Scripture · Acts 26
At midday
Paul later said: “At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun.”3
The light was brighter than the noon sun.
Scripture · Acts 22
What Ananias told him
Ananias said: “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”2
Saul’s change led straight to baptism.
Church leader · Sister Craig
Seeing as Jesus sees
Sister Craig: “Even in our busy lives, we can follow the example of Jesus and see individuals—their needs, their faith, their struggle, and who they can become.”6
A vessel is made to carry something. Saul would “bear my name before the Gentiles.”1
What the text does not say
The story does not say Saul was beyond hope, or that only dramatic experiences count. Most conversion comes step by step; President Uchtdorf taught, “Belief Comes One Step at a Time.”4
Part 6 of 7
Look to Him
The risen Lord went looking for Saul. He knew his name, his heart and who he could become.
Saul’s question: “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”
Saul on the Road to Damascus, ready to print $3.99
Everything on this page as a 11-page letter-size PDF: the map, scenes, cards, activity, word studies, tracker, Go deeper and sources. For home, class or a quiet Sunday.
Saul on the Road to Damascus is part of the Scripture Story Sketch Notes for the New Testament, set alongside Come, Follow Me for July 5–11, 2027 (Acts 6–9).
Independent study notes from Weak Things, not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version. The story is told in Acts 9, with Paul’s own retellings in Acts 22 and 26; the insights in “Look closer” are labeled by source.
