I Was Ordained to This Very Calling. True followers of God will remain faithful to Him, no matter how intense persecution becomes or how long it lasts (see Joseph Smith—History 1:24, 27; see also Daniel 3:13–18; Acts 5:40–42; 12:1–11; 16:19–25; 26:19–23; Mosiah 17:5–20; Alma 20:28–30; D&C 121:7–8; 122:5–7). Beginning in 1820 at Palmyra, New York, Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in vision. Replace Joseph Smith with You on the board, and discuss the following statement by Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “There is great protection when you know who you are, why you are here, and where you are going. Invite students to tell how sharing experiences with their parents has helped them in their lives. Ask students how they could apply in their own lives what Joseph Smith did. List and discuss what we learn about the Aaronic Priesthood in Joseph Smith—History 1:68–72. Elder Marvin J. Ashton said: “Joseph Smith placed commitment ahead of life itself. “Eventually [Joseph] confided his theophany [vision of God] to other family members.”. Ask: Why is the combination of our righteous choices and the power of God always greater than the power of Satan? This is why they go to such great lengths to try to disprove the Book of Mormon, for if it can be discredited, the Prophet Joseph Smith goes with it. Primary Accounts of Joseph Smith’s First Vision of Deity Events leading up to the First Vision help explain the Apostasy and the loss of the true Church of Jesus Christ from the earth (see Joseph Smith—History 1:5–10; see also 2 Thessalonians 2:1–3; 2 Timothy 3:1–5; 2 Peter 2:1–2; 1 Nephi 13:23–29; D&C 1:15–16). Invite students to report in their own words what the Lord and others did to help Joseph accomplish his work, according to Joseph Smith—History 1:62, 66–67. Invite students to read what the Lord said about the work of translating the Book of Mormon in Doctrine and Covenants 1:29; 3:12; 17:6; 20:8, and what other witnesses said about it in “The Testimony of Three Witnesses” and “The Testimony of Eight Witnesses” in the front of the Book of Mormon. Scot. Regular, repeated, inspired instruction and interviews regarding how to fulfill our callings are an important part of conducting the affairs of the kingdom of God. How did Joseph Smith feel about these years? What Was Joseph Smith’s Early Life Like?” and “Joseph Smith—History 1:4. Help students understand the difference between receiving the influence of the Holy Ghost and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost (see also Bible Dictionary, “Holy Ghost”). In response to that prayer, God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to him, initiating the Restoration of the Gospel . The account called Joseph Smith-History, as it appears in the Pearl of Great Price, tells of the Prophet's experiences from his early years through May 1829. Joseph Smith 1805-1844 Born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont, to Joseph and Lucy Mack Smith, Joseph Smith Jr. grew up on a series of tenant farms in Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York. They are to be guarded with care and shared only when the Spirit itself prompts you to use them to the blessing of others” (“The Candle of the Lord,” Ensign, Jan. 1983, 53; see also Matthew 7:6; D&C 6:12; 10:37; 41:6). Have students read Genesis 39:9; Revelation 2:14–15, 20–23; and Doctrine and Covenants 59:21 looking for what offends God. 2, Special Issue on the First Vision, 2020 “Hear Him,” Saints, Volume 1: The Standard of Truth Primary Accounts of Joseph Smith’s First Vision of Deity, Joseph Smith Papers … Have students search for and share information from Oliver’s account that is not contained in Joseph Smith—History. We are all weak and imperfect, so we all need to constantly strive to improve (see Joseph Smith—History 1:28–29; see also1 John 1:8–9; 2 Nephi 4:17–19; Alma 7:15–16; Helaman 12:1; Ether 12:27; D&C 62:1). “In this revealing account we find the Lord seeing into the heart of the young prophet, chastening him for his improper motives in respect to the plates, giving him time to repent and mature, and eventually forgiving him and allowing him to go forward with the performance of his mission” (Pure in Heart [1988], 16). Joseph Smith experienced his First Vision in this stand of trees in the spring of 1820. Discuss ways that Joseph’s personality and character were influenced by his family and his circumstances. Listen and follow along as I read the D&C aloud one section at a time. The early life of Joseph Smith covers his life from his birth to the end of 1827. His … Our only motive for Church service should be to build the kingdom of God; otherwise, the work we do will not prosper (see Joseph Smith—History 1:46; see also Proverbs 16:3; Moroni 7:6–7; D&C 4:2, 4–5; 88:67–68). If he were intending to fabricate a great falsehood or wanted to perpetrate a fraud or practice deceit, would he have been so truthful about his own humanness? Joseph Smith—History 1:27–65. He worked on the family farm in Vermont and later in western New York. The policeman does not know who to believe. He is an Associate Professor at Brigham Young University in the Department of Church … Discuss how we can recognize and overcome these negative influences today. Discuss ways students can help “disabuse the public mind” and “put all inquirers after truth in possession of the facts” (v. 1). He also quoted many Biblical passages, telling Joseph that all of these prophecies were about to be fulfilled (Joseph Smith—History 1:27-49). 1990, 80–81; or Ensign, May 1990,63–64). Satan uses ridicule, false doctrine, lies, and prejudice to persecute the humble followers of God (see Joseph Smith—History 1:21–25; see also Isaiah 32:6–7; 1 Timothy 4:1–2; 3 Nephi 1:6, 22; D&C 109:29–30). Have each group explain the main points of their assigned scripture block and how those verses apply to the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the latter-day work. Divide the class into five groups and assign each group to study and report what one of the following scripture blocks from the Bible teaches: Isaiah 11:1–16; Joel 2:28–32; Malachi 3:1–6; 4:1–6; Acts 3:19–21. He wrote or assigned scribes to write four different accounts of the vision. Events in the lives of Joseph Smith’s family members during his early years reveal the guiding and protecting hand of the Lord (see Joseph Smith—History 1:3–5; see also Proverbs 3:5–6; Romans 8:28). Compare what Joseph learned to what he was confused about or did not know before his vision. … In our present day there are many who are sowing seeds of dissension and discord. Reading the official canonized version of Joseph Smith’s history, the narrative describing the events that led up to and include his very first vision of God and Jesus first vision end at verse 26. Have students review Joseph Smith—History 1:5–7 and 1 Nephi 13:23–29 and tell how the subject of Nephi’s prophecy contributed to the religious climate described by Joseph Smith. First, Joseph Smith was born into a hard-working but poor family. Write God, Satan, and Joseph Smith on the board. (They had not, because it is only given by Melchizedek Priesthood holders when confirming people as members of the Church.) Read Joseph Smith—History 1:42, 46 and share this quotation from Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “When the young prophet first went to Cumorah, in 1823, the angel refused to give him the plates containing the Book of Mormon, saying it was not yet time (Joseph Smith—History 1:53). Let your unique identity shape each decision you make on the path toward your eternal destiny” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1990, 97; or Ensign, Nov. 1990, 75). Ask students what they would say if somebody asked them why there are so many different churches. Have students study Isaiah 29:11–12 and 2 Nephi 27:9–10, 15–20 and tell how these scriptures relate to what happened in Joseph Smith—History 1:63–65. “All the Church stand[s] or fall[s] with the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. The enemies of the Church understand this clearly. Joseph Smith—History 1:50–53 and Joseph Smith—History 1:54, Introductory Note of the Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith—History 1:17–19, 25, 33–34, 72–73. Would your class benefit from reviewing the story in Joseph Smith—History 1:27–65? (Ether 12:27),” KnoWhy 350 (August 9, 2017). His statements stand on more solid footing because they were declarations against human nature and admissions against self-interest” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1981, 107; or Ensign, Nov. 1981, 77). Ask: What did Joseph do in verses 11–16 to get answers to his questions? God Answers Joseph’s Prayer. Doing things according to the Lord’s timetable is an important part of accomplishing His work (see Joseph Smith—History 1:53–54; see also Ecclesiastes 3:1; D&C 88:73). That conviction motivates today as it has done from the beginning of this work. You may want to review with students some of the stories about Joseph Smith’s family and his early life under “Joseph Smith—History 1:3. Next, have students read Joseph Smith—History 1:1–2 and tell Joseph’s reasons for writing this history. 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