Lesson 3: D&C 2; JSH 1:27-65

 January 11-17

D&C 2; Joseph Smith History 1:27-65

"The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn to their Fathers"

Materials: video clips below, picture of Elijah, familysearch family tree
Opening Song: "True to the Faith" (Hymnal, 254)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity:

Have a family member read D&C 2. Then have them read it 3  more times. If I were to tell you to go get something and then I were to tell you that same thing 3 more times, do you think it's important? 

Lesson:

Something very similar happened to Joseph Smith. Three years after the first vision, he was still living on his parents farm in New York. One night he was praying when he was visited by an angel. Does anyone remember the angel's name that came to see Joseph? It was Moroni, the last surviving Nephite who buried the plates that came to Joseph Smith. 

Activity: 

Watch the short clip below from "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration" 

What did Moroni tell Joseph about? He told Joseph about the gold plates which would later become the Book of Mormon, but that wasn't all of Moroni's message. Moroni also quoted several scriptures to Joseph Smith including sections of Malachi, Isaiah, and Joel from the Old Testament as well as the Book of Acts from the New Testament. 

Read JSH 1:37. Moroni is quoting Malachi talking about judgment day after the Second Coming. 

Read JSH 1:38 Moroni tells Joseph Smith that the Priesthood will be revealed to him by Elijah. Who is Elijah? Elijah was an Old Testament prophet. The Lord promised in the Bible that Elijah would come to earth again before the second coming of Christ. President Henry B. Eyring said: “It is important to know why the Lord promised to send Elijah. Elijah was a great prophet with great power given him by God. He held the greatest power God gives to His children: he held the sealing power, the power to bind on earth and have it bound in heaven” (“Hearts Bound Together,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2005, 78). Elijah holds the keys to the sealing power, this power can only be accessed in the temple. 

Read JSH 1:39 The promise the Moroni is quoting is the promise of the Abrahamic covenant. To better explain the Abrahamic covenant, watch the following clip from Pres. Nelson which is cited in the Come Follow Me Manual. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/come-follow-me-for-individuals-and-families-doctrine-and-covenants-2021/03?lang=eng The blessings of the Abrahamic covenant can be found in the temple. 

The second part of verse 29 talks about turning the hearts of children to their fathers. This means that in the latter days, before the second coming, people on earth will remember their ancestors. Peoples hearts and minds will try to remember and learn about the grandparents and the people that have come before them. 

How is this happening in the world today? With access to the internet, family history work has boomed around the globe. People from all different faiths are learning more about their heritage. There are websites like ancestry.com and familysearch; there is even DNA testing kits like 23 and Me that will tell you where your lineage comes from. Televison shows even feature celebrates finding out about specific ancestors of their family tree. 

All of this is a fullfillment of the prophesy of Malachi that Moroni quoted. Why is this important? It all points back to the sealing power of the temple. As more people learn about their family history, temple work will continue to go forth for the dead. People who have passed away can receive their ordinances vicariously in the temple. 

Activity: Show your family your family tree on familysearch and talk about one of your ancestors. 

Moroni repeated this message to Joseph Smith 4 times. Obviously this was important. He wanted Joseph to understand the importance of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. He also wanted to impress the importance of ancient prophecies about the events leading up to the second coming of Christ. Joseph Smith played a key role in the fulfillment of many ancient prophecies. 

Closing Song: "The Hearts of the Children" (Children's Songbook, 92)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Blizzard Cookies recipe here 

Lesson 2: Joseph Smith History 1: 1-26

 January 4-10
Joseph Smith History 1: 1-26
"I saw a pillar of light" 

Materials: picture of Joseph Smith, first vision video, print outs cut and taped to the wall (see below)
Opening Song: "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" (Hymnal, 26)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity:

Show a picture of Joseph Smith like the one below. Who is this? Ask a young family member to tell about Joseph Smith. 

Lesson:

Joseph Smith was the first of the latter-day prophets. Through the guidance of the Lord, he restored Christ's church. This week we will be learning about Joseph Smith's first vision. 

Activity: 

Have the print outs below cut out into 5 pieces of paper. Tape each paper face down around the room. Watch a video of the first vision. Before the video starts ask your family, "What gospel truths do we learn from the first vision?" 

"Ask of God: Joseph Smith's First Vision" (6:36)

or "Joseph Smith's First Vision" (4:15)

After the video, ask family members to come up and chose a paper. Read the gospel truths and discuss how the first vision demonstrates each of these gospel principles. There are discussion points listed below. If your family has thought of any others ask them to share.

Satan is Real- Joseph Smith felt Satan's influence in the sacred grove. Satan does not want us to pray. Satan not only tempts us, but is also responsible for feelings of darkness and despair. Have you ever noticed Satan trying to influence you?

Prayer Works- Joseph prayed vocally in the sacred grove. Why is praying out load important? Joseph's vision is a testament that God does answer our prayers. What is a time when he has answered your prayers?

Answers lie in scripture- Read James 1:5 together.  How did studying the sciprtures help Joseph? Studying the scriptures not only increases our knowledge but can also answer specific questions about things happening in our own lives. When has reading the scriptures provided you with an answer you needed?

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are 2 separate beings- Not only did Heavenly Father and Jesus have bodies of flesh and bone just like you and me, but they were two separate people. This was and still isn't a widely known truth. Most christians think of them as 1 person. But Heavenly Father introduces the Savior to Joseph Smith and then Jesus speaks. Why is this knowledge so important?

God called Joseph Smith to restore His church- Joseph Smith was a young, relatively poor boy from upstate New York. Why do you think Joseph was called as the Lord's chosen prophet of the restoration? As a teenage boy, Joseph was old enough to understand the gravity and importance of the Truth. But he was not so set in his own ways and ideas that he was still meek and teachable. As the years went on and Joseph gained more recognition, he always stayed humble and grounded to gospel principles. As we learn more about Joseph this year try to make a list in your journal about Joseph's attributes. 

Bear your testimony of the first vision and encourage your family to pray to gain their own testimony of the First Vision. 

Closing Song: "Praise to the Man" (Hymnal, 27)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: S'mores popcorn balls recipe here