How can the policeman learn the truth? Read the following statement by Elder James E. Faust, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “While Joseph sought perfection, he did not claim perfection. He never wrote about his 7-year-old … It is part of the canonized standard works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Read the paragraph about Joseph Smith—History in the Introductory Note of the Pearl of Great Price. Discuss guidelines students should follow in sharing their spiritual experiences with others. Share this quotation from President Wilford Woodruff: “There are two powers on the earth and in the midst of the inhabitants of the earth—the power of God and the power of the devil. ... Church History Topics: … The First Vision is the very foundation of this Church, and it is my conviction that each member of this Church performs his duty in direct ratio to his personal testimony and faith in the First Vision” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1973, 102; or Ensign, Jan. 1974, 87). 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. Ask students who they think are some of the greatest prophets of all time, and why. In 1832 he looked back on this period and wrote: “‘I had been tempted of the advisary and saught the Plates to obtain riches and kept not the commandment that I should have an eye single to the glory of God therefore I was chastened and saught diligently to obtain the plates and obtained them not until I was twenty one years of age’ (D. Jessee, The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, p. 7). With half truths and slander, they are endeavoring to lead members of the Church of Jesus Christ into apostasy” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1983, 89; or Ensign, Nov. 1983,63). Joseph Smith–History (abbreviated JS–H) is a book in the Pearl of Great Price that contains an excerpt of the autobiographical record of some of the early events in Joseph Smith's life. Smith was born in Sharon, Vermont, the fifth of eleven children born to Joseph and Lucy Mack Smith. In response to that prayer, God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to him, initiating the Restoration of the Gospel . Read or sing “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer” (Hymns, no. An important part of Joseph Smith’s preparation to do the work of the Lord was meeting and marrying Emma Hale (see Joseph Smith—History 1:55–58; see also 1 Corinthians 11:11; Ephesians 5:31; D&C 42:22; 131:1–2). Joseph Comes to Know God. Invite students to mark the phrase “no one need suppose me guilty of any great or malignant sins” (Joseph Smith—History 1:28). Joseph Smith had to borrow money to buy a quill and a little bottle of ink during the translation of the Book of Mormon. Review with students the material under “What Is Joseph Smith—History?” and “Who Wrote Joseph Smith—History?” in the student manual (pp. Ask students how they could apply in their own lives what Joseph Smith did. The testimony of Oliver Cowdery at the end of Joseph Smith—History is a second witness from a man who was involved in many of the early events of Church history. Moroni showed Joseph in vision where he could find the plates, buried in the ground in a hill near his home. (The death of his brother, Alvin; his job doing manual labor; the experience of digging for a silver mine; and his marriage to Emma Hale.) (1 Nephi 21:3).” KnoWhy 24 (February 2, 2016). All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. Discuss possible reasons why the Lord would want Joseph to keep a record. A verse-by-verse study of Joseph Smith-History 1:1-26, the 1838 account of Joseph Smith's First Vision. Faith in the hearts of millions that this cause is true, that God is our Eternal Father, and that Jesus is the Christ, must ever be the great motivating force in our lives” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1981, 6–7; or Ensign, Nov. 1981, 7). Invite students who would like to share what they thought and felt when they first heard about the First Vision to do so. He was a truthful boy. Write the following five statements on the board: God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ have appeared to mankind in modern times. Tell students that Joseph’s struggles are similar to the struggles many of us go through (see 1 Nephi 1:4–6; 2:16; Enos 1:2–4; Alma 22:15–18). Have students list the major events of their lives in the past four years. Have students read Helaman 16:22; 3 Nephi 1:22; Doctrine and Covenants 10:22–27; and Moses 4:4 and list what Satan does to try to keep people from the truth. Discuss how our motives can help us resist Satan’s temptations. (see Joseph Smith—History 1:20). His brother William affirmed, ‘We all had the most implicit confidence in what he said. 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). Discuss ways that Joseph’s personality and character were influenced by his family and his circumstances. “All the Church stand[s] or fall[s] with the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Make sure students understand the importance of asking in faith and of accepting the will of the Lord when asking for any kind of inspiration or divine manifestation. The Lord teaches His people “line upon line.” We should remain faithful to the direction we receive from the Lord until He gives us further instructions (see Joseph Smith—History 1:26–27; see also 2 Nephi 28:30; D&C 42:61). Not until arriving at the Whitmer residence in Fayette did Joseph translate the small plates of Nephi, which contain 1 Nephi through the Words of Mormon. (Answers might include that they stirred up prejudice, inflicted great persecution, excited the public mind against him, and so forth.) Read the following to students: “Eventually [Joseph] confided his theophany [vision of God] to other family members. Joseph Smith—History 1:27–65. Write God, Satan, and Joseph Smith on the board. Who did Joseph Smith tell about his vision? The prophet Moroni, the last writer in the Book of Mormon, appeared as a glorified, resurrected being to Joseph Smith. 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