Joseph Smith’s First Vision

By Delores DeVictoria

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God (James 1:5).

Instructions: Carefully remove pages 16 and 17 from the magazine, and mount them on heavy paper. Cut out the story cards. Glue flannel to the back of the mounted figures before cutting them out. Use brass fasteners at the arm and leg joints.

1. Fourteen-year-old Joseph Smith was worried about religion. He didn’t know which church to join. One day he read in the Bible, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, … and it shall be given him” (James 1:5).

2. Joseph decided he would do as the scripture said and ask God which church was the right one to join. He went to a grove of trees near his home to pray.

3. As he prayed, a bright light appeared above his head. Then Joseph saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Jesus told him not to join any of the churches. He also told him many other things.

4. When the pillar of light and the Heavenly Beings left, Joseph was lying on his back. He felt a peaceful joy at what he had seen and heard. Joseph returned home and told his family about his experience.

Illustrated by Julie F. Young