21

Joseph Smith Saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

Introduction for the Teacher

To prepare yourself spiritually to teach this lesson, please read and ponder the following:

Joseph Smith was the first prophet of our day. He saw and spoke with God the Father and Jesus Christ. Through the Prophet Joseph, the Lord restored the true Church and the fulness of the gospel. (See Joseph Smith—History 1:9–19.)

Preparation

• Read Joseph Smith—History 1:9–19 and be prepared to briefly tell the story of the First Vision.

• Bring a copy of the Bible.

• Bring a copy of the Pearl of Great Price. Mark Joseph Smith—History 1:17 so that you can turn to it easily.

Learning Activities

Begin with a gathering activity. For ideas, see page 3.

Prayer

Invite a child to give the opening prayer.

Scripture Story

Show the picture on page 90 as you briefly tell the story of the First Vision (see Joseph Smith—History 1:9–19). Below is an example:

This is a picture of Joseph Smith (point to Joseph; invite the children to say “Joseph Smith”). He wanted to know which church was true. He read in the Bible (open the Bible) that we can pray to know the truth (invite the children to pretend to read). Joseph went to a grove of trees (point to the trees) to ask Heavenly Father in prayer. While he was praying, he saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Open the Pearl of Great Price to Joseph Smith—History 1:17 and tell the children that you are going to read what Heavenly Father said to Joseph Smith. Explain that He pointed to Jesus Christ and said: “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” Explain that Jesus told Joseph that He would bring back the true Church of Jesus Christ.

Exercise

Tell the story again. This time, have the children stand with outstretched arms to pretend to be trees in the Sacred Grove. Ask the children to sway as if being blown by the wind while you talk about Joseph praying. Then ask them to stand very still and quiet when you tell them Heavenly Father and Jesus appeared to Joseph.

Song

Sing or say the following words to “On a Golden Springtime” (Children’s Songbook, 88) and do the actions below. Invite the children to join you.

On a golden springtime, in a forest glade, (hold arms up like trees)

The Father and the Son appeared as Joseph knelt and prayed. (kneel and fold arms)

Conclusion

Briefly share your testimony that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Invite a child to give the closing prayer.

Teaching Tips

Stories: Young children have short attention spans. Plan ways to involve them in the story. For example, you could have them hold pictures or repeat phrases. Stop frequently to point out details in the pictures, and display them long enough for each child to see them before you proceed with the story. (See Teaching, No Greater Call, 181.)

Songs: “The appealing rhythms of music help children remember what they sing and the messages of the words” (Teaching, No Greater Call, 174). Music is also an effective way to invite the Spirit in the class.

Testimony: Express your testimony in a simple, concise way; for example: “I know that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.”

Optional Activities

Preparation

• For the finger-puppet activity: Copy and cut out the finger puppets on page 91 or use the puppets you made for the optional activity in lesson 9. Color the puppets if desired.

  

  Joseph Smith Saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

  Copy this page and cut out the finger puppets on the solid, straight lines. Fold on the dotted lines. Then tape the sides, leaving the bottom edges open so the children can put the puppets on their fingers.

• For the coloring activity: Copy the illustration on page 91 for each child to color.

Activity Verse

Recite the following activity verse, and invite the children to join you:

Joseph knelt among the trees, (hold arms up like trees)

And said a special prayer. (fold arms)

He saw the Father and the Son (look up, shading eyes with hand)

And listened to Them there. (cup hand around ear)

Finger-Puppet Activity

Briefly retell the story of the First Vision, this time using the finger puppets you prepared. Let the children hold the puppets if they’d like.

Coloring

Let each child color a copy of the illustration on page 91. While they are coloring, review the story of the First Vision. Point out details in the picture and explain to the children what they are coloring. Read the words on the illustration to them.

Teaching Tips

Finger puppets: If you choose to do this activity, you may want to make enough finger puppets so that each child can play with one.

Older children: Consider inviting the older children to retell the story of the First Vision to the younger children. Show them how to use the finger puppets or the picture on page 42 to tell the story. Helping the children teach each other is a great way to reinforce what you have taught them.