Joseph Smith—History 1:1

Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual

Contents
Title Page
Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual
Doctrine and Covenants Lessons
- The Restoration Proclamation
- Doctrine and Covenants 1
- Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26
- Doctrine and Covenants 2; Joseph Smith—History 1:27–65
- Doctrine and Covenants 3–5
- Doctrine and Covenants 6–9
- Doctrine and Covenants 10–11
- Doctrine and Covenants 12–17; Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75
- Doctrine and Covenants 18
- Doctrine and Covenants 19
- Doctrine and Covenants 20–22
- Doctrine and Covenants 23–26
- Doctrine and Covenants 27–28
- Doctrine and Covenants 29
- Doctrine and Covenants 30–36
- Doctrine and Covenants 37–40
- Doctrine and Covenants 41–44
- Doctrine and Covenants 45
- Doctrine and Covenants 46–48
- Doctrine and Covenants 49–50
- Doctrine and Covenants 51–57
- Doctrine and Covenants 58–59
- Doctrine and Covenants 60–63
- Doctrine and Covenants 64–66
- Doctrine and Covenants 67–70
- Doctrine and Covenants 71–75
- Doctrine and Covenants 76
- Doctrine and Covenants 77–80
- Doctrine and Covenants 81–83
- Doctrine and Covenants 84
- Doctrine and Covenants 85–87
- Doctrine and Covenants 88
- Doctrine and Covenants 89–92
- Doctrine and Covenants 93
- Doctrine and Covenants 94–97
- Doctrine and Covenants 98–101
- Doctrine and Covenants 102–105
- Doctrine and Covenants 106–108
- Doctrine and Covenants 109–110
- Doctrine and Covenants 111–114
- Doctrine and Covenants 115–120
- Doctrine and Covenants 121–123
- Doctrine and Covenants 124
- Doctrine and Covenants 125–128
- Doctrine and Covenants 129–132
- Doctrine and Covenants 133–134
- Doctrine and Covenants 135–136
- Doctrine and Covenants 137–138
- The Articles of Faith and Official Declarations 1 and 2
- The Family: A Proclamation to the World
- The Living Christ
Life Preparation Lessons
- Doctrinal Mastery: Finding Answers to My Questions
- Scripture Study Skills
- For the Strength of Youth: Making Choices
- Building Self-Reliance
- Physical and Emotional Health
- Preparing for Future Education and Employment
- Succeeding in School
- Missionary Preparation
- Temple Preparation
- Teachings of Church Leaders
Appendix

Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26: Overview

“Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26: Overview,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual, (2025)

“Overview,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual

Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26

Overview

At a young age, Joseph Smith desired to follow Jesus Christ and sought to know which church was right and which he should join. His search led him to a grove near his home to ask God. In answer, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph and began the Restoration of God’s true Church to the earth. After sharing this experience of the First Vision, Joseph became the target of persecution. This, however, did not diminish his conviction that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ had appeared to him.

Focus on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ: Coming to know and love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will help students become converted to follow Them. As you prepare and teach lessons, continually seek for inspiration on ways to focus the learning experience on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. For more on how to do this, see the section “Help Learners Come unto Jesus Christ” in Teaching in the Savior’s Way. You may also see an example of how to do this in the lesson this week titled “Joseph Smith—History 1:15–20.”

Prepare to teach

The following information provides you with ideas of what you may need to prepare in advance for each lesson.

Joseph Smith—History 1:1–14

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students follow Joseph Smith’s example in their efforts to learn truth from God.

Student preparation: Explain to students that Joseph Smith’s family regularly studied the Bible, prayed, and discussed religion together. Invite students to reflect on the gospel instruction they experience in their homes. Students could then be given time in class to share how they have been influenced by home-centered gospel learning or how they feel it could bless their homes now and in the future.
Video:“The Restoration” (19:12; watch from time code 1:15 to 15:34)

Joseph Smith—History 1:15–20

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students understand important truths revealed about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ from Joseph Smith’s First Vision.

Student preparation: Consider inviting students to memorize parts or all of Joseph Smith—History 1:15–20 before class. Options might include memorizing only the reference and key scripture phrase; memorizing verses 16–17; or memorizing as much of verses 15–20 as they choose. Encourage them to pray before memorizing for a witness of the truth of the First Vision.
Video: “Ask of God: Joseph Smith’s First Vision” (6:35)

Joseph Smith—History 1:21–26

Lesson purpose: This lesson can provide students with an opportunity to feel the Holy Ghost testify to them that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith.

Student preparation: Invite students to take Elder Neil L. Andersen’s counsel to record themselves reading Joseph Smith—History 1:16–17. They can then listen to Joseph Smith’s testimony in their own voices (see Neil L. Andersen, “Joseph Smith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 30).
Videos: “The Prophet Joseph Smith: Teacher by Example” (16:32; watch from time code 10:39 to 11:59 and from time code 11:59 to 14:09); “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer” (4:08); “A Choice Seer Will I Raise Up: The Prophet of the Restoration” (4:42)
Materials for students: A few copies of the talks “The Fruits of the First Vision” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Ensign or Liahona, May 2005, 36–38) and “Joseph Smith Did See God” (Joseph F. Merrill, Ensign, Dec. 2015, 70–71)