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

Lesson 9—Joseph Smith—History 1:21–26: “I Had Seen a Vision … and I Could Not Deny It”

“Lesson 9—Joseph Smith—History 1:21–26: ‘I Had Seen a Vision … and I Could Not Deny It,’” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual (2025)

“Joseph Smith—History 1:21–26,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual

Lesson 9: Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26

Joseph Smith—History 1:21–26

“I Had Seen a Vision … and I Could Not Deny It”

After sharing his experience of the First Vision with a local church minister, 14-year-old Joseph Smith quickly became the target of persecution. This, however, did not diminish his conviction that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ had appeared to him. This lesson can give students an opportunity to feel the Holy Ghost testify to them that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Possible Learning Activities

How would you feel?

Consider beginning class by inviting students to ponder their own testimonies that God called Joseph Smith to be His Prophet. The following story and questions could help accomplish this.

President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) shared an account of two missionaries who were confronted about their testimony of Joseph Smith.

The Prophet Joseph Smith: Teacher by Example

Two [missionaries] called at the home of Mr. Elmer Pollard. … They presented their message and asked if he would join in prayer. He agreed, on the provision that he could offer the prayer.

The prayer he offered astonished the missionaries. He said, “Heavenly Father, bless these two unfortunate, misguided missionaries, that they may return to their homes and not waste their time telling the people of Canada about a message which is so fantastic and about which they know so little.”

As they arose from their knees, Mr. Pollard asked the missionaries never to return to his home. As they left, he said mockingly to them, “You can’t tell me you really believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, anyway!” and he slammed the door. (Thomas S. Monson, “The Prophet Joseph Smith: Teacher by Example,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005, 69)

Invite students to answer the following questions in their study journals. You might ask volunteers to share their answer to the second question with the class.

How confidently could you testify that Joseph was visited by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and called as a prophet?
How could knowing that for yourself impact your life and your relationship with God?

As you study this lesson, think about what the First Vision means to you and how it has changed or could change your life. You will have an opportunity at the end of the lesson to record your reflections in your study journal.

The reality of Joseph Smith’s First Vision

After Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith, he shared the experience with a preacher of one of the local churches.

Read Joseph Smith—History 1:21–23, looking for how a preacher and many others responded when they heard about Joseph’s vision.

What stands out to you from Joseph’s description of what happened in these verses?
In what ways have you experienced opposition to what you know to be true?
Why is it important to have your own witness of the truth when others doubt what you say?

Read Joseph Smith—History 1:24–26 and consider marking words and phrases where Joseph affirms the truth of his vision.

What truths can we learn from these verses?

Students may state a variety of truths. Thank them for sharing what they found. Write on the board the following truth: Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ did, in reality, appear to Joseph Smith in answer to his prayer.

It may be helpful to list by the truth on the board the words and phrases that students marked. Alternatively, students could write the words or phrases on small sheets of paper and tape them to the board.
According to verse 25, how did Joseph’s understanding of God help him stand firm in what he knew to be true?

Give students an opportunity to ponder and write in their journal about what the First Vision means to them. They could spend 10 to 15 minutes doing this. Providing students with a guided activity to help them ponder and write, like those listed below, can help them feel the Holy Ghost testify to them of the First Vision. You might display these activities and allow students to choose what they want to do, or you could choose what you will all do as a class. The first two activities may be good to do as a class.

Sing as a class or read the words of the hymn “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer” (Hymns, no. 26). Here is a version of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square singing the hymn:

4:8
Joseph Smith's First Prayer
Watch the video “A Choice Seer Will I Raise Up: Prophet of the Restoration” (4:42), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

4:42
A Choice Seer Will I Raise Up: Prophet of the Restoration
Write the words of Joseph Smith—History 1:16–17 in your journal, reflecting carefully on the words. Or if possible, record and listen to yourself reading these words on a digital device.
Read a talk given in general conference about the First Vision. Here are some options:
1. The Fruits of the First Vision”(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Ensign or Liahona, May 2005, 36–38)
2. “Joseph Smith Did See God” (Joseph F. Merrill, Ensign, Dec. 2015, 70–71)

Consider sharing the rest of the story about Mr. Pollard by showing the video “The Prophet Joseph Smith: Teacher by Example” from time code 11:59 to 14:09.

Record in your journal what the First Vision means to you. Include in your reflections your testimony or how you feel like having a testimony of the First Vision could bless your life.

When students have finished, invite those who desire to share their testimonies or feelings about Joseph Smith and the First Vision. Consider sharing how you have come to know the truthfulness of the visitation of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to Joseph Smith.

Additional Resources

What have Church leaders shared about gaining their own testimonies of the First Vision?

President Lorenzo Snow (1814–1901) testified:

I know that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of the living God. I testify that he saw and spoke with God and with His Son Jesus Christ. The Lord gave me this living testimony and it has been burning within my soul ever since I received it. I now give it unto the whole world. I not only testify to all mankind that Joseph Smith was sent of God and that the work that was established through him is the work of God, but warn all the nations of the earth concerning the predictions made by the Prophet, and testify in the most solemn manner that I know them to be true. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow [2012], 274)

President David O. McKay (1873–1970) testified:

The appearing of the Father and the Son to Joseph Smith is the foundation of this Church. Therein lies the secret of its strength and vitality. This is true, and I bear witness to it. That one revelation answers all the queries of science regarding God and his divine personality. Don’t you see what that means? What God is, is answered. His relation to his children is clear. His interest in humanity through authority delegated to man is apparent. The future of the work is assured. These and other glorious truths are clarified by that glorious first vision. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay [2003], 93)

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) testified:

The fourteen-year-old boy stood true against the world. God knew his son [Joseph Smith] when he was chosen. He knew he would be loyal and true even to death. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson [2014], 109)

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) testified:

I’ve recently been in Palmyra, New York [near where Joseph Smith received the First Vision]. Of the events which occurred in that area, one is led to say: “They either happened or they did not. There can be no gray area, no middle ground.”

And then the voice of faith whispers: “It all happened. It happened just as he said it happened.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Gordon B. Hinckley: [2016], 148)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Video: “Origin”

Consider using the video “Origin” (4:57) to help students understand how they can gain or deepen their faith that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith.

4:57

Origin

Video: “Sacred Grove Historic Site, Part 1: The First Vision”

To help students feel what it might be like to be in the Sacred Grove and to give the Holy Ghost an opportunity to testify to students of what happened there, you could show part or all of this video: “Sacred Grove Historic Site, Part 1: The First Vision” (10:57). To see the specific part of the video describing the First Vision, start the video at time code 4:55.

10:57

Sacred Grove Historic Site, Part 1: The First Vision

Joseph Smith—History 1:26

Another way to discuss this verse is to look at it as an example of acting in faith. At this point in his history, Joseph did not know how the Restoration would unfold. He knew he had seen a vision that directed him to not join any of the other churches, and he knew he was to await further instruction. Consider inviting students to compare Joseph Smith—History 1:26 with paragraph 7 of the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2023), looking for similarities. This statement from Elder Neil L. Andersen’s talk “Spiritually Defining Memories” could also be insightful.

In his difficult hours, Joseph’s memory reached back nearly two decades to the certainty of God’s love for him and the events that welcomed in the long-foretold Restoration. Reflecting on his spiritual journey, Joseph said: “I don’t blame any one for not believing my history. If I had not experienced what I have, I would not have believed it myself.”

But the experiences were real, and he never forgot or denied them, quietly confirming his testimony as he moved to Carthage. “I am going like a lamb to the slaughter,” he said, “but I am calm as a summer’s morning; I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men.” (Neil L. Andersen, “Spiritually Defining Memories,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 19)

Gaining a testimony of Joseph Smith and the First Vision

To help students gain a testimony of the First Vision, you could give each student a copy of this statement by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Invite them to mark the things they have experienced and draw a line to the margins of the paper where they could write brief descriptions of their experiences.

A testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith can come differently to each of us. It may come as you kneel in prayer, asking God to confirm that he was a true prophet. It may come as you read the Prophet’s account of the First Vision. A testimony may distill upon your soul as you read the Book of Mormon again and again. It may come as you bear your own testimony of the Prophet or as you stand in the temple and realize that through Joseph Smith the holy sealing power was restored to the earth. With faith and real intent, your testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith will strengthen. The constant water balloon volleys from the sidelines may occasionally get you wet, but they need never, never extinguish your burning fire of faith. (Neil L. Andersen, “Joseph Smith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 30)

You could then discuss questions like the following: What are different ways you can gain or deepen your testimony of Joseph Smith and the First Vision? How has your testimony of Joseph Smith been impacted by any of these suggestions?