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.
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President Thomas S. Monson
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:
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:
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.