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 11—Joseph Smith—History 1:50–65—Joseph Smith Obtained the Gold Plates

“Lesson 11—Joseph Smith—History 1:50–65—Joseph Smith Obtained the Gold Plates,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual (2025)

“Joseph Smith—History 1:50–65,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary

Lesson 11: Joseph Smith—History 1:27–65

Joseph Smith—History 1:50–65

Joseph Smith Obtained the Gold Plates

The Lord gave Joseph Smith an important work to do. He was commanded to obtain the gold plates from the Hill Cumorah, translate the record, and bring forth the Book of Mormon. The Lord provided means to help Joseph accomplish this great work. Just as the Lord helped Joseph accomplish the work he was given, the Lord can help us too. This lesson can help students understand that the Lord will help us accomplish the work He has commanded us to do.

Possible Learning Activities

Angels to help us do God’s work

Consider placing students in small groups to list as many instances as they can of times when angels appeared to people. Next, they could summarize why each angel appeared.

What do you know about why God sends angels?

Read the following statement from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, looking for a reason why God sends angels.

From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children. … I have spoken here of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Ministry of Angels,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 29–30)

As students study this lesson, you may want to help them see that both angels from the other side of the veil and mortal individuals assisted Joseph Smith in accomplishing God’s work. You may also want to testify that angels can help your students accomplish God’s work for them.

The Lord provided means for Joseph Smith to accomplish His work

To help students see ways the Lord provided help to Joseph Smith, consider using the following chart. You could display it on the board and invite students to copy it in their study journals. Model how to fill it out by completing the first row as a class. As students complete the chart, help them identify the truth that the Lord provides means to help us accomplish His work.

Reference	Who did the Lord send to help Joseph? How did they help Joseph?
Reference Joseph Smith—History 1:33
Reference Joseph Smith—History 1:35
Reference Joseph Smith—History 1:54
Reference Joseph Smith—History 1:57; Doctrine and Covenants 25:5–6
Reference Joseph Smith—History 1:61–62

Review Joseph Smith—History 1:33 and identify the angel the Lord first sent to help Joseph.

When students mention Moroni, ask them what they know about how he helped Joseph Smith accomplish the work the Lord had given him. If students do not mention Moroni’s four visits during the night of September 21, 1823, and what he taught, consider reviewing this event with them (see previous lesson). Adding the following content to what students share may also be helpful.

For the next three years on September 22, Joseph Smith met Moroni at the same location and received additional instruction about the importance of the record and the work God had for him to do (see Joseph Smith—History 1:33–34). Moroni also taught Joseph more about “what the Lord was going to do, and how” it was going to happen (Joseph Smith—History 1:54). During this time frame, Joseph met and married Emma Hale (see Joseph Smith—History 1:57–58).

On September 22, 1827, Joseph received the gold plates from the angel Moroni.

Invite students to share what they would add to the first row of the chart. Students could fill out the other rows in the chart individually or in groups. After completing the chart, invite students to share why it was necessary for Joseph to receive this help.

Moroni’s warning to Joseph

Read Joseph Smith—History 1:59–60 and look for the warning and promise Moroni gave Joseph Smith the night he received the plates.

Why did Moroni warn Joseph to not be careless in protecting the plates?

Consider inviting students to share examples they may be familiar with of how people tried to take the plates from Joseph. You could also ask students to read and discuss accounts from Saints, 1:37–43, or read the text below.

After receiving the plates from the angel Moroni, Joseph hid them in a hollow log to keep them safe until he could get a box to lock them in. The next day, while Joseph Smith was at work, his father overheard a group of men plotting to steal the plates. Emma went to warn Joseph, and he, through the Urim and Thummim, was able to see that the plates were safe. He also knew it was time to get the plates from the log to keep them safe.

“Hurrying to the hill, Joseph found the log where the plates were hidden and carefully wrapped them in a shirt. He then ducked into the woods and headed for home, his eyes alert to danger. …

“Straining under the weight of the record, Joseph tramped through the woods as fast as he could. A fallen tree blocked the path ahead of him, and as he bounded over it, he felt something hard strike him from behind. Turning around, he saw a man coming at him, wielding a gun like a club.

“Clutching the plates tightly with one arm, Joseph knocked the man to the ground and scrambled deeper into the thicket. He ran for about half a mile when another man sprang from behind a tree and struck him with the butt of his gun. Joseph fought the man off and darted away, desperate to be out of the woods. But before he could get very far a third man attacked, landing a heavy blow that sent him reeling. Gathering his strength, Joseph hit the man hard and ran for home. …

“After Joseph brought the gold plates home, treasure seekers tried for weeks to steal them. To keep the record safe, he had to move it from place to place, hiding the plates under the hearth, beneath the floor of his father’s shop, and in piles of grain. He could never let his guard down.

“… He was determined to care for the plates, trusting in the Lord’s promise that if he did everything he could, they would be protected” (Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days, vol. 1, The Standard of Truth, 1815–1846 [2018], 40-41, 43).

In what ways did Joseph’s efforts and “the wisdom of God” combine to preserve the plates?
What insights about God do you get from this account?

The Lord provides us with help to accomplish the work He gives us

What are some examples in the scriptures of times when the Lord helped people accomplish the work He commanded them to do?
If needed, invite students to study one or more of the following examples:
- Moses (Exodus 3:15–18; 4:10–17)
- Nephi (1 Nephi 17:8–13; 18:1–4)
- The Ancient Apostles (Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 2:1–6, 41)
In what ways might the Lord help you accomplish the work He has asked or will ask you to do?
Who are some of the “angels”( mortal individuals) in your life that you feel God has sent to help you with the Lord’s work?

Consider bearing witness of Joseph Smith’s work to bring forth the Book of Mormon. You could also share an experience of how the Lord has helped you accomplish the work He has for you. You may also invite willing students to bear witness or share an experience.

Additional Resources

Like Joseph Smith, does God have a work for me?

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

Ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, how He feels about you and your mission here on earth. If you ask with real intent, over time the Spirit will whisper the life-changing truth to you. … I promise you that when you begin to catch even a glimpse of how your Heavenly Father sees you and what He is counting on you to do for Him, your life will never be the same! (Russell M. Nelson, “Becoming True Millennials” [worldwide devotional for young adults, Jan. 10, 2016], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

Sister Elaine S. Dalton, former Young Women General President, taught:

What does the Lord expect us to do? He expects us to play our part in the final scenes prior to His coming. He expects us to prove ourselves worthy to return and live with Him. He expects us to become like Him. (Elaine S. Dalton, “He Knows You by Name,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2005, 110)

Why was Joseph Smith accused of being a money digger?

See Church History Topics: Treasure Seeking

How were the gold plates described?

The plates were covered with ancient writing and bound together on one side by three rings. Each plate was about six inches wide, eight inches long, and thin. A portion of the plates also appeared to be sealed so no one could read it. (Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days, vol. 1, The Standard of Truth, 1815–1846 [2018], 25–26)

See Church History Topics: Gold Plates

Supplemental Learning Activities

Moroni’s tutelage of Joseph Smith on the Hill Cumorah

Use the information in Saints, 1:25–30, 34–38 to help students understand more details about Moroni’s visits with Joseph Smith on the Hill Cumorah. Students can report on Joseph’s attempts to retrieve the gold plates and how Moroni’s interviews helped prepare Joseph to accomplish the work the Lord had asked him to do. You could discuss why Joseph was unsuccessful in his first attempts to obtain the gold plates and how he had to prepare himself for the important work (see also Mormon 8:14–16).

The Book of Mormon fulfilled Old Testament prophecy

Help students see how some of the events surrounding the coming forth of the Book of Mormon were prophesied by Isaiah and quoted by Nephi. Invite students to study Isaiah 29:11–12 and 2 Nephi 27:9–10, 15–20 and share how these scriptures relate to what happened in Joseph Smith—History 1:63–65.

To help students visualize Martin Harris’s visit to Charles Anthon, show the video “A Marvelous Work and a Wonder” (3:57). Students could identify how this visit fulfilled the words of ancient prophets regarding the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2:3

Church historic sites videos

You may choose to show portions of some virtual tour videos of Church historic sites. Consider using these clips to help students visualize and understand some of the events surrounding Joseph’s experiences with getting and protecting the gold plates.

This video clip summarizes the first visit Joseph had to the Hill Cumorah along with some of the subsequent meetings with Moroni before retrieving the plates:

5:53

This video clip summarizes Alvin’s counsel before he passed away to Joseph about the sacred record:

10:27

This video clip describes Joseph’s efforts to preserve the gold plates:

10:27

This video clip describes some of the accounts related to Joseph and Emma meeting and their later courtship:

18:57

Means provided for Joseph Smith in bringing forth the Book of Mormon

To help students learn more about how individuals helped Joseph Smith accomplish the work of bringing forth the Book of Mormon, consider reading some of the following excerpts from Saints, vol. 1, The Standard of Truth. You could put students into three groups and assign each group to read one of the excerpts. A student from each group could then summarize their findings to the class.

Moroni (pages 25–30)
Emma Smith (pages 31–42)
Martin Harris (pages 43–48)

Images of places Joseph Smith hid the gold plates

Students may be interested in seeing places where Joseph Smith hid the gold plates (see Joseph Smith—History 1:59–60). Consider displaying the following images: