“Lesson 11: The Restored Church of Jesus Christ Is Organized,” Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History (1997), 52–56
“Lesson 11,” Primary 5, 52–56
Lesson 11
The Restored Church of Jesus Christ Is Organized
Purpose
To strengthen each child’s testimony that through revelation the true church was restored to the earth.
Preparation
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Prayerfully study the historical account given in this lesson and Doctrine and Covenants 20:1–4, 37, 71–79 and 21:1–5. Then study the lesson and decide how you want to teach the children the scriptural and historical accounts. (See “Preparing Your Lessons,” pp. vi–vii, and “Teaching the Scriptural and Historical Accounts,” pp. vii–ix.)
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Additional reading: Doctrine and Covenants 68:27 and Gospel Principles (31110), chapters 16 and 17.
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Select the discussion questions and enrichment activities that will involve the children and best help them achieve the purpose of the lesson.
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Materials needed:
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A Doctrine and Covenants for each child.
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Picture 5-6, The First Vision (Gospel Art Picture Kit 403; 62470); picture 5-8, Moroni Appears to Joseph Smith in His Room (Gospel Art Picture Kit 404; 62492); picture 5-11, Joseph Smith Receives the Gold Plates (Gospel Art Picture Kit 406; 62012); picture 5-14, Joseph Smith Translating the Gold Plates; picture 5-15, John the Baptist Conferring the Aaronic Priesthood (Gospel Art Picture Kit 407; 62013); picture 5-16, Melchizedek Priesthood Restoration (Gospel Art Picture Kit 408, 62371); picture 5-20, Organization of the Church.
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Suggested Lesson Development
Invite a child to give the opening prayer.
Enrichment Activities
You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.
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Give each child a copy of the quiz found at the end of the lesson (if it is not feasible to make copies, write the quiz on the chalkboard). Have the children take the quiz at the beginning of the lesson to see what they already know about the organization of the Church, or have them take it at the end of the lesson as a review.
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Explain that Jesus Christ told Joseph Smith exactly how the Church should be organized. He even told Joseph what the name of the Church should be (although this revelation came in 1838, eight years after the Church was organized).
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What did Jesus Christ tell Joseph Smith the name of the Church should be?
Have the children follow along in the Doctrine and Covenants as one child reads Doctrine and Covenants 115:4 aloud. Explain that the name of the Church means that it is Jesus Christ’s church restored to the earth in our time, the latter days.
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Divide the class into two groups. Give each group one of the following signs:
Jesus Christ’s church when he was on the earth
Jesus Christ’s restored church—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Give the group designated “Jesus Christ’s church when he was on the earth” the Bible references listed below, and give the group designated “Jesus Christ’s restored church” the Doctrine and Covenants references listed below.
Matthew 3:13, 16 / D&C 20:72–74
(baptism by immersion by someone having authority)
(living apostles and prophets)
(current revelation)
(sacrament)
Have each child read aloud one of the scriptures assigned to his or her group. Discuss with the children what these references say about the church of Jesus Christ. Help the children understand that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is organized the same way that Jesus Christ’s church was organized when he was on the earth.
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Help the children understand that to have a testimony of Jesus Christ and his restored church, they must believe that—
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Jesus Christ is Heavenly Father’s Son and our Savior.
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Joseph Smith is the prophet of God through whom the gospel was restored.
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Jesus Christ’s true church.
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We are led by a living prophet of God today.
Help the children understand that through study and prayer they can gain a testimony that these things are true. Help them think of ways they can gain or strengthen their testimonies of these important principles.
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Remind the children that living apostles are an important part of Jesus Christ’s church. Have the children look up Matthew 10:2–4 and read the names of Jesus’ original Twelve Apostles. Then show pictures of the current Twelve Apostles (from the meetinghouse library or Church magazines) and teach the children their names.
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Help the children memorize the sixth article of faith. Point out that the Church today has all the positions mentioned in this article of faith, although we use different names for some of them (bishops instead of pastors and patriarchs instead of evangelists).
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Have the children sing or say the words to “The Church of Jesus Christ” (Children’s Songbook, p. 77). As the children sing, have them listen for two things they know and five things they will do as members of the Church. List these things on the chalkboard; then have the children sing the song again.
Conclusion
Testimony
Bear your testimony that Joseph Smith was the prophet through whom the church of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth. Express your gratitude for the many blessings the Church brings to your life. Allow the children to share ways the Church blesses their lives.
Suggested Home Reading
Suggest that the children study Doctrine and Covenants 20:1–4 and 21:1–5 at home as a review of this lesson.
Suggested Family Sharing
Encourage the children to share with their families a specific part of the lesson, such as a story, question, or activity, or to read with their families the “Suggested Home Reading.”
Invite a child to give the closing prayer.