joseph smith and the first vision fhe lesson

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Joseph Smith and the First Vis ion

FHE Lesson

Lesson by Missy Felsted, Digitized by Lara Goold Materials needed: Scriptures, 2 full cans of food (two different kinds)

Advanced Preparation: tape the drawing of the church to each can (these are used in the object lesson)

Purpose: To help family members learn about the first vision and the translation of the Book of Mormon.

Scripture: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5

Opening song(s) and prayer: “The Golden Plates,” Children’s Songbook, page 86 “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer,” Hymns, page 26

Lesson: Object Lesson: Show children the cans with the pictures of the church attached. Explain that there are many churches in the world. Many of them even look the same on the outside, just like the cans do. What makes the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints special is that it is different on the INSIDE. Just as there are many churches today, there were many churches during Joseph Smith’s time. He wanted to know what made all of the churches different on the inside. First Vision (timeline): Using the enclosed timeline and corresponding pictures. For older children, read the account of the First Vision directly from Joseph Smith History 1:5-45 while you place the pictures. Key is included for your convenience. Discuss: Discuss the importance of what Joseph Smith saw and heard. Have family members think of what they learn from the First Vision. Record their answers on the list enclosed to use as a visual or future reminder of their answers. Possible answers may include: *Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus. We learn that Heavenly Father and Jesus have bodies of flesh and bones. *We learn that the Heavenly Father and Jesus are separate beings. *We learn that we can be influenced by Satan *We learn that prayers are answered *We learn that answers come by exercising faith. *We learn the true church had been taken from the earth (the apostasy) and had not been restored yet.


*We learn that Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead and still lives. *We learn that the scriptures provide answers and guidance for us. Bear your testimony about the truthfulness of the gospel as restored through Joseph Smith

Closing song: “The Sacred Grove,” children’s Songbook, page 87 “An Angel Came to Joseph Smith,” Children’s Songbook, page 86

Closing Prayer:

Refreshments: See below for a yummy recipe

Enrichment/Activities: Based on the ages and attention spans of your children, choose one or more of the following enrichment activities to enhance the message of the lesson. Enrichment activities do not necessarily need to be completed on the same night as the lesson. We often use them as reinforcement/reminders during the week. “I Spy Moroni and Hide the Plates” –this game is played like “Hot and Cold”. An individual leaves the room and the group decides where to hide Moroni and/or the Golden Plates. When the player comes back into the room, the group will sing a favorite Primary song or hymn. When the player gets closer to Moroni or the plates, the group sings louder. When the player is far away, the group sings softer. Hide Moroni and the Plates in as difficult or easy places as you choose. Joseph Smith—God’s Chosen Prophet (older kids): Look up the scripture and find the words that will fill in the blanks. Color, if desired, and hang up. Scripture Memorization and Display—work on memorizing James 1:5 as a family and then hang up the display scripture to help you remember to turn to the Lord in prayer when we have problems or concerns. First Vision Moveable Diorama—You will need a shoebox and popsicle sticks for this activity. Set the scene up as directed below and have the kids take turns retelling the story of the First Vision. You could also use it to review with the kids through the week.


O’ Henry Bars From http://recipeshoebox.blogspot.com

The ingredients: 1 cup sugar 1 cup light Karo syrup 1 cup peanut butter 6 cups Rice Krispies 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup butterscotch chips Mix in a large saucepan and bring to a boil, then take off heat immediately*. It is really important to make sure it doesn't boil too long, as it is quite easy to over-cook them and have them become too hard. Stir in peanut butter until well combined, then add Rice Krispies Pour into greased 9x13 pan Melt: chocolate chips and butterscotch chips in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every thirty seconds and watching carefully not to burn or over-melt them. (I usually just use 1 pkg. of whatever chocolate chips I have in the house). Spread melted chips on top of Rice Krispies mixture and give it a couple of hours for the melted chocolate to harden. Enjoy!


Object lesson: Cut out and tape these two churches to two cans. Ideally the cans would be the same sized, but with different contents. Even better take off the labels and make the cans look identical.


First Vision Timeline (page 1):


First Vision Timeline visuals(SET 1): (cut out and attach to the above blanks during the lesson, sticky backed Velcro could be used to affix them if desired) 1. 4. 4. 2. 5. 3. 6.

Picture#1


First Vision Timeline visuals (SET 2): (cut out and attach to the above blanks during the lesson, sticky backed Velcro could be used to affix them if desired): 7. 10.

8. 11.

9. 12.


First Vision Timeline Key:


“I Spy Moroni and Hide the Plates” game—cut out and laminate if desired


Look up the scripture, fill-in-the-blanks, then color:


Scripture Memorization and Display:


First Vision Moveable Diorama (will need a shoebox and popsicle sticks): Cut out the following figures (from lds.org). Glue the scenery into the back of a shoebox (as pictured) and cut holes into the sides of the shoebox. Affix popsicle sticks to each of the figures and have the kids take turns retelling the story of the First Vision.

joseph smith and the first vision fhe lesson

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