Opening Song-
Opening Prayer-
Scripture- Connor Hall
Thought:
“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” (“The Prophet Joseph Smith: Teacher by Example,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005, 69).
If you are one of those missionaries, what would you have said Mr. Pollard?
How can someone know for themselves that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God?
Joseph Smith history-1:1-2
What were reasons Joseph Smith gave for writing his history and the history of the church?
According to verse one, What was circulating among the people during the early days of the church?
What can we learn from Joseph Smith reason for writing his history that can help us avoid being seen by false or misleading information?
What are credible sources?
How do you discern a false teaching?
How can reading Joseph Smith's own words help someone know the truth about his experience?
How can you know the truth about Joseph Smith being call as a prophet?
According to Elder Neil L Anderson
“There have always been a few who want to discredit the Church and to destroy faith. Today they use the Internet. “Some of the information about the Church, no matter how convincing, is just not true” (“Trial of Your Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 41).
Elder Dallin H. Oaks said the following:
“Latter-day Saint readers should … be … sophisticated in their evaluation of what they read. …
“Our individual, personal testimonies are based on the witness of the Spirit, not on any combination or accumulation of historical facts. If we are so grounded, no alteration of historical facts can shake our testimonies. Our Heavenly Father gave us powers of reason, and we are expected to use them to the fullest. But he also gave us the Comforter, who he said would lead us into truth and by whose power we may know the truth of all things. That is the ultimate guide for Latter-day Saints who are worthy and willing to rely on it” (“Reading Church History” [address to CES religious educators, Aug. 16, 1985], 7, LDS.org ).
What stood out to you about these two statements?
Joseph Smith wrote the account of the 1st vision in 1838 as part of an official history of the church. There are 9 known accounts of the first visoin-4 were dictated by Joseph Smith, five written by others retelling his experience. In these accounts, Joseph Smith emphasized different aspects of the experience of the first vision, but the accounts all agree in the essential truth that Joseph Smith did indeed have the heavens opened to him and see divine messengers, including God the father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Because the 1838 account was part of Joseph Smith's official history and testimony to the world, it was included in the pearl of great price as scripture.
Reference Joseph Smith's recitals of the first vision
Read Joseph Smith history 1:5-13
How did Joseph feel as a result of the religious excitement that surrounded him?
What were some of the questions he was struggling with?
Have any of you ever asked similar questions? What did you do to resolve them?
Read JSH 1:11
Where did Joseph turn for help in answering his questions?
What principle taught in James 1:5 helped Joseph Smith have confidence that he could find answers to the questions he had?
Read JSH 1:14-15
Why do you think Satan tried to stop Joseph Smith from praying?
Write on the board
Joseph Smith saw God the father and Jesus Christ
Why is it important to have a testimony that Joseph Smith saw God the father and his Son, Jesus Christ?
How do you know that Joseph Smith saw God the father and his Son, Jesus Christ
Pattern of Testimony
Learn, Act, Share
What are some principles we learn from Joseph Smith's first vision?
Finish Mr. Pollard Story
[Mr. Pollard later testified:] ‘That evening, sleep would not come. I tossed and turned. Over and over in my mind I heard the words, “Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I know it. … I know it. … I know it.” I could scarcely wait for morning to come. I telephoned the missionaries. … They returned, and this time my wife, my family, and I joined in the discussion as earnest seekers of truth. As a result, we have all embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ’” (“The Prophet Joseph Smith: Teacher by Example,” 69).
Testify
Ask students to testify
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