Welcome and Announcements
Opening Prayer
Sharing Time
Joseph Smith—History 1:5–26, Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration.
??? What makes Joseph Smith Jr. different than those prophets who followed after him such Brigham Young and Russell M. Nelson?
READ D&C 28:2 “2 But, behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee, no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses.”
??? How does that work today?
Joseph Smith—History 1:5–25, How can I receive answers to my prayers?
READ James 1: 5-6 “5 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. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”
READ Joseph Smith—History 1:13 “13 At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to “ask of God,” concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture.”
??? Is it good for us to ask questions?
??? Why is it important where we seek answers?
??? Who is the ultimate source for answers to our questions? Why?
??? What gets in the way of us asking for answers to our prayers?
Joseph’s preparation:
READ Joseph Smith—History 1:8 “8 During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness; but though my feelings were deep and often poignant, still I kept myself aloof from all these parties, though I attended their several meetings as often as occasion would permit. In process of time my mind became somewhat partial to the Methodist sect, and I felt some desire to be united with them; but so great were the confusion and strife among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a person young as I was, and so unacquainted with men and things, to come to any certain conclusion who was right and who was wrong.”
??? What elements of preparation does this scripture suggest? [serious reflection, uneasiness, temporary decision, impossible on his own]
READ Joseph Smith—History 1:11–12 “11 While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: 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. 12 Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible.”
??? What elements of preparation does this scripture suggest? [read the scriptures, felt the Holy Ghost, wanted an answer]
READ Joseph Smith—History 1:15–16 “15 After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction. 16 But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.”
??? How do you find a place to go to pray undisturbed? ??? What did Joseph do when confronted with opposition? [exerted all his effort and called upon God]
??? After Joseph talked with the Father and the Son, did he join the Methodist church or any other church? ???Why not? [Joseph acted on his new knowledge]
Video or audio of the First Vision – a compilation of the 9 accounts we have of the first vision. [6:35]
If audio only, add “Truly this is a day long to be remembered . . . A day in which the God of heaven has begun to restore the ancient order of His kingdom to bring about the completion of the fullness of the Gospel . . . To prepare the earth for the return of His glory.” – Joseph Smith
??? What stood out to you in this video or audio?
Discussion
Joseph Smith—History 1:15–20 - Why are there various accounts of the First Vision? [different times, different circumstances, different purposes, different audiences] Discussion
Joseph Smith—History 1:21–26, I can remain true to what I know, even if others reject me.
???What are the essential elements of a testimony?
God is your Heavenly Father; you are His child. He loves you.
Jesus Christ lives. He is the Son of the living God and your Savior and Redeemer.
Joseph Smith is a prophet of God called to restore the Church of Jesus Christ.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God’s restored Church on the earth.
The restored Church of Jesus Christ is led by a living prophet today.
??? How do you deal with changes in Church policy?
READ Handout # 1 – Quote from Elder Gary E. Stevenson’s talk “Nourishing and Bearing Your Testimony,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 111-114.
“Each beloved member of the First Presidency has provided us with direction on how to keep a testimony. President Henry B. Eyring lovingly taught us that ‘feasting on the word of God, heartfelt prayer, and obedience to the Lord’s commandments must be applied evenly and continually for your testimony to grow and prosper.’ President Dallin H. Oaks reminded us that to retain our testimony, ‘we need to partake of the sacrament each week (see D&C 59:9) to qualify for the precious promise that we will ‘always have his Spirit to be with [us]’ (D&C 20:77).’ And President Russell M. Nelson kindly counseled recently: ‘Feed [your testimony] truth. …Nourish yourself in the words of ancient and modern prophets. Ask the Lord to teach you how to hear Him better. Spend more time in the temple and in family history work. … Make your testimony your highest priority.’”
Testimony
Closing Prayer