Friend July 1988 “Calendar Cutouts” Read one scripture each day. Match the highlighted scriptures to the correct picture. Ezekiel 37:15-20, 2 Nephi 3:12; 29:8, Psalm 85:11& Mormon 8:16, Moses 7:62 & Isaiah 29:4, 2 Nephi 26:14-17, Ether1:1 & 2:11, Enos 1:15-16, Mormon 5:12-14, Revelation 14:6, 1 Nephi 1:1 & 9:5, Omni 1:8-9, Introduction to Helaman, 3 Nephi 23:4-5, 3 Nephi 23:6-14, Words of Mormon 1:1-2, Mormon 8:1 & Moroni 10:1-2, Joseph Smith History 1:30-35, D&C 27:5 & 128:20, Joseph Smith History 1:44-47, Joseph Smith History 1:48-50, Joseph Smith History 1:51-52, Joseph Smith History 1:53-54, Joseph Smith History 1:59, Joseph Smith History 1:62, Joseph Smith History 1:67 & D&C 3:preface, D&C 25:1&5-6, Isaiah 29:11, Joseph Smith History 1:61 & 63-65, 2 Corinthians 13:1 & D&C 5:4 &11&13, D&C 19:preface & 26 & 34-35, Joseph Smith History 1:60

Witnesses of the Gold Plates

For the Strength of Youth January 2024 “Who saw the gold plates besides Joseph Smith?”

Emma Smith

Friend January 2021 “Church History Cards”

Early Missionaries

1840s?

Friend May 2021 “Church History Cards”

Missouri

Friend February 2023 “How to Have Joy” In the winter of 1838, members of the Church had to leave their homes in Missouri, USA. It was very cold. Some spent the night outside near a campfire. They sang hymns and roasted potatoes.Sister Eliza R. Snow said, “Not a complaint was heard—all were cheerful.” Sometimes it doesn’t seem like we can feel joy when something bad happens. But joy comes from focusing on the Savior. (See more at link)

Nauvoo

Liahona September 2025 “Temple Ordinances Unite, Connect, and Seal” Story of how baptisms for the dead first started in the restored church.

Martyrdom of Joseph Smith

Friend December 2008 “The Martyrdom of the Prophet”

Doctrine and Covenants Stories “Chapter 57: The Prophet Is Killed” Images and video

Friend October 2017 “A New Prophet”

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025

Doctrine and Covenants 135:4–5 states that Hyrum Smith read a passage from the Book of Mormon before he went to Carthage Jail. You and your children could read this passage together (see Ether 12:36–38). How could these verses have comforted Hyrum? You could also share scriptures that bring you comfort when you are worried or sad.
You and your children could look at pictures of prophets (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 7, 14, 67) and talk about some things God asks prophets to do. What did these prophets sacrifice for the Savior?

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 135-136”

Invite the children to imagine they were living in Nauvoo when the Prophet died. Ask them to share how they might have felt. Bear your testimony of Joseph Smith, and invite the children to do the same.

Friend November 2025 ” Peace in Prayer” A true story about Mary Hunsaker who was a child living in Nauvoo when the prophet Joseph Smith was killed.

Doctrine and Covenants Coloring Book “Joseph and Hyrum Were Killed in Carthage Jail”

Additional Teaching Ideas

“Lesson 37: Joseph and Hyrum Smith Are Martyred,” Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History
“Remembering the Martyrdom,” Revelations in Context, 299–306; Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 529–40

Joseph Smith was a prophet and witness of Jesus Christ.

Doctrine and Covenants 135:3

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 & Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 135-136”

To help your children remember and appreciate how the Lord has blessed us through Joseph Smith’s mission, you could display objects that represent things Joseph did, such as the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, or a picture of a temple (see also this week’s activity page). Then your children could look in Doctrine and Covenants 135:3 for some things Joseph Smith did to help us come closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Invite the children to choose one of these things and share why they are grateful for it.

As the children color this week’s activity page, sing or play songs about Joseph Smith, such as “Praise to the Man” (Hymns, no. 27). Share your feelings about the Prophet.

Encourage the children to each think of a friend or loved one who doesn’t know very much about Joseph Smith. What would they say if that person asked, “Why is Joseph Smith so important to you?” Invite the children to practice what they would say to this person.

Friend November 2021 “Scripture Time Fun”

Friend November 2021 “Scripture Time Fun for Little Ones” Look at pictures from Church magazines or websites that show scenes from Joseph Smith’s life. Help your little ones say, “Joseph Smith was a prophet.”

Image: “Joseph Smith Timeline” (January 2009 Friend)

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 135-136″

To discuss what is meant by the statement that Joseph Smith did “more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man,” consider reviewing what your family has learned about Joseph Smith this year. You could use pictures from this resource to help them remember what they have learned and invite them to share favorite stories or teachings. Why are we grateful for the Prophet Joseph Smith and for what the Lord accomplished through him? You could also watch the video “Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Crossing the Plains

Primary 5 Manual: Doctrine and Covenants, Church History

39 The Saints Build Winter Quarters 222
40 The First Pioneer Company Crosses the Plains 229
41 The Saints Settle the Salt Lake Valley 238
42 The Pioneers Show Their Faith in Jesus Christ 245
43 Handcart Companies Come to the Salt Lake Valley 254
44 The Salt Lake Temple Is Constructed and Dedicated 263
45 Lorenzo Snow Receives a Revelation on Tithing

Pioneers

Click on above link for more info about the pioneers

Wards and Companies

Friend July 2018 “Take Care of Each Other” Joseph Smith organized wards in Nauvoo as a way to take care of the many people who were moving there. Companies were organized when crossing the plains. These also helped take care of each other better. President Eyring’s Great grandfather was helped when he got sick on the trail west. Today, wards continue to help us take care of each other.

Salt Lake Valley

1890’s

Friend November 2021 “Church History Cards” Missionaries

Tabernacle Choir

Tabernacle Organ and Musicians “Sharing Time: Making Music for the Church” Friend October 1987

World Wide Church

The Church in Great Britain Friend August 1987

Primary

Friend November 2018 “Conference News” Changes to length of Primary and the manuals used.

Today

Name of the Church

Friend November 2018 “The Correct Name of the Church” The prophet, Russell M. Nelson, directs church members to use the correct name of the church. Questions are answered to explain why. Also a book mark is included and an example cartoon of how to respond when people ask what church we belong to.

Baptized Members can be Witnesses at Baptism

Friend November 2019 “Conference News” President Nelson announced that anyone who has been baptized can be an official witness at another person’s baptism.

Friend February 2021 “Show and Tell” I was a witness at my cousin’s baptism. This experience was very powerful and special for me. I know we should follow Jesus’s example and be baptized. Liberty H. (right), age 9, Georgia, USA (Link includes photo)

Global Pandemic, Natural Disasters, & Commotion

Friend November 2020 “We are Moving Forward” During the past few months, a global pandemic, wildfires, and other natural disasters have turned our world upside down. With social distancing, face masks, and video meetings, we have had to learn to do some things differently. Yet the work of the Lord is steadily moving forward!

Conference News

New Church Symbol

Friend May 2020 “Conference News” Announcements and changes such as a new church symbol, a new proclamation about the restoration, etc.

Friend November 2020 “Conference News”

Friend May 2021 “Conference News”

New Youth Guidebook “For the Strength of Youth”

Friend November 2022 “Conference News” New Youth Guidbook

Friend May 2024 “Conference News” See how much the Church has grown since President Oaks was born!

Kirtland Temple Purchased

Friend May 2024 “Temple Power” The Kirtland Temple was built in Kirtland, Ohio, USA, in 1836. It was the first temple of the restored Church.

Later, Church members had to leave it behind to move west. Another church cared for the building for many years. Recently, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bought the temple.

For the Strength of Youth January 2921 “Joseph Smith Jr.”

Church History Vocabulary

Friend January 2025 “My Gospel Words”

Visiting Church History Sites

Friend December 2025 “A Chat with Parker about Visiting Palmyra”

Table of Contents

The First Vision

Receiving the Golden Plates

Translating the Gold Plates

Aaronic Priesthood is Restored

Printing the Book of Mormon