Story
Primary 5 Manual: Doctrine and Covenants “Lesson 6: Joseph Smith Begins to Translate the Gold Plates” Lesson includes the story of the lost 116 pages, questions ideas, activity ideas, etc.
Once Joseph and Emma Smith were settled in Harmony, Pennsylvania, Joseph began to translate the gold plates. At first Joseph spent a lot of time becoming familiar with the plates and the language in which they were written.
Display the page “Book of Mormon Titles.” Ask the children if they can read any of the words or characters. Help the children identify each language.
Discuss the many languages used throughout the world, and explain that the word translate means to change writing or speech from one language to another.
- What was the language of the writings on the gold plates? (Reformed Egyptian.)
Explain that usually translators need to understand both of the languages they work with. Joseph Smith, however, had had very little schooling and could not speak or read languages other than English. The reformed Egyptian characters on the plates were very strange to him. As he studied and prayed, the Urim and Thummim helped him understand the characters on the plates. Joseph learned that the process of translation requires faith, hard work, worthiness, patience, and obedience.
Martin Harris went to Joseph Smith’s home in Harmony to help the Prophet in his work of translating the gold plates. Martin became Joseph’s scribe. As Joseph read out loud from the plates, Martin Harris wrote down the words Joseph read.
Doctrine and Covenants Stories “Chapter 4: Martin Harris and the Lost Pages” Video and Images
Below: Martin Harris tells a young man the story of the lost manuscript,
Primary 5 Manual: Doctrine and Covenants “Lesson 6: Joseph Smith Begins to Translate the Gold Plates”
Explain that even though Martin Harris lost the 116 pages of translation, he repented and went on to make important contributions to the Church. He was not permitted to assist Joseph further in the translation of the gold plates, but later he sold part of his farm to help pay for the printing of the Book of Mormon. He was one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon and testified of the truthfulness of the book throughout his life. Show the children “The Testimony of Three Witnesses,” printed at the front of the Book of Mormon.
Lesson Ideas
I should care more about pleasing God than pleasing others.
Doctrine and Covenants 3:5–10; 5:21–22
The above story and scriptures help us to “be inspired to remain faithful when others tempt [us] to be disobedient. Read together Doctrine and Covenants 3:5–8; 5:21–22, and look for the blessings that come when we remain true to God.”
Friend January 2021 “Come Follow Me“
Primary 5 Manual: Doctrine and Covenants “Lesson 6: Joseph Smith Begins to Translate the Gold Plates” Write the following on the chalkboard: “When the Lord commands, do it.” Explain that Joseph Smith learned from his mistakes and challenges. Even though he faced despair when the 116 pages were lost, he learned the importance of obedience, repentance, and accepting the will of Heavenly Father. He learned to listen to the promptings of the Spirit and grew in his ability to use the Urim and Thummim. Later in life he was able to say, “I made this my rule: When the Lord commands, do it” (History of the Church, 2:170).
The Lord needs me to do His work.
D&C 4:2 See that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.
D&C 4:4 “For behold the field is white already to harvest;”
Latter Day Kids “The Field is White” Includes lesson, song and activity ideas.
Bring tools (or pictures of tools) that someone might use to work in a field. How do these tools help us? Help the children find things in Doctrine and Covenants 4:5–6 that could be like tools for doing God’s work.
Friend September 2013 “I Will Serve God with All My Heart, Might, Mind, and Strength” Article includes a story of a child serving with her heart. It also describes what it means to serve with each of the following: heart, mind, and strength.
D&C 4:2 See that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.
Song Ideas
“I Will Be Valiant” (Children’s Songbook, 162) or
I can be a witness that the Book of Mormon is true.
Doctrine and Covenants 5:1–7, 11, 16, 23–24
Martin Harris was promised that he could be one of the witnesses of the gold plates if he was faithful [and humbled himself]. We won’t see the plates like Martin did, but we can receive a spiritual witness of the Book of Mormon.
- Write questions like the following on the board, and help the children find answers in Doctrine and Covenants 5:1–3, 7, 11: What did Martin Harris desire to know? Who could Joseph Smith show the gold plates to? Why would seeing the plates likely not be enough to convince someone that the Book of Mormon is true?
- Ask the children what a witness is and why a witness is important.
- What did Martin Harris need to do to be a witness of the gold plates? (see Doctrine and Covenants 5:23–24).
- Even though we haven’t seen the plates, what can we do to be witnesses of the Book of Mormon? (see Doctrine and Covenants 5:16; Moroni 10:3–5).
We have received the word of God through Joseph Smith.
Hide a picture of Joseph Smith somewhere in the room (see Gospel Art Book, no. 87). Read Doctrine and Covenants 5:10 “But this generation shall have my word through you,” and invite the children to look for the picture to find out who the word “you” is referring to. Show the children copies of the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants. Explain that God gave us these scriptures through Joseph Smith.