Joseph Smith’s Childhood
Joseph Smith was prepared to be a prophet of God.
Doctrine and Covenants Stories “Chapter 1: Joseph Smith and His Family” Images and Video
Friend January 2017 “The Smith Family”
Primary 5 Manual “Doctrine and Covenants and Church History” “Lesson 1: Joseph Smith and the First Vision,” (See the lesson for additional story, activity, and question ideas.)
Joseph Smith was born in 1805 in the state of Vermont in the United States of America. He was the fourth of nine children. When Joseph was ten years old, he and his family moved to the state of New York, settling near the town of Palmyra (point out this area on the map). The Smith family was poor, and all the members of the family had to work hard to provide food and other necessities for the family. The family had moved many times before settling near Palmyra, where they found farmland on which crops would grow well.
Joseph did not have much opportunity to attend school, so he learned only the basics of reading, writing, and simple arithmetic. Joseph’s mother said that he seemed just like other boys his age until the time of his vision. She said he was quiet and well-mannered and liked to study and think about important things. He was a tall, athletic, cheerful boy who seldom got angry.
Joseph was chosen by God and prepared to be a prophet. Joseph’s experiences as a boy prepared him to be a prophet of God.A prophet is someone who speaks for God.
Latter Day Kids “”My Servant Joseph” Lesson, story, and song ideas
Joseph Smith’s First Vision
Attention Activity
Primary 5 Manual “Doctrine and Covenants and Church History” “Lesson 1: Joseph Smith and the First Vision,” (See the lesson for additional story, activity, and question ideas.)
Ask a child to leave the room for a moment. Show the two containers to the rest of the class without letting them see inside. Divide the class into two groups and give each a container. Tell the children in each group that when the child who left the room returns, they are to try to persuade him or her to choose their container. Invite the child to return to the room and choose one of the containers. Ask the child who chose the container questions such as the following:
- Why did you choose that container?
- How did you feel when others were trying to tell you what to do?
Explain that when Joseph Smith was fourteen years old, he was confused about a choice he needed to make. He was trying to decide which church he should join. Other people tried to help him choose a church, but he only became more confused. He felt that he needed more information to make a wise decision: he wanted to know which church was true. Joseph’s situation was similar to that of the child who had to choose between the two containers. Everyone wanted him to choose their church, but he did not know which church was the right choice.
Story Ideas
New Era February 2020 “Joseph’s Search for the Truth”
Friend October 2017 “Jesus Visited Joseph”
Friend April 2020 “Hello from the Sacred Grove” Photos of the sacred grove and the recreated home of the Smith family. Also tells the story about Joseph.
Primary 5 Manual “Doctrine and Covenants and Church History” “Lesson 1: Joseph Smith and the First Vision,” (See the lesson for additional story, activity, and question ideas.)
Ensign January 2021 “How can I Know for Myself” What can we learn from Joseph’s example? How can we “know for ourselves” what is true? (See article)
God can answer my questions through the scriptures.
Show the children different books (like an encyclopedia or a cookbook), and help them think of questions these books could answer. Then show them a copy of the scriptures. What questions can these books answer? You might provide an example of a question that is answered in the scriptures. Read together Joseph Smith—History 1:10–11to find out what questions Joseph Smith had and what answers he found in the scriptures.
Friend November 2019 “James Taught the Gospel” James, the brother of Jesus, taught the gospel and helped lead the church when he grew up. One of his teachings in James 1:5. says that if we have questions, we can ask God. Many years after James wrote this scripture, a boy named Joseph Smith read it. He prayed to know which church to join. Joseph’s prayer was answered! When I have questions, I can ask God, like James taught. (Memorize James 1:5 as a family. Talk about how this verse led Joseph Smith to receive the First Vision.)
Coloring Page: I Can Learn From the Scriptures
Help the children find words in verse 12 that describe how reading James 1:5 affected Joseph Smith. Share an experience you have had with the scriptures—for example, when you found an answer to one of your questions through reading the scriptures. Sing together “Search, Ponder, and Pray” (Children’s Songbook, 109).
Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers.
Tell the children about the questions Joseph Smith had (see Joseph Smith—History 1:10). What can we do when we have questions about God? Show the children a copy of the Bible, and explain that when Joseph read the Bible, he learned that he could “ask of God” (James 1:5; see also Gospel Art Book, no. 89). Bear your testimony that we can ask God questions through prayer.
Invite a parent of one of the children to stand outside the classroom and answer questions from the children using methods such as sending a text message, making a phone call, writing a note, or sending a messenger. What are some of the ways Heavenly Father communicates with us? (see “Revelation,” Guide to the Scriptures, scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). According to Joseph Smith—History 1:16–19, how did Heavenly Father answer Joseph Smith’s prayer? How has He answered our prayers?
Sing together “A Child’s Prayer” (Children’s Songbook, 12–13).
Sing “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer” (Hymns, no. 26).
Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
To review the account of the First Vision, write summaries of each verse from Joseph Smith—History 1:14–19 on separate slips of paper. Place the papers in a container, and invite the children to choose them one by one and place them on the board in the correct order.
Read Joseph Smith—History 1:17, and point out to the children the words that Heavenly Father said to Joseph Smith.
Invite the children to color this week’s activity page and use it to tell the story of the First Vision.
I can remain true to what I know, even if others reject me.
Read together Joseph’s testimony in Joseph Smith—History 1:25. Ask the children to look for words and phrases that show Joseph’s faith. How can we remain faithful to God and our testimonies when other people disagree with us?
One of the blessings of the scriptures is that they contain inspiring examples of valiant men and women who faced challenges with faith in Jesus Christ. When Joseph Smith faced opposition because of his vision, he identified with the Apostle Paul, who was also persecuted for saying he had seen a vision. As you read Joseph’s account, what inspires you to remain true to your testimony? What other examples—from the scriptures or people you know—give you courage to stay true to the spiritual experiences you have had?
Song Ideas
Joseph Smith’s First Vision: Music & Video – Friend January 2017
Jesus’ Church has been Restored: Friend May 2017 – Music & Video
Friend April 2020 “The First Vision” Music and Video
Additional Resources
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families). “Voices of the Restoration: Joseph Smith’s Family,”
Show the video “Ask of God: Joseph Smith’s First Vision”
Hey that’s awesome, my son loves these animations! Thank you 😉
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