Joseph Smith History 27-65 Moroni appears to Joseph Smith—Joseph’s name is to be known for good and evil among all nations—Moroni tells him of the Book of Mormon and of the coming judgments of the Lord and quotes many scriptures—The hiding place of the gold plates is revealed—Moroni continues to instruct the Prophet.(Verses 21–26.) Joseph Smith marries Emma Hale—He receives the gold plates from Moroni and translates some of the characters—Martin Harris shows the characters and translation to Professor Anthon, who says, “I cannot read a sealed book.” (Verses 55–65.)
Doctrine and Covenants 2 An extract from Joseph Smith’s history relating the words of the angel Moroni to Joseph Smith the Prophet, while in the house of the Prophet’s father at Manchester, New York, on the evening of September 21, 1823. Moroni was the last of a long line of historians who had made the record that is now before the world as the Book of Mormon. (Compare Malachi 4:5–6; also sections 27:9; 110:13–16; and 128:18.)
The Angel Moroni Visits Joseph Smith
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 & Doctrine and Covenants Stories “The Angel Moroni Visits Joseph Smith”
It had been three years since God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith in the grove, but Joseph hadn’t received any additional revelations since then. He began to wonder about his standing before the Lord. Like all of us, he had made mistakes, and he felt condemned by them.
One night, after everyone was asleep, Joseph decided to pray. God had answered his prayers before, and Joseph knew He would answer them again.
While Joseph was praying, light filled the room. Joseph saw an angel standing in the air by his bed. The angel said that his name was Moroni. God had sent him. He said God had forgiven Joseph and had a work for him to do.
I can repent and be forgiven.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
- We all sometimes feel “condemned for [our] weakness and imperfections,” as Joseph Smith did. You and your children could study Joseph Smith—History 1:29 together, looking for what Joseph did when he felt that way. What can we learn from his example that can help us when we make mistakes? Why is it important to know that Joseph was called by God even though he was not perfect?
What does it mean to know your “standing before [God]”? (Joseph Smith—History 1:29).
- Why is it important to think about our “standing before [God]”?
Friend April 2023 “Repentance” What is repentance and how is it possible. Also, the steps of repentance.
Joseph Smith was called by God to do an important work.
Moroni said there was a book made of gold pages or plates. It was buried in a hill near Joseph’s home. The book was about people who lived in the Americas long ago. They knew about Jesus Christ and His gospel. Moroni said God would help Joseph translate the book so people could read it.
Read with the children Joseph Smith—History 1:33–35, and ask them to listen for what Moroni wanted Joseph to know about the work Joseph was called to do. How we are blessed as a result. For example, how have we been blessed because Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon? How has his work helped us come closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? Invite the children to read the Book of Mormon regularly.
Draw students’ attention to Moroni’s prophecy about Joseph Smith’s name in Joseph Smith History—1:33. Why do you think there is so much opposition to the Prophet Joseph Smith? You could point out that Satan always opposes truth.
What are ways you can help fulfill Moroni’s prophecy to speak good of Joseph Smith?
Why do you think Moroni appeared to Joseph four times (three times during the night and once the next morning), giving him the same message each time?
You could ask a family member to read aloud part or all of Moroni’s message from Joseph Smith—History 1:33–42 four times (because Moroni repeated this message four times). Between each reading, ask the other family members to share what they remember from his message, without looking at the scriptures. Why might the Lord repeat important messages several times? What are some other ways the Lord teaches us through repetition?
(Another option would be to have some items covered on a tray that are related to Moroni’s message. Uncover the tray for a short time and then recover it. See if the children can remember what was on the tray. Do this three more times and see if they remember more each time. Afterwards, use the items on the tray to teach about the words Moroni spoke.)
Display a picture of Moroni visiting Joseph Smith (see Gospel Art Book, no. 91). Ask the children to point out things they notice in the picture. Summarize the account of Moroni’s visits to Joseph.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 and CFM Primary 2021
- Your children might have fun pretending to be Joseph Smith as you tell the account of Moroni’s visits in Joseph Smith—History 1:27–54 or “Chapter 3: The Angel Moroni and the Gold Plates” (in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 13–17, or the corresponding video in Gospel Library). For example, they could fold their arms like they are praying or pretend to climb the Hill Cumorah, and so on.
Doctrine and Covenants Stories “Chapter 3: The Angel Moroni and the Gold Plates” Images and Video
- Or, invite the children to act out or draw pictures of events from Joseph Smith—History 1:30–54, such as Moroni appearing to Joseph (verses 30–47), Joseph talking to his father (verses 48–50), and Joseph finding the plates (verses 51–54). What do we learn from this account about the work Joseph was called to do?
- Let the kids have fun showing how the angel came back twice more while Joseph was in bed, and then showing Joseph going back to Hill Cumorah each year.
“Receiving the Gold Plates” (June 2008 Liahona and May 2008 Friend)
An illustrated retelling of the story of Joseph Smith receiving the plates from Moroni.
Friend May 2008
Friend January 2021 “Getting the Gold Plates” Coloring Page
Sing or say the words to “An Angel Came to Joseph Smith”(Children’s Songbook, p. 86)
*Link to additional resources about Joseph Receiving the Golden Plates
God has a work for me to do.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
It’s one thing to believe that God had a work for Joseph Smith to do—we can look back on his life and clearly see what he accomplished. But have you ever considered that God has a work for you too?
Elder Gary E. Stevenson taught: “As we come unto Christ and help others do the same, we participate in God’s work of salvation and exaltation.
God will prepare me to work in His kingdom.
Tell the children that you would like them to help you prepare some things for the lesson. Give some of the children blank wordstrips and pens or pencils, and have them write the following words on the wordstrips: Joseph Smith, prayer, light, Moroni, message, four times. Have another child display the picture of Moroni appearing to Joseph Smith. Thank the children for helping you prepare.
- Why is it important that we prepare for certain events, such as taking a test in school or giving a talk in Primary? What happens when we do not prepare? Using the wordstrips and the appropriate pictures, have the children help you review what they learned in lesson 3 about Moroni’s visits to Joseph Smith. Remind the children that Joseph was not allowed to take the plates the first time
he saw them. Explain that Joseph had a great work to do, but he needed to be better prepared in order to do it.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
Joseph was only 17 years old when he first saw the gold plates. They weren’t entrusted to his care, however, until four years later. Read Joseph Smith—History 1:48–60, looking for what happened in Joseph’s life during that time. How do you think these events prepared him for the work God called him to do? What experiences have you had that have prepared you to serve God and others? What are you currently experiencing that can help you prepare for future service?
What have Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ given us to help us prepare to
serve them? (Answers may include scriptures, parents, prophets, teachers,
the gift of the Holy Ghost, and Primary.) Write the children’s answers to this
question under the heading Heavenly Father helps me prepare by:.
- What is our responsibility to help prepare ourselves? Using the items
listed on the chalkboard, discuss with the children what each of us needs
to do with the things that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have given us
(for example: scriptures—study them daily; parents—follow their counsel).
Summarize their answers under the heading I can prepare myself by:. - What are we preparing to do? (Serve Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
and others, in positions such as teacher, missionary, or parent.) How does
this preparation help us now? How will it help us in the future? Help the
children realize their responsibility to prepare themselves now to serve (See more at lesson link.)
Joseph and Emma
Saints volume 1 “Chapter 4 “Be Watchful”
- “Emma Hale, the Prophet’s Wife” (April 2008 Friend)
An illustrated retelling of the story of Joseph and Emma meeting and getting married.
Heavenly Father wants families to be sealed in the temple.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 2
Moroni told Joseph Smith that Elijah would come to “reveal … the Priesthood” (verse 1). This refers to the sealing power of the priesthood that allows families to be united eternally and enables us to receive ordinances for our ancestors in the temple.
Display a picture of a temple, and help the children name some of the things we do in temples. Explain that baptisms for the dead, eternal marriage, and sealing families in the temple are all possible because of the priesthood keys Elijah restored.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
- Perhaps you and your children would enjoy looking at some pictures of your family, possibly including a picture of your family at a temple (or see Gospel Art Book, no. 120).
- You could then read Doctrine and Covenants 2 and share with each other your thoughts about why we have temples and why Heavenly Father wants families to be together forever.
- Consider singing together “Families Can Be Together Forever” (Children’s Songbook, 188). What does this song say we can do to be with our family forever?
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 2
- Ask the children to read or listen to the prophecy in Doctrine and Covenants 2:1. Ask them to look for who the Lord would send in the last days and what this person would reveal. Display a picture of Elijah in the Kirtland Temple (see Gospel Art Book, no. 95), and talk about how this prophecy was fulfilled 13 years after Moroni’s visit (see Doctrine and Covenants 110:13–15).
- Explain that Elijah restored priesthood keys that allow families to be sealed together eternally. Show some objects that could help the children understand what it means to seal something, such as a can of food or a plastic storage bag with a zipper lock. How do these objects help us understand what it means for a family to be sealed?
Latter Day Kids “Come Follow Me: A Welding Link: (The Sealing Power)” Videos, songs, activities, and lesson ideas.
- Friend April 2020 “Alonso’s Forever Family” Alonso learned that because of Jesus’s resurrection people who have died will live again. He also learned about being sealed to his family. His parents had both died and he was living with his grandma. He couldn’t wait to go to the temple and be sealed to his parents. He saved any money he got so he and his grandma could make the trip to the temple. He was so grateful that families can be together forever
Learning about my ancestors can bring me joy
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
- Children can become excited about and feel the joy of family history. To help them, you could share stories or pictures of your ancestors. Talk with your children about what life was like for their ancestors when they were children. Your children could also enjoy some of the family history activities on FamilySearch.org/discovery.
Friend July 2018 “Find the people in your family tree who were pioneers, such as the first person to join the church or the first to graduate from college.
- How have you felt your heart turn toward your ancestors? Think of ways you can experience such feelings more often. Perhaps you could ask a relative to share a story with you about one of your ancestors—even better, you could record it. Or you could invite [a family member] to learn about an ancestor and to share what they learn with the rest of the family.
- Maybe you could identify a deceased ancestor who never received gospel ordinances and then have a family member perform that work in the temple.
Friend August 2018 “Temple Tracker” Some of your ancestors might need ordinances done for them in the temple. Use the chart below to keep track.
Why does the Lord want us to learn about our family members and perform temple ordinances for them?
Most of Heavenly Father’s children don’t know about His plan. They don’t know about Jesus Christ. They don’t know they can be baptized or sealed to their families. Heavenly Father wants us to help gather His children so they can come home to Him. And you can help, starting with your ancestors. (Friend October 2022 “Gathering Heavenly Father’s Children”)
Friend January 2021 “Come Follow Me” When we turn our hearts to our families, we remember them and do temple work for them.
Cut out paper hearts. Write a family member’s name on each one. Take turns holding up the hearts and sharing stories about each person. You could ask your parents to tell stories about their parents or grandparents.
How are we blessed when we participate in family history and temple work?
Friend January 2025 “Come, Follow Me Activities”
- When we learn more about our ancestors, we feel closer to them and to Heavenly Father (see Doctrine and Covenants 2). Ask a family member to tell you a story from their life or from the life of one of your ancestors. Then recreate the story as a play or drawing!
For younger children: To teach your little ones about family history, teach them the name of someone in your family that they didn’t know before.
Gospel Media: Hearts of the Children Sing-along video
Additional Family History Resources
Martin Harris Visits Professor Anthon
Teach the children about Martin Harris’s experiences with Professor Anthon and Dr. Mitchell, as recorded in Joseph Smith—History 1:62–65. Help the children understand that these events fulfilled a prophecy made by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 29:11–12; see also 2 Nephi 27:15–20) thousands of years before Joseph Smith’s time. (Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History: Lesson 5)
Church History Topics “Martin Harris’s Consultations with Scholars” This article tells the story and has pictures of Martin Harris and Professor Anthon.
What did Professor Anthon say when Martin Harris first showed him a copy of some of the Book of Mormon writings? (JS—H 1:64.) Why do you think Professor Anthon tore up the certificate when he learned that an angel had shown Joseph Smith where to find the gold plates? (JS—H 1:65.
Additional Resources
- Primary 5 Manual: Doctrine and Covenants “Lesson 3: The Angel Moroni Visits Joseph Smith” Story, activity and lesson ideas.
- Primary 5 Manual: Doctrine and Covenants “Lesson 4: Joseph Smith Prepares to Receive the Gold Plates”
- Primary 5 Manual: Doctrine and Covenants “Lesson 5: Joseph Smith Receives the Gold Plates”
- Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources “Doctrine and Covenants 2; Joseph Smith—History 1:27–65”
- Saints Volume 1: Chapter 3 “Plates of Gold”
- Come Follow Me Kid
Review Ideas
Friend December 2015 Beginning at the star, draw lines from dot to dot as instructed in the answers to the following questions.
- After reading the Book of Matthew, Joseph Smith decided to pray about which church to join. (See JS—H 1:11.)
- True: Move right three dots
- False: Move left three dots
- Joseph Smith was instructed to join any church he wanted to. (See JS—H 1:19.)
- True: Move up one dot
- False: Move diagonally down and left two dots
- Joseph Smith was fourteen years old when he received the First Vision. (See JS—H 1:23.)
- True: Move down two dots
- False: Move left two dots
- Joseph Smith received a strong testimony of the reality and divinity of Heavenly Father and Jesus, which he never denied. (See JS—H 1:25.)
- True: Move right three dots
- False: Move down two dots
- Joseph Smith had forgotten to say his prayers the night Moroni first appeared to him. (See JS—H 1:29–30.)
- True: Move down and right one dot
- False: Move diagonally up and right two dots
- Joseph Smith’s room was very dark while Moroni was there. (See JS—H 1:32.)
- True: Move down two dots
- False: Move up two dots
- Moroni told Joseph Smith that he, Moroni, had been sent by Noah to teach Joseph. (See JS—H 1:33.)
- True: Move down one dot
- False: Move diagonally down and left two dots
- Moroni told Joseph Smith about certain gold plates that contained the gospel. (See JS—H 1:34.)
- True: Move down two dots
- False: Move up two dots
- Moroni quoted prophecies from the Old Testament. (See JS—H 1:36–40.)
- True: Move up two dots
- False: Move diagonally down and left two dots
- The Book of Mormon was translated from the gold plates. (See JS—H 1:66–67.)
- True: Move left three dots
- False: Move right one dot.
Friend December 1988 “Do You Know” Joseph is visited by Moroni. Story and question.
On the way home Joseph passed out. When he came to, Moroni was there calling his name. The angel repeated what he’d told Joseph the night before; he also told Joseph to do something then. What did Moroni tell Joseph to do? Do you know?
A. Joseph was to tell his father everything that Moroni had told him.
B. Joseph was to go home to bed until he felt strong enough to work with his father again.
C. Joseph was to go immediately to where the gold plates were hidden and dig them up.
D. Joseph was to get his five brothers to help him get the gold plates and translate them.
