Ideas for Teaching Children
Joseph Smith was prepared to be a prophet of God.
Learning about Joseph Smith’s youth could help your children relate to him as they learn from his experiences. Maybe they could hold a picture of Joseph Smith and share what they know about him. If needed, you might add some facts about him from Joseph Smith—History 1:3–14
Suggestion: As you move through this activity, ask the children: Do you have a family? Do you love to laugh and play? Do you have faith in Jesus Christ? What do you think God is preparing you for?
Also, I would watch the movie first and use this as a review of what they learned.
(see also “Chapter 1: Joseph Smith and His Family,” in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 6–8, or the corresponding video in Gospel Library). What did Joseph experience that helped prepare him to become a prophet? What might God be preparing us to do?
Another fun idea for the children to relate to Joseph Smith is to compare families. There is a paper doll version of Joseph Smiths family and then a paper doll version the children can make of their own family.
Here is the video that shows how to assemble the coloring book:
God can answer my questions through the scriptures.
Consider showing your children a variety of books, including the scriptures. Help them think of questions these books can answer. Then you could read together Joseph Smith—History 1:10–11 to find out what questions Joseph Smith had and what answers he found in the scriptures.
For Younger students I suggest getting a short small book, because the children are going to want you to read it to them.
Your children might be able to find words in verse 12 that describe how reading James 1:5 affected Joseph. Then you could share experiences with each other in which a passage of scripture had a powerful influence on you. You could also sing together a song about reading the scriptures, such as “Search, Ponder, and Pray” (Children’s Songbook, 109). What does the song teach about why we read the scriptures?
For older students:
Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers.
To start a discussion about how we communicate with Heavenly Father, perhaps you and your children could ask each other questions using various communication methods, like a text message, a phone call, or a handwritten note. How do we ask questions to Heavenly Father? How do we show Him that we love and honor Him in our prayers? Read together Joseph Smith—History 1:16–19 and discuss how Heavenly Father answered Joseph Smith’s prayer. You and your children could then share experiences when you asked God for help and received an answer.
There is a candy bar prayer chart in my store, but it you don't want to buy anything today, you can print this one.
This is a story about President Monson receiving an answer to his prayer.
Sing together "A Child's Prayer" (CSB 12-13)
Download this HERE it is in a zipped folder
Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Young children might enjoy standing with outstretched arms pretending to be trees in the Sacred Grove while you tell them about the First Vision. Ask the children to sway as if being blown by the wind while you talk about Joseph praying. Then ask them to stand very still and quiet when you tell them Heavenly Father and Jesus appeared to Joseph.
Older children might enjoy using one or more of the pictures in this outline to tell you what they know about the First Vision. Encourage them to refer to Joseph Smith—History 1:14–17 and to share their thoughts and feelings about Joseph’s experience (see also “Chapter 2: Joseph Smith’s First Vision,” in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 9–12, or the corresponding video in Gospel Library).
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