The Lord restored the fullness of the
gospel through Joseph Smith
by Melanie Day

(This idea was adapted from a FHE Lesson offered on Deseret Book's Website by Max H. Molgard and Allan K. Burgess, The Best of Fun for Family Night, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003], p. 31.)

ASK:  Have you ever really wondered about what to do in a certain situation? Or really wanted to know the answer to a question? Perhaps you asked your parents or your friends or your teachers about it but were still not sure what you should do.

(Tell the following story in your own words)  When Joseph Smith was fourteen years old, he had a question. He was living on his family’s farm in Palmyra, New York. In the town where they lived, there was a great deal of excitement about religion. There were many preachers from many different churches. Each said that he had the truth and tried to convince people to join his church. Joseph wondered which of the churches he should join. He asked himself, “How will I know who is telling the truth?"

SING: On a Golden Springtime, pg. 88
 

Joseph had never prayed out loud before. He decided to go to a grove of trees near his home to ask Heavenly Father his question. On a beautiful spring morning, he walked into the grove, looked around to be sure that he was alone, and knelt in prayer. As he began his prayer, a terrible feeling of darkness surrounded him. It was so strong that he thought it was going to destroy him! He prayed with all his heart to Heavenly Father for help. At that moment, a pillar of light appeared over his head and came down and rested on him. The darkness left him, and he saw two Heavenly Beings standing above him in the air. One spoke to him, saying, “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (JS—H 1:17.)
 

The two Heavenly Beings were Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. The Savior told Joseph that he should not join any of the churches because they were all wrong. Joseph had the answer to his question. Later, he received visits from other heavenly messengers and learned what Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ wanted him to do to help restore the gospel to the earth. He followed Their directions.

GAME: Hollywood Squares

SUMMARY:  The Lord prepared Joseph Smith to bring about the gospel of Jesus Christ in our dispensation.  Share your testimony.

OTHER Optional Activities:

- Invite two local missionaries to share with the children the story of the Prophet Joseph Smith as they present it in the discussions, and their testimonies. Have them also share experiences of how accepting the gospel has changed people’s lives. Use songs from the CS and pictures from Gospel Art Kit to reinforce what the missionaries present to the children. (Idea from July 2001 Friend)

- Have the children cut out some pictures of the first vision (from the July 2001 Friend) and put them on popsicle sticks, and include the story so they could give a family home evening.

- (Video) Moments from Church History - (Video Clip 6) Joseph Smith: The Man  1980 - Lethe Tatge recounts to a group of children what her great-grandfather told her of his firsthand experiences with the Prophet. 9 minutes.

- Learn the song, "Truth Restored" from the December 2005 Friend

- Dress children and adults to portray Smith family, and have each one tell about the person he represents. (Idea from December 1986 Friend)