MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE. FIRST VISION testimony bookmark. This will help strengthen the testimony of Joseph Smith as a boy who asked in prayer in the Sacred Grove to know which church of the day was true. He did see God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ telling him that none of the churches were true. The bookmark tells that others wanted him to deny this vision; he could not.
FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH
Primary, Sunday School, Seminary, family home evening, and daily devotionals
LESSON LIFESAVER Activity:
First Vision – Testimony Bookmark
OBJECTIVE: The lesson helps strengthen each youth’s testimony that the Prophet Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.
ACTIVITY: Testimony Bookmark
Help children memorize Joseph Smith’s testimony of the truth of what he discovered as he knelt in the Sacred Grove. Have children place bookmark in their scriptures to remind them to have faith like the Prophet Joseph Smith.
TO MAKE Print, color, and cut out the bookmark on cardstock paper. Fold it in half and glue back-to-back. Laminate. Paper-punch a hole at top and tie a six-inch ribbon through and tie a knot (see below).
BOOKMARK READS Joseph Smith History 1:25 “So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation.”
THOUGHT TREATS:
#1 Sacred Grove Cone-Cakes (or cupcakes).
1. Pour cake batter into ice cream cones to fill half-full (cones are flat on the bottom). Or, fill cupcake liners ¾ full of batter.
2. Bake in 350° oven 18-22 minutes (or until knife or toothpick inserted comes out clean).
3. Frost cupcake cones or cupcakes with green frosting.
4. Tell children that the green-topped cones (or cupcakes) look like trees. This can remind us of the grove of trees where Joseph Smith knelt when he saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
*5. Remind children that they can receive a testimony of the First Vision as they pray to Heavenly Father. Read James 1:5 and tell children that this is the scripture Joseph Smith read in the Bible that encouraged him to pray to know the truth.
#2 Broccoli Trees. Give broccoli flowerettes to represent the Sacred Grove trees children can dip into ranch dressing. See #4 description (above).
SCRIPTURE CARDS: Help children Search and Ponder this scripture card by filling in the blanks. PRINT this 5 x 7 scripture card from the pdf included with the above activity. You can punch the two holes on the left and tie a ribbon to attach cards or use two metal rings to connect cards.
Joseph Smith–History 1:18-19
“No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for . . . it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)–and which I should join. I was answered that I must join none of them.”
LESSON IDEAS (for the above activity):
Present Lesson 1 – Primary 5 Manual – Doctrine and Covenants-Church History: Joseph Smith and the First Vision. Review the enrichment activities 4 and 6 in the manual for which the following activity illustrates.
