April 2015 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps & Ideas

The First Vision, by Kenneth Riley found on lds.org media library

Monthly Theme: Jesus Christ Restored the Fulness of the Gospel Through Joseph Smith.
Monthly Scripture: “We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church” Articles of Faith 1:6

 

Week 1 Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith.

* HERE is a Joseph Smith shoe-box panorama children can make. You'll need shoe boxes! (From The Friend Jan. 2001)

* HERE is an activity where children can make paper puppets of the First Vision. You'll need to print on heavy paper and have brass fasteners. (From The Friend March 2008)

* HERE is a WONDERFUL read aloud of The First Vision. You be the narrator, assign a child the part of Joseph. Give him the words ahead of time so maybe he can memorize!!! Have a simple costume and a few props. You could even assign someone to read the scripture James 1:5. You could print off the papers for children to read at night 2 times this upcoming week. Challenge them to pray to gain the knowledge that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and really did see Heavenly Father and Jesus.

*HERE is The Restoration video. It is such a beautiful video!! However, keep in mind it is 19 minutes long. At the 10 min. 30ish second mark we start with Joseph reading James 1:5, FYI.

* "Joseph Smith’s testimony of seeing the Father and Son towers like the arching trees of that sacred setting." Elder Richard L. Anderson April 1996 Ensign
    How many of us have been camping in an area with lots of trees? Is it pretty peaceful? Who has a favorite tree they like to climb in? Trees are beautiful. In one grove of trees, a sacred experience happened. Brainstorm some ideas of all the truth that came from The First Vision... have a couple children write down the ideas from primary friends on the chalkboard.
     Heavenly Father and Jesus are 2 separate individuals. God still speaks to man. Jesus Christ lives. Heavenly Father knows us by name. We need to listen to Jesus. Heavenly Father will protect us from evil and He is the most powerful. Heavenly Father answers prayers.
    We have a few kids who really love origami in Senior Primary! Bring in some paper and have them write down something about the first vision that is sacred or important to them. Then teach them how to make a simple origami tree. Directions HERE.

* How many of us have done Elder Anderson's challenge from last general conference?
1. "Find scriptures in the Book of Mormon that you feel and know are absolutely true. Then share them with family and friends in family home evening."
2. "Read the testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith...(HERE).... Read it often. Consider recording the testimony of Joseph Smith in your own voice, listening to it regularly, and sharing it with friends. Listening to the Prophet’s testimony in your own voice will help bring the witness you seek."
     I really love his visual of how if something happens in an airplane, we have to put the oxygen mask on ourselves before we help the person next to us. Similarly, we must be firm in our knowledge and testimony of Joseph Smith! Elder Anderson says, "There will be family members and friends who will need your help. Now is the time to adjust your own spiritual oxygen mask so that you are prepared to help others who are seeking the truth." HERE is the full talk! It's excellent!

Week 2 Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God.

* THIS is a must read to prepare for this week!! Did you know that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon in 63 working days?

* Have a blow dryer unplugged and invite a child to press the on button. What happens? Now plug it in and get the power going. What happens? And so it is by the power of God that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon.

* Elder Boyd K. Packer shared this story, "A 15-year-old son of a mission president attended high school with very few members of the Church.

     One day the class was given a true-or-false test. Matthew was confident that he knew the answers to all except for question 15. It read, “Joseph Smith, the alleged Mormon prophet, wrote the Book of Mormon. True or false?”

     He could not answer it either way, so being a clever teenager, he rewrote the question. He crossed out the word alleged (definition of alleged: said, without proof, to have taken place) and replaced the word wrote with translated. It then read, “Joseph Smith, the Mormon prophet, translated the Book of Mormon.” He marked it true and handed it in.

     The next day the teacher sternly asked why he had changed the question. He smiled and said, “Because Joseph Smith did not write the Book of Mormon, he translated it, and he was not an alleged prophet, he was a prophet.” He was then invited to tell the class how he knew that." (From The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, General Conference Oct. 2001)

      Do we know that Joseph Smith TRANSLATED the Book of Mormon, not wrote it?? The Book of Mormon is a miracle and we love to read it! Have each primary class come up with 2 questions about the Book of Mormon. It can be questions about stories or teachings, whatever they like! Have the missionaries come in and invite the children to quiz the missionaries!!

     Thank the missionaries for being good sports! The most important knowledge we can have about the Book of Mormon is knowing that it is true. Invite the missionaries to briefly share their testimony.

 

* Invite about 10 people in who speak a different language. See if they can bring in a Book of Mormon written in another language. Ask them beforehand to say "The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ". If children would like they can try to repeat! What did all these wonderful people say? The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ! Pass around the Book of Mormons very carefully!! Take a look at the different languages and ways people write.

     Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God!!

HERE is an EXCELLENT video to show!! If you still have time have a couple Book of Mormon facts written in code (first letter switched with last). See if the primary can figure them out!

Here are a few facts:

 The Book of Mormon was first published in English in New York in 1830

Eht kooB fo NormoM saw tirsf dublishep ni Hnglise ni WeN KorY ni 0831

     In 1851 the Book of Mormon was translated into Danish, its first translation to a non-English language.

    Ni 1851 eht KooB fo NormoM saw dranslateT onti HanisD sti tirsf nranslatiot ot a hon-englisn eanguagl 

     3 men saw and 8 men handled the plates... they give their witness at the beginning of the Book of Mormon

     3 nem was dna 8 nem dandleh eht slatep.... yhet eivg rheit sitnesw ta eht geginninb fo eht Koob fo NormoM

Weeks 3 & 4 Jesus Christ restored the gospel through Joseph Smith.

Recycled from Previous Posts:

* HERE is an excellent resource from The Friend. It talks about a mom and child restoring a piece of furniture. There is a puzzle activity included that you could attach questions, scriptures, and songs to about The Restoration. You could put pieces under primary friends' chairs. Have primary friends try to put the puzzle together one piece at a time as they come to the front and answer the question on back. (Or scripture...etc.)

* HERE is a ready to use sharing time!! It is called "Partial Pictures". Have the children look up the scripture and match it to the picture. You can always show them the complete picture after!
Some questions to go along with the #'d pictures:
1.What priesthood did Peter, James, and John restore?
How does the Melchizedek priesthood bless our lives?
2. Sing An Angel Came to Joseph Smith (CS #86 )
Why do you think Heavenly Father sent the angel Moroni to Joseph?
What would you do if an angel came to you? Can you think of any scripture stories where an angel came to deliver a message from Heavenly Father?
3. How does it make you feel to know that God appeared to a young boy?
Why do you think Joseph Smith was chosen to help restore the church?
(Look carefully at that question, why do "you"- this isn't about being right or wrong, encourage the children to really think about things and value their answers!)
What did Heavenly Father say to Joseph?
4. What temple did Elijah appear to Joseph?
What did Elijah restore to Joseph and Oliver?
Sing The Hearts of The Children ( CS #92)
5. Read James 1:5
What are things we can do to gain wisdom?
Can anyone give ideas or tips on how to make scripture study meaningful?
6. What are some of your favorite stories from The Book of Mormon?
Why do you read The Book of Mormon?
What knowledge did The Book of Mormon restore?

* Invite a primary friend to the front. Ask them if you are standing in front of them. Are they sure? Well, that isn't the only thing we can be sure of!! Elder Holland in our last conference said, "I bear witness of that gospel and that Church, with a particular witness of restored priesthood keys which unlock the power and efficacy of saving ordinances. I am more certain that those keys have been restored and that those ordinances are once again available through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints than I am certain I stand before you at this pulpit and you sit before me in this conference." (The Cost & Blessings of Discipleship, April 2014, such a great talk!!)
     Time to play... Are you sure?? Have about 20 statements, either fact or fiction/true or false, in regards to The Church being restored!! Make sure to have plenty of visuals to go along with statements. Have a child come up front and draw a statement from a bag. Then have the primary stand up if they are sure the statement is right!
Some sample statements:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was organized April 6, 1830. (true)
Joseph Smith had a vision of only an angel. (FALSE!!! He saw God the Father and Jesus)
Why is this so important to know??
The Aaronic Priesthood was restored by John the Baptist. (True)
Could you be baptized if this hadn't have happened?? Read D&C 22:2
     It's OK if we aren't sure about some things in life. But if we seek, we will find. Bear testimony! I am sure that God the Father lives and that He loves us. I am sure as the keyboard I type on that Christ is my best friend. The Gospel is restored!!

* What does the dictionary define restored as? Ask a child to come and help you demonstrate. Give them a book or a toy. Now have them give it back and return it to you. Key words: "Give back and Return". Now have the child hold a picture of the earth. Have a sign that says "TRUTH". Have the child with the earth picture hold the truth sign, then you take it away. (Apostasy!!) Return the truth or restore it back.
 * Joseph Smith and The Restoration Jeopardy!!
Categories and ?'s :
He was  a child too!!
100 When Joseph was small (7 years old) he had to have surgery on this part of his body. He wouldn't drink alcohol to ease the pain and held his father's hand while enduring the hurt. His leg
200 What month was Joseph Smith born? December (right before Christmas, the 23rd!)
300 How many brothers and sisters did Joseph have? 10
400 What was the name of Joseph's mother? Lucy
500 True or False: Joseph had to work hard as a child on the family farm. True!

The Early Church
100 Sing the 6th Article of Faith Song
200 After the church was organized on April 6, a miracle happened! The Prophet Joseph met a man named Newel who was possessed of a devil. Acting on Newel's faith as well as his own, Joseph cast out the devil in this name? Jesus Christ
300 At the first conference of the church, the sustained leaders by doing what we do today. What do we do? We raise our right hand to the square in support.
400 Emma Smith, Joseph's wife was called "An Elect Lady" of the Lord. She was commanded to do something special and put together this book. A hint: It's often green! The first hymn book.
500 True or False: When Brigham Young was introduced to the church he immediately joined. False!! He studied and pondered the church for 2 years before joining.

Truth Restored!100 Read 2 Nephi 3:24
200 True or False: The church started in 1830. False!! The church started with Adam and was restored many times, including the last dispensation with Joseph Smith.
300 Sing the Priesthood is Restored (CS pg. 89)
400 Name a witness of the Book of Mormon. Answers can include the 8 witnesses from the beginning of the Book of Mormon, to prophets to even children who have a testimony it's true.
500 True or False: All truth has been revealed!! False: Much truth has been revealed, but there is a lot more that is yet to come!

Final Jeopardy Question: What is something you've learned about Joseph Smith or the Restoration?

Joseph Smith - A FHE based on Elder Neil A. Anderson's Oct. 2014 General Conference Talk

 

All quotes are from the talk Joseph Smith by Elder Neil A. Anderson.

October 2014 General Conference

Attention Activity:
HERE is a website that can generate false newspaper clipping images.
Make some semi-true stories about members of your family. Share them. What was right, what was wrong about the stories?

"We might remind the sincere inquirer that Internet information does not have a “truth” filter. Some information, no matter how convincing, is simply not true."

If we want to know the truth, where is the best place to seek answers?

What did the Savior say? Read 3 Nephi 14:16-20

 

Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. How can we know the truth of this?

Elder Anderson says, "Each believer needs a spiritual confirmation of the divine mission and character of the Prophet Joseph Smith. This is true for every generation. Spiritual questions deserve spiritual answers from God."

 

 

Lesson:

Have the following quotes from Elder Anderson in places that you might go to find out answers- scriptures, computer, books, TV, the bed where you pray, the front porch where a newspaper is.... As a family go to each place and read the quotes.

1. " Many of those who dismiss the work of the Restoration simply do not believe that heavenly beings speak to men on earth. Impossible, they say, that golden plates were delivered by an angel and translated by the power of God. From that disbelief, they quickly reject Joseph’s testimony, and a few unfortunately sink to discrediting the Prophet’s life and slandering his character.

     We are especially saddened when someone who once revered Joseph retreats from his or her conviction and then maligns the Prophet.¹⁰

     “Studying the Church … through the eyes of its defectors,” Elder Neal A. Maxwell once said, is “like interviewing Judas to understand Jesus. Defectors always tell us more about themselves than about that from which they have departed."

 

2. " To questions about Joseph’s character, we might share the words of thousands who knew him personally and who gave their lives for the work he helped establish. John Taylor, who was shot four times by the mob that killed Joseph, would later declare: “I testify before God, angels, and men, that [Joseph] was a good, honorable, [and] virtuous man— … [and] that his private and public character was unimpeachable—and that he lived and died as a man of God."

 

3. "Years ago I read a Time magazine article that reported the discovery of a letter, supposedly written by Martin Harris, that conflicted with Joseph Smith’s account of finding the Book of Mormon plates.

A few members left the Church because of the document.

     Sadly, they left too quickly. Months later experts discovered (and the forger confessed) that the letter was a complete deception.

     You may understandably question what you hear on the news, but you need never doubt the testimony of God’s prophets."

 

4. "... Some information about Joseph, while true, may be presented completely out of context to his own day and situation.

       Elder Russell M. Nelson illustrated this point. He said: “I was serving as a consultant to the United States government at its National Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia. Once while awaiting a taxi to take me to the airport after our meetings were over, I stretched out on the lawn to soak in a few welcome rays of sunshine before returning to the winter weather of Utah. … Later I received a photograph in the mail taken by a photographer with a telephoto lens, capturing my moment of relaxation on the lawn. Under it was a caption, ‘Governmental consultant at the National Center.’ The picture was true, the caption was true, but the truth was used to promote a false impression.”

     We do not discard something we know to be true because of something we do not yet understand."

 

5. " Brothers and sisters, let me give you a caution: you won’t be of much help to others if your own faith is not securely in place.

     A few weeks ago I boarded a plane for South America. The flight attendant directed our attention to a safety video. “It is unlikely,” we were warned, “but if cabin pressure changes, the panels above your seat will open, revealing oxygen masks. If this happens, reach up and pull a mask toward you. Place the mask over your nose and mouth. Slip the elastic strap over your head and adjust the mask if necessary.” Then this caution: “Be sure to adjust your own mask before helping others...Now is the time to adjust your own spiritual oxygen mask so that you are prepared to help others who are seeking the truth.”

 

6. "To the youth listening today or reading these words in the days ahead, I give a specific challenge: Gain a personal witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith."

Challenges for the upcoming week:

"First, find scriptures in the Book of Mormon that you feel and know are absolutely true. Then share them."

 

Next, read the testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith.... Read it often. Consider recording the testimony of Joseph Smith in your own voice, listening to it regularly, and sharing it with friends. Listening to the Prophet’s testimony in your own voice will help bring the witness you seek."

 

Bear Testimony of Joseph Smith. Follow up with family members for the challenges that Elder Anderson instructed us to do during the upcoming week. At the next family home evening, or on Sunday, gather together and share!

 

Possible songs to sing:
Praise to the Man Hymns #27

Joseph Smith's First Prayer Hymns #26

We Thank Thee, O God, For a Prophet Hymns #19

An Angel Came to Joseph Smith CS #86

The Golden Plates CS #86

The Sacred Grove CS #87

April 2013 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps & Ideas

I love this book!!

Monthly Theme: Jesus Christ Restored His Church in the Latter Days.
Monthly Scripture: "I have sent forth the fullness of my gospel by the hand of my servant Joseph"
D&C 35:17

Week 1 After Jesus Christ and His Apostles died, gospel truths were lost.

*   Bring in a plastic bag with a few tiny pieces of bread, a water bottle with only a little left and A Friend Magazine with only the front and back cover. On the board have 3 words written- famine, drought, apostasy. Invite 3 children to come up front and choose an item, then stand by the word on the board it matches. Have them explain the meanings of the words. What do all 3 words have to do with each other?
     Amos 8:11-12 "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it."
    Draw a simple picture of a person with a big belly. We are commanded to nourish our spirits, so let's pretend this is our spirit. What are things we can do to feed our spirit? What are some gospel principles that help our spirit grow? Write the children's answers in the belly. Does this spirit look like it's been through a famine or a drought? But if we take all these things away (erase all the words in the belly), that's what the apostasy was, then what do we get? Draw a stick figure. Who's glad The Church was restored?!?!

*   Invite a primary friend up front and blindfold them. Make sure they can't see! Would it be OK to leave them blindfolded the rest of primary? What about the rest of the day? What about the rest of their lives? Ask the friend how they feel... or how they would feel to be blind for a long time? Darkness is not fun. I still sleep with a night light!!! Did you know that the earth was covered in darkness for a really long time? Does that mean that there wasn't sunshine?
     "The Holy Priesthood had been withdrawn from the earth. The power of godliness was no longer present in the Christian Church. Thus there was a complete falling away from the gospel which had been established by the Son of Man. The Church lay in darkness, and the darkness enveloped the earth. This spiritual darkness continued for hundreds and hundreds of years” (Milton R. Hunter, “The Missionary Assignment,” Improvement Era, Dec. 1951, 920).
     Have a mini-white board/ dry erase board. Invite primary friends to come up front, one at a time, and share a gospel principle, something that Jesus taught. Have them write down the principle or you write it for them, then have them cover the word with a black cloth. The black cloth is what the apostasy was. When Joseph Smith restored Christ's church, there was light again! Have the child take off the cloth. Repeat a few times with different children and the principles they come up with.

* Come up to the front of the room really frazzled. Tell the children that you have lost something. This is just horrible!!! Pull your hair, sigh, put your hand on your head... you are so sad! You are so confused... you just don't know what to do. See if anyone will volunteer to help you. If not, ask if there is anyone who thinks they can help. Invite one primary friend up. Have a small picture of Joseph Smith on some string they can wear around their neck. In the room, have a small shoe box with a picture of a church building on the outside. On the inside have things that represent gospel principles, or things Christ taught while on earth. Once the primary friend has found the item, give them a big hug!! Hooray!!! It's no longer lost!!!
      “This is not a continuous church, nor is it one that has been reformed or redeemed. It has been restored after it was lost. It was lost—the gospel with its powers and blessings—sometime after the Savior’s crucifixion and the loss of his apostles. The laws were changed, the ordinances were changed, and the everlasting covenant was broken that the Lord Jesus Christ gave to his people in those days. There was a long period of centuries when the gospel was not available to people on this earth, because it had been changed” (Spencer W. Kimball, The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 423).
     Invite friends to come up and pick an item from the box and talk about what it might mean. After you go through all the items write APOSTASY on the board and ask the children to tell their neighbors what they learned today about that word. Tell them they get 100 points if they go home and tell their family what the word means!!!! (If they ask you what points will get them, tell them it's knowledge points and the more knowledge points you have the more awesome a missionary you'll be!!!)

* Who here likes to do puzzles? Have a simple 10 piece puzzle for someone to do... except have 3 pieces missing. Is the puzzle complete?
       "In many ways the gospel of Jesus Christ is like a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle. When Joseph Smith came on the scene, perhaps 100 pieces were in place. Then Joseph Smith came along and put many of the other 900 pieces in place so that people could say, “Oh, now I understand where I came from, why I am here, and where I am going.” As for Joseph Smith’s role in the Restoration, the Lord defined it clearly: “This generation shall have my word through you” (D&C 5:10)." Tad R. Callister Ensign October 2009 Joseph Smith- Prophet of the Restoration
    Invite the children to draw a picture of a gospel truth restored. Have them cut it into a few pieces to take home and work with a family member to put it back together again. See if they can trick the family member and have a missing piece! Then they can explain to their family member how it's like the restoration of the gospel!!

Week 2 Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith.

* HERE is a great video!! It's a little long though... 20 minutes. At the 10 minute mark it starts with James 1:5, so if you wanted to show the kids, that might be a good place to start!!

*   Sing the song Hinges. (CS page 277) What happens if we didn't have hinges? Have the children look at a door. What would happen to the door if it didn't have it's hinges? It'd fall down and crash right?!?
    President Gordon B. Hinckley taught: “This glorious First Vision … was the parting of the curtain to open this, the dispensation of the fulness of times. Nothing on which we base our doctrine, nothing we teach, nothing we live by is of greater importance than this initial declaration. I submit that if Joseph Smith talked with God the Father and His Beloved Son, then all else of which he spoke is true. This is the hinge on which turns the gate that leads to the path of salvation and eternal life.”
(Ensign, Nov. 1998, p. 71)
     A hinge holds things together and helps it move along. Having a testimony of Joseph Smith's First Vision is very important!! Without it, we might crack!! Without it, we might fall down like a door without hinges for support!!
    If possible, bring in a hinge. Have the primary children pass it around to Restoration piano music. When it stops, the person can answer a question or read a scripture having to do with the restoration.
Reverence tip: I might be nuts, but it seems to me that children don't sing while passing along items. Also, the way chairs are set up, there is confusion on the ends of the aisles. Solution? Possibly. Invite about 6-8 primary friends up front to stand in a circle. Primary friends who are willing to pass reverently and respectfully while everyone sings. That way you are losing fewer voices. You're getting lots of children out of their chairs and everyone is less confused.

From Previous Posts:
* HERE is a link to the lds.org where you can find different artistic depictions of The First Vision. (Make sure to scroll down) They are beautiful!  Have the children draw their own artwork of that glorious event and share!

* HERE is a link for cutouts that children can color to retell for Family Home Evening about Joseph Smith's First Vision.

* President Uchtdorf shares his testimony of Joseph Smith and personal story when he was a boy. Click Here to read. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The First Vision,” Friend, Jun 2008, 2–3) Share the story and take the above picture from the Nursery Manual. With a pen, draw slanted lines to make it into a mosaic like stained glass. Make a copy for each child and have them color with lots of different colors and answer the questions in the magazine article.

* 3 cheers for Diane Nichols!! She shares Grrrrrrrrrrrreat activities found here!!! (Diane Nichols, “Sharing Time: Joseph Smith—Prophet of the Restoration,” Friend, Jul 2001, 14) Especially love this quote/idea from her, "Display a bouquet of four artificial flowers and one real flower. Ask how the flowers are different from one another. Point out that the main difference is that only one is a true flower. Explain that though there are many churches in the world today, only one of them is the true Church of Jesus Christ."

Week 3 Priesthood authority was restored by heavenly messengers.

* THIS is a really good link to read. We often talk about the Keys of the Priesthood, but we need to know how to explain them. The first 2 paragraphs do that wonderfully!

* Have everyone hold up their hands. What are some things we do with hands? When children say ideas, have everyone act out with their hands. Tell them you are going to recite the 5th article of faith and leave out a word (leave out HANDS). By the raise of hand, someone can tell you what word is missing. Show them pictures of Joseph Smith receiving the Aaronic & Melchizedek... where are there hands placed? Have the children trace outlines of their hands and write or draw pictures of ways the priesthood blesses their lives. Have a few share afterwards.
 

* Has anyone ever gotten a special package before? Ask the children, "What does Heavenly Father use as His FedEx or UPS truck? If He wants to send something really special, how will He do it?" There are a myriad of answers, praise the children for whatever answers they give. Tell them, one way is by sending Heavenly Messengers.    “The keys have to be brought from heaven whenever the Gospel is sent.” Teachings of the Prophet Joseph
Smith, 157
        Here are some "heavenly" UPS trucks. Fold them in half so only the truck is showing. Ask what Heavenly Messenger brought the Aaronic Priesthood? Flip it to show the Gospel Art Book Image.
Ask questions and read scriptures about each Priesthood. If there is time remaining, get a UPS box (are they even free? if not, just make one) and invite children to write down ways The Priesthood blesses them. Read a few afterwards and share your testimony.

Priesthood by Heavenly Messengers by chulbakera

Week 4 Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon and restored gospel truths.

* Bring in a copy of the Book of Mormon in a different language. To go from English to a different language takes a lot of work!!
     "The Church contracts capable, experienced member translators who are fluent in English as well as their native tongue who possess integrity and high moral character so that the spirit of inspiration will guide their work.as in Joseph Smith’s day, the ability to translate holy writ today is a spiritual gift from God. Unlike Joseph’s day, however, many of our modern translators utilize computers and word processors, lexicons and encyclopedias to help and guide them in their sacred assignment. The modern work is extensive, and each step must be critically analyzed by Church translation experts. Yet, even with the most competent member translators and advanced technology available, the entire process, from beginning to publication, requires approximately four years.
     Now contrast the translation of the Book of Mormon by young Joseph Smith."
The Translation Miracle of The Book of Mormon by Robert K. Dellenbach Ensign April 1995... A MUST READ FOR THIS WEEK!!!!!
    The time for Joseph translating— was at an estimated average rate of eight of our printed pages per day! The total translation time was about 65 working days. (See “How long did it take Joseph Smith to translate the Book of Mormon?” Ensign, Jan. 1988, 47.)
    In your special Book of Mormon, that's in a different language, have bookmarks that the children can choose. On the bookmarks have questions, scriptures and songs have to do with Joseph Smith and the translation of the week's theme.

* Did Joseph Smith write the Book of Mormon? Who wrote the Book of Mormon? It's important to understand the meaning of translate. Invite a member of the ward to come in and share their testimony in a different language. Have another person translate what they said. The Book of Mormon was translated from reformed Egyptian to English. We don't know exactly "how" the translation happened, but that is not nearly as important as that it happened!

* Who here can read a chapter book, stop somewhere in the middle and know exactly where they left off without reading a little before or after on the page? It's pretty hard to do!!
   "Emma Smith said of the inspired process: “After meals, or after interruptions, [Joseph] would at once begin where he had left off, without either seeing the manuscript or having any portion of it read to him” (“Last Testimony of Sister Emma,” Saints’ Herald, 1 Oct. 1879, 290). One who has dictated and been interrupted must usually resume by inquiring, “Now, where were we?” Not so with the Prophet! " (By The Gift and Power of God by Elder Neal A. Maxwell Ensign January 1997)
    The translation was definitely a marvelous work and wonder!

* HERE is a great link with pictures from the history of the translation and printing of the Book of Mormon. Not to mention a good read.

December 2012 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

Free coloring page from honkingdonkey.com. If you print it out on watercolor paper, it makes for a beautiful art project at home with children!

Monthly Theme: Jesus Christ Is the Son of God

Monthly Scripture: "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the life and the light of the world" D&C 11:28

 

I loved all the sharing time ideas from the Primary Outline for the month! They are the best!!

Week 1 Heavenly Father sent His Son to earth.

* Have your lovely Primary Pianist play He Sent His Son. Have a bean bag and let the children pass it around. When the music stops, have the children tell something about the birth of The Savior. Have plenty of pictures to put on the board to go along with what they say.

* Have a bunch of gospel art pictures lined up on the chalk board in order of what happened for Christ's birth. Heavenly Father "sent"  His Son to earth and we're going to "send" someone out of the room. Have a primary child choose a picture to take off the board. When the primary friend who was "sent" out comes back in they have to guess what picture is missing. Then, after they guess, they can tell what they know about that picture. Of course it's important to know that Heavenly Father sent His son to earth, but then what? We need to receive Christ!! Have the children discuss what the following scripture means and ways we can receive Him who was sent to us!!

Matthew 10:40 "He that receiveth you recieveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me."

  

* Isaiah 19:20 "...And he shall send them a Saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them."

How many primary friends have recieved Christmas letters in the mail? Do you ever SEND Christmas cards? Can you tell us about a favorite Christmas card you've recieved?

       Have some beautiful Christmas cards and on each one on the inside 1 scriptures, quotes, questions or song having to do with the week's theme. Let primary children come up front to choose a card and do what it says.

        If there is time left over:  Just as Heavenly Father sent His son to earth to DELIVER us, we'll make some Christmas cards all about the birth of Christ to send to others!
 

* If there is a doctor in your ward have them come in briefly to answer a question. If not, bring in a simple dress up doctor outfit for a child to wear. Ask this question to the doctor: If someone was sick, would you try to save and help the person or just let them be sick and say sorry man, I condemn you! You're guilty of being sick and will be sick forever!! I wouldn't help you if you paid me a bazillion gazillion dollars!!

       Why do we think Heavenly Father sent Jesus to earth? Have the primary children share their answers and then let's double check our scriptures. Whenever we have a question we should turn to them!! John 3:17 "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
Have items hid throughout the room that you would find in a first aid kit. Sing He Sent His Son and let a primary friend look and find something. When they do, have them share something they love about Christmas and something they love about the Savior.

Week 2 Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.

* Isaiah 53:2 "For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground."
How does a plant grow? Have a primary children pretend they are seeds and then demonstrate. We know how plants grow, so who is this scripture talking about?
       Just like most plants don't grow overnight, Jesus had a childhood! He had years to learn and develop. He used His time wisely! Have 4 different plants with labels- Jesus grew in wisdom. Jesus grew in stature. Jesus grew in favor with God. Jesus grew in favor with men.
       Invite a primary friend to come up front and ask them a question or make a statement. They will then have to stand by the plant they think that question or statement has to do with. If it has to do with more than one, they can invite another friend up and tell them where to stand.
For example: Jesus, at 12 years old, taught in the temple. Many of the wise men and women there marveled at His knowledge and teaching.
(A primary friend could stand at wisdom and invite 2 more friends for favor with God and favor with man)
Jesus listened to and obeyed His mother when she asked him to help out at a friend's wedding. What did Jesus do?
(He turned water into wine- they could stand on favor with man)
Remember a lot of answers will overlap, don't be rigid if a child chooses an answer you weren't looking for. Like in the above example, if they choose to stand by the plant with grew in wisdom, then run with it and make it work!

*Is there any primary friends that take piano? Invite a beginner piano student to come up front. Have a complicated piece of music and ask them to play it. Why can't they do it? Have a really large book.
     Is there a primary friend who loves to read? Can they read this book within 1 day? Most of the time, talents don't happen overnight! We have to practice and grow and get better and better!
Jesus was always perfect, yet he still was able to grow and learn little by little!
       Sometimes we might want everything right now. We want answers, we want to be able to do, we want to be able to see... but the scriptures say, " Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you; And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours."
D&C 78:17-18
       Have a bunch of pictures from the life of Christ. Invite a child to come up front and talk about what is happening in that picture and lead the primary along in knowledge! We're not going to be perfect in this lifetime, however, we're told to be of good cheer! Isn't it wonderful to know Christ will lead us along!! He'll help us grow little by little!!

* Ask anyone if they've ever been up really really early in the morning. Was it dark outside? What happened after it was dark? Did the sun pop out into the middle of the sky and BAM! It was noonday bright as bright sun?
     Show a picture of a sunrise. It's something that is gradual. It gets brighter a little bit at a time until we stretch and rise and wake up and kneel by our windowsill to say our morning prayer.
      Jesus grew a little bit at a time just like we do! Day after day. Sunrise after sunrise. We can follow His perfect example and do as He did to grow. He is our light.
D&C 50:24 "That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day."
     Have a big paper sun. Attatch strips of paper as rays of sunlight. On the rays have children come up with ideas on how Jesus grew and what we can to do grow in His light. This would be a good tie in to the next week!

Week 3 Jesus Christ is the light and the life of the world.

* Have the children write down their testimonies of Christ and His gospel. Just as Christ is a light to us, let us share the light we have with others. Invite them to give their testimony to a friend in a Christmas card.

* Have a box of 10-15 glowsticks. Have a child peek in the box and ask if they are pretty bright. Do they light up the box? What is the brightest type of light? A lamp, a star, a sun or what? Those are all great answers!! The brightest and most wonderful light of all is Jesus Christ. He is the light and life of the world. Have questions, songs and scriptures having to do with this week's theme attached to the glowsticks. Let on primary friend come up at a time to choose and do what it says.

* HERE is a wonderful talk for you to prepare for this week's theme. Highly recommend!! I especially like Elder Oaks quote, "Jesus Christ is also the light of the world because his example and his teachings illuminate the path we should walk to return to the presence of our Father in Heaven."

You could have a bunch of tea lights, battery opperated. Invite children to share examples from Jesus' life where we could follow His example. Let them make a path of the tea lights to a picture of Him.

 

Week 4 Joseph Smith saw and testified of Jesus Christ.

 

* Act out the story of the first vision! Of course, you can't have children role play the part of Heavenly Father and Jesus, but you can have them hold up a picture!

 

* HERE is a link to the lds.org where you can find different artistic depictions of The First Vision. (Make sure to scroll down) They are beautiful!  Have the children draw their own artwork of that glorious event and share!

 

* HERE is a link for cutouts that children can color to retell for Family Home Evening about Joseph Smith's First Vision.

May LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

Image Courtesy Creative Commons License Flickr.com by themanfromutah June 2006

Monthly Theme: The Church of Jesus Christ Has Been Restored.
Monthly Scripture: “I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other— This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! ”  Joseph Smith—History 1:17

Week 1 The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored.

* What does the dictionary define restored as? Ask a child to come and help you demonstrate. Give them a book or a toy. Now have them give it back and return it to you. Key words: "Give back and Return". Now have the child hold a picture of the earth. Have a sign that says "TRUTH". Have the child with the earth picture hold the truth sign, then you take it away. (Apostasy!!) Return the truth or restore it back.

* Have a large basket of rocks. On the rocks attach questions, songs, and scriptures having to do with Joseph Smith, the 6th Article of Faith and the Restoration. Try to have the children come up and choose rocks that get bigger in size.

"The restored gospel is the kingdom of God on earth, the stone cut out of the mountain without hands that would become a great mountain and fill the whole earth, as seen by Daniel (Daniel 2:34-35, 44-45). It is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which was organized 6 April 1830 in preparation for the Second Coming of the Savior." (Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manuel pg. 61)

* Have a few guests come to sharing time dressed up as ancient apostles who prophesied and foretold of the Restoration of the gospel in the dispensation of the fulness of times. (Such examples could include Isaiah 29:14, Peter Acts 3, Micah 4:2, Daniel 2:44, Paul Ephesians 1:10)

* "God knows the end from the beginning and is the author of the grand design of human history. He directed the affairs of history so that America was appropriately fertile soil for the seed of the restored gospel to be planted and tended by His chosen seer, Joseph Smith." (Church History in the Fulness of Times Student Manuel pg. 12)

Go through the events that led up to the Restoration backwards!!! God knows everything whether its the beginning or the end. Have a piece of tape from the back of the room to the front. Have envelopes evenly spaced on the side of the tape. Choose a child to start from the back of the room and walk backwards to the front, but they stop at an envelope. Have them open the envelope which has different events that led up to the Restoration. Of course have pictures also to correspond with the envelopes.

A timeline could include the following: (Again taken from the Church History in the Fulness of Times Student Manuel pg.1)
34-100 Apostles lead New Testament Church
60-70 Peter and Paul Martyred
1300-1500 European Renaissance (Exploration/Sailing, Religious Art, Martin Luther translates Bible into German making it easier for more people to read)
1438 Gutenberg refined movable type
1492 Columbus made first voyage to Americas
1620 Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth
1775 American Revolutionary War (Freedom of Worship!)
1789 American Constitution established
1790-1830 2nd Great Awakening (A religious revival in America that was big on missionary work!)
April 6, 1830 The Church is Restored!!

* Here is a roller box idea from the Friend.

Week 2 Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration.

* Joseph Smith and Restoration Jeopardy!!
Categories and ?'s :
He was  a child too!!
100 When Joseph was small (7 years old) he had to have surgery on this part of his body. He wouldn't drink alcohol to ease the pain and held his father's hand while enduring the hurt. His leg
200 What month was Joseph Smith born? December (right before Christmas, the 23rd!)
300 How many brothers and sisters did Joseph have? 10
400 What was the name of Joseph's mother? Lucy
500 True or False: Joseph had to work hard as a child on the family farm. True!

The Early Church
100 Sing the 6th Article of Faith Song
200 After the church was organized on April 6, a miracle happened! The Prophet Joseph met a man named Newel who was possessed of a devil. Acting on Newel's faith as well as his own, Joseph cast out the devil in this name? Jesus Christ
300 At the first conference of the church, the sustained leaders by doing what we do today. What do we do? We raise our right hand to the square in support.
400 Emma Smith, Joseph's wife was called "An Elect Lady" of the Lord. She was commanded to do something special and put together this book. A hint: It's often green! The first hymn book.
500 True or False: When Brigham Young was introduced to the church he immediately joined. False!! He studied and pondered the church for 2 years before joining.

Truth Restored!100 Read 2 Nephi 3:24
200 True or False: The church started in 1830. False!! The church started with Adam and was restored many times, including the last dispensation with Joseph Smith.
300 Sing the Priesthood is Restored (CS pg. 89)
400 Name a witness of the Book of Mormon. Answers can include the 8 witnesses from the beginning of the Book of Mormon, to prophets to even children who have a testimony it's true.
500 True or False: All truth has been revealed!! False: Much truth has been revealed, but there is a lot more that is yet to come!

Final Jeopardy Question: What is something you've learned about Joseph Smith or the Restoration?

* A good talk to read and personally study in preparation for this week's sharing time is Joseph Smith- Prophet of the Restoration by Tad Callister.

* Who was the greatest prophet sent to earth?  
"The scriptures record that throughout history, on occasions of exceptional importance, God the Father’s voice has been heard. On repeated occasions Jesus Christ has personally appeared to select individuals. Yet there is only one supernal, singular instance of which we have knowledge that God the Father Himself appeared in person. This was done with His precious Holy Son, Jesus Christ, to an audience of one. That one was young Joseph Smith Jr., an extraordinary spirit prepared before the foundation of the earth. He would become the greatest prophet sent to earth." Truth Restored, Richard G. Scott, October 2005 General Conference

* Divide into small groups. Give each group a story about Joseph Smith (a teacher can read it to them) and have them draw a picture to share with the primary along with a brief summary of the story.

* Here is an idea from the Friend with an early church for the children to make.

Week 3 The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.

* Click HERE for a Reader's Theater.

Week 4 The Priesthood has been restored.



* Here is an awesome sharing time from the Friend. You could easily attach questions, scriptures and songs about the priesthood to the puzzle pictures and have the children come to the front to answer and put together.

* Here is an awesome diorama idea from the Friend. You'd need lots of shoe boxes!! But it would be fun and memorable for the children!

* Here is a crossword puzzle about the priesthood. (Scroll past the bug search and find)

* Here is a sharing time on how the priesthood blesses our lives with a flannel board story.
* In my humble opinion, a lot of children don't understand what the priesthood is. Let every child draw a short fact about the priesthood from a brown paper bag. Have the room set up with 2 lines of chairs facing each other. Have younger children sit on one side and older children on the other. Each child may tell his/her fact to his/her partner and talk about it for 30 seconds. Then the younger children get up and move one chair to the right while the older ones stay seated. Repeat! Have pictures to go along with some of the facts. For senior sharing time, see if they can come up with their own facts to share about the priesthood! A good reference is HERE, Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual Chapter 25.

* Play musical chairs reverently. Have them in a circle with #'s taped to the back. It's actually more like a cake walk where you draw numbers and whoever is sitting on that number gets to answer a question or read a scripture about the priesthood.... don't take away chairs! Have them sing songs about the priesthood as they walk around the circle.

* Good scripture to know in case you're ever in the Bible belt and some "friend" wants to tell you there is absolutely no biblical scriptural fact to support the concept of the Melchizedek priesthood. Psalms 110:4, "The Lord has sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek" Am I in any way suggesting you argue back and be cantankerous? Absolutely not. I'm not even saying to stress the words FOR EVER, hence why I didn't use bold or italics on those extremely obvious words. A simple "Boo-Yah" will do.

Praise to the Man Song Helps (Verses 1 &3)

Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by origamidon June 2004

Hymns #27

Can we get any more difficult and harder words in a song? The following is a list from the song that are just plain big words. I'm not a pessimist in any way shape or form, but a little bit of reality does seep in now and again. Most 4 year olds are not going to remember the definitions to these words.

communed

seer

dispensation

extol

revere

ascended

traitors

tyrants

vain

mingling

conquer

So what's the solution?? Only the Big Man knows. Ask Him. Sometimes it's not necessarily the words, but the feeling you get when you sing. So ask the children what they feel when you all sing.

A couple thoughts:

*Get a giant beach ball. Invite a child to come to the front and every time there is a big word they hold up the ball. Children in the primary can also hold up a big pretend ball. Enunciate and stress and sing a little slower on the big words. Do you ever notice we mumble? Articulate and help the children with proper pronunciation.

* You can have the junior primary hum the tune while the older children sing.

* Challenge the children and offer a small reward to anyone who can recite or sing the words by memory. Perhaps the reward could be the choir director coming in and giving them a music note with the words, "Note-able Singing Leader" that can pin or stick to their clothes. If anyone forgets a word, look to the note-able leaders for help!

* The melody reminds me of a parade. Invite 3 children to hold up pictures of Joseph Smith and 3 children to hold streamers or something of sort and march around the room as everyone sings. Parades usually are to celebrate something and this song celebrates Joseph Smith!

* Sometimes hero's get a medal of honor. Make a giant medal on a piece of posterboard with Joseph Smith written on it. Invite children who are singing boldly to come up to the front and add a little decoration to the medal -whether it's coloring or stickers. Also, you can sing a phrase leaving out a word and whoever can sing that word gets to come up and decorate.

* There's something about the priesthood singing. Invite a young men's quorum (Perhaps the 14 year olds??)  in to sing this song and introduce it to the children. Joseph Smith was 14 when he received the First Vision. Invite any of the young men to share their testimonies about Joseph Smith or singing.

April 6th: Restoration Party!!

(Joseph Smith Image- Gospel Art Book)
We love reasons to celebrate and party at our house... so tomorrow will be no exception! Here is what we plan to do:

1. I will take a few items away from my girls. Then I will bring back the items and "Restore" them to the girls. This may sound scary, seeing as they are 5 and 3, but really my girls are game for anything!

2. Taking a calendar and outlining the April 6th with a bright color, laying it on the floor, I will have the girls toss bean bags and see how close they can get to the date! April 6th is a wonderful day because it was the day the church was organized again in the latter days... Quote April 6th was, "The precise day upon which, according to (God's) will and commandment, we should proceed to organize his church once again, here upon the earth." (Joseph Smith, "History of Joseph Smith," Times and Seasons, 1 Oct. 1842, pp.928-29.)

3. We are going to gather small twigs and leaves and make "Sacred Grove" art by gluing them onto the paper with a small clip art image of Joseph Smith praying.
(Small hint: Let children glue, then when they are done placing, you add a bit of hot glue for the sticks to really stay in place)

4. Taking small milk cartons, white frosting and preztel sticks we'll make log cabins like Peter Whitmer Sr.'s home (pictured below in Fayette Township, NY) where the very first church meeting was held!

5. I'm going to take some paper plates, cut them in half and let the girls paint them gold. I'll have some short scriptures for them to glue on when dry, and then punch holes and add them to binder rings... hence making their own set of golden plates.

6. Yes/NO Hop: Have 2 papers on the ground, one YES one NO. I will hold up some GAK pictures and say all the things they did in their very first meeting as a Church. The girls then have to choose YES or NO and jump on the right one answering this question: Do we also do that today in our church meetings? "Elements present at that meeting in 1830: exercise the law of common consent, singing, praying, partaking of the sacrament, sharing of personal tesimonies, bestowal of he gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, ordinations, personal revelation, and revelation through priesthood officers." (Our Heritage A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, p.15)

7. We have old Joseph Smith calendars that I got for $1 at Deseret Book. I plan on making a word wall with pictures from the calendars. (A word wall is basically a bulletin board that is smack dab in the living room where the girls can see it often and familiarize themselves with the words,letters, gospel vocabulary) Words/phrases to include for my little readers: Joseph Smith, Restore, True Church, Apostacy, April 6, JSH 1:25 "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..." Emma Smith, Doctrine and Covenants.

8. All in Favor Listening Activity: I will review with the girls what we do when we sustain/ law of common consent. In the very first church meeting on April 6, 1830 the prophet recorded, "Having opened the meeting by solemn prayer to our Heavenly Father, we proceeded, according to previous commandment, to call on our brethren to know whether they accepted us as their teachers in the things of the Kingdom of God, and whether they were satisfied that we should proceed and be organized as a Church according to said commandment which we had received. To these several propositions they consented by a unanimous vote."(Our Heritage A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, p.14) I will say some phrases and the girls have to listen to whether or not I say "All in favor." to then raise or not raise their hand. Questions to ponder:

What does it mean to be unified? How about seperate?

Why is it important to vote on things?

How can we show love and support for others?

When we sustain others, are we being one with Christ?

9. We'll eat some Johnny cakes, jerky and apples for lunch... similar to what they ate during that time!

10. The girls can play dolls with the wagon I found at Goodwill for $3 and dress up in pioneer clothes... also goodwill finds :)

April 2010 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

Image courtesy Primary Nursery Manual: Behold Your Little Ones

Woah. Am I behind the times or what! I didn't even know about this AWESOME RESOURCE that the church has!

Week 1 Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith.

* Here is a gathering of testimonies of Joseph Smith in different languages. Have a laptop handy and invite a couple children to choose different people from around the world and listen to those testimonies in the people's native language. Have a globe or a map with the numbers 1 through 12 posted in different areas. Attach questions, songs and scriptures having to do with the story of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appearing to Joseph Smith. All over the world, the truth is the same - the gospel is restored!!! Hooray! (Need help with questions, click here!)

* Here is a BEAUTIFUL multimedia presentation, with great pictures and short quotes! I didn't hear any music, but I think it would be a great way to start off primary by showing this and having the pianist play O How Lovely Was the Morning softly in the background as you read the quotes. (For some odd reason, there is a video at the very end but it's short and not really finished ??)

* President Uchtdorf shares his testimony of Joseph Smith and personal story when he was a boy. Click Here to read. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The First Vision,” Friend, Jun 2008, 2–3) Share the story and take the above picture from the Nursery Manual. With a pen, draw slanted lines to make it into a mosaic like stained glass. Make a copy for each child and have them color with lots of different colors and answer the questions in the magazine article.

* 3 cheers for Diane Nichols!! She shares Grrrrrrrrrrrreat activities found here!!! (Diane Nichols, “Sharing Time: Joseph Smith—Prophet of the Restoration,” Friend, Jul 2001, 14) Especially love this quote/idea from her, "Display a bouquet of four artificial flowers and one real flower. Ask how the flowers are different from one another. Point out that the main difference is that only one is a true flower. Explain that though there are many churches in the world today, only one of them is the true Church of Jesus Christ."

* This is an outline of songs and artwork telling the story of Joseph and His life. It would be great for older children who know the songs. Thanks for putting it together in one spot Sister Karen Robinson! (Kerri Robinson, “Sing a Song of Joseph,” Friend, May 2007, 4–6)

* Have different questions written on the chalkboard. What ocean can you find blue whales in? How do you make chocolate cake with buttercream frosting? What is the largest city in the world? Next, ask the children where or what they could do to find out the answers to these questions. Erase the questions and put up a final question, What is the true Church here on the earth today? What would they do to find the answer to this question? Help children memorize James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." by doing hand movements to the words. Also, the best way to help them memorize is not spending 10 minutes repeating over and over!! Throughout the lesson, say the scripture for them, whoever knows it- join in! Leave out certain words, let the children fill in the blank. Tell the children you have lots of questions that need to be answered! Have them check under their chairs for questions, then quietly walk around and talk to each other to find out the answer to their question. (Good opportunity for older children to help younger children with their questions!)

*Dress up a child simply and have them act out the words while you sing The Sacred Grove. (CS p.87) Have another child be a sun, another hold up a picture of God the Father and Jesus appearing to Joseph and lastly a child holding a big heart.

* Have the children hold up their pointer fingers. How are the fingers different, how are they the same? (On different hands, one might have a shorter nail, etc. Yet they are both fingers.) John 17:21, "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." We learn a very important truth from the first vision in that Heavenly Father and Jesus are separate, different bodies and persons, yet they are the same -Gods- and one in purpose.

“Yes, God does live. The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate personal beings, alike in form, in whose image man is made. In order that these basic fundamental truths, lost to the world through centuries of erroneous teachings, might again be available to people of our day, a new revelation was necessary, and this was given to the fourteen-year-old Joseph Smith in the form of the most glorious vision ever given to mortal man, so far as the records indicate—a vision in which Father and Son appeared simultaneously” (Joseph F. Merrill, in Conference Report, Oct. 1948, 59).

Week 2 Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God.

* Here is great reading from Chapter 5 of the Church History in the Fullness of Times manual. Highly recommend reading it and seeing where inspiration will take you!

* Here is a matching activity in the friend that would be great for older children to do in pairs. (Scroll down a little)

* Have a bunch of copies of the Book of Mormon in different languages. Ask the children to try to come up and read. Sometimes it's even hard enough in our own language that we know! Have different bookmarks in the Books with scriptures, songs and questions having to do with Joseph Smith and the translation of the Book of Mormon attached. Let the children come up and pick a book mark! If there is time, perhaps they can even make a book mark with Joseph Smith on it, and give to the missionaries to give to investigators!

* Have a blow dryer unplugged and invite a child to press the on button. What happens? Now plug it in and get the power going!(Make sure the adult does this, not the child...say no to pain and lawsuits) What happens? And so it is also by the power of God that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon.

* Sing The Books in the Book of Mormon. (CS pg. 119) Invite the children to turn to the Table of Contents in the Book of Mormon. Ask the children to share favorite stories from the Book of Mormon, then decide where you would find those stories. We only know those stories because Joseph Smith translated them by the power of God!

* I really liked the idea in the sharing time outline! I would expand it by dividing into groups and having different messages and codes for each group to figure out. Then have someone come to the front and share what their message was. All messages would be based on the week's theme. For example, "Joseph Smith had help translating from Oliver Cowdry." or "Joseph Smith used the Urim and Thummin to translate."

Week 3 Jesus Christ restored the gospel through Joseph Smith.

* This is a wonderful poem! Callie Buys, “Thank You, Brother Joseph,” Friend, May 2005, 7
You could divide a paper in half, have this poem on one side and have the children take home to illustrate a picture of Joseph Smith or event from his life.

Thank you, Brother Joseph,
For reading in James,
For translating plates,
For suffering pain.

Thank you, Brother Joseph,
For teaching the way,
For preaching the gospel,
For laughter and play.

Thank you, Brother Joseph,
For helping each hour,
For receiving restored
Priesthood power—

Power to hope
And help and heal.
Power to pray
And baptize and seal.

Power to preach
And translate and learn.
Power to teach
Of kingdoms to earn.

Thank you, Brother Joseph.

* For Senior Sharing Time, you can enlarge this crossword puzzle (click HERE) and do for sharing time.

* For Senior Sharing Time,click here for a time line activity for the children to do.

* Click here for a puzzle of the picture of Joseph Smith and highlights from his life.

“In many ways the gospel of Jesus Christ is like a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle. When Joseph Smith came on the scene, perhaps 100 pieces were in place. Then Joseph Smith came along and put many of the other 900 pieces in place so that people could say, ‘Oh, now I understand where I came from, why I am here, and where I am going.’ As for Joseph Smith’s role in the Restoration, the Lord defined it clearly: ‘This generation shall have my word through you’ (D&C 5:10).” (Tad R. Callister, Joseph Smith-Propher of the Restoration, Ensign, Nov. 2009, 36)

* Have 3 cups. Put a ball under one cup and mix them up. Invite a child to guess where the ball is. Do again a couple times with different children. Heavenly Father would always know where the ball is because He is omnipotent (Big Word!!) He knows all things! And just as He knows all things, he carefully chose Joseph Smith to restore the gospel.

“It was decreed in the counsels of eternity, long before the foundations of the earth were laid, that he, Joseph Smith, should be the man, in the last dispensation of this world, to bring forth the word of God to the people, and receive the fulness of the keys and power of the Priesthood of the Son of God. The Lord had his eyes upon him, and upon his father, and upon his father’s father, and upon their progenitors clear back to Abraham, and from Abraham to the flood, from the flood to Enoch, and from Enoch to Adam. He has watched that family and that blood as it has circulated from its fountain to the birth of that man. He was fore-ordained in eternity to preside over this last dispensation” (Young, Discourses of Brigham Young, 108).

* Invite someone to leave the room. They are gone, now send someone to bring that person back. So it is with the restoration, The Church of Jesus Christ had left the world and Joseph Smith brought it back, restored it by the power of God!

* The Restoration DVD might be appropriate to show! I haven't seen it in a while and am not sure how easy to understand for children it is. So keyword then is "might".