Joseph Prayed in Faith

When Sister Rebecca H. Martin was young, her older sister got lost during a visit to the Sacred Grove. After offering a fervent prayer for help, her sister found her way safely back to the family. That experience, retold often during Sister Martin’s childhood, taught her a lasting truth: if Heavenly Father answered young Joseph Smith’s prayer—and her sister’s—He would answer hers too.

Years later, in 2005, Sister Martin’s bishop invited ward members to express their testimonies of Joseph Smith in creative ways. As the ward Primary music leader and a mother of four, Sister Martin felt inspired to share her testimony with children. Though she was a composer and lyricist, this was her first attempt at writing a children’s song. She prayed for help and then read Joseph Smith’s account of the First Vision. Her prayer was answered with increased capacity and understanding. As she pondered and imagined the scene, words and melody began to take shape.

Sister Martin hopes her song will help children remember that they too can turn to Heavenly Father whenever they need reassurance or guidance. Like Joseph, they can pray in faith and trust that God loves them and will help them.

Find lyrics, sheet music, and recordings for Joseph Prayed in Faith

On This Page

Scriptures

Principles

Heavenly Father promises that we can receive answers to our questions by reading the scriptures and praying in faith.
Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers.
Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Questions to Ponder

Why did Joseph Smith decide to pray to Heavenly Father?
When have you prayed and felt Heavenly Father’s love and help?
What would you share to help others who want to feel closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

Related Gospel Study Guides

From Topics and Questions, Gospel Library:

Activities for Families

Discuss how Heavenly Father answers our prayers. Sing the song together as a family, and then read James 1:5. Talk about how young Joseph Smith prayed in faith to find answers to his questions—and how Heavenly Father answered him. Invite each family member to quietly think of a question he or she would like to ask Heavenly Father. Discuss some of the many ways that He answers prayers: through the Holy Ghost, through the scriptures, or even through other people. Encourage your family to ask their questions in their personal prayers during the week. If appropriate, include their questions in family prayers, too. Pray for each child to feel God’s love and receive the answers He wants him or her to know.
Draw the melodic lines. This hymn has flowing lines of short notes followed by long notes. As you listen to the song together, give each family member a blank piece of paper and drawing tool, or invite them to draw in dirt or sand with a stick. Ask them to draw long continuous lines—curves, spirals, loops, or waves—while the music plays. Have them lift their drawing tool on the long notes and then begin a new line for the next sequence of short notes. If using coloring tools, they might switch colors during the long notes. Let the flow of the melody guide their expression as they draw.

Music Helps

This song has a pair of repeat signs that begin and end verses 1 and 2. Repeat signs mean that the music between them should be sung again. After singing verse 2, go on to verse 3.

“Joseph Prayed in Faith” repeat explanation