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The First Vision and the Restoration

The First Vision and the Restoration

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First Vision

Purpose

Strengthen your testimony of the First Vision and the Restoration of the gospel.

Description

As a group, learn about the First Vision and the Restoration of the gospel. You could read Joseph Smith—History, watch a video, or invite the missionaries to teach your group.

Cut a large piece of paper into puzzle pieces. Invite each participant to take a puzzle piece and write on it a gospel truth that was restored through Joseph Smith. Explain how the complete truth of the gospel was scattered and lost during the Apostasy. Then, invite everyone to help complete the puzzle by adding their piece of truth found in the restored gospel.

More Ideas

  • Attend a baptism and confirmation—John the Baptist restored the Aaronic priesthood to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. The Aaronic Priesthood is the authority to baptize by immersion for the remission of sins and to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost. As a group, support a friend or new member by attending his or her baptism and confirmation. Talk about how authority to perform priesthood ordinances was restored through Joseph Smith.

  • Provide temple blessings—The Prophet Elijah restored the sealing keys to Joseph Smith. Invite and help each participant to find one or more family names and perform baptisms and confirmations for them in the temple. You could invite priests in your group to perform the baptisms or serve as witnesses.

  • Book of Mormon reading challenge—Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith and gave him instructions to translate the ancient record of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Encourage each participant in your group to bring a copy of the Book of Mormon. Divide participants into small groups. Give each group a few chapters in the Book of Mormon to read together, and then invite them to share something they learned with the entire group.

  • Watch general conference—The same organization of the Savior’s ancient church—with prophets and apostles—was restored through Joseph Smith. In April or October, watch a general conference session as a group to listen to the prophet and apostles. After the session, encourage participants to share something they learned.

Discussion

Encourage participants to talk about what they are learning. Discussions can take place before, during, or after the activity. You could ask questions like the following:

  • Why do you think it is important to learn about the First Vision and the Restoration?

  • When was a time you felt confusion, but then received answers to your prayers?

  • What feelings or impressions do you have about the Apostasy, the First Vision, or the Restoration?

  • How can you apply what you are learning in your life?

Related Resources

Sabbath Day Lessons

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