JSH 1:21-54, and D&C 2

Joseph Smith History 1:21-54, and D&C 2

Verses 21-26

• When Joseph ventured to discuss his vision with religious leaders, to sort out whether it was normal or not, he was met with criticism, ostracizing and eventually persecution.

• He thought it odd that people should go out of their way to devote time and energy to take note of him and to “excite the public mind against” him. 

• The point is that once we have the truth, Satan will try his hardest to discourage and defeat us. 

  
  

Open Ended

In verse 20 Joseph says “...it seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and annoyer of his kingdom…”

Read verses 21-23, and list TWO verses that stand out to you:

Open Ended

Look at verse 24. How does Joseph feel he is similar to the New Testament Apostle Paul?

Open Ended

It was important for Joseph to identify with somebody in the scriptures who shared an experience with him. THINK: is there somebody in the scriptures who you have identified with in the past? Somebody who, when you read about them, or studied about them, you felt a closeness to or could relate to in some way?

Open Ended

On September 21st, 1829, Moroni appeared to Joseph and taught him in the night. He said there was a work for Joseph to do.

Look at v 34-35: what TWO objects had been prepared for him?

Multiple Select

In verses 36-41 Joseph tells us that Moroni quotes many prophets from both the Old and New Testaments. Who does he NOT quote?

• Matthew

• Malachi

• Isaiah

• Joel

• Acts

Open Ended

Read Matthew 26:34

Now read JSH verse 47

What common event happens in both of these verses? In addition to being interesting, it is also significant. What's your best guess as to why?

Multiple Choice

Moroni finishes his message and goes away. How many more times DURING THE NIGHT does he return to REPEAT the entire message?

• one more time

• two more times

• three more times

Open Ended

Look at verses 52-53: In the morning, JS goes to work in the fields, but is sent away by his father because he appears unwell. He goes to the place he was shown in vision that the plates are. When he gets there, what does he do?

Wrapping up...

Joseph is commanded to return each year to this spot to be taught until he is ready and worthy of the task

One thing we read about him in his own personal writings is that he felt he needed to outgrow the temptation to try to use some part of what was found in the hill for personal gain. His family was very poor, and despite all of their many efforts, had been unable to make any substantial financial gains during his lifetime. They all worked year-round for everything that they had, and they still had very little, even being forced to rent their farm instead of owning it, because of some poor decisions made by Joseph’s father in years previous. 

Multiple Select

The lesson here is this: the Lord knows what we are capable of, and what it will take to get us ready to reach our potential. We have to be both patient and faithful.

Which is easier for you? Patience or faith? No wrong answers.

• Patience is easier for me

• Faith is easier for me

• Both are difficult for me

• Neither are difficult for me

• I've never really thought about it

D&C 2

• A quotation of Malachi 4:5-6

• Elijah is sent to restore the Priesthood authority to the earth

• We read in Luke 1:17 that this power is sent to "make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

• That is US