Come, Follow Me 2021Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26 Insights & Printables

 Come, Follow Me 2021Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26 Insights and Printables,

Aren't you loving the study so far this year?! Last week we learned that the preface to the Doctrine and Covenants is the Lord's preface. We learn that it was given to the whole world and that it gives us warnings as well as, explains the blessings of the restoration of the gospel. The Lord tells us that it is true and faithful. 

This week we are learning about Joseph Smith and the First Vision. This blog post will share the printable quotes I share each day with my Come, Follow Me insights from my individual and family study. I hope that you will find them beneficial with your individual and family study as well. I will also share the links of resources I have used with my study. 

Remember to check back throughout the week, as I add more printables, links and insights.

Day 1:

As I was studying today, I loved that William Smith (Joseph’s brother) stated this about his mom, “She prevailed on us to attend the meetings, and almost the whole family became interested in the matter, and seekers after truth.”

There is no doubt in my mind the powerful influence of faith and to be a seeker of truth, Lucy had on her children, especially Joseph.

I know that the Lord desires to reveal His truths to us! I love the thought of being seekers of truth and teaching our families to be as well. A seeker of truth, takes their questions, studies the scriptures for answers, lives worthy of the influence of the Holy Ghost and takes their questions to their Heavenly Father. They are also interested and earnest in learning the will of the Lord and gaining greater knowledge from Him.

We are promised in the Book of Mormon that, “And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” (Moroni 10:5)

I think that as we study the first vision this week, we can also think about, what are we doing in our lives each day, to be seekers of truth?

I found the quote from President Nelson in this month’s Liahona, here is the link:

Grow into the Principle of Revelation

The quote from William is in this week’s Come, Follow Me study

Today, I also listened to the Follow Him Podcast Part 1 for this week's study, here's the link: https://fb.watch/2QHQG4AEVX/

DAY 2:

This scripture, inspired a fourteen year old young man into action. That action has had a profound impact on many lives, mine included. We learn from Joseph Smith, that, 1️⃣ When we have a question to turn to the scriptures. 2️⃣ That we can receive answers through the scriptures. 3️⃣ To act upon those answers. 4️⃣ That we should pray to God, if we lack wisdom. 5️⃣ That the adversary is real, but we can overcome him, by calling to our Father for help. 6️⃣ That God knows our name. 7️⃣ That Christ is God’s Beloved Son & we are to Hear Him. 8️⃣ That God answers our prayers, He communicates with us, the Heavens are open & we can receive revelation. 9️⃣ That being the Lord’s servant is not easy. 🔟 That even though it’s not easy, to stand for truth and righteousness. Stand firm in your testimony ❤️ I’m grateful for Joseph’s faith, I’m grateful for his courage and example. Because he acted by faith to pray to the Father and then courageously followed through with what the Lord commanded of Him, I have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. Which has been the greatest blessing in my life! I’ve been listening to some fabulous podcasts!! Here’s is the link to @followhimpodcast by @hankrsmith and @johngbytheway : https://fb.watch/2QEQ6xRKZv/ (this is part 2 for this week) And @dontmissthisstudy by @emilybellefreeman and @mrdavebutler : https://youtu.be/J8g5zLZsk8w Both full of fabulous insights that can greatly enhance your study.

DAY 3:

Today, I decided to ask my kids to teach the next three nights. So my middle kiddo taught tonight & I’m kinda jealous, he got way more participation then when I lead the discussion! 🤣 My hubby even shared an experience from when he was a kid that I had never heard before. 💕 The topic for tonight was, “If I ask in faith, God will answer.” We learn this lesson beautifully from the prophet, Joseph Smith! We learn that asking in faith requires action. Think about Joseph’s experience. He had questions, so he studied them out. He studied the churches, he pondered in his mind and he read from the Bible. Then when he was prompted to pray, he acted upon that prompting and went in faith to ask of God. He went ready to act. Joseph received an answer, an answer that he probably didn’t expect. We discussed tonight, our own questions and revelation. Why sometimes do we feel like we don’t receive an answer? We discussed how maybe it’s because we haven’t studied it out and pondered over it ourselves and Heavenly Father wants us to do more work. Maybe we lack faith when asking. Maybe the answer is gradually coming to us. Maybe our hearts need to be more open to the answer. Maybe the answer isn’t what we expect. I do have a testimony that God answers our faithful prayers to Him. He answers in His time and in His way. Sometimes my answers from Him have been immediate and other times they have come slowly and some questions I’ve had to faithfully and patiently wait for answers to. Sometimes the answer He gives is to have faith and trust in Him. Take a moment to think about questions you may have had and how Heavenly Father has answered them for you. Here’s a link to a great talk by Elder Bednar: Ask in Faith We also watched the great video tonight: Ask of God

DAY 4:

My heart is so full of love for our all knowing and loving Heavenly Father!! For me, I have noticed that what I study for Come, Follow Me, is exactly what I need. It pertains so well to the things going on around me and in my life. It is testament to me of our Heavenly Father’s love and His hand in our lives. Tonight, my oldest kiddo led our discussion, he shared some things from President Nelson’s Conference talk, “Hear Him”. I loved how well this talk correlated with our study this week! I loved this part of his talk, “Now, my dear brothers and sisters, consider the fact that in these three instances just mentioned, just before the Father introduced the Son, the people involved were in a state of fear and, to some degree, desperation. The Apostles were afraid when they saw Jesus Christ encircled by a cloud on the Mount of Transfiguration. The Nephites were afraid because they had been through destruction and darkness for several days. Joseph Smith was in the grips of a force of darkness just before the heavens opened. Our Father knows that when we are surrounded by uncertainty and fear, what will help us the very most is to hear His Son. Because when we seek to hear—truly hear—His Son, we will be guided to know what to do in any circumstance.” I have felt this for myself, at the darkest moments in my life I have heard Him (felt Him) so profoundly that it is undeniable! I love hearing of experiences of when people have heard Him in their lives. How have you heard Him? In the Library app they have the #hearhim videos from the apostles. We listened to a couple of them tonight, I’ll link them in my blog post. I’m grateful for our prophet and apostles and their powerful witnesses of our Savior! Here’s a link to the talk: Hear Him

DAY 5:

Do you know what?!? I love that there is more accounts of the First Vision then just one! I love the different ways he tells it and what we can learn from each.

The account in the Pearl of Great Price is so forceful and determined, I love the bold testimony he gives. But I also love his 1832 history. I love that he goes into a little bit more detail about his feelings. To me, this was like me writing in my journal, not really written to be read for others. But writing about my experiences and feelings.

I love the final lines he wrote, “My soul was filled with love, and for many days I could rejoice with great joy. The Lord was with me, but I could find none that would believe the heavenly vision. Nevertheless, I pondered these things in my heart.”

What I love was the love and joy he felt after he had seen God the Father and Jesus Christ . I also love that he states that he pondered the things in his heart.

Though I can not even comprehend what such an experience must have been like, I do know what it has felt like when I’ve had my own moments when I have felt of God’s love and the joy that it has brought into my life. I think it’s a very important lesson to remember to ponder on our spiritual moments or those times when we feel the love of our Heavenly Father and Savior!

We are almost done with this week’s study, what has stood out to you this week?

Did you know in the Library app you can read the four First Vision Accounts? Here is a link to the 1832 history, I quoted from: Circa Summer 1832 History

Day 6:

Tonight, my youngest asked our family the question, “As you read Joseph’s account, what inspires you to remain true to your testimony?” 

For me, it is when Joseph states these words, “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.” (JSH 1:25)

Those words speak to my soul! They are a powerful and courageous testimony given of Joseph Smith, that what matters to him is that he is truthful to God. Even if it meant being persecuted, talked horribly about and even give up his life for. 

That testimony is so powerful to me! It reminds me to stay true to God, that what he thinks is way more important than what the world thinks of me. I am not afraid to share my testimony. I know I have received witnesses by the spirit throughout my life that God is our Father, that Jesus is our Savior and their love for us is perfect and real, I have felt so surely of it! I have gained a witness that Joseph was the prophet who ushered in this last dispensation, translated the Book of Mormon and helped to restore Christ’s gospel to the earth! I know that the powerful book of scripture, the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that it will help us come to know our Savior. I have also gained a witness when President Nelson became president of the church that he is the Lord’s prophet. That witness has continued to be reaffirmed throughout his presidency! I’m grateful for the guidance he gives us and how he portrays the love of our Heavenly Father for us! The beautiful thing about testimonies is that they can be so far reaching. There are many things within the gospel that I have a testimony of, and many things I am continuing to grow my testimony of. I’m grateful for that, I’m grateful that our testimonies can be ever growing and that as we have the courage to share them, they are also strengthened! 

Ask yourself the question, “As you read Joseph’s account, what inspires you to remain true to your testimony?” 

Today I listened to some podcast that you can find in the library app, here’s the link: 

Joseph Smith Papers podcast 

You can also follow along on Instagram and Facebook.

Here are some old Sharing Time ideas that would work great in Family study with Primary children:

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ Appeared to Joseph Smith Coloring Page

Joseph Smith Saw and Testified of Jesus Christ lesson

First Vision Activity Idea

First Vision Puzzle Activity Idea

Joseph Smith Is the Prophet of the Restoration Matching Game

Here's a link to last Week's Study: