Some Important Principles, Doctrines, and Events

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  God answers the sincere prayers of those who ask in faith (see Joseph Smith—History 1:11–13; see also Matthew 7:7–11; James 1:5–6; 1 Nephi 15:8–11; 3 Nephi 18:19–20; D&C 42:68).

  
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  Satan is a real being with power. The power of God is greater than the power of Satan (see Joseph Smith—History 1:14–17; see also 2 Nephi 9:8–9; D&C 3:1; 10:14, 20, 43; 76:25–29).

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  God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. They are separate, distinct, glorified beings with bodies of flesh and bones (see Joseph Smith—History 1:17; see also Acts 7:55–56; D&C 76:20–23; 130:22).

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  The Lord commanded Joseph Smith not to join any church because all of them were wrong (see Joseph Smith—History 1:18–20; see also 2 Timothy 4:3–4; Mormon 8:28, 32–38).

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  God and Satan both know who we are and the roles we can play in the establishment of the kingdom of God. Satan uses whatever means he can to try to thwart us from attaining our divine destiny (see Joseph Smith—History 1:20; see also 2 Thessalonians 2:3–10; Moses 7:26).

Suggestions for Teaching

Joseph Smith—History 1:10–16. Joseph Smith’s First Vocal Prayer

Invite students to mark Joseph Smith’s questions in Joseph Smith—History 1:10. Ask: What did Joseph do in verses 11–16 to get answers to his questions? Ask students how they could apply in their own lives what Joseph Smith did.

Joseph Smith—History 1:14–20. The Significance of the First Vision

Ask students to list the truths we learn from Joseph Smith—History 1:14–20(see also James E. Faust, in Conference Report, Apr. 1984, 92–93; or Ensign,May 1984, 68; see also Carlos E. Asay, in Conference Report, Apr. 1990, 80–81; or Ensign,May 1990, 63–64). (Answers might include that Satan is a real being who seeks to stop the work of God; God appears to man; man is made in the literal image of God; Jesus is a personage, separate and distinct from Heavenly Father; there was an apostasy of the Church that Jesus Christ established during His mortal ministry; the true Church was not on the earth in 1820; the Lord keeps the promise found in James 1:5; direct revelation from the heavens has not ceased.) Read or sing “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer” (Hymns,no. 26). Discuss the meaning of the following statement by Elder Robert L. Simpson, who was then an Assistant to the Twelve Apostles: “[The First Vision is] the most significant singular event in the world since the resurrection of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The First Vision is the very foundation of this Church, and it is my conviction that each member of this Church performs his duty in direct ratio to his personal testimony and faith in the First Vision” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1973, 102; or Ensign,Jan. 1974, 87). Invite students who would like to share what they thought and felt when they first heard about the First Vision to do so. Invite students who have had the opportunity to teach investigators about the First Vision to share their experiences.