Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning

More than one hundred fifty years ago in the little town of Palmyra, New York, a young boy named Joseph Smith went alone into a grove of trees to pray. He wanted to know which of all the churches was true.

Joseph’s prayer was answered that beautiful morning in a marvelous way. God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared in person to Joseph.

Can you underline the right statements to complete the sentences below that tell about Joseph Smith’s first vision?

1. Joseph went to the grove to pray

1. in the fall of 1830.

2. in the spring of 1820.

3. in the winter of 1847.

2. At the time he was

1. ten years old.

2. eighteen years old.

3. fourteen years old.

3. He had been reading in the Bible from the book of

1. James.

2. Matthew.

3. John.

4. The passage he had read said,

1. “Ask and ye shall receive.”

2. “Knock and it shall be opened.”

3. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.”

5. Joseph wanted to know

1. if he should go to church.

2. which church he should join.

3. why he should go to church.

6. The Savior told Joseph

1. he was to join his mother’s church.

2. none of the churches was true.

3. he was not to go to church.

7. Joseph learned

1. he was too young to go to church.

2. there would never be a true church again.

3. he was to help restore the true church.

8. Joseph became

1. the first prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

2. a faithful servant of the Lord.

3. a great leader of people.

Answers:

“Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning” was written by George Manwaring and Adam C. Smyth, two converts to the Church.

The song tells the story of that beautiful spring morning when the heavens were opened and God the Father and His Son appeared to Joseph Smith—one of the greatest events in all history.

Here is an easy version of the song for you to learn to play.

Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning

by George Manwaring and A. C. Smyth
Arr. Margaret C. Richards

Oh, how lovely was the morning!

Radiant beamed the sun above.

Bees were humming, sweet birds singing,

Music ringing through the grove,

When within the shady woodland

Joseph sought the God of love;

When within the shady woodland,

Joseph sought the God of love.

Image

Music, Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning