January 10
Why Is the First Vision Important?
Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants; Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26
Counsel Together
Led by a member of the quorum or class presidency; approximately 10–20 minutes
At the beginning of the meeting, repeat together the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme or the Young Women Theme. Then lead a discussion about items such as the following, and plan ways to act on what you discuss (you can decide in a presidency meeting which items to discuss):
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Our quorum or class. Who needs our help and prayers? What can we do to help them? Who should we invite to an upcoming activity?
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Our duties or responsibilities. What assignments have we fulfilled? What assignments do we need to make? How have we invited others to come unto Christ, and how can we invite others now?
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Our lives. What recent experiences have strengthened our testimonies? What is happening in our lives, and how can we support each other?
At the end of the lesson, as appropriate, do the following:
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Testify of the principles taught.
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Remind quorum or class members about the plans and invitations made during the meeting.
Teach the Doctrine
Led by an adult leader or youth; approximately 25–35 minutes
Prepare Yourself Spiritually
Although it has been over 200 years since Joseph Smith first knelt to pray in the Sacred Grove, the answer he received profoundly affects our lives today. Ponder the blessings that have come into your life because the Father and the Son appeared to Joseph. Why is it important for those you teach to gain their own witness of the First Vision from the Holy Ghost? How will you help them do this? It may be helpful for you to review the messages from the April 2020 general conference, which commemorated the 200th anniversary of this glorious vision.
Learn Together
Show a picture of the First Vision. Ask someone in the class to briefly describe what is happening in the picture. Invite the young women to ponder for a few moments the significance of this event. Ask them to look for insights during the lesson that will help them understand the importance of the First Vision.
As a class, sing the hymn “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer” (Hymns, no. 26). Invite the young women to share their feelings about Joseph Smith and his experience seeing and speaking to God the Father and Jesus Christ.
Learn together
Joseph Smith—History 1:7–20
As a class, read about Joseph Smith’s First Vision in Joseph Smith—History 1:7–20
. Invite the young women to look for truths we can learn from Joseph’s experience
(for example, the Father and the Son are real, separate beings; Satan and his power are real, but God’s power is greater; God hears and answers prayers; revelation has not ceased). Invite a young woman to write the truths on the board.
How are these truths different from what other religions believe?
How would our lives be different if we did not know these things?
“Hear Him”
You could also ask quorum or class members to review messages about the First Vision from the April 2020 general conference (see Ensign or Liahona, May 2020). For example, they could review President Russell M. Nelson’s message “Hear Him”
(Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 88–92). Invite them to share what they find and their feelings about the First Vision.
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Each of the Presidents of the Church testified of the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Quorum or class members might benefit from reading their testimonies in one of the Teachings of Presidents of the Church manuals. (Most of these manuals contain a chapter about the Prophet Joseph Smith. For a list of these chapters, see Gospel Topics, “First Vision,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.) A few days before class, you could invite members of your quorum or class to choose one of these Presidents and share a statement he made that they could use to teach someone about the First Vision.
The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith
Consider inviting quorum or class members to study “The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith” in chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel ([2019], 36–38)
and to practice teaching each other about the First Vision. You might challenge them to share Joseph Smith’s experience using some of his own words, found in Joseph Smith—History 1:16–17.
Challenge
Memorize Joseph Smith’s description of seeing the Father and the Son (Joseph Smith—History 1:16–17)
, and always be ready to describe the First Vision using his own words. Bear sincere testimony that you know it is true. Do not hesitate to explain how you came to know of its truth. Invite your companion to do so as well.
First Vision Different Accounts
Are those you teach aware that there are several accounts of the First Vision? Each of these accounts provides unique details that give a more complete understanding of what happened in the Sacred Grove.
You might summarize the “Overview” section of the Gospel Topics essay “First Vision Accounts” (topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Then you might ask those you teach to review the summaries of the four accounts found under “Accounts of the First Vision.”
They could also read some of the actual accounts by using the links provided. What did they find that strengthens their testimony of the First Vision? You could watch the video “Ask of God: Joseph Smith’s First Vision” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), which portrays the First Vision by using details from these accounts.
Why is it good to have several accounts of the First Vision?
How do these accounts help us better understand Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
Scriptures
Invite the young women to review scriptural accounts of God the Father and Jesus Christ manifesting Themselves to people on earth (such as Matthew 3:13–17; Acts 7:54–60; 3 Nephi 11:3–10)
. You could also show pictures of these events (see Gospel Art Book, 35, 63, and 82). Ask them to summarize each account. Then invite them to read Joseph Smith History 1:17 (see Gospel Art Book, 90).
How was Joseph Smith’s First Vision similar to these other manifestations?
How was it unique?
Invite the young women to share why the First Vision is important to them.
Act in Faith
Encourage quorum or class members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. How does today’s lesson relate to personal goals they have made? If they would like, quorum or class members could share their ideas.
Teaching in the Savior’s Way
The Savior invited His followers to testify of the truthfulness of His teachings. As they did, the Spirit touched their hearts. How can you encourage those you teach to bear their testimonies? (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way [2016], 11.)
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