Joseph Smith's family: Good Examples

Our Primary class had the Sharing Time yesterday. For those of you not in our church, Primary is the children's organization, and part of our meeting time is together as a group with the other classes. This Sharing Time presentation was about 20 minutes, and the children did great! In our meeting room is a HUGE wooden "Scriptures", on casters. The Bishop we used to have would dress up in a costume and come out of the "Scriptures" and teach about the person he was dressed up as. So we used the "Scriptures" to place each child's prop and nametag. They went inside, put on their prop and nametag, and came out to read or tell their part. The props were things like a shawl, hat, vest, etc. So, anyway, since we enjoyed reading Kris' blog with a copy of his talk, we thought some of you might like to read this. (If you would like a copy of the wordstrips and nametags file, we would be glad to email it to you, too.) Diane compiled this using some things from our Primary lesson book, some from the Book of Mormom and Pearl of Great Price, and some from Friend magazine pages. We had 8 children participate: One was the Narrator, and one put up the wordstrips-with magnets on the back-- on the board. Enjoy!

Sharing Time: Joseph Smith’s Family, Good Examples

Narrator: In Primary, our theme this month is “I came to earth as part of a family”. There are a lot of stories about families in the scriptures. We learn how to be a good family member from the good examples of family members in the scriptures, like Nephi, who was obedient to his father. In our Primary class, we have been learning about the prophet Joseph Smith, and what he did to restore Jesus’ true church to the earth. As we learn about Joseph and about his family, let’s list some of the things that these good family members did. (Wordstrip: Good Family Members do these things!)


Lehi:
My name is Lehi. When I was very old, I talked to each of my children to give them instruction and a blessing. When I talked to my youngest son, Joseph, I taught him that he was a descendant of Joseph in Egypt. I also taught him that a prophet named Joseph would come in the latter days, and that he would be named after his father’s name, Joseph. In the Book of Mormon, 2nd Nephi, chapter 3, you can read about this, too. “…The thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation…” This means the Book of Mormon. “…[and he shall] do that thing which is great in the sight of God, unto the bringing to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel…” These prophecies were about Joseph Smith.
(Wordstrip: Learn about their ancestors)


Joseph Smith, Senior:
My name is Joseph Smith, Sr., and I was the father of the prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. (Junior). When he was a young boy, Joseph learned how to work hard, and he was a good worker on our farm. He got a disease in one of his legs, and he asked me to hold him while he had the operation to remove the diseased part of the bone. He was very brave during the operation that hurt very much, and also during the long time of healing. When Joseph was 10 years old, we moved to Palmyra, where the land for farming was better. We later knew that the Lord had led us to move there, so that Joseph would be closer to the Hill Cumorah, where the golden plates were buried. Joseph was always honest, so when he told me about his First Vision, and the visits he had from the angel, I knew he was telling the truth. My wife and I loved all our children very much, and were thankful that the Lord had called Joseph to be the Prophet to restore His church to the earth. In the Pearl of Great Price, in Joseph Smith History, chapter 1, it tells a little about our family, and you can learn more from the histories others have written.
(Wordstrips: Work together, Help When someone is sick, Are honest, Love each other, Are thankful, Write things in journals or histories)




Lucy Mack Smith:
My name is Lucy Mack Smith. I was Joseph Smith Junior’s mother. He was a good son to his father and me. We had a large family: Joseph had 2 older brothers and 3 younger brothers and 3 sisters. He was a good brother to them. They worked together and he liked to play with them, too. He seemed just like other boys his age until the time of his vision. He was quiet and well-mannered and liked to study and think about important things.
Our family loved God and wanted to keep his commandments. We read the Bible and prayed together often. Like Joseph, we were also confused about which church was the true church of Jesus Christ. After Joseph received his first vision, our family believed him and supported him in the great work he was called to do. (Wordstrips: Are good to their parents, Are good to brothers and sisters, Play together, Love God, Obey commandments, Read Scriptures, Pray together, Support eachother in callings.)

Hyrum Smith:
My name is Hyrum Smith, and I was Joseph’s older brother. We often worked together on our farm, and also on other people’s farms, to help support our family. When Joseph was young, and had the operation on his leg, he had to use crutches to walk for a long time while it was healing. Often I would carry Joseph on my back. I enjoyed helping him. After the first vision, I helped Joseph in the work of the church. I was with Joseph on the day that the evil mob killed him, and they killed me, too. (Wordstrips: Enjoy helping and serving one another, Be with one another during hard times. )

Sophronia Smith:
My name is Sophronia Smith, and I was one of Joseph’s sisters. Joseph was a cheerful boy who almost never got angry. He was a good brother, and very kind. He was tall, very strong, and good at sports and games. I loved it at the end of the day, after dinner, when Joseph would tell us about the things he learned from the angel. He taught us about the Nephites and Lamanites, how they dressed, and what their houses were like, and many other things. (Wordstrips: Are cheerful, Try not to get angry, Are Kind, Play games together, Spend time together talking and teaching.)

Emma Smith:
My name is Emma Smith. After Joseph had the First Vision, and some of the visits from the Angel Moroni, we met, fell in love, and were married. I knew that Joseph was a prophet of God, and that he needed me to comfort him and help him. I was so thankful that Joseph’s parents and brothers and sisters welcomed me into their family. We went through many difficult things during our life together, encouraging one another to endure and have faith in Heavenly Father’s plan. When we were not able to be together, we wrote letters of comfort and cheer to eachother. (Wordstrips: Welcome new members into the family, encourage one another, have Faith in Heavenly Father’s plan, comfort and cheer eachother, Write letters to those far away.)


Narrator: We know that Joseph Smith’s family was a good example in many ways. We hope that all of us will make a goal to be a better family member. Please choose one of the things on this list, and work at it. We know that if you do, you will be happier, and your family will be happier too.