Lesson 13: The First Missionaries Preach the Gospelc586449.r49.cf2.rackcdn.com/p5-13-Lesson 13 - The...

Lesson 13: The First Missionaries Preach the Gospel

“Lesson 13: The First Missionaries Preach the Gospel,” Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants: Church History, (1997),64

Purpose

To encourage each child to share the gospel and develop the qualities

needed to be a successful missionary.

I Hope They Call Me on a Mission

1. I hope they call me on a mission When I have grown a foot or two. I hope by then I will be ready To teach and preach and work as missionaries do.

2. I hope that I can share the gospel With those who want to know the truth. I want to be a missionary And serve and help the Lord while I am in my youth. Words and music: Newel Kay Brown, b. 1932. © 1969 IRI

OUR OPENING PRAYER WILL BE GIVEN BY

(Enter Name Here)

Attention Activity

How many names can you collect in 5 seconds?

Attention Activity

• Do you think that more people could be gathered if a second person were to help.

• Let’s try it again with a second volunteer.

Attention Activity

• How many people did one volunteer gather?

• How many people did two volunteers gather?

• How many people do you think could be gathered if the whole class worked together?

Attention Activity

• After the Book of Mormon had been printed and the Church was organized, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ wanted everyone to hear the gospel and have the opportunity to become a member of the Church.

Attention Activity

• Let’s read Doctrine and Covenants 133:37.

–37 And this gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.

Attention Activity

• This verse is part of a revelation given to Joseph Smith in 1831, the year after the Church was organized.

Attention Activity

• To whom does the gospel need to be preached?

• How long do you think it would take for one person to teach the gospel to everyone on the earth?

Attention Activity

• Joseph Smith knew it would be impossible for him to teach the gospel to everyone by himself.

• He needed others to help him.

Attention Activity

• Just as our two volunteers were able to gather more names than one volunteer was, more members of the Church working to share the gospel would be able to teach more people than Joseph alone could teach.

This is what our lesson is about today.

Lesson 13: The First Missionaries Preach the Gospel

“Lesson 13: The First Missionaries Preach the Gospel,” Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants: Church History, (1997),64

Scriptural and Historical Accounts

• The Lord calls missionaries to help preach the gospel.

Scriptural and Historical Accounts

The characteristics and responsibilities of missionaries, as described in D&C 4 and 14 are:

Serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength.

Scriptural and Historical Accounts

Faith

Hope

Charity

Love

Virtue

Knowledge

Temperance

Patience

Brotherly kindness

Godliness

Humility

Diligence

Scriptural and Historical Accounts

They need to keep the commandments and endure to the end.

Scriptural and Historical Accounts

–Although the revelations in these sections were originally given for specific people (Joseph Smith Sr. and David Whitmer, respectively), the information they contain is applicable to anyone who wants to share the gospel and help build Heavenly Father’s kingdom.

Go to video 1 Go to video 2 Go to slides

Discussion time

• Samuel Smith was Joseph Smith’s younger brother.

Jesus wanted Samuel to go on a mission.

Samuel Smith was the first missionary for the Church.

• Samuel went to teach people the gospel and tell them about the Book of Mormon.

On the first day he traveled 25 miles, but people treated him unkindly and did not want to listen.

• When night came, Samuel stopped at an inn.

• He asked the owner if he would like to buy a Book of Mormon.

The owner asked where Samuel got the book.

Samuel said his brother had translated it from gold plates.

• The owner was angry.

• He said Samuel was lying and told him to get out of the inn.

• Samuel Smith was discouraged.

• That night he slept under an apple tree.

• The next morning Samuel went to see John Greene, who was a leader of another church.

Mr. Greene was not interested in the Book of Mormon, but he agreed to ask the people in his church if they would like to buy a copy.

• When Samuel returned three weeks later, there had been no sales.

However, Mr. Greene’s wife said she had read the book.

• Samuel Smith’s mission was hard.

• When he went home, he did not think he had been successful.

• Samuel did not know at the time that his work would eventually lead to many people joining the Church, including Mr. and Mrs. Greene.

• Samuel had also sold a Book of Mormon to a man named Phineas Young.

Phineas read the book and gave it to his brother, whose name was Brigham Young.

• Brigham Young read the Book of Mormon and believed it was true.

Phineas and Brigham Young told some friends about the Book of Mormon, and they also read it and believed it was true.

Later, Phineas and Brigham Young and their friends joined the Church.

• Within a few years, Brigham Young was called to be an Apostle.

• Many years after that he became the President of the Church.

He and others who were converted through the efforts of Samuel Smith became great leaders in the Church.

• Jesus wanted more people to hear about the gospel.

He wanted some of the Saints to go on missions.

• He called Oliver Cowdery to go on a mission to the American Indians.

These Indians were also called Lamanites because some of them were descended from the Lamanites in the Book of Mormon.

• Jesus wanted the Lamanites to read the Book of Mormon.

• He had promised many prophets that the Lamanites would have the Book of Mormon.

Now it was time to keep that promise.

• The Book of Mormon tells the Lamanites about their ancestors who lived hundreds of years ago.

It tells them about important promises Jesus made to them.

It helps them believe in Jesus.

It teaches them to repent and be baptized.

• Other men wanted to go with Oliver Cowdery to preach the gospel to the Lamanites.

The Lord said three of the men could go.

• First the missionaries went to some tribes in New York.

The missionaries gave the people the Book of Mormon, but only a few of them could read.

• Then the missionaries went to preach to some Lamanites in Ohio.

These people were happy to hear about the Book of Mormon and learn about their ancestors.

• The missionaries left Ohio and went to a town named Independence in Jackson County, Missouri.

• There were many Lamanites in Missouri.

The missionaries preached the gospel to them and gave them the Book of Mormon.

They were very happy and thanked the missionaries for the book.

• Other people in Missouri did not believe the restored gospel or the Book of Mormon.

They told the missionaries to stay away from the Indians.

• The people said soldiers would chase the missionaries away if they did not leave.

Saddened, the missionaries went to teach other people in Missouri.

• One of the missionaries was named Parley P. Pratt.

• He went to Ohio to tell Joseph Smith what they had done.

Parley said their mission had been good and they had taught the gospel to many people.

DISCUSSION TIME

• How did the Lord describe the restoration of the gospel in Doctrine and Covenants 4:1 and 14:1?

Why is the restoration of the gospel a “marvelous work and a wonder”?

• What instruction did the Lord give in Doctrine and Covenants 4:2 to those who want to serve God?

• What instruction did the Lord give in Doctrine and Covenants 4:2 to those who want to serve God?

Serve him with all your heart, might, mind and Strength.

• What instruction did the Lord give in Doctrine and Covenants 4:2 to those who want to serve God?

What does it mean to serve with all your heart, might, mind and strength?

Serve him with all your heart, might, mind and Strength.

• What are some ways you can serve God?

What does the Lord promise us if we serve valiantly? (D&C 4:2; 14:3.)

• What qualities should a servant of God have? (D&C 4:5–6.)

Faith

Hope

Charity

Love

Virtue

Knowledge

Temperance

Patience

Brotherly kindness

Godliness

Humility

Diligence

• How did the first missionaries show these qualities as they preached the gospel?

How do missionaries today show these qualities?

• Why do you think love is such an important quality for a missionary?

• How do you feel when you know someone loves you?

How does being a missionary show love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

• What did the Lord tell Hyrum Smith and David Whitmer to do to be good servants? (D&C 11:20; 14:5–6.)

What did the Lord tell Hyrum Smith and David Whitmer to do to be good servants? (D&C 11:20; 14:5–6.)

Keep the Commandments

Ask of me and you shall receive

Knock and it shall be opened

• Do these instructions apply to us also?

Why is it important for us to obey the commandments?

• What does it mean to “endure to the end”?

• What does it mean to “endure to the end”?

To remain faithful throughout our lives; see D&C 14:7.

• What does it mean to “endure to the end”?

What great blessings will come to us if we are faithful and keep the commandments? (D&C 14:7–8.)

To remain faithful throughout our lives; see D&C 14:7.

Hyrum Smith was not serving an official mission when he taught Parley P. Pratt the gospel.

How can you share the gospel with people you know right now?

Telling people about the Church

Inviting people to Church meetings

Setting a good example through righteous behavior.

Enrichment Activity 1

• Each of you read the following scripture from D & C 4:5-6.

• As you read, take notice of each attribute name in these versus. – 5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single

to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.

– 6 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.

Enrichment Activity 1

• Let’s make a list on the Blackboard of the attributes that you just read about.

Can you suggest ways you can develop these attributes?

Let’s discuss how these attributes will help make you a good missionary.

Enrichment Activity 2 • Let’s act out the

story of Samuel Smith that we just heard a few minutes

• Here are name tags to show who you are in the story.

Enrichment Activity 3

Have you ever heard the expression “Go the extra mile?”

Let’s read Matthew 5:41:

41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

Enrichment Activity 3

The background on this scripture is:

The people in the Holy Land at the time Christ was on the earth were ruled by the Romans.

A law allowed a Roman soldier passing through an area to demand that a civilian (a person not in the military) carry his baggage for one mile.

Enrichment Activity 3

In his Sermon on the Mount, Christ told his listeners that they should be willing to carry the baggage a second mile even though the soldiers could not demand it of them.

The first mile was required of them, but the second was a generous and kind service they could give.

Enrichment Activity 3

–As we serve Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ with all our heart, might, mind, and strength, we often need to “go the extra mile.”

Enrichment Activity 3

• Let’s discuss the difference of “going the extra mile” and “doing what we are expected to do”

Enrichment Activity 3

After you clean up your yard, you notice your neighbors’ yard has not been cleaned.

Enrichment Activity 3

You are asked to take care of your younger sister for a while.

Enrichment Activity 3

Your brother with whom you share a room had to leave early to go to an activity; after you wake up and straighten your bed, you notice your brother’s bed is not made.

Enrichment Activity 3

Your mother asks you to put your shoes away, and you notice your sister’s coat on a chair.

Enrichment Activity 3

• During this coming week, try to keep your eyes and ears open for “extra mile” activities you can do.

• Discuss these activities with your families and encourage them to do the

Enrichment Activity 4

• We set up some dominos here.

• What do you think will happen if we tip over the first domino?

Enrichment Activity 4

• Watch the chain reaction caused when we knock over the first domino.

• We too may affect the lives of others in a chain reaction.

Enrichment Activity 4

• By sharing the gospel with even one person, we sometimes touch the lives of many others.

• Remember how Samuel Smith sold a Book of Mormon to Phineas Young, who gave it to his brother Brigham, who passed it on yet again.

Enrichment Activity 4

• Samuel Smith’s small action of selling one Book of Mormon affected many people.

Enrichment Activity 4

• By developing the qualities and attributes listed in Doctrine and Covenants 4, we can be an example to many others and interest them in the Church.

Enrichment Activity 5

• Do any of you have examples of people you know, such as Church Leaders, family members, or missionaries, who serve God with all their heart, might, mind and strength that you would like to share with the class?

Enrichment Activity 5

• We should serve others and obey the commandments with the same kind of dedication, hard work, and effort.

Enrichment Activity 6

6. Let’s try to memorize:

Doctrine and Covenants 14:7

7 And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.

Enrichment Activity 6

• 6. Let’s try to memorize:

–Doctrine and Covenants 4:2.

• 2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

TESTIMONY

I am grateful for the efforts and example of the missionaries of the Church.

I want to encourage you to strive to develop the attributes needed to serve.

OUR CLOSING PRAYER WILL BE GIVEN BY

(ENTER NAME HERE)

THE END

Images and clipart are from lds.org, Microsoft office, and other websites indicating the images were in the public domain or

permitted for church and home use.

The Lesson and Scripture story are from lds.org.

Please do not use this presentation for commercial use. Feel free to alter the presentation for use in church or home to suit personal

preference.

This presentation is intended to supplement, not replace, the lesson manual and scriptures.

Teachers should refer to the manual, scriptures and other

resources when preparing and conducting the lesson.

Doctrine and Covenants 4:1

• 1 Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.

Return

Doctrine and Covenants 14:1

• 1 A great and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men.

Return

Doctrine and Covenants 4:2

• 2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

Return

D&C 4:2

• 2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

Return

D&C 14:3

• 3 Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.

Return

D&C 4:5–6

• 5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.

• 6 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.

Return

D&C 11:20

• 20 Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength.

Return

D&C 14:5–6

• 5 Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you.

• 6 Seek to bring forth and establish my Zion. Keep my commandments in all things.

Return

D&C 14:7.

• 7 And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.

Return

D&C 14:7–8

• 7 And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.

• 8 And it shall come to pass, that if you shall ask the Father in my name, in faith believing, you shall receive the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance, that you may stand as a witness of the things of which you shall both hear and see, and also that you may declare repentance unto this generation.

Return