LESSON 6: JOSEPH SMITH BEGINS TO TRANSLATE THE GOLD PLATES
PURPOSE To help the children understand that when we pray, we should seek Heavenly Father s answers and follow his guidance.
Song Title 1. The Lord commanded Nephi to go and get the plates From the wicked Laban inside the city gates. Laman and Lemuel were both afraid to try. Nephi was courageous. This was his reply: 2. The Lord commanded Nephi to go and build a boat. Nephi's older brothers believed it would not float. Laughing and mocking, they said he should not try. Nephi was courageous. This was his reply: 3. The Lord gives us commandments and asks us to obey. Sometimes I am tempted to choose another way. When I'm discouraged, and think I cannot try, I will be courageous, and I will reply: Chorus "I will go; I will do the thing the Lord commands. I know the Lord provides a way; he wants me to obey. I will go; I will do the thing the Lord commands. I know the Lord provides a way; he wants me to obey." Words and music: Bill N. Hansen Jr., b. 1952, and Lisa T. Hansen, b. 1958. (c) 1986 by Wilford N. Hansen Jr., and Lisa Tensmeyer Hansen. All rights reserved.
OUR OPENING PRAYER WILL BE GIVEN BY (Enter Name Here)
Can you tell what this means? TE BUKA A MOROMONA HET BOEK VAN MORMON LE LIVRE DE MORMON MORMON BINAALTSOOS EL LIBRO DE MORMÓN DAS BUCH MORMON THE BOOK OF MORMON
Can you tell what this means? (Korean) (Japanese) (Thai) (Russian) TE BUKA A MOROMONA (Tahitian) HET BOEK VAN MORMON (Dutch) LE LIVRE DE MORMON (French) MORMON BINAALTSOOS (Navajo) EL LIBRO DE MORMÓN (Spanish) DAS BUCH MORMON (German) THE BOOK OF MORMON (English) (Chinese)
There are many languages used throughout the world. To understand all of these languages, they need to be translated from one language to another.
Joseph Smith was given the task of translating the strange writings on the plates.
Let s read Mormon 9:32. 32 And now, behold, we have written this record according to our knowledge, in the characters which are called among us the a reformed Egyptian, being handed down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech.
What was the language of the writings on the gold plates? (Reformed Egyptian.) Normally, to be able to translate, translators need to understand both of the languages they work with.
Joseph Smith, however, had had very little schooling and could not speak or read languages other than English. The reformed Egyptian characters on the plates were very strange to him.
He had to rely on the Spirit of the Lord, not his own knowledge, to help him translate the characters on the plates into English. This is what today s lesson is about.
LESSON 6: Joseph Smith begins to Translate the Gold Plates
GO TO VIDEO GO TO SLIDES DISCUSSION TIME
In Pennsylvania, Joseph began to translate the writing on the gold plates He did not know what the writing meant, but when he used the Urim and Thummim, God helped him understand the words.
Martin Harris went to Pennsylvania and helped Joseph translate. As Joseph translated the words from the gold plates, Martin wrote them on paper. Joseph and Martin translated 116 pages of the Book of Mormon.
Martin Harris wanted to take the 116 pages home so his family could see them. Joseph asked the Lord if Martin could take the pages, but the Lord said no. Joseph asked again, but the Lord said no again.
Martin still wanted to take the pages home. He pleaded with Joseph to ask the Lord once more This time the Lord said Martin could take the pages if he agreed to show them only to his wife and certain other members of his family.
Martin promised to obey the Lord. He took the pages home and showed them to his family. But then he broke his promise and showed the pages to some other people.
Later Martin went to get the pages. He looked everywhere but could not find them. The pages were lost.
After a few weeks, when Martin Harris had not returned with the pages, Joseph became worried. He went to New York to find Martin, who told him the pages had been lost. Joseph and Martin both felt very bad.
Joseph returned to Pennsylvania, where he prayed for forgiveness. Moroni appeared and took the gold plates.
In a revelation, the Lord told Joseph that he would not be allowed to translate for a time because he had not obeyed.
The Lord also comforted Joseph, saying His work would go forward and that Joseph was still chosen to do the work if he repented.
Jesus told Joseph that Satan had influenced some wicked men to take the 116 pages.
These men were going to change the words so other people would not believe the Book of Mormon.
Jesus said Satan and the wicked men could not stop God s work.
Joseph repented. Soon Moroni returned the gold plates, and the Lord forgave Joseph and restored the gift to translate
Jesus told Joseph not to worry about the lost pages because the same stories were written in another part of the gold plates
Jesus said Joseph should translate the other part of the plates. Jesus also said many people would read the book and learn about His gospel.
DISCUSSION TIME
What did Joseph have to do to be able to translate? He needed to have faith and be prayerful, obedient, and patient.
How many times did Joseph Smith ask the Lord to allow Martin Harris to take the translated pages? What did the Lord tell Joseph the first two times? What did the Lord say the third time?
Why did Martin Harris persist in asking Joseph Smith to seek permission when he had already been told no? How did Joseph fear man more than God? (D&C 3:7.)
Why are we sometimes afraid of what others might think of us if we obey Heavenly Father s commandments
What do you think Joseph learned from this experience about accepting Heavenly Father s will? Why is it important to pray for what is right for us rather than just for what we want??
Why is it important to accept Heavenly Father s answers to our prayers?
How did Joseph feel about losing the 116 pages? What did the Lord tell Joseph to do? (D&C 3:10.) Why is repentance such a wonderful principle?
What was Joseph told to do to spoil the plan of those who had stolen the 116 pages? (D&C 10:30 31, 38 42.) What does it mean that the purposes of God cannot be frustrated? (D&C 3:1.)
What does the Lord reveal to us in Doctrine and Covenants 10:5 that will help us overcome Satan s influence?
ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES T
Enrichment Activity 1 When we pray, we should listen for Heavenly Father s answer and follow his guidance. Answers to prayer may come in many ways, such as through counsel from a parent or Church leader, from reading the scriptures, or from listening to a lesson or talk in church
Enrichment Activity 1 Our sincere prayers are always answered, although they are not always answered the way we want them to be. Sometimes the answer is no, because what we have asked for would not be best for us. Sometimes the answer is yes, and we have a warm, comfortable feeling about what we should do.
Enrichment Activity 1 Sometimes the answer is wait a while. Our prayers are always answered at times and in ways that Heavenly Father knows will be best for us. Does anyone have a time when your sincere prayer was answered with no that you would like to share with the class?
Enrichment Activity 2 Explain that Jesus Christ is the perfect example of accepting Heavenly Father s will. At the end of his earthly life, Jesus knew that the time had come when he must suffer great agony to atone for the sins of the world. Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane.
Enrichment Activity 2 He fell to the ground and prayed. Ask a child to read aloud from Matthew 26:39 what Jesus said in his prayer: O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Enrichment Activity 2 Explain that an angel appeared to Jesus to give him spiritual strength (see Luke 22:43). Jesus accepted Heavenly Father s will; he atoned for us by suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and by giving his life on the cross.
Enrichment Activity 3 When the Lord commands, do it!!! Joseph Smith learned from his mistakes and challenges. Even though he faced despair when the 116 pages were lost, he learned the importance of obedience, repentance, and accepting the will of Heavenly Father. He learned to listen to the promptings of the Spirit and grew in his ability to use the Urim and Thummim.
Enrichment Activity 3 When the Lord commands, do it!!! Later in life he was able to say, I made this my rule: When the Lord commands, do it (History of the Church, 2:170). Each of you write this phrase down to help you remember it at home.
Enrichment Activity 4 Even though Martin Harris lost the 116 pages of translation, he repented and went on to make important contributions to the Church. He was not permitted to assist Joseph further in the translation of the gold plates, but later he sold part of his farm to help pay for the printing of the Book of Mormon.
Enrichment Activity 4 He was one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon and testified of the truthfulness of the book throughout his life. In the front of the Book of Mormon, you will find The Testimony of Three Witnesses printed. It tells all who shall come of the reality of the Book of Mormon
Testimony I am grateful to the Prophet Joseph Smith and his efforts to translate the Book of Mormon. I want to bear you my testimony that we will be blessed as we accept Heavenly Father s will for us and do what he wants us to do. By following what Heavenly Father wants us to do, it will help us to stay on that straight and narrow path leading us back to heaven. Return
OUR CLOSING PRAYER WILL BE GIVEN BY (Enter Name Here)
THE END
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THE TESTIMONY OF THREE WITNESSES 1 BE IT KNOWN unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: That we, through the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, their brethren, and also of the people of Jared, who came from the tower of which hath been spoken. And we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man.
And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true. And it is marvelous in our eyes. Nevertheless, the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment seat of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen. OLIVER COWDERY DAVID WHITMER MARTIN HARRIS Return
D&C 3:7 7 For, behold, you should not have a feared man more than God. Although men set at naught the counsels of God, and b despise his words Return
D&C 3:10 10 But remember, God is merciful; therefore, repent of that which thou hast done which is contrary to the commandment which I gave you, and thou art still chosen, and art a again called to the work; Return
D&C 10:30 31, 38 42 30 Behold, I say unto you, that you shall not translate again those words which have gone forth out of your hands; 31 For, behold, they shall not accomplish their evil designs in lying against those words. For, behold, if you should bring forth the same words they will say that you have lied and that you have pretended to translate, but that you have contradicted yourself.
D&C 10:30 31, 38 42 38 And now, verily I say unto you, that an account of those things that you have written, which have gone out of your hands, is engraven upon the a plates of Nephi; 39 Yea, and you remember it was said in those writings that a more particular account was given of these things upon the plates of Nephi.
D&C 10:30 31, 38 42 40 And now, because the account which is engraven upon the plates of Nephi is more particular concerning the things which, in my wisdom, I a would bring to the knowledge of the people in this account
D&C 10:30 31, 38 42 41 Therefore, you shall translate the engravings which are on the plates of Nephi, down even till you come to the reign of king Benjamin, or until you come to that which you have translated, which you have retained; 42 And behold, you shall publish it as the record of Nephi; and thus I will a confound those who have altered my words. Return
D&C 3:1 1 The a works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be b frustrated, neither can they come to naught. Return
Doctrine and Covenants 10:5 5 a Pray always, that you may come off b conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may c escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work. Return
Matthew 26:39 39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and a prayed, saying, O my b Father, if it be possible, let this c cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I d will, but as e thou f wilt. Return
Luke 22:43 43 And there appeared an a angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. Return
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