One Small Step of Faith

One Small Step of Faith Student Reading Handout for Scene 1 From small beginnings great things come to pass. In the Spring of 1820 a boy stepped... 2. When was a boy looking for answers? 1. How do great things come to pass? into a quiet grove looking for answers. 3. Where did the boy go? 4. Why did he go? A seed of faith had been nurtured in the soil of western New York. 5. What had been nurtured in the soil of western New York? It would grow to fill the earth. Millions would find renewed faith in Jesus Christ... 1,000,000s all from one small step of faith. 1. From small beginnings. 2. In the Spring of 1820. 3. Into a quiet grove. 4. He went looking for answers. 5. A seed of faith. 6. It would blossom and then bear fruit. 7. The earth. 8. Millions. 9. In Jesus Christ. 10. One small step of faith. 8. Who would find renewed faith? 6. In time what would happen? 9. In whom would they find renewed faith? In time it would blossom and then bear fruit. 7. What would the seed of faith grow to fill? 10. All from what? 2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures 2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 1

Joseph! Help! I'm stuck. Ugh. Born of Goodly Parents Student Reading Handout for Scene 2 1. What s the matter? I slipped. 2. What happened? 3. When was Joseph born? 4. What kind of parents? I was born in the year 1805, of goodly parents who spared no pains in instructing me in the Christian religion. 5. Instruction in what religion? 6. Where were they reading yesterday? Thank you, Catherine. Yesterday we were reading in the Gospel of John. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. 7. What did God give the world? That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. 8. Those who believe in him will have what? Remember, children, there is no other way to salvation except through Jesus Christ. 9. There is no other way to salvation except through whom? Dear Lord, at the end of this day we gather together as a family in prayer to thank thee for the many blessings that we receive at thy hand. 1. I m stuck. 2. I slipped. 3. In the year 1805. 11. Why are they 4. Goodly parents. gathered 5. The Christian Religion. together? 6. In the Gospel of John. 7. His only begotten son. 8. Everlasting life. 9. Jesus Christ. 10. As a family. 11. To give thanks for their many blessings. 10. How are they gathered? 2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures 2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 2

What Does Saved Mean? Student Reading Handout for Scene 3 Father was obliged to labor hard for the support of a large family. 1. Who was obliged to labor hard? 2. Why? "Pull it out; pull it out now!" "Look out, boys, here it comes!" 3. Look where? Why? Remember, horse high and hog tight. It required the exertions of all who were able to render any assistance. 6. What did it require? At an early age my mind became seriously impressed with regard to the welfare of my soul. 4. How high? 5. How tight? 7. What happened at an early age? There was, in the place where we lived, an unusual excitement on the subject of religion. Great multitudes united themselves to the different religious parties, which created no small stir among the people, some contending for one faith, some for another. 8. What was happening in the place where he lived? "And they are as stubble before the wind... Brother, have you been saved? Have you? How many of you have been saved?" 1. Father. 2. For the support of a large family. 3. Look out! Here it comes! 4. Horse high 5. Hog tight. 6. The assistance of all. 7. My mind became seriously impressed. 8. An unusual excitement on the subject of religion. 9. What saved means. What does saved mean? I'd like to know that myself. 9. What would they like to know? 2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures 2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 3

Ask And Ye Shall Receive Student Reading Handout for Scene 4 Now God has told us repeatedly in holy writ, that fallen man cannot be saved. 2. Who only can rescue us? Only God can rescue us, but unless he wills it so, it cannot be. 3. Unless He wills it so, what happens? Who will reach out for His mighty hand if he offers it? 4. For what will you reach out? 1. What has God told us repeatedly? The grace of God is sufficient to save all sinners. So Brethren and Sisters, do you have faith, and are you willing to show the Lord the evidence of your faith? 5. What are you willing to show the Lord? Father... How will we know if we are saved? Yeah? 6. What does Joseph s father reckon? I don't reckon God intends to save just a few of his children, Joseph, but I do believe you can know where ya stand. 7. What does Joseph s father reckon? Remember what the Bible says... ask, and ye shall receive? If we ask in faith, God will show us what to do. 1. That fallen man cannot be saved. 2. Only God can rescue us. 3. It cannot be. 4. For His mighty hand. 5. Evidence of my faith. 6. God intends to save all his children. 7. That youå can know where you stand. 8. God will show us what to do. 8. What happens when you ask in faith? 2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures 2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 4

How Can We Know? Student Reading Handout for Scene 5 Why doesn't Father come? 3. If you embrace wrong doctrine, what can you expect? 1. What does father have? Father has a lot of faith. He just shows it differently than some folks. Now, if you embrace wrong doctrine and unite with a corrupt church, you can expect coldness and darkness all of your life. You must inquire as to which denomination comes nearest to the truth, and that is the church with which you must unite. 4. What must you inquire about? 2. How does he show it? But how can we know which doctrine is right? 5. How can we know which is right? We must obtain from God that knowledge which man cannot give... or take away. 1. A lot of faith. 2. Differently than some folks. 3. Coldness and darkness all of your life. 4. Which denomination comes nearest to the truth. 5. We must ask of God. 2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures 2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 5

1. What does the Bible teach? The Bible teaches there is one Lord and one faith, Joseph. We need to strive to find the answer that is right for us. One Lord and One Faith Student Reading Handout for Scene 6 Then why do doctrines disagree? But shouldn't there be one answer that's right for everyone? So great were the confusion and strife among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a person young as I was to come to any certain conclusion who was right and who was wrong. There. See, that's how it's done. 2. What about doctrines? 3. Why do we need to strive? 4. What kind of answer should there be? 6. What was impossible for a person young as Joseph? 5. Where were the confusion and strife. 7. To come to any certain conclusion about what? 8. What are they celebrating? Fellow citizens of Palmyra. Today we celebrate the anniversary of our freedom. Freedom purchased with the blood and tears of our own comrades. Joseph, keep your eye on things. I'm going to fetch more gingerbread. 9. Where is Joseph s mother going? You haven't been coming to church, Joseph. I'm trying to do what you said... decide which doctrine is right. 10. What is 11. What is Joseph at stake? trying to do? 1. There is one Lord and one faith. 2. Doctrines disagree. I see, well... beware of pride, boy. 3. To find the answer that is right for us. Your eternal soul is at stake. 4. One answer that s right for everyone. 5. Among the different denominations. 9. To fetch more gingerbread. 6. To come to any certain conclusion. 10. Your eternal soul is at stake. 7. Who was right and who was wrong. 11. Decide which doctrine is right. 8. The anniversary of their freedom. 2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures 2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 6

Joseph, You Worry too Much Student Reading Handout for Scene 7 Considering that God could not be the author of so much confusion, I determined to investigate the subject more fully. Joseph, you worry too much. 4. According to Alvin, what does Joseph do too much? 1. Of what could God not be the author? 2. What did Joseph determine to do? "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." 3. What is thy word? Just tryin' to do what's right, Alvin. 5. According to Joseph, what is he just trying to do? I know. During this time of great excitement, my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness. Still, I kept myself aloof from all these parties, though I attended their meetings as often as occasion would permit. 6. What kind of time was this. 7. Whose mind was called up to serious reflection? 8. Although Joseph kept himself aloof, what did he attend as often as occasion would permit? "Ask, and it shall be given you. "Seek, and ye shall find." "knock, and it shall be opened unto you." 1. Of so much confusion. 2. To investigate the subject more fully. 3. It s a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. 4. He worries too much. 5. Just trying to do what s right. 6. A time of great excitement. 7. Joseph s mind. 8. He attended their meetings. 9. The truth. 9. What will be given to you if you ask, seek, and knock? 2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures 2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 7

The Only Real Come from God Student Reading Handout for Scene 8 "For everyone that asketh, receiveth." "And he that seeketh, findeth." 3. What time is it? It's time to go, boys. Come on. "To believe that God answers prayers is to believe that he does not govern, but is governed by the prayers of men." 5. But is governed by what? 4. According to the preacher, what is it to believe that God answers prayers? "I contend that God's given unto each and everyone of us the ability to think... to reason for ourselves." 1. Who receives? 2. And who finds? 6. What does the preacher contend? In the midst of this war of words and opinions, I often said to myself, "What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right, and how shall I know it?" 7. What did Joseph often say to himself? So, what do you think? 8. What does Father say? Well, Father says the only real answers come from God. The good Lord answers in his own way, Joseph, and in his own time, but he does answer. 1. Everyone that asks. 9. When and how does the 2. He that seeks. Lord answer? 3. It s time to go boys. 4. That He does not govern. 5. The prayers of men. 6. That God s given unto each and everyone of us the ability to think and reason for ourselves. 7. What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right, and how shall I know it? 8. The only real answers come from God. 9. In his own way and in his own time. 2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures 2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 8

Let Him Ask of God Student Reading Handout for Scene 9 "If ye, then, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith." I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did, for how to act I did not know. "The Almighty is telling us that our eternal salvation..." The teachers of religion understood the same passage of scripture so differently, as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by appeal to the Bible. 1. How go give good gifts. 2. To our children. 3. To them that ask. 4. Ask God. 5. To all men. 6. The passage of scripture. 7. Differently. 8. All confidence. 9. To ask of God. 1. What do you know about gifts? 5. To whom does God give liberally? 6. What seemed to enterjoseph s heart with great force? 9. What did Joseph conclude at length? 2. To whom? 3. To whom will God give good things? 8. What did it destroy in Joseph? 4. If you lack wisdom, whom do you ask? 7. How did the techers of religion understand the same passage of scripture? At length, I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs..., that is, ask of God. 2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures 2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 9

I Saw a Pillar of Light Student Reading Handout for Scene 10 1.To where did Joseph retire? "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." After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other, "Joseph, this is my beloved son, hear him." 1. To the place where he had previously designed to go. 2. He kneeled down and offered the desires of his heart. 3. He saw a pillar of light. 4. It descended gradually. 5. The light rested upon him. 6. He saw two personages. 7. One of them. 8. To join none of the sects. 3.What did he see? 4.What happened with the pillar? 7.Who spoke to Joseph? I saw a pillar of light above the brightness of the sun which descended gradually until it fell upon me. And the light rested upon me. I saw two personages whose brightness and glory defy all description. "Joseph's humble prayer was answered, and he listened to the Lord..." My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right. I was answered that I must join none of them. And many other things did he say unto me. Mother! 5.Where did the light come to rest? 2.Once alone, what did he do? 6.Whom did Joseph see? 8.What did the Lord tell Joseph? 2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures 2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 10

I Had Beheld a Vision Student Reading Handout for Scene 11 1. According to the preacher, what does not exist these days? There are no such things as visions and revelations in these days. I don't blame anyone for not believing my history. If I had not experienced what I have, I would not believe it myself. 2. For what does Joseph not blame anyone? Whoa! 3. What if Joseph had not experienced what he had? 4. Nevertheless, what was a fact? I knew it, It was, nevertheless, a fact that I had beheld a vision. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two personages, and they did in reality speak to me. 5. What had he actually seen? 6. And in the midst of that light, what did he see? 7. And what did they do? and I knew that God knew it, 1. Visions and revelations. 2. For not believing his history. 3. He would not believe it himself. 4. That he had beheld a vision. 8. And why could 5. A light. he not deny it? 6. He saw two personages. 7. They spoke to him? 8. Because he knew it, and he knew that God knew it. and I could not deny it. 2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures 2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 11

The Lord Restored His Church Student Reading Handout for Scene 12 The truth of any work can be seen in the blessings which flow from it. Joseph had been called of God. He had a work to do. Through him the Lord revealed new scripture, a record which contained a fullness of the Gospel. 3.What had he to do? There shall be no other name given whereby... It was translated through the gift and power of God. Only in and through the name of Christ... And published as the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. 5.What kind of record? 6.How was it translated? 1.How can the truth of any work be seen? 2.Of whom had Joseph been called? 4.What did the Lord reveal through him? "And if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, having faith in Christ, He will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost... and by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." Through His living prophet, the Lord restored His Church. The fullness of the gospel was available again in beautiful simplicity. 7.How was it published? 8.How did the Lord restore His Church? "Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith Jr., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave unto him commandments, that the fullness of my Gospel might be proclaimed unto the ends of the world." 1. In the blessings which flow from it. 2. Of God. 3. He had a work to do. 4. New Scripture. 5. A record which contained a fullness of the Gospel. 6. Through the gift and power of God. 7. As the Book of Mormon. 8. Through His living prophet Joseph Smith. 2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures 2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 12