Apostasy
When individuals or groups of people turn away from the principles of the gospel
What is APOSTASY
Who is probably the most famous son of the Smith family, living in Palmyra/Manchester, NY, USA, in the early 1800s?
Who was Joseph?
People were very excited about this thing in Joseph's small town of Palmyra when he was 14.
What is RELIGION?
Also: baptism into different churches; salvation; arguing; contention.
The name for what we call the place where Joseph Smith first prayed out loud for wisdom from God, after reading and pondering James 1:5.
What is the Sacred Grove?
The response of the local preachers to Joseph's vision
Mocking and persecution
This period lasted for almost 1,800 years.
What is the Great Apostasy?
Joseph's father's name.
What is Joseph Smith, Senior?
Church that Joseph's mother and some of his siblings started attending.
What is the Presbyterian church?
These two personages appeared to Joseph Smith when he prayed in the Sacred Grove.
Who are Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
The response of Joseph's family to his vision
They believed him, and began to pray that the true Church of Jesus Christ would soon be restored.
This process ended the Great Apostasy.
Also acceptable: What is the First Vision? What is the Restoration of the Church? What is the translation of the Book of Mormon?
Joseph's mother's name.
What is Lucy Mack Smith?
Every church and preacher said something different. They read the same verses from the Bible and then interpreted those verses to say very, very different things. All the preachers and converts argued with each other and there was a lot of contention.
Church Joseph Smith was told by Jesus to join.
What is NONE of the churches at that time? Joseph Smith was called to help Jesus restore His true gospel to the earth.
Joseph's response to the persecution of other people
Hint: Joseph Smith History 1:25
"I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God"
When the apostles and other male Church members died, this was taken from the earth.
What is the PRIESTHOOD?
The number of children the Smiths had.
What is 9?
Alvin, Hyrum, Joseph, Samuel Harrison, William, Don Carlos, Sophronia, Catherine, and Lucy.
The verse that God used to answer Joseph's prayer about what he should do to know "What is to be done? Who... is right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?"
James 1:5:
"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."
True knowledge that we gained from Joseph Smith's First Vision (at least 3).
What is...
Heavenly Father and Jesus are two separate people
They have bodies similar to our bodies, but theirs are full of light and glory
Heavenly Father knew Joseph's name
The true Church of Jesus Christ was not on the earth at that timeThere is ONE true Church of Jesus Christ, and He needed to restore it to the earth
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ hear and answer our prayers. They care about our concerns and questions.
James 1:5 was true: the Lord will answer our questions and "upbraid [us] not."
What Joseph Smith learned from the First Vision
Hint: Joseph Smith History 1:26
"...[I]t was not my duty to join with any of them, but to continue as I was until further directed. I had found the testimony of James to be true—that a man who lacked wisdom might ask of God, and obtain, and not be upbraided."
During the Apostasy, these actions could NOT be done with the authority of God.
What are ordinances (and covenants)?
Also acceptable: Blessing the sacrament, Baptism, Confirmation/Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, Ordination, Temple ordinances, priesthood blessings, prophet speaking for God to the world.
Everything I can remember about Joseph Smith's family and youth (at least 4 things)
Joseph's decision after reading James 1:5.
What is to go to a private place (a grove of trees near his house) and to ask God in prayer which of all the churches was right.
"I might venture."
Ways that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ answered Joseph Smith's questions (at least 3).
What are:
The scriptures
The Holy Ghost (feelings and promptings)
The advice and teachings of his parents and familyPrayer and thoughts as Joseph pondered
A vision
We can use Joseph Smith's example when we need questions answered too. How?
What is:
- Read the scriptures
- Ponder
- Pray and ask Heavenly Father
- Talk to our parents and teachers
- Go to Church and listen
- Any other ideas?