DATES & EVENTS
April 6, 1830
What is the date the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was reorganized?
Extra Info: The church was first organized on this date, with 6 legal members in Fayette, New York. The church membership today is now just over 16 million. It is not just another church - it is the restored church that Jesus Christ originally organized, governed by direct priesthood authority. Original members or followers of Christ were referred to as Saints, hence the term Latter-Day Saints to refer to members in our current time.
Joseph Smith read this scripture prompting him to go to the Sacred Grove and pray. Bonus: What does this scripture say?
James 1:5
Bonus: 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.
Extra Info: Joseph's example and experience shows that, while we might not be visited by heavenly messengers, we can pray and expect answers and personal revelation from our Heavenly Father to our sincere questions and help for our challenges.
These two beings appeared at the same time to Joseph Smith during the first vision - the only time recorded when both did so in person. Bonus: The first sentence spoken to Joseph.
Who are Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ?
Bonus: What is "Joseph, this is my beloved son, hear Him"?
Number of years between the time Joseph first saw the gold plates and when he actually received them. BONUS: number of years between the first vision and when he received the plates.
What is 4 years?
Bonus: What is 7 years?
The three personages that Joseph learned were separate beings and not one Trinity as most churches of his day taught
Who are God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost?
Spring of 1820
What is the season and year when the First Vision took place?
Extra Info: Joseph Smith saw and spoke to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and learned they were physical beings with bodies of flesh and bone and that Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost were 3 distinct personages or beings. He also learned that none of the existing churches were the true church and that he should join none of them.
Joseph Smith wrote these to summarize the teachings and beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and how it is different from other churches. Bonus: Where can they be found in the scriptures?
What are the Articles of Faith?
Bonus: What is the Pearl of Great Price?
Extra Info: The 13 Articles of Faith do not contain all of the teachings and beliefs of the Church, but they do explain some of our most important beliefs. They can help build faith, understanding, and a testimony of the gospel, and they also give us a good foundation for sharing the gospel with others. They were first published in 1842 and were adopted as scripture by common consent of the members during General Conference in 1880.
These messengers appeared to Joseph Smith to restore and confer the Melchizedek priesthood upon him.
Who are Peter, James and John?
Extra Info: These are 3 of the apostles who led the church at the time of Christ. The Melchizedek Priesthood was conferred upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, making it possible in the future to perform many important ordinances like confirming someone a member of the church, bestowing upon them the gift of the Holy Ghost, Priesthood blessings of comfort and to the sick, priesthood ordinations, and temple ordinances.
Number of persons in Joseph Smith's childhood family including parents?
What is 13?
Extra Info: 5 brothers, 3 sisters, plus 1 who died at birth, 1 at 11 days, parents Joseph Sr., Lucy Mack…..Alvin (became ill and died at 25), Hyrum, Sophronia, Samuel Harrison, Ephraim, William, Katherine, Don Carlos, Lucy
An abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi.
What is the Book of Mormon?
Extra info: Why is this so important? The B of M clarifies important gospel truths and acts as another witness of Jesus Christ. In addition, if the Book of Mormon is true, it validates the truthfulness of the church and all that Joseph Smith restored as the first prophet of our dispensation.
May 15, 1829
What is the date the Aaronic Priesthood was conferred upon Joseph Smith & Oliver Cowdery?
This book of scriptures was not translated and was originally called the Book of Commandments.
What is the Doctrine & Covenants?
Extra info: Joseph Smith's revelations account for all but a few of the sections contained in D&C. These sacred revelations were received in answer to prayer, in times of need, and came out of real-life situations involving real people. The Prophet and his associates sought for divine guidance, and these revelations certify that they received it. D&C contains direct revelations on principles of revelation, Atonement, baptism, sacrament, marriage, role of prophet, eternal life, etc in our time. In short, it shows the need for and continuing process of modern day revelation to prophets in our time.
This messenger appeared to Joseph & Oliver to restore the Aaronic Priesthood.
Who is John the Baptist?
Extra Info: This was prompted by a question Joseph and Oliver had while translating the Book of Mormon…..on a certain day we went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying: "Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of the Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.
Age of Joseph Smith when he received the gold plates.
Q: What is 21 years old?
This person baptized Joseph Smith.
Who is Oliver Cowdery?
Extra Info: Joseph and Oliver received instruction from John the Baptist after receiving the Aaronic Priesthood, that Joseph should first baptize Oliver, and then Oliver should baptize Joseph. Both desired to have a remission of their sins and the proper form of baptism by immersion for remission of sins took place.
May 16-28, 1829
What is the time period when the Melchizedek Priesthood was restored and conferred upon Joseph Smith & Oliver Cowdery?
This section of the Doctrine and Covenants talks about the Word of Wisdom.
What is section 89?
Extra info: Long before the effects of tobacco, alcohol and other substances were found to be harmful or dangerous, this revelation shows the Lord's wisdom in how we can both physically and spiritually care for our bodies which house our spirits. The positive direction on nutrition and the types of food we should eat also shows us how we can improve our health and weight. When we are willing to listen and follow the Lord's guidance, this Word of Wisdom shows how much he loves us and how we can benefit when we trust Him and are obedient.
This messenger first appeared during the night to Joseph. Bonus: Number of times Joseph Smith was visited by this person.
Who is Moroni? Bonus: What is at least 10 times?
Extra Info: 3 times during night, 1 x next morning, 1x at site of plates, each year 4x from 1824-1827, 1 x when taking back plates. Moroni was the last prophet entrusted with care and writing in the golden plates from his father Mormon, acted as the tutor for Joseph Smith for several years, instructing him on the gospel and preparing him for his role as prophet and leader of the church.
Age of Joseph Smith and place he died.
What is 38 years old in Carthage Jail in Illinois?
Extra info: Joseph and his brother Hyrum were both killed by a mob on June 27, 1844. Joseph suffered many persecutions, including ridicule, being tarred and feathered, and ultimately his death. Throughout, he testified of the truth and would not deny the things he had heard or seen.
The three items Joseph Smith was told to retrieve by the Angel Moroni.
What are the Gold Plates, and the Urim and Thummim stones?
September 22, 1827; April 7 - June 30, 1829; March 1830 (3 part answer - all related)
What is the date/year Joseph received the gold plates, the time period when the Book of Mormon was translated, and when the Book of Mormon was first published?
Extra Info: When the Book of Mormon was first published, 5,000 copies were printed.
This contains writings from Moses, Abraham, a translation of Matthew, and the Joseph Smith History/testimony
What is the Pearl of Great Price?
Extra Info: The Pearl of Great Price is a selection of choice materials touching many significant aspects of the faith and doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These items were translated from papyrus scrolls and produced by the Prophet Joseph Smith, and most were published in the Church periodicals of his day. The first collection of materials carrying the title Pearl of Great Price was made in 1851. Its purpose was to make some important articles more available than they were at the time of Joseph Smith.
These messengers came to restore several priesthood keys, including the sealing power used in temples upon Joseph Smith.
Who are Moses, Elias, and Elijah (sealing power)?
Extra Info: This happened a week after the dedication of the Kirtland Temple on April 3, 1836. The Savior, along with Moses, and Elias (who also restored priesthood keys) also appeared before Elijah. Elijah gave Joseph the keys of the sealing power used for the highest temple ordinances performed of celestial marriage and creation of eternal families.
Joseph used these to help translate the Book of Mormon. Bonus: Total time it took Joseph Smith to translate the Book of Mormon from the plates?
What is the Urim & Thummim, Holy Ghost, and scribes? Bonus: What is 65 days?
Extra Info: Almost all of the Book of Mormon as we now have it (531 pages) was translated in 65 working days in 1829. Before this in 1828, Joseph had translated the 116 pages that Martin Harris lost when he borrowed them to show to members of his family.
In ancient times, Prophet Mormon gave his son Moroni plates with the written records, who then hid them in this location. Bonus, what city is this nearby?
What is the Hill Cummorah?
Bonus: What is Palmyra, New York?