Joseph Smith's Sing-story

Because our Stake has Stake Conference on the last Sunday of this month, yesterday was our last Sunday in Primary for learning about Joseph Smith and the Restoration!

The song I picked for April's "choice" month was "The Golden Plates" -- I love the sing-song melody! It reminds me of the pioneer songs, like "Covered Wagons." I covered a cracker box with gold shiny tagboard (sorry, I don't have a picture) and used them as a prop last week.

For yesterday's Singing Time, I realized how many songs are in the Children's Songbook about the story of the Restoration! And how many paintings are in the Gospel Art Book! So it seemed like a no-brainer type of a Singing Time -- we would sing his story!

(from the Gospel Art Book)

I made a big sign to tape up to the podium that said, "Joseph's Journey."
I try to avoid using the word "journey" in the figurative sense, because cheezy shows like "The Bachelor" and all the schmaltzy reality TV overused "journey" and now it's tainted. But for Joseph Smith, I made an exception!

Then we talked about some trivia from his life, while showing a picture in the Gospel Art Book, and then sang the corresponding song!

My plan is below!

Picture of Joseph Smith reading the Bible, pg. 89 Gospel Art Book

Joseph wondered which church was true, he found this passage in The Bible, which led him to pray and ask God which was the true church. What was the bible verse? (James 1:5)

Search Ponder and Pray, (pg. 109)

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Picture of the Sacred Grove (from the ward library!)

The Sacred Grove was located near Joseph Smith’s home. If you wanted to visit the Sacred Grove area today, what state is it in? (Palmyra, NY)

The Sacred Grove (#87)

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First Vision, pg. 90

JUNIOR         How old was Joseph Smith when he received the First Vision? (14)

SENIOR         What month and year did Joseph Smith receive the First Vision? (April 1820)

This Is My Beloved Son (#76)

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Angel Moroni in his bedroom, pg. 91 Gospel Art Book

JUNIOR         How many times did the Angel Moroni visit him that first night? (3)

SENIOR         The Angel Moroni visited Joseph Smith three times in that first night, he woke up and went out to the fields exhausted, and Moroni visited him again. Who did the Angel Moroni instruct Joseph Smith to tell about the visions and commandments he had received? (his father)

An Angel Came to Joseph Smith (#86)

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Golden Plates, pg. 86 Gospel Art Book

Who were the Three Witnesses who saw the plates? (others did too) (David Whitmer, Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery)

The Golden Plates (#86)

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Priesthood restoration, pg. 93/94 Gospel Art Book

Who visited to give the Aaronic Priesthood to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery?

The Priesthood Is Restored (#89)

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If time,  I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ, pg. 77

Mother's Day Spray Fun!

It's always kind of a goal to have the mother's tear up as their kids sing in Sacrament Meeting on Mother's Day...right?

I took one of the free big Priority Mail boxes and cut out two eye holes that were at the same height as our spray bottle. My plan is to put the spray bottle inside the box. Then I created a mother image on the front of the box covered with plastic wrap (contact paper would work better).

My plan is to have the kids practice the Mother's Day songs the best they can and see if they can make the mother cry! I'll spray out some water when they are nice and loud!