Hello I was recently called to be a Relief Society teacher in my YSA ward. I was looking through the lessons I would teach (I will only teach once a month). I noticed that I would be teaching the lesson in the Joseph Smith manual about his martydom in December. I want the lesson to be a powerful spiritual experience where the girls will leave with tears in their eyes and a deep love and testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Is there anything you have seen, heard or read that strengthend your testimony of this event? Also I would really like to find something on Hyrum. Hyrum Smith was a faithful and obedient man of God. Very few people give focus to Hyrum but I believe he should be honored also. Thank-you for any ideas you have!!!
Joseph and Hyrum Smiths martyrdom teaching ideas?
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 1:50am
Joseph and Hyrum Smiths martyrdom teaching ideas?
Fri, 12/18/2009 - 4:51pm
#2
I am teaching this lesson too, I found a clip on youtube of Elder Hollands talk on the prophet Joseph Smith and the book of Mormon. It has some music in the background and pictures of Joseph Smith and the Saints. I had a friend copy for use as a DVD and I will show that- probably after I close. It is so powerful. I am also having a duet sung about Joseph. I love how music brings the spirit in the lesson. I also found a little article from the Liahona about how Joseph Smith spent some of his Christmases that I am going to tie in. I also like to pick out some of my favorite quotes from the lesson and have sisters read them and then ask questions that go with it. I find the sisters usually end up making comments that really help bring the Spirit in.
I'm a Disney fan, too, Amber!
I expect that you'll find lots of good information right in the lesson materials to cover. The questions at the end of the lesson will provide lots of material for discussion. The main focus of your lesson should be the materials in the lesson manual -- I'm sure you'll be able to find creative ways to share them.
To kick off a new year of JS lessons, we had a special combine RS/Priesthood lesson. We invited two young men and an elder to represent Joseph Smith at ages 14 and 17 and 22. They read parts from the Joseph Smith Vignette performed by the Young Men's General Presidency a couple of years back. You might ask the Bishop to recommend a young man to represent the Prophet Joseph. He could read portions from the manual to show what Joseph was feeling at that time. You could ask sisters to share their testimonies of Joseph Smith's mission and make a little handout or booklet. A video of interviews with some sisters sharing what they've learned about Joseph Smith this year might also be fun.
http://www.josephsmith.net/ would be a good place to start for supplemental information, but this material should not be the focus of your lesson.
Here is an Ensign article on Hyrum Smith, written his descendant Elder M. Russell Ballard. Hyrum had organizational skills that Joseph lacked, much like the Aaron-Moses relationship.
Hope this helps! I know you'll do a great job.
Clipart, Object Lessons, Young Women, Primary, RS