Joseph
Smith: Faith in Trials
By Deborah Rowley
Object Lesson: Coal to
Diamonds
Begin
the lesson by having the family list on a white board or large piece of paper
all the trials that Joseph Smith had to face in his life. The list may include
some of the following: Constant persecution for his beliefs, the death of
several of his children, no home of his own, beaten by mobs and tarred and
feathered, arrested on false charges and thrown into prison, suffered in
Liberty Jail for 4 months, forced to move by mobs, betrayed by his friends.
Show your family a piece of coal, or a dark colored rock or piece of charred
wood that looks black like coal. Then show the family a diamond. How does a
piece of coal turn into something as beautiful and as priceless as a diamond?
Explain that intense heat is necessary to bring about this change. Joseph Smith
started out as a rough piece of coal at 14 years old and became a treasured diamond
to the Lord. What caused the change? Joseph himself described it this way:
“As
for the perils which I am called to pass through, they seem but a small thing
to me, as the envy and wrath of man have been my common lot all the days of my
life. It all has become a second nature to me, and I feel, like Paul, to glory
in tribulation, for to this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of
them all, and will deliver me from henceforth, for behold, and lo, I shall triumph
over all my enemies. For the Lord God hath spoken it. I am like a huge, rough
stone rolling down from a high mountain, and the only polishing I get is when
some corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with something else, all hell
knocking off a corner here and a corner there. Thus, I will become a smooth and
polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty.”
(Teachings
of the Prophet Joseph Smith, page 304)
Activity: Obstacle Course
Work
as family to build an obstacle course in the backyard or in an open area inside
the house. Some ideas for obstacles inside include: jumping over a stack of
pillows, crawling under the table, stepping over a string tied to two chairs,
weaving around some bar stools, and climbing over the piano bench. Some ideas
for obstacles outside include: Climbing up a slide, running around a tree,
crawling under a trampoline, leaping over some pool noodles, weaving around
some bicycles, and jumping over a wagon.
After
the obstacle course is built, gather the family and tell them that they are
going to be timed as they run through the obstacle course. The first time the
family runs through the obstacle course, they need to do so while balancing a
small object on their nose like a block or little toy. To balance the toy, they
will need to hold their nose high in the air, making it hard to see the ground.
Give each family member a turn to try to navigate the obstacles this way then
discuss it. How did they like running the obstacle course with their nose up in
the air? Now give the family a chance to run the obstacle course without
something balanced on their noses. Discuss the two experiences as a family. How
was the 2nd time different? How can this be compared to the
challenges that we face in this life? When we say someone has their nose in the
air, what quality are we referring to? How does pride make our obstacles
harder? How does being humble help us in facing challenges?
Liken the Scriptures:
Share
with the family the scriptures in the Doctrine and Covenants that the Lord gave
to Joseph Smith when he was in Liberty Jail. Section 121: 1-6 describes Joseph
pleading for help. Section 121:78 and Section 122: 5-9 are part of the Lords’
answer and his comforting explanation about the purpose of trials.
Testimony:
Bear
your testimony of the blessing that trials and challenges can be to us if we
are humble and turn to the Lord.
Have family members share any personal experiences about how they have
made it through difficult times. Encourage the family to be slow to murmur and
quick to remember the Lord when they are experiencing challenges.
Treat: Rocks
Have
some rocks for refreshments by making a batch of chocolate no-bake cookies.
Remind the family of the good things than can come from heat or trials. Use
your favorite recipe or try the one below:
No-Bake
Cookies
Mix
2 cups sugar, ½ cup butter, and ½ cup milk in a sauce pan. Heat over medium
heat until the mixture comes to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 2 ½
minutes. Remove from the heat, add 1 tsp. vanilla. Pour the mixture over 3 ½
cups oats and 4 Tablespoons of cocoa. Quickly stir and drop by spoonfuls onto
waxed paper.
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