Joseph Smith Lesson 6-Martyrdom

Joseph Smith: Martyrdom

By: Deborah Pace Rowley

Game: Emotions

This lesson is about the day that Joseph Smith died. It was a very sad day for his family and for the early Saints. They must have felt many different emotions, from anger to loneliness to fear and discouragement. This game will illustrate all the different emotions we feel. Copy and cut out the emotions cards below. To play, one member of the family will draw an emotion card. Then they will stand in front of the family and try to display that emotion on his or her face while everyone else guesses. When the correct emotion is chosen, another member of the family draws a card. Continue to play until all the cards are gone.

Liken the Scriptures: The Death of the Prophet

John Taylor was with Joseph Smith when he died in Carthage Jail and he recorded the events and some of the emotions that Joseph felt. Joseph and Hyrum had been falsely accused and ordered by wicked men to turn themselves in at Carthage Jail. The two brothers went willingly even though they knew that they were innocent and had been told by Holy Ghost that they wouldn’t come home alive. Read Doctrine Section 135 verses 4-5. How did Joseph feel? How would you have felt if you had been in Joseph’s place? Now read what happened at Carthage Jail in Section 135 verses 1 and 2. How do you think Joseph felt before his death? Why did Joseph feel so calm and peaceful? Imagine you lived in Nauvoo on the day that the messenger raced into town on a horse with the message that Joseph Smith had been killed. How would you feel if you thought that this meant the evil men had won and the church was now going to be destroyed? How would you feel if you knew that this was part of God’s plan and that the church would be strengthened because Joseph sealed his testimony with his blood?

Role Play: Reaction

Losing someone to death and other difficult experiences we will face in this life will not be so hard for us if we have an eternal perspective. Have the family show the emotions they would be feelings on their faces if they experienced these situations below. How would you feel if a family member died and you thought you would never see them again? How would you feel if a family member died and you knew you had been sealed and would be with them forever in the next life?
How would you feel if you were very sick and you felt like there was no reason for your suffering? How would you feel if you were very sick and you knew that there was a purpose because God was using this experience to help you become more like Him? How would you feel if you were a spirit in heaven greeting the Prophet Joseph after his death? How would you feel if you were Joseph and Hyrum entering heaven?

Joseph’s death was part of Heavenly Father’s plan. It was not the end of Joseph Smith or the end of God’s church. Read Doctrine and Covenants Section 135:6.

Activity: Quote Hunt

Joseph Smith was one of the greatest men to have ever lived. In just forty-four years he accomplished more than any other man accomplished in a lifetime. For this last activity, have the family find several quotes about Joseph and his life. Copy and cut apart the quotes at the end of this lesson. Prepare ahead by hiding the quotes in the following places.

Obscure Boy- in the refrigerator

Has done more- Under the kitchen table

I have learned for myself- Under the couch cushions

During family home evening help the family find the quotes about Joseph Smith that are hidden around the room by giving them the following clues.

Clue #1

In a place that stores things you’ll find this first clue.

 It isn’t your closet, inside of your shoes.

It isn’t the cupboards, where plates like to hide.

It isn’t the pantry, where snacks can be tried.

It isn’t the shed, where tools can be found.

It’s in the cold place, where food does abound.

When the family has found this clue, lay it out for everyone to see. Read it aloud and have the family discuss it. Why does Joseph say he was an obscure boy? What does obscure mean? Was he obscure because he was so poor and lived in such a small backwoods town? Maybe he felt that he was obscure because he didn’t have a fancy education and he didn’t know any important people. Do you feel obscure some time? After discussing this quote, have the family look for the second quote using this clue.

Clue #2

This place gathers people who like what is there.

It isn’t the office with Dad’s comfy chair.

It isn’t the bedroom with beds to sleep in.

It isn’t the play room with games to begin.

It isn’t the room with the Wii or T.V.

So where could this place possibly be?
It’s a place that we sit three times a day

So we don’t get hungry or faint dead away.

When the family has found the second quote, read and discuss it together. John Taylor wrote this statement about Joseph Smith just after he was killed in the Carthage Jail. How did Joseph go from being an obscure boy to making such an enormous difference in the world? The answer to that question is found in the final quote.  Have the family look for quote #3 with the following clue:

Clue #3

This last place is tricky so listen with care.

Goldilocks didn’t see this hanging out at the Bears.

She never did break it or try it for good.

Baby Bear would’ve loved it if only she would.

It’s a safe place to be unless you’re a cat

And shed your long hair where Mother just sat.

It’s covered with fabric and soft as can be.

You’ll find its just right for our big family.

When you have found the last clue, lay it between Quote #1 and Quote #2. Joseph said this phrase to his mother just after his experience in the Sacred Grove. Joseph had learned for himself about God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ.  He had gained his own knowledge and testimony of truth. This is the reason he was able to go from being an obscure boy to one who accomplished a great mission on this earth. Finding out the truth for himself and gaining his own testimony was necessary for his success. The same is true for each of us. We will be successful, accomplish our mission on this earth, and make a difference in the world if we can follow Joseph’s example and learn the truth for ourselves and learn to receive our own revelation.

Testimony:

Share your testimony and feelings about the Prophet Joseph Smith with your family. Express your knowledge that death isn’t the end and that we will continue to live after we die. 

Treat: Smiley Face Cookies

Make sugar cookies for family home evening then provide frosting and  other things so that family members can decorate the cookies with big smiley faces. Small tubes of decorator’s frosting, pieces of string licorice, mini M&M’s or other small candies make a great choice. As the family is decorating remind them that we can be happy if we keep an eternal perspective about life and death. 

Emotions Cards

Quote Hunt