Family Home Evening for D&C 20-22

 Lesson

This week, we will be learning about the day that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints was organized. We can read about it in the chapter heading of  D&C 20-22. Chapter 9 of the Doctrine and Covenants Stories does a fantastic job of simplifying and summarizing these sections. 

Read or Summarize Chapter 9 of the Doctrine and Covenants Stories

The Book of Mormon was now printed, and God’s priesthood power was on the earth again. The Lord told Joseph Smith it was time to organize the Church of Jesus Christ.

On April 6, 1830, about 40 women and men came to the Whitmer family’s home to organize the Church. The Lord had called Joseph and Oliver to lead His Church. Joseph and Oliver asked the people to raise their hands to show they sustained them as their leaders.

Next, Joseph and Oliver blessed the sacrament. They gave it to people to help them remember Jesus Christ. Joseph and Oliver then put their hands on the heads of people who had been baptized. They confirmed them members of the Church and gave them the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The Lord gave Joseph a message for the new Church. He told them to write down what happened in the Church. He said that Joseph Smith was His prophet. He promised Church members that if they followed the commandments He gave Joseph, He would bless them. The devil would not have power over them.

The people were so happy to have the Church of Jesus Christ! After the meeting, more people were baptized, including Joseph’s mother and father. When his father came out of the water, Joseph gave him a big hug. “I have lived to see my father baptized into the true church of Jesus Christ!” he said.

Later that night, Joseph went to the woods to be alone. His heart was full of joy. It had been 10 years since he first saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. So much had happened since then. Joseph was very thankful he could help restore, or bring back, Jesus Christ’s Church!

Discuss

What blessings have you received because Christ restored His church?

Watch

Click the link below to see how we did this lesson.