Joseph Smith - History 1:55-65

Joseph Smith – History 1:55-65 Study Guide – to be discussed March 18
Day 1: Read JS-H 1:55-56;D&C 137:1-10
1. How did Joseph Smith and his brothers assist in providing for their father’s family?



2. What “great affliction” transpired in the Smith family in 1823? Read D&C 137:1-10. When and where was D&C 137 received? What peaceful doctrine did Joseph receive in this revelation, relative to his brother Alvin.



3. Where and why did Joseph go to work for Josiah Stoal (or “Stowell”)?



Day 2: Read JS-H 1:57-58; D&C 25:1-5
4. How might the experience of courting and marrying Emma have helped Joseph in his preparation to receive the Book of Mormon plates?



5. Read D&C 25:1-5. When and where was this revelation received? What was Emma counseled to do in D&C 25:1-5?



6. Why was Joseph continually persecuted, even seven years after his first vision?



Day 3: Read JS-H 1:59-60
7. List the two IF-THEN promises Moroni gave Joseph, as recorded in JS-H 1:59.



8. Why did Joseph need to be alert and diligent in safeguarding the plates?



9. What happened to the plates after Joseph had finished translating all that was required of him? Do you think he was sorry to let them go?



Day 4: Read JS-H 1:61
10. Why might rumor and falsehoods have been employed against Joseph and his family? Are they still?



11. Where did Joseph and Emma go to escape further persecution?





12. What role did Martin Harris play in Joseph’s move? Who was he to Joseph?



BONUS: Read D&C 17:1-9. When and where was this revelation received? List promises to Martin Harris.




Day 5: Read JS-H 1:62-63
13. When did Joseph and Emma arrive in Pennsylvania? What did Joseph do immediately after their arrival?



14. By what means was Joseph able to translate the ancient characters?



15. Why did Martin Harris visit the Smiths in February 1828? Why do you think Joseph deferred to Harris’ own account instead of writing about the circumstances in his own words?



Day 6: Read JS-H 1:64
16. Why did Martin Harris take copied characters and Joseph’s translation to New York?



17. Who was Professor Charles Anthon? What was his opinion of the characters and translation?



18. What questions did Professor Anthon call Martin Harris back to answer?



Day 7: Read JS-H 1:65; Isaiah 29:11-12; 2 Nephi 27:15-20
19. Why did Anthon destroy his witness?




20. Read Isaiah 29:11-12 and 2 Nephi 27:15-20. How do Charles Anthon and Joseph Smith fit the descriptions in Isaiah’s prophecies?




21. How did Martin Harris’ journey to New York strengthen his testimony of the sacred work of translation?