Pres. M. Russell Ballard (Apr. '20): "Shall We Not Go On in So Great a Cause?"

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Explanation:

The ideas in this blog are meant to be used in small, home-like environments (2-5 people), although any of them could be adapted for other contexts.  I am also envisioning these activities as guided by a parent(s), but again that need not be the case.  For teaching ideas to use in Relief Society and Elders Quorum classes see my other blog here.  

For Adults:

  1. Read par. 4 ("Of the Smith . . . foreordained in eternity") and par. 37 ("The official announcement . . . were not separated").
  2. Discuss how God works with all of us line upon line and then look through the talk for moments where carefully but consciously Heavenly Father:
    1. Prepared for Joseph Smith
    2. Prepared Joseph Smith himself
    3. Led Joseph Smith to do all he was called to do.
  3. You may want to tie some of this discussion in with a quote or passage from Pres. Eyring's talk "He Goes Before Us"
  4. Ask everyone to share how it makes them feel to see this type of involvement by our Father in Joseph's life and how they can see Father's involvement in our own lives more clearly.

For Teens:

  1. Read par. 33-36 ("In June 1844 . . . cause and name") about the martyrdom of Joseph Smith.  You may want to watch a video about the martyrdom from the Church's website.
  2. Have everyone look over the talk and identify things which led to Joseph and Hyrum's dath.  Talk about why the brothers chose to die.
  3. Read par. 43 ("As we celebrate . . . never be forgotten!") and par. 48-49 ("consider what offering . . . other faithful Saints.").
  4. While we will probably never have to lay down our lives for the gospel's sake, there are some offering that we could make to Him.  Discuss what soem of these offerings could be.
  5. Encourage everyone to take Pres. Ballard's challenge.

For Tweens:

  1. At the top of a piece of paper, write "Joseph heard many different ideas about God which often contradicted each other."  Then, draw a small arrow pointing down.
  2. Have everyone look through the talk to find out what the result of the fact in step 1 was.  When someone finds it (He was confused), write it down under the arrow and draw another arrow coming down from that statement.
  3. Continue looking through the talk for what resulted from his confusion and draw an arrow under it.
  4. Continue to read and identify the causes and effects in Joseph's experience until you reach the first vision (or another point in his life that you feel is appropriate).

For Kids:

  1. Read about Joseph Smith's experience (par. 16-22 or from Joseph Smith History)
  2. Have each person draw a picture of some part of the Joseph Smith story.
  3. As everyone is drawing talk more about Joseph Smith.  You might share other experiences from his life you are familiar with, your testimony of Joseph Smith, or the importance of prophets.
  4. When people are done, have everyone share their picture and talk about the most important part of their drawing.

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