Lesson 6: Joseph Smith Begins to Translate the Gold Plates

Jan 26

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Lesson

As you teaching Primary 5 Lesson 6: Joseph Smith Begins to Translate the Gold Plates remember the purpose is to help everyone understand that we should be seeking Heavenly Father's answers and be willing to follow His guidance when we pray.

Teaching Thoughts

Use these free printables for the scripture found in Alma 37:37 to divide into 4 groups. Have each group talk about their part of the scripture and see if they can put it the correct order.
Challenge your class to improve their prayers by using this Prayer Thoughts notes for the week.
You might also want to talk about D&C 10:5 with this poster.
The Red Headed Hostess always has great lesson packets as well. Here is the one for Lesson 6 or save some money and time with this combo packet.

The following are links to LDS.org resources unless otherwise stated.

Teacher Study

"'A Choice Seer Will I Raise Up'" by Elder Craig C. Christensen

"Scriptural Witnesses" by President Russell M. Nelson

Videos

Martin Harris and the Lost Pages (about 3 minutes)- Illustrated scripture story of Martin Harris taking the 116 pages of the translated Book of Mormon.

The Work of God (13 1/2 minutes)- Martin Harris tells a boy the story of the lost 116 pages.

The Sting of the Scorpion (about 3 minutes)- A boy learns about the importance of obedience after getting stung by a scorpion.

Wrong Roads (about 4 minutes)- Jeffrey R. Holland tells the story of praying to know which road to take.

Music

"The Golden Plates"- Children's Songbook pg. 86

"I Want to Live the Gospel"- Children's Songbook pg. 148

"Keep the Commandments"- Children's Songbook pg. 146

"Seek the Lord Early"-Children's Songbook pg. 108

"I Pray in Faith"-Children's Songbook pg. 14

"Repentance"- Children's Songbook pg. 98

Additional Scripture References

Prayer in The Guide to the Scriptures

My Primary 5 Lesson 6 Handout Packet includes

Decoder circle- Cut out the two circles. The larger circle has a black rectangle in the middle- cut out the middle of that rectangle. Attach the two together with a brad placing the smaller circle underneath. Be sure to align it so as you spin the bottom circle, it will show the letter it equals. This means they will have to figure out the rest of the code- study it out- before the can decode it all (You can also attach the smaller circle on top and skip the rectangle cut out so it's easier to figure out which letter equals what but it will not line up exactly if you do it this way). Use this circle as a translating activity for your class. Write a message on the board that fits you code. Ask your class to read it and tell you what it means. After they can't, give them the decoder circle so they can then figure it out. Compare it to how Joseph Smith had to study things out and be in tune to the Spirit in order to translate correctly. If you have extra time at the end of class, you can have your class make up new codes.
Journal Page with a code for D&C 3:1
You may also want to try out some of these other decoding activities from LDS.org- Crack the Code, Morse Code Mystery, Valentine Day Cryptograms.
2 quote posters to go with Enrichment Activity #3- both are available in black & white or color

Print Handouts