CHURCH RESTORATION 200-Year Celebration Since the First Vision
Daily Activities Countdown (this can be done anytime, but was originally for the 2020 April general conference)
In the LDS Living Magazine, the Prophet Russell M. Nelson suggested we get ready for the 200th year celebration to the beginning of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in these latter-days and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and Restoration of the Church again upon the earth. The celebration takes place this coming April General Conference. In the article SHOWN HERE ⇒ we can prepare daily for the General Conference coming up to celebrate this event: Article entitled: Countdown to Conference with “The Road of the Restoration” a Daily Activity Based Advent (go HERE download the pdf). The following will help you create daily activities that we have designed to help you and your family prepare for this CELEBRATION.
Remember: This Daily Activities Countdown (can be done anytime, but was originally for the 2020 April general conference)
Each day of the week is tied to a specific activity:
- Sunday Scripture: Read a passage of scripture
- Monday Movie: Watch a video
- Tuesday Talk: Study a general conference talk
- Wednesday Walk with God: Pray about a specific aspects
- Thursday Think: Ponder the blessings of the Restoration
- Friday Feelings: Record your thoughts, testimony, or feelings
- Saturday Share: Share your feelings
Below Find Gospel Grab Bag Activities to Match ⇓
Help youth learn the story of the First Vision how Joseph Smith as a boy read James 1:5 to learn he should “ask of God” going to the Sacred Grove to pray. Here Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father appeared to him. This is called the First Vision. Have youth tell the story in JSH 1:14-20, 25 (below) using the story cards or play a match game.
The Question (week 1)
Sunday: Read Joseph Smith—History 1:5–14. He determines to seek wisdom as directed by James (download James 1:5 scripture poster/card set HERE or below. Also, download JSH 1:17 First Vision scripture poster/card set HERE or below)
Monday: Watch “Patterns of Light: Spirit of Revelation (HERE or below).” (download the ColorQuote: “Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give guidance and inspiration from on high.” – Elder Richard G. Scott HERE or below)
Tuesday: Study “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives” by President Russell M. Nelson. “Through personal revelation, you can receive your own witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that this is the Lord’s Church.“ (see Video below)
Wednesday: Ask God a question that has been in your heart. Thursday: “How do you hear Him?” Watch President Nelson share this question in the video below.
Friday: Record a time God has answered one of your prayers. Saturday: Share a question you are trying to find the answer to with a friend or family member.
#HearHim: President Nelson Invites Us to Hear the Voice of the Lord
Friday, March 6: Record a time God has answered one of your prayers. Saturday, March 7: Share a question you are trying to find the answer to with a friend or family member.
“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives” by President Russell M. Nelson
DOWNLOAD SONG VISUALS below to teach the words (songs relate to “The First Vision”:
The Vision (March 8–14)
Sunday, March 8: Read two of the nine known firsthand and secondhand accounts of the First Vision. (download the “First Vision” Post-and-Present Activity HERE or below) Monday, March 9: Watch video “Ask of God: Joseph Smith’s First Vision.” (below) Tuesday, March 10: Study video “The Fruits of the First Vision” by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf. (below) Wednesday, March 11: Pray about an aspect of the First Vision you want a stronger testimony of. (download “The First Vision” movable scene HERE or below) Thursday, March 12: “How have the events that followed the First Vision made a difference for me and my loved ones?” (Quoted from President Nelson’s general conference talk.) Friday, March 13: Record your testimony of the First Vision. (download “My Conversion to the Gospel” Journal HERE or below) Saturday, March 14: Share with a friend or family how you gained a testimony of the First Vision. (download D&C 76:22 scripture poster/card HERE or below)
The Book (March 15–21)
Sunday, March 15: Read the Testimony of the Three Witnesses, the Testimony of the Eight Witnesses, and the Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Monday, March 16: Watch VIDEO “God’s Words Never Cease: The Bible, the Book of Mormon, and Continuing Revelation.” (HERE or below) Tuesday, March 17: Study “The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion” by President Ezra Taft Benson. JOSEPH SMITH’S TESTIMONY: Joseph Smith, who translated the gold plates from which the Book of Mormon came, had this to say: “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” (History of the Church, 4:461.) See Book of Mormon Teacher Resource Manual. (download “A Marvelous Work and a Wonder” scripture scholar pop-up to place in scriptures HERE or below) Wednesday, March 18: Pray for an increased testimony of the Book of Mormon. (download the “Two Testaments of Jesus Christ puzzle [Bible and Book of Mormon] Post-and-Present Activity HERE or below) Thursday, March 19: “How would my life be different if my knowledge gained from the Book of Mormon were suddenly taken away?” (Quoted from President Nelson’s general conference talk.) Friday, March 20: Record your testimony of the Book of Mormon. (download Scripture Specs hep me see my way to heaven [Bible and Book of Mormon glasses] HERE or below) Saturday, March 21: Share your favorite verse from the Book of Mormon on social media or in a message to a friend or family member. (download Moroni 10:32 scripture poster/card set HERE or below)
The Priesthood (March 22–28)
Sunday, March 22: Read Doctrine and Covenants 13 and Doctrine and Covenants 27:7–8, 12. Bonus: Read Doctrine and Covenants 25, 84, and 107. (download Articles of Faith 1:5 scripture poster/card set about the Priesthood to memorize HERE or below) Monday, March 23: Watch “Priesthood Keys: The Restoration of Priesthood Keys or Barbara Morgan Gardner’s 5-minute Fireside: Women and Priesthood Power.” (see videos below) Tuesday, March 24: Study “We Can Do Better and Be Better” or “Spiritual Treasures” both by President Russell M. Nelson. (see videos and activities below) Wednesday, March 25: Pray to understand more about priesthood power. Thursday, March 26: How would the Church be different without priesthood power? (download “Lost-and-Found Treasures” Post-and-Present Activity HERE or below) Friday, March 27: Record your thoughts on the blessings of the priesthood in your life. (download “Priesthood Power blesses my life!” Letter of Appreciation HERE or below) Saturday, March 28: Share with someone what the priesthood means to you.
Study “We Can Do Better and Be Better” or by President Russell M. Nelson. Quote From Talk: “I bless you with the courage to repent daily and learn how to exercise full priesthood power. I bless you to communicate the love of the Savior to your wife and children and to all who know you. I bless you to do better and be better. And I bless you that as you make these efforts, you will experience miracles in your life.” (download “Smooth-Sailing Family: Lovey’s Landing S.O.S. Game HERE or below – of which repentance, faith, prayer, forgiveness are discussed)
Study “Spiritual Treasures” both by President Russell M. Nelson. Quote from Talk: “The heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God’s power flowing from their priesthood covenants as they are to men who bear the priesthood. I pray that truth will register upon each of your hearts because I believe it will change your life. Sisters, you have the right to draw liberally upon the Savior’s power to help your family and others you love.” (download “Priesthood Power Blessing Guessing” Game HERE or below)
How would the Church be different without priesthood power?
Record your thoughts on the blessings of the priesthood in your life.
The Prophet (March 29–April 4)
Sunday, March 29: Read Doctrine and Covenants 21. (download “Praise to the Man D&C 135:3 John Taylor quote about Joseph Smith HERE or below) Monday, March 30: Watch “Listen to a Prophet’s Voice.” See video below. Tuesday, March 31: Study “The Prophet of God” by Elder Neil L. Andersen. See video below Wednesday, April 1: Prepare for conference weekend by asking God a question you are seeking an answer to. (download “Sweet Words from the prophets and apostles!” Sweet Words Buzz Session HERE or below) Thursday, April 2: How has having a latter-day prophet blessed your life? (download the “I am showered with blessings when I follow the prophet!” Guessing Game Post-and-Present HERE or below) Friday, April 3: Record your testimony of Latter-day prophets and the ongoing Restoration. (download the “Prophet Ponder” Journal HERE or below) Saturday, April 4: Watch general conference.
Study “The Prophet of God” by Elder Neil L. Andersen
