Preach My Gospel Lesson One

It would be wonderful in Family Home Evening, if you could each go through the five missionary lessons from Preach My Gospel.

The first lesson is entitled "The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ." On the cover of the missionary tract of the first lesson is a picture of the Savior holding a lost lamb.

There are 8 principle points of the first lesson. Perhaps in Family Home Evening you could cover just a few points each time.

Lesson Outline and key scriptures:

1. God is our loving Heavenly Father . In Romans 8:16-17 we read that the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. And if children, then heirs; heirs of GOd, and joint-heirs with Christ; if is so be that we suffer with him that we may be also glorified together.

Ask: What does it mean to you that God is your Heavenly Father?

2. The Gospel blesses families. Mosiah 2:41 says "And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of neverending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."

Ask: What are the blessings that you enjoy by being a member of a family?

3. Heavenly Father reveals His Gospel. In Amos 3:7 we read that "surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." This is the way God has always spoken to man.

Ask: What is the role of a prophet? Why is it important to know that God speaks to prophets?

4. Savior's earthly ministry. When Jesus lived on the earth, He established His Church. In Ephesians 2:19-20 we find a description of the Savior's church. "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God. And are buildt upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ helmself being the chief cornerstone. Verse 11 of Ephesians 4 gives additional details about the organization: "And he gave some apostles and some prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers."

Ask: How should the Church of Jesus Christ be organized today? What does it mean to have priesthood authority? (Matt. 10:1 and John 15:16).

5. The Great Apostacy. Following the death of the Savior, wicked people persecuted the members and leaders of His church. The apostles were killed and the priesthood authority was taken from the earth. Heavenly Father knew there would be an apostacy. In Amos 8:11-12 it is recorded that "Behold, the days come...that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thrist for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord...And (people) shall wander frm sea to sea, and form the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it."

Ask: What happened with the authority of Jesus Christ was lost? What were some the results found on the earth due to the apostacy?

6. The Restoration of the Gospel. In 1820, our Heavenly Father chose a prophet by the name of Joseph Smith to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ and the authority to act in His name. Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. In his own words, in Joseph Smith History 1:16-17 (Pearl of Great Price), we read "I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me...When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me inthe air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other--This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" The skies were not closed. Heavenly Father again spoke to His children. Through that young man, the Church of Jesus Christ that was previously taken from the earth was restored.

Ask: What does it mean to you that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored through Joseph Smith?

7. The Book of Mormon. In restoring His gospel, Heavenly Father brought forth the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus-Christ. By the power of God, Joseph Smith translated the book from gold plates that were given to him by the angel Moroni, one of the prophets who lived in the American continent shortly after the resurrection of the Savior. In the Doctrine and Covenants, Section 20: 9-11 is given a great description of the purpose of the Book of Mormon in the words of the Savior. The Book of Mormon "which contains a record of a fallen people, and the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and to the Jews also. Which was given by inspiration and is confirmed to others by the ministering of angels, and is declared unto the world by them--proving to the world that the holy scriptures are ture and that God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old."

Ask: What is the Book of Mormon? How is it a witness of Joseph Smith's calling as a prophet. (See Book of Mormon title page and introduction)

8. Pray to know the truth through the Holy Ghost. You can know that the gospel is true. If you ask Heavenly Father, as Joseph Smith did, you can receive an answer from Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost. In Moroni 10:4-5 is recorded "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Chirst, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Gost ye may know the truth of all things."

Ask: What is the role of the Holy Ghost? How would you describe what it feels like to receive personal revelation from the Holy Ghost?

Hint: The most effective way to learn about the gospel is to experience the gospel. Having homework as a result of lessons is one of the most effective ways to remember the principles and doctrines taught.