Joseph Smith’s First Prayer

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Use Susan Fitch’s First Vision illustrations to create a puppet show to teach the hymn, Joseph Smith’s First Prayer in singing time!  This can easily be accomplished for a home-centered, virtual or live singing time!

Camille's Primary Ideas: Joseph Smith's First Prayer Singing Time Idea using stick puppets

Great news!

These images are from Susan Fitch’s Etsy shop.  However, if you are subscribed to my monthly Singing Time Schedule To-Go, everything is included in January 2021’s subscription!!  Check out more details here:

Camille's Primary Ideas: Susan Fitch Church History Kits

Otherwise, you can purchase Susan Fitch’s First Vision clip art from her Etsy shop HERE.  The First Vision set doesn’t contain the bees humming and and birds singing.  She drew those specifically for me so I could share them with you!  Those printables are available in my Resource Library. Instructions for accessing my Resource Library are found at the bottom of this post.

I suggest printing the pictures on card stock, laminating and attaching to a craft stick using tape.

Then wherever your primary may be, have them participate in a puppet show as they listen to and/or sing along to Joseph Smith’s First Prayer using:

  • Sing-Along app or HERE
  • Music found on churchofjesuschrist.org HERE
  • Piano with words posted HERE

Virtual Puppet Show

Now, if you are doing a virtual singing time, I suggest a little prep: pass out (or email) one prop to all the children in your primary before singing time.  Then they can all participate when their visual is sung by showing it to the camera.

Here’s when each prop can be used during the song:

  • Oh how lovely was the morning, radiant beamed the sun above:  Grove image (can stay up throughout)
  • Bees were humming: bees humming
  • Sweet birds singing: birds singing
  • Music ringing through the grove: both birds and bees
  • When within the shady woodland Joseph sought the God of love: Joseph praying
  • Humbly kneeling, sweet appealing Twas the boy’s first uttered prayer: Joseph praying
  • When the pow’rs of sin assailing filled his soul with deep despair: black cloud
  • But undaunted, still he trusted in his Heavenly father’s care: Joseph praying
  • Suddenly a light descended brighter far than noonday sun: grove with beam of light (can stay up throughout – replace other grove)
  • And a shining glorious pillar o’er him fell around him shone: Joseph praying
  • While appeared two heavenly beings God the Father and the Son: Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ
  • Entire 4th verse is Joseph praying & Heavenly Father & Jesus

Home Centered Puppet Show

If you have home centered singing time, families can create a video of their puppet show and share it with your ward somehow, their extended families or on their own social media platforms.

Definitions

I also suggest defining the uncommon words.  Joseph Smith’s First Prayer is full of large words we don’t regularly use.  Have the children listen closely for these words in the song that will help give clues as to their definition:

  • Radiant: sending out light; shining or glowing brightly.
  • Grove: a small wood, orchard, or group of trees.
  • Sought: attempt to find (something).
  • Appealing: (of an expression or tone of voice) that one wants help or sympathy.
  • Uttered: make (a sound) with one’s voice.
  • Assailing: make a concerted or violent attack on.
  • Despair: the complete loss or absence of hope.
  • Descended: move or fall downward.
  • Pillar: a tall vertical structure.
  • Beloved: dearly loved.
  • Rapture: a feeling of intense pleasure or joy.
  • Bosom: the human chest.

Repeat the puppet show using new puppeteers.

The First Vision Video

If a puppet show is too much, simply have your kids watch the video of the First Vision:

This one is also good:

Bear testimony that you know Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that day as he knelt in a grove of trees.

Coloring Pages

These coloring pages were shared HERE on the Primary Music Leaders Facebook page to also help teach this song.  Thanks Elaine for sharing!!

Make sure to check out all my other singing time lesson plans and helps for teaching 2021 Music for Singing Time HERE.

Camille's Primary Ideas: Digital Playlist Doctrine & Covenants 2021 for Singing Time

Check out this quick tutorial video for accessing the Resource Library:

These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Song Title > Joseph Smith’s First Prayer.

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Singing time just got even easier!  With my Singing Time To-Go, all you have to do is print!  Be prepared for the entire month – every month!

Camille's Primary Ideas: Singing Time To-Go Membership

14 thoughts on “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer”

  1. I am part of the primary on the goal and can’t find the Susan finch pictures for Joseph Smith’s first prayer. I found the bees buzzing and birds singing. Do you have the other images or do I need to go the Susan’s site and order them? That is fine, it just seemed that you were available with the on the go purchase

    1. Hi Anita!

      Where you are looking is in my Resource Library that contains just the bees and birds. You must login to my Singing Time Schedule To-Go page to get the rest as part of your membership. I’ll email you the link directly. I hope that helps!

      ~Camille

  2. I’ve signed up and logged in for the monthly subscription, but I cannot find the link to download the images for joseph smith’s first prayer: joseph kneeling, grove, dark cloud, etc. Can you help?

    1. Hi Amber

      Thank you for subscribing! You login to my Singing Time Schedule To-Go page to get the rest of the images as part of your membership. I’ll email you the link directly. I hope that helps!

      ~Camille

  3. Tami Halvorson

    Hi! I’m a member and I’m having a hard time accessing the visuals for Joseph Smith’s First Prayer. I have tried doing it the way you suggested to others👆🏻… but still not working for me. Could you send me a direct link as well?? Thanks for all your amazing resources! Love being a subscribed member!!

  4. Hi Camille, I am having trouble accessing the puppets for Joseph Smith’s First Prayer. I have tried the steps you have suggested to others above but I am still not able to access them. Help!

    1. Hi Camille!

      (Love your name, by the way!). The printables are filed under January’s singing time schedule. I’ll email you the direct link.

      ~Camille

  5. Dear Camille,
    I was so excited to find your site. However, I am feeling frustrated as I have been unable to find the puppets to Joseph Smith’s first Vision. Additionally, the lesson plan for “I am Like a Star” has been non retrievable for the last several days. I would appreciate any help you can give me.
    Gratefully,
    sheri DeCarlo

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