This year we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Joseph Smith.

Post or draw a large map of the eastern United States on a chalkboard.

Identify the following places:
Sharon, Vermont; Palmyra, New York; Harmony, Pennsylvania; Fayette, New York; Kirtland, Ohio; Nauvoo, Illinois; and Carthage, Illinois. (This could also be presented using a timeline instead of a map.)

Prepare the following pictures and written references to teach the life of Joseph Smith and put them in paper bags:

Bag 1—Birth:

• Primary picture 3–7,
• JS—H 1:3–4;

Bag 2—First Vision:

• GAK 403, JS—H 1:15–20,
• "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" (Hymns, no. 26);

Bag 3—Moroni:

• GAK 404
• 406, JS—H 1:29–35, 59;

Bag 4—Translating Book of Mormon:

• GAK 416, JS—H 1:61–67,
• "The Golden Plates" (p. 86);

Bag 5—Priesthood:

• GAK 407 and 408,
• JS—H 1:68–72,
• "The Priesthood Is Restored" (p. 89).

(Children who have scriptures published since 1999 will also have photographs and descriptions of many of these historical sites after the Index. You may want to include these references.)

Divide the children into five groups and give each group a bag.
Have them look up and discuss the scripture reference.
Invite each group to come up and post the picture on the map or timeline, role-play or give a brief summary of events, lead the song, and express how this event helps build their testimony that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the Restoration.

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For younger children:

Invite an adult member of the ward or branch to role-play the Prophet Joseph.
Using the map, pictures, and songs, share thesemajor events in the life of Joseph Smith.
Bear testimony of the Restoration and the role of the Prophet Joseph Smith