One Small Step of FaithStudent Reading Handout for Scene 1

From small beginnings great things come to pass.

In the Spring of 1820 a boy stepped . . .

into a quiet grove looking for answers .

A seed of faith had been nurtured in the soil of western New York.

In time it would blossom and then bear fruit.

It would grow to fill the earth.

Millions would find renewed faith in Jesus Christ . . .

all from one small step of faith.

©2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures ©2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 1

1,000,000s

1. How do great things come to pass?

3. Where did the boy go?

5. What had been nurtured in the soil of western New York?

6. In time what would happen?

2. When was a boy looking for answers?

7. What would the seed of faith grow to fill?

8. Who would find renewed faith?

10. All from what?

4. Why did he go?

9. In whom would they find renewed faith?

A n s w e r s1. From small beginnings.2. In the Spring of 1820.3. Into a quiet grove.4. He went looking for answers.5. A seed of faith.6. It would blossom and then bear fruit.7. The earth.8. Millions.9. In Jesus Christ.10. One small step of faith.

Born of Goodly ParentsStudent Reading Handout for Scene 2

Joseph! Help! I'm stuck. Ugh.

I slipped.

I was born in the year 1805, of goodly parents who spared no pains in instructing me in the Christian religion.

Thank you, Catherine. Yesterday we were reading in the Gospel of John. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Remember, children, there isno other way to salvation except through Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord, at the end of this day we gather together as a family in prayer to thank thee for the many blessings that we receive at thy hand.

©2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures ©2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 2

2. What happened?

1. What’s the matter?

3. When was Joseph born? 4. What kind of parents?

5. Instruction in what religion?

6. Where were they reading yesterday?

7. What did God give the world?

8. Those who believe in him will have what?

9. There is no other way to salvation except through whom?

10. How are they gathered?A n s w e r s1. I’m stuck.2. I slipped.3. In the year 1805.4. Goodly parents.5. The Christian Religion.6. In the Gospel of John.7. His only begotten son.8. Everlasting life.9. Jesus Christ.10. As a family.11. To give thanks for their many blessings.

11. Why are they gathered together?

What Does Saved Mean?Student Reading Handout for Scene 3

Father was obliged to labor hard for the support of a large family.

"Pull it out; pull it out now!"

"Look out, boys, here it comes!"

Remember, horse high and hog tight.

It required the exertions of all who were able to render any assistance.

At an early age my mind became seriously impressed with regard to the welfare of my soul.

There was, in the place where we lived, an unusual excitement onthe subject of religion. Great multitudes united themselves to the different religious parties, which created no small stir among the people, some contending for one faith, some for another.

"And they are as stubblebefore the wind . . . Brother,have you been saved? Have you? How many of you have been saved?"

What does saved mean? I'd like to know that myself.

©2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures ©2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 3

1. Who was obliged to labor hard?

3. Look where? Why?

6. What did it require?

7. What happened at an early age?

8. What was happening in the place where he lived?

4. How high?5. How tight?

9. What would they like toknow?

A n s w e r s1. Father.2. For the support of a large family.3. Look out! Here it comes!4. Horse high5. Hog tight.6. The assistance of all.7. My mind became seriously impressed.8. An unusual excitement on the subject of religion.9. What saved means.

2. Why?

Ask And Ye Shall ReceiveStudent Reading Handout for Scene 4

“Now God has told us repeatedly in holy writ, that fallen man cannot be saved.”

“Only God can rescue us, but unless he wills it so, it cannot be.”

“Who will reach out for His mighty hand if he offers it?”

“The grace of God is sufficient to save all sinners. So Brethren and Sisters, do you have faith, and are you willing to show the Lord the evidence of your faith?”

Father . . . Yeah?

How will we I don't reckon Godknow if we intends to save just aare saved? few of his children, Joseph,

but I do believe you can know where ya stand.

Remember what the Bible says . . . ask, and ye shall receive? If we ask in faith, God will show us what to do.

©2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures ©2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 4

1. What has God told us repeatedly?

2. Who only can rescue us?

3. Unless He wills it so, what happens?

5. What are you willing to show the Lord?

4. For what will you reach out?

6. What does Joseph’s father reckon?

7. What does Joseph’s father reckon?

8. What happens when you ask in faith?

A n s w e r s1. That fallen man cannot be saved.2. Only God can rescue us.3. It cannot be.4. For His mighty hand.5. Evidence of my faith.6. God intends to save all his children.7. That youå can know where you stand.8. God will show us what to do.

How Can We Know?Student Reading Handout for Scene 5

Why doesn't Father come?

Father has a lot of faith. He just shows it differently than some folks.

“Now, if you embrace wrong doctrine and unite with a corrupt church, you can expect coldness and darkness all of your life. You must inquire as to which denomination comes

nearest to the truth, and that is the church with which you must unite.”

But how can we know which doctrine is right?

We must obtain from God that knowledge which man cannot give . . . or take away.

©2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures ©2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 5

1. What does father have?

2. How does he show it?3. If you embrace wrong doctrine, what can you expect?

4. What must you inquire about?

5. How can we know which is right?

A n s w e r s1. A lot of faith.2. Differently than some folks.3. Coldness and darkness all of your life.4. Which denomination comes nearest to the truth.5. We must ask of God.

One Lord and One FaithStudent Reading Handout for Scene 6

The Bible teaches there is one Lord and Then why do doctrinesone faith, Joseph. disagree?

We need to strive to But shouldn't there befind the answer that one answer that's right is right for us. for everyone?

So great were the confusion and strife among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a person young as I was to come to any certain conclusion who was right and who was wrong.

There. See, that's how it's done.

“Fellow citizens of Palmyra. Today we celebrate the anniversary of our freedom. Freedom purchased with t h e blood and tears of our own comrades.”

Joseph, keep your eye on things. I'm going to fetch more gingerbread.

You haven't been coming to church, Joseph.

I'm trying to do what you said . . . decide which doctrine is right.

I see, well . . . beware of pride, boy. Your eternal soul is at stake.

©2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures ©2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 6

1. What does the Bible teach?

2. What about doctrines?

3. Why do we need to strive? 4. What kind of answer should there be?

5. Where were the confusion and strife.

6. What was impossible for a person young as Joseph?

7. To come to any certain conclusion about what?

A n s w e r s1. There is one Lord and one faith.2. Doctrines disagree.3. To find the answer that is right for us.4. One answer that’s right for everyone.5. Among the different denominations.6. To come to any certain conclusion.7. Who was right and who was wrong.8. The anniversary of their freedom.

8. What are they celebrating?

9. Where is Joseph’s mother going?

9. To fetch more gingerbread.10. Your eternal soul is at stake.11. Decide which doctrine is right.

10. What is at stake?

11. What is Joseph trying to do?

Joseph, You Worry too MuchStudent Reading Handout for Scene 7

Considering that God could not bethe author of so much confusion, "Thy word is aI determined to lamp unto my feetinvestigate the and a light untosubject more fully. my path."

Joseph, you worry Just tryin' to dotoo much. what's right, Alvin.

I know.

During this time of great excitement, my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness. Still, I kept myself aloof from all these parties, though I attended their meetings as often as occasion would permit.

"Ask, and it shall be given you. "Seek, and ye shall find."

"knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

©2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures ©2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 7

1. Of what could God not be the author?

2. What did Joseph determine to do?

3. What is thy word?

4. According to Alvin, what does Joseph do too much?

5. According to Joseph, what is he just trying to do?

6. What kind of time was this.

7. Whose mind was called up to serious reflection?

8. Although Joseph kept himself aloof, what did he attend as often as occasion would permit?

9. What will be given to you if you ask, seek, and knock?

A n s w e r s1. Of so much confusion.2. To investigate the subject more fully.3. It’s a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.4. He worries too much.5. Just trying to do what’s right.6. A time of great excitement.7. Joseph’s mind.8. He attended their meetings.9. The truth.

The Only Real Answers Come from GodStudent Reading Handout for Scene 8

"For everyone that asketh, receiveth.""And he that seeketh, findeth."

It's time to go, boys.Come on.

"To believe that God answers prayers is to believe that he does not govern, but is governed by the prayers of men."

"I contend that God's given unto each and everyone of us the ability to think . . . to reason for ourselves."

In the midst of this war of words and opinions, I often said to myself, "What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right, and how shall I know it?"

So, what do you think?Well, Father says the only real answers come from God.

The good Lord answers in his own way, Joseph, and in his own time, but he does answer.

©2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures ©2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 8

1. Who receives?

2. And who finds?3. What time is it?

4. According to the preacher, what is it to believe that God answers prayers?

5. But is governed by what?

6. What does the preacher contend?

7. What did Joseph often say to himself?

8. What does Father say?

9. When and how does the Lord answer?

A n s w e r s1. Everyone that asks.2. He that seeks.3. It’s time to go boys.4. That He does not govern.5. The prayers of men.6. That God’s given unto each and everyone of us the ability to think and reason for ourselves.7. What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right, and how shall I know it?8. The only real answers come from God.9. In his own way and in his own time.

Let Him Ask of GodStudent Reading Handout for Scene 9

"If ye, then, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith."

Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart.

I reflected on it again and again,knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did, for how to act I did not know.

"The Almighty is telling us that our eternal salvation . . ."

The teachers of religion understood the same passage of scripture so differently, as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by appeal to the Bible.

At length, I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs . . ., that is, ask of God.

©2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures ©2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 9

A n s w e r s1. How go give good gifts.2. To our children.3. To them that ask.4. Ask God.5. To all men.6. The passage of scripture.7. Differently.8. All confidence.9. To ask of God.

1. What do you know about gifts?

3. To whom will God give good things?

2. To whom?

4. If you lack wisdom, whom do you ask?

5. To whom does God give liberally?

6. What seemed to enterJoseph’s heart with great force?

7. How did the techers of religion understand the same passage of scripture?

8. What did it destroy in Joseph?

9. What did Joseph conclude at length?

I Saw a Pillar of LightStudent Reading Handout for Scene 10

"Oh how lovely was the morning, radiant beamed the sun above. Bees were humming, sweet birds singing, music ringing through the grove. When within the shady woodland, Joseph sought the God of love."

After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart.

I saw a pillar of light above the brightness of the sun which descended gradually until it fell upon me. And the light rested upon me. I saw two personages whose brightness and glory defy all description.

One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other,

"Joseph, this is my beloved son, hear him."

"Joseph's humble prayer was answered,and he listened to the Lord . . ."

My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right. I was answered that I must join none of them. And many other things did he say unto me.

Mother!

©2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures ©2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 10

A n s w e r s1. To the place where he had previously designed to go. 2. He kneeled down and offered the desires of his heart.3. He saw a pillar of light.4. It descended gradually.5. The light rested upon him.6. He saw two personages.7. One of them.8. To join none of the sects.

1 . To where did Joseph retire?

2 . Once alone, what did he do?

3 . What did he see?

4 . What happened with the pillar?5 . Where did the

light come to r e s t ?

6 . Whom did Joseph see?

7 . Who spoke to Joseph?

8 . What did the Lord tell J o seph?

I Had Beheld a VisionStudent Reading Handout for Scene 11

There are no such things as visions and revelations in these days.

I don't blame anyone for not believing my history. If I had not experienced what I have, I would not believe it myself.

Whoa!

It was, nevertheless, a fact that I had beheld a vision. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two personages, and they did in reality speak to me.

I knew it, and I knew that God knew it,

and I could not deny it.

©2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures ©2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 11

1. According to the preacher, what does not exist these days?

A n s w e r s1. Visions and revelations.2. For not believing his history.3. He would not believe it himself.4. That he had beheld a vision.5. A light.6. He saw two personages.7. They spoke to him?8. Because he knew it, and he knew that God knew it.

2. For what does Joseph not blame anyone?

3. What if Joseph had not experienced what he had?

4. Nevertheless, what was a fact?

6. And in the midst of that light, what did he see?

5. What had he actually seen?

7. And what did they do?

8. And why could he not deny it?

The Lord Restored His ChurchStudent Reading Handout for Scene 12

The truth of any work can be seen in the blessings which flow from it. Joseph had been called of God. He had a work to do. Through him the Lord revealed new scripture, a record which contained a fullness of the Gospel.

There shall be no other name given whereby . . .

It was translated through the gift and power of God.

Only in and through the name of Christ . . .And published as the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ."And if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, having faith in Christ,

He will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power ofthe Holy Ghost . . .

and by the power of the Holy Ghostye may know the truth of all things."

Through His living prophet, the Lord restored His Church. The fullness of the gospel was available again in beautiful simplicity.

"Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith Jr., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave unto him

commandments, that the fullness of my Gospel might be proclaimed unto the ends of the world."

©2008 Glen W. Probst & Von G. Packard Script & Pictures ©2004 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Scene 12

A n s w e r s1. In the blessings which flow from it.2. Of God.3. He had a work to do.4. New Scripture.5. A record which contained a fullness of the Gospel.6. Through the gift and power of God.7. As the Book of Mormon.8. Through His living prophet Joseph Smith.

1 . How can the truth of any work be seen?

2 . Of whom had Joseph been called?

3 . What had he to do?4 . What did the Lord

reveal through him?

5 . What kind of record?

6 . How was it translated?

7 . How was it pub l i shed?

8 . How did the Lord restore His Church?