Joseph Smith’s First Vision

Learning and Living the Gospel #2 ~ Give a family home evening lesson on Joseph Smith’s First Vision (see Joseph Smith – History 1:1-20). Discuss how Heavenly Father answer our sincere prayers.

Due to this year is the Faith in God year for me and my children, especially Issac whom are going to turn 12 coming November.

I was very anxious about all the activities which needed to be fulfilled, and I was doing a lot of online research on the specific topics early of the year.

It was quite difficult for me to teach and let the kids understand the event of Joseph Smith’s First Vision.

Last March, I was thinking a lot about Joseph Smith’s First Vision, as I first watched the video in the Primary Sharing time. And I was inspired to prepare the lesson for the Faith In God Program for both Issac and Annabelle.

Personally I love this video clip very much. It tells about Joseph Smith’s search for truth led to the First Vision and the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The scripts or the chosen words in the video is actually taken from the Joseph Smith History 1: 1 – 20, and almost the exact scripture.

We can really feel the truthfulness and Joseph Smith’s pure heart in doing the Lord’s work in this last dispensation.

After watching the video clip, Issac and Annabelle try the Joseph Smith First Vision Quiz, there are total about 20 questions in it. Both of them answered most of the questions correctly.

At the same time, we were preparing coloured cut out pictures of the First Vision which we found in the Church Friend Magazine website to use in their upcoming Family Home Evening lesson:

• Joseph Talking to Preacher

In the town where Joseph lived, there was a great deal of excitement about religion. There were many preachers from many different churches.

Each said that he had the truth and tried to convince people to join his church. Joseph wondered which of the churches he should join.

He asked himself, “What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?” (Joseph Smith –History 1:10)

• Joseph Reading the Bible

One day Joseph read in the Bible, “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” (James 1:5).

Joseph decided to do what the scripture said.

He decided to ask Heavenly Father which church was right so that he would know which one he should join.

• The Grove

Joseph had never prayed out loud before. He decided to go to a grove of trees near his home to ask Heavenly Father his questions.

On a beautiful spring morning, he walked into the grove, looked around to be sure that he was alone, and knelt down in prayer.

• Joseph Kneeling and Praying

As he began his prayer, a terrible feeling of darkness surrounded him. It was so strong that he thought it was going to destroy him!

Joseph prayed with all his heart to Heavenly Father for help, to be saved from this evil power.

• Joseph Looking Up to the Sky

Joseph later said, “Just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me…

I saw two personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling by name and said, pointing to the other – This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Joseph Smith – History 1:16-17)

• Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

The two Heavenly Beings were Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

The Savior told Joseph that he should not join any of the churches because they were all wrong.

When the pillar of light and the Heavenly Being left, Joseph was lying on his back. Joseph returned home with peace and joy.

Later he received visits from other heavenly messengers, translated Book of Mormon, helped to restore the gospel on earth, organized the Church and built the first temple.

• Joseph Smith’s Testimony

When Joseph told others about his vision, they made fun of him. Ministers of other religions persecuted him, even though he was only a boy. “There are no such things as visions anymore! You’re either lying or you’ve been deceived by the devil.”

Joseph never denied his testimony. He said, “Though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true;... For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it.”

We actually split this lesson to two different days. The children taking their tune in practising their Family Home Evening lesson by retelling the event of the First Vision. Then we came into second part of the lesson.

The second part of the lesson is discussion of How Heavenly Father answer our sincere prayer?

I shared with both children that, we too, can go to Heavenly Father in prayer and receive answers to important questions in our lives.

Just like Joseph Smith’s prayer, our prayers will be heard and answered when we sincerely speak to Heavenly Father.

Sometimes the answer may be No, because what we have asked for would not be best for us.

Sometimes the answer is Yes, and we have a comfort, warm feeling about what we should do.

Sometimes the answer is “Wait for Awhile.” Our prayers are always answered at a time and in a way that the Lord knows will help us the most.

Individuals may be inspired to perform acts that will answer our prayers. Sometimes the Lord answers our prayers through other people - a good friend, a husband or wife, a parent or other family member, a church leader, a missionary — any of these individuals may be inspired to perform acts that will answer our prayers.

Often God gives us the power to help answer our own prayers. As we pray for help, we should do all we can to bring about the things we desire.

And, it concluded our lesson on Joseph Smith’s First Vision. Hope this lesson will strengthen Issac and Annabelle’s understanding and most importantly is their own testimony of this event.

As President Joseph F. Smith said: “The greatest event that has ever occurred in the world, since the resurrection of the Son of God from the tomb and his ascension on high, was the coming of the Father and of the Son to that boy Joseph Smith. … Having accepted this truth, I find it easy to accept of every other truth that [Joseph Smith] … declared” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. pp. 495–96).

Father & Son Zzz…

Both Issac and Alvin were so tired after their school and work. And, I am in charged of driving them home!    

Daddy Childhood Homes 22 Apr 2017

During our short trip to Sibu last week, Daddy did drive the rented car to look for his childhood homes. He still can remember the places clearly. One of the purposes of this trip, is to let us see where are Daddy’s old houses too ^^

The 1st house where Daddy was born is at Brooke Drive. It is a semi-detached double storey house, where there is a big tree at the back of the garden. Daddy stayed there until he was 11 years old, Standard 5.

1st House at Brooke Drive, Sibu.

The 2nd house which Daddy stayed before is located at Rejang Park. It is a corner double storeys link house with bigger compound where they can play. Actually the Rejang Park was developed by Papa himself. Daddy stayed there around 1 to 2 years only, after that moved to 2 1/2 Miles Jalan Ulu Oya.

2nd House at Rejang Park, Sibu.

Later the 3rd house which are located at 2 1/2 Miles Jalan Ulu Oya. It was quite a big land where Papa built a bricks and wooden house at one of the corner of the land. Daddy spent his secondary school days here onwards, and helping Mama in her selling noodles bussiness. Until, he graduated from high school and pursuit his further studies at Kuala Lumpur in Quantity Surveying discipline.

The house is still the same as previously. The only thing is that now the house have became an office for a heavy machinery repair company’s office.

3rd House at 2 1/2 Miles Jalan Ulu Oya, Sibu.

After, which Daddy drove us to a Chinese Temple. We did not go in but looked it from a far. It was the temple whereby Daddy spent his childhood days when he was following Papa to the temple frequently for some ceremony or praying rituals.

Daddy was surprised too as the temple now has become bigger, as it was a very small temple only during he was young.

Well, this trip not only the enjoyable one, we have tasted some Sibu delicacies or Sibu special food that only can be tasted there. We have seen Daddy’s childhood places and homes that he lived before ^^

Good Manners & Courtesy School ~ Table Manners Classroom

The final and last session of the Good Manners & Courtesy School is the Table Manners Classroom.

This has some dining tips and also a map of how to set the table. I found some of the table settings guidelines from the website: Basic Table Setting, Informal Table Setting and Formal Table Setting.

Generally there is a few Guidelines while eating at a Nice Restaurant:

• No one should begin eating until everyone at the table has been served, except at a buffet or long banquet table, and then wait for those immediately around you.
• Start using silverware at the outside and work in toward plate. Largest spoon is soup spoon. Silverware you have used is NEVER put on table (could stain cloth).
• Hold forks and spoons like a pencil, not a shovel.
• Do not blow on food to cool.
• NO SLURPING or GULPING sounds. SHHHH
• You are obligated to try everything.
• Take bites small enough to be chewed and swallowed in a short time
• Chicken, fries, bread to soak up gravy – use utensil, not fingers unless no utensils are provided

DON’T DRAW ATTENTION TO ANYTHING UNPLEASANT:

• Wipe lips with napkin before drinking (no grease on rim of glass)
• Never touch or style your hair at the table.
• If you must leave the table during dinner, do so without a big explanation.
• Inedible meat, shell, bones etc.: Keep chin level, use thumb and forefinger to quickly remove from mouth and place discretely on plate (never in napkin). Don’t look at anyone while doing it.

I would have the children practice setting up their own place using the proper format. We set the table with plates, cups, napkins and forks (you could do spoons and knives too) and had the children sit down.

I asked them what they should do with their napkins and then taught them how to properly use it.  While they were setting the table, we also discussed and acted out the scenario using good table manners at restaurant, party other than at home.

I am still thinking that we should have a proper meal at one of the restaurant these days, so that Issac and Annabelle able to put the theories we studied into practice and action.

We can have fun too while having our meal and lesson at the same time. Hope can plan it out as one of our weekend dinner ^^ together with Daddy!

Rajang Esplanade 22 Apr 2017

After our visit to the Tua Pek Kong Temple, we were walking back to our hotel through this waterfront walk.

The Rajang Esplanade is an attractively landscaped waterfront located along Rajang River.

Rajang Esplanade stretches from the Kingwood Hotel to Sibu Express Boat Passenger Terminal until Sibu Central Market.

Visitors can enjoy sunset scenery and riverfront view at Rajang Esplanade.

The Rajang Esplanade is an attractively landscaped waterfront promenade that stretches from the Express Boat Passenger Terminal to the Kingwood Hotel, and includes the Hii’s Association Playground.

Courting couples, anglers, al-fresco diners and sightseers flock here every evening to enjoy the riverfront scenery and view the Swan Statue, the emblem of Sibu.

It is an ideal place to relax or take an evening stroll. It is frequently used for cultural performances and public events.

It is located along Maju Road and strategically facing the mighty Sungai Rajang, the longest river in Malaysia.

It was soon to be rainy as we walked our way back to the Kingwood Hotel, thus we did not stop and wonder at the garden around.

Anyhow, we did take a photo of the signature Swan Statue just beside the river. And, it is really close to our hotel.

Tua Pek Kong Temple Sibu 22 Apr 2017

The 100-year old Tua Pek Kong Temple (Jalan Temple) is the oldest and best-preserved Chinese temple in Sibu.   

Tua Pek Kong Temple in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia is an icon of the town with its 7-storey pagoda.

Its history dates back to 1870. The temple is also known as Sibu Eng Ann Teng Tua Pek Kong Temple.

The history of the temple dates back to early 1870. In the 1871 Sarawak Gazette, it was recorded that there was a small wooden Chinese temple in Sibu and that was the Tua Peh Kong Temple.

In 1897, the temple was rebuilt into a typical Chinese temple designed with tiled roof, stone block floor and all the decorative purlin and fixtures which were imported from China.

The statue of Tua Pek Kong deity was specially sculptured and imported from Xiamen, China.

After the building was completed, the list of donors and details of expenditure were recorded in two pieces of stone tablet which are still well preserved in the temple.

The adjacent 7-storey Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) Pagoda was added in 1987, and is said to be one of the most perfectly proportioned pagodas outside Mainland China.

Visitors are welcome to climb its many steps to enjoy spectacular views of the Rajang and the Sibu Waterfront, especially at sunset.

The temple and its well known pagoda with a symbol of the sovereign and kindness of the deity for the worshipper and a prime tourist attraction for the town.

But, we were too tired to climb the pagoda. We were just wondering around just beside the temple ground.

We noticed that the “Tong Kang”s which parked along the jetty are more attractive than the Tua Pek Kong Temple.

Sibu Heritage Centre 22 Apr 2017

Sibu Heritage Centre is located in the central region of Sibu, in between Central Road and Wong Nai Siong Road. It is a center which gathers historical items, Sibu culture and economic activities and social.

We were there just in time to avoid the down pour. We spent almost an hour to explore the uniqueness of the building and information on Sibu culture and history. The entrance fee to Sibu Heritage Centre is free of charge.

The Sibu Heritage Centre housed in the former Sibu Municipal Council building, displays the rich cultural heritage of the various ethnic groups of the Central Region.

The Chinese in Sibu

Wong Nai Siong, leader who resettlement of Sibu

Christianity in Sibu

Opening Up Virgin Soil & Laying of Foundation 1901 – 1935 of Sibu

An exhibit at the museum includes the early beginnings of Sibu, the coming of early Chinese migrants from the various dialect groups and also those of the earliest ethnic tribes.

Prominent Orang Ulu Figures

Orang Ulu Traditional Items

Prominent Iban Figures

Iban Traditional Longhouse Model

Iban Traditional Homewares

Melanau

Melanau Traditional House Model

Also from Iban longhouses displaying genuine skulls which were hung, reflecting the tribes’ warrior past to the seafaring Melanaus’ tools and early signs of the Malay culture, this is a must see for visitors.

Another very impressive feature in the museum is its eye catching collection of Chinese porcelain and clay vases.

These vases, some of which carries with them great sentimental value to the owners, are by far the most tangible link, which the Chinese here have with Imperial China back then.

From time to time, new exhibits are added to give variety and keeping the museum up to date.

Visitors can view stuffed rare animals from around the world and those found in the heart of Borneo, such as the moon rat, the rhinoceros hornbill or even the gigantic Orang Utan.

It is a must visit place if you are at Sibu.