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Scripture Story Sketch Notes · Acts 6:1–15; Acts 7:51–60

Stephen
Full of Faith

“Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” Acts 7:56

A man called to care for widows, a face like an angel, a bold testimony, the heavens opened, and a prayer for the people throwing stones. Walk with Stephen and look up.

Walk with Stephen ↓ Read Acts 6:1–15 and Acts 7:51–60 first
Hand-drawn doodle map of Acts 6–7: Apostles laying hands on seven men, a man in a coral robe helping widows and the poor, accusers whispering, a council hall, the man testifying, the heavens opening above him, cloaks laid at a young man’s feet, and the man kneeling outside the city wall.

Before you begin

The story in brief

As the Church grew, some widows were being overlooked in the daily care. The Apostles asked the members to choose seven men “of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom,” and laid their hands on them. One of them was Stephen, “full of faith and power.”

Some men could not answer Stephen’s wisdom, so they paid false witnesses to accuse him. Before the council his face shone like an angel’s. He retold the story of Israel and testified of “the Just One,” Jesus. The council grew angry, but Stephen looked up and said, “I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” They dragged him out of the city and stoned him, laying their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. Stephen kneeled and prayed, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.”

Who’s who

  • Stephen: one of the seven men called to serve
  • The Apostles: leaders of the Church in Jerusalem
  • The council: the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin
  • Saul: a young man who held the cloaks

Where and when

Jerusalem, a short time after the day of Pentecost, as the Church was growing quickly.

Watch for the Savior

Watch how Stephen testifies of Jesus, sees Him standing, and forgives as He did.

Read it yourself: Acts 6:1–15; Acts 7:51–60

Part 1 of 7

The path, mapped

Eight stops from the calling of the seven to the city wall. Scroll, or tap a number on the map.

    Part 2 of 7

    The story, plainly

    Four scenes: chosen, accused, the heavens opened, and forgiveness. Look for the Savior in each one.

    Read it plainly

    The words that trip people up

    Tap any dotted word for its meaning. The scripture stays exactly as written.1

    1. Acts 6:1“the ”
    2. Acts 6:1“the daily ”
    3. Acts 6:11“ men”
    4. Acts 7:51“ye ”
    5. Acts 7:58“laid down their ”

    Part 3 of 7

    Look closer

    Small details tell the story. Some cards are details in the text; others share insights from prophets or Church resources. Each card says which.

    0 of 9 turned

    Part 4 of 7

    Where are you?

    Quietly serving, misunderstood, afraid to stand up, or hurt and holding on. Which feels most like you right now?

    Try it

    Light his witness

    Stephen’s words before the council still shine. Tap each light, and his testimony fills in, in order. When every light is lit, look up.

    “I see the heavens opened.” Acts 7:56

    Part 5 of 7

    Their world, their words

    A little background helps us understand Stephen’s calling and his courage. Outside sources are labeled.

    Church resource · Bible Dictionary

    One of the seven

    The Bible Dictionary: Stephen was “one of the seven,” who “did great wonders and miracles.” He was “the first of whom we have record who proclaimed that the law of Moses was fulfilled in Christ.”8

    His message pointed to Jesus.

    Church resource · Seminary manual

    Why seven were called

    The seminary manual: “The Lord inspired them to call seven additional disciples to help them. One of these men was named Stephen.”7

    Serving and teaching went together.

    Scripture · Acts 22

    Saul remembered

    Years later Paul prayed: “When the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by.”3

    Stephen’s witness stayed with Saul.

    Church leader · Elder Golden

    An eyewitness

    Elder Golden: “In the New Testament, for example, we read of Stephen’s final testimony at his martyrdom.”6

    Stephen saw the Father and the Son.

    Word study · Greek

    stephanos στέφανος · Stephen’s name

    Bible Hub: “crown, crowns, wreath.”9 Outside · lexicon

    His name means a crown or wreath, like the prize for one who finishes faithfully.2

    Word study · Greek

    martus μάρτυς · “martyr” (Acts 22:20)

    Bible Hub: “Witness, martyr.”10 Outside · lexicon

    The word for martyr first means a witness. Stephen was a witness of Jesus to the end.3

    What the text does not say

    The story does not say every faithful disciple will be spared hard things. It does show that the Lord stood with Stephen, and that Stephen forgave.2

    Part 6 of 7

    Look to Him

    Stephen testified of Jesus and saw Him standing. In his last moments, he prayed as the Savior prayed.

    Stephen’s witness: “I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.”

    Acts 7:562
    “Stephen encountered a hostile audience in Jerusalem who falsely accused him of blasphemy even though he was transfigured before them.”
    President James E. Faust4
    “From the New Testament we know that Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, have a physical presence.”
    Elder Robert D. Hales5
    “One of the greatest blessings of life and eternity is to be counted as one of the devoted disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
    President James E. Faust4

    The Savior on the cross

    Father, forgive them

    “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34

    The Savior on the cross

    Into thy hands

    “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” Luke 23:46

    Part 7 of 7

    Seek Him today

    A question to ask yourself

    Who do I need to forgive? Acts 7:60

    Stephen prayed for the people hurting him. Ask Heavenly Father to help you see one person the way He sees them, and to help you let go.

    Try it today

    One step each day. It saves on this device, one day at a time.

    0 of 7 today

    This week:0 of 7 days

    A quiet moment

    “And saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.”

    Read Acts 7:54–60 slowly. Then sit in quiet and ask Heavenly Father to help you forgive as Stephen did, and listen. Acts 7:54–60

    A verse to hold

    Talk about it

    1. Why do you think the Apostles called seven men to help?
    2. What did Stephen see when he looked up?
    3. How was Stephen’s prayer like the Savior’s prayer on the cross?
    4. Who was holding the cloaks, and why does that matter later?
    Open

    For adults and deeper study

    Go deeper

    Longer readings, harder questions, and where to study next. Each one says what it is before you click.
    Prophet

    President James E. Faust, “Discipleship” (2006)

    Stephen as a model disciple, alongside faithful Latter-day Saint martyrs in Mexico who held to their testimonies.4

    Read the talk →
    Apostle

    Elder Robert D. Hales, “Seeking to Know God” (2009)

    What Stephen’s vision teaches about the Father and the Son as separate, physical beings.5

    Read the talk →
    Church leader

    Elder Christoffel Golden Jr., “The Father and the Son” (2013)

    Stephen’s final testimony among the scriptural witnesses of the Father and the Son.6

    Read the talk →
    Church resource

    Seminary manual: Acts 6–7

    Sharing testimony of Jesus Christ even when it is difficult, with a study of Stephen’s words to the council.7

    Lesson 85 →
    Scripture

    Acts 7: Stephen’s whole speech

    Stephen retells Israel’s story from Abraham to Moses and testifies of “the Just One.”2

    Read Acts 7 →
    To ponder

    Harder questions

    • Stephen began with a calling to serve tables. How can small callings prepare us for larger tests?
    • Why might the Lord have shown Stephen the Savior “standing” at that moment?
    • Saul heard Stephen’s prayer. How might that prayer have stayed with him?

    Sources

    Every quotation, gloss, and piece of background on this page is listed here: scripture first, then Church sources, then outside scholarship (labeled).

    Scripture

    1. Acts 6:1–15: “Full of faith and power.”
    2. Acts 7:51–60: “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.”
    3. Acts 22:20: Paul remembers “the blood of thy martyr Stephen.”

    Church leaders and Church resources

    1. President James E. Faust, “Discipleship”, general conference, October 2006.
    2. Elder Robert D. Hales, “Seeking to Know God, Our Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ”, general conference, October 2009.
    3. Elder Christoffel Golden Jr., “The Father and the Son”, general conference, April 2013.
    4. New Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2027), Lesson 85, Acts 6–7, Gospel Library.
    5. Bible Dictionary, “Stephen”, Gospel Library.

    Outside sources (labeled on the page)

    1. Strong’s 4735, stephanos, Bible Hub lexicon.
    2. Strong’s 3144, martus, Bible Hub lexicon.

    Quotations checked against the linked pages on October 10, 2026. Scripture is quoted from the King James Version as published in the Gospel Library.

    “I see the heavens opened”

    He stands with His disciples. Look up. Acts 7:56

    Back to this week: July 5–11 Earlier: Philip and the Ethiopian Next story: Peter’s Vision and Cornelius All New Testament Story Sketch Notes
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    Stephen, ready to print $3.99

    Everything on this page as a 11-page letter-size PDF: the map, scenes, cards, activity, word studies, tracker, Go deeper and sources. For home, class or a quiet Sunday.

    See the printable · $3.99All New Testament sketch notes

    Independent study notes from Weak Things, not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version. The story is told in Acts 6–7; the insights in “Look closer” are labeled by source.