All-Hands Institute Orientation January 9, 2014

All students and faculty are invited to attend an institute orientation for the spring semester 2014 on January 9, from 7:00-8:30PM at the Jamboree building. The purpose of the orientation is to direct all students to available opportunities for institute throughout the Colorado Springs area. After the orientation, the Pathways Book of Mormon class will meet for a few moments.

Faculty and Seminary & Institute of Religion missionaries will be introduced to students. Please plan to attend. Classes will convene the following week beginning on Tuesday evening. The important part: REFRESHMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED!

More On Makeup Work

Another reminder: We are getting soooo close to the end of the term! Please help your students complete and receive credit for their institute course.

This is what I am sharing with all my classes regarding completing their courses this semester:

If you have fallen below 75% attendance in your institute course, you need to complete makeup work to receive credit for the course. There are a lot of things I will consider for makeup work, it really is a matter of you and I working together to get the work done. The key thing I will be looking for is equal work for class time lost; that means that if you miss a class, what you do for makeup work should be commensurate in time, effort, and related to what you missed in class.

Here are some examples of makeup work I have accepted in the past:

1. Service project brief reports. The report should connect the service to the course you are enrolled in and doing makeup work for. And I do mean "brief." A short write up, no more than a typed, double spaced page is sufficient. 
2. Talks given in Sacrament Meeting or in Stake Conference. Show me your notes and tell me how it went, and show me connections to the material missed from class.
3. Abstracting General Conference talks. This means writing a brief paragraph for General Conference talks and turning them into me. Typically for an institute class, which are usually about 90 minutes, I would expect a student to read and abstract at least two general conference talks. Remember, I need to see how the talks connect to the class missed. 
4. Independent study work. Completing assigned independent study work for the class periods missed and emailing your completed work to me.
5. Hard labor. Yup, you read that right: Hard labor. I had a student once who had missed just one too many classes to receive credit and graduate from seminary. It was a nice day and I needed to move some wood from one place to another, so he came over and helped me. Took us about an hour and a half, we got the job done, we talked about things he had missed in seminary, and he got credit for the class. I must admit, this is actually one of my favorite memories of my days teaching seminary! 

There are lots of ways to complete makeup work for institute! Here is the key: If you have an idea of something you would like to do for makeup work, get it approved with me before you do it! Below is the Seminary & Institutes of Religion policy on makeup work.

S&I Policy on Makeup Work: “When makeup assignments are required, they should be given to bless and not punish the student. Specific assignments are determined by the teacher and should generally be related to the work missed. The assignments should be meaningful, reasonable, and individually suited to the needs and abilities of the student. Please be aware of the following:

• Attendance above the minimum requirement in one term may not be used as makeup work in another term.

• Students not meeting the attendance requirement and not completing the makeup work should not be given credit for the course.

• Teachers should take the initiative to work with students who have not yet received credit to assist them in completing the course.

• Students are permitted to do makeup work during the years they are enrolled in secondary education and up to one year after completing their secondary education.”

Explain, Share & Testify

I hope you all had a very happy Thanksgiving! This week I am working on explain, share and testify, section 2.6 of the Gospel Teaching and Learning Handbook (GTLH) for Seminary & Institute Teachers. I tried to focus on just "explain," but I did not feel like I did a very good job at that simply because it needs connected closely with it's sisters, share and testify.

As an overview, the GTLH states, "Explaining doctrines and principles, sharing insights and relevant experiences, and testifying of divine truth clarifies a person's understanding of gospel doctrines and principles and improves their ability to teach the gospel to others. As students explain, share, and testify, they are often led by the Holy Ghost to a deeper testimony of the very things they are expressing. Through the power of the Holy Ghost, their words and expressions can also have a significant impact on the hearts and minds of their peers or others who are listening" (GTLH, p. 31).

Here are some brief definitions and explanations we will use to help us better practice explain, share and testify:

1. Explain: "Understanding of the scriptures is increased when students and teachers explain the scriptures to each other" and "Preparing to clearly and simply tell what a passage of scripture means encourages teachers and students to ponder the verses, organize their thoughts, and invite the Holy Ghost to teach them" (GTLH, p. 32). 
2. Share: "Both teachers and students should have the opportunity to share their insights and understanding as well as personal experiences they have had with a doctrine or principle. They can also relate experiences they have witnessed in the lives of others" (GTLH, p. 32)
3. Testify: "When students have explained gospel principles and shared their experiences in applying them in their lives, they are better prepared to testify of what they have come to believe....Testifying gives opportunity for the Holy Ghost to bear witness of specific doctrines and principles of the restored gospel" (GTLH, p. 33). 

Here are two great video clips from the New Youth Curriculum which might help you better understand "share" and "testify." 

Share Stories and Examples*

Invite Us to Testify*

On Monday evening in my AFA institute class, we studied the Articles of Faith. After providing a brief history of the origins of the Articles of Faith, I told the students that I desired to invite them to practice explaining doctrines and principles, sharing insights, and testifying of doctrines and principles from the Articles of Faith. Here is how I accomplished that:

1. I started by selecting an Article of Faith, and with one student, explaining what I thought a particular Article of Faith meant to the student. 
2. Then I shared a personal experience from my life demonstrating a way I have applied the Article of Faith to my life.
3. Next, I simply testified of what the Article of Faith has come to mean to me. 
4. As we went along, I asked students if they could clearly see evidence of explaining, sharing and testifying, and listened to their thoughts.
5. Then I turned it over to the students; I asked them each to pick one Article of Faith, and do what I did, but better. I showed them the videos above to help further their understandings as we went along.

One thing I was most pleased about was it was probably the most active I have ever seen this particular class. Every student participated, every student was involved, and the Spirit of the Lord was present. At the end of our practicing, I extended an invitation.

As students participated, naturally the invitation to act followed. In this case, the invitation was to memorize an Article of Faith this week, and then to find a nonmember of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to explain the Article of Faith to, share why it is meaningful to them, and to testify of it's truthfulness and then to report back to me when they complete the task. I am excited to see how that part goes! 

May we never forget to extend invitations to act! This is where so much of the growth will occur in our students. Below is another video from the New Youth Curriculum on inviting our students to act. 

Invite Us to Act*

I invite you, each of you teaching institute to act, now. Help your students explain, share and testify of gospel doctrines and truths. I know that as we do so, the Holy Ghost will teach them and give them insights and understandings specifically catered to them, to their individual needs. And I promise you, the Lord will enhance your efforts! He does so for me all of the time, I am just not good enough on my own. He will not fail you as you put forth your very best efforts to enable your students. I so testify of this!

*If you have any trouble watching the videos, they can be found at: https://www.lds.org/youth/learn/train?lang=eng

Makeup Work for Institute Classes

As we consider the Objective of the institute and begin drawing closer to the end of the semester, there is much we can do in behalf of students who do not quite have credit to complete the institute class(es) they are registered for. The policy manual provides the following criteria for makeup work:

“When makeup assignments are required, they should be given to bless and not punish the student. Specific assignments are determined by the teacher and should generally be related to the work missed. The assignments should be meaningful, reasonable, and individually suited to the needs and abilities of the student. Please be aware of the following:

• Attendance above the minimum requirement in one term may not be used as makeup work in another term.

• Students not meeting the attendance requirement and not completing the makeup work should not be given credit for the course.

• Teachers should take the initiative to work with students who have not yet received credit to assist them in completing the course.

• Students are permitted to do makeup work during the years they are enrolled in secondary education and up to one year after completing their secondary education.”

Thank you for taking the time to talk to your students who need a little help and encouragement to complete the class they are enrolled in. You may need to create some makeup plans for them. You probably have some questions about how to administer makeup work; lets talk about those in our next inservice meeting on Thursday evening.

Really and truly, it is our purpose to help our students understand and rely on the teachings and Atonement of Jesus Christ, qualify for the blessings of the temple, and prepare them, their families and others for eternal life with our Father in Heaven; and what a blessed purpose it is! This purpose is fulfilled even in helping your students complete their institute class.

A Note to Faculty & Missionaries

The Objective of LDS Seminaries and Institutes of Religion is: Our purpose is to help the youth and young adults understand and rely on the teachings and Atonement of Jesus Christ, qualify for the blessings of the temple, and prepare themselves, their families and others for eternal life with their Father in Heaven. 

To all of our Faculty, Missionaries & Students,

Thank you for what you are doing! Each of you are doing very well, please know how much I love and appreciate you! The work we are engaged in is a long-haul work, meaning, we will probably never be finished, or at least not any time soon. Please keep working, please keep trying, please keep praying and preparing to help our students and potential students along.

From time to time, ideas are brought to me for ways to improve our institute program. We have embraced some ideas and others we have not. As such, I thought it would be appropriate for you to understand how your idea will be considered when you approach me. I have a rubric for new ideas, no matter who they come from, it looks like this:

1. Does it (ie, the new idea) clearly meet the Objective of the Institute program?

2. What policies might it effect? Is there a reason we are not doing it already?

3. Is there something already in place which may meet the desire or need?

4. How will it effect all members of our program: students, faculty, missionaries, & priesthood leaders?

5. If it comes with a price, where will the funding come from if we have not already budgeted for it?

This rubric will not fit every good idea which may come our way, there are many considerations in directing an institute program, but these are my guiding questions as I counsel with you and others as we consider new ideas for accomplishing the Objective. Again, thank you for all each of you do to accomplish the Objective! Again, I love and appreciate each of you!

Thank you,
Brother Palmer

Part 1: Explain

My next area of emphasis for institute for the next couple of weeks is "Explain" from fundamentals of gospel teaching and learning (see pp. 10 & 31-32 in the Gospel Teaching and Learning Handbook for Teachers and Leaders in Seminaries and Institutes of Religion). Typically, explain is closely associated with share and testify. But I am going to tease them out a bit, look at them one by one. Here are some lines from the Gospel Teaching and Learning Handbook for S&I which have stood out to me this morning as I considered explain:

"Explaining doctrines and principles, sharing insights and relevant experiences, and testifying of divine truth clarifies a person's understanding of gospel principles and improves their ability to teach the gospel to others....

"Teachers who thoughtfully and prayerfully study, prepare, and teach a lesson tend to learn a great deal. This same principle holds true for students....

"Understanding of scripture is increased when students and teachers explain the scriptures to each other. Preparing to clearly and simply tell what a passage of scripture or what a doctrine or principle means encourages teachers and students to ponder verses, organize their thoughts, and invite the Holy Ghost to teach them....

"Giving students the opportunity to explain a doctrine or principle to someone else encourages them to think more deeply and seek greater understanding before teaching others what they have learned" (pp. 31-32).

Ruminating on Explain. I love the idea of asking students to explain doctrines and principles to each, which facilitates the role of the Holy Ghost as a teacher. Last night in my AFA institute class, I asked the students to write one item down they were going to practice from what they had learned from a recent General Authority visit. After writing it down, I asked them to turn and share (note the word share) what they had written with their neighbor. My intent in having them do this was to help them feel like they clearly explained in their hearts and minds what they were really going to do. If I could turn back time, I would have asked them to turn to their neighbor and explain what they were going to do rather than share. I may be splitting hairs here, but I believe there is a difference between sharing and explaining. The leads me to what I want to do next....

What I want to do this week with my classes is give them the opportunity to explain passages of scripture to each other, clearly identifying principles, and searching for what the Holy Ghost is prompting them to do while explaining their understandings to a peer. Share and testify, I think, will naturally follow, but they are not part of my emphasis; yet it will be interesting to see how share and testify may naturally follow in the explaining process; I will watch for this.

Here is what I think I will do in my classes this week: 1. Tell them I am working on helping myself and students explain doctrines and principles. 2. Demonstrate explaining a passage of scripture by clearly identifying principles on my own first; this might be done by actually taking a passage of scripture and identifying a doctrine or principle by writing it down; then ask my students to try the same thing, ie, clearly write out a principle or doctrine from a different passage of scripture. 3. Then I will try to explain the doctrine or principle I identified to another person and ask the students to do the same thing. And 4. Debrief it: Discuss with students how my efforts went, what they saw that went well and not so well, and then have them debrief each other on their efforts.

President Spencer W. Kimball said, "We learn by doing" (as found in the Gospel Teaching and Learning Manual for S&I Teachers and Leaders, p. 32). So it is now time for me to do, and I invite you to do as well.


*****Disclaimer: Please note I use this blog page to share what I am working on as an institute instructor. I am always hoping to improve and do better as a instructor. If you are one of our Colorado Springs Institute of Religion faculty or missionaries teaching a class for us, please join me in a collective effort to improve. Search the Gospel Teaching and Learning manual for your own ways to improve as well. *****

Apply Doctrines & Principles

Our purpose is to help the youth and young adults understand and rely on the teachings and Atonement of Jesus Christ, qualify for the blessings of the temple, and prepare themselves, their families and others for eternal life with their Father in Heaven. How can I help facilitate that purpose in my institute classes just a little better this week?

Efforts. New effort this week: I will help my students apply doctrines and principles. BUT! But, I intend to incorporate helping my students feel the truth and importance of doctrines and principles (see previous post for more information, posted 31 October 2013). The Gospel Teaching & Learning manual for Seminaries & Institutes of Religion instructors states, "Application takes place when students think, speak, and live according to the principles they have learned" (p. 30). I would like to see more of this in my classes as well as across the institute. What can we do just a little more of to assist our students in applying gospel doctrines and principles? Lets explore this some.

The "do." The Gospel Teaching & Learning manual suggests, "Teachers should give students time in class to meditate on, ponder, or write about what they have understood and felt, and to consider what specific actions they should take to apply it in their lives" (p. 31). When was the last time you or I gave our students time to simply ponder doctrines and principles in class? This occurs in my classes, but unfortunately, I am not deliberate enough in my preparations to insert it into my plans for a lesson. If you are like me, time for pondering probably just happens.

Here is one of those experiences from last week in my Thursday evening Book of Mormon class, it came in an effort to help my students feel the importance of doctrines and principles. We read a passage and I simply asked my students to consider what they thought those verses, in context, actually meant. Then, to add to that, I asked them to consider what the Spirit was teaching them about what we had just read. Silence reigned for the space of a time. My natural inclination was to say something to fill the void, but I felt I should not. I looked across the room at the faces and could see there was learning occurring I should not disrupt. Then one by one students raised their hands and shared their thoughts. What came was interesting because it was a mixture of both feeling the truth of the principles and doctrines and natural applications to their lives and the lives of their families. We were all blessed by what was shared, felt and packaged for application to our lives.

The "how." The Gospel Teaching & Learning manual says, "...Teachers should encourage students to ask for guidance and direction from the Lord" (p. 31) as to how to apply doctrines and principles to their lives. I like this idea, I have never thought of asking students to simply offer a prayer in their heart in class and ask

the Lord to show unto them how to apply a principle. This could be a revelatory experience for some young (or old, but not in institute) soul! I am going to try asking students to pray specifically in their hearts this week for two things: 1. For the Lord to help them feel the truth and importance of doctrines and principles; and 2. For the Lord to show them how to apply doctrines and principles in their lives. Nephi taught, "...if ye will...receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do" (2 Nephi 32:5). The Gospel Teaching & Learning manual states, "Remember that the most meaningful direction for personal application comes individually through inspiration or revelation from the Lord through the Holy Ghost" (p. 31). Amen! I could use more of that in my classes!

Conclusion. I know, whew, lets wrap this up and get to work! This week I will probably not post a lot of different information about gospel teaching and learning, I will share how things go with, 1. Helping my students feel the truth and importance of doctrines and principles; and 2. For the Lord to show them how to apply doctrines and principles in their lives; in both efforts I will ask my students to use the "supernal gift of prayer" (Elder Richard G. Scott, General Conference, Apr. 2007). I am excited to share what I learned. I am confident the Lord will bless my efforts as I seek to improve. May I invite you to join me in becoming a better gospel teacher? Come try some principles and lets improve together. I know the Lord will bless our efforts!

Daily Reads

At the end of every month, we ask our faculty and missionaries to report the number of daily reads their students have reported for the month. Burdensome task? Yes. One more thing to do for a teacher? You bet. Should we do it? Absolutely. Why? Two reasons: 1. Because we have been asked to; and 2. We owe it to our students to facilitate their success in coming to love the scriptures the way someone else did, or should have done for us. 

The Gospel Teaching & Learning Manual for Seminaries and Institutes of Religion shares the following insight into what we are hoping to accomplish by encouraging daily reading of the scriptures by collecting daily reads. Wait! Before you read, please look for the blessings a young person might be blessed with by learning to read the scriptures daily:

"By fulfilling their role in spiritual learning, students manifest their willingness to be taught by the Holy Ghost. They are often more committed to and excited about the scriptures. They understand and recall saving doctrines and principles more clearly and are more likely to apply what they have been taught. As students discover gospel doctrines and principles, ask questions, and share responses, they also learn valuable skills for studying on their own.

"Through such participation, students will be enabled to teach the gospel more effectively to their families, friends, and others. They will also be better prepared to teach the doctrines and principles of the gospel in the future as missionaries, parents, teachers, and leaders in the Church."

Are there any blessings there we do not want our students to enjoy? 

I was raised as a Latter-day Saint, my father was a very busy government employee who traveled much. My mother was a convert who tried to help us (all ten of us) read the scriptures as a family. Our family scripture study efforts were usually as ugly as a sloppy-joe stain on a white shirt, but mom persevered in helping us to read the scriptures. I am so very grateful for her efforts, especially for the example she showed in turning to the scriptures and reading them, and showing us children where to turn for answers.

Far too many of our students have not been raised with the example I, or many of you were raised with. Dearest faculty and missionaries, let us not fail to encourage perhaps what may become one of the greatest blessings we could invite our students to have: the gift of love for the scriptures, but more than love, the gift of knowing where to find answers to their questions, concerns, challenges and problems: the holy scriptures! They need you to help them succeed in turning to the scriptures. 

Feel the Truth & Importance of Doctrines & Principles

Tonight in my institute classes I want to help my students feel the truth and importance of doctrines and principles. The Gospel Teaching & Learning Manual for Seminaries & Institutes states, "Although students may identify and understand principles and doctrines of the gospel, they will often not apply them until they feel their truth and importance through the Spirit and sense some degree of urgency to incorporate the principle in their own lives" (p. 29). I think then, and it almost goes without saying, that the principles I will attempt to teach tonight need to be clear to the students, or else how can they feel the importance of a principle and go and practice living?

In my Religion 121 class we will be covering Enos, Jarom, Omni & Words of Mormon and in my Religion 341 (LDS Church History) we will cover Chapter 11: The Saints Expulsion from Jackson County. The content of both classes provides a fertile ground for identifying principles and helping students feel the importance of them. But what will I do precisely to help? I just noticed, that in the quote in paragraph one says, "[students] will often not apply [doctrines and principles] until they feel their truth and importance through the Spirit..." Ah-ha! That is the key, the Holy Ghost will help the student feel the importance of a doctrine or principle! The Gospel Teaching & Learning Manual also says, "The Holy Ghost can impress upon the minds and hearts of the students the significance of a doctrines or principle and can give the students a desire to implement the principle and the strength to do so" (p. 30). Its the Holy Ghost which must do the teaching and impressing! Now, how to allow that to happen becomes the question....

An example. When I was released as a full time missionary from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I had the opportunity to sit and visit with my Stake President. He created the environment during the interview to help me learn four principles I have used to guide my life by ever since; he told me that if I would: 1. always strive to attend Church meetings regularly and partake of the sacrament; 2. read the scriptures daily; 3. pray every day, morning and night; and 4. pay a faithful and honest tithe, then I would always have the help of the Lord and the blessings I would need in life. It has been almost 20 years since that interview occurred and I have lived by those principles ever since, and found his inspired direction to be absolutely true! As I cast my mind back on what my Stake President did, I am not sure precisely as to details, but I know I sat in the presence of someone I trusted, admired, and who had the Spirit of the Lord with him or else how could I still remember his clear council? (See John 14:26). In addition to who he was, and what he did, here are a few more ideas as to how you and I might help our students feel the truth and importance of doctrines and principles of the gospel.

The how. The Gospel Teaching & Learning Manual shares several insights into how we can help our students feel the importance of doctrines and principles. We can help our students reflect on their personal experiences related to the principle, ask inspired questions to help them search their memories for instances when they have already experienced the blessings of living a principle, a teachers and students may share stories from their lives or the lives of others who have felt the importance of a doctrine or principle, as well as inviting students to bear witness of the truthfulness of a principle or doctrine, and there is more on page 30. But probably the most powerful preparation prior to class comes from Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who encouraged teachers, "Will you pray for guidance in how to have the truth sink deep into the minds and hearts of your students so as to be used throughout life? As you prayerfully seek ways to do that, I know that the Lord will guide you" (italics added, "To Understand and Live Truth," an Evening with a elder Richard G. Scott, 4 Feb 2005, as cited in Gospel Teaching & Learning Manual, p. 30).

Well, it is not going to be easy, but now I have to get to work and see how I can help the Lord help my students feel the truth and importance of doctrines and principles. But I have some tools as listed above, I am not alone, this is the Lord's work and He will assist and enable my efforts! I can count on Him and so can you.

A Glorious Institute Choir & Fireside!

I really should have posted this yesterday, but time went by far too fast with some pressing issues; but, on Sunday evening I attended another one of our institute choir firesides, and it was one of the more spiritually exhilarating evenings I have had in some time.

The scriptures teach, "unto what were you ordained? To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth" (D&C 50:13-14), and I submit to you, it was by the Spirit I was taught on Sunday evening. As I sat and listened, I opened my journal and recorded some of the beauties of the earth I have recently been impressed with, my writings became somewhat of a prayer of gratitude for what I was recording as well as for what I was feeling.

I came with many things on my mind, and I left lifted and edified; my mind was no longer heavy, and my burdens felt light. Thanks be to God, and thanks be to each of our institute choir teachers, accompanists, and participating students. What a wonderful evening of edification!

Here is my only recommendation for the future of institute choir firesides: We need more people who are searching for peace, hope, understanding and healing by the Savior to attend these events. We need more of our students and members of our local LDS and non-LDS community to be aware of these, for truly, "the song of the righteous is prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads" (D&C 25:12). More people in our community need to hear and feel what I felt that evening, which was "a blessing upon [my] head."

Thanks so much, choir!

Understand Doctrines & Principles

From the Gospel Teaching & Learning handbook we read: "When a teacher or a student understand a doctrine or principle, they not only know what the words mean but also how the doctrine or principle can affect their lives" (p. 28). Not that my valuation matters, but I like that, I like it very much in fact. Let me briefly share why.

I will start with an example. This morning in my personal study of the scriptures I was reading in Alma 60, which contains a rather scathing letter from Captain Moroni, the leader of the Nephite armies, to Pahoran, the chief judge and governor over the Nephite land. In this letter, Captain Moroni reproves Pahoran for not doing more to support the Nephite's war effort to defend their people from the encroaching Lamanites. One particular verse seemed to stand out to me, Captain Moroni wrote the following to Pahoran: "Behold, could ye suppose that ye could sit upon your thrones, and because of the exceeding goodness of God ye could do nothing and he would deliver you? Behold, if ye have supposed this ye have supposed in vain" (verse 11).

The principle which emerged quite clearly for me was simply this: If I will not put forth my very best efforts to (insert righteous desires here), then I cannot expect the Lord to miraculously perform a needed miracle in behalf of those I am laboring to serve.

Just a guess, but I think the reason that particular principle appeared so clearly for me, as well as my understanding of it, was because the Holy Ghost wanted me to understand there is more I need to do in a certain area of directing the institute. Now, I will not get into the details of the matter I need to do more with, it really is beside the point, because the point is: When I search the scriptures or the words of the living prophets & apostles, when a "teacher or student understands a doctrine or principle, they not only know what the words mean but also how the doctrine or principle can affect their lives," (italics added for emphasis); and hopefully, you and I and our students will go and do precisely what we are supposed to!

Okay, I know that last sentence was bloated, so here it is another way: When one of our students, or anyone for that matter, recognizes a principle in the scriptures or in the words of the living prophets, and can see how it may bless their lives, then we hope they will begin to practice or implement the principle to receive the blessing the Lord has attached to it. But as teachers we must do much more than simply hope! We must* invite our students to act on principles and then have them return and report their progress so they can receive the blessing the Lord has for them. I think D&C 82:10 fits here well: "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have not promise."

Here is my request and plea to each of you teaching institute: Please help your students identify the doctrines and principles, see how living these will bless them, then extend to your students invitations to live doctrines and principles, and follow up with them. I know, that is actually a lot to ask, but why not? We love our students and want what is very best for them. May the Lord bless your efforts is my prayer.

*I do not really care for words which make me sound like I am trying to push or force you or anyone to do anything, I just could not really think of a better way to phrase this. Please forgive me if you're offended, and know I thought about this prior to posting today.

Teaching, No Greater Call

I have been discovering and rediscovering a resource to aid me and all of us in our desires to improve our teaching in institute, it is called, "Teaching, No Greater Call: A Resource Guide for Gospel Teaching." You can find it here: https://www.lds.org/manual/teaching-no-greater-call-a-resource-guide-for-gospel-teaching?lang=eng.

May I encourage each of you to take some time and either find your hard copy, or visit the webpage and consider how the Lord desires you to improve your teaching efforts in institute.

Today as I read, I reviewed a story shared on page 6, where Sister Susan L. Warner, former second counselor in the Primary General Presidency shared the experience of having early morning scripture study with her family. She had one son who, after much coaxing, finally came each morning, sat down and then put his head down on the table as if asleep. Many years later, as a missionary, this same son wrote his parents, thanking them for all that he learned during that time they read the scriptures together in the early morning. Brothers and sisters, this gives me hope. A lot of hope in fact. Right now I am dealing with a similar challenge in my own family.

As I read of Sister Warner's experience, it reminded me of an experience I would like to share with you. Many years ago, my wife, Amie and I were traveling through Utah on our way to Idaho. We decided to stay with some friends living in Provo, who were attending BYU, where one of them was working on a doctoral degree. Our friends graciously offered to watch our children so Amie and I could attend the temple together, this was a rare blessing with all of our little children still with us.

Amie and I determined we would spend about an hour being sealed together in behalf of the dead. When we

Provo, Utah Temple

entered the sealing room, there was a young couple and a sealer who welcomed us. The sealer wanted to get to know us all so he asked us where we were all from. The young couple across from us were from Price, Utah. That got my attention because I have friend who taught seminary there for many years. I asked the young man, "Did you happen to have seminary from Brother Woodruff?" The young man enthusiastically said "Yes! He was my favorite teacher!" That excited me to tell my good friend Brother Woodruff I had met one of his former students, who had gone on a mission, married his lovely wife in the temple, and was doing everything just the way we hope all of our students will. I took his name down so I could let Brother Woodruff know later.

When we returned home, I was in Brother Woodruff's office and told him of my chance meeting with this good former student of his. Brother Woodruff chuckled out loud when I told him the name of the student who had so enjoyed Brother Woodruff's seminary classes. At first I thought the chuckle was a bit odd, but Brother Woodruff went on to explain, "Sam, that young man came into my classes everyday, would drop his bag on the floor, place his scriptures on his desk, and then drop his head on his scriptures and never made a sound again until class was over. And then he would pick up his head with a big read dot on it from sleeping on his scriptures, would take his things and leave. So for you to tell me I was his favorite teacher I am bit shocked!"

Brothers and sisters, let us never give up on those we are teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to. We know what we teach is the most important thing which is or could ever be taught. Let us nourish our students "by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way" (Moroni 6:4) even when it seems our every effort is a waste; for that is when it is probably the most useful to some young soul. I bear my witness of this truth, even in the name of Jesus Christ.

Abraham 2: So Much to Learn From!

Ever have one of those days where you prepare a lesson for your students you are really excited about and go to class and they just sit and stare at you the entire time? Yup, happened to me today! And this occurred in the class I like to brag about in my inservice meetings!

We covered Abraham 2, which outlines Abraham's travel from Ur to Haran, then from Haran to Canaan, then on down into Egypt. I even showed them a map with Abraham's journey outlined on it! (unlike the one on the left, which is just an Old Testament map). At times like this I wonder, "So, was that lesson more for me or my students?" I am absolutely not arguing there is nothing wrong with presenting a lesson that perhaps the teacher gets more out of than the students, sometimes that is just how it shakes out. 

Here though, is what I found incredibly interesting and exciting from Abraham 2:

• In verse three, the scripture says, "Now the Lord had said unto me: Abraham, get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee," and immediately in verse four, Abraham leaves "the land of Ur, of Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan." So he takes some of his family and ends up in Haran. He goes without delay!
• In verse six, "the Lord appeared unto [Abraham], and said unto me: Arise, and take Lot with thee; for I have purposed to take thee away out of Haran, and to make of thee a minister to bear my name in a strange land which I will give unto thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession, when they hearken to my voice." So what does Abraham do? He goes to Canaan and is able to see a land in which he will not even be blessed to stay in, but his posterity, through their faithfulness will. He goes without delay!
• Finally, after traveling through Canaan, Abraham continues his journey south, due to a continued famine in the land, "I, Abraham concluded to go down into Egypt, to sojourn there." And later, as he was entering Egypt, the Lord said to Abraham, "Behold, Sarai, thy wife is a very fair woman to look upon;..." and the Lord gives Abraham more directions as he moves forward. These directions seem to me to be a confirmation that Abraham had made the right choice to head to Egypt in the first place, seemingly without delay. 

Here is what I found interesting that my students did not find so very interesting:

• In verse three, the Lord prompts Abraham to leave and head to a new land, probably by the still small voice of the Holy Ghost, the scripture does not specify exactly in what way the Lord led Abraham in this first instance. 
• In verse six, it reads as if the Lord Himself tells Abraham what to do exactly.
• Finally, in verse 21 it reads as if Abraham went to Egypt of his own accord, no direct revelation was involved, but a confirmation that the choice he made to head into Egypt came by the Lord warning Abraham to protect his wife's identity (as his wife) as they entered into Egypt.
• In all three cases, Abraham follows the directions the Lord gives, quickly! We will come back to this point in a bit, be patient for a moment please. 

All of these points reminded me of a talk given by Elder Richard G. Scott, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, titled, "Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer," where he said:

"Some misunderstandings about prayer can be clarified by realizing that the scriptures define principles for effective prayer, but they do not assure when a response will be given. Actually, He will reply in one of three ways. First, you can feel the peace, comfort, and assurance that confirm that your decision is right. Or second, you can sense that unsettled feeling, the stupor of thought, indicating that your choice is wrong. Or third—and this is the difficult one—you can feel no response.

"What do you do when you have prepared carefully, have prayed fervently, waited a reasonable time for a response, and still do not feel an answer? You may want to express thanks when that occurs, for it is an evidence of His trust. When you are living worthily and your choice is consistent with the Savior’s teachings and you need to act, proceed with trust. As you are sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit, one of two things will certainly occur at the appropriate time: either the stupor of thought will come, indicating an improper choice, or the peace or the burning in the bosom will be felt, confirming that your choice was correct. When you are living righteously and are acting with trust, God will not let you proceed too far without a warning impression if you have made the wrong decision" (Apr. 2007 General Conference). 

It seems to me that Abraham's life, as described in Abraham 2 demonstrates the way the Spirit of the Lord or the Gift of the Holy Ghost will often help us along: 1. Sometimes the voice of the Spirit will provide a very clear direction of what to do; 2. Sometimes the Lord will come to make things happen Himself, although this is rare; and 3. Sometimes the Lord allows us to choose for ourselves, and then confirms the choice later as in Abraham's case. 

Now, back to that point I asked the reader to be patient about previously: In ever case,

Abraham was obedient, without delay to the instruction he was given. Like Mormon, from the Book of Mormon, Abraham could be described as "quick to observe" (Mormon 1:2). Elder David A. Bednar, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, "Quick to observe. Prompt to watch and to obey. A simple gift that blesses us individually and in our families and extends blessings to so many other people. Each of us can and should strive to be worthy of this significant spiritual gift—even the capacity of being quick to observe" ("Quick to Observe," BYU Speeches, given 10 May 2005). What blessings do I miss out on because far too often do I feel a prompting and think, "Good idea, I will get to that, later" and "later" never comes? Abraham was "quick to observe" and was blessed with further light, truth and revelation. 

Abraham has taught me so much today! Again, maybe today's lesson was only for me, but I felt very blessed to be able to open the scriptures and learn from the Lord with fantastic young people. The restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is simply true!  

Understand the Context & Content of the Scriptures and Words of the Prophets

From the Gospel Teaching & Learning manual we read, "Understanding the context and content of the scriptures and the words of the prophets prepares teachers and learners to recognize the messages of the inspired authors" (p. 23). Such is absolutely true! Identifying the context and content from a scriptural passage enables the principles and doctrines to almost leap off the page at us and our students.

Two quick definitions before going further:

1. Context. According to the Gospel Teaching & Learning manual we learn that "Context is (1) the passages of scripture that precede or follow a verse of series of verses or (2) the circumstances that surround or give background to a particular scriptural passage, event, or story" (p. 24).

2. Content. The manual explains this as "the story line, people, events, sermons, and inspired explanations that make up the scriptural text. The content of the scriptures gives life and relevance to the doctrines and principles that are found in the scripture [passage]" (p. 24).

With these thoughts in mind, how often in your life have you sat in a class where 1 Nephi 3 was the subject and the teacher gives a quick background of something like, "Here we have Lehi and his family in the wilderness and Lehi commands his son Nephi to return to Jerusalem and get the plates of brass from Laban, and this is what Nephi says to his father about it: 'And it came to pass that I, Nephi said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded...'" and then the instructor says something like, "Wow, isn't Nephi amazing? He went and did what his father asked of him and got the plates" and then the instructor moves on to the next subject to be discussed. Wait, what? Stop right there teacher! I have a question for you:

"As your students, what context & content might help us understand what is going on here?" What if you as my teacher, simply showed me and our class a map and quickly made some estimates of about how far it is from Jerusalem, where Lehi and his family had come from, to where they were? According to 1 Nephi 2:4-5, Lehi and his family had come from Jerusalem to the shore of the Red Sea. If the Red Sea starts at the north end of the Gulf of Aqaba, where current day Elat is situated, then we are looking at about a 180 miles from Jerusalem to Eliat. Okay, 180 miles does not seem like too big of a deal, but wait, "Teacher, did you just say they either did this on foot or on the back of camel?" Okay, now as a student I am sitting at attention waiting for you to help me discover more!

Now, with that picture in mind, think about what Lehi was asking his sons to do: Go all the way back, some 180 miles and get the plates of brass, and I can almost hear Lehi thinking, "And oh, by the way, I am not really all that sure Laban is going to just simply give the plates to you!" With that simple content and context in mind, it seems that Nephi's words, "I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them" (1 Nephi 3:7) mean so very much more! Think of it, they have come 180 miles south to the Red Sea, now they are to go back to Jerusalem 180 miles, and then back down to the Red Sea, that is approximately 540 miles! And we have no clue in the record whether this was done on foot, by camel, or what. Wow! Now,

we have yet to even mention that in 1 Nephi 7, Lehi is going to send his sons back one more time to bring Ishmael and his family along, one more round trip of 360 miles brings our grand total at this point to 900 miles! Again, wow! And we grumble getting into our automobile to drive 5 or 6 miles, or around the block, depending on where we live, to do our home teaching and think as we drive or walk, "I will go and do...I will go and do...Ya, I am like Nephi...I will go and do..." Right.

This was a very simple addition to the context and content of 1 Nephi 3:7, a wise teacher could do quite a bit more to help their students draw out the doctrines and principles in scriptural passages by helping their students have a better sense of the context and content of the scriptures. I absolutely believe that as we help our students better understand the context and content of the scriptures and living prophets, they, our students will feel a deepened sense of reverence for these sacred texts as well as an increased desire to live by the doctrines and principles they find.

It is so good to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Scripture Study Skills & Methods

From the Gospel Teaching & Learning manual we read, "Teachers should consistently teach students the doctrines and principles behind daily personal scripture study. Teachers can also encourage each student to set aside time every day for personal scripture study...." (p. 20). But what if you are doing those very things in class each time you meet and still you are not seeing the desired results in your students? This can be frustrating, especially when you, as a teacher are finding absolute joy in your own personal study of the scriptures and just cannot quite help your students to do the same thing! The following thoughts may help.

I recently came across a video presentation found on the Mormon Channel (http://www.mormonchannel.org/) hosted by President Osguthorpe, the General Sunday School President, with his guest, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I encourage to you to refer to this website for the full broadcast, but the following clip of video might be sufficient for this thought, today (if this video does not appear, follow the following link: http://www.mormonchannel.org/teaching-no-greater-call/16 and watch the clip titled "Motivate"):

Ever thought about actually asking out students why the don't read the scriptures rather than showing them ten thousand quotes as to why they should read them, and then when they fail, again, at reading the scriptures, they feel doubly worse? 

What if you or I were sick, I mean really sick; what do we do? We go see a physician to receive a treatment in hopes to recover soon and get back to our daily routine, right? Well, what if you went to the physician to find out what the problem is (and perhaps you, as the patient already knew what the problem is), and the physician never asked you one question about what your health concerns are but heard you cough and told you all about the great treatments available for people suffering with a cough? What use would that information be to you? It might be helpful, but wouldn't it be nice if the physician asked you where it hurts, or what other symptoms are you suffering from besides a cough? 

How often do we give our students the answers without asking any of the right questions? Perhaps we need to better understand why our students are not reading the scriptures more often so we can administer the proper treatment. Bear in mind, however, "In their efforts to [help] their students, teachers should not try to take the place of parents or priesthood leaders or to become personal counselors to the students" (Gospel Teaching & Learning Manual, p. 14). As Jacob from the Book of Mormon taught, "O be wise" (Jacob 6:12) as you seek to help our students discover the scriptures for themselves. 

May I encourage each of you to review pages 20-23 of the Gospel Teaching & Learning Manual and find ways to help your students become more deeply motivated to read the scriptures. We cannot force our students, but in the words of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "...Sometimes we just need someone to look us in the eyes, take our hand, and say, 'You can do it now!'" ("You Can Do It Now!" Oct. 2013 General Conference). Prayerfully search for ways to help your students come to love the scriptures, ask the right probing questions to find out why they do not and then seek to administer the right treatment. The Lord will show you and I the way to assist them with this matter. 

Our Students & Scripture Study

From the Gospel Teaching & Learning handbook we read: “There are few things teachers can do that will have a more powerful and long-lasting influence for good in the lives of their students than helping them learn to love the scriptures and to study them on a daily basis” (p. 20).  I add my personal witness to this statement.

I was raised as a Latter-day Saint in southern Idaho, my entire life was centered around our family’s Latter-day Saint culture; nearly all my friends were LDS, my closest friends were definitely LDS, I went to seminary, my high school principal was my Bishop, I think

Portland, Oregon

you get the picture of my youth in southern Idaho, it was good, very good. Mid way through high school my father’s job took us to Portland, Oregon. The high school I attended was no longer predominantly LDS, and I started to flounder; not in my testimony, I knew the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was true—and still do, but my choices were not consistent with what I knew, and I struggled.

Then a miracle occurred, I was assigned to attend Sister Lucinda Shauffner’s early morning seminary class. Well, actually, two miracles occurred, my parents would not let me have a car to drive to school unless I attended seminary and I was assigned to Sister Shauffner’s seminary class.

I hauled my sorry self to seminary, sat stupidly every day, until one particular day I will never, ever forget. On this day I came into seminary a bit early, which was a rarity for me, and Sister Shauffner came to me and after some pleasantries simply said, “Sam, I love you and am so glad you make it to seminary every day,” I smiled, felt a little sheepish for coming late so often, then she said, “I know we are studying the Doctrine and Covenants this year, but would you do me a favor?” Knowing her expression of love was genuine, I said, “Yes, of course,” she then said, “Would you read the Book of Mormon and tell me how it goes?” Again, because I could feel her genuine love, care and concern, I said “Ya, I will.”

That very afternoon after school was over I began my first sincere personal study of the Book of Mormon. From then on out I awoke each day to read the Book of Mormon before getting ready for seminary and school. It was as if someone had turned on a light switch in my life. When I accidently slept in, I could not wait to read the Book of Mormon right after school. I would often read it late at night after a fun evening with friends. The fog of sin and unhappiness began to lift and I was finally feeling alive in a way I had never felt in my short 17 years in mortality!

Then the day came when I finished my study of the Book of Mormon. I told Sister Shauffner I had completed it that morning before seminary. She was as genuinely excited about my completion of the book as I was! Then she said, “So did you do it, did you pray about it like Moroni says to do at the end?” and I was dumbstruck! No, I had not! I never really thought about praying about it because I had already felt the truth of the book as I read it and somehow already knew it was true. I told her that no, I had not prayed about it. She then said, “Sam, that is the next thing you need to do, will you do it?” I said yes, without hesitation.

I pondered the prayer I was going to offer all day while at school. I actually considered Moroni’s words about asking if it is not true since I already knew it was true. Immediately after school I went to my room, reviewed a few chapters from the Book of Mormon I had learned to love, then locked my door, and knelt in prayer with the Book of Mormon in my hands. I will never forget the warmth of truth I felt around me as I prayed. The feeling of the Spirit’s presence was so palpable I actually peeked to see if I would see the Lord Himself there embracing me. I did not see Him but I felt Him. I knew and I have known ever since that sacred moment that it is all true. I have prayed many times as I have completed the Book of Mormon to know if it is not true, and nearly each time I have heard those words the Lord uttered to Oliver Cowdery, “Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?” (D&C 6:23). And I do know; I know the Book of Mormon is true! I am so very grateful for the day a sweet, humble seminary teacher asked me to read the wrong book for seminary, it has made all the difference!

In the October 2013 General Conference, President Boyd K. Packer shared the following:

“Years ago, Elder S. Dilworth Young of the Seventy taught me a lesson about reading the scriptures. A stake was struggling with tensions and difficulties among the members, and counsel needed to be given.

“I asked President Young, ‘What should I say?’

“He answered simply, ‘Tell them to read the scriptures.’

“I asked, ‘Which scriptures?’

“He said, ‘It really doesn’t matter. Tell them to open up the Book of Mormon, for instance, and begin to read. Soon the feeling of peace and inspiration will come, and a solution will present itself.’

“Make scripture reading a part of your regular routine, and the blessings will follow. There is in the scriptures a voice of warning, but there is also great nourishment” (italics added, “The Key to Spiritual Protection, Oct. 2013 Gen Con).

Back to where I began today: “There are few things teachers can do that will have a more powerful and long-lasting influence for good in the lives of their students than helping them learn to love the scriptures and to study them on a daily basis” (italics added). I testify that such is true. May we lead our students to do so is my prayer for this entire institute program and the students we serve. Please help your students to develop a love for and of the scriptures, it will be the one thing we can offer that will bless them, their children, their children’s’ children and so on.

A few quotes on scripture study from the Prophets and Apostles from the October 2013 General Conference

President Thomas S. Monson: Allied with prayer in helping us cope in our often difficult world is scripture study. The words of truth and inspiration found in our four standard works are prized possessions to me. I never tire of reading them. I am lifted spiritually whenever I search the scriptures. These holy words of truth and love give guidance to my life and point the way to eternal perfection.

As we read and ponder the scriptures, we will experience the sweet whisperings of the Spirit to our souls. We can find answers to our questions. We learn of the blessings which come through keeping God’s commandments. We gain a sure testimony of our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of Their love for us. When scripture study is combined with our prayers, we can of a certainty know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true.

…. As we remember prayer and take time to turn to the scriptures, our lives will be infinitely more blessed and our burdens will be made lighter.

….As we seek our Heavenly Father through fervent, sincere prayer and earnest, dedicated scripture study, our testimonies will become strong and deeply rooted. We will know of God’s love for us. We will understand that we do not ever walk alone. I promise you that you will one day stand aside and look at your difficult times, and you will realize that He was always there beside you. (italics added, “We Never Walk Alone”).

President Henry B. Eyring: As a quorum member, as a home teacher, and as a missionary, you cannot help people repair spiritual damage unless your own faith is vibrant. That means far more than reading the scriptures regularly and praying over them. The prayer in the moment and quick glances in the scriptures are not preparation enough. The reassurance of what you will need comes with this counsel from the 84th section of the Doctrine and Covenants: “Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man” (italics added, “Bind Up Their Wounds”).

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: Those who join this Church love the Savior Jesus Christ and they wish to follow Him. They rejoice in the knowledge that God speaks to mankind again. When they receive sacred priesthood ordinances and make covenants with God, they can feel His power in their lives. When they enter the holy temple, they sense they are in His presence. When they read the holy scriptures and live the teachings of His prophets, they grow closer to the Savior they love so much (italics added, “Come, Join with Us”).

President Boyd K. Packer: A short time ago, I sealed a young couple in the temple. This couple had kept themselves worthy to arrive at the marvelous day when a son and a daughter leave the homes of their youth and become husband and wife. On this sacred occasion, they were pure and clean. In due course, they will begin to raise children of their own, consistent with the pattern established by our Father in Heaven. Their happiness, and the happiness of future generations, depends upon living those standards established by the Savior and set forth in His scripture.

….Children taught an understanding of the scriptures early in life will come to know the path they should walk and will be more inclined to remain on that path. Those who stray will have the ability to return and, with help, can find their way back. (italics added, “The Key to Spiritual Protection”).

Elder L. Tom Perry: The power of our teacher’s words has been a source of inspiration to me because of the emphasis she placed on gospel study. The scriptures guide us to a standard of truth by which we can judge the knowledge we are receiving, whether it be true or false. True doctrine comes from God, the source and foundation of all truths. The teachings and concepts of true doctrine are found in the gospel of our Lord and Savior. False teachings come from Satan, the father of all lies. His desire is to pervert, change, and alter revealed truths. He wants to deceive us so some of us will lose our way along the journey back to our heavenly home. The scriptures teach us how to avoid false teachings (italics added, “The Doctrines and Principles Contained in the Articles of Faith”). 

Follow On to Sunday's Inservice

One of the things I have asked each of my students to do as a midterm is to write a one page paper touching on three principles they learned in the most recent General Conference which support the principles from whichever book from the Standard Works we are covering in their class. Thought you might like seeing them connect principles and scriptures.

From a Book of Mormon class this is what we hear (in their words):

Student 1. There is power found in the Scriptures. President Packer explained how scriptures bring peace then nourishment and blessings. When we consider how often the Book of Mormon Prophets quoted from Scriptures we can see how important the scriptures were to them. Nephi specifically commands Jacob to record the most precious things. The plates being small were to be filled with the things of importance, pertaining to Christ or revelations or prophesyings. However, both Nephi and Jacob take the time and space to record the words of other prophets. Nephi quotes large passages of Isaiah, asking us to liken them unto us. Elder Perry also shows a wonderful example of the power of the Scriptures as he guides us through the Articles of Faith. We can draw such power from the scriptures. I have often drawn power and peace as I read the second half of the fourth chapter of Second Nephi. I feel the peace and comfort of the Lord as did Nephi. The words become more as I apply them to my life, bringing more to my life than just words on a page.

Student 2. Bonnie L. Oscarson talked about gaining and maintaining our testimonies of the Gospel. She talked about commandments and how we have to first live a commandment in faith, before we can gain a testimony of that commandment. What stood out to me was the part about faith. In the story of Lehi’s family, Nephi and his brethren all receive the same commandments from the Lord. However, only Nephi and Sam gain a testimony of them while Laman and Lemuel never do, even though they obey them too. The key difference is faith. Nephi and Sam acted in faith first, and then were rewarded with a spiritual confirmation of each commandment that they received from their prophet father. Laman and Lemuel wanted to see signs first before they would exercise faith, and even when they did see an angel, because they didn’t have faith, it was impossible for them to gain their own testimonies. Ultimately, we see that Laman and Lemuel fall away because of this lack of faith and testimony.

Student 3. We can be changed and clean from sin only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I love the fact that every Conference, the General Authorities always lovingly invite everyone to partake of the healing power of the Atonement and to forsake their sins. They do not try to scare us or guilt trip us, however they know the sweetness of forgiveness and want us to partake of it. Elder Scott’s talk was very instructive on this topic. The Book of Mormon is full of references to the Atonement, but I will present one reference which summarizes the overall message from this Conference in regards to the Atonement: “He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation (2 Nephi 26:24). I bear my witness that Jesus is the Savior of the world. He is the Only Begotten Son of God. His Atonement is real and works in our lives as we seek to apply it. This is His Church on the earth today, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Student 4. [My] third principle focuses on the chastity and fidelity of women in the church. Women are a great moral force in the home. In Elder D. Todd Chirstofferson’s talk called “The Moral Force of Women” he says “there is not better setting for rearing the raising generation than the traditional family, where a father and a mother work in harmony to provide for, teach, and nurture their children.” In order to do this, women must live and teach the importance of sexual purity. Heavenly Father “delight[s] in the chastity of women” (Jacob 2:28). Women must teach the importance of chastity before marriage and fidelity in marriage. With the environment we are in now, sexual purity is extremely important. We must not give into the temptation of sexual impurity and pornography. Elder Christofferson says that we are not expected to be perfect, but we need to realize how important our moral authority is in the home and to our (future) children.

Student 5. Elder Robert D. Hales spoke about how conference talks are inspired by the spirit, and that they are not told what to speak about, which means that God speaks to us through the prophets. In 1 Nephi 5, the brass plates are brought to Lehi from Jerusalem. Lehi rejoices in this, because he knows that they contain the prophecies of many prophets of the Lord. I know that by listening to general conference, I hear the words that Heavenly Father wants me to hear, because of revelation to his servants.

Student 6. Another thing that I learned was in the Saturday morning session, by Elder Edward Dube.  He talked about the importance of looking ahead of us and believing.  Sometimes we may be satisfied by how far we have come and the changes we have made.  Many people make drastic changes through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but that doesn’t mean they should stop.  The church itself has grown so much, but we must still look ahead towards the future and believe.  We cannot become complacent with where we are at, but continue moving forward.  I think this is reflected in the story of Nephi.  I often have thought of their travels through the wilderness.  Many times it is clear that Laman and Lemuel didn’t want to keep going with the rest of the family, and even wanted to turn back sometimes.  Nephi and the rest of the family on the other hand, knew that they still had to go farther, to where the Lord wanted them to go.  They showed faith and believed that the Lord would eventually lead them towards the Promised Land.  Nephi didn’t look back and decide that they had already sacrificed enough and had gained so much, but he continued forward and even built a ship, so that his family could continue moving forward to where the Lord wanted them to go.  We need to continue working and looking ahead and believing.  There is much more that we must do to reach Eternal Life. 

Student 7. As servants of God who have covenanted to take His name upon us, it is our responsibility and duty to preach the Gospel and share it with our friends and loved ones. Elder Nielsen taught that we must serve with enthusiasm alongside the full-time missionaries. We need to have a game-plan to share the Gospel with our friends. This is similar to the teaching in 2 Nephi 2:8, which says “Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things [the Gospel] known unto the inhabitants of the earth.” The work of the Lord truly is hastening. These are the last days. We need to understand the responsibility upon us to share the Gospel with our friends. This is how we can participate in the work of salvation. As we open our mouths, the Lord will give us power and tell us what to say and do to help our friends come closer to Christ. I know that as we do so, we will be blessed and we will find the great joy described in D&C 18.

I placed these here so you too may enjoy the thoughts from some our students. As more midterms come in making connections between my other classes, such as the Pearl of Great Price or the History of the Church I will share some of those as well. Blessings!