Confidence in the Scriptures

From the Gospel Teaching & Learning Manual for Seminaries and Institutes of Religion we read:

President Howard W. Hunter taught: "I strongly encourage you to use the scriptures in your teaching and to do all within your power to help the students use them and become comfortable with them. I would like our young people to have confidence in the scriptures....

"First, we want the students to have confidence in the strength and truths of the scriptures, confidence that their Heavenly Father is really speaking to them through the scriptures, and confidence that they can turn to the scriptures and find answers to their problems and their prayers....

"We would hope none of your students would leave your classroom fearful or embarrassed or ashamed that they cannot find the help they need because they do not know the scriptures well enough to locate the proper passages" ("Eternal Investments," 2, cited in our Manual, p. 34).

So, how do we do that? Please respond in the comments section. 

Off to a Roaring Good Start

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.

Brothers & Sisters,
We are off to a roaring good start in the new semester! Thank you all for coming to our institute orientation last week. You are wonderful and I am so grateful for your assistance as we move forward in faith.
Now, as classes are beginning this week, a few reminders may be helpful.

General Reminders:

1. Strengthen Unity. Strive for unity with each other, your students, your families, in all aspects of your lives so you may qualify for the blessings of the Spirit. 
2. Learn by the Spirit. Look for ways to increase your learning by the Spirit and help you students learn to learn by the Spirit as well. 
3. Study the Scriptures. You and your students should be studying the scriptures daily. I invite you to read everyday. Will you please invite your students to read the scriptures every day too?
4. Reach One More. Reach out to young people and invite them to institute at every opportunity. We love and welcome nonmembers as well. 
5. Self-inservice. Please be sure to study the S&I Gospel Teaching & Learning Manual daily. This tremendous resource will answer many of the questions you may have about effective teaching. Seek for continuous quality improvement one lesson at a time.

Specific Reminders:

1. Collect daily reads each class session and input them into WISE. 
2. Complete your roll before you go home from class. If you do not have that capability, please do it before you finish your day. Consider your class incomplete until the roll is done. 
3. Enroll your students ether online at www.ldsces.org/cs or with the registration form Sister Cooke emailed. 
4. We will rebroadcast the CES Devotional from last Sunday this Sunday at 2:15PM at Jamboree. 

Teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ is demanding work, but so very worth it. Thank you very much for your service and your love for the students and each other. Thank you for your sacrifices and all you do. I am so grateful for you!

Thank you,

Brother Palmer

January 9 Institute Orientation & Course Schedule

This should be fun! Starts at 7:00PM at Jamboree, please be there. We will simply "orient" our students to classes, instructors, raffle off some t-shirts and sundry prizes, and eat pizza. Please plan to attend! Be sure to invite every 18-30 you know.
Here is the Spring 2014 Schedule of Courses, please share it!

Course	Day	Time & Location	Instructor
*Religion 122: The Book of Mormon (Alma 30-Moroni)	Thursday Jan. 16-Apr. 24	7:00-8:30PM 8295 Jamboree Rooms 1-4	Palmer
† Religion 130: Missionary Preparation	Thursday Jan. 16-May 1	7:00-8:30PM 8295 Jamboree Rooms 19-20	Romney
Religion 180R: Principles of Leadership	Thursday Jan. 16-May 1	6:00-6:50PM 8295 Jamboree Rooms 1-4	Palmer
Religion 234: Preparing for Eternal Marriage	Thursday Jan. 16-May 1	7:00-8:30PM 8295 Jamboree Rooms 8-10	Morgans
Religion 302: Old Testament (1 Kings-Malachi)	Tuesday Jan. 14-Apr. 29	7:30-9:00PM 1310 Aeroplaza HC Room	Fraziers
Religion 325: Doctrine & Covenants (Sections 76-138)	Wednesday Jan. 8-Apr. 30	6:00-8:00PM Provider Chapel Fort Carson	Fords
Religion 325: Doctrine & Covenants (Sections 76-138)	Thursday Jan. 16-May 1	7:00-8:30PM 8295 Jamboree RS Room	Anderson &  Snell
Religion 333: Teachings of the Living Prophets	Tuesday Jan. 14-Apr. 29	7:00-8:30PM 8295 Jamboree Rooms 19-20	Woodruff
Religion 342: Latter-day Saint History (Brigham Young-Lorenzo Snow)	Thursday Jan. 16-May 1	8:45-10:15PM 8295 Jamboree RS Room	Palmer
Religion 345: Presidents of the Church	Wednesday Jan. 22-May 7	12:00-1:30PM UCCS Campus UC 126	Palmer
Religion 393R: Latter-day Hymns	Wednesday Jan. 15-Apr. 30	7:00-8:30PM 8295 Jamboree Chapel	DeFord

*Pathways requirement. †All graduating high school seniors are invited to attend Religion 130; attending this course cannot be used for credit for seminary. Classes offered at USAFA are not listed as they are for Cadets only. No class spring break: March 24-28.

Positive Response to Holiday Institute Classes

I am very happy with the classes offered over the holiday break! Our first class, offered the day after Christmas was titled, "The Teachings of President Monson." In class we explored talks given by President Monson in the general sessions of General Conference since he was sustained as President of the Church in April of 2008.

The second class held the day after New Year, the class was titled, "Latter-day Saints and Same Gender Attraction." We had a terrific turnout of students, YSA Bishopric members, leaders from local stakes, and missionaries. Our primary resource was www.mormonsandgays.org.

I intend to continue to offer classes over the breaks which provide our young adults a place to go on Thursday evenings with something edifying and worth their while to do. If you have ideas for classes which address timely topics and you think are worth our students' time, please do not hesitate to share your idea with me.

Hope you holidays were happy and enjoyable! I am looking forward to serving with all of you in the new year. Happy new year to each of you.