Week #17

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas break!  

I have enjoyed our time together in 2014.  

I look forward to our time together in 2015!

Make every minute of this break count.  

I challenge you to commit yourselves to service over the break.  

Can't wait to hear the results of how it blesses you!  

I'm absolutely POSITIVE that it will.   

Thanks for hanging in there to the end of this week.  

I know it took a lot of patience.

We made it!  

Love you all!

Week #16

Hey there EXCEPTIONAL people!  

I'm not going to post much this week.  I'm too busy being exceptional!  :) 

(Really I'm just in the middle of my finals and getting ready for Christmas).

I really am trying to be exceptional- in my own way. 

I believe that every single one of us has the capacity to be exceptional.  

This week was a testimony to me that if you're looking for answers to particular 

questions or inquiries in the scriptures- they are there, all we have to do is look for them.

I found some great answers to my personal questions.  I hope you did too. 

As we get ready to start our winter break I want you to focus your thoughts on
teaching methods.  

Pay attention to ALL of your teachers.  

See what reaches you and motivates you.  

Pay attention to questions that get you thinking.  

Watch how teachers guide discussions.
What works, what doesn't?

I have to tell you- that whether you want to be a teacher or not, 

we are all meant to become teachers.   

To become great teachers you have to pay attention to teaching.

We are going to start some trial runs with teaching this week.  

Let me know if you want to be part of it this week!
I love volunteers! 

Love you guys!  See you all on Monday!

Week #15

Isn't December AWESOME!?!?!?

This week we studied sections 50-56.

I think my favorite day this week was the day that Adam, 

an amazing young man preparing to put in his mission papers, visited us.  

Wasn't his testimony awesome?  

Today we took a shot at a scripture mastery game.  

I'm not sure it helped...or was any fun...or if I'll ever want to try it again.  

But we tried it!  

I suppose anything that helps us review the scriptures we've memorized can't hurt.  

I'm SO BAD at doing the game thing.  

Maybe next time, (if we decide to have a next time), someone else could run it.  :)

I like that idea!

Below is one of the videos we watched this week.    

Have a wonderful weekend!

Week #14

This was a wonderful week of Thanksgiving!

We were blessed to have 2 of the GREATEST missionaries come and visit us on Tuesday, and today we had MY seminary teacher from when I was a sophomore in high school, my mom, and our wonderful high councilman come visit us and share such amazing testimonies.
(The power of the Joseph Smith account carries great power- never forget that!)
Remember the challenge I gave you all today.
*Share this account with your family this Thanksgiving.*
Doing so is a gift that will bless lives.
 
I feel blessed.  It was a week of bounteous blessings and miracles.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I am truly thankful for all of you!

Week #13

This week we focused on the second coming.
We finished section 45 today.
What a great topic!
I enjoyed studying it and preparing a 32 page power point to teach it.
(Yikes, perhaps a little Power Point overload?)

Thankfully, there are so many great resources that pull scriptures
from all the books of doctrine together.  That's so helpful.

I wonder if the second coming will be anything like I imagine.
There is a lot to consider when studying the second coming.

There are many questions I don't know how to answer.

For instance...
"What will doctors and attorneys do in the Millennium if there are no
legal disputes or health problems?"  GREAT QUESTION!!
"What will happen to the babies and disabled people?
Will they return to the earth still as babies or  disabled?"
You all are such great thinkers!  Seriously, you really are.

Obviously I need to study some more this weekend.
How I would love to be the kind of scripture scholar that could
 answer these cool questions easily.

One of the great things I came to understand this week is our responsibility,
as members of the restored gospel, to warn and prepare the world for the Savior's coming.
I also learned that signs of the last days are everywhere.
Remember that signs remind us that God fulfills all of his prophesies and promises.

I liked this week a lot.
I enjoyed what we were studying.
I hope you all enjoyed it as well.

The picture of the book at the top is one of the resources I used this week.
I really love this book!
It's a great book for teenagers, and teachers like me, who enjoy things taught simply,
and with some added humor.  :)  It makes learning fun and exciting.

Next week we will start section 46 and talk about Gifts of the Spirit.
Be thinking about what yours are.  I bet you are becoming aware of some of them.
I know that I am!  You guys are amazing!  I learn so much from you!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Week #12

I gotta admit that all of these LOOOONG weekends are making me feel...

 well, a little bit like this word scramble.  

We love long weekends, duh, of course we do! 

But they mess with the energetic FLOOOOOW of things.

Which means that getting "On task" seemed a little "Off task---ish" this week.

No worries though because next week we have a full week.  

(Then a half week again for MY favorite holiday, Thanksgiving!)  

I think the thing I will remember the most about this week is

seeing Madi today before she moves to Texas.  

This was a sad day, but I appreciated the big smile she put on her face for us. 

She is one MIGHTY spirit.

She never ceases to amaze me.  

Today I appreciated your open hearts as we talked about trials.
Remember that seminary is a "safe place" where we often share meaningful life-lessons.
It's very important to protect the purity of these stories by not sharing them with others inappropriately.  Please never cast these pearls (of trust) before swine.
I love our class.  I love the beautiful souls in it.  I love the honesty.
Please be worthy of the trust we place in each other.   

I thought I would share with you my favorite poem that my Sunday School
teacher shared with me when I was just about your age.
I was going through a particularly difficult time.
What the heck- I think I was just about in the 7th grade!  LOL!!
(Thank heavens we all made it past that age!)

It's called "Good Timber"

The tree that never had to fight

Fun sun and sky and air and light, 

But stood out in the open plain

And always got its share of rain, 

Never became a forest king

But lived and died a scrubby thing.  

The man who never had to toil

To gain and farm his patch of soil,

Who never had to win his share 

Of sun and sky and light and air,

Never became a manly man

But lived and died as he began.

Good Timber does not grow with ease:

The stronger wind, the stronger trees;

The further sky, the greater length;

The more the storm, the more the strength.

But sun and cold, by rain and snow,

in trees and men good timbers grow.

Where thickest lies the forest growth,

We find the patriarchs of both. 

And they hold counsel with the stars

Whose broken branches show the scars

Of many winds and much of strife, 

This is the common life of life. 

We will miss Madi.

Please keep her in your prayers.

Transition can be hard- 

Hopefully she leaves us with more strength to conquer the winds
of life than she had before. 

I know that I'm personally stronger because of her example to me.

I have been changed for good.  

Your love and testimonies were felt today.  

Thank you!

*If you're reading this from your phone you won't see the cool youtube video below.
"For Good"

Week #11

I just love Fall!  I'm so glad it's finally here. 

5 days off was fun, and another 4 will be pretty great as well.  

We started this week by hearing from Sister Jamie Austin, 

who recently returned home from her mission in Jamaica.  

What an interesting mission!  

I love the humble spirit that I feel from returned missionaries.  

They are a great asset to us in seminary, don't you think?  

With the week being short I felt a little hesitant to dive into anything too complex or long,
like section 42.  

So we'll start it on Wednesday.  

 I want each one of you to know that I am grateful for you.

It doesn't take a designated month of gratitude for me to realize that my 

life is significantly blessed because of each one of you. 

When I count my many blessings, you are among the most obvious ones.  

Each one of you are precious to me.  

You have beautiful souls.  

You make me want to be a better person, a better teacher,

 a better example,
and a more valiant daughter of God.  

You inspire me, and your testimonies strengthen mine.  

Thank you for dedicating your lives to following the Savior.  

I love Him.

I hope that being in seminary is helping you to follow Him every day.  

We all need this help.

We are truly lost without Him.  

I hope and pray that you feel His love when you come to seminary, 

because I feel His love for you every day.  

He's on your side.
This is a winning Plan.  

Remember what we talked about today.
"Pray always that you may come off conqueror."

Your Savior is there for you. 

He knows you.  He loves you  He knows how to help you.

Come unto Him. 

My love and appreciation to all of you!  

Sister Allen

Week #10

WOOT! WOOT!

Why is it that we need a long weekend so BAD right now?

Well, here's what I've noticed, time and time again, after YEARS of wise experience...

We just do.  Period.  :)

But I have loved being with all of you this week.  

Really, I have!

You are the highlight of my day.

Sometimes I wake up--(almost every day, especially when it's dark and cold),
and say to myself....

'Self, you have been doing this for a LONG time.
Are you even making a difference?'

(and then my persuasive subconscious verifies),
'YEAH, I can't believe you are still doing this!'

But then I get up, get going, throw my hair into some weird bun thing,
get in my car, come and see all of your beautiful, happy faces...

and then I just KNOW why I keep doing this.  

It's because YOU + THE GOSPEL= JOY.  

That's why I keep going.  

You know, since I've been taking MATH this semester,
I am learning that these are the only mathematical equations that really
make sense to me anymore.   

Today we ended with the sad story of James Covell.  

A man who was offered abundant blessings of the gospel, yet walked away.  

We too are offered these blessings.  

Let's face it, the gospel has so much to offer! 

Do me a favor--PLEASE don't walk away.  

Realize that Satan wants you to.  

Realize that he is always waiting for the right opportunity to persuade you that it isn't worth it.  

But it is worth it.  

Yes, there is work involved, yes, there is sacrifice,  

but work and sacrifice have always been part of God's wise plan.  

Please, stay with it.  

I know it feels like there is just so much to do....

And some days, in fact, maybe everyday, YOU wake up and say to yourself...

'Self, I can't believe your doing this.  

Other people aren't doing this. 

 It's still dark out.  

It's cold.  

I'm so tired and I need more sleep.   

Is it worth it?'

Let me assure you that it is.

It's worth it because The Lord has asked us to do it, 

and because when we do what He asks, He blesses us for it.  

Obedience+Sacrifice= The Lord's blessings. 

So- KEEP CALM, enjoy this long weekend,  

REST UP, have some FuN and I will see you all next Wednesday!

(PLUS---Guess what--November has lots of time off!)

Week #9

This was an awesome week!  

I think we are finally starting to feel more rejuvenated.  

I hope so.  

We had a wonderful Morning-side on Tuesday.  

The theme was, "In the Strength of The Lord I can do all Things".

Each member of the seminary counsel spoke about something difficult that they 

have experienced in their lives that has made them stronger as they turned to the Lord.  

Each of these stories were like life's beautiful parables.  

  I loved it! 

After that the week took on a cool "PARABLE" theme.  

Here are some examples: 

Section 30: 2-3 "But your mind has been on the things of the earth more than on the things of your Maker, and the ministry whereunto you have been called; and you have not given heed unto my Spirit, and to those who were set over you, but have been persuaded by those whom I have not commanded.  Wherefore, you are left to inquire for yourself at my hand, and ponder upon the things which you have received."  

Remember this talk by Elder Bednar from General Conference, April 2014.

It's a talk I need to read regularly.  

Section 33: 17-18 "Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom-- For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that I come quickly.  Even so.  Amen."  

Section 35: 16 "And they shall learn the parable of the fig-tree, 

for even now already summer is nigh."  

I don't think I've ever studied, or really understood this parable.    

Well, we do now and this video explains it! 

(This video is found on lds.org, search "Be Not Troubled") 

I'm grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  

I'm grateful for prophesies and promises found in the scriptures.   

I am grateful to be able to study these things on a daily basis.  

It helps renew my faith every day. 

We all need that.  

I hope it's helping your faith as well.   

Have a wonderful weekend!  

We will start section 36-37 on Monday. 

Week #8

What a week! 

Wow.  I'm totally worn out.  

I wonder if that's how everyone is feeling.  I bet it is.   

  Between boundary changes, homecoming preparations/festivities and Be Smart firesides, it's been super busy this week.  Today, Thursday, as I was teaching class, I sat down to do a power point and could hardly get off the chair, I was that tired.  I might have been sleep/teaching. :) 

Weird!  

I'm ready for the weekend. 

Tomorrow we are going to begin our Doctrinal Assessment review.  

I read through all of the questions today and I KNOW we are going to do great!  

We've covered almost everything on the test already and we're just getting started.  

This week we talked about 3 main things.  

#1.  The importance of education.  (Something we do every year- it's part of the curriculum)

#2.  The importance of personal revelation.

#3.  The importance of missionary work. 

Personal revelation and missionary work come up a lot in the Doctrine and Covenants.  

I'm good with it because we live in a time 

when we need to be focused on both of these topics every day.  

Even though we're all worn out and ready for the weekend, 

I want everyone in my class to know that I am very proud of them.  

I have to be careful how much pride I feel, lest it become the wrong kind of pride. ;) 

When we say the Joseph Smith History I can feel my heart swell.  Wow, it's incredible.  

Please share it with your family and friends.  What we have accomplished is miraculous!  

I am proud of myself as well.  

It's a huge accomplishment, and it makes me feel good about myself for having taken this challenge.  You all should feel good about it too!  

Now it's time to share it- so others can feel the power that comes from saying it out loud.  

So....as they say, "That's a wrap!"

See ya all next week,  rested up and ready to jump into Section 30!  

Have a great weekend!!  

Week #7

Each week I'm growing to love this class more and more.  

It's such a diverse group.  

This makes it very FUN and very INTERESTING.  

I don't think anyone can debate that we have a lot of personalities to learn from.  

That's really cool!

One thing about seminary, or really any calling in the church,

is the heart's capacity to grow and expand.  

Even when things change, we once again find ourselves in love with the new 

group of people in our lives.

Let's keep that in mind this weekend when some of our wards change. 

The heart really does have a great capacity to grow and expand.  

Things always turn out just fine, in fact, they turn out awesome! 

This week we started off with a nice Conference review.  

I was thrilled that so many of you watched conference!  

What we learned in conference will continue to come up all year.  

At this point in Church History things start to take a bit of a turn.  

Many sections are shadowed by some type of religious persecution in the history. 

 Persecution is not a topic that is foreign to us. 

I thought it was appropriate to focus on dealing with persecution, as well as 

being the source of persecution.   

We may as well, there are certainly times when we are the persecutors in some way.  

This week was interesting.  

I honestly think that conference wore us out.  

I could feel the energy level was lower.  

Maybe this is because of homework, sports, or homecoming preparations- 

but I'm thinking we were all a little spiritually drained.   

Must mean we've been working really hard.  

We ended the week with section 25.  

Section 25, as you recall, was given to Emma Smith.  

Thinking about her reminded me of how much I respect and admire her.  

I think we might need some additional time on this section Monday. 

Elder Neil Anderson spoke on hearing the Prophet's story in our own voice.  

Do you remember that?

Well, that is precisely what we are doing.  

We have Joseph Smith history 1:15-19 down!!  

After some thought today I decided that we SHOULD go ahead and do verse 20!!!  

The other Freshman class has it already!  

Call it competition, or whatever you like, but we just gotta get it! 

So come prepared on Monday to get to work on that final verse.  

I know we can do it, and I am so moved by the spirit whenever we say it.  

We are doing what the Lord has asked us to do!  That makes me happy! 

FYI- I changed the name of the blog title to follow the guidelines that just came out about social media web links for church programs.  It discourages the use of personal names.
Don't worry, I will not post any pictures of our class,
and I have informed President Parker that I have this blog.

Disclosure- This blog is not an official Church-sponsored product.

If you can think of a better name for our title, please tell me!
"Seminary Insights" isn't very creative. :)

See you all on Monday! 

If anyone wants to read up on the General Guidelines here is the link.
https://www.lds.org/pages/online-resources-for-church-callings?cid=vb-internet

    

Week #6

Another great week!  

This week we had a lot of discussions and insights about The Worth of Souls.

(Section 18) 

A great highlight was hearing from the newest member of our class, Juan Pablo.  

He shared with us his amazing story of having extensive back surgery this summer.  

This surgery was probably "the great trial of his life", thus far.

He also shared with us how difficult scoliosis has been for him throughout his life.   

(We were all pretty amazed when he told us that he stood a full foot taller after his surgery! Gasp!) 

He is truly blessed to have parents who have helped him to see the love of God in his experience.  

He also reminded us that WE help others to feel of worth and feel God's love when we 

support each other and help carry their burdens.  

Having him in our class is such a great blessing.  

We were also privileged to have Sister Allie Clawson come and share some experiences about her mission to Argentina.  She told us that the process of helping others to see their worth to God helped her to see her own as well.  I loved that!

I think it's a great thing having returned missionaries, 

and those who are preparing to go, come and speak to us.  

The spirit they bring is beautifully unique.  

Both sides of the mission experience brings a sweet and tender humility.  

Yesterday we had a visitor from across town come to watch how our class runs.  

We are encouraged, as seminary teachers, to visit other classes often.  

We do so because we are constantly striving to be better at what we do.

I gotta admit, I completely forgot that she was coming.  

But I have to tell you, it was a great experience. 

However, this was not because I was incredible at teaching. 

It was because this class is filled with incredible students of the gospel.

I have come to believe that inspired learning occurs
when students come prepared to be great students AND great teachers.   

I was so proud of them! 

They paid attention, they asked questions, they knew answers, 

they bore sincere testimonies, they followed instructions....

THEY WERE AMAZING!!!

I am very happy with how our class is progressing.  

It's line upon line, precept upon precept.  

We are making great progress every day.  

I hope everyone has a wonderful conference weekend!!  

Take good notes and come prepared to share on Monday!

Week #5

I had so many Ah-Ha moments this week, which was awesome because this week we talked A LOT about personal revelation and that's exactly what I was having.  

Mosiah 2:9 says, "And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written, saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and you minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view."  

These words totally apply to seminary.  

We don't come to seminary to play silly games, or trifle with words, otherwise why not just sleep in?  

We come to seminary to learn the awesome mysteries and mercies of God!   

This week was amazing for me, and I hope it was for all of you.  

Just thinking about revelation helped me to consistently receive revelation as I sought to 

"study it out in my mind".  

It was a great week!

Tonight we are going to have our 1st gathering at my house.  

I hope some of you will try it out and come.  

It's a test-run for all of us, but I have a feeling it's going to be fun.  

Hello, I'm fun- you're fun, it's going to be fun!  

I got tingles, really AWESOME ones, three times this week.  All today.  

First- While Isaac shared his testimony.  

That was a great devotional and I loved the personal application 

because it was one we all can relate to.

Second- When we said all three verses of the JSH we've memorized.  

Wow!!  That was powerful!!

Third- When Maddy answered the final question at the end of class regarding God's next move in a Spiritual Famine, "Send a Prophet!!"  I still get chills thinking about it!!    

I hope you are having your own Ah-Ha moments!  

Ah-Ha moments are such amazing things.  

They testify of truth.  

They connect the dots and enable us to see things from a BIG picture.  

The Lord gives us these memorable moments line upon line, precept upon precept.  

When you get them, remember them!  Write them down!  

Don't let them slip away because it was the spirit that revealed truth.  

That God lives.

That He loves us.

That He is delivering us.

That you are in the right place.  

I love you all!  

Thank you to the parents that came on Tuesday.  It was so great meeting you! 

YOU HAVE INCREDIBLE CHILDREN!  

Week #4

Hey guys!

Every year we have an annual "Parent's Day".  

This is a day where the parents come to seminary and the kids are invited to sleep in.  

I don't know who made this tradition up because it was happening before I started teaching.  

It's like Back-to-School night- except it's Back-to Seminary Morning.  :)

Even though I didn't make it up, I really like it! 

 I am with your AMAZING children EVERY SINGLE DAY before school.  

This is precisely why I come to love them like my own.  

I hear their testimonies and feel honored to tell them how great they are on a daily basis.  

It's fun to meet their awesome parents!  

Plus, it gives teachers an opportunity to share as much information as we can about how great seminary is.  Hopefully you're reading this blog right now because your kids told you that it's available for you, but if not, I can tell you about it on Tuesday.  You also may, or may not know that we have a  calendar that they are to refer to about reading and devotional assignments. 

Parent Night gives me the opportunity to tell you about our class, you the opportunity to ask questions, and all of us the opportunity to feel the spirit before starting our day. 

I hope you can come!  

I realize this might create a bit of a problem with getting kids to school while you're at seminary.  

Please do whatever you need to do that works best for your family.  

If the kids don't have a ride, one option is to bring them with you.  

They are more than welcome to come!

If both parents can't come, maybe one of you can. 

If both parents have scheduling issues, then I completely understand and I would love to meet you another time. 

This day isn't intended to stress you out, I promise.  

Your kids are the highlight of my day.  

Truly, the time I spend with them is precious to me. 

THANK YOU for all that you are personally doing to get them to seminary!

I know it's a family effort.   I also know that it's worth it.   

You have beautiful children!!!!  

I hope to see you on Tuesday, September 23 at 6:55 a.m.!

Week #3

What a great week!

Studying the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith has given me much to consider about my own life this week.   I really hope it did for everyone else as well.  

I love the Prophet.  

What a great honor it is to testify of him every day. 

I think the thing that meant the most to me this week was the process of pushing myself to memorize the first verse of our scripture mastery, JSH 1:15.  It was HARD, and we did it!  

I especially appreciate those who have really committed themselves to give all of these verses a 100% effort. They inspire me!  
This will be JSH 1:15-20.  Take a look- you'll see what I mean!

Memorizing is not easy, and sometimes the wording is tricky. 

But the more we do it, the easier it gets, I definitely have a testimony of that.    

What a powerful witness to be able to share our testimonies of the first vision with others, having this account etched in our minds, word for word.  Awesome!  Who knows how many lives, besides our own, it will bless in the future.

That's a cool thought!

Section 2 of the Doctrine and Covenants is what this life is all about.  

It's just three small verses, but it say's it all.  
This life is about the sealing of families, God's family, through priesthood power.

Next week we will begin on Monday with section 3 and will end the week on section 7.  

It's going to be a great week.  
I get excited about seminary every day.

Please take note that, Tuesday, September 23rd is "Parent Day".  This is a day where we invite our wonderful parents to come to seminary to meet the teachers, have a quick lesson, answer questions, share how things are going, and praise your children.  

The kids are invited to sleep in, but if they want to come, they are invited as well.  

I realize that it's difficult to get them to school if you're at the church, so whatever you decide to do is great.  

Update on our class:  I felt very strong that we should not split the class.  
 It's a big class but I love each and every one of them already.  

I pray for them daily.  I feel of their goodness.  I hope that everyone is ok with the decision that was made.  I am 100% committed to them.  I hope that they know this. 

I ask for the students, and parents, to pray for our class.  There is a great call upon us in these latter days.  We need heaven's help to prepare us for the work that is ours.  I know that these youth are reserved for this important time on earth.  We need to understand true doctrine if we are to share it with the world.  As President Boyd K. Packer has taught, "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior."  
That's what we seek to understand, true doctrine.  

Have a wonderful weekend!!     

Week #2

It might seem really strange that we are in the second week of school and we aren't even into the Doctrine and Covenants yet.  Not to worry, we are headed there next week!  

Some important things need to happen when we first start seminary.

First: Especially with Freshman, it is important to explain what is expected in seminary.  

How is this different than Sunday School or any other class they've ever been in? 

That often takes a couple of days.  I wish it didn't, but sometimes it does. 

Second: We like to spend a day getting to know each other a little.  One of our priorities is to have a feeling of unity in our class.  It's important to emphasize that our time in seminary is very sacred.  

Building trust takes time, and we try to start it off right. 

Third: We always start the seminary year with a day or two focused on the Plan of Salvation.  

I love that we do this and sometimes I wish that we could spend even more time building that foundation.  But two days is probably enough since we'll be referring back to it all year.  

Fourth: Especially as we are talking about the Restoration this year it is important to spend a day focused on the Great Apostasy.  This helps us understand why the Restoration is so vitally important. 

Fifth: We are just getting going on Scripture Mastery.  With Freshman you often do things a little slower in the beginning.  I like to spend some time talking about why we memorize scriptures, methods to memorizing, and how to find the doctrines and principles found in the scriptures that have been chosen for us to memorize.  They aren't just random scriptures, they are chosen because they teach and clarify important doctrines.   

Is it starting to make sense why we haven't actually begun Section 1 yet?  I hope so. 

Plus- 40 minutes goes by insanely fast!!  

Today we did the Introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants and Monday we will start Section 1, however, then we take a break and go to the Joseph Smith History for a couple of days. 

This class is more than just learning the revelations found in the Doctrine and Covenants, it is in large part studying the history of the church as well.  

To be honest, it's been my most challenging year to teach because it stretches me to learn things that, for whatever reason, I have had a difficult time retaining.  (The History) 

But that's also the one reason I do love it. It stretches me.  

Which makes my testimony grow.   

Usually I am very organized with calendars and devotionals.  This year we have one obstacle we are currently seeking a good solution for, but it has made my usual organization a little challenging.  

Let me explain:

We have 2 teachers and almost 65 freshman.  Though I have the stage and have plenty of room to fit everyone, it is not ideal to have 38 students in a class, especially a Freshman class.  The new teaching emphasis works best in smaller classes.   Sister Topham has 28 students in a smaller class, room 107.  This creates a tight, claustrophobic feeling in her class, and that's certainly not ideal for feeling the spirit.  

We are trying to resolve this concern the best way that provides the very best learning environment for everyone.  The only solution we have been able to come to is to create an additional 3rd class and take students from both of our classes to create it.  (Obviously this would effect my class the most).  This option makes me want to cry, but I understand why this option is being carefully considered.  

I ask you to please pray for us that we will be able to have the Lord's guidance in this.  

It sounds like a small thing, but it really feels like a big deal for us.  

We love the kids and we want them to love seminary so much!  

This is the reason that I haven't made my calendar yet.  Please be patient with me while we work through this issue and I promise that we will have the answers, as well as a calendar soon.  

Part of the process of knowing what to do in this situation is observing how it's working as it is.  

We really hate to change things up after the year is underway, so hopefully our concerns will be resolved soon.  

Once we have a calendar you will find our reading assignments, scripture mastery for the week, and devotional assignments.  Until then, keep checking Instagram!   

This is The Lord's work.  I love Him and I trust Him.  I have come to rely on Him in every situation in my life and in my teaching.  I have a testimony of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

He leads His work through living prophets and apostles, as well as loving Stake Presidencies who seek heaven's guidance in our behalf, especially in regards to our seminary program.   

They sure do love the youth!

Thanks for all you do!    

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Welcome to Seminary 2014-2015!!

I'm so grateful for the honor to be studying the Doctrine and Covenants with you this year!

I love the seminary program.

I have a testimony of it.  

I know that it is a sacrifice, but it is a sacrifice that has great eternal value.  

By the end of this year I can promise you that you will come to know how much it has strengthened you.  I have seen this miracle over and over again.  Those who commit their mind and heart to coming to the savior through his words have greater light in an increasingly darkened world.  

I want to remind you of our purpose in seminary. 

"Our purpose is to help 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."  

Consider how this coincides with the mission of the Savior. 

Moses 1:39 "For behold, this is my work and my glory- to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."  

One of my personal scripture hero's is Nephi. His personal mission statement is found in 1 Nephi 6:4-5,

"For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved. (Have eternal life with the Father).  Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world."   

Nephi's brother Jacob was similarly minded.  His personal mission statement is found in Jacob 1:7,

"We labored diligently among our people, that we might persuade them to come unto Christ, and partake of the goodness of God, that they might enter into his rest. (Have eternal life with the Father)." 

AWESOME!!  

Can you see how important the purpose of seminary is?  I hope so.  Each of these mission statements are intended to bring us to the Savior, Jesus Christ, who is the only hope that any of us have to receive eternal life, which is the greatest gift of all the gifts of God.  

Doctrine and Covenants 14:7  "And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God."  

Among other things, God is ALL WISE, ALL KNOWING, OMNIPOTENT, OMNIPRESENT, and so merciful.  He is the definition of love.  

Because of the fall we were necessarily separated from God's presence. We are away from him to experience mortality.  (Kind of like going away to school).  Our objective is to return to his presence and enter into his rest once again.  This is eternal life.  This is the ONLY place that we can experience the fullness of joy.  This should be our goal and focus every day.  Seminary increases our faith and confidence that WE CAN have this gift of Eternal Life!  It is completely possible for us.  We will make mistakes, which is why the Savior is absolutely necessary for every single one of us. 

It is only because of Him that we can have hope.  

I promise you that if you will commit your mind and your heart to coming to seminary that you will find protection from the adversary, who roams the earth and seeks to destroy our confidence in Jesus Christ.  Satan is our enemy.  Every day he will strive to thwart the mission of the Savior by trying to convince God's children that Christ's mission is impossible.  

It is not.  

Satan is a liar.  He is the Father of all lies.  

We can have confidence in God's promises.  

He cannot lie.  

He loves us.  

He wants to help us every day.  

The seminary program is evidence of this.  

PLEASE don't give up on seminary!  

It will be worth it!  

It is time for you and I to develop a close relationship with God through his words found in the Doctrine and Covenants.  

I have a testimony of it.  

I am so happy that you are here!