September 27, 2007

This morning we discussed our opening song music. All of the students committed to singing in the mornings - even if their neighbor might sound like a frog (we did have a couple of I'll tries - but good enough). Today we discussed the commitment to read our scriptures for 10 minutes each day BEFORE starting their homework. One student did it for the full past week, others valiantly tried but didn't make it the whole way through. In order to facilitate learning and discussion within the classroom and promote scripture study, we came up with a plan. As the students enter the classroom each day, they will find the lesson block written on the board, and instead of visiting while they wait for class to start, they will work on reading the lesson block scriptures. This will help prepare them to learn, and invite the spirit to personally teach them. Finally, after the devotional, we may take 5-10 minutes to allow the students to continue this reading. Afterwards, we will begin our discussion based on the reading materials. We'll start with this, and then amend as needed. The remainder of our discussion today was based on Abraham's genealogy and his trip from Ur into the land of Canaan, and finally Egypt. We discussed the cultural significances of Abraham's response to being questioned regarding his relationship with Sarai, and finally, we discussed how Abraham's name was changed, some of his promised blessings, and how we covenant to take Christ's name upon us each time we take the sacrament. Thanks for a great class!!

September 26, 2007

Today we touched on our relationships with our parents, and then turned to a debate regarding whether or not it is possible for a person to be righteous and strong when faced with the challenge of having unrighteous parents. Although both sides had some great points, we saw that truly - our ability to be righteous depends upon us. We then looked at Abraham and his experience with his father (who tried to have him sacrificed to false Gods), and his example. Finally, we touched on the Abrahamic Covenant, and some of the blessings of the tribe of Ephraim.

Frosting may not be the most effective building material!

Today we finished up our discussion on Noah, and began to discuss the tower of Babel, and finally Abraham, and the things which he most desired - looking at the things which we most desire in our lives as well. Additionally - we had our own leaning tower contest - between the girls and the guys...the girls started out strong, but were slowed down when gravity issues began to creep up. The boys got stronger as they started adding cookie weights to the sides of the tower to offset the lean. I believe that the boy's tower was the second to fall! See some of the fun photos of our class as they built their towers...(Editors note - I believe the building problems arose when people started to eat their towers)

September 24, 2007

Today we focused on the divergent paths of those who followed Adam and Eve and the gospel versus those who followed Cain and Satan. Those who followed Adam and Eve ended up in the city of Enoch or Zion, whereas the others finally became so wicked, that it was an act of mercy that they were taken in the Flood. We looked at this pattern, and then looked at scriptures that point us to the second coming of Jesus Christ - and noted the similarities of this previous dispensation, and our lives today. Our last focus was on our personal preparation. Would we be ready to meet Christ if He were to show up in 2 minutes, or would we have things that we would need to repent for etc?
Our reading assignment for tomorrow is Abraham 1-2, and Genesis 12.

September 21, 2007

Note: If you have not seen the Donald Duck rendition of Noah's ark from Fantasia 2000, you should - who knew Donald Duck was on the ark?? :) Today we all signed our class picture which we will hang in our room. For our scripture mastery, we played scringo...translated as scripture bingo. We have challenged our FT missionaries to a scripture chase next Friday - we'll see who will prevail! The reading assignment for the beginning of next week is Genesis 11, and Abraham 1.

September 20, 2007

Dating dilemmas. Today our class was a little bit smaller than usual, but we spent most of the class period in discussion. It was awesome to hear what is going on in the students' lives, and what they think about, and their own personal experiences. We talked a lot about dating, and also about marrying those of different faiths, and some of the problems which can arise from doing so. It was a pretty fun class today - thanks to all who made the effort to be there~and thanks for sharing!!

September 19, 2007

Today we had a rousing game of something which could be described as mad dash to the chairs. The winner's scores were undoubtedly in the billions, but we learned a lot about Noah. I issued a challenge to everyone - which I think all accepted. The challenge is to try an experiment for the next week. Yesterday as we talked about how class was going, we talked about all of the pressures the students have with school, sports and music. On top of that, they are asked to read their scriptures for 10 minutes each day. The students said that it is such a chore just to try to squeeze those few minutes in for the scriptures. The challenge which was issued/experiment is that for the next 7 days, the students read their scriptures for 10 minutes BEFORE they do the other things - like FIRST. I believe that they will find their capacity to do these other things increased, and that things will fall into place. After a week, we will discuss the results and see if there is any difference.
Finally - since we are talking about Noah - we went outside and tried to figure out the distance/area and dimensions of the ark. We figured 4 times the length of the back church parking lot... pretty huge. Some of the students just didn't think that it was possible that it would have held everything, but after seeing an approximation, it puts it into perspective a little better.
Tomorrow we will continue with Noah - and then begin to move on. By the way - Noah's other name is Gabriel (as in the one who announced Christ's birth to Mary), and he is second to Adam in the priesthood order...pretty interesting.

September 18, 2007

Today in class, we had a group discussion regarding seminary - the current policies and procedures etc. Several students spoke up and we talked about some of the things that they liked and or disliked.
We finished up the lesson discussing Enoch's experience as he saw God weep over the wickedness of the world.
We also discussed having a class party this Saturday evening.
We will continue in Moses 8 tomorrow as we discuss Noah. Students are invited to bring coats or jackets as part of our class tomorrow will be held outdoors.

September 17, 2007

Our stake had stake conference this weekend. We received a challenge from our stake Presidency to read JSH and the New Testament by March of 2008. Along with this challenge, we were asked to increase our stake numbers by 600 people. What an awesome task!! In class, we discussed this challenge we've been given as it is modern day direction from our Stake President, and to him from someone who has been set apart as a prophet today. We read the story of Enoch, and studied his before and after life. What an awesome example of someone who has the faith the completely trust in the Lord, and then is so immensely blessed for it. We all have challenges in life, how we meet those challenges though, is our test. We can be strong and rely on the Lord like Enoch, and become a tool in His hands to change and influence the lives of so many others! It is, however, up to us.

September 14, 2007

Today we celebrated the Jewish New Year Holiday - Rosh Hashana. As today is the feast of the Trumpets, we all took a turn trying to get some sound out of a shofar - which is Hebrew for ram's horn thingee. Surprisingly, almost all of the students were able to get some sound out of it. We passed off Moses 7:18, and had our dart throw session. We finished the class hour up with a very tight scripture chase game. Sitting on others' heads is officially against the rules by the way!
We ended class (for those who weren't full of donuts) with some traditional Jewish New Year's Honey Cake.

September 13, 2007

This morning we began to work through Moses chapter 6. We watched a seminary movie about the first ordinances and principles of the gospel, which also discussed the symbolisms of blood, water, and spirit in regards to our lives - the physical and spiritual necessities. We discussed history - it's relevance in our lives, and how the scriptures give us spiritual history...we also discussed why the scriptures were written and how they are important in our lives. Several students shared meaningful experiences in which the scriptures have touched and helped their lives. Thanks to all for your participation and for making class so meaningful today! An especially large thank you to all of the students who made it today!

September 11 & 12th

We have been slowly working our way through Moses 4 and Moses 5 (in conjunction with the Genesis chapters which are mirrored within Moses). On the 11th, we discussed the war in heaven and Satan's war which he specifically wages against the saints of God and members of the church as well as the necessity of the Fall. Using candy, we illustrated the need for rules, for choices and options, and for a chance to make these choices. Satan's plan lacked all of these things. Today (12th) we focused on the sacrifices which we are asked and commanded to make - even when we don't understand them or know why, as well as finding principles and applications from Moses 5 which are applicable to ourselves.
The reading assignment is Moses 6-7 and Genesis 5.

September 10, 2007

Today after watching a video about the creation, we tested out the big bang (or drop) theory (it failed miserably). Afterwards, we tried our own hand at the creation - with a little play dough help, and then Trevor successfully earned treats for the whole class tomorrow.
Students are encouraged to read for 10 minutes each day - personal study - this is their daily homework. They are encouraged to follow the reading chart handed out in class last week for their personal reading.
The reading assignment for today is Genesis 3 and Moses 4.

September 7, 2007

Today was our first real (almost) Friday, Scripture Mastery day. We used most of the class period as a work time so that the students could mark all of their scripture mastery verses in their scriptures. For any students who were not present - please take the time on your own to mark your scripture mastery verses in your scriptures at home. In the future, we will be doing activities on Fridays (not exclusively, but frequently) related to scripture mastery. We will also pass off the scriptures that we memorize during the week and work on our dart throwing skills.
We passed off Moses 1:39 - all of the students present were able to recite it from memory. As a result - we unveiled the Dog Bone Box. This box, is covered with rows of candy and dog bones. We hang the box, spin it, and the students get to try their hand at darts. They get one dart for each scripture they pass off. Whatever their dart gets (and sticks to) they get to keep - be it the dog bone, or the candy bar.
The reading assignment is Abraham 4-5. We will begin talking about the creation this next week, and will be using the Abraham account.
The scripture mastery we will memorize this week is Moses 7:18.
FYI--parents and students please remember that Monday classes will be held at 8:00 am instead of the regular 6:00 am!

Loyal to the Royal! September 6,2007

Today we focused on Moses 1. We watched a video that illustrated the potential a tiny seed has to become a giant sequoia. We, like that seed have the divine potential to become like Heavenly Father. We discussed the formula Satan used to tempt Moses, and the formula which Moses used to fight against Satan. We discussed how this can be applied to our lives, and the importance of spiritual armor each day in our lives. Finally, we discussed the importance of being loyal to the royal which is within each one of us as children of an eternal Heavenly Father. The reading assignment for our next class is Abraham 4-5. We will begin talking about the creation next week. Students are assigned to read 10 minutes in their scriptures (Old Testament)each day. Tomorrow we will bring out the dog bone box, and we will pass off Moses 1:39. Students are encouraged to memorize and pass off 25 scripture mastery verses throughout the year. This is our first one. Parents, please encourage and help your students with their memorization of these verses.
Next weeks scripture mastery is Moses 7:18

September 5, 2007

Today we talked about the plan of salvation - how it is like a tomato. You'll have to ask the students for further clarification on that one!
In addition to tomatoes and getting to know WHO WE ARE, we spent time discussing Abraham 1, and Abraham 3. The reading assignment for today is Moses 1. Students who arrive to class on time and participate will receive money which they can use for the quarterly auctions.

September 4, 2007

Today we were assigned into our districts, and had our first student led devotional. We studied the Plan of Salvation, working to make sure we got all of the parts into order. The assigned reading for tonight is Abraham 1. However, I made a mistake - it should have been Abraham 3. Tomorrow we will be covering Abraham 1-5, with the main focus on chapter 3. Chapter 3 of Abraham focuses on, and reinforces the plan of salvation and our own part within this plan.