December 6, 2007

Today we had the chance to review some of the Exodus story - focusing on the occasions during which Moses spoke with the Lord at the mountain. As we began class, the students answered the following questions in their journals - What do I want to get out of Seminary today? We discussed whether or not it is possible for me to meet each one of their needs each day in seminary. Some students said they talk to their parents about most of their problems, but the students all concurred that they don't generally talk with their parents about things they are praying about and praying for. Based on this we discussed how a teacher can't possibly meet each students needs. We discussed however, that Heavenly Father knows what each of our personal needs are, and through the Holy Ghost, we can have our prayers answered, and our personal needs can be fulfilled if we really listen to the Holy Ghost while in Seminary, or Church, or as we read etc.
Based on this, we then did a role play. 2 students volunteered to be our missionaries, and stepped outside the room to knock on the door. I answered the door, and they asked to share a message. They did a great job sharing their message, but I had a couple of questions (as an investigator). Based on Exodus 33:20, and John 1:18, no man can see God and live - that's what my pastor told me, and I just don't understand how Joseph Smith could see God and live, since God doesn't change, and that's what the scriptures say.
The students tried their best to come up with some answers... I then asked the students to spend some time looking in their topical guide under Jesus Christ, appearances of, ante and post mortal. As they did, I asked them to write down in their journals anything that impressed them, as well as any people who they found references to having seen Heavenly Father.
We got back into our role play with some new volunteers and started up where we'd stopped. The students could name several people who had seen the Lord, but we still struggled to find a good answer. Finally, we looked at the JST, and found that only a righteous person can see the Lord still live. We discussed how this really changes our understanding of the aforementioned scriptures, and really opens up our understandings. We ran out of time, but I had planned to ask the students to then record in their journals what they really DID get out of seminary this morning.
Tomorrow we will be doing a scripture chase - I recently found some really fun new ideas for them - I'm excited to try them out!
We will be covering Leviticus 1-7 on Monday during seminary, and we will finish the entire book of Leviticus next week. From here on out (for several weeks at least) we will be FLYING through the upcoming books - doing a minimum of a book a week, so the daily reading and keeping up is pretty important.