The Sacrament

A few weeks ago, I taught a lesson on preparing for Sacrament Meeting and partaking of the Sacrament. I used an idea shared on the Facebook group for LDS Seminary Teachers to hold the lesson in the chapel. I adapted it for my class and it was one of our best classes of this entire Seminary year. (if you have not joined the LDS Seminary Facebook group administered by Jenny Smith -I highly recommend it. I have an entire support community of Seminary Teachers who "get" my life and share incredible ideas. It is, many times, the only reason I look at Facebook. This time of year, as I am dragging to the finish line, it is nice to associate with others who are in the same situation, other times, someone will post a lesson idea that I needed at that very moment)

I took my class in to the chapel and we met around the Sacrament table for the entire lesson. It was a beautiful experience. We used the cloths and trays as we discussed the sacredness of this ordinance and the symbolism.
I had the young men in my class who are Priests and Teachers prepare the table, sit in the seats they sit in to to bless, etc.

We discussed arriving early, starting the prelude music early, staying in your seat the entire meeting, grooming and dress, etc. Being in the chapel brought this lesson straight to their hearts and provided an opportunity to discuss personal preparations.

At the end of the lesson, we sang the Sacrament Hymn #181, Jesus of Nazareth (referenced in John Bytheway's message). In our chapel, our organ can be programed to play the hymns, so one of my students went right up to the organ and started the hymn as another led us in singing. It was a beautiful way to end a very effective lesson.

I gave this lesson on a Friday so that I could challenge my students to prepare for Sacrament Meeting and partaking of the Sacrament that coming Sunday. On Monday, I followed up with asking about their experiences and thoughts.

In addition to the Scriptures, the two best resources for this lesson were:
1) John Bytheway's presentation on Sacrament symbols taken from his message, "The Best Three Hours of the Week". Found HERE (there is a "glue-in" hand out from John Bytheway and one from Elder Oaks' message, reference below.
2) Elder Dallin H Oaks General Conference message , "Sacrament and Sacrament Meeting", found HERE (this is one of my all time favorite Elder Oaks' messages)

Elder Holland's Witness

The first week of our Seminary year, I showed THIS video clip from Elder Holland.
I had my class read in Ether 12:37-38 just as Hyrum Smith read to the Prophet Joseph Smith right before they were martyred.
Just as Hyrum Smith did after he read that passage, I had my students fold down the corner of that page as a reminder of the sacrifices made so that we are blessed to have the Book of Mormon in our  day.
Once in awhile, I have referred to the "Ether 12" folded down page as we have discussed standing up for what we believe in, defending  and sharing our testimonies of the Book of Mormon and Jesus Christ, etc. I have seen my students turn to that page and noted that the corner of the page is still turned down.

As we are approaching the end of our Book of Mormon study, I am showing this as a follow up. We are spending a few minutes each day viewing various testimonies recorded on Mormon Messages as well as the testimonies of latter-day Prophets and Apostles.
This video from Elder Holland is one of the most powerful messages we have heard all year.

I Know_______ Because________

As we are in the final weeks of our Book of Mormon study, I have my students write the following in their journals and then fill in the blanks.

I Know_________________   Because___________________

I challenge them to write something they know or have learned or felt as they studied the Book of Mormon this school year and then write WHY they know/feel that way. It was difficult for some of them at first. At first, I had to give several examples or prompts.
With the recent experience of welcoming the Ft Lauderdale Temple to our area, I have tried to connect many of their experiences with feeling the to our study of the Book of Mormon,  feeling the spirit, gaining a testimony of Prophets, Apostles, obedience, faith, etc.
(example...how did you feel when Elder Holland came to speak to our youth at the Ft Lauderdale Temple Cultural Celebration rehearsal?  Why do you think you felt that way? What do you know or what did you feel because of that experience? What is different in your life because of attending the Temple Dedication? etc.)

Something I have found very helpful is to show Mormon Messages from lds.org with "regular-ordinary-every-day" people sharing their testimonies of the gospel. I usually share one of these at the beginning of class so it gets them thinking and I close the class with a short video clip from one or the latter-day Prophets or Apostles.

HERE is a fun Mormon Message that helps the students realize that everyone from every walk of life has the opportunity to hear and live the gospel.

I can't believe the year is winding down. I LOVE the Book of Mormon!

The "War Chapters"

Alma 43-62 are known as the "War Chapters" in the Book of Mormon.

In his book, Righteous Warriors: Lessons from the War Chapters in the Book of Mormon, John Bytheway does a masterful job of sharing the main principles of each chapter. Either for teaching the Book of Mormon or for your personal study, this book is a wonderful resource.

For teachers, the chapters are divided the following way:
1) Captain Moroni vs Zerahemnah: Alma 43-44
2) Captain Moroni vs Amalickiah: Alma 46-51
3) Captain Moroni vs Ammoron: Alma 52-58
4) Captain Moroni vs the king-men in Zarahemla: Alma 51, 59-62

Since my class was behind, this grouping helped me to pace our lessons and make a plan to get back on schedule.

Each chapter in the book expounds on a chapter from Alma 43-62 and gives clarity as to  principles and doctrines to focus on.

I purchased my copy from Amazon.com.
It is also available from DeseretBook.com

Experiment Upon The Word

We studied Alma 32 this past week.

This morning, we planted sunflower seeds to represent

our seeds of faith.

We chose an area we felt would be protected, yet get the best light, nourishment, etc.

We compared this to nurturing our testimonies.

By the end of the Seminary year, we  should have some 

large sunflowers, if we carefully nurture them.

You Know You Are A Seminary Teacher When...

You know you are an early morning Seminary teacher when you are attending a PTA meeting and the only thing you can find in your purse to write notes  WITH is a red scripture marking pencil and to write ON...a "glue-in" from one of your recent lessons.

Life is good!

Happy Friday!

Our "Lemon-ite" Army-Alma 17

We made bitter, hard-hearted  "Lemon-ites" 

When we go to battle, Ammon will teach them a few tricks.

Just wait and see how sweet they become when they are converted.

This idea came from my fellow Seminary teachers.

There is an amazing support on LDS Seminary Teachers Facebook page

for early morning Seminary teachers from around the world.