ALMA 11

We have met Zeezrom (ask your student for pronunciation). He is a lawyer who is trying to trick Alma and Amulek with his words. Zeezrom offers Amulek a very large bribe. All Amulek has to do to receive this money is to deny God. Zeezrom asks Amulek many questions about his beliefs. Amulek answers....never wavering.

DINNER CONVERSATION: Do we know people today who accept bribes (money, fame, power, etc.) and do things which they know are not right?

HAPPY 1/2 BIRTHDAY TO ROSS!!

DO YOU HAVE ROOM FOR THE SAVIOR?

THANK YOU SISTER MICKELSEN & BRITTANEY -- BREAKFAST WAS GREAT!! WHEN IT WAS OVER, BRITTANEY CLEANED UP AND EVERYONE WAS OFF TO SCHOOL!!

The Road To Bethlehem

ALMA 7-8

Alma tells the saints of Gideon that they can have the "peace of God". We found out what this peace can be by reading John 14:27, Romans 8:6, 1 Corinthians 14:33 and Mosiah 4:3.
Alma is discouraged with his time spent in Ammonihah. He leaves the city and an angel visits him and blesses him. The angel is the same angel that visited him the first time. Francesca mentioned that Heavenly Father is sending him someone he knew, not a stranger. Who might we feel comfort from -- a stranger (it could happen) or someone we know? Alma meets Amulek (who just happened to be prepared for him because an angel in a vision told him to watch for him. Amulek still had to choose to let Alma into his house -- we all have choices (that free angency thing). Alma tarries with Amulek many days (maybe teaching him how to be a missionary -- MTC) and then they start their missionary work among the people in Ammonihah.

ALMA 5-7

Alma is in the land of Zarahemla where the people are becoming prideful (how often does this happen?). He asks the people several questions -- these questions can be used for us to evaluate "how we are doing". We can use these questions every year/month/day and rate ourselves with our progress (hopefully progress). At the end of chapter 5 Alma shares his testimony and how he obtained it. He received his testimony the same way we need to: the Holy Spirit, prayer and fasting -- much prayer and fasting.

Interesting tid-bit of information about Alma 7:10: Anti-Mormon literature has repeatedly used this scripture to try to show that the Book of Mormon was written by Joseph Smith, and that he was so ignorant he did not even know that Jesus was born in Bethelehem, not Jerusalem. President Joseph Fielding Smith said: "There is no conflict or contradiction in the Book of Mormon with any truth recorded in the Bible. A careful reading of what Alma said will show that he had no intention of declaring that Jesus would be born in Jerusalem. Alma knew better. So did Joseph Smith and those who were associated with him in the bringing forth of the Book of Mormon. Had Alma said, 'born IN Jerusalem, the CITY of our father,' it would have made all the difference in the world. Then we would have said he made an error. Alma made no mistake, and what he said is true." The preposition 'at' has several meanings. The Standard Dictionary lists the following: 'of a point in space; on; upon; cose to; by; near; within.' When we think merely of the local or geographical point, we use at; when we think of inclusive space, we use in. Alma was thinking of a geographical point, therefore he spoke properly according to the usage of language even in our own day when he said, 'at Jerusalem, the land of our forefather,' Jerusalem being the central point of the land of their fathers.

DINNER CONVERSATION:
Try to imagine standing before the judgment bar of God. It doesn't matter what it looks like, it matters how you will feel. Can you imagine it? How will you feel?

VIDEO BROTHER MOUNT SPOKE OF IN SACRAMENT MEETING

ALMA 2 & 3

Today we talked about a very talented and cunning man. As you read Alma 2:22-27 ask yourself the following questions: "How can these verses be compared to Satan with his plan for you and also how does it teach you to defeat Satan?"

We looked at some pictures of people dressed in different clothing -- what does the clothes a person wear tell about them? Just because someone is wearing something does it mean they are like that? For instance, if you dress as a hoodlum, are you a hoodlum? What would society think if you dressed that way? Are there different ways people mark themselves (jewelry, language, etc.)? The Amlicites marked themselves so they would be different from the Nephites.

DINNER CONVERSATION: What positive ways can faithful people "mark themselves" to bless those around them?

ALMA 1

Nehor is in the picture for one short chapter. We talked about priestcraft and what Nephi taught us about it in 2 Nephi 26:29. Nehor wanted to be popular among the people so he taught things that the people would want to hear. If you do not know remember what happened to Nehor, ask a seminary student....they know.

DINNER CONVERSATION: Do you know any Nehor's in your life?

Brittaney: We Miss YOU!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! WE WILL START SEMINARY AGAIN ON MONDAY AT 6 AM!

MOSIAH 27 & 28

Alma taught us the steps we need to take to repent:
(1) Each of us has need to repent (Mosiah 27:11-17)
(2) We must recognize what is wrong (Alma 36:12-13)
(3) We must feel godly sorrow (Mosiah 27:28 and Alma 36:12-17)
(4) We must confess our sins (Mosiah 27:35)
(5) We must forsake our sins (Alma 36:23-25)
(6) We must make restitution where possible (Mosiah 27:35)
(7) Great blessings follow repentance (Mosiah 27:29-31 and Alma 36:19-21)
Following these principles of repentance does not bring forgiveness automatically but puts a person in a position to obtain forgiveness from the Lord.

We also talked about the sons of Mosiah desiring to serve a mission to the Lamanites.

DINNER CONVERSATION: Why do you think the sons of Mosiah wanted to serve a mission? Their dad was the king...what might they be sacrificing to serve a mission?

MOSIAH 26

We can learn how to solve life's problems by studying Alma.
(!) Identify the problem (Mosiah 26:1-10)
(2) Study it out (Mosiah 26:11-12)
(3) Pray (Mosiah 26:13-14)
(4) Listen to the Lord (Mosiah 26:15-32)
(5) Obey the voice of the Lord (Mosiah 26: 33-39)

DINNER CONVERSATION: How can we use Alma's example of problem solving in our own lives?

MOSIAH 24 AND 25

We have come in contact with Amulon -- the leader of the wicked priests of Noah. He is put in charge of Alma and his people. Amulon does not like Alma because Alma left the little band of wicked priests. Alma and his people start praying mightily unto God. So Amulon tells all of them if they pray any more he will have them put to death. They start to have a prayer in their hearts. The Lord eases their burdens and eventually they are able to escape from Amulon. They travel for 12 days and come to the land of Zarahemla where King Mosiah receives them with joy.

Once in Zarahemla King Mosiah gathers all the people and has what we would call General Conference. King Mosiah reads from the records of Zeniff and he reads the account of Alma. He is reading what we now read in the Book of Mormon. It is really cool to think that 2,000+ years ago King Mosiah is reading the same thing that we read. Has to give you goose bumps!

DINNER CONVERSATION: How does the Lord ease your burdens?

THANK YOU SISTER CASEY AND TYLER FOR THE DELICIOUS CINNAMON ROLLS AND VARIOUS PASTRIES! DELICIOUS!! TYLER CLEANED UP AFTER EVERYONE!!!

WATERS OF MORMON, MOSIAH 18

Today we learned that after fleeing from King Noah, Alma preached the gospel and many were baptized by Alma in the waters of Mormon. I wonder if Abinadi knew if he had "done any good in the world?"

DINNER CONVERSATION: What do you remember about your baptism?

THANK YOU SISTER VANDER VLOEDT FOR THE SAUSAGE MUFFINS! THE KIDS LOVED THEM!

MOSIAH 17

What are some hard things that high school students go through? That was a question asked today. Many answers...ask your son/daughter what is hard about high school. The reason for the question is because we talked about three people who were going through a hard time -- Abinadi, King Noah and Alma. Think about why they were going through hard times -- each is different.

Abinadi has been sentenced to die and after he has been whipped with sticks and lit on fire he testifies and prophecies. What do we testify of in our "fire"? When things are hard (the fire), how do we stand tall?

DINNER CONVERSATION: What is one thing you can do in your life that will help you be more like Abinadi?

JOE'S PLAY STARTS TONIGHT AND CONTINUES THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT -- LC -- 7 PM
JAKE AND JAMES WILL BE IN THE LN PLAY ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT -- 7 PM

MOSIAH 15 & 16

Two topics today...
The first -- Abinadi is teaching us that Jesus Christ is both a Father and a Son. Mosiah 15 not only explains how Jesus Christ is a Father and a Son but also deals with some similarities between Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. They are "one God" because They both participated in the creation of heaven and earth. And the Son's will is the same as the Father's. Elder McConkie taught, "The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one God is a sense far greater than merely being one in purpose....In the exalted family of the Gods, the Father and the Son are one. They have the same character, perfections, and attributes. They think the same thoughts, speak the same words, perform the same acts, have the same desires, and do the same works. They possess the same power, have the same mind, know the same truths, live in the same light and glory. To know one is to know the other; to see one is to see the other; to hear the voice of one is to hear the voice of the other. Their unity is perfect. The Son is in the express image of His Father's person; each has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; and both reign in power, might, and dominion over all the creations of their hands." We have been invited to beome as they are.

The second -- Abinadi teaches about the first and second resurrection. Righteous people, including children, will rise in the resurrection of the just. Wicked people will rise in the resurrection of the unjust.

DINNER CONVERSATION: What are the differences between the first and second resurrection?

MOSIAH 13 & 14

Abinadi asked King Noah and his priests what they taught. King Noah said they teach the law of Moses. Well, did they? Abinadi proceeds to tell them part of the law of Moses which included the ten commandments. We know from our lesson yesterday that King Noah and his people were not living, if not all, at least some of these commandments. Abinadi also taught that Jesus Christ plays an important role in our salvation. Abinadi tells them about Jesus Christ. He taught truths such as: the Savior would bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, He would be oppressed and afflicted, He would look like an ordinary man, He would know sorrow and grief and be hated and rejected, He would suffer for our griefs and sorrows, He would suffer for our transgressions and sins so we could be healed, He would be the sacrificial lamb of the Father, He would be killed with the wicked, He would work out the Atonement, He would satisfy the demands of justice, He would receive great rewards for His sacrifice.
I'm sorry that time does not permit us to study in debt all Abinadi taught about Jesus Christ. I do hope from time to time that the spirit of the Lord through the Holy Ghost can touch our hearts and help us know that the principle being taught is true.
Jesus Christ, as described in Isaiah 53 and Mosiah 14, is sometimes referred to as the "Suffering Servant." In the book, Understanding Isaiah, we learn "It has been common in many ages for people to assume that someone who suffers is being punished by God. Those who see the Servant consider that He is being punished for sin. Ironically, they are correct, but it is not His own sin that causes Him to suffer; rather, it is ours."
DINNER CONVERSATION: Ask your student why Michelangelo sculpted Moses with horns.

MOSIAH 11 & 12

Abinadi has entered the picture. In the book True to the Faith, we read that a prophet has four main responsibilities: (1) testify of Jesus Christ and teach His gospel, (2) make known God's will and character, (3) denounce sin and warn of its consequences and (4) prophesy of future events. We read about Abinadi and how he accomplished all four of those responsibilities.
We read that King Noah became the king after his father Zeniff. King Noah did not walk in righteousness. He is leading a life of sin and teaching his people to do the same. Abinadi shows up and starts teaching him and his people the truth. King Noah wants to kill Abinadi, but the Lord saves him. We know that our prophets are protected by the Lord. Joseph Smith said, "I am not afraid; the Lord said He would protect me, and I have full confidence in His word."
DINNER CONVERSATION: King Noah and his people were on the wrong path. What path are you on?

THANK YOU SISTER MOUNT AND MCKENNA FOR THE CINNAMON ROLLS ON FRIDAY...THEY WERE DELICIOUS!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JON!!!

BE STEADFAST AND IMMOVABLE

King Benjamin taught the people in Mosiah chapters 5 and 6. He told them that they were children of Christ and he wrote down the names of the people who had entered into a covenant with God to keep His commandments. "And it came to pass that there was not one soul, except it were little children, but who had entered into the covenant and had taken upon them the name of Christ."

DINNER CONVERSATION: What can I do to better keep my baptismal covenants?

IT'S FRIDAY!!

Today we sang Did You Think To Pray with a remix (I think that it what you call it). Ask your student if they liked it. I know it will never be played in Sacrament Meeting that way. We, also, did some scripture mastery. We are earning points for a pizza (or whatever) party. We now have close to 7,000....we need 10,000.
Our scripture of the week has taught us that we need to pray. When we do not feel like praying, the evil one is teaching us that we should not pray. It's a GREAT scripture. Thank you Nephi!
THANK YOU SISTER WILBURN FOR THE WONDERFUL BREAKFAST!! IT WAS DELICIOUS!

DID YOU THINK TO PRAY?

MOSIAH 1 & 2

We are now in the large plates of Nephi...so now we are reading in the 3rd person. Mormon is now abridging the plates -- so he can get a little tricky when Mormon says "he". Who is "he"? But I am sure we will be just fine.
We learned today that King Benjamin (son of Mosiah who took righteous people to the Land of Zarahemla) fought with the sword of Laban. We are now with King Benjamin and all the people who have pitched their tents at the temple. We are eagerly awaiting what King Benjamin is going to tell us. We know that he is not going to trifle with words and we need to "hearken" to them.
DINNER TOPIC: How do we hearken to the words in Sacrament Meeting and are we hearing the words with our ears and our heart? How can we do more than just "hear"?

JON...GET BETTER....WE MISS YOU!!

JACOB 6 & 7

In Jacob we see that Jacob presents us with the two goals of the Book of Mormon. The first goal is to teach people plainly of Christ and His gospel. The second goal is to show the enemies of Christ and how to know they are the enemy. In chapter 6 Jacob teaches us about Christ when he says, "repent ye, and enter in at the strait gate, and continue in the way which is narrow, until ye shall obtain eternal life." Then he tells his people Brother Merrill's favorite (maybe ALL TIME favorite scripture). This scripture is one Harrison has heard many, many times. O BE WISE; WHAT CAN I SAY MORE?

In chapter 7 we meet the first anti-Christ in the Book of Mormon, Sherem. We find out how to know the enemy. Sherem comes to the people preaching that there is no Christ. He was learned and had a perfect knowledge of the language. He used much flattery and power of speech and his power was from the devil. Sherem tells Jacob that he cannot say that there is going to be a Christ because no man can tell of things to come. Then Sherem says that there is no Christ, neither has been, nor every will be. Didn't he just say that NO MAN CAN TELL OF THINGS TO COME? With the Holy Ghost as his guide, Jacob was able to confound Sherem in his words.

DINNER CONVERSATION: Who do you know that uses tactics like Sherem to get us to believe them?

Jacob teaches us three ways to not be deceived. First the scriptures....what do the standard works have to say about it? Second the prophet....what do the latter-day Presidents of the Church have to say on the subject -- particularly the living President. Third the Holy Ghost....this can only be fully effective if one's channels of communication with God are clean and virtuous and uncluttered with sin.

PANORAMA PICTURES OF UTAH

The following web page has some wonderful pictures. Enjoy.

http://www.utah3d.net/GalleryTempleSquare.html

Today in seminary we had a video about Jacob 5...the allegory of the olive tree.
Dinner Discussion: What is your role in this allegory?

HAVE A HAPPY FALL BREAK!!

MONEY

The students were each given (OK, this is pretend) $500,000. They needed to spend their money in one day. It was interesting to see how they spent their money. We had college paid for, missions paid for, cars, tithing, home improvements, new homes, a condo and two people even bought new socks! After we talked about what we would purchase we read Jacob 2:12-16. Why do you think pride and misuse of wealth can lead us to treat other people unkindly? Then Jacob 2:17-20 offers some guidelines that can govern our attitude towards riches.
Dinner Topic: What would you buy with $500,000 and how can you incorporate Jacob's teachings into your spending?

NO SEMINARY THIS THURSDAY AND FRIDAY -- HAPPY FALL BREAK!!

JACOB 2

Jacob has a difficult task ahead of him. The Lord has asked him to tell the people about the sins they are committing. In chapter two he is basically talking about three sins: pride, misuse of riches and sexual immorality.
We focused on pride using one of our videos. President Benson defined pride as "enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen." Enmity was defined by President Benson as hatred, hostility and opposition. Ask your student about the video.
Everyone was back to seminary today....YEAH!!
Dinner Topic: Why is pride considered the universal sin and what can we do to combat this sin in our own life?

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16

We did kind of a fun thing today. We tried to identify our apostles by just listening to their voice. The average right was seven. I thought that was pretty good for just hearing their voice. Have your student test you and see how you do.

THANK YOU SISTER KIRK, SAM AND EMILY FOR THE MUFFINS, DRINKS AND DONUTS. FRIDAYS ARE ALWAYS GOOD WHEN WE HAVE FOOD!!! Sam even cleaned up.....I was totally impressed!

JACOB 1

Jacob has been given the plates and he is to write lightly of the history of his people and to write about the preaching which was sacred, revelation which was great and prophesying (verse 4). Verses 6, 7 and 8 tell us that Jacob is going to try to persuade people to come unto Christ. That will be the goal of Jacob.
In verse 12 we learn that Nephi dies. Each student made an epitaph for him. Maybe they would like to share it here.
In the last verses of Jacob 1, Jacob tells us of two major sins that his people are experiencing....pride and concubines. We will discuss these next week.
DINNER CONVERSATION: Ask about the football game we watched and how it relates to "spiritual things".
We miss McKenna and Christina -- GET BETTER!!

CONGRATULATIONS MADDY ON YOUR FIRST PLACE VICTORY AT CROSS COUNTRY SECTIONALS!!

LAST CHAPTER OF 2 NEPHI

There is something in common with the following scriptures: 1 Nephi 11:1, D & C 76:15-19, 138:1, 11 and JS-H 1:12-14. The prophets feasted on the word, prayed and pondered or meditated. We are taught by Nephi that we need to do all three so we can have the influence of the Holy Ghost. Do we want that? Well, I do because the Holy Ghost can teach us all things that we should do.
President Hinckley told us that he hoped we would all be perfect in our prayers. He said that it is hard to be perfect in many things, but being perfect in our prayers is an attainable goal. Dinner conversation: Are you perfect in anything? Ask your student about my temple recommend experience (see if they remember from 6 AM in the morning).
Nephi told us his words would be a strength to those who would read them. 2 Nephi 33:4-5 shows us why they would be a strength. There are five reasons: (1) Nephi's words persuade people to do good, (2) they teach Lehi's descendants about their ancestors, (3) they speak of Jesus Christ and persuade people to believe in Him, (4) they encourage people to endure to the end, and (5) they speak harshly against sin.
Nephi bids us farewell in verses 13 and 14. And he then signs off his testimony with (verse 15) I MUST OBEY. He started his book with I will go and do and now he tells us he must obey. Dinner topic: What one thing in our life can we do to be like Nephi?

2 NEPHI 32

Nephi told us that we can "speak with the tongue of angels." We brainstormed to come up with how angels might speak: don't say mean things, sing praises to God, soft spoken, lovingly, scripturally, speak of Christ, boomingly, manly, Godlike, eloquently, they have their own language, don't tell lies and don't swear. That is how we envision angels speaking. But the scriptures tell us something we didn't think of. In verses 2 and 3 we read that the angles speak the words of Christ with the power of the Holy Ghost. Then Nephi tells us that we need to "feast upon the words of Christ". So to speak the words of Christ we need to first feast upon His words.
So we nibbled on a granola bar and we tasted a granola bar. They were different than feasting. To feast on the words we need to study, search and ponder. It doesn't matter how many verses you read or how long you read or how fast you read. We need to use the scriptures as we would dine on Thanksgiving. Longingly, hungrily, etc.
Our next point was from verses 8-9. Dinner conversation: Why does Satan want to destroy our communication with God?

2 NEPHI 31

Would you like a recipe for eternal life? Well, 2 Nephi 31 and 32 have a recipe for that. We need repentance (verse 5), baptism (verse 5), Holy Ghost (verse 12), obedience (verses 10 - 12), enduring to the end (20), following Christ (10, 16) feasting on the words of Christ (20) following the spirit (32:5) and prayer (32:8-9). Nephi is mapping out a great recipe or a wonderful blueprint for eternal life.
WE HAVE SOME STUDENTS ILL TODAY -- GET BETTER -- WE MISS YOU!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIE!!

IT'S FRIDAY!!

The students made posters for five of the scripture mastery scriptures. They are earning points toward a seminary party/gathering/whatever. Five posters were made by five groups. An outstanding poster needed to include creativity, all members of team participating, creativity and staying with the meaning of the scripture. Outstanding posters earned 500 points each. All five of the posters were awarded outstanding by our judge, Bishop Alcorn.

THANK YOU HURLEY FAMILY FOR THE WONDERFUL BREAKFAST. WE TOTALLY ENJOYED IT!!

2 NEPHI 29-30

The Lord will do a marvelous work in the last days. We found four reasons in verses 1 and 2 of Chapter 29: (1) that the Lord will remember His covenants that He has made unto the children of men, (2) the Lord will remember the promises which He has made unto Nephi and His father, (3) He will recover His people a second time (4) The Lord's words will hiss forth...for a standard unto His people." President Benson said, "We, the members of the Church, and particularly the missionaries, have to be the 'hissers,' or the tellers and testifiers, of the Book of Mormon unto the ends of the earth."

We, also, found three reasons we should study the Book of Mormon and the Bible: (1) the Lord speaks to more nations than one (verse 7), (2) the witness and testimony of two nations is better than one (verse 8), (3) the Lord will judge us out of the books that are written (see verse 11).

Chapter 30 teaches us that the Book of Mormon will be the means of bringing many to a knowledge that Jesus is the Christ. Not only do we use this great book to convert others, we use it to convert ourselves.

Dinner conversation....a Bible, a Bible we have got a Bible and there cannot be any more Bible. Ask your students to explain this.

2 NEPHI 28

We had a GREAT video today. It was a video portrayal of President Packer's conference talk entitled, "Spiritual Crocodiles". Make sure you ask your student about it.

Chapter 28 is a great chapter that will teach us how to know when Satan is doing his work. Many false teachings are exposed. In verses 12-16 the word pride appears five times and is implied six more times. Beware of pride -- we will discuss this further in Jacob 2. We learned three tactics that Satan uses to make us vulnerable to his attacks: (1) he stirs some up to anger against that which is good, (2) he pacifies some and lulls them away into a sense of security and (3) he flatters some. Read 2 Nephi 28:20-22 to find those tactics. Can you think of any modern day examples to share over dinner?

Satan is very clever and he is real. Nephi does not leave us without hope. He tells us to be humble followers of Christ and we will be able to combat Satan.

President Benson said, "The Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention...It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAKE!!

PROPHETIC WARNINGS

We read three warnings from the family proclamation: (1) parents have a duty to rear their children in love and righteousness and to provide for their physical and spiritual needs...will be accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations (2) warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God (3) we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring...the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

How do we know that these prophetic warnings will come true? Doctrine and Covenants 1:37-38 explains why they will come true. There are many prophecies in 2 Nephi chapter 26 and 27 that were declared by Nephi and that have been fulfilled. President Benson said, "All the words of the Lord will be fulfilled, whether He gives the words Himself or through inspiration and revelation to His servants to declare those words, and the Holy Spirit bears testimony to all who seek to know the truth of the revelations and commandments."


THANK YOU BISHOP FOR THE MUFFINS AND CINNAMON ROLLS!!

LOVE FRIDAYS

We had our first scripture mastery game. We are earning points toward some kind of seminary gathering. They need 10,000 points. They all knew 1 Nephi 3:7, 2 Nephi 2:25 and 2 Nephi 2:27 pretty well. We need to work on 2 Nephi 9:28-27 and 1 Nephi 19:23. The Bishop asked the kids to watch as much conference as possible and to remember that God is speaking to them "...whether from my own mouth or my servants...". So enjoy conference together.

THANK YOU SISTER WILLIS FOR THE WONDERFUL BREAKFAST BURRITOS!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARGARET!!

2 NEPHI 11-24

We divided these chapters into four subjects: (1) the scattering of Israel, (2) the gathering of Israel, (3) the Millennium and (4) prophecies about Jesus Christ.

With the scattering their were natural consequences to their sins. We learned that many sins were being committed such as listening to soothsayers, marrying outside of the covenant, worshipping idols, not worshipping God, prideful, preying on the poor, drunkenness, calling evil good and good evil, and cursing God. Do we see any of these sins today? The natural consequences to their sins were: hiding from the Lord, idols destroyed, wicked will perish, all their finery will be taken away, no knowledge of God, all sinners will suffer whether rich or poor, and will be in darkness. Do we suffer from these natural consequences to our sins? Do we sometimes hide from the Lord because of our shame (do not want to pray) and we know the Holy Ghost cannot dwell with us in our sins (be in darkness). But, throughout all of this we read that the Lord's hand will still be stretched out....we just need to reach for it.

We learned that the gathering has commenced. We discovered that The Book of Mormon is a good gathering tool. President Benson said, "We must not forget that the Lord Himself provided the Book of Mormon as His chief witness. The Book of Mormon is still our most powerful missionary tool. Let us use it." 2 Nephi 2:10-12 taught us that a root of Jesse (Joseph Smith) will stand for an ensign of the people. Gentiles will seek this ensign. It also taught that the Lord will recover His people a second time (first time they were saved with Moses) and they will be come all around the world. Elder Maxwell made the following statement: "President Brigham Young noted....that as the Church extended and expanded into the nations of the world..., so in like manner and simultaneously would the power of the adversary rise...In such dramatic circumstances you will need those virtues which President George Q. Cannon ascribed to those of the latter days: courage, determination, and 'obedience to God under all circumstances.' ALL THE EASY THINGS THE CHURCH HAS HAD TO DO HAVE BEEN DONE. FROM NOW ON IT IS HIGH ADVENTURE!" What can we do to help with the gathering?

During the Millennium we found out that everyone on the earth will be holy. We will not need to worry about door locks, prisons Satan, a strong military, national elections, poverty or pornography. Christ will be the leader of our government. The animals will change. The wolf will dwell with the lamb, etc. This can be figurative or literal. Literal...just like it states -- figurative the wolf, lion and leopard representing the powerful, aggressive people and the lamb, kid and calf may represent peaceful and meek people. Do you want to be there? If so, what are we doing to become a "holy" person?

2 NEPHI 19:6 (OR ISAIAH 9:6)

2 NEPHI 9

Imagine that you are walking along a beam of a high-rise building under construction. While walking on the fifteenth floor beam, you slip and fall off the edge. What safety device would you rather have: an umbrella, a parachute, a bungee cord, or a net around the base of the whole building? Why? We used this as a representation of the Atonement. If we choose correctly what our safety device will be, we can be saved.
Joseph Fielding Smith said, "The ninth chapter of II Nephi should be carefully read by every person seeking salvation."

2 NEPHI 6-8

Nephi asked his brother, Jacob, to speak to the people about some of Isaiah's writings. In chapter six we learned that Jacob was qualified to teach the gospel because: he was called of God (verse 2); was ordained after "his holy order" (he held the priesthood -- verse 2); was consecrated, or set apart, by the prophet Nephi (verse 2); he cared deeply about his people (verse 3); and Jacob had already put a great deal of effort into teaching the gospel (verse 3). Is our prophet as qualified as Jacob? How about our stake president, bishop, parents and even ourselves?
Chapter 7 tells us that the Lord has not abandoned covenant Israel in spite of their transgressions. In likening the scriptures unto ourselves we learn that the Lord will not abandon us....ever. We may abandon Him, but He will never abandon us. How can we abandon Christ? We learn from verses 10 and 11 that God is the source of light and truth. If we walk in our own light we will only have sparks, which last only an instant and give off little light. It was compared to fireworks....not very bright and can be a distraction.
Chapter 8 wants us to wake up and remember all the things the Lord has done for us. In verse 25 we are told to arise from the dust and sit down. Sounds like a contradiction at first but when we learn that dust was a symbol of mourning it makes more sense. We are to arise from our mourning and sit down in a place of dignity and loose thyself from the bands of thy neck (huh?). Invaders often took conquered inhabitants of the land as slaves, and often they would place bands around their necks. Symbolically, sin is like a band around our necks. So, get up....stop your mourning. We should find joy and hope in the promises that the Lord has made. We have knowledge of who we are and where we can go. This chapter teaches us that the Lord has not lost His power....we need to have faith that He knows what is best for each one of us.

PRAYER CHALLENGE 18TH DAY

NEPHI 4 & 5

Chapter 4 is sometimes called the Psalm of Nephi. We discovered that the psalm has four parts. We paraphrased the following verses: 15 - 16: I (Nephi) delight in the Lord's words; 17 - 19: Nevertheless....my sins bring me sorrow; 20-25: Nevertheless....I know God has blessed me, guided me, and filled me with His love; 26-27: O then, why...why do I continue to sin? We then read verses 29-35 to discover how Nephi found the strength to face his difficulties.
In verse 17 Nephi talks about his iniquities? We wondered what iniquities Nephi was talking about (OK, I wondered). In verse 13 we learn that Laman and Lemuel are again angry with Nephi. In verses 27 & 28 Nephi is asking why he is angry because of his enemy and he asks God to help him not be angry again because of his enemies. I believe this is the iniquity Nephi is referring to.
We tried to compare chapter 5 to ourselves. In verse 5 the Lord warned Nephi -- the Lord warns us of danger. Nephi was to flee into the wilderness -- we have been warned to flee wickedness. Nephi took all who would go with him -- we have been counseled to associate with good friends who believe as we do. Verse 6 tells us the people who went with Nephi believed in the warnings and revelations of God -- we have been counseled to hearken to the words of our parents, our leaders and our prophet. Verse 7 says that they journeyed many days until they found a new place to live -- for us it sometimes takes significant effort for us to do what we have been prompted to do.
What challenges do we face that the above verses help us with: friends, parties, free time work, school, TV, movies, the Internet, music, books, magazines, etc.? How can the principle of fleeing wickedness apply to these challenges?
Oh, and by the way, tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!

JOSEPH AND JOSEPH AND JOSEPH AND JOSEPH AND JOSEPH

Lehi is talking to his son Joseph and tells him about Joseph of Egypt who has a vision about the Nephites and also Joseph Smith. Interesting enough this great prophecy is not included in the Old Testament. It is a great chapter but my favorite verse is, "And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation." (2 Nephi 3:15)
Imagine being Joseph Smith as you are translating the plates that will become The Book of Mormon. He is sitting there with his scribe saying the words from the plates and he says, "his name shall be called after me". Do you think he may have thought, "Oh, Joseph is his name." Then he translates that, "it shall be after the name of his father." "Wow! My father's name is Joseph. My name is Joseph." I don't know if that was Joseph Smith's thoughts...but I can only imagine at that moment the great awakening in our Prophet Joseph Smith as he read his name in print from some ancient plates. That is pretty COOL!
Why so many Joseph's in the title? We had Joseph, Lehi's son, Joseph of Egypt, Joseph Smith, Senior, Joseph Smith, Jr., and Joseph Wise who was sitting in class learning all about many important Josephs.

2 NEPHI CHAPTER 2

This chapter is filled with important principles of the gospel. We learn that Heavenly Father knew that no mortal could live His law perfectly, so He sent His Son Jesus Christ to atone for sin and bring salvation to those who repent. Temporal law came into effect because of the Fall of Adam. Spiritual law includes the commandments of God. We all will die (temporal law) and we all suffer a spiritual death (separation from God) as a result of not keeping the spiritual law completely. According to 2 Nephi 2:8 everyone will escape the punishment inflicted by the temporal law (resurrection). In verse 7 to escape the punishment inflicted by the spiritual law we need to have a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Elder Scott taught,"This absolute requisite of a broken heart and a contrite spirit prescribe the need to be submissive, compliant, humble (that is, teachable), and willingly obedient." Then he concludes by saying, "Please understand that the way back is not as hard as it seems to you now. Satan wants you to think that it is impossible. That is not true. The Savior gave His life so that you can completely overcome the challenges you face."
Ask your student about the fabulous movie we watched today!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FRANCESCA!

Thank you Brother Hurley for the donut holes! They were delicious.

1 NEPHI 20-22

Chapters 20 and 21 can be compared to a lawsuit brought against Israel for breaking her covenant with the Lord. Chapter 20 can be compared to the contract. It contains a preamble, historical review, conditions of the contract, witnesses, curses and blessings. Verse 10 talks about affliction. The Lord knows our trials we go through and he knows we can grow from them. Think of a baby chick breaking out of it's shell -- it must go through that hardship. If the baby chick is helped out of the shell, it may die. McKenna shared how a moth in a cocoon has to break out of the cocoon by itself. She told us of a man who found a cocoon and watched as the moth tried to get out. He helped the moth get out by cutting the cocoon. He found that the moth had a swollen body and undeveloped wings. That moth needed to go through "trials" to get strong. So it is with us.
Chapter 22 leaves us full of hope. We learn that the wicked will turn on themselves and will fall by their own hands. "And because of the righteousness of his (the Lord's) people, Satan has no power". A great promise made to us is that the righteous need not fear. Again, we need to decide what side of the fence we want to be on.

WE ARE WARNED

DON'T RUN INTO THE STREET! DON'T BLOW UP ANYTHING! DON'T TAKE CANDY FROM A STRANGER! DON'T SMOKE! We are warned from early on of things that may cause us harm. The scriptures warn us of things that WILL cause harm. Nephi has warned us, our prophets have warned us that we need to turn to Christ. 1 Nephi 19:7 tells us that the world shall judge Christ to be a thing of naught (to consider something worthless). We need to listen and obey so we do not trample Christ under our feet.
1 Nephi 19:23 is one of our scripture mastery scriptures. How can we liken the scriptures to ourselves? We can ask ourselves questions such as: "what significance does this particular event or principle have for me today? What does the rebellion of Laman and Lemuel teach me? How would I react to.....? What strengths to I have that resemble Nephi?" Questions will help us "liken the scriptures unto ourselves".

WHAT WOULD YOU TAKE?

Okay, I am learning what's work and what doesn't. Today was a "doesn't." We worked in groups of five or six and tried to decide what was more important for our well-being because we were lost/stranded. We didn't know where we were. We needed to list in order one being the most important and 15 being the least. We needed to make a personal decision and a group decision. The items were box of matches, food concentrate, length of nylon rope, parachute silk, portable heating unit, two 45-caliber pistols, case of dehydrated milk, two 50 kg tanks of oxygen, map, life raft, magnetic compass, five jugs of water, signal flares, first-aid kit with hypodermic needles and a solar-powered radio transmitter-receiver. Interesting to watch the different groups (ask Bryan how well he worked with his group). In the end there was no right or wrong answers. The questions were: (1) when you were ranking the items as a group, did someone take charge? Who? (2) Did some participate in the process more than others? In what ways? (3) What motivated the group to succeed? (4) What attitudes helped the group succeed? (5) How did the group discussion help you understand any errors in your own thinking? (6) What attitudes led to disorganization?
So, the final outcome -- this was a bust! I was trying to point out what Nephi, Laman, Lemuel, Sam and others may have had to face. Who takes charge? Why? Why is it always Nephi? How can we possibly build a boat? Oh yeah, we have seen an angel....what does that have to do with building a boat? etc. Oh, well....moving on (luckily not on a boat -- I might be facing mutiny).
This week we will be finished with 1 Nephi.

THE LIAHONA

We compared a compass to the liahona. A compass is man-made -- liahona was prepared for Lehi by the hand of the Lord (2 Nephi 5:12). A compass works by allowing a magnetized needle to align itself with the earth's magnetic field -- liahona worked according to their faith in God. Alma teaches us that the word of Christ is our liahona. The words of Christ can come from several sources, including the scriptures, living prophets, patriarchal blessings and the Holy Ghost speaking to our conscience.
Nephi and his family faced difficult situations. One time Nephi's bow broke, his brothers bows lost their spring and there was no way to obtain their food. Nephi's family murmured (including Lehi). Instead of complaining Nephi made a new bow out of wood and an arrow out of a straight stick. We decided he was optimistic. Then Nephi went to his father, who was the prophet and asked where he should go to obtain food. Nephi was also honoring his father by asking him where he should go for food. Food was found and all were humbled. The moral is sometimes we just need to figure out plan B or C or D and just DO IT. It doesn't help to murmur.
Interesting tidbit of information: 1 Nephi 16:34 tells us....Ishmael died, and was buried in the place which was called Nahom. In verse 13 Nephi tells us that "we did call the name of the place Shazer." This indicates that they did not name Nahom -- it already had that name and probably others lived and visited Nahom. Soooooo, why is that so cool? Maybe Nephi was giving us a clue as to where they actually had traveled to from Jerusalem. A few years ago archaeologists discovered ancient alters in Yemen that bear the name Nahom. The alters dated back to the 7th or 6th century BC. Why do I think this is so cool? Joseph Smith could not have known 20th century archaeologists would find alters bearing the name Nahom. Pretty cool!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KRISTINA!!

Thank you Sister Wilburn for the brownies! They were DELICIOUS!!

NEPHI'S VISION

1 Nephi 11-14 We talked about some of the things Nephi was able to see in his vision. He saw the birth of Christ, John the Baptist, Christ's trial and crucifixion, battle between Nephites and Lamanites, destruction of Nephites, Columbus discovering America, plain and precious truths are removed from the Bible, wars and rumors of wars and tells us "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and THEY WERE ARMED WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS AND WITH THE POWER OF GOD IN GREAT GLORY." (1 Nephi 14:14) If Nephi could see the birth of Christ, John the Baptist, Christopher Columbus and all the other things he saw that we know have happened, why wouldn't he be able to see what will happen in our times? He saw the righteous being armed with righteousness and power -- what side do we want to be on?

FALLEN IN A PIT

Imagine that you have dropped into a deep, dark pit with steep, slippery walls. You can't climb out and nothing in the pit can help you escape. How will you get out? First answer from class: pray! Always best to start here. Second answer: dig your way out -- this will be impossible because either the ground is impossible to dig through or you may not have hands to dig with. Third answer: try to jump out -- too tall, it's impossible. So how do we get out? Someone outside of the pit will have to help us. They can lower us a ladder to help us climb out.
President Joseph F. Smith: "This was precisely the condition that Adam placed himself and his posterity in, when he partook of the forbidden fruit. All being together in the pit, none could gain the surface and relieve the others. The pit was banishment from the presence of the Lord and temporal death, the dissolution of the body. And all being subject to death, none could provide the means of escape. Therefore, in His infinite Mercy, the Father heard the cries of His children and sent His Only Begotten Son, who was not subject to death nor to sin, to provide the means of escape. This He did through His infinite atonement and the everlasting gospel."
No matter how smart we are, how talented we are, how handsome we are or how pretty we are, we cannot get out of the pit alone. We need to rely on Jesus Christ to hand us a ladder.

OUR CLASS IN ACTION

Harrison receiving a letter of appreciation.

Jake filming the LN/LC football game that was used on channel 6.

Macey using her arms for cross country.

Maddy in the final stretch.

Ross breaking out of the pack.

PRAYER CHALLENGE

I issued a challenge to all students. Challenge may not be the right word -- suggestion, maybe? Starting September 1 we need to focus on making prayers a habit. When we awake in the morning, we need to hit the floor with our knees before anything else. This means we need to wake up a few minutes earlier (I said a few hours earlier and I got every one's attention). Then at night we need to pray before going to bed. These times are merely a suggestion. We need to remember that we can pray whenever. The challenge is for the entire month of September. If the challenge is accepted, I hope that the people accepting the challenge will notice a difference in their lives. Prayer makes a difference for me. "But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words." Alma 32:27 We are experimenting upon the word, the word of prayer. Will it work -- we have to experiment to find out!

DO NOT BE DECEIVED

President Benson gave the following advice: "May I suggest three short tests to avoid being deceived.....
1. What do the standard works have to say about it? We must diligently study the scriptures. Of special importance to us are the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants...
2. The second guide is: what do the latter-day Presidents of the Church have to say on the subject -- particularly the living President? There is only one man on the earth today who speaks for the Church. (See D&C 132:7; 21:4.) That man is the President of the Church. Because he gives the word of the Lord for us today, his words have an even more immediate importance than those of the dead prophets. When speaking under the influence of the Holy Ghost his words are scripture. (See D&C 68:4).
3. The third and final test is the Holy Ghost -- the test of the Spirit. By that Spirit we '...may know the truth of all things.' (Moroni 10:5). This test can only be fully effective if one's channels of communication with God are clean and virtuous and uncluttered with sin."

Laman, Lemuel, Sam and Nephi have the plates of brass in their possession. They have a new companion, Zoram. Tomorrow we will find out the "real" reason they needed Zoram!

THANK YOU HARRISON/SISTER MERRILL FOR THE CUPCAKES!!

WE LOVED THEM!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRISON!!

MURMURING

People who murmur:
1. Begin to question: 1st their own mind, then may make others question.
2. Begin to rationalize and excuse themselves from doing what they have been instructed to do.
They make excuses.
3. Become slothful in following the commandments.

With those three items in mind, focus on a commandment from living prophets that bother you the most. Do you question whether the commandment is applicable to you? Do you find excuses why you do not adhere to this commandment? Do you feel frustrated or irritated with those who remind you of the commandment? Are you slothful in keeping it?

BEWARE OF MURMURING!

MORE ORGANIZED

The basement is drying so we had seminary in part dining room, part kitchen. Everyone had a table so they can write in their journals. We learned three ways the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion: witness of Christ, keystone of our doctrine and the keystone of testimony. We talked about how it is not enough to own books to become a scholar -- we need to read them and p0nder them. Owning a copy of the Book of Mormon doesn't make us a true Christian. We need to read and pray about it. As we learn the precepts (instructions, teaching, commandments, principles), Joseph Smith told us we then must abide by them.
We talked about the law of witnesses which the Lord ordained. This law is: "In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." We read the testimonies of the three and eight witnesses. They testified that it was marvelous and that they do not lie! We need to remember to share our testimonies often. Our testimonies will grow as we do this.
NEXT WEEK: 1 NEPHI 1 -- 5.

BASEMENT MISHAP

Woke up -- went to the basement -- WATER!! So we had seminary in the family room. Not ideal -- but it works. Some of the students liked it better because they were sitting on a nice comfy couch. We probably will be in the family room for a few days. Even though conditions were not great, we talked about the title page. The Book of Mormon is written to show us what great things the Lord hath done for our fathers; and that we may know the covenants of the Lord and also to convince the Jew and the Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, who will manifest himself to all nations. The Book of Mormon has more references to Jesus Christ than any other scripture. There are 3,925 references made to Jesus names and titles of Christ. Tomorrow same time, same place....maybe a "little" better organized!

First Day

Everyone was in seminary today -- all the seats were taken. We talked about The Plan of Salvation/Redemption/Mercy/Happiness/Restoration. We discussed how the plan sort of looks like a circle -- start in the presence of God and hopefully end in the presence of God. So it is the circle of life (sort of like in The Lion King).

SEMINARY KICK OFF PARTY

Water Baseball! We got "just a little wet".

Notice the empty water bottle in Joe's hand.
He threw the water over his shoulder and
the water landed perfectly on Bryan.

Emily and McKenna

Just waiting for the fun to begin

Does anyone else think Macey looks just like her mother?

CHEESE!!

12 APOSTLE SONG

Seminary will start on Wednesday, August 19 promptly at 6 AM. It will be held at the home of the Alcorns.