Watchmen and Shepherds

This week all the lessons were taught by students. Friday's lesson, given by Ryan Reynolds and Ryan Palmer, focused on "watchmen" and "shepherds." (See Ezekiel 33&34) Prophets are the most prominent "watchmen," and the Lord is truly our Shepherd. But this week I witnessed these wonderful students as they watched out for eachother, warning and shepherding - modeling teaching patterns established by God and His prophets. Here are some highlights:

Erik and Tyler Kroff taught about the Restoration from "Preach My Gospel." Erik showed great dedication by responding to the invitation to attend the teachers' devotional at 6:20 a.m. The highlight of Monday's lesson? Erik and Tyler's simple, strong, sincere testimonies!

On Tuesday we had two short lessons. First Sara and Analisa taught us lesson 2 from "Preach My Gospel": the Plan of Salvation. They came in early with notes in hand. Clearly, they had given serious thought to their presentation. They involved the class through questions, reading scriptures, and even invited Erik to draw the Plan of Salvation on the chalkboard. They capped off their effort with the ever popular Seminary treat: donuts! (Feeding the sheep...)

Next, we heard from Bethany and Stephanie. This duo was also seriously prepared. Their lesson on "The Gospel of Jesus Christ" was filled with thoughtful analysis and application questions, as well as the sharing of personal experiences and feelings. Students were also involved in reading scriptures and quotes. It was wonderful to see the way Bethany and Stephanie worked together with mutual respect and sincerity as they spoke of the basic principles of Christ's gospel.

Tyler Robinson carried the torch for the threesome that taught on Wednesday. He came early and launched into his presentation on "The Commandments" cheerfully, even though his teaching partners were late. The good news is that they DID show up! Sam and Brandon participated in reminding us about the blessing of commandments. Tyler's inspired class activity had students drawing the Ten Commandments on the board.

The chalk board was a focal point during Chad and Connor's lesson on Thursday, introducing us to the prophet, Ezekiel. Chad (flying solo until Connor arrived)drew a fortress wall on the board and asked "What is the function of the wall?" He then drew a tower, with a watchman on lookout. He asked us what qualities we thought were important in a good watchman. The students answered, "Good eyes and a loud voice!" Both Chad and Connor bore fervent and sincere testimonies of our present-day watchman, President Thomas S. Monson and encouraged us to listen to and follow his counsel.

Annie had a case of "stage fright" so Deanna handled her assignment alone. She handled it beautifully! Two pieces of fruit (one, perfect and another, over-ripe) helped her lead a discussion on what it meant to be "ripe in iniquity." Deanna involved students with readings from the scriptures, quotes by general authorities and several thought provoking questions. Her personal witness and testimony of the gospel was humble yet powerful!

Ryan Reynolds arrived early on Friday for the teachers' devotional - another extra-dedicated watchman/shepherd! He and Ryan Palmer were well prepared, and involved the students with lots of discussion questions. Palmer's shepherd illustration on the board was both humorous and instructive, as well as his use of the nursery cut outs. The sheep were surrounded by predators such as a snake, leopards or jaguars, pandas, alligators, and a poisonous (?!?) butterfly. Students identified these predators, respectively, as Satan, media, communism, "spiritual crocodiles," and pornography (it looks appealing but it will kill you).

The Ryans opened their lesson by asking students to write in their journals the answer to this question: "Why is adultery more serious than stealing, and murder more serious than adultery?" Chad's answer took us on an interesting tangent: "Stealing involves temporal, less important things. Adultery is involving spritual children of our Heavenly Father. It is a more sacred rule to break. Murder is an unforgivable sin that cuts short someones earthly progression." This comment about murder sparked a debate about whether one can be forgiven of murder. Most students felt murder could be forgiven, but that it would have a definite negative affect on our opportunity for exaltation. ("No murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." 1 John 3:15) From Elder Bruce R. McConkie we get the following: "Murderers are forgiven eventually but only in the sense that all sins are forgiven except the sin against the Holy Ghost; they are not forgiven in the sense that celestial salvation is made available to them." (Matt. 12:31-32) See "Mormon Doctrine," p. 520.

One more student teaching team remains for next week: Michael and Brendon. I look forward to their watchful words of warning and to their efforts to keep me, and their fellow students, safely in the Lord's fold.