Picture This

I took several pictures during this past year of Seminary and also had students' families send me pictures to use for a few projects. Here are some of those pictures, in random order:



























































This last one of Ryan is representative of the extra sleep we're all getting, now that our alarm clocks can be set later than 5 a.m. It wasn't easy to drag ourselves out of bed that early several times a week but, speaking for myself, it was definitely worth it!

What Really Matters

Recently we had an activity in Seminary, during which I asked the students to come up with some "hard ball" questions they might be asked by their non-LDS friends. We had an interesting discussion based on these questions. Chad's question got a strong response. It was something like: Did Joseph Smith translate the Book of Mormon out of a hat?

Huh?!? To be honest, I'd never heard of this. Chad said this was, indeed, a question he'd been asked and that there must be something to it because it had been featured on South Park, You Tube, etc. When we are asked a question we don't know about, a logical response is "I don't know." Essentially, that was my response to Chad. And that was the end of it, or so I thought.

While I was researching a completely unrelated matter online, I stumbled across a drawing of Joseph Smith with his face in a hat. After Chad's question (which I had all but forgotten) I had to learn more! I clicked on this image. The blog that popped up with the image had a link:

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=05169209df38b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1

This link took me to a marvelous article in the July 1993 Ensign by Elder Russell M. Nelson entitled "A Treasured Testament." It contained, among other less discussed details of the translation of the Book of Mormon, a quote from David Whitmer's writings describing Joseph's use of a hat along with the seer stone in the translation process. I shared this strange description with the class today. What did they make of the whole hat thing? "Interesting." "Weird." I agreed. On both counts.

Some students were quickly able to site scriptures which offered some perspective, i.e. Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." They sited several Biblical prophets the Lord used to perform miracles using fantastic (seemingly magical) methods: Moses, Elijah, Daniel... there are dozens. I mean, if we buy that God kept three men from burning inside a furnace (Shadrack, Mesach and Abednego - see Daniel 3), what is so tough to swallow about a prophet using a hat and a seer stone? After briefly discussing these other miracles I asked, "Is this really important?"

Silence.

Then Ryan Palmer said, "Not necessarily." I pressed, "What do you mean?" He responded, "Well, it's not so important how [Joseph Smith] translated the Book of Mormon, but THAT he translated the Book of Mormon." EXACTLY!

I testify that he did, indeed, translate this other "Testament of Jesus Christ" by the gift and power of God. The Spirit has confirmed this truth to my soul over and over. The fact that he appears to have used a hat doesn't make it less a miracle.

I also testify that the Lord cared enough about Chad and his question to help me find an answer I wasn't even looking for. It was as if I pulled it right out of a hat: The Lord's little miracle for Chad. Now that really matters!

Second Coming Survival Kit

Like so many other Old Testament prophets, Zechariah's prophecies foretold the coming of Christ, not just in the meridian of time (Jeremiah 9:9), but for the second time, when the Jews will recognize Jesus as their God (Jeremiah 13:6,9). In fact, "the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one." (Jeremiah 14:9)

Four years ago, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave an inspired sermon at General Conference entitled "Preparation for the Second Coming" (April 2004). Like Zechariah, he fixes our gaze on the day when we will meet the Savior:

"What if the day of His coming were tomorrow? If we knew that we would meet the Lord tomorrow—through our premature death or through His unexpected coming—what would we do today? What confessions would we make? What practices would we discontinue? What accounts would we settle? What forgivenesses would we extend? What testimonies would we bear?"

When these questions were posed to our class, one student responded: "I would probably stop doing a lot of stuff. I would try to forgive my dad. I would tell all my family I loved them and then bear my testimony of Christ." Another added, "We would change - probably tell people who the Lord is and tell them what he does for each one of us. We would also try to improve our standings with our fellowmen. And we would want to say to the Lord, 'I have done everything you have wanted me to do.'"

Elder Oaks challenged each of us to prepare for our meeting with the Savior:

"We need to make both temporal and spiritual preparation for the events prophesied at the time of the Second Coming. And the preparation most likely to be neglected is the one less visible and more difficult—the spiritual. A 72-hour kit of temporal supplies may prove valuable for earthly challenges, but, as the foolish virgins learned to their sorrow, a 24-hour kit of spiritual preparation is of greater and more enduring value."

Several students wrote in their journals what they would put in that "24-hour kit of spiritual preparation." Their lists included:
The Book of Mormon
My testimony
My faith
Soap (representing moral cleanliness)
The companionship of the Spirit
Gospel knowledge
Love
Repentance
Forgiveness
Good attitude
The priesthood
Advice from my parents
Advice from the prophet

Our current prophet/President, then Elder Thomas S. Monson, spoke at an April Conference when I was in high school (April 1972). He told of seeing a sign in a furniture store window which read, "Finishers Wanted." If we begin preparing for the Lord's coming, will we finish? If we undertake to read the Book of Mormon, will we finish? Will we finish repenting and forgiving? Will our faith, our testimonies and our love be enduring? Will we persist in striving to be chaste, in honoring the priesthood, and in seeking the Spirit? Will we always act upon wise counsel from our parents and, especially, from the Lord's annointed?

"Someday, we know not when, Christ will come again. It behooves us all to live faithfully and thus prepare ourselves for that grand event...
The Second Coming of the Lord will be a dramatic finish to His work before the Millennium. Those who labor with and wait for His appearance will not be disappointed. But only finishers, those who endure to the end, will be there."

(Elder Thomas S. Monson, Conference Report, April 1972)

As I reflect on the insights the students in our class have offered, and the counsel the prophets have given, I can sense that we have all begun preparing for the Lord's coming. My earnest hope is that we will finish!

Principles and Prophets

After studying the more extensive writings of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel, we turned this week to the writings of "minor prophets" such as Hosea, Joel and Amos (referred to as "minor prophets" only because their writings are shorter). We have yet to study several more. Why so many prophets? Amos 3:7 reveals the Lord's pattern in dealing with us:

"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."

Today's journaling assignment was to identify a prophet, ancient or modern, a principle he taught, and to describe how that principle had made a difference in our lives.

Not every student responded, and of those who did, not all responded appropriately. I have come to expect that from time to time. These students are great people. But they ARE people. Sarcasm, apathy, pride ... creep into our way of being and thinking, and into our exchanges in class sometimes. Unfortunately, we don't always live up to our privileges, when it comes to inviting the Spirit to direct what we say and do.

On this theme of not always getting it right, Bethany found Solomon's life and teachings instructive: "Solomon made bad choices in his life, but at one time he was a spiritual giant. He wrote Proverbs, a beautiful piece of work. When I was younger, my mom told me to read Proverbs. I don't remember why she told me to, but I still remember the peace [Solomon's] words instilled. Proverbs 1:10 says 'If sinners entice thee, consent thou not.' I've consented plenty of times, but I have hope and the ability to repent. God truly wants me to succeed."

Michael reminded us that Noah also taught repentance. Michael states, "I know that I can be forgiven for any sins that I have done. His story also shows what happens when sinners don't repent and I don't want to drown in a flood."

"Samuel taught meekness and lowliness and that is how he chose David as king of Israel," observed Chad, adding that this principle had helped him temper his pride and keep him "willing to try and learn new things."

A prophet who was willing to try and DO new things was Nephi. Erik wrote that Nephi's faith had helped him learn "that by trusting in the Lord we can do incredible things."

Ryan Palmer appreciated Moses' lesson on the value of life: "Thou shalt not kill," while Stephanie celebrated a statement on life by President Gordon B. Hinckley: "Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured." She elaborated, "This has made a difference in my life because there are some points in my life where I am just enduring it but now I know that everything in life should be enjoyed."


Another student impacted by Gordon B. Hinckley was Brandon: "When he was a prophet there were a lot of temples built. Now I can go visit these temples and someday I'll be married in one of them." I love Brandon's commitment to the principles of temple worship and eternal marriage!

Seeing the Biblical pattern of prophets restored in modern times is a great witness to me of the divinity of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Each prophet and each principle invites us to look to Christ. From ancient prophets to those of the Restoration, including our present-day prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, prophets are a vital link between God and His people. If we would know God's "secrets," we must listen to and follow His prophets. Like the Savior, who sought only to do the will of the Father, prophets seek to serve and testify of their Lord and Master. Each principle they teach invites us to do the same.

Surviving the Fiery Furnace

Recorded in the third chapter of "Daniel" is a remarkable account of three of the most devout young men in scripture. Having refused to worship the image of Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, they were given an ultimatum: bow down to the idol or face death in a fiery furnace. The late Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles had this to say about their bold refusal to put anything or anyone before God:

"Regarding trials, including of our faith and patience, there are no exemptions - only variations (see Mosiah 23:21)... the faithful will not be totally immune from the events on this planet. Thus the courageous attitudes of imperiled Shadrach, Mesach, and Abed-nego are worthy of emulation. They knew that God could rescue them. 'But if not,' they vowed, they would still serve God anyway (see Daniel 3:16-18). Similarly, keeping the unfashionable but imperative first and seventh commandments can reflect the courage which three young women displayed anciently; they said no with their lives (see Abraham 1:11)." Conference Report Oct. 2002

So whether we are rescued in the fire or following it, we feel the Lord's saving presence and power in our lives. How is He with us in our "fiery trials?"

Annalisa - He helps me as much as I come to Him. If I put all my faith in Him, He comforts me and blesses me with hope.

Connor - I would just say that His teachings are with me. The Holy Ghost is with me, and I know His angels are with me when I go through trials.

Tyler R. - He stays with me whenever I'm doing something that's hard for me.

Brendon - The Lord has been awesome: every time I've gotten myself into a really difficult situation, and I give myself up to Him to make things right, He always comes through somehow.

Bethany - He's made sure I'm able to withstand whatever it is. He's helped me learn from whatever it is I've messed up on.

Ryan R. - He gives you his spirit. He makes it so you never have to face a trial you can't handle. He gives you help in the form of friends or family in the very moment you need them.

Erik - He prompts you with what to do and maybe what to say during that specific trial. He also will make you stronger in the belief that you can withstand that trial.

Ryan P. - The Lord is there with me during my fiery trials by ensuring that I never have to withstand heat that is greater than my strength to resist. He does not take away my trials, but He allows me to fortify my faith and conviction to the height of my potential.

Whether I am called upon to live for the Lord or die for Him, I know He lives for me! I know He died for me! My faith is fortified as I hear and see the faith of young Latter-day Christians who recognize the Redeemer's saving presence in their lives.