Seminary Notes (October 15th 2013)

Daily Thought:

"Difficulties allow us to change for the better, to rebuild our lives in the way our Heavenly Father teaches us, and to become something different from what we were-better then we were, more understanding than we were, more empathetic than we were, with stronger testimonies then we had before."
-President Thomas S. Monson

Scriptures:

2nd Nephi 27:
1-5:
Drunken with iniquity-bound with the cords of Satan. No ability to choose.
* What does that mean?
* How do the individuals of our day respond to iniquity?
- Full of appetite.
- Closed eyes.
- Reject the prophets.

6-7:
* What will the Lord give us to help us?
- Book of Mormon.
- Scriptures.
- The Atonement.

12-14:
* Who was allowed to see the Book of Mormon?
- First three witnesses.
- Later eight witnesses.

* What was the last individual you shared your testimony with?

Seminary Notes (October 14th 2013)

Daily Thought:

"When our testimonies are strong and we are strong and we are truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ, our choices will be inspired by the Holy Ghost, they will be Christ-centered, and they will support our desire to endure in righteousness." -Richard J Maynes.

Today in class we focused on Scripture Mastery. We matched the Scripture Mastery up with it's doctrinal teaching. Here's what we were able to match up and finish within the class time frame:

1. 2nd Nephi 32:8-9 & How do I know if I am worthy to pray to God?
2. 3rd Nephi 12:48  & I'm not perfect, so why try?
3. Alma 32:21 & What is "faith"?
4. Alma 37:35 & When is the ideal time to lean God's commandments?
5. 1st Nephi 3:7 & I know the Lord will answer my prayers.
6. 2nd Nephi 31:19-20 & Is is not enough to have faith, repent, be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost.
7. 2nd Nephi 2:25 & What is the purpose of the Fall of Adam?
8. 2nd Nephi 2:27 & How do I know which to choose?

Here is a match that I made but couldn't make in class because the board was so confusing:
1. 2nd Nephi 32:3 (Feast upon the words of Christ) & Is it wrong to go to college?

That was babsically all that was completed in class today but remember to continue to review the Scrioture Mastery!

Here is are a few links to help: 
1. https://scripturemastery.lds.org/?lang=eng
2. http://www.lds.org/manual/book-of-mormon-scripture-mastery-cards?lang=eng
3. http://seminary.lds.org/mastery/scripture-mastery/find?lang=eng
4. http://seminary.lds.org/mastery/scripture-mastery/memorize?lang=eng
5. http://seminary.lds.org/mastery/scripture-mastery/understand-and-apply?lang=eng

Thank you Camilla!

Hey guys, I wanted to give a special shout out to Camilla for allowing me to borrow her notes for the previous week. I hope y'all are enjoying your weekend and see you tomorrow! :)

Seminary Notes (October 11th 2013)

Daily Thought:

"The doctrine is to the Church like a battery is to a cellphone. When you remove the battery from your cellphone, it becomes useless. A church in which true doctrine is no longer taught is similarly useless. It cannot guide us back to our Heavenly Father and our eternal home." - Elder L. Tom Perry

Scriptures:

2nd Nephi 21:1,10:              
- Stem of Jesse.                    
- Rod.                                  
- Root of Jesse.                    

 Doctrine & Covenants 113:1-6:
 - Jesus Christ.
 - Servant of Christ "on whom there is laid much power".
- Decedent of Jesse and Joseph who will hold the priesthood "keys of the kingdom" in the latter days.
    * Prophecy about Joseph Smith.

The temple is a rallying point; an ensign. (I personally enjoy calling it the Mormon "City Upon A Hill")
Ensigns are any rallying points for us to come together.

-What is your favorite ensign?

Seminary Notes (October 10th 2013)

Daily Thought:

"We all need each other, sons of God need daughters of God, and daughters of God need sons of God."
-Carole M. Stephens (General Relief Society President)

Scriptures:

2nd Nephi 19:6:
Prince of Peace:
1. He will bring literal peace when He comes.
2. When we seek Him, we will go in peace.

Another name:
Ishmael means "God be with us".
Syria and Israel wanted Judah to assist in their fight against Assyria.
Judah didn't co-operate, they attacked and failed to overtake Judah.
The Lord will help when we ask for assistance and when we need it.

Seminary Notes (October 9th 2013)

Daily Thought: 

"In the sight of the Lord, it is not so much what we have done or where we have been but much more where we are willing to go." - Edward Dube, Seventy. 

Scriptures: 

2nd Nephi 31:19-20: 

You have to keep making righteous choices that help you move forward.

We can look up scriptures we have never seen before and understand what they are saying. 

Endure to the end! 

Seminary Notes (October 8th 2013)

Daily Thought:

" As we seek the things of God, we must humble ourselves before Him, remembering that it is by His grace that we receive them, and focus our thoughts and prayers, our faith and our desires, even all the energy of our hearts that we might receive light and understanding directly from a loving Heavenly Father."
- Craig C. Christopherson.

"The book of Isaiah contains numerous prophecies that seem to have multiple fulfillment...the fact that many of these prophecies can have multiple meanings underscores the importance of seeking revelation from the Holy Ghost to help us interpret them." - Elder Dallin H. Oaks.

Scriptures:

NOTE: The same questions are being asked for the different set of scriptures because Dawn divided the room into two separate groups.

2nd Nephi 12:5-12, 17-19; 13:8-9:
- What attitudes and practices reflect the sins of the people?
* Idolatry.
* Pride/ haughtiness.
* Lack of forgiveness for others.

- What will happen to these people as a consequence of their sins?
* Forced to be humble.
* Lord will destroy all idols.
* Hide in fear.
* Jerusalem will be destroyed.

2nd Nephi 13:16-26:
- What attitudes and practices reflect the sins of the people?
* Being in the world but not of the world.
* Listening to soothsayers/ fortunetellers.
* Lots of adornments.

- What will happen to these people as a consequence of their sins?
* Darkness.
* God will not forgive them.
* Everything they love will be destroyed.
* Destruction.

- How do we guard against worldliness?
Be careful to not mislabel the words of God.
Example: "Evil be good; good be evil."

Temples:
NOTE: Whenever I think of the Temple being set upon a hill, I think of it as the Mormon definition for John Winthrop's "City Upon A Hill".






LDS Temple World Map.

Seminary Notes (October 7th 2013)

Daily Thought:

"Our purpose is to [come to]
1. Understand and rely on the teachings and atonement of Jesus Christ.
2. Qualify for the blessings of the temple.
3. Prepare [ourselves], [our] families, and others for eternal life with [our] Father in Heaven."
-Purpose for Seminary.

* What did the Spirit teach YOU during General Conference?

General Conference (October 2013)
By studying prophets' testimonies of Jesus Christ, we can strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ and rejoice in Him.

Scriptures:
 2nd Nephi 11:2-3 & 4-6:
* What did Nephi, Jacob and Isaiah experience that enabled them to become special witnesses of Jesus Christ?
They were transfigured which means they physically saw Christ.
* Isaiah, Nephi and Jacob have become prophets. What does that mean?
They have seen Christ.

* What does that tell us about our modern day prophets?
They have actually seen Christ!

* Why is it important that we have special witnesses of Christ?

4-6:
"My soul delighteth"

* What does it mean to "delight in" something?
To have joy! Jubilance, ect.

4-7:
* What are the things Nephi delights in?
- Proving Christ exists to his kinsmen.
   Loves everyone, wants them to understand.
- The covenants of the Lord.
   Enjoys keeping, obeying and honoring his own covenants.
- In the Lord's grace, power and mercy.

* What delights you?
* What helps you rejoice/ honor/ praise Jesus Christ?

2nd Nephi 11:8:
"And now I write some of the words of Isaiah, that whoso of my people shall see these words may lift up their hearts and rejoice for all men. Now these are the words, and ye may liken them unto you and unto all men."
1. Isaiah had seen the Savior just as Nephi and Jacob had.
2. Nephi delighted in testifying of Christ.

Seminary Notes (October 4th 2013)

Daily Thought:

"Our salvation depends on believing in and accepting the Atonement. Such acceptance requires continual effort to understand it more fully." -President James E. Faust.

Scriptures:

2nd Nephi 9:

27-54:

Coming Unto Christ:
- Be in the world but not of the world.
- Be spiritually minded.
- Seek after righteousness.
- Pray unto Him.
- Honor and keep your covenants and the commandments.

Distancing Ourselves from Christ:
- Committing whoredoms and iniquities.
- Put away your pride.

28-29:
NOTE: Scripture Mastery!

Be learned and wise. Knowledge is great; but you need to continually gain knowledge in spiritual things.

Heavenly Father will help and assist you in anything you do if you recognize Him.

NOTE: Thank you Ryan (Coconut Head), Sister Sloan and Abbie for preparing this wonderful lesson and the awesome goody bags! 

Santa Monica Seminary Sleepwalkers!!!

Hey guys :) Here is a group photo that was taken a few weeks ago. Not everyone is in it but do we all look so good for 5:50 in the morning? ;)

Seminary Notes (October 3rd 2013)

Daily Thought:

"If our separation from God and our physical death were permanent, moral agency would mean nothing. Yes, we would be free to make choices, but what would be the point? The end result would always be the same no matter what our actions: death with no hope of resurrection and no hope of heaven. As good or as bad as we might choose to be, we would end up 'angels to a devil'." -Elder D. Todd Christopherson.

Scriptures:

2nd Nephi 6:

5:
Jacob speaks of Isaiah and his words.
Isaiah says that a savior will come and redeem everyone of their sins.

- What is the "gathering of the House of Israel"?
* Enduring to the end.
* Keeping our covenants.

- What is the purpose of Jacob's teaching?
Apply Isaiah's words and teachings to our lives.

- What caused our physical/ spiritual deaths?
The Fall of Adam.

Spiritual death= being removed from Heavenly Father's presence.

7-9:
- If there were no atonement, would would happen to our bodies?
- What would happen to our Spirits?
No resurrection= no agency.
Regardless of our efforts, we would still end up in the realms of Satan.
We couldn't progress.

10:
- What has Heavenly Father prepared for us?
Our escape from death and hell.

2nd Nephi 9:5, 19-21:
Describe the Savior's Sacrifice:
Savior willing to suffer so He could deliver us from physical and spiritual death.
He was selfless; saw the greater picture and cause.

Christ saving us from physical death:
21:
"And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women and children who belong to the family of Adam."

NOTE: This reminds me of the Old Testament Scripture Mastery Isaiah 53: 3-5:
"He was despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised and we esteemed him not.
Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
Although this is just a glimpse of Isaiah 53, I recommend that you read the entire chapter! It is full of the sacrifices Christ made for everyone.

- How does this knowledge influence your feelings about the Savior?

- How did Jacob describe the state of individuals who will appear before God in their sins?
Naked; vulnerable.

-What is the issue of spiritual death?
- When does it become eternal?
Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can overcome the consequences of our sins as we....
1. Have faith in Jesus Christ.
2. Repent.
3. Endure to the end.
4. Be baptized.

- What are you going to accomplish today?

Seminary Notes (October 2nd 2013)

Daily Thought:

"When the Spirit conquers the flesh, the flesh becomes a servant instead of the master. When we have cleaned out the corners of worldliness and are ready to be obedient to the Lord, the we are able to receive His word and keep His commandments." - L. Tom Perry

Scriptures:

2nd Nephi 5:
- What does Nephi do?
Prayed and cried unto the Lord.

5-6:
- What advice does the Lord give?
Nephi should flee into the wilderness with every individual and thing that will follow and depart with him.

The Lord attempts to protect us by preventing us to make covenants we are not prepared to make.

"We cannot set off on a wrong course without first overruling a warning." - President Boyd K. Packer

6:
"Those who believed in the warnings and revelations of God."
- What are some revelations and warnings we have received from the Prophet and Apostles today?
"There is so much [inspired] guidance and direction available that you won't make major mistakes in your life unless you consciously ignore the guidance you receive." - Elder Paul V. Johnson

- How are YOU heeding warnings?

27:
"And is came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness."
- What does this mean?
Nephi and the others lived in righteousness and happiness.

- Why would it be a life long pursuit to find happiness?

19-24:
Compare and Contrast how the Lamanites and Nephites lived.

Nephites:
* Industrious.
* Build a temple.
* Gospel.
* Followed the Law of Moses.
    Passover, sacrifices, ect.

Lamanites:
* Disobedience.
* Ignore the Gospel.

20:
- What were the consequences of the Lamanites disobedience?
* Removed from the presence of the lord.
* No access to priesthood keys.
- What is the curse?
The Holy Spirit is not present.
- Why were they cursed?
Disobedience.

-What revelation did the Lord give about the Lamanites marrying with the Nephites?
The Nephites are commanded to not marry the Lamanites who rejected the gospel.

NOTE: This reminds me of the Old Testament Scripture Mastery verse where the Lord commands the Israelites to not marry the Canaanites. Possible connection?

Seminary Notes (October 1st 2013)

Daily Thought:

"The nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin." - Joseph Smith Jr.

Right & Wrong
* What are your parents responsible for teaching you?
-Ways of life.
- Taking care of ourselves.
- Independence.
- Value of work.

"Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the Commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they may live." -The Family: A Proclamation to the World.

Scriptures:

2nd Nephi 4:

3-11:
* Who is Lehi teaching?
The children of Laman and Lemuel.
Sam and the sons of Ishmael.

* What promise does Lehi make to the children of Laman and Lemuel?
"...the Lord God will not suffer that ye shall perish; wherefore, he will be merciful unto you and unto your seed forever."

* What is the responsibility that the Lord has given the parents?
 Parents have a God-given responsibility to teach their children the gospel.
* What are some truths that you have been taught by your parents?

* What is our responsibility?
Practice the truths taught by our parents.
Examples:
- Take responsibility for our actions.
- Continually strive for improvement.
- Love one another.
- Life aint nothing easy. (Abbie also wanted to add: Wear a helmet!)

Finish this statement...
My soul delighteth in....

15-16:
* What does Nephi's soul delighteth in?
- Scriptures.
- The Lord.

My heart sorroweth because.....
* What causes Nephi to sorrow?
- "My flesh"
- "My iniquities"
- "Thine temptations and the sins which so easily beset me".

"Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted."
* What does Nephi mean?
He trusts the Lord.

God supports those who put their trust in Him.

* How can remembering the Lord and His blessings help me during times of trial and discouragement?

Seminary Notes (September 30th 2013)

Daily Thought:

"The most important lesson is that we are truly all one in Christ Jesus. We are one in our love for the Savior. We are one in our testimonies of the gospel. We are one in faith, hope and charity. We are one in conviction that the Book of Mormon is the inspired word of God. We are one in supporting President [Monson] and the other General Authorities. We are one in loving each other. " -Chieko N. Okazaki.

- How can you assist in furthering the unity within Seminary?