January Apprentice Class

January Apprentice Class

Study/Learn

1 - Read: “21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader” Chapter 6: Courage

2 - Read: “The Young Traveler's Gift” Chapter 5: I am a person of action

3 – Read: Psalm 31:24

4 - Do a Hero Study.  Instructions found in the tool box.

5 - Read the article "Be Strong and of a Good Courage" by Pres. Thomas S. Monson.  Mark quotes you like and try to find principles.

6 - Read: “Call it Courage” by Armstrong Sperry
Chapters 1-2.


Know/Understand
(Choose 1 of the following)

- There are many quotes in the chapter from "21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader”.  Choose one of them that you really like.  Do you agree or disagree with this quote?  Write a paragraph about why you like this quote so much and why you agree or disagree with it.  Write about how this quote can motivate you in your life and make you a better person.  Decide on 3 things you can do to better live what is taught in the quote and write them down.  Be prepared to share with the class.

- In our scripture (Psalm 31:24) it talks about hope.  What does hope have to do with courage?  Do a word study on "hope" if that will help you.  Write a paragraph on what hope means to you and how it can help you have more courage.

 - Choose 2 of the principles that you found in the article by Pres. Monson.  Re write them in the "if...then..." format.  Make a list of 3 actions for each principle that you could take to more fully live that principle.  For example: A principle could be in Helaman 3:27 we read: "Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name."  So we can rewrite the principle to be "If I call upon God's name with sincerity of heart, the Lord will be merciful to me."  The three things that I can do to better "call upon God's name" will be 1) make a habit of saying morning and evening personal prayers, 2) encourage my family to have family prayer each day, 3) really think about my prayers as I'm saying them and truly talk to God, not just rattle off the same things I say every time.  Be prepared to share with the class.

- Write a poem about courage and what it means to you that you can share with the class.

- Draw or paint a picture of someone from history or from the scriptures in the act of showing great courage.  Come prepared to share with the class why you chose that person and show us what you painted or drew.


Become/Serve

In the article we read by Pres. Monson, we read:

"Courage comes in many forms. Wrote the Christian author Charles Swindoll: “Courage is not limited to the battlefield … or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are inner tests, like remaining faithful when no one’s looking, … like standing alone when you’re misunderstood.” I would add that this inner courage also includes doing the right thing even though we may be afraid, defending our beliefs at the risk of being ridiculed, and maintaining those beliefs even when threatened with a loss of friends or of social status. He who stands steadfastly for that which is right must risk becoming at times disapproved and unpopular."

Think of a time in your life when you have done a "quiet act of courage" like one of the things Pres. Monson listed above.  Think about what made you brave.  What was at stake and why did you choose to have courage?  What was the result?  Write about this experience in your journal.

January Journeyman Class

January Journeyman Class

“What is the answer to the dilemma that surrounds us?  The answer is to love our Founders, our country, our founding document, and the God that gave them to us.  We must teach that love to our children, pray for our leaders and plead for help.  The answer is to get involved.” 

- Pam Openshaw, author of “Promises of the Constitution”

Study/Learn

1 – Read: “Promises of the Constitution.”  Chapters 8 & 10.  Write one or more sentences at the end of each mini chapter that summarizes the main point.  Find one or more principles in each of the chapters.  Rewrite it in the "if, then" format and come to class prepared to share it.  You can look here for information on finding principles.

2 - Read "The Divinely Inspired Constitution" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks.    Print out the article, and as you read mark principles of your personal responsibilities to the Constitution.


Know/Understand

Choose 1 of the following:

• In chapter 10.3 of "Promises of the Constitution" we read about the way the Electoral College was set up by the Founders.  Imagine that you have been chosen as an elector and must select two people to nominate for president of the United States.  Write at least 1 paragraph explaining at least three characteristics you are looking for in a good president.  Why are these characteristics important to you?  

• In chapter 10.8 we read about the steps that have to be taken to amend (change, alter or add to) the Constitution.  Change can be good - but what happens is there is too much change? Describe what your life would be like if you moved to a new house every month, or if you got new parents every year, or if the days of the week changed around frequently.  Choose one of these situation, or come up with one of your own, and explain in at least 1 paragraph the negative effects of this change.  How uncertain would life be with these unnecessary changes? How does this apply to changes made to the Constitution?  Is the Constitution strengthened or weakened when tampered with too much?

• In order to expect the leaders of our nation to be responsible in their spending, we as citizens, must also be responsible with our personal spending.  Prepare a FHE for your family on responsible money management.  You can find quite a few resources at LDS.org if you search for "money management".  You can also use any other resourced you find.  Be prepared to teach the class a short FHE on what you presented to your family.

Become/Serve

In the article by Elder Oaks, we read a quote by Adlai Stevenson:

“What do we mean by patriotism in the context of our times? … A patriotism that puts country ahead of self; a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.”

Look through quotes about our country's Constitution and find one that you love, that inspires patriotism in you.  Print it on a paper, decorate it and make it pleasing to look at.  Post it in your room where you will see it often to remind you what an amazing, God-inspired country we have.

January Master Class

January Master Class

Study/Learn

1 - Watch this introduction to "To Kill a Mockingbird".

2 - Read: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee.



Know/Understand
(Choose 1 of the following)

- There are many characters throughout the book that show courage.  Choose one of them and write a letter to that character telling them what courage you noticed in them, how you feel about the courage they showed and what you are committing to do to live more courageous in our own life.

- Which character in the book do you relate to the most?  Why?  Write a paragraph about why you feel that you relate so well to them.  How are you alike?  How are you different?  If you were that character what would you do the same or different?

- Do you like the way the book ended?  If not, rewrite the ending of the book to your liking.

- Choose your favorite scene from the book and with some friends from class, act if out for us.  Be prepared to tell us why it is your favorite part.

- What, if any, prejudices do people face in today's world? Have the issues that Lee discusses in To Kill a Mockingbird been resolved or are they ongoing? What forms of prejudice can you identify in your own community? Have you ever been the victim of prejudice? Did the situation end justly? Explain.

- Watch the movie, "To Kill a Mockingbird" from 1962. What elements in the story are different? What limitations does the book have that film doesn't? What limitations doesfilm have that the book doesn't? Does the movie tell the same story that Harper Lee does? What events do the movie highlight as important? Why do you think they made those choices? Do you agree with the choices? Write a paragraph in agreement or disagreement.  Did you like the movie or book better?


Become/Serve

In Chapter 10 of "To Kill a Mockingbird", Atticus showed his children that he was a courageous man when he stepped into the street to face down a rabid dog. Although he didn't consider the act particularly courageous and was completely uninterested in proving anything to his children, Jem and Scout were proud of, and impressed by, his courage in such a precarious situation. But shooting something wasn't really Atticus' idea of courage. He viewed courage on a more intellectual level, as a moral thing, not as something that can be proved with a weapon.

Do you agree or disagree with Atticus' idea of courage?  Think about this and then record your feelings in your journal.

November Apprentice Class

November Apprentice Class

Study/Learn

1 - Read: “21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader” Chapter 16: Responsibility

2 - Read: “The Young Traveler's Gift” Chapter 3: The Buck Stops Here

3 – Read: 2 Nephi 2:27

4 - Do a Hero Study.  Instructions found in the tool box.


5 - Read the article "On the Responsible Self".  Print out the article and practice marking it like you learned how to mark a book last month. (Because this is an article you will want to mark quotes you like and try to find principles.)

6 - As mentors, we want you to feel comfortable sharing your inspirements and the things you are learning with the class.  Read through this information about how to give a presentation.  Use the things you learn and prepare a 2 minute presentation on the hero you studied this week.  We will all be sharing our hero presentations in class.

7 - Read: “Little Britches” by Ralph Moody Chapters 1-7.

Know/Understand

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TO DO:

- After reading the article "On the Responsible Self", choose one of the following questions and journal on it for 20 minutes.  How can you use what you learned to take better responsibility in your own life?

          1. How has an attitude of blame affected society at large? 

              How can it affect our interpersonal relationships?

          2. How are the concepts of individual freedom and personal responsibility 

              related to the Atonement?

          3. How does obeying the commandments help preserve our freedom?

- Reread Gilbert Arland's advice on page 115 in “21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader”.  Answer the questions in the paragraph after the quote on p. 116 and evaluate yourself on how responsible you are.  Journal about what you discover in yourself and set a goal to become better.

Become/Serve
(If you are doing more than 1 level of class this week, just choose ONE Become/serve for the whole week.)

What heroic qualities did you most admire about the hero you studied? For 24 hours do your best to act out that quality. Record what you did. For example, if the heroic quality you admire is courage, write down ways you were courageous in your day, like “I had the courage to try a new dinner my mom made. I had courage to call and make an appointment for myself, to do my chores without being reminded, and to speak calmly to my sister when she was mad and I was tempted to yell. I was tempted to tell a lie but I had the courage to tell the truth.”

November Journeyman Class

November Journeyman Class

“What is the answer to the dilemma that surrounds us?  The answer is to love our Founders, our country, our founding document, and the God that gave them to us.  We must teach that love to our children, pray for our leaders and plead for help.  The answer is to get involved.” - Pam Openshaw, author of “Promises of the Constitution”

Study/Learn

1 – Read: “Promises of the Constitution.”  p. 173-199.  Write one or more sentences at the end of each mini chapter that summarizes the main point.

2 – Read the article "The Law of the Harvest" by Pres. Howard W Hunter found here.

3 - Do a word study on "balance" as it applies to "an equal distribution or weight or importance" or "equality on all sides"

Know/Understand

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

- In "Promises of the Constitution" 9.1 the author describes six claims to the right of self-government (which are found in the Preamble to the Constitution).  Of those six, which is the most important to you personally, and why?  Find a creative way to teach the class about that claim and why it's so important to you and what you can do to defend it.  Bring it to class to share.

- We read this month in "Promises of the Constitution" about the importance of having balance in government.  Create an acrostic (find out how, here) for the word balance.  Use what you learned from your word study to help you.  Bring it to class to share.

- In "Promises of the Constitution" 9.10 we learn about our government borrowing money.  "It is our constitutional birthright to enjoy a sound economy and a stable money system.  Our personal actions can help.  Each of us can discipline ourselves, eliminate personal debt, and demand legislative accountability.  We can petition God's help to reduce our indebtedness.  We need not do this alone." The author describes being in debt as being "in bondage" or "in chains".  Find 5 quotes from General Authorities and 5 scriptures that talk to us about being in debt.  Is debt a good thing or a bad thing?  Do you agree that debt is "bondage"?  Journal your answer for 10 minutes.  Bring your quotes, scriptures and opinion to class to share.

- Answer the following questions from "Promises of the Constitution":

          --In the original Constitution which was the only branch of government 

             authorized to create laws?  Is that the way it is today? 

          --In what year were several amendments added to the Constitution 

             that changed the structure of power and money in our national government? 

          --Explain the before and after of the 17th Amendment.  

             What negative side effects has it caused? 

          --Explain the before and after of the 16th Amendment. 

          --Before 1913 Congress coined and regulated money. To whom did 

             they give that power? What things happened because of that change? 

Become/Serve
(If you are doing more than 1 level of class this week, just choose ONE Become/serve for the whole week.)

Think over your own life.  How can you see the "law of the harvest" at work in your life?  Choose one area in your life that you want to improve and set some goals that will bring the end result you would like and then go to work and watch the "law of the harvest" work for you.

November Master Class

November Master Class

Study/Learn

1 - Read: “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens.  You can find it free here.   It's in the public domain, so I'm sure it's other places, too.  Mark passages that you like and would like to remember.

Know/Understand

DO THE FOLLOWING:

As you are reading, make note of every time Ebeneezer Scrooge makes an excuse for himself or tries to justify his behavior.   Who does he blame?  Does he take personal responsibility for himself?

Become/Serve 

(If you are doing more than 1 level of class this week, just choose ONE Become/serve for the whole week.)

Which character in "A Christmas Carol" are you most like?  Is that good or bad?  Evaluate yourself and choose something you would like to improve upon in yourself and work on it this week.

October Apprentice

Study/Learn

1 - Read: “21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader” Chapter 1: Character (10 min)

2 - Read: “The Young Traveler's Gift” Chapter 6: Having a decided heart (10 min)

3 – Read: Alma 57:27 (1 min)

4 – Do a word study on “firm” using the following definition: “Fixed; steady; constant; stable; unshaken; not easily moved; as a firm believer; a firm friend; a firm adherent or supporter; a firm man, or a man of firm resolution.” (30 min)

5 – STUDY SKILL: Watch this video on “How to prepare to read a book”  (15 min)

6 - Read: “Laddie” Chapters 1-6.  (2 hours) Use this link to find background on the book and research the author, Gene Stratton-Porter.  (15 min)


Know/Understand

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TO DO:

• What does it mean to have a “mind that is firm” (Alma 57:27)?  Find similar scriptures and write down your own definition.  Is it the same as having a “decided heart”?  Find other examples of people in the scripture that had “firm minds” and us their stories to teach an FHE lesson to your family on why it is important to have a “firm mind” or a “decided heart”.  Be prepared to teach your lesson to us and share what you learned with the class.

• Read this news interview with Andy Andrews.   Using a notebook, write down all of the decisions you are asked to make in one day and what you decided and if it was an easy or hard decision.  Analyze the decisions you had to make.  Do you feel like you have a decided heart or not?  Are there some things that you could decide on that would make your decisions easier to make?  Journal for 15 minutes on these thoughts and come prepared to class ready to share your decisions and what you learned.

• Do you like to read?  If not, you probably don't like all of the assigned reading in Vanguard. :) Maybe you don't like to read because you don't see the point of it.  Watch the following videos (one 14 minutes, the other 7 minutes) about why reading is important and why reading classics is important.  Have you ever read a book that you liked, that changed or stayed with you somehow?  Think about why you liked that book so much .  Write a paragraph about that book and be prepared to share the book with us in class.  

Why Read?
                Why Read Classics?


Become/Serve
(If you are doing more than 1 level of class this week, just choose ONE Become/serve for the whole week.)

• Write down promptings you receive while doing your readings and inspirements. Act on one that serves someone else. Come to class ready to share.  

October Journeyman

“What is the answer to the dilemma that surrounds us?  The answer is to love our Founders, our country, our founding document, and the God that gave them to us.  We must teach that love to our children, pray for our leaders and plead for help.  The answer is to get involved.” - Pam Openshaw, author of “Promises of the Constitution”

Study/Learn

1 – Hero Study: Research and take notes on a person you admire from this time period (1850 to 1945). This could include someone from your family history, an inventor, musician, religious leader, author, government leader or someone else you admire and want to learn more about. Find information from a library book or other reputable source.  (Note: Wikipedia is not allowed. Copying and pasting is not allowed. This needs to be in your own words.) Here are some ideas of thing you could include in your notes: your hero’s life and experiences, how you think they filled the mission God sent them to live, how their hard work, education, talents, and even life challenges helped them become a better person and do something worthwhile, how you can see God's hand in his or her life, and what Christlike characteristics that person had that you admire. Be sure to take notes about your hero and hand in your notes. At the end of your notes, list the heroic qualities and principles you admire about your hero.

2 – Read: “Promises of the Constitution.”  p. 125-157.  Write one or more sentences at the end of each mini chapter that summarizes the main point.

3 – If you haven’t already, see if you can memorize the Preamble to the US Constitution. This “School House Rock” song makes it easy. The song left out one phrase.  Tell us what it is.



Know/Understand

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Watch these two videos (part 1 and part 2 are 15 minutes combined) that explain the Constitution. Take notes as you watch. Come prepared to share your notes with us.

                     Part 1
                     Part 2

• Do your own research to better understand the Constitution.  Write a paper to summarize what you learned.  Come prepared to read the paper to the class.  Or create a graphic summary, Power Point, poster or prezi of what you learned about the Constitution. 

• Search for and record ten different quotes or scriptures that you think relate to the Constitution. Find a creative way to display them and come ready to share them with the class. 

• Answer the following questions from Promises of the Constitution in your notebook and come prepared to share what you learned with the class. 

- What ways are people are supposed to be equal and ways they aren’t (p. 150-151).
- Draw a diagram of government’s horizontal powers and vertical powers (p. 148-149).
- Explain the what, why, and who of the Federalist Papers (p. 126-127).
- List the rights God has given us on (pages 142-143).


Become/Serve
(If you are doing more than 1 level of class this week, just choose ONE Become/serve for the whole week.)

• What heroic qualities did you most admire about the hero you studied? For 24 hours do your best to act out that quality. Record what you did. For example, if the heroic quality you admire is courage, write down ways you were courageous in your day, like “I had the courage to try a new dinner my mom made. I had courage to call and make an appointment for myself, to do my chores without being reminded, and to speak calmly to my sister when she was mad and I was tempted to yell. I was tempted to tell a lie but I had the courage to tell the truth.” 

October Master

Study/Learn

1 - Read the article “Decide to Decide”

2 - Read: “Stargirl” by Jerry Spinelli.  Mark passages that you like and would like to remember.

3 - Research the author, Jerry Spinelli.  (See “tools” on the blog).  How has your interpretation of the book changed by knowing about the author?  Did it change your understanding at all?  Be prepared to share what you learned with the class.

Know/Understand

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• In “Stargirl” we have many characters who who show having a decided heart and living true to themselves and many characters who do not.  Pick a character that is living a decided heart and one who is not and compare and contrast them.  Think about the following questions:  Is this person happy?  Would they be more or less happy if they we/weren't living a decided heart and being/not being true to themselves?  How would their life have been different if they did/didn't live a decided heart? Etc.  Journal about the differences in personality and what you have learned from analyzing these characters.  

• Who do you think is the happiest person in this novel?  Why?  Journal for 20 minutes on what makes that person happy and how you can find more happiness in your own life by emulating some of that person's characteristics.  

Become/Serve 
(If you are doing more than 1 level of class this week, just choose ONE Become/serve for the whole week.)

• In 1987, President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “Each of us has a choice between right and wrong. But with that choice there inevitably will follow consequences. Those who choose to violate the commandments of God put themselves at great spiritual and physical jeopardy. … Each of us, with discipline and effort, has the capacity to control our thoughts and our actions. This is part of the process of developing spiritual, physical, and emotional maturity”  Be very prayerful and make a list of at least 8 things you have decided to decide in your own life.  Share you list with your parents and commit to live by this set of standards that you have set for yourself.

Sept. Apprentice/Core

Sept. Apprentice/Core Class

Study/Learn


1 - Read: “21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader” Chapter 7: Discernment


2 - Read: “The Young Traveler's Gift” Chapter 4: Wisdom (You can read the whole book to understand the story line, but then re-read chapter 4)


3 – Read: Proverbs 4:7


4 - Hero Study: Research and take notes on a person you admire from this time period (1850 to 1945). This could include someone from your family history, an inventor, musician, religious leader, author, government leader or someone else you admire and want to learn more about. Find information from a library book or other reputable source. (Note: Wikipedia is not allowed. Copying and pasting is not allowed. This needs to be in your own words.) Here are some ideas of thing you could include in your notes: your hero’s life and experiences, how you think they filled the mission God sent them to live, how their hard work, education, talents, and even life challenges helped them become a better person and do something worthwhile, how you can see God's hand in his or her life, and what Christlike characteristics that person had that you admire. Be sure to take notes about your hero and hand in your notes. At the end of your notes, list the heroic qualities and principles you admire about your hero. Be sure to write one or more of those qualities that you want to develop in yourself.


5 – Do a word study on “wisdom” (Click on the tool box at the top of the Mt. Nebo Vanguard page if you forgot how to do one.  )


6 – Read: “Abraham Lincoln: a photobiography”
Chapters 1-5


Know/Understand


CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TO DO:

• We are told in the scriptures not to judge other people. Is this the same as being discerning regarding them? Why or why not? Write out your argument either way, have supporting references and be prepared to share what you learned with the class.
  
  
  
• Why is discernment an important part of being wise and having wisdom? Do a word study on “discernment” and compare and contrast it to your word study on wisdom.
  
  
  
• Journal for 20 minutes on what wisdom means to you and why it is an important trait to work hard to acquire it. Set 3 goals that you can start now on your quest for wisdom. Be prepared to share them with the class.
  
  
  
• Create a collection or collage of quotes and scriptures about wisdom. Feel free to illustrate your collection if you’d like. Record how it could affect your life in different areas (academically, family, spiritually, etc) as you gain more wisdom.
  

Become/Serve
(If you are doing more than 1 level of class this week, just choose ONE Become/serve for the whole week.)

• After quoting Proverbs 4:7, Theodore M. Burton, then Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles, said: “We must feed the spirit as well as the mind and as well as the body. I plead with our youth, get learning, and with all your getting get understanding. Get learning of the spirit. Get learning of the mind. Get learning of the soul, and become a rounded man or a rounded woman, learned in all ways, for I testify to you this day that security, true security, comes from a knowledge of the divinity of Jesus Christ. This is the beginning of all learning and of all wisdom. This is the greatest knowledge, the greatest learning, the greatest comfort that men can have. If men have this knowledge in their hearts, they can withstand all the vicissitudes of life.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1961, p. 129.)

What can you do to gain a better knowledge of the divinity of Christ, which is where all learning, wisdom and understanding comes from? Make a list of 5 things that you can do and choose 1 of them to work on this week.

Sept. Journeyman

Sept. Journeyman Class

“What is the answer to the dilemma that surrounds us?  The answer is to love our Founders, our country, our founding document, and the God that gave them to us.  We must teach that love to our children, pray for our leaders and plead for help.  The answer is to get involved.” 

  - Pam Openshaw, author of “Promises of the Constitution”

Study/Learn

1 – Read: John Q. Adam's letter to his son, George (seen below)

2 – Read: D&C 109:7

3 – Read: “Promises of the Constitution.” preface, prologue & p.93-121.  Write one or more sentences at the end of each mini chapter that summarizes the main point.

4 - Read or watch: talk by Ezra Taft Benson from April 1976 "The Constitution - A Glorious Standard"

5 – Watch this video about how to give a speech.  Scroll down to “Method 1 of 5” and start there.

Know/Understand

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• “The longer I live the more convincing proofs I see...that God governs in the affairs of men...I...believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.” - Benjamin Franklin during the Constitutional Convention.  Find 5 scriptures that back up this idea that God prepared this land and these men to create our country and Constitution.  Think about ways you can better obey the laws of the land and be a better citizen.  Set a goal and write a plan of how you can accomplish it.  Bring your plan to class.

• Imagine you are one of the Founding Fathers – How do you feel after writing and signing the Constitution?  Write a letter home to your family to explain your feelings.

• Summarize in your own words the points about the Constitution that Pres. Benson spoke about in his talk.  Choose one to teach your family about this week and then be prepared to teach the class.  Why is it important to uphold our nation's Constitution?

• While reading "Promises of the Constitution", choose one of those main concepts and choose a way to teach it to the class. You can use a Prezi or Power Point presentation, white board discussion, object lesson, short game or activity or simulation, or find a video online to help you teach the concept.

Become/Serve
(If you are doing more than 1 level of class this week, just choose ONE Become/serve for the whole week.)

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Although some people may be blessed with a keen mind, most people need to put forth effort in order to improve their minds and ability to reason.  In section 5.4 of “Promises of the Constitution” we read about James Madison. Daily, James Madison prepared for logical decisions during the Constitutional Convention by sitting in the front center and taking many notes.  Read Romans 12:2 and make a list of 10 things that you can do in your life to “renew your mind” daily and keep your heart turned to God. (Some could include cleaning up their space, organizing, getting rid of a bad habit like foul language, reading your scriptures, etc) Choose one of those things to work on this week and come prepared to class to share your experience.

• In “Promises of the Constitution” section 5.13 we read about Benjamin Franklin.  His travels to Great Britain and France and the many years he spent there were not vacations, but business trips that involved a lot of hard work, negotiations and frustration.  He served his fellow men and made many sacrifices for his country.  Think of ways that someone your age can serve your country.  Choose one and  start to do it this week and come prepared to class to share your experience.

John Quincy Adam's letter to his son

THE BIBLE AND ITS TEACHINGS: 

Letters from John Quincey Adamsto his son, George

LETTER I.

St. Petersburg, Sept., 1811

MY DEAR SON: In your letter of the 18th January to your mother, you mentioned that you read to your aunt a chapter in the Bible or a section of Doddridge’s Annotations every evening. This information gave me real pleasure; for so great is my veneration for the Bible, and so strong my belief, that when duly read and meditated on, it is of all books in the world, that which contributes most to make men good, wise, and happy — that the earlier my children begin to read it, the more steadily they pursue the practice of reading it throughout their lives, the more lively and confident will be my hopes that they will prove useful citizens to their country, respectable members of society, and a real blessing to their parents. But I hope you have now arrived at an age to understand that reading, even in the Bible, is a thing in itself, neither good nor bad, but that all the good which can be drawn from it, is by the use and improvement of what you have read, with the help of your own reflection. Young people sometimes boast of how many books, and how much they have read; when, instead of boasting, they ought to be ashamed of having wasted so much time, to so little profit.

I advise you, my son, in whatever you read, and most of all in reading the Bible, to remember that it is for the purpose of making you wiser and more virtuous. I have myself, for many years, made it a practice to read through the Bible once every year. I have always endeavored to read it with the same spirit and temper of mind, which I now recommend to you: that is, with the intention and desire that it may contribute to my advancement in wisdom and virtue. My desire is indeed very imperfectly successful; for, like you, and like the Apostle Paul, “I find a law in my members, warring against the laws of my mind.” But as I know that it is my nature to be imperfect, so I know that it is my duty to aim at perfection; and feeling and deploring my own frailties, I can only pray Almighty God, for the aid of his Spirit to strengthen my good desires, and to subdue my propensities to evil; for it is from him, that every good and every perfect gift descends. My custom is, to read four or five chapters every morning, immediately after rising from my bed. It employs about an hour of my time, and seems to me the most suitable manner of beginning the day. But, as other cares, duties, and occupations, engage the remainder of it, I have perhaps never a sufficient portion of my time in meditation, upon what I have read. Even meditation itself is often fruitless, unless it has some special object in view; useful thoughts often arise in the mind, and pass away without being remembered or applied to any good purpose — like the seed scattered upon the surface of the ground, which the birds devour, or the wind blows away, or which rot without taking root, however good the soil may be upon which they are cast. 

Sept. Master Class

Study/Learn

1 - Read: Jacob 6:12

2 - Read: “Uncle Tom's Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe.  Mark passages that you like and would like to remember.  You can get this book free in the public domain and can listen to an audio recording here... Uncle Tom's Cabin

Know/Understand

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Research the author, Harriet Beecher Stowe.  (See “Research the author” in the tool box on the main blog).  How has your interpretation of the book changed by knowing about the author?  Did it change your understanding at all?  Be prepared to share what you learned with the class.

• Choose a character from the book and do a Character T chart using quotes from your reading on how that character did or did not show wisdom.  If the character you chose was wise, list 5 things that you appreciated about their wisdom and how having wisdom affected their life.  If your character did not have wisdom, list 5 things that he/she could have done differently to be more wise or learn more wisdom in their life.

Become/Serve
(If you are doing more than 1 level of class this week, just choose ONE Become/serve for the whole week.)

• From a General Conference Address in April 1982 by Dwan J. Young who was then the General Primary President of the Church: "As we observe the process of natural growth, we become acutely aware of certain eternal principles upon which all growth is predicated. First, growth is the expected norm. It’s the divine challenge given to each soul as it enters mortality. Our Heavenly Father expects us to use the great gift of life to enjoy and to celebrate this central truth. Because we have life, we can grow and develop and do some things on earth we cannot do anywhere else...Only God’s children have the capacity to direct their own growth. This means that we can use this time on earth to bring optimum growth and development because we have the power to make choices. It’s not enough just to grow. Even the weeds and the biblical tares can do that. It is expected of us that we will shape our growth so that we will not be like Topsy (in Uncle Tom’s Cabin) who “just growed,” but rather we will successfully negotiate the bumps and curves by enlarging upon our talents, by disciplining ourselves, so that our mortal experience brings us toward greater and greater mastery of those characteristics which make us worthy of association with the Divine.  Intelligent observation tells us that growth comes one step at a time. The scriptures say precept upon precept, line upon line. (See D&C 98:12.)"

Think about your life.  Are you growing and progressing as a human being, or just growing?  In Luke 2:52 we learn that "...Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."  Evaluate yourself on these 4 areas: learning/wisdom, physical health, spirituality and social skills. Set a goal in each of these areas that you would like to work on and commit to work on those things this week.