Sharing the Book Of Mormon

The perfect start to class today was the exciting announcement of Caden Neider and Rachel Nessers Mission calls!!!  Look at those happy smiling faces.  They have great reason to be happy.  Caden was called to serve in Costa Rica, San Jose mission. He reports in January. And Rachel in the Kentucky Louisville mission and leaves in November.  We share in your excitement and know you will be needed and prepared.

            This is Johnny Harr.  He just returned from his mission to Panama City, Panama.  He shared how hard a mission is at first with all the challenges of learning a language, culture and mission life, but he grew to love it.  His parents taught him that anything of value does not come easy.  He said make sure you have a  testimony before you go.  You can't lose valuable time while you are out there to gain one.  He also said the best way to get along with a companion you don't get along with is to serve them.  Find a way to lift them up. Be an example to them of kindness.  He shared personal experiences that he had with investigators that helped him know he was called to his mission for them specifically. Every missionary can feel that too. The scripture that helped guide him while he was on his mission was Ether 12:12 For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith. 

Thank you for sharing a strong witness of the things you learned.  We felt your strong spirit!

                                                

We watched an excerpt from "The District" training DVD about Jynx: Invitation to read the Book Of Mormon  You can purchase these DVD's at LDS Distribution or watch them online.  There are 2 sets and are very valuable to watch and learn from.  We will be watching more in class as well.

After observing this the class shared what they observed, which are listed above.  

                                       
Next we got in groups of 3 to role play introducing the book of mormon.  Two are the missionaries and one plays the investigator.  They were not given any training yet about how to introduce it.  They just used what they already knew.  Most realized they might need to practice and learn a little more.  Perfect! That was the idea :-)  We sent them home with an example of how they can introduce it.  Parents, please go over it with your child and help them practice role playing at home.  There is no way in class that we can practice enough to really get comfortable doing this.  You are the best resource to help them practice!


Here is the link to a digital copy of Bro. Taylors lesson plan cards he came up with on his mission.
Google doc lesson plans  If you have trouble opening them, please txt me your email address and I will email you the file.  You are encouraged to modify these to make them your own.

Next Week's Assignment:

Read page 38 and part of 39 in Preach My Gospel- the part about the Book Of Mormon.  Read all the scriptures that go with it as well.  

Also read over the example of introducing the Book Of Mormon we handed out and practice at least once using your new understanding of how to introduce the book of Mormon. 

Return and Report

With the help from Simon Taylor (on left) who served in Los Angeles, CA- Korean Speaking, we had a great class today.  First we return and report what we were assigned.  

Ryan Jensen used the picture of prayer in the restoration pamphlet and found the scripture Alma 33:4-11. He introduced what it was teaching and then quickly summarized verses 4-10 and then read verse 11 and followed up with his testimony of what he just read!  The question he then asked was "Have you ever had a time when you received an answer to a prayer"?  He was asked how he found that scripture.  He looked through his own personal notes he had taken while studying and found it.  He shared his personal testimony of note taking. What a great example he set for us!  Thank you! 

Karissa Sears chose the picture of Joseph Smith's first vision and related that to understanding the apostasy.  She asked the question "Why did God appear to Joseph Smith"?  She liked the scripture on the page before it which is Amos 8:11-12  She shared how straightforward the restoration pamphlet was and how simple the messages are explained.   

Tyler Hunt liked the picture of the family.  He asked "Why are we put into families"? He shared the scripture Mosiah 1:4 and explained that we are put into families to teach our children to keep the commandments.  Then he asked the question, "What have you wanted to try and teach your children"?  Awesome scripture and question! Thank you!

                                      
Next Simon demonstrated with Caden Neider role playing teaching the restoration pamphlet using the pictures first as an overview of what he will be teaching.  Caden was a great investigator!  This demonstration helped us see how easy it can be to talk about the gospel and get them thinking about their questions through the pictures.

Now it was your turn to role play :)

Here is Laura Standage and Rachel Neser. 

Jacob Powell and Brandon Bouwhuis.

Kameron Eslinger and Packer Wilkes.

Tyler Hunt and Jack Taylor.

Nathan Eddington and McKay Willie.

Hayden Cannon and Spencer Bradford

Rachel's Parents joined our class today!  Parents are always welcome! He shared the importance of eye contact to feel the spirit of what is being taught. When you look down as you talk its easy to drift away from what is being said.

So what did we learn from this? 

 What did you do well?  

What did you do lousy? 

We role play so that we can learn from our mistakes and hear ourselves and then make corrections. Its ok to goof.  Thats why we role play. We help teach each other.

Some things that they discovered were: 

1- They used the words"I guess", or "maybe" as filler words. Its important to KNOW what you are teaching, not guess.  

2.  Be prepared for how to respond to odd questions.

3. It was hard to do an overview without asking too many questions- something to practice on.

4. The spirit is not there when you don't first relate to them personally.

5. A sure fire way to think of an inspired question is to PAUSE.  Let the spirit talk to you and you will get inspiration.

6.  By using the pictures, you see that there are many pictures of Jesus in them. That is because it is HIS Gospel.  Not the gospel of Joseph Smith.  We are teaching them the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The pictures help to show that.  A great thing to point out.

Next week's assignment:

Please read through the whole restoration pamphlet at least 2 times.  And read from the Book of Mormon every day.  As you read ask questions and record them and the answers you find.

Packer reminded us that in preach my gospel it explains that you cannot convert anyone beyond your own conversion.  Lets make sure we know for ourselves by personal study and prayer.

Get Your Head In The Game :-)

Today we had the privilege of hearing from 4 recently returned missionaries.  I will introduce them to you later.  All of them exemplified the statements listed above that are taken from Preach My Gospel.

Before they reported to us we had a chance to hear Makelle's insights from the previous assignment.  She thought of a question and scripture to go along with the pictures in the Restoration Pamphlet.  Unfortunately we will have to wait until next week to pass on what she and others in the class discovered.  Thank you so much for coming prepared.  But, this class is guided by the spirit and sometimes it takes a different course. We ended up spending the rest of class listening and discussing missionary work with 4 amazing Returned Missionaries.

This is Jason Meades.  He served in Columbia South Carolina.  He learned on his mission to open his mouth every day and say "I know Its True".  Doing this over and over strengthened his own testimony.  He also learned that the best way to get along with anyone is to just love them like the Savior would.  Compliment your companions and study the Atonement.

You must give 100%.  In order to do that you must believe in what you are doing.

On the right is Parker Harmon.  He served in Sao Paulo Brazil.  He enjoyed every minute of it.  He loved inviting people to be baptized.  

He shared that you need to "Get your head in the game"- stay focused on why you are here. 

Tyler Hunt asked what do you do if you have gaps in your planner with nothing to do?  Great question.  Parker said his mission president told them (metaphorically) that they should write "Satan" in the empty spaces of their planner, because if you don't have a plan, he can take over. There is always someone you can visit and fill every minute of your day. 

He came to see the value of members in teaching the gospel.  In addition to asking members for referrals, you can ask specific questions like, Do you know anyone that has recently moved into your area? Do you know anyone who has had a death in the family? Do you know anyone who is having problems with addictions? Do you know anyone you recently had a baby? The Gospel Of Jesus Christ can help with all of our trials.

  

Here is Caleb Carpenter.  He is in the middle.  He just returned from the West Indies Mission. Caleb shared his testimony of the Book of Mormon and its power to change peoples lives.  He knows that baptism by the proper authority is the only way we can truly change and repent and be forgiven.

Caleb explained that we are URGED to study Preach My Gospel from the Prophet.  He said that really means Commanded. It is a critical part of learning how to be an effective missionary and gaining a stronger testimony.  He talked about role playing that you will do every day with your companion to practice teaching.  His mission president liked to call it "having a spiritual experience" with your companion.  Because as you teach each other the spirit bears witness that what you are saying is true. 

This is Austin Reece.  A fun thing to know about these two pictured here is that they are cousins!  What a great thing to be able to leave and return with your Cousin :)

Austin served in Salta Argentina.  We love Salta because that is where our daughter is serving.

Austin shared that when you are on your mission you are set apart.  You are literally set apart to stand out from the world in every way.  When you serve, help those you teach feel that spirit that you bring.  He explained how important it is to study every day and do everything you can to prepare yourself to be ready to teach the gospel.  If you do you will have power when you teach.  Power just like Ammon, Alma and Aaron.  He said that missions are exhausting physically, emotionally, mentally, economically....and there is no way you can make it on your own.  So you must learn to draw your strength from the Lord and turn everything over to Him.

Hayden Cannon asked these 4 returned missionaries about the scripture 1 Nephi 3:7 and how it applied to teaching investigators.

He got some great responses.

All investigators will have doubts about whether they really can make the changes they need to.  This scripture teaches us that God will prepare the way if we will try.

These missionaries final advice...if you are thinking about serving a mission, stop.  JUST GO!

We really appreciate the amazing spirit we felt in class today.  This is Gods work and we are so grateful to be a part of it.

Next week:  

We will continue with your questions and scriptures from the pictures in the Restoration Pamphlet.  We will also be role playing...or "having a spiritual experience" :-) teaching the Restoration from the pamphlet.

Finding Answers In The Scriptures

Andrew and Simon helped again this week.  They started out by asking this question- What is the first thing you want to do when you start your lesson with an investigator you have been teaching?  Makele said "pray"!  Thats right,  very important.  Then what?  You follow up on the homework you gave them.  See what they learned.  Find out their questions.  That is the best way to have a lesson.  You do 30% of the talking, and they do 70%.  We are used to us doing 90% and them 10%.  Hopefully we are learning to make this shift.

So what did you learn this week from your homework?

Caden Neider shared several great questions and scriptures he found.  Under the heading "God Is Our Loving Heavenly Father"  he asked 3 questions he picked up from a talk from John Bytheway.

1.  Why are there wars.  Scripture:  2 Nephi 2:27

2.  Who created Evil...or Did God create evil?

3.  Why do children die at such a young age?

These great questions fueled our class discussion about many teaching opportunites.  Like,

1.how to handle a question you don't know the answer to.

2.  Getting to the real question they are asking.

3.  The importance of pausing to let the spirit teach and for you to really ponder what they are asking.

4.  When you pretend to know the answer and say "I Think" and not use the scriptures, the spirit leaves and you cannot teach.  

5.Remember to always listen to your 3rd companion-  The Holy Ghost!

6.  Teach People Not lessons.  But don't forget to teach the lessons to the people.

7.  Its better for them to learn to find the answers to their questions using their scriptures.  You cannot be a crutch for them, because when you leave they need to know how to feel the spirit on their own.  

8.  If they have not read the chapter you asked them to, then read it with them before you move on.  Help them understand the difficult words, and have them summarize what they read in their own words.  As they do this, they are teaching themselves.

9. Use your study journal and record your questions and answers.

10.  Successful missionaries Plan!  Fill every hour of your day with something meaningful.  Its easy to just get up and get into a routine.  Planning with the spirit will help you be more effective.

What a great class today!  We learned so much.  Thank you for coming prepared and sharing.  We all felt the spirit and are more prepared to go and serve!!!

This is Caitlyn Sears last week with us : (  We will miss her wonderful comments and great wisdom and experience she has brought to our discussions.  But the wonderful saints in Cebu, Philippines will love her too!  She leaves on August 28th.  We will be praying for you and know this journey you are taking will be the best ever.

No class for two weeks : (

Next week is stake priesthood.

The following week is Fast Sunday.

So for Sept 8th the assignment is:

Using the Restoration Pamphlet, come up with one question and a scripture for each picture in the pamphlet.

Please come with those questions and scriptures written down so you can share what you found.

See you in two weeks!

Practice teaching through Role Play

Here are two experienced and willing returned missionaries.  Simon Taylor and Andrew Wadsworth.  They came to help us apply what we have studied in Chapter 10 of Preach My Gospel.  We are so fortunate to learn from their experience. 

Sorry some of these pictures are out of focus, but oh well :) This is Bro. Hooker raising his hands in the touch down gesture, which he did repeatedly during class.  Why?  because the class asked amazing questions to these returned missionaries about what they had read!  Touch Down!!  You are getting it.  Participation is the key to allowing the spirit to teach you.  Bro. Hooker was so excited to hear your great questions and discoveries about this great chapter.  

Some of these questions were:

How do you make first contact with someone?

How do you have the lesson stay on course and not get distracted?

How do you adjust your lesson to the needs of your investigator?

How do you decide what homework to give them?

How do you get members to come with you to help teach lessons?

Parents- please ask your students the answers they learned and observed for themselves.

One important one that Bro. Tayor and Wadsworth shared that I want to mention about involving members in teaching was this:  Give members at least a day or two notice that you would like their help with a lesson and give them a date and time.  Help them feel needed and involve them in teaching the lesson.  Explain that you asked them specifically because you wanted them to share something you know they have a testimony of. If you call them up an hour before and just ask for a ride, you are not utilizing them for the valuable resource they are to you.  Respect their time and let them now in advance when you need them so they can spiritually prepare also.  Member work is vital to missionary work!

Great suggestions!

Here they are going to role play how to introduce the book of mormon to someone.  Caitlyn Sears asked how you would do that...another Touch Down question!

Simon played the investigator sitting on a park bench, and Andrew the Missionary- he even brought his old name tag to get the full effect!  They also role played a door approach showing how to introduce the book of mormon, using the introduction.  

We learned so much from these fine young men and are so grateful they have been willing to teach us and answer questions.  Remember there are no dumb questions.  Questions are the key to getting to know your investigator, knowing what you should teach them, and also how they will come to learn themselves.

We are going to have them back next week also. We are starting again with lesson 1: The restoration

Here is the class assignment for next week:

Preach My Gospel page 31-39

There are 8 different headings in these pages: You can also refer to the Restoration Pamphlet

God is Our Loving Heavenly Father

The Gospel Blesses Families

Heavenly Father Reveals His Gospel in Every Dispensation

The Savior's Earthly Ministry and Atonement

The Great Apostasy

The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

Pray to Know the Truth through the Holy Ghost

Please come prepared with one question for an investigator and one scripture to answer it for each heading you will teach.

Then we will share and learn from each other. This will be a great experience.  You can involve your families with this too.

Keep The Commandments

This will be a quick post as we are headed out to a family reunion!  I just wanted to thank all of the class for their participation.  Thank you to those who came prepared and shared and taught us!  We felt the power of your spirits as you shared about how the commandments help us increase faith and help us come closer to Christ.

Next week NO CLASS- fast sunday.

The following week:  So you will have 2 weeks to do this- Please read the entire chapter 10 in preach my gospel.  Come prepared to share any new ideas you had about teaching from this chapter.  It is inspired and should help you a lot as you prepare to serve.

Chapel Tour

Today class started off with sharing any missionary experiences they have had lately. When we feel comfortable sharing the spirit comes so much quicker, so thank you for many that made comments today and offered their ideas.

Brady Anderson has spent some time in Mexico and met someone that was ready and prepared to hear about the Church.  They gave him a Book Of Mormon and put them in contact with the missionaries.  He commented on how easy and natural it was when the people are ready to hear our message.

                                                 
This was Adam Packers last week with us.  He has been attending class since we started and we have come to value his participation and leadership skills.  We will miss him.  More about his assignment later...
He wanted to just share his testimony with the class on his last day.  What a great memory we will have of him. He knows the church is true and has a testimony of the restoration and the Book Of Mormon.  This will be a great blessing to him as he enters the mission field.

Here is some of the class as we gathered in the foyer of the Stake Center.  We discussed how to help investigators become familiar with our buildings and what happens inside them.  Some important points are: 1. Always have a member present as you tour the building that can also offer them a ride or sit by them at church.

2. Use the pictures on the walls to teach the gospel.

3.  Help them recognize the spirit they feel in the House of the Lord.

4.  Invite them to arrive10 minutes early to Sacrament Meeting and sit close to the front where they can see the sacrament table.  Explain what the sacrament is. Have an empty bread and water tray on the sacrament table and talk about this ordinance.  Explain the cleansing power that comes as we partake of the sacrament. You can ask, would you like to feel that?

5.  After the meeting, walk them up to meet the Bishop.  The bishop is a key person in helping you gain the trust and help of the ward council members.  You can also help gain the trust of the bishop when he knows you are doing your part.

6.  Have them meet other ward members when they visit.

7. Walk around the building and explain what we do in each of the rooms. This is a great opportunity to  answer any questions or concerns they might have.

8.  There are 3 reasons why investigators don't come to church.  1- They don't know the people, 2- They don't know the place, and 3- They don't know the procedures.  Help them with these concerns so they will feel comfortable and welcome in our meetings.  Show them the procedures that are listed in the back of each pamphlet and discuss any questions they have.

Here we talked about the fun ward and youth weekly activities we have in the cultural hall.  Invite them to participate.  

And now we say goodbye to Adam.  He will leave for the England MTC on wednesday and be learning German.  He will be serving in the Alpine german speaking mission that includes Munich, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. You can tell by the light in his countenance that he is eager and ready to serve.  We know the Lord will bless you in that wonderful part of the world!

NEXT WEEK'S ASSIGNMENT

Each of you prepare a short 3-5 minute lesson from any of the topics in Lesson 4: the commandments. Preach My Gospel, Pg 71-81

Answer the questions we talked about last week and be prepared to teach the class the lesson you prepared.

1.  In what situation do I picture myself teaching?

2. What are the basic points I hope to cover?

3.  What scripture references will I use?

4.  What questions will I ask?

5. What is the testimony that I want to share?