How to Study Preach My Gospel

Today we were taught how to get the most out of Preach My Gospel by Quincy Breur.  

This is a drawing he started, to show that everything we do and teach is centered on Christ.  "BOM" stands for Book of Mormon :-)  

Then he explained why its so important for us to do our "Homework" and study on our own and come prepared to share what we have learned and discovered in class so we can learn from each other.  This is the pattern you will continue in the MTC and throughout your mission.  So we started with the first section in lesson 2: The Plan of Salvation, pg 48 :  Pre-Earth Life: God's Purpose and Plan for Us.

To increase the effectiveness of learning its important to start with a question!

What do you want to learn about?

Write down your question. For example: Where did we come from?  We may know the answer to that question, but where can we find the answer in the scriptures to help an investigator discover the answer for themselves?  Thats why we need to do our homework :-)

  We passed out small notebooks to record your question that you are looking for an answer to.  As you discover the answer and find scriptures that teach that, write them down. Also write down any personal feelings or experiences you have had to help teach that doctrine.

We divided up into groups of  3 and started to teach each other what we already knew and then read the section and looked at the scriptures that went along with that section. 

Here is Bro. Cox, Berkely Stulce, and Brandon Chidister finding great things and teaching each other. Brandon also announced that he got his call to the Paraguay, Asuncion mission and will leave in August!  So exciting!

This is Nathan Eddington, Kamron Eslinger and Quincy Breur working together and sharing what they found.

And our sweet Sisters, Linsdey Nicholes and Kaylee Kofford- who only has one more week with us before she leaves!  These sisters discovered some great scriptures that answered their questions and realized how interconnected all of the parts of the Plan of Salvation are to each other and to Christ.  Way to go!

Here is Brady Anderson, and an newcomer!!! Ryan Jensen who just turned 17- the age you can start coming to our mission prep class.  Yeah- he is getting a head start and we are excited to have him in class.  

And next to Ryan is Ethan Reynolds.  Great young men that are committed to learning and being prepared.

We passed out the new Conference Ensigns and gave assignments for next week:

Study on page 49 of Preach My Gospel- "The Creation" and come prepared to share what you learned. Remember to write down your questions and scriptures you found.  We would love to hear the questions you had and the answers you found!

Also, please read the talk by Elder Uchtdorf given to the Young Women called "Your Wonderful Journey Home"  It is awesome and teaches the Plan of Salvation with great examples and stories!  Think about how you can use these stories to help you teach the plan of salvation.

We testify as you take time to learn on your own and ask questions about what you are learning, you are allowing the Spirit to teach you and He will confirm in your mind the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Your retention will increase if you follow this pattern.  To Quote from a fabulous book we talked about in class and highly recommend you get and read before your mission ( "when you ask a question, its like putting a piece of velcro in your brain and then when the answer comes, it sticks there")
                   This book is called  "The Power of Every Day Missionaries", by Clayton Christensen.  

                                    

The Power of Returned Missionaries and Real Life Experiences.

Today we had the privilege of hearing from the most recently returned missionaries in our stake.  The testimonies they shared changed our class for the better and we are very grateful for the lessons they taught us.

This is Bro. Riley Moore. He has been home for 3 days! He served in the Colorado Springs, Colorado Mission. He bore a great witness of the power of Preach My Gospel, combined with the scriptures.  He encouraged us to study it as much as possible.  We may have been taught the gospel our whole life, but on a mission we need to learn to share it very simply.  Preach My Gospel will help you do that.  Read all the scripture references- They will become your best friend, because they will bring the spirit to those you teach.  The scriptures also help investigators see they can look for answers on their own.

He reminded us that every member needs a friend, a calling, and nourishing by the good word of God.  Help them feel needed and comforted.  This is great wisdom from a great missionary.

He also suggested we study chapter 13 about working with ward and stake leaders.  Respect them and learn etiquette in talking with them about their members.  They most likely know more than you and have been there longer, so respect their ideas.

Thank you Elder and we wish you continued success in the next phase of your life!

This is Sister Wright.  She returned this week from the New Jersey, Morristown Mission.  What a sweetheart!  She got to help with the clean up efforts of Hurricane Sandy and loved every minute of it.  We also felt your powerful spirit of missionary work and wanted to run out and go find people to teach!  She gained an appreciation of the concept of enduring to the end on her mission.  It is more meaningful to her now.  She loved her mission because each day is filled with so much purpose.  And NOTHING IS ABOUT YOU!  Its all about Jesus Christ.  If you let Him, He will guide you in everything you do and everywhere you go.  Be unselfish and be yourself.  Don't compare yourself to other missionaries.  You are needed where the Lord sends you because of who you are.  Don't change that by trying to become someone else.

Her biggest growth was when she had the most challenges. 

Thank you Lindsey!  We can tell the people of New Jersey will miss you.

After our guests left, we all discussed what we heard and what we connected with.  Brady shared that he enjoyed hearing that we need to be ourselves.  That was reassuring to know that someone out there needs to hear from YOU! And that we need to do a better job studying Preach My Gospel.  

And class time flew by, but not without Ethan Reynolds amazing discovery!  His hobby is hunting antlers that have been shed by deer and elk.  A family tradition for generations.  He found this incredible pair only yesterday.  A very rare find and they are huge!  He related this experience to the gospel.....(this is what these young men and women can do so naturally if they are given the chance).  He explained that these antlers are very hard to find.  If someone that knows where to look for them tells you where to look, the chances go way up that you can find some.  As a missionary we have learned where to find answers and how to receive blessings.  We can now help others do the same.  He also compared the heavy underbrush to Satan trying to make it hard to find the answers or make the changes we need to be happy.  But if we don't give up and put in the extra work, it will pay off and we will find what we are looking for- a great treasure...eternal life!  

Some other fun trivia about antlers we learned is that they are shed once a year between March and May.  Each year they grow back bigger.  This could be compared to repentance.  Sometimes we have to start over, but if we repent and come unto Christ, our testimonies grow larger.

Thank you Ethan!!! We loved the connections you have made by tying the gospel to the things you love to do.  All things bear witness of Christ....even shed antlers!!  Great Job.  You are a natural teacher and have a pure heart and testimony.  

NEXT WEEK:  NO CLASS-  

We have Stake Conference!  

Please study Preach My Gospel Pg 47-59 about the plan of salvation and write down the scriptures and questions that will help you teach this. We will see you the following week on May 5th!

Teach To Peoples Needs From the Heart

According to Bro. Hooker, class was a "10" today.  Why?  because you participated in a meaningful discussion about the plan of salvation and how it speaks to you personally.  

We started out learning about the second pamphlet "The Plan of Salvation" by asking each person to look at the pictures and pick one they connect with and share why.  Through this we learned and were taught the doctrines of the atonement and Gods Plan for all of his children and how they apply to us.

From this picture Trevor noticed that the parents looked happy even though the child looked sad.  Our Heavenly parents know that we will struggle in life but know it will help us grow and teach us what we need to know and do in order to reach our full potential and ultimately live with Him again. Also that the parents (Heavenly Parents) are close...right there...so don't be afraid.  They are there to help you.

Ethan thought the child looked determined, not sad. On the page facing this in bold black letters it says. We have much to learn and experience during this life.  We will need help at times, but it is also our test to see if we want to learn what He would like to teach us.

Talon and Matt shared personal experiences about a time when their faith was shrinking and prayed for more faith.  They asked to know if "I have a place in this church?"  The Atonement allows us to repent and feel clean and start fresh.  The spirit witnessed to all of us that we indeed ALL HAVE A PLACE in His Church.  

Another comment- no one wants to be the last one picked on a team.  We are always on the Lords team!!!

And another reference to the puzzle pieces from last week...everyone wants to be a piece of the puzzle, but wonder where do I fit in?  

Our charge as representatives of Jesus Christ are to invite everyone we meet to come unto Christ so that you can feel His love.  Which love is the greatest gift of all.

Makelle was intrigued by the color of Mary's dress and sash.  Another person shared that he saw in this picture that the Savior is Living.  He is talking to Mary one on one.  Jesus cares about us individually.

I apologize for not writing down more of the comments that were shared about these pictures or not writing them better.  I was so engaged in what was being said that I forgot to record all of them.  

The power of class came from your speaking from the heart and talking about real needs.  

That is how we share the gospel.  Its that simple!

Next week:  We will have class

Yes it is fast Sunday, but Stake Conference is the week after that so we got special permission to have class next week even though it is fast Sunday!!  We will not have class on stake conference.

Please continue to study this pamphlet and share its message with your family.  

Also review page 175-177 in Preach My Gospel about "How can I improve my teaching skills" All the important keys are in this powerful book!  

We encourage you to follow the pattern suggested on pg 17 of Preach My Gospel:  "Effective daily study must always begin with prayer.  Study is an act of faith requiring the use of personal agency.  Many missionaries struggle to know how to study effectively. Some rely heavily on others or on structured programs to tell them what and how to study.  While learning from a good teacher is very important, it is more important for you to have meaningful learning experiences on your own.  Getting good results from your study depends on having a strong desire to learn, studying with real intent (Moroni 10:4), hunger[ing] and thirst[ing] after righteousness (Matt 5:6) and searching for answers to your investigators questions and concerns".

Discussion = Ask questions..then LISTEN MORE, TALK LESS

Thank you for your insights that you shared from Conference.  Some of them were: Pres. Uchtdorf- Individuality is important in the church.  Elder Holland- God puts up with us when we are imperfect.  We should do the same with others. Use Social Media as a missionary tool to reach out to friends and create a mormon.org profile.  Elder Cook- The doctrine of peace- Only found in Christ. This message of Peace is the greatest thing we  have to offer as missionaries. Elder Ballard- The potential of tomato seeds planted and then the plant almost died.  Don't get discouraged- keep watering the plant and give it sunshine and it will revive!

Today we learned how to have a discussion with a family about the Restoration.

This is a puzzle turned upside down to generate interest in the topic.  Explain to a member family you are teaching that you want to have a discussion about the restoration.  You would like them to share an important truth about the restoration, or a significant event that happened because of it. Such as- God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith.  They have a body of flesh and bone.  God answers our prayers.  The priesthood power was restored to the earth, etc.  As each person comments, have them turn over a piece of the puzzle.  Great thoughts were shared by these amazing prospective missionaries like:  Churches had pieces of truth, but were missing the fullness of the gospel.  If a piece was missing from their church and they didn't know the answer, they just painted in what they wanted to fill that spot.  By small and simple things are great things come to pass.  Investigators don't understand the gospel- its our job to help them flip over the pieces so they can see what it is. Turning over a piece of the puzzle is like asking a question.  When we ask a question, we allow God to give us the answer.

                                               
                         After the pieces are all turned over- the class worked to put them all together.

And this is the completed puzzle.  This is a copy of an original watercolor painting we were given for a wedding gift 30 years ago!! A priceless treasure.  Next we had a discussion about what the restoration meant to each of us personally.  How has knowing that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to earth affected your life?  

Now your invitation for this week:

You were given a small version of this puzzle.  Have a similar discussion about the restoration with your family and 2 other families. Leave them a copy of the Restoration pamphlet and invite them to use it with their family to learn more about the critical pieces of the Restoration.  This might also include the families you home teach. Come back and share your experience.

We also passed out the next pamphlet.  This and all the pamphlets can also be viewed online here.  

Read through this and we will be discussing this next week and work together to find the doctrines you will be teaching with it. 

One of those doctrines is the Atonement.  We gave you a rubberband to put on the backside of your hand around your pinkie and thumb below the knuckles.  They tried to get it off by just using that hand.  Compare this experience to the Atonement and invite your family to participate in this experience and share their thoughts about how this could teach about the atonement.  You will be amazed what the spirit will teach you if you ask the question!

Finally, here is what all our learning is all about....going and serving and teaching the world!  This is Sister Caroline Stewart.  This was her last week with us in class.  She has been a great blessing to us and has shared her testimony of the gospel in profound but simple ways.  We will miss her.  She will be serving in Melbourne Australia!  She is a prepared missionary and will teach with the spirit.

Receiving Revelation Through The Book Of Mormon

First of all a reminder that we will not have class for the next two weeks.  We hope you enjoy a wonderful Easter with your families and encourage you to have a gospel discussion about the Atonement and what it means to you.  And the following week is General Conference. So your invitation this week and next is to read 3 Nephi 11 as you prepare to watch all the sessions :-), and to write down your impressions or revelations for you personally as you listen to our modern day Prophet and Apostles.  Also, pay attention to the stories you hear that you can use as a missionary to teach the Gospel.

 Today we discussed how to introduce the Book Of Mormon to an Investigator.

We were taught by this powerful teacher, Zach Breur, a returned Missionary that served in New Jersey.  He has been home about a year now and he taught as though he just returned.  Some key things he taught are 1. Get to know them first.  Ask what is important to them in their life? What are you looking for in your life? 2. As you have them read the introduction- first paragraph, explain to them that this is what the book is about and what is in it and what it will teach you.  Always ask lots of questions about what they are reading to help them understand.  3.  Have them read third paragraph- Explain that this is a preview to your new favorite book, similar to a movie preview.  After they read it, ask what are the highlights we are going to see in this book? 4. Have them read last two paragraphs.  Ask, in that first sentence, what are the three verbs or action words. Read, Ponder, Pray.  These require action.  Then you can explain why this is so important to do.  Then as you gain your own testimony, we invite you to make sacred covenants.  5.  You can also prayerfully pick a chapter that pertains to their life and share it with them.  He shared one of the war chapters with a young man worried about being deployed to Iraq that touched him and brought him peace.  He kept a small military copy of the Book of Mormon with him as he served.

These pictures represent revelation.  Light is a powerful example of revelation.  As discussed in class revelation brings warmth and peace and understanding. As we invite others to read the Book Of Mormon, help them understand what revelation is and that they can receive their own light and knowledge that will come from God as they read it.

On to Practicing what we learned!

They all did a great job and some Ah ha moments were discovered.

Thank you to all our "Investigators"  You bring a powerful spirit with you and give us great insight about how to be better teachers!

Here is soon to be Elder Quincy Breur. This was his last week in class. He will be leaving on April 3rd to the MTC and will be serving in the France, Lyon Mission.  The people of France will love this Elder and he will bless many many people as he serves!  Good luck Q

An Eye Opening Experience

I would like to thank the volunteers from the Cedar Hills 1st ward that came as "investigators" to class. Bro. Hooker is out of town and I am so grateful to them for their help and extremely valuable suggestions. The class was not expecting this and did not shrink at the opportunity even though it was not easy.  

Here is Derek Martin and Justin Alldridge teaching Bro. Henderson (Who has been called to serve with his wife to the Atlanta Georgia Mission).  They learned that they needed to first discover what his basic understanding was before they started to teach him. For example, does he believe in God or Jesus Christ?  Great lessons to learn now in our "Safe" environment!  This was a hard thing and I am so proud of them both for being willing to try!

Here are two darling sisters.  Kaylie Kofford and Ashley Nicholes.  They were very scared to try and teach, but said they knew they needed to try anyway!  That's the missionary spirit!!  The Lord will reward their willingness.  And they did better than they thought.  They are teaching Sister Henderson.  She was a convert at age 20 and explained that the members are the ones that really made all the difference in her conversion.  A very important lesson to remember- to always involve the members in your lessons.

These 3 fine prospective elders- Javen Morris, Quincy Breur and Mckay Willie are teaching Bro. Shawn Madsen.  Their first excellent question was "How do you start a conversation with someone?" From that inspired question- and thank you for asking because that's the most important step to learning, we learned from Bro. Madsen that you have to first just get to know the person before you can start to teach them.  Ask questions like, tell me a little bit about yourself? what do you like to do? Also, look around the room if you are in their home and comment on the things you see and ask quesitons about them.  For example, if you see a fishing pole, ask if they like to fish and get to know them first. Now you are teaching people not lessons!

Here we have Ethan Durocher, Kamryn Eslinger and Alejandro Diaz.  They are teaching Bro. Daniel Zappala.  He is a convert also and asked some great questions to these young men.  One was "How do you know you have been forgiven?", also "What is modern revelation? and how do you know its not just your mind telling you?"  Yep!  We had our eyes opened!  But Bro. Zappala explained that you will never know all the answers to the questions you will be asked, but you can always bring the spirit and that is the most powerful teacher by far!  Trust the spirit.

Bro. Nick Ivins is being taught by Adam Packer, Caroline Stewart and Makelle Jenkins.  Yes we know this would never happen on a mission, but it works for now :-)  This group discovered that you need to speak from the heart, from personal experiences and bear testimony of why you know what you are teaching is true. 

I think I learned more from this experience than anyone.  Thank you parents for sending your sons and daughters and letting them teach us and each other!  Hopefully our eyes were opened today and we can take time to learn more and understand what we need to work on.

Invitation for next week:

1.  Study how to introduce the Book of Mormon and how to pray from the pamphlet. You can also refer to the colored handout you received earlier. Try teaching it in your FHE.  Let your family participate and make suggestions.

2.  Read PMG page 38-40 to help with this.

3.  Read the letter we handed out in class and discuss it with your parents.  Come with suggestions about how you can overcome the challenges mentioned in the letter. I will email a copy of it to you.

Teach the doctrine to support the pictures

First we must tell all who attended how impressed we were to see you SO VERY EARLY on sunday morning!  Daylight savings made it extra hard to make it to class, but you did it!  We hope you will feel the Saviors love as you prepared and came even though it was difficult.  What great missionaries you will be!!!  Your mission presidents will love you.

This is Michael Martin.  He just returned from Antofagasta Chile and came to our class to share his testimony and answer questions and give valuable insights.  Some of those included:  1. Get to know the bishops, relief society presidents and ward mission leaders.  Meet with them every week.  They will help you the most with your investigators and coordinating member help.  2. The best way to get along with any companion is to serve them every day- shine their shoes, make their bed, make breakfast.  As you serve them, you overcome differences.  3. Plan with the spirit.  Then stick to your plan.  4.  Even if you don't get into a home to teach, you have let them know you are there and want to help- don't get discouraged, you are still doing good.  5.  Leave your fears behind you and the Lord will help you.  6. Strive to be your first convert.  GREAT WISDOM.

Thank you Michael!  We felt your love of missionary work and the power it has to help us become like the Savior.  

As a review:  We discussed that the pictures serve as common ground to use as you introduce the lessons.  However, by themselves, they are not enough to keep someone on the path toward baptism.  If you let go of the pictures held up by only one straw, it will fall.  So it needs multiple straws from different angles to support it.  This is done by helping your investigator learn the doctrines and principles that support the pictures in the pamphlet.  We discussed resources to find the doctrine including the topical guide, bible dictionary,  scriptures, Preach My Gospel, the Pamphlet, Ensign conference talks, and True to the Faith, your own personal experience and testimony, your investigators personal experience and testimony.

So your invitation to study this week is to 

1.  look at this picture in the Restoration Pamphlet and come prepared to share the doctrine and principles you found to support it.

2.   Read 3 Nephi 17

3.   Read  "The Atonement",  by Elder Boyd K. Packer  Oct. 2012

4.   Another talk to read suggested by Missy Roberts is "The Enabeling power of the Atonement" in the current March Ensign.  

Please come prepared to teach us what you have discovered.

Now for the missionary news!!  We have 5 sister missionaries leaving this week or next.  This is Sister Allie Bate.  She gave her talk today and will leave next week to serve in Frankfurt Germany, where her father also served.  So exciting that her family will continue to share the gospel in Germany.  We know she will touch the hearts of the people there!  Good luck Allie.

Ashlynn Clegg also spoke in Sacrament meeting today and will enter the MTC on Wednesday.  She will be serving in Sydney Australia. She will be missed in class but will make a real difference wherever she goes!

Lindsey Nicholes got away before I could take her picture but we have enjoyed getting to know her and her sister and will miss her great comments.  She also leaves this week to the MTC and will serve in Seattle Washington.

This is Missy Roberts.  She will leave next week for Sacramento, California.  Thank you for sharing your thoughts today.  We felt the power of your testimony about the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  As you share that on your mission, many will come to know for themselves, that it is real.  

This is Kaitlin Hooker- our daughter :-) and will also leave on Wednesday.  She will be serving in the Salta Argentina Mission.  As a mom, I have a special love for all of our sister missionaries, and elders as they go forth to serve.  We will miss your smiles, but know without a doubt that we are turning you over to the Lord and you are now in His Hands and that gives us such peace.  See you all in 18 months and we look forward to hearing your testimonies and mission experiences.  You will all be in our prayers.