“Life Preparation Lessons Training,” Seminary Curriculum Training (2025)

Image

young women studying scriptures

Life Preparation Lessons Training

Overview

After commending teachers for their efforts to bless the youth, President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency said, “But [our students] need more. Too many graduates of seminary fail to qualify for the mission field. Too many of our faithful students never receive the blessings of the temple ordinances. The proportion of those tragedies among them will increase if we do not change” (“We Must Raise Our Sights” [CES Conference, Aug. 14, 2001], Gospel Library).

It has been over 20 years since President Eyring gave that statement. Our youth face even greater challenges and opposition—not just to their faith but in other areas of their life as well. Life Preparation lessons are designed to address needs of the youth of this generation. These Life Preparation lessons give students opportunities to apply the Savior’s teachings to:

Handle difficult questions and challenging life circumstances.
Build self-reliance to provide for self and family.
Become more physically and emotionally healthy.
Develop skills to succeed in school.
Make plans to prepare for future education and employment.
Prepare for missionary and Church service.
Prepare to make and keep covenants in the temple.

These lessons will help address the challenges youth face in a Christ-centered, scripture-based, and learner-focused way that is Spirit directed. Along with the Scripture Course lessons, Life Preparation lessons can help deepen students’ conversion to Jesus Christ and His restored gospel.

Life Preparation Lessons and the Objective

In this training, you will have the opportunity to explore how Life Preparation lessons are designed to accomplish the S&I objective, just like Scripture Course lessons. Each Life Preparation lesson was written according to the following standards in the “Teach” paragraph of the S&I objective:

We center each learning experience on Jesus Christ and His example, attributes, and redeeming power. We help students learn the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as found in the scriptures and words of the prophets. We help students fulfill their role in learning for themselves. We strive to invite the Holy Ghost to fulfill His role in each learning experience.

Life Preparation Lessons Help Accomplish the S&I Objective

Define

As you prepare lessons, including the Life Preparation lessons, it can be helpful to look for how the lesson accomplishes each of the sentences from the “Teach” paragraph of the objective.

Model

Below are two selections from the Life Preparation lessons for 2025. The first one is a Physical and Emotional Health lesson titled “Developing Healthy Thinking Patterns.” The second is a Succeeding in School lesson titled “Discovering Your Strengths and Abilities.” Look for how these learning activities, which focus on very different topics, are designed to accomplish the S&I objective.

Lesson 186: Developing Healthy Thinking Patterns

Christ-centered: Here are some examples from this lesson that help center the learning experience on Jesus Christ. Notice how in these instances, students are asked to seek the Savior’s help and learn from His example and teachings.

You might share with students that they will practice inviting the Savior’s help to correct inaccurate or unhealthy thoughts.
What do you think it means to look to the Savior in our thoughts? (Some examples include the following: pondering how the Savior may act in situations we face, looking for how His teachings may apply to the situation, and remembering His love.)

Scripture-based: Here are some examples from this lesson that help students learn from the scriptures and the words of the prophets. Notice that students are given opportunities to study the scriptures and that the words of President Russell M. Nelson may help students understand this scripture.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 6:36, looking for what the Lord invites us to do.
Speaking about this scripture, President Nelson taught: “Our focus must be riveted on the Savior and His gospel. It is mentally rigorous to strive to look unto Him in every thought. But when we do, our doubts and fears flee” (Russell M. Nelson, “Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 41).

Learner-focused: Here are some examples from this lesson that help students fulfill their role in learning for themselves. Notice that students are invited to recognize their own needs to motivate them to engage in the learning experience. Students are also invited to share their own, unique thoughts and ideas.

Invite students to ponder how often they take notice of their own thinking patterns and whether those patterns tend to be helpful or accurate.
What impresses you from President Nelson’s statement?

Spirit-directed: Here is an example of a way the lesson can invite the Holy Ghost to fulfill His role in the learning experience. Teachers are encouraged to be deliberate about inviting students to seek guidance from the Holy Ghost. Invitations like this can help students in their efforts to receive inspiration from the Holy Ghost in their learning.

Invite students to seek guidance through the Holy Ghost to better understand their own patterns of thinking, particularly when responding to challenging situations.

Lesson 193: Discovering Your Strengths and Abilities

Christ-centered: Here are some examples from this lesson that help center the learning experience on Jesus Christ. Notice how the bolded truths in this lesson are connected to Christ and invite students to turn to Him for help. Students are also reminded of their divine identity and that the strengths and abilities they have are manifestations of God’s love and mercy.

Students may point out truths similar to the following: The Lord does not look upon the outward appearance but upon the heart (see 1 Samuel 16:7). We can do all things through Jesus Christ, who can strengthen us (see Philippians 4:13; Alma 26:12). The worth of our souls is great in the sight of God (see Doctrine and Covenants 18:10).
Remind students that as children of God who are created in His image, each of us is blessed with different strengths and abilities. There may be students who have a difficult time recognizing the strengths and abilities God has blessed them with.

Scripture-based: Here are some examples from this lesson that help students learn from the scriptures and the words of the prophets. Notice that the scriptures students will study are purposely selected to turn students to Jesus Christ for His help. Students then have an opportunity to study counsel from an Apostle about how to discover some of their God-given gifts.

Study a few of the following passages, looking for eternal truths that could help us recognize our ability to achieve our potential through Jesus Christ. 1 Samuel 16:7; Philippians 4:13; Jacob 4:7; Alma 26:12; Doctrine and Covenants 18:10.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared some of the ways we can recognize the talents, strengths, and abilities our Heavenly Father has blessed us with: “The talents God has given us first become apparent in the interests we pursue. If you are wondering about your talents, make a list of the things you like to do. Include all the activities you enjoy from different dimensions of your life—spiritual, musical, dramatic, academic, athletic, and so on. Study and ponder your patriarchal blessing for insights and inspiration. Consult family members, trusted friends, teachers, and leaders; others often can see in us what we find difficult to see in ourselves” (Ronald A. Rasband, “Parables of Jesus: The Parable of the Talents,” Ensign, Aug. 2003, 34).

Learner-focused: Here are some examples from this lesson that help students fulfill their role in learning for themselves. Notice how these activities help students think about their own experiences and circumstances. They are intended to help students feel motivated to invest their hearts and minds into the learning experience to address needs they currently have. Students also have an opportunity to think about real challenges they face and how truths found in the scriptures can help them.

Think about responsibilities or employment opportunities you are interested in pursuing in the future. Also try to identify skills and abilities you still need to develop that will help you be better prepared for the future.
How can these truths help us when we feel discouraged about our abilities?

Spirit-directed: Here is an example of a way the lesson can invite the Holy Ghost to fulfill His role in the learning experience. Notice students are invited to seek inspiration from the Holy Ghost to see more clearly their current needs and next steps to be better prepared for life.

As you study today, seek Heavenly Father’s guidance through the Holy Ghost to help you identify strengths and skills you already have that can prepare you for these responsibilities.

Practice

Identify a Life Preparation lesson that you will teach soon, based on your local pacing guide. Review this lesson looking for answers to the following questions:

How is the learning experience centered on Jesus Christ?
How does the lesson help students learn the gospel of Jesus Christ as found in the scriptures and the words of prophets?
How does the lesson help students fulfill their role in learning for themselves?
How does the lesson help invite the Holy Ghost to fulfill His role in the learning experience?

Clearly Communicating the Lesson Schedule

It may be confusing for students to have a Scripture Course lesson one day and then a Life Preparation lesson the next day. When students are given a broader vision of what they will be studying during the week, it can help them be better prepared to learn. The following skills are a few ways you might do this. If you notice that your students are confused when you move between the different types of lessons, you might try one or more of these suggestions or something you think of on your own. This training will help you:

Clearly communicate what will be taught during the week and why.
Clearly communicate during the week when the lesson or topic transitions from Scripture Course lessons to Life Preparation lessons.

Clearly Communicate What Will Be Taught during the Week and Why

Define

At the beginning of each week, you can introduce students to the lessons and topics planned for each day of the week. When students understand the direction for the week and the lesson purposes, they can be more prepared to engage in the learning experience. One way you could communicate what will be taught during the week is by displaying the title of each of that week’s lessons, along with a brief summary of what students can expect to learn in those lessons.

Model

Class, I am excited for our upcoming lessons this week. [Teacher displays a graphic with the following chart]

Monday	Doctrine and Covenants 3
Tuesday	Doctrine and Covenants 4
Wednesday	Doctrine and Covenants 5
Thursday	Assess Your Learning Lesson
Friday	Managing Stress and Anxiety

This week on Monday through Wednesday we will be studying sections 3–5 of the Doctrine and Covenants. These were stressful times for the Prophet Joseph Smith as he went through very difficult trials. From these sections, we will learn important truths that God revealed that can help us turn to Jesus Christ and stand firm during stressful times. On Thursday, you will have a chance to reflect on what you are learning in an Assess Your Learning lesson. On Friday, we will discuss how to navigate stress and anxiety with the help and strength of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Practice

Look at your next week’s pacing guide and overview. Write down what you might do to clearly communicate what will be taught during the week.

Clearly Communicate during the Week When the Lesson or Topic Transitions from Scripture Course Lessons to Life Preparation Lessons

Define

When transitioning from Scripture Course lessons to Life Preparation lessons, you can tell students the topic and purpose of that day’s lesson. It may be helpful to share how the lesson and content are similar to or different from the previous class. It is not necessary to do this every time, but at times it may be helpful for students to understand the purpose and direction.

Model

Below you will see a model where the Scripture Course and Life Preparation lesson purposes align more closely and one where they do not.

This week, we have been learning about some very stressful situations the Prophet Joseph faced. Do you remember what some of them were? [Student responses] Now we will transition from studying about these accounts in the Doctrine and Covenants to studying scriptures and words of Church leaders to help you find strength from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in facing your own stressful situations.
As we have studied these accounts in the Doctrine and Covenants, we have learned how we can draw strength from the Lord to face stressful situations. Now we will transition into learning how we can draw strength from the Lord to become and remain worthy to enter and worship Him in His temple.

Practice

Look at the curriculum for this week’s pacing. Write out a way to clearly communicate what the class will focus on each day.

Cautions

Life Preparation lessons provide opportunities for students in seminary to learn how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can help them navigate the challenges of mortality. As you teach these lessons, be aware of the following cautions:

Every Learning Experience Should Be Christ-Centered, Scripture-Based, and Learner-Focused

Every learning experience in seminary should help accomplish the Objective of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion. This means that they will always be Christ-centered, learner-focused, scripture-based, and guided by the Spirit. Life Preparation lessons can easily become imbalanced. For example, a teacher may have a great deal of experience in one of the topics and could decide to focus extensively on making the experience learner-focused, emphasizing many skills and strategies for how to address a need students have. However, in the process, the teacher could easily overlook the need to connect students to Christ and to teach them from the words of the scriptures and prophets.

Case Study: Sister Jones has extensive experience with financial planning. Sister Jones decides to teach her students many skills about financial planning in a very learner-focused way.

What are some of the potential consequences of Sister Jones approaching the lesson this way?

Balance the Number of Life Preparation Lessons as Outlined in the Curriculum

There may be some lesson types or topics that some teachers would like to spend more or less class time on than others. Keep in mind that many people, including those from other Church departments, counseled together to determine the number of lessons in each category. Even a topic that might seem less interesting for a teacher may be very valuable for certain students. Spending more class time on some lessons than is outlined in the curriculum can lead to underemphasizing other important learning outcomes. The “Create a Pacing Guide Training” recommends that typically there should be more Scripture Course lessons than Life Preparation lessons in your pacing guide. The number of lessons for each Life Preparation category also indicates a suggested balance. Follow these guidelines with very few exceptions.

Case Study: Brother Hendricks is thrilled that there are finally deliberate efforts in seminary to prepare youth for missions. Rather than teaching only five lessons on mission preparation, he spends two weeks teaching these lessons as well as several he created on his own.

What are some of the potential consequences of Brother Hendricks’s approach to teaching missionary preparation lessons?

Utilize the Curriculum Regardless of Your Level of Experience

Similar to the number of lessons, each lesson purpose was also determined in collaboration with many people, including members of other Church departments. These departments often relied on research completed by the Correlation Research Division of the Church for the input they provided. As with all S&I curriculum lessons, the Correlation Department of the Church has carefully reviewed the Life Preparation lessons for doctrinal accuracy and appropriateness. The lessons are designed to be a simple approach to the topic they address, not a comprehensive course on the subject. If you are experienced in the topic, you may feel that important ideas have been left out. Be very cautious about adding something that is not already included. Regardless of how much or how little experience you have with a given topic, use the curriculum as a foundation for the learning experience you will provide. Begin by adopting the lesson before making decisions about what to adapt. For more on this, see the “Adopting and Adapting Seminary Curriculum Training” found in the Seminary Curriculum Training.

Case Study: Sister Benson is a licensed clinical social worker. She is currently finding a great deal of success with a new approach to helping her clients with addiction. She decides to teach her students skills associated with this new approach instead of one of the emotional health lessons.

What are some of the potential consequences of Sister Benson’s approach to the emotional health lessons?

Remember Your Role as a Teacher

As you teach Life Preparation lessons, remember your role as a seminary teacher. Students may share with you challenging situations they face. Your role is to direct them to their parents and priesthood leaders, who can guide them to the help they need. For help with situations that may involve abuse, please see “Abuse” in the Seminaries and Institutes Emergency Response Guide.

Case Study: Sister Benson has found that after teaching her lessons, many students are staying after class. They want to share with her some very personal details about their lives. She meets with them individually in her office after class and after school.

What are some of the potential consequences of Sister Benson’s interactions with her students?

Conclusion

Over the course of four years in seminary, students will have many opportunities to learn how to apply the Savior’s teachings to a variety of different circumstances and situations. The learning experiences that the Life Preparation lessons add to the Scripture Course lessons will better prepare an entire generation to meet the challenges of life by drawing on the Savior’s strength, teachings, and gospel. They will be better equipped to prepare themselves, their families, and others for eternal life with their Father in Heaven.