Focus on Prophetic Teachings

Skill: Invite current seminary students to ponder how they have already claimed blessings promised by President Nelson.

What is my initial understanding or ability? (Assessment):

How often do you help students ponder the blessings they receive from attending seminary?

What is it and why is it important? (Define):

President Russell M. Nelson recently recorded a special message for our youth promising them great blessings if they attend seminary offerings (Russell M. Nelson, “Personal Invitation to Attend Seminary,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org). One way teachers can use this message to fulfill the S&I objective and increase enrollment is to invite students to consider how President Nelson’s promises have already been fulfilled in their own lives after they have watched the video. To do this, teachers can share some or all the promises President Nelson mentioned (see list below), or invite students to identify them as they watch the video and ask, “Which of these blessings have you received as you have participated in seminary?” After giving students time to ponder, they can be invited to consider what they will do to continue claiming these blessings or who they might invite to attend seminary to also receive these blessings. Students could also be invited to share with classmates which blessings they have received and how those blessings have connected them to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Some of the promises President Nelson made to youth who attend seminary include the following:

• Seminary can change the course of your life.

• Seminary can help you learn to love and understand the scriptures.

• You can learn how to use the scriptures to help solve problems in your life and find answers to your questions.

• You will feel a sense of belonging.

• You will learn alongside faithful friends and inspiring teachers.

• Seminary will help you to know your Savior Jesus Christ and deepen your conversion to Him and to His restored gospel.

• You can begin to learn how to receive personal revelation.

• You can learn how the Spirit speaks to you.

• You will grow in your confidence to share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

• Your desire to be an active part of the Lord’s youth battalion to gather Israel will increase.

• You will take responsibility for strengthening your own testimony.

• Your faith can become rock solid.

• You will find friends you can trust.

• You will become a true disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Who or what provides a good illustration of this? (Model):

• Sister Tillman shows President Nelson’s video to her seminary class, and they discuss some of the promises he mentions. She then asks her class, “Will you please ponder which of these blessings you’ve already received through attending seminary and how they have connected you to the Savior?” She gives her students time to ponder and then she invites three of them to share their thoughts and feelings with the class.

• Brother Torkonoo shows President Nelson’s video to his seminary students and gives them a printed copy of the promises President Nelson mentioned. He then asks his students, “Which of these blessings have you received by attending seminary?” After giving them time to think, Brother Torkonoo asks his students to consider someone they know who can be invited to seminary to receive similar blessings.

How can I practice using this skill or applying this principle? (Practice):

• Write how you will invite your seminary students to ponder how they have already claimed blessings mentioned by President Nelson.

• Write how you will invite your seminary students to consider someone they know who can be invited to seminary to receive similar blessings.

Ponder or discuss:

How might pondering blessings they have already received by attending seminary inspire your students?

How and when will I incorporate this?

Plan a time soon to share President Nelson’s video and invite students to ponder how they have already claimed blessings promised by President Nelson or who they know that could benefit from these blessings.