Focus on Prophetic Teachings

Skill: Invite current institute 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 to ponder the blessings they receive from attending institute?

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

President Russell M. Nelson recently recorded a special message for young adults, promising them great blessings if they attend institute offerings (Russell M. Nelson, “Personal Invitation to Attend Institute,” 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 watch 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 institute?” 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 institute 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 young adults who attend institute include the following:

• Institute … will help you to deepen your conversion to Jesus Christ.

• Attending institute will help you to feel more of Heavenly Father’s great love for you.

• Institute will offer you inspiring instructors, faithful friends, and a feeling of belonging.

• It will help you to see why living the gospel leads to never-ending happiness.

• Attending institute will help you to live the gospel and to feel more joy right now.

• [It will help you] know the truth about who you really are.

• [It will help you] know the purpose of life.

• [It will help you] to stay on the covenant path.

• [It will help you] learn how to let God prevail in your life.

• [It will help you] be a peacemaker.

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

• Sister Jaco shows President Nelson’s video to her institute 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 institute 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 Erkelens shows President Nelson’s video to his institute 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 institute?” After giving them time to think, Brother Erkelens asks his students to consider someone they know who can be invited to institute to receive similar blessings.

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

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

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

Ponder or discuss:

How might pondering blessings they have already received by attending institute 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.