One of the things I like to do during the summer time is prepare a few “super lessons” that I can use throughout the school year for seminary.

2 Nephi 26:33 states that “all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.” Most people in Nephi’s time assumed that the gods of each nation only loved their own nation. Nephi taught otherwise. He also showed that the Gentiles would enthusiastically accept Jehovah as their God. This would take place because God simply lays down the conditions that people have to keep for Him to accept them, and those that keep His commandments become part of His kingdom, as was the case for ancient kings who laid down conditions for their subjects. It isn’t where people are from that matters to God, it’s what they do.

See how The Book of Mormon is the keystone of Mormon Religion.

King Benjamin taught that the Lord Himself comprehends and feels the effects of genuine and heartfelt acts of service, no matter who their earthly recipients might be, for “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). Those who open themselves to divine wisdom will see how the Atonement of Christ and His universal relationship with mankind infuse every act of service with profound and eternal meaning.

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If you follow these eight tips, there's no need to fear. As a seminary teacher, these are my go-to methods that work for me when teaching the gospel. My experience is in teaching youth and adults, but most of the techniques can be adapted to teach primary classes and will work in more structured settings like Institute and seminary or in regular Sunday meetings.

Nephi made several allusions to his father's vision of the tree of life as he taught people to "feast" on the word of Christ. Contemporary prophets like Ezekiel likewise "ate" the word of the Lord as a symbolic gesture, and there appear to temple and Sabbath day connotations in the symbolism. All of this provides a rich feast of insights on what it means to "feast upon the words of Christ."

In ways that are both uniquely ancient and also culturally universal, Giddianhi’s letter to Lachoneus was startlingly polite. Yet accompanying his excessive praise and flattery, Giddianhi ultimately threatened the Nephites with complete destruction if they didn’t comply with his requests. Instead of being frightened by Giddianhi’s threats or being persuaded to join his cause, Lachoneus and his men placed their trust in the Lord and prepared to defend themselves. They recognized Giddianhi’s smooth and flattering words for what they really were: an attempt to overthrow their democratic government and destroy their religious freedoms.

Amulek specifically mentioning his women, children, father, and kinsfolk as being part of his household provides interesting insight into the social structure of Book of Mormon societies and peoples. Far from the nuclear families prevalent today, this added detail “suggests an interesting pattern of kin connections” known in many ancient cultures, including ancient Mesoamerica. Later in the account, Alma and Amulek were forced to witness the horrendous execution of those who believed their preaching. This included women and children, and apparently members of Amulek’s own family. By first coming to know Amulek and his family, readers are able to empathize with them when the narrative makes a tragic turn for the worst.

The Savior's appearance in 3 Nephi is the central event of the entire Book of Mormon. The first words spoken by the Savior are packed with important meaning abo

2 Nephi 28:30 states, “I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept.” Nephi told his people to continuously seek knowledge from God, because God teaches people, “line upon line, precept upon precept.” This phrase is a modified quote from Isaiah 28:10, where the prophet condemned the inability of the false priests and prophets of Israel to receive revelation from the Holy Ghost. Because God could not reveal anything to these priests, he would instead teach the rising generation, one commandment at a time. 2 Nephi 28, shows that as believers are faithful to the truth they have already received, they will receive more.

In Mosiah 18, Alma the Elder, who had been one of King Noah’s priests until being converted by Abinadi’s preaching, led a large group of people to be baptized in the “waters of Mormon.” Alma’s teachings in Mosiah 18 provide one of the best accounts in all of scripture to help those who are newly baptized know what they must do to keep their covenant with the Lord. Alma’s description of the baptismal covenant is tied into the atonement of Jesus Christ—in that he asked recent converts to imitate Christ’s perfect love—charity. Such “love” is reflected in the Egyptian meaning of the name Mormon. Alma asks his followers to, like Christ, love one another by suffering vicariously the pains of others and having compassion on those who are in need of help and comfort.

After King Benjamin’s stirring words, his son, Mosiah, reigns. Mosiah sends a search party after a group of Nephites who had left many years earlier and were never heard from again. They had …

During his trial, Abinadi is asked about the meaning of a prophecy from Isaiah. The priests of Noah, it seems, were trying to charge Abinadi with false prophecy based on the inconsistency of his message with the “glad tidings” promised by Isaiah. The priests and the people of Noah probably saw themselves as fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy. Abinadi respond with a vigorous defense that used Isaiah 53 to help properly interpret Isaiah 52:7–10.

The first thing we read after the separation of the righteous Nephites from the wicked Lamanites is a discourse by Jacob, the brother of Nephi (2 Nephi 6:1-3). What will be his text? Isaiah 49:22-5…

Helaman 13-16 It's time once again to play the... CELESTIAL PYRAMID GAME (Version 2.0) Some of you will remember the American TV show, "The $10,000 Pyramid." To win $10,000, the contestant would have to guess the category of each box in the pyramid in order, while a partner slowly read to the person items in the category. The Pyramid itself had a category which the player also had to guess after guessing each box's category. And of course it all had to be done in a time limit. This pyramid game won't earn anyone $10,000 but it has more important categories! To prepare the game, make 10 numbered squares out of paper. On the back of each square list the category. The teacher reads the items in the category, and the class members guess the category. (The entire class is on the same team.) The teacher can give clues to the page number or verse number in the scriptures if needed. When the class guesses the category of Box #1 (or comes close), the teacher turns the box or square over to reveal its category. Commentary and discussion of the topic can take place, then the class moves on to guessing Box #2, and so on until they reach Box #9. They then must look at all the categories and decide what the category of the entire "Celestial Pyramid" is, upon which Box #10 will be turned over and the class has won the game. BOX #1: REASONS SAMUEL THE LAMANITE PROPHESIED (Helaman 14:11-13) (Look for the key word "that") So they would know about the judgments of God So that they would be aware of their sins So that they would know how to repent So that they would know that Christ was coming to redeem them So that they would recognize the time when Christ would come So that they would believe in Jesus Christ BOX #2: WHAT CHRIST'S ATONEMENT DOES (Helaman 14:15-18) ("Redeem" and "resurrect" seem to mean the same thing in this passage.) It redeems mankind from the effects of the Fall It resurrects all men It brings all men back into the presence of the Lord It allows for repentance It allows the repentant to escape the second death (hell) which also means they will arise in the first resurrection to glory and eternal life. (See also Rev. 20:6, 14; Jacob 3:11; Alma 12:32) BOX #3: PROPHECIES THE NEPHITES LIKED (Helaman 13:27) "Do this, and there is no iniquity" "Do that and ye shall not suffer" "Walk after the pride of your own hearts" "Walk after the pride of your own eyes" "Do whatsoever your heart desireth" BOX #4: THINGS THAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE NEPHITES IF THEY DID NOT REPENT (Helaman 13:8-10, 15:1, 17) The Lord will take the scriptures and prophets away from them The Holy Ghost will withdraw from them The Lamanites will turn against them Their houses will be left desolate Their pregnant women will be left to perish In 400 years they will suffer devastating war and disease They will be utterly destroyed BOX #5 SIGNS OF CHRIST'S BIRTH WHICH WOULD APPEAR IN AMERICA (Helaman 14:3-7) Great lights in the heaven A night that does not get dark A new and unusual star Many other amazing celestial events People will fall to the earth with astonishment BOX #6 REASONS GOD CURSED THE NEPHITES' RICHES (Helaman 13:21-23) Because they did not reverence God Because they did not thank God Because they were proud Because they boasted Because they envied each other Because they fought over material possessions Because they persecuted the poor Because they murdered to get gain Because they had set their hearts upon their riches BOX #7 HOW NEPHI COMPLETED SAMUEL'S MINISTRY TO THE NEPHITES (Helaman 16:4-5) (Samuel, upon delivering his message, returned to his own country.) Baptized new converts Prophesied Preached Cried repentance Showed signs and wonders Worked miracles among the people BOX #8 SIGNS OF CHRIST'S DEATH THAT WOULD APPEAR IN AMERICA (Helaman 14-20-29) The sun, moon and stars will disappear for three days There will be mighty thunderstorms There will be huge earthquakes that will alter the face of the Americas There will be tempests and tsunamis Cities and highways will be completely destroyed Graves will be opened and the dead will arise Angels will appear to people BOX #9 REASONS THE LAMANITES WOULD OUTLAST THE NEPHITES (Helaman 15:4-14) (Regarding verse 4, bear in mind that there is only one Hebrew word that expresses distaste, and it is translated as "hate." The specific meaning can only be determined by the context in which it is used. Here it seems to refer to "not blessed.") Because the Nephite prophets preached the gospel to them and the majority of them believed it, beginning with the Anti-Nephi-Lehies Because the ANL's reverenced God Because the ANL's kept the commandments Because the ANL's kept the Law of Moses Because the ANL's strove with unwearied diligence to convert their brethren to the gospel Because the ANL's were firm and steadfast in the faith once they are enlightened Because the ANL's repentance was permanent BOX #10: THE MINISTRY OF SAMUEL THE LAMANITE (Helaman 12:2-5) THE POWER OF A RIGHTEOUS MINORITY It is interesting to note the powerful works wrought by minorities in this story. Samuel was in an ethnic as well as religious minority: a Christian and a Lamanite among the Nephites. He saved many Nephites by his prophesying, although he didn't get to see it personally. Instead he got shot at, a minority-aimed "hate crime." In his own land, there were a great many Lamanites who had previously (maybe 70 years before) been brought to the truth by alien minority members in their land: Ammon and his companions, who were Nephites and Christians. (More on this here and here.) A minority of righteous Nephites unknowingly prevented the destruction of Zarahemla by fire from heaven. (A meteor? A lightning storm? A volcano? We'll never know exactly what Zarahemla escaped.) The Lamanites converted through the efforts of Ammon 70 years before, the "Anti-Nephi-Lehies," were specifically noted in this passage as the reason the Lamanites would not ever be destroyed, even if they apostacized again, and that they would eventually be brought back to a knowledge of the truth as an ethnic group. This is an epoch example of a promise from the Lord that the righteousness of covenant-keeping parents will preserve their children and bring them back to the fold. (See this link for similar latter-day promises.) "Righteous minorities" within families can help to save the rest.

A blog dedicated to parenting in the latter-days. You'll find dozens of printable FHE lessons, YW ideas, and articles on a variety of parenting and LDS topics.

On Sunday April 19, the Relief Society lesson in many wards was titled “Joseph Smith, an Instrument in the Hands of the Lord.” (Chapter 7 from Teachings of Presidents of the Church Ezra Taft Benson) It was an incredibly spiritual lesson for me, and influenced me to share my testimony of Joseph Smith – I also have been wanting to do this since Elder Neil L. Andersen’s October 2014 General Conference talk “Joseph Smith.” So, this post- done in two parts - will be how both Elder Andersen’s talk and this Relief Society lesson strengthened my testimony of Joseph Smith. Part 1 will be about Elder Andersen’s talk, and Part 2 will be about the Relief Society lesson. I want to preface Part 1 by saying that Elder Andersen’s messages always speak directly to me. I first noticed him during October 2011 conference when he gave his talk “Children”, and ever since then his talks have always touched my heart. So, fast forward three years later, and I have pen and paper ready to take notes on what he is going to tell me. During his talk I wrote down in my journal “How to handle false stories about Joseph Smith – how to determine the truth from the lies.” This was very important in my personal life. Elder Andersen talked about how we can help ourselves and others when questioning Joseph Smith as a true Prophet. And one of the most important things he said was, “you won’t be of much help to others if your own testimony isn’t securely in place.” That really got me thinking about my own testimony of Joseph Smith. I had always had one, I never doubted he was a true prophet who restored Christ’s Church to the earth, but I only shared it with people who also had a testimony because I didn’t think I was strong enough to stand up to the adversary that is against Joseph Smith. Elder Andersen’s talk started to give me the strength that I need. Elder Andersen began his talk by reminding us that Joseph Smith’s name has been and will continue to be spoken of in both positive and negative ways. He asked, “Why does the Lord allow the evil speaking to chase after the good?” And immediately answered, “One reason is that opposition against the things of God sends seekers of truth to their knees for answers.” I have heard so many converts’ stories talk about how they were searching for an answer to something when they found the Church. And it rings true for anyone, the times I pray most fervently are the times something is troubling me. “Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration. His spiritual work began with the appearance of the Father and the Son, followed by numerous heavenly visitations. He was the instrument in God’s hands in bringing forth sacred scripture, lost doctrine, and the restoration of the priesthood. The importance of Joseph’s work requires more than intellectual consideration; it requires that we, like Joseph, ‘ask of God.’ Spiritual questions deserve spiritual answers.” (emphasis added) That statement by Elder Andersen is so powerful, and I am working towards having the courage to saying something similar. I want to point out the two underlined portions. The first, “Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration.” He didn’t say “I believe Joseph Smith is…” He stated as fact, because it is. Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration. Because of Joseph Smith, we have Christ’s true Church on the earth today. One of my goals with strengthening my testimony is to replace “I believe” with “I know.” The second underlined portion, we need to “ask of God.” After all of the research and study, the next step is to kneel down and pray. Moroni challenges us to do the same thing with the Book of Mormon, and now Elder Andersen has challenged us to do that with Joseph Smith. And really, the two are interconnected. Whenever I have prayed about that, I usually feel silly asking a question I already know the answer to: I know the Book of Mormon is true, and I know Joseph Smith is a true prophet. So, I am changing my question to what I need next: how can I teach that and share it with others? Elder Andersen next talks about those who are criticizing Joseph Smith and how Latter Day Saints should respond. He said, “Let us offer kindness to those who criticize Joseph Smith, knowing in our own hearts that he was a prophet of God and taking comfort that all this was long ago foretold by Moroni.” I’ll be honest here, offering kindness is the last thing on my mind when I come across a negative conversation about Joseph Smith. It usually makes my blood boil, and I don’t say anything because I’m so angry that I don’t have the Spirit with me and I don’t think I would say the right thing. And when I do calm myself enough to invite the Spirit in, I am usually prompted to not say anything because those in the conversation are not in a place to listen. And so I take Elder Andersen’s advice and feel comfort that I know in my heart, even if I don’t it say out loud at that time. Elder Andersen then talked about what he calls “sincere inquirers”, or people who are not asking questions to attack, but because they honestly want to understand. I can’t remember if I have ever come across a sincere inquirer, but the advice Elder Andersen offered helped me tremendously with my own testimony – or how to share it. One thing we can do is “share the words” of those who knew Joseph Smith personally. Elder Andersen gave an example by John Taylor (one of the men who was with Joseph when he was killed): “I testify before God, angels, and men, that [Joseph] was a good, honorable and virtuous man - …[and] that his private and public character was unimpeachable – and that he lived and died as a man of God.” This obviously requires research, but I know that as we search these accounts out to help others, our own testimonies will be strengthened as well. When coming across information Elder Andersen differentiates between the secular and spiritual: “You may understandably question what you hear on the news, but you need never doubt the testimony of God’s prophets.” A couple months before the October 2014 General Conference, I had an experience that prompted me to start to learn more about Joseph Smith and early Church history. As I searched out materials to begin with, I felt uncomfortable with the ones I had found. I thought that maybe I shouldn’t be researching this at all, and so I prayed and asked Heavenly Father if I was doing the right thing, and if I was where should I begin. I got the impression to start with the material found on lds.org and published by the Church – which should have been the obvious choice all along. Elder Andersen also reminded me that while some information about Joseph may be true, it is presented out of context. As a History major I see this quite often in any discussion about any past event or person. There are some things that once put back into the correct historical context make sense, and are easily acceptable; others can still be confusing. When that happens, I go by faith. I know that can feel like an overused answer, “Just have faith!” But it is so true, which is why we hear it so often. Faith has helped me and strengthened me when intellectual and material answers have let me down. Elder Andersen ends this section of his talk by saying that “Each believer needs a spiritual confirmation of the divine mission and character of Joseph Smith. This is true for every generation. Spiritual questions deserve spiritual answers from God.” A couple paragraphs later he tells us how we can receive these confirmations: prayer, reading the first vision (and he challenges us to read Joseph’s testimony out loud so we can hear it in our voice), reading the Book of Mormon (he challenges us to find verses that we know to be true and share them with others), and/or bearing your own testimony. It will come to each person differently. I haven’t had one big confirmation and that was it, but rather several little ones that have added to my growing testimony; and Elder Andersen’s talk was the cherry on top for me. His talk encouraged me to put myself out there and state that I know Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know he saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know he restored the gospel to this earth. And just as I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet now. I know it because I have felt the Holy Ghost testify it to me, and the witness of the Holy Ghost is a true witness.

Mosiah 18 And after this manner he did baptize every one that went forth to the place of Mormon; and they were in number about two hundred and four souls; yea, and they were baptized in the waters …