Seminary Changes

Hey everyone!

Check out the link to the new Seminary blog...

http://sthelensseminary.wordpress.com/

All Done!

There it is -- the official seal of approval upon our Seminary year. It's certainly been a year full of doctrinal learning, testimony growth, and good friendship. Book of Mormon year seems to have that more than any other year. Anyway, it was worth the early mornings and late nights.

Next year is Doctrine and Covenants, so it's never too early to start reading through the "curriculum" and 10 minutes a day is just perfect.

Thanks everyone for all of your hard work and help this year -- I love you and appreciate you so much. You have blessed my life beyond compare. Enjoy your summer!

Love,

Sister Mann

War Chapters!

It's been a month since my last post, but trust me, this one will be worth the wait. War, intrigue, stratagems, fortifications, faithfulness, and valiancy -- that's what it's all about.

Sister W did a fantastic (!) job of teaching these chapters, and her efforts are deeply appreciated. So, the thoughts shared here came from her, not from me. I'm not that smart.

Chapters 43-62 of Alma are called the "war chapters" as opposed to "peace chapters." The Nephites were living in a time of constant war, just as we are today. These chapters are meant for us, so we need to read, ponder, understand, and apply those teachings in order to be fortified against the enemy. It is vital to know that victory comes from unshakable faith in Jesus Christ.

Chapter 43: 1) the Lord is concerned with the desires of our hearts; 2) faith and works mean do what we can and the Lord will always help us with the rest; 3) the prophets know where the enemy will strike -- so listen up.

Chapter 44: 1) faith in Christ is powerful in any situation; 2) a testimony can be shared in unusual places, 3) we owe all of our happiness to the word of God; 4) if warring apostates can keep their covenants, so can we!

Chapters 46-47: 1) kings lead to bondage; 2) place reminders of your covenants everywhere: 3) don't come down from your mountain; 4) beware of little temptations that trick us into believing we have control; 5) beware of "friends" who tempt you.

Chapter 48: 1) spiritual preparation is our first priority; 2) the Christian attitude toward war should be one of reluctance and sorrow.

Chapter 49: 1) be prepared; 2) prophets prepare in unconvential ways; 3) the sword of the Spirit is our weapon for spiritual battles.

Chapter 50: 1) spiritual fortifications come from doing many things; 2) watchmen on towers see what we cannot see; 3) faith and works bring assurance.

Chapter 51: 1) people of God have a duty to defent their country; 2) united we stand, divided we fall.

Chapter 52: 1) don't leave your stronghold; 2) small temptations may lead to bigger temptations; 3) God doesn't trick us into being righteous; 4) when you're tempted, realize someone may be trying a stratagem on you.

Chapter 53: 1) when you know the Church is true, be true to the Church; 2) being spiritual means knowing and doing.

Chapter 54: 1) fear God more than man; 2) meekness is not weakness.

Chapter 55: 1) when you're high on drugs (or whatever), you're low on agency; 2) be cautious that no poison is administered among you; 3) if it will poison one, it will poison another.

Chapter 56: 1)the righteous need not fear death; 2) the best teaching happens at home.

Chapter 57: 1) some were firm and undaunted, others were about to give way; 2) real faith is faith in Christ and His will; 3) acknowledge the hand of the Lord in all things.

Chapter 58: 1) God will visit us with assurnaces when we're undersupplied; 2) there is no substitute for faith combined with work.

Additional Thoughts: 1) sometimes our toughest enemies come from within; 2) the armor of God only protect the front as we are to go forward boldly, not turn and run defenselessly; 3) we may not know why we are asked to do something -- just do it anyway; 4) are we Lamanite by lineage or by belief and practice; 5) God-fearing is God-respecting.

And finally -- Christ chose his disciples while they were working. Satan chooses his disciples while they are being idle. STAY BUSY and CTR!

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

I've waited all year to use this crazy picture. In honor of Ammon, his two-edged sword, and a pile of severed arms, may I present to you the four-light-sabered Jedi flying squirrel...

We covered a lot of material this week (chapters 14 through 22) and so welcome to the Alma Buffet. Little bites of lots of different experiences, testimonies, and doctrines were offered. Hopefully, everyone will go back for more and feast until they are full. So what did we sample? Read on...

Alma 14: Martyrdom, silence, victory, and a perfect ending for the bad guys.

Alma 15: Missionary success and healing power.

Alma 16: Lamanites

Alma 17: Arms, Christ-like example, duty and purpose

Alma 18: Conversion

Alma 19: Lamoni, Mrs. Lamoni, Abish

Alma 20: Middoni adventures, conversion, freedom

Alma 21: Another missionary perspective

Alma 22: The pillars of eternity, conversion, property lines

Friday was the March Madness Shoot-Around. Nothing can be more frustrating that trying to make a basket with a tennis ball. However, the points added up and the students included them to their March Madness score sheets. Both bishops were there to help with announcing and timekeeping. Next Thursday, the March Madness winner will be crowned. Remember, no school or Seminary next Friday... And then it's Spring Break!

Sister Pope was gone this week to help her sister with a new baby. Thanks, Sister Weitzel, for coming and keeping us on the straight/strait and narrow!

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

My bad -- somehow I forgot last week's weekly update posting. So just consider this a BOGO --a buy one, get one absolutely free blog posting. How good of a deal is that?


Since there's so much to cover, let's just hit the highlights:

• The winner of Seminary Survivor was crowned, but has not yet received her $10 Burgervill gift certificate. (This is also my bad.)
• March Madness has begun, points are being scored, and players are being traded.
• Alma taught the people of Zarahemla and surrounding lands. Check out Alma 5 for all of the details on receiving a mighty change of heart.
• The Zarahemla folks shape up nicely.
• Alma travels to the land of Gideon and teaches them all about the Atonement in chapter 7.
• The people of Ammonihah are far less interested in hearing from Alma as they are in throwing him out of town. Upon his return through the back-door, he meets Amulek. Together, they make up one of the best missionary companionships of all time.
• Alma and Amulek begin to teach and Amulek shares the story of his conversion and his testimony in chapter 10.
• Zeezrom, a lawyer with 'tude, thinks he's going to get the best of them. Wrong. You can never pull one over on the prophet. Good thing Big Z becomes converted...it's far better than the alternative.
• Alma and Amulek give us great examples about how to talk to our non-member friends and some ways to asnwer their questions.
• Look for the Plan of Redemption in chapter 12...

If you have any questions about grades or make-up work, please ask! Spring Break is a great time to catch up on it in order to finish the year without any worries. And speaking of Spring Break, only 10 Seminary mornings until then -- but who's counting?

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

What a week! It was short (thanks, Mr. Presidents) and sunny...who could ask for more? It was also a week of late-nights (thanks, Olympics). Here's what happened in Seminary this week:

On Tuesday, we met Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah. We also met an angel who spoke with a voice of thunder instead of the usual still, small voice. We were there when Big Alma and his ward rejoiced when they understood why Alma the Younger was carried home. Lesson to us all -- never underestimate the power of a parental prayer. Tuesday also saw the end of the Book of Mosiah and the beginning of the reign of the judges. Wednesday was Scripture Chase Olympics, and it was full of twirling, jumping, one-handed speediness! What athletic and scriptural prowess! Thursday and Friday were spent getting to know the Book of Alma and we truly jumped right into the action! Gideon and Nehor got it going and Amlici kept it going. By the way, the story of Amlici could be considered a type and shadow of Satan. Keep that in mind the next time you read Alma chapter 2.

This week, Seminary Survivor challenged us to offer to pray, give small and simple acts of service, pay attention to creation, and to get a talk ready. (How appropriate for our seniors because Seminary Sacrament Meeting will be here soon!) Just one more week of challenges and then the Ultimate Seminary Survivor will be crowned!

Grades will be passed out at church, so if you don't get something from either of us teachers, please let me know. If you have questions about your student's information, please ask.

Have a wonderful, sunny weekend!

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

Happy Valentine's Day!

How about doing this week's update in reverse?

Friday was the 13th Annual Johnny Lingo Love Day. Johnny, Mahana, Moki and even Mr. Harris were there! Too bad they couldn't enjoy the goodies that everyone brought. Popcorn, cookies, cake, truffles, candy, and donut holes -- all blessed and served with love at church. Therefore, they had no calories!

Thursday we talked about Alma's problem-solving technique found in Mosiah 26. Wednesay, Tuesday, and Monday were full of Mosiah chapters 19 through 24. Not only are those pages full of gospel truths, they are full of intrigue and daring escapes. They are good chapters to keep in mind when we need to make a daring escape from temptation!

Seminary Survivor continues to challenge us to outwit, outplay and outlast Satan on our way to the celestial kingdom. Challenges this week included helping without being asked, offering only sincere compliments, spending an additional 10 minutes in prayer, and choosing the right all day. The weekend challenge is a two-parter -- love and patriotism. We have to be creative in how to demonstrate both of those. If only I could send George Washington and Abraham Lincoln some valentine cards...

Next week will be short due to the President's Day holiday. Grades will be coming home this week and if there are any questions about your student's information, please ask me.

Thanks, once again, for your continued support of our Seminary program!

Love,

Sister Mann, not the sharpest trader in all the islands...

Weekly Update

Isn't this a great motto? It was coined by King George VI in 1939 when the British were facing the threat and early conflicts of WWII. What a perfect motto for the second semester of Seminary. Keep calm, carry on, and don't panic in the face of temptation. Honestly, it's a great personal motto, too.

Seminary Survivor started this week! I love Survivor! Every day there is a challenge to do or not do something -- a chance for personal growth and improvement. This week, we avoided sugar, listened to church music, shared graciously, and shook lots of hands. Every day, students score themselves on their efforts. At the end of the month, we will crown an Ultimate Survivor who will win a $10 gift card to his or her favorite fast food place. And what is the secret to becoming the Ultimate Survivor? Keep calm and carry on.

Lessons this week focused on two people -- Abinadi and Alma. We discussed types and shadows of Christ and how Abinadi was clearly one of those in nearly every respect. You just have to wonder if Abinadi knew that Alma got the message and that Alma was intent on sharing it with his fellowmen. Alma's discourse on the baptismal covenant in Mosiah 18 is just wonderful! In my humble opinion, they kept calm and carried on just as the Lord would have them do.

Grades will be done this week and will include the most up-to-date attendance/punctuality information. If you have any questions, please ask me!

Thanks so much for your support of Seminary! Keep Surviving! Keep Calm! Carry On!
Love,
Sister Mann

Weekly Update

Back in the saddle again! But man-oh-man, is this Seminary cowpoke tired! I didn't know it took so much energy to stand for an entire class time...

This week, we met King Noah and his naughty home-boys. And they all got to meet Abinadi. In Mosiah 10, verse 22, Zeniff says that because he was old he conferred the kingdom upon one of his sons. Did he know that Noah was such a bad guy? And if Zeniff did know, why did he do such a thing? Hmm. You just gotta wonder...

We also went over our calendar for the coming month. February is always fun for two reasons: Seminary Survivor and Johnny Lingo Love Day. Survivor will kick-off on Tuesday with the first daily challenge and this year students will be scoring themselves on their survival efforts. There will be a prize for the Ultimate Survivor at the end of the month. Friday the 12th is Johnny Lingo Love Day. Everyone should bring their favorite snack/treat and we'll watch the old-school Johnny Lingo. The bad wigs, the stilted dialogue -- what's not to love?

We've reached the half-way mark, so semester grades will be coming home soon. Don't panic if the grade isn't what you think it should be. There's plenty of time for improvement. Grades are based on daily reading, scripture mastery, and participation. However, if attendance or punctuality are less than 80%, the grade is an Incomplete. Like I said, don't panic. Everything will be fine in the end. If you have any concerns though, please contact me.

There won't be Seminary this coming Monday (Teacher Work Day) or on Monday the 15th (President's Day).

Thanks for your continued support of our Seminary program. Our youth are the best!

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

Another week of "fun" has come and gone while I stayed in my recliner. Somehow I picked up a secondary bug, but the new medicine is working well. The doctor still hasn't released me to work my normal schedule yet, though. Bummer. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the following week.

Thank you so much, Sisters Pope and Weitzel! You are holding Seminary together and you will be blessed over and over for your efforts. I have heard about your wonderful lessons and I am so grateful for all of your hard work on Seminary's behalf.

Thank you, my wonderful ward family, for all of your phone calls, prayers, and delicious dinners. Our family has been nourished in every good way and our prayers are that you will be blessed beyond measure for your kindness.

I hope to see you soon, my Seminary friends!

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

So time has really gotten away from me. It's been a blur. My last posting mentioned I had been sick. It only got worse from there. I went into the doctor who exclaimed "You're blue!" She promptly called the paramedics who took me into the hospital. Double pneumonia. For five days I was waited on hand and foot because they were afraid I would slip into respiratory arrest. For five days I got all the IV antibiotics, chicken broth, jello, and soda I could hold. Now back at home, the waiting-on continues. My family has been wonderful to jump at my every request and my wonderful ward family has been bringing us the most delicious dinners. I haven't missed the broth at all. When I went to the doctor Thursday, she said "I am so happy to see you alive!" I'm happy, too, and will be even happier when she releases me to return to my normal schedule.

I miss everyone at Seminary, but I know for certain that everything is just fine. Thank you, thank you Sisters Pope and Weitzel! You rock!

Love,
Sister Mann

Weekly Update

This was my week. Laying on the couch with a fever and aches. Planning to get right on that as soon as I wasn't coughing hard enough to rupture something. I hate being sick. So please pardon the typos and the ramblings -- medicine head.

I owe a HUGE thanks to Sister Weitzel for filling in for me and to Sister Pope for hanging in there. This week found the class in the first few chapters of Jacob with his admonitions to both the righteous and the wicked. The Allegory of the Olive Tree was also introduced. Friday was Par-tay and Breakfast Day. Everyone got a fabulous gift and an even more fabulous breakfast. Eggs, sausage, waffles -- it was so tasty and the first real food I'd had all week. Thanks Bishop Naillon for such a yummy Christmas send-off! (So, Bishop, maybe consider leaving something like that for Santa...)

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

So the count is on -- only 5 days of Seminary left until Christmas break. The excitement of the season is as contagious as the flu...what a bad analogy, huh?

Monday was the finale of Crocodile Craft Day. We talked about how sin and temptation are like hungry crocs, just waiting to pounce on the innocent and unaware. And, again just like hungry crocs, they hunt with patience and cunning. However, in the end, dinner is dinner and damnation is damnation. This week we finished 2 Nephi. His words to us in the last four chapters, while written so long ago, are so insightful and so personal. Nephi teaches us about faith, repentance, baptism, and the Holy Ghost. The students did some great mini-lessons based on chapters 29, 30, and 31. In chapter 32, we looked at the triange of "tell all things" and "show all things" and "pray always." Chapter 33 is one that is, in my humble opinion, one of the most personal chapters in all of scripture. I cry every time I read it -- so read it with a big box of Kleenex standing by.

Next week, if school is delayed or cancelled, we won't have Seminary. Our Christmas party plans have been foiled for the last 2 years in a row and I'm praying it won't become 3. So you pray, too! We want to par-tay in a Seminary kind of way!

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

First of all, my apologies for not having a weekly update last week. There were only two days of class, one of those being a game day. So, really, there wasn't much to update.

The room was set up differently this week with the tables facing towards the back parking lot. There's nothing like rearranging furniture to brighten up dark mornings. Next week, we'll try it the other way.

This was a big week, chapter wise. We studied from 2 Nephi chapter 14 all the way through chapter 26 by Thursday. Whew! Friday was Crocodile Craft Day. The crocodile part will be explained next week. Anyway, the students made green croc bookmarks and googly eyes and croc trading cards. The trading cards highlighted evil crocodiles -- sins and temptations. Talk about creativity! I won't tell you what's on them, but suffice it to say I was impressed and entertained at the same time. The cards will be up in the room this week, so stop by and take a look.

Students also got their most current attendance percentages this week and make-up work was handed out. If you have questions about your student's punctuality or attendance, please don't hesitate to ask.

Only 10 days of Seminary until Christmas break!

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

Yep, it was just what I thought it would be -- five full days of fun. And guess what? The freshmen finally got their scriptures. Yes, finally. The "scripture scramble" began with the initial order in August, which was followed up by the secondary order in September. A partial order arrived in October and the rest arrived last weekend. It's a good thing scriptures teach eternal truth because it was an eternal process to get them and who wants outdated information anyway...

This week we learned about the cast of Josephs in 2 Nephi chapter 3 and Nephi's Psalm in chapter 4. The psalm's pattern of sorrow for sin to blessings to personal improvement to trust and redemption is very applicable in our own lives. Chapters 9 and 10, part of Jacob's sermon and testimony, are full of deep doctrines about the Atonement that we must heed if we seek salvation. Also -- this week was the official family split following Lehi's death. The Nephites and Lamanites have arrived.

Next week is another shorty -- just two days because it's Thanksgiving. This really is a three day holiday anyway, in my opinion. There's Thanksgiving Preparation Day, Thanksgiving Feasting Day, and Thanksgiving Recovery Day. So enjoy them all and don't forget to count your blessings!

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

This week rolled right on by! But when there are only two Seminary days, it's bound to be that way. Next week we'll be back on track for a full five days of fun.

On Monday, Sister Weitzel was our special speaker and she shared some wonderful thoughts and ideas about joy. She explained what it is, how we find it, and how we can continue to experience it. After all, we are that we might have joy. And if that involves baked goods, so be it.

Tuesday found us in a heated game of Backpack Scavenger Hunt. What these kids tote around on a regular basis is amazing! If only the pioneers had been able to have backpacks with expanding pockets it would have been a whole different journey. Gum, tape, money, ID, textbooks, paper, and the list goes on and on. In fact, on the whole list, there wasn't one item that someone did not have. Of course, there were scriptures involved in the game. Worldliness, materialism and contention must be put in perspective.

All of the students received make-up work assignments on Tuesday. Our class had a rather stunning amount of absences and tardies -- not in a good way. Those assignments should be turned back in to me by the time we dismiss for the Christmas break. If there are any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call me.

Love,

Sister Mann

Sleepy Don Diego is modeling the latest Seminary fad -- dozing while trying to pay attention. It's sad to say, but the time change did not help us stay awake in Seminary. These dark, cold mornings are only made for sleeping through the snooze alarm.

This was a short week because there wasn't school or Seminary on Friday due to teacher inservice and workday. Just because it was short doesn't mean it wasn't busy -- especially for Nephi and Co. They built a ship and crossed to the Promised Land, all within four days. 1 Nephi is done and 2 Nephi has been introduced. Speaking of finishing a book, when Seminary students finish reading each book of the Book of Mormon, they should put a sticker up on the reading chart. Daily reading should be tracked in their individual folders. Daily reading is part of the grade.

The October roll went in to SHQ (Seminary Headquarters) and the latest percentages should be arriving any moment. Students who need to make up absences or tardies will be notified. 80% overall attendance and 80% puncutality are required in order to pass Seminary. Absences and tardies can, and should, be made up.

Next week, there are only two days of class due to Veteran's Day and Parent-Teacher conferences. While I don't do any conferencing, if you have any questions about Seminary or Seminary policies, please ask me. If I don't have the answer you need, SHQ will for sure! So what's planned for such a short week? Monday will be a special speaker and Tuesday will be...hmm...a surprise. Monday will also be Birthday Brownie Day -- yum!

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

Did you ever wonder what the fruit of the tree in Lehi's vision was like? Lehi described it as "most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted," "white to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen," and it filled his soul "with exceedingly great joy." When my brothers and I were kids, we had quite the discussion about this fruit and what it must have been like. Based on what Lehi said, we decided the fruit must be Twinkies. Can you guess what "fruit" was hanging on our Seminary tree?

Monday and Tuesday were spent focused on Nephi's vision, which included the interpretation of his father's vision and so much more. Wednesday was all about the Liahona. We talked about how it provided direction based on obedience and what provides direction to us when we are obedient. These personal Liahonas, according to the students, might include parents, teachers, leaders, scriptures, General Conference and patriarchal blessings. Thursday we spent our time with a fellowshipping activity so that when we played cut-throat Halloween bingo on Friday we could still all be friends in the end.

Looking ahead, there are quite a few days off in November: Friday the 6th (teacher work day), Wednesday the 11th through Friday the 13th (Veteran's Day and parent-teacher conferences), and Wednesday the 24th through Friday the 27th (Thanksgiving break). Enjoy sleeping in!

Thanks for supporting Seminary!

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

Haven't the leaves been just lovely this week? Such beautiful colors -- red, gold, bronze, yellow and even purple. Out in nature and even in Seminary, it's been a good week for trees.

On Monday, Bishop Garrison shared with us the history of Jerusalem and the culture of Lehi's day. It's important to know why the kingdom divided, how the tribes got lost, and to understand how Lehi's family came to be in Jerusalem in the first place. Tuesday was a video lesson that reviewed some of the same information and introduced the rugged, sandy, and dangerous Arabian peninsula. It's not a place conducive to an extended family camping trip. Speaking of extended family, Ishmael's family has now joined in the fun. It's funny how Laman and Lemuel grouse about going back for the brass plates, but not a single murmur about going back for girls...hmm... This week, Lehi saw a tree and it was white with delicious fruit hanging from it's branches. Come and see the white tree in Seminary, but there's no fruit yet. That happens next week. On Friday, Sister Pope was in charge of the lesson and Sister Weitzel subbed for me as the shepherd because I was at a meeting in Bend.

Thanks for a great week in Seminary, and seriously, come see the tree. Plug it in for the full bright white experience. :o)

Love,

Sister Mann

Weekly Update

One more was added to our Seminary flock this week. Welcome Sister Pope! Tag-Team-Teaching has now officially arrived!

After four weeks of Seminary, we have just now met Nephi and his family. We learned that Lehi was a Jerusalem home-boy, prayed sincerely, had a vision, preached to his neighbors, and was determined to be obedient to the Lord. We learned that Nephi was born of goodly parents, educated, big for his age, and determined to be obedient to the Lord. We learned about murmuring and sibling relationships. We learned it's better to go and do rather than sit and stew. We learned about the value of personal histories and scriptures. We learned a lot this week!

Housekeeping is the pits, but there are a couple of things we need to 'clean up' as far as Seminary is concerned. It can be hard, but being on time is important. Please remember the start time is 6:25. Again, it can be hard, but being in class is important. Please don't sign in as present and then disappear because that's an absence. Please get class materials out of the cupboard and use them in class. The scriptures can't be learned and applied if they are not opened and read.

Cold and flu season seems to have arrived. Yuk. Would someone please donate a box or two of kleenex and a big bottle of hand sanitizer? It is better that germs should perish than a whole class should dwindle and suffer in misery.

How about another donation item? The Seminary CD player went on a walk-about last year and ended up in the library without a cord. Does anyone have a CD player the class could use? Or better yet, does anyone know where the missing cord is? That would be the ideal solution because it's just too expensive to buy all those batteries just for prelude music.

Thanks for your housekeeping help, germ-busting supplies, and early-morning music!

Love,

Sister Mann