August 14, 2014- Truth Reflects Upon Our Senses

Weekly Training Meeting

August 14, 2014

To Complete: Complete the Journaling/Reflections below and email Lisanne about what you learned.

Must have for this training:

• Journal
• Notes taken this summer
• Goals (past-summer, future-fall)
• Scriptures

Announcements:

• Schedule Exit interviews if you are leaving
• Sign up to watch Lisanne teach a district- you will get an email about it
• We are changing the afternoon time of training so look for the email of the new time
• First few weeks of fall semester make sure to sign up for a desk meeting with Lisanne
• Area Party- August 19th at 6:00pm at Rock Canyon Park (East Pavilion)

Reflect On What You Have Learned From The Summer

Study:

• Go to Journals and think of 2 questions to ask yourself to help you evaluate how you’ve used your time this summer. Write them at the top of your paper.

• Example: What roles has God played in my summer?

• Spend 20 minutes journaling about those questions. Anything you think about them and if you come up with more questions be sure to write them down. This is a free 20 minutes to journal about this, use your scriptures, goals, notes and anything else you would like.

Reflections on the Summer and what you learned about writing: 

(Class Insight)

• It was interesting how the spirit worked with me while I was writing. All of the good things I wrote down that I did, I felt as if I could have done better. The Spirit taught me so much I could have done as I wrote. It drove me to repent.
• This summer was tough for me. As I wrote God helped me to remember blessings that have come to be, good people, and the strength of the Spirit.
• I felt humbled. The thought came that my life is out of my control and I should let go and let God do his thing with it.
• I saw how God answers prayers.
• God remembers my goals. He used them and taught me by them. God gives according to desires.
• I failed at all my goals. But the Lord still did something with me. He helped me to form other goals and see things as they really are.
• This summer was about me needing being proactive. I had a lack of progress in this area.
• It made me ask myself, what do I care about? what don’t I care about? where do my actions need to be? I am able to be more honest with myself.
• Helped me to understand how kind God is. He showed me the things that I have grown on as opposed to only the things I haven’t. 
• God loves those who I love. He is aware of everyone. He does more for me than I am aware of.
• I saw the power of goals. 
• I learned the power of choice. I don’t need outside things to dictate my actions and how I feel. I can choose to feel happy no matter what is going on around me.

Does anyone see any patterns?

(Class Insight)

• It’s beneficial to reflect
• Planning- it’s important to plan even in our prayers
• Journaling helps us to see the hand of God
• We need to be agents
• Reflection and growth are correlated
• It helps us to be in touch with reality and what will be helping us with our Eternal Lives
• We receive what we are willing to receive
• Making a journal more of a reflection of the day as opposed to just writing down what I did can be very beneficial
• God’s Love
• I write the feelings of my heart in my journal and see how my feelings change
• If Nephi and Lehi were commanded to write their experiences down and then they were used as scriptures. They wrote as patriarchs writing in my journal as a “future patriarch” helped me to express things that I would want my future kids to know.- Generational writing

How much better would we understand the conversion process if we could actually see it in our lives- Journaling

Read:

Think of all that you have reflected on and what you just learned

9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

10 And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.

11 And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.

12 And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.

-Mosiah 4:9-10

Wherefore What:

10 minutes to reflect in your journal again

Examples of things to reflect on:

• setting goals
• how can I have this experience on a daily basis?
• how can I make these verses a reality in my life?

What are you receiving?

(Class Insight)

• Journaling keeps me from going to bed mad. You feel more at peace with God.
• Through the process of reflection I have received answers. God is personal with me and willing to answer questions.
• Vulnerability
• Reflecting on my past helps me to see how I can move forward.
• Reflecting helps give me clarity of where I am and questions/things I need to study later
• It has helped me to receive motivation. God helps answer my prayers. Truth reflects upon our senses.. as we reflect.
• Writing is a commandment.
• God helps us change and know what to write… even if we think we are bad at it.
• Writing in my journal gives me hope, strength, and remembrance. 

Review the things you have written down today. Work on being an agent. Be open and ready for next semester. 

August 7, 2014- Book of Mormon Practice Review

Weekly Training Meeting

August 7, 2014

To Complete Assignment: Practice with another teacher or zone coordinator for at least an hour and write me an email about what was learned, what will change in your personal study, what will be implemented into the classroom.

Practice with the Book of Mormon 

Announcements:

- stop complaining about chairs 

- culture - remember why we are here...It's great that we are close, but remember to focus on missionaries 

- If you are leaving - get subs until Sept. 2 

-if you haven't told me when you are leaving, tell me, have an exit interview. 

- Next week will be last training - focus on journal writing and remembering this semester and preparing for future. 

- schedule 5 morning afternoon schedule

- picking up district 

- area party

HOW SHOULD WE USE THE BOM?

PRACTICE: 

- select 3 curriculum items you teach 

    - discover a way you can teach that item - leading the missionaries to their purpose through the Book of Mormon

- practice doing it with that partner

- goal: was the purpose fulfilled?

HOW SHOULD WE INTRODUCE THE BOM TO INVESTIGATORS? 

PRACTICE: 

- introduce BoM to investigator as last principle in lesson 1...

    - 5 min, 4 min, 3 min - cut the crap more each time

- 2 min - Eval using same questions in book from pg. 28

BIG PICTURE FOR THE CLASSROOM - Missionaries and investigators (10-15 min) 

PRACTICE: (5-7 min)

- introduce someone to the concepts of what needs to occur in the Book of Mormon reads at the MTC

- Plan out progression of activities

- Practice introducing one of the activities - demonstrate 

- goal: pg.103 first paragraph

WHAT EXPERIENCES SHOULD MISSIONARIES AND INVESTIGATORS HAVE IN THE BOM? 

PRACTICE:

- Facilitate insights and revelation for your partner (do not tell of concerns beforehand) LDS

1. Passages below or 6 min each...whichever comes first 

- 1 Nephi 1:10

- 1 Nephi 1:11-20 

- Switch Partners 

2. Passages below or 6 min each....whichever comes first 

- Helaman 15:1-8

- Helaman 15:9-17

- Facilitate insights and revelation for your partner (brief background of investigator shared) NM

3. Introduction to the BoM AND Passages below or 10 min each...whichever comes first

- 1 Nephi 1:1-10

- 1 Nephi 1:11-20 

4. Following up on a reading that wasn't done and reading it with them...wherever they are in the BoM 

- Mosiah 16

- Ether 3

EVALUATION:

- What doctrines were taught? What doctrines were understood?

- How did the BoM speak to you (through the spirit)? How did you speak to it? What changes need to be made here?

- What are you learning about HOW the Book of Mormon combined with the spirit is your most powerful resource in conversion? 

January 31, 2014- Facilitation Insights and Revelation Through the Book of Mormon for Others

Weekly Training Meeting

January 31, 2014

Upon completion of the assignment: Send Lisanne an email detailing what was learned in regards to the evaluation questions. Practices must be done with your zone coordinator.

Announcements:
- Area party success!!
- Send Lisanne reports from last training if you haven't already 
- No mock district, yes workshops in FALL 
- Be aware of all missionaries in area and help them with a culture of righteousness 

ACCOUNTABILITY:
- Journal writing...what does it have to do with the other 3 invitations?

INTRODUCTION AND FOCUS FOR THE TRAINING: 
- "We must sit back and let the Book of Mormon speak to us, instead of us to it." 
- "A man would get nearer to God by abiding by it's precepts, than by any other book" 
  - precept: a general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought
         - pg.19 PMG - True Doctrine Understood...

PRACTICE:
- Facilitate insights and revelation for your partner (do not tell of concerns beforehand) 
1. Passages below or 6 min each...whichever comes first 
- 1 Nephi 1:10- person A
- 1 Nephi 1:11-20- person B

1. Facilitate insights and revelation for your partner (brief background of investigator shared) - missionary/investigator
2. Following up on a reading that wasn't done and reading it with them...wherever they are in the Book of Mormon 
- Mosiah 16 - missionary A facilitates
- Ether 3 - missionary B facilitates 

EVALUATION:
- What doctrines were taught? What doctrines were understood?
- How did the Book of Mormon speak to you (through the spirit)? How did you speak to it? What changes need to be made here?
- What are you learning about HOW the Book of Mormon combined with the spirit is your most powerful resource in conversion? 

CONCLUSION:

- What was learned?

January 24, 2014- Pioneer Day!

Teachers of the Most Celestial Realm,

As you remember from weekly training last week, there will be weekly training but NOT during the normal times on Thursday as it is Pioneer Day!  Make sure you go see a parade or something to celebrate our heritage!

Announcements you need to be aware of:

·         Remember when you request a sub and sign the sub log, it is NOT valid until it has been approved by me.

·         AREA PARTY – Tuesday July 29^th  at 6:30pm (a flier will come out shortly)

WEEKLY TRAINING ASSIGNMENT:

Title:

·         Lessons in Ch. 3 across the Classroom and Zone Resource Shifts

Objective:

·         Understand the role the Zone Resource Shift and Classroom shifts play in helping missionaries understand the Lessons in ch. 3 of PMG.

Requirement:

·         Observe at least 90 min of the Lessons in Ch. 3 outline that you DO NOT TEACH

o   Classroom teachers – You should observe an evening Zone Resource shift of Doctrinal study and Daily Planning (if possible)

o   Zone Resource Teachers – You will observe a morning or afternoon classroom shift of Lessons in Ch. 3

·         You must have this completed by July 31 (The following Thursday when weekly training resumes)

·         To complete this assignment you must send me a 2-4 paragraph email with what was learned in regards to the suggested questions

Questions to Ponder:

·         What role does the Zone Resource teacher have in introducing the missionaries to each Lesson and beginning an understanding of the objective in the Lessons in Ch. 3 outline?

o   Hint: the first half of the objective is completed by the ZRT “Help Missionaries learn the lessons in Ch. 3…”

·         What role does the Classroom Teacher have in deepening the missionaries understanding of each lesson and completing the objective in the lessons in Ch. 3 outline?

o   Hint: “…and that teaching the doctrine by the Spirit will help meet the needs of investigators.”

o   Hint: This doesn’t mean the classroom teacher only teaches half the outline, the classroom teacher still teaches the whole outline.

·         How can you better prepare missionaries for the next shift when doctrine will be learned?

·         How can you better follow up with missionaries about what doctrine was learned in the last shift?

·         How do we help missionaries have more spiritual experiences with the doctrine in both the classroom and ZRT shifts?

·         What role does the Plan, Study, Teach Cycle play in learning doctrine for the missionaries?

·         What needs to be improved for missionaries to have a more productive Daily Planning Session?

·         How do your teacher log entries need to improve to better communicate between classroom teacher and ZRT to help missionaries have a more fluid experience at the MTC?

·         Anything else that you feel would be great to understand or learn about how we can more effectively help missionaries learn the lessons in Ch. 3?

Teachers! I am so excited for you to do this! Please let me know if you have any questions about this!  I will miss seeing you all this week!  Have a great week I am looking forward to seeing you! Remember weekly training resumes July 31.

Thank you for all that you do!  You are most wonderful!

July 17th, 2014- Salvation and Revelation in the Book of Mormon

Weekly Training Meeting

July 17th, 2014

To Complete Assignment: Send an email to Lisanne of your plan for the #2 practice.

Skills Missionaries need to use the BoM effectively:

(Class Insight)

• Receive Personal Insights
• Receive Personal Revelation
• Facilitate insights for others- members and non-members
• Facilitate revelation for others- members and non-members 
• 180 PMG- Introduce, Read and Apply passages
• Teach doctrine from the Book of Mormon (long and short passages)
• Introduce the Book of Mormon powerfully—Revelation through the Book of Mormon
• Teach People Not Lessons- Adjust, Inspired Questions, Discern- BoM
• Faith/Confidence in the power of the Book of Mormon
• Personal Study with others in mind
• Respond to objections 
• Keystone of Faith
• Book of Mormon and the Bible- supporting each other

Use the consider this bullet points on page 103 of PMG… consolidate the skills missionaries need, how can they fit into those bullet points?

Can you fit them all in? If you couldn’t fit it in then you shouldn’t teach it.

What did you learn from this?

(Class Insight)

• Instead of going straight to the doctrine, we go into to much detail. We should focus more on these 5 things and use the Book of Mormon to simplify things
• When using these they can understand the ‘why’ while they are working on the ‘how’
• Revelation is the thread between the 5 in green
• Focus lessons on Christ and you will see how much the Book of Mormon is focused on Christ

 

PMG page 89

Joseph Smith said, “Salvation cannot come without revelation”

BD-Revelation:

The English word revelation is translated from a Greek word apocalypse, meaning to make known or uncover. This is in contrast to apocrypha, which connotes covered or concealed. Divine revelation is one of the grandest concepts and principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for without it, man could not know of the things of God and could not be saved with any degree of salvation in the eternities. Continuous revelation from God to His Saints, through the Holy Ghost or by other means, such as visions, dreams, or visitations, makes possible daily guidance along true paths and leads the faithful soul to complete and eternal salvation in the celestial kingdom. The principle of gaining knowledge by revelation is the principle of salvation. It is the making known of divine truth by communication with the heavens and consists not only of revelation of the plan of salvation to the Lord’s prophets but also a confirmation in the hearts of the believers that the revelation to the prophets is true. It also consists of individual guidance for every person who seeks for it and follows the prescribed course of faith, repentance, and obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ. “The Holy Ghost is a revelator,” said Joseph Smith, and “no man can receive the Holy Ghost without receiving revelations” (HC 6:58). Without revelation, all would be guesswork, darkness, and confusion.

Help missionaries receive revelation for themselves and others that will focus them on SALVATION and the salvation of their investigators through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The things in green are progressional. You must be able to receive personal revelation before you can facilitate it for someone else. 

Practice: 

Big Picture Book of Mormon Reads

1. Introduce missionaries to the concept and progression of the Book of Mormon reads
2. Plan out progression of Book of Mormon with a companion for district

plan objective- 5 bullet points on page 103 PMG

skill that they need

1. Introduce one of the activities in the progression you planned

Evaluation:

Use these paragraphs as a guide for practices-

1st paragraph pg. 103 PMG

The Book of Mormon is powerful evidence of the divinity of Christ. It is also proof of the Restoration through the Prophet Joseph Smith. An essential part of conversion is receiving a witness front he Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true. This testimony can lead to a deep and abiding faith in the power of the Book of Mormon during the conversion process. Have confidence that the Holy Ghost will testify to anyone who reads and ponders the Book of Mormon and asks God if it is true with a sincere heart, real intent, and faith in Christ. this witness of the Holy Ghost should be a central focus of your teaching. 

1st paragraph pg. 89 PMG

Joseph Smith said, “Salvation cannot come without revelation; it is in vain for anyone to minister without it.” You will succeed in your work as you learn to receive and follow personal revelation. Joseph Smith also taught that revelation is vital for your daily work: “This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted—by relation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed.”

Invitation:

• Write in your journal how you are seeing the mercies of the Lord through the Book of Mormon
• Use the Book of Mormon as a proper tool in the classroom
• Help missionaries use the Book of Mormon properly

July 10, 2014- Introducing the Book of Mormon to Others

Weekly Training Meeting

July 10, 2014

To Complete Assignment: Do the practices with another MTC teacher. Write Lisanne about what you learned from the practices.

Announcements: 

• Soccer MTC Cup- SIGN UP!! google doc
• July 24th Training will be on a different day and you will be discussing observing lessons in Chapter 3… look out for an email about this
• Please keep Sister Teirua in your prayers- VC Sister in the hospital

How should we introduce the Book of Mormon to investigators?

Study:

Blue book pg. 30

The first question in the box: Revelation Through the Book of Mormon

What is the role of the Book of Mormon?… (in)

Testimony

• Definition- witness of truth, knowledge of something, declaration of truth
• knowledge of God’s dealings
• knowledge of the doctrines of the gospel
• witness of- JS Prophet, true church, keystone of religion, JC is our savior
• Christ’s church on earth
• Truth of history
• Testament of Christ

Conversion

• Definition- essential for salvation, act on will of God/change will, deep understanding of truth (atonement and DOC) moves you to act
• nearer to God by abiding by it’s precepts
• Precept: commandment regarding moral conduct
• change of will
• Teaches how to live what we believe
• Peace in this life, eternal salvation in life to come-ACT
• Teaches how to act righteously to attain eternal rewards and goals
• covenant of Christ- understand celestial law

What does it mean for you to understand the role of helping missionaries understand revelation through the Book of Mormon in testimony AND conversion?

• Without testimony they won’t want to abide by it’s precepts
• Help investigators not only have testimony but conversion as well. APPLY their testimony to their lives

Practice:

Introduce the Book of Mormon to Investigators

(7th principle in L1)

Practice doing this in 5 minutes then do the evaluation and re-practice

Repeat practicing in- 5 min… 4 min… 3 min… 2 min…

Evaluation: 2 min

Blue Book pg. 28

• Did the investigator understand the role of the BoM in conversion and how to know it’s true?
• Was the investigator’s faith strengthened?
• WHAT FLUFF NEEDS TO BE CUT?

Invitation:

• Use the Book of Mormon as the tool it’s meant to be… (like we started last week)
• Help missionaries introduce the Book of Mormon properly in PI/other

July 3, 2014- The Book of Mormon-Big Picture Application for the Classroom

Weekly Training Meeting

July 3, 2014

Assignment to Complete: Send an email to Lisanne about how your classroom has changed as a result of this practice.

Announcements: 

• Area Party- July 29th at Zach Hansen’s parent’s house at 6pm
• You can have missionaries use computer labs in all of 18M- 5th floor is usually pretty full
• Use schedtacular to schedule PI rooms, but they are often empty (so use them)
• Same rules as 4M- No food, no gum, ONLY water. Treat it well and keep it clean! 

How should you use the Book of Mormon?

Suspend your current use of the Book of Mormon… DO NOT use the BoM as a back up witness or to prove a point. The Book of Mormon is the first and primary witness. 

Preach My Gospel  

Page 104- 

“The Book of Mormon, combined with the Spirit, is your most powerful resource in conversion. It is the most correct of any book on the earth. It teaches the doctrine of Christ plainly, especially in the lessons you teach investigators. use it as your main source for teaching the restored gospel.” 

USE AS YOUR MAIN SOURCE to teach the Doctrine of Christ 

Page 105- 

“A Central purpose of the BoM is to convince all people that Jesus is the Christ. It testifies of Christ by affirming the reality of His life, mission and power. It teaches true doctrine concerning the Atonement—the foundation for the plan of salvation. Several of those whose writings are preserved in the book of Mormon saw Christ personally. The brother of Jared, Nephi, and Jacob saw the pre-mortal Christ. Mormon and Moroni saw the risen Christ. In addition, multitudes were present during the Savior’s brief but powerful ministry among the Nephites. Those who know little or nothing about the Savior will come to know Him by reading, pondering, and praying about the Book of Mormon.”

Teaches TRUE DOCTRINE which is centered on Jesus Christ and His doctrine

Page 108- 

“As we begin to understand that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are the way to the abundant life, we will appreciate that these principles help answer any question and fill any need. For example, we understand that repentance, forgiveness, and the covenant to serve others are essential in improving relationships with our spouses. We see that faith in Christ, accepting and keeping covenants, and following the promptings of the Spirit can help teenagers avoid the powerful temptations that surround them.”

The gospel answers any question and fulfills any need

“The Book of Mormon is a springboard to testimony and personal revelation. Use the Book of Mormon to help people have spiritual experiences, especially a witness from the Holy Ghost that the book itself  is true. By consistently inviting people to live the principles found in the Book of Mormon, you help them develop faith in Jesus Christ and draw nearer to God.”

LIVE THE PRINCIPLES 

Page 109- 

“Investigators must resolve for themselves their concerns and objections. You can help as you focus them on what will strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ—reading and praying about the Book of Mormon. When they strengthen their testimony of the Restoration, they will have the strength to overcome their objections and concerns.”

WHO resolves investigators concerns? Investigators. HOW? through your help in strengthening their faith in Jesus Christ through the Book of Mormon

What role SHOULD the Book of Mormon play in your teaching according to these pages? 

How can you change the way you are teaching to more effectively use the BoM?

• Point out that the BoM talks about Christ. It not only does that, but it invites you to follow him. 
• Help missionaries to use the BoM in teaching the Doctrine of Christ by using it as you teach it to them

Practice:

1. Select 3 curriculum items you teach (anything) then choose one portion in that item
2. Plan/Discover a way you can teach that item- leading the missionary- to their purpose THROUGH the Book of Mormon (teach the doctrine of your item, lead them to their purpose, use the Book of Mormon)
3. Practice executing your plan with a partner

Evaluate: 

Was the purpose fulfilled? (missionary purpose)

Lisanne’s Demo- Teach People Not Lessons

4 Now, as Alma was teaching and speaking unto the people upon the hill Onidah, there came a great multitude unto him, who were those of whom we have been speaking, of whom were poor in heart, because of their poverty as to the things of the world.

 5 And they came unto Alma; and the one who was the foremost among them said unto him: Behold, what shall these my brethren do, for they are despised of all men because of their poverty, yea, and more especially by our priests; for they have cast us out of our synagogues which we have labored abundantly to build with our own hands; and they have cast us out because of our exceeding poverty; and we have no place to worship our God; and behold, what shall we do?

 6 And now when Alma heard this, he turned him about, his face immediately towards him, and he beheld with great joy; for he beheld that their afflictions had truly humbled them, and that they were in a preparation to hear the word.

-Alma 32:4-6

• How did Alma behold these people?
• Recognizing their situation, He saw them clearly, discerned by the spirit
• Discernment that you build on your mission is important for later in life
• He recognized a willingness to act
• Recognize/know that Alma didn’t wake up with these skills
• Draw on past experiences to learn what God wants from you

How did you see the missionary purpose be fulfilled in the demo?

• Not only talk about the purpose but helping them experience it 
• Missionaries will want spiritual gifts, like discernment, and it takes them back to wanting to focus on their purpose in order to get it

Don’t just teach the skills but help them bring it to their purpose

The Book of Mormon is a tool that you can trust in

Invitation/Exhortation: 

The Book of Mormon is powerful evidence of the divinity of Christ. It is also proof of the Restoration throughout the Prophet Joseph Smith. An essential part of conversion is receiving a witness from the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true. As a TEACHER, you must first have a personal testimony that the Book of Mormon is true. This testimony can lead to a deep and abiding faith in the power of the book of Mormon during the conversion process. Have confidence that the Holy Ghost will testify to anyone who reads and ponders the book of Mormon and asks God if it is true with a sincere heart, real intent, and faith in Christ. This witness of the Holy Ghost should be a central focus of your teaching. 

Title Page of the Book of Mormon- second paragraph-

“Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever”

The Book of Mormon is key to covenants and to know that we are not cast off.