Education Week :)
The only thing better than attending Ed. Wk. would be having all of you there with me! We need to plan a future reunion around this wonderful event or maybe just a girls week or something.
I will attempt to transcribe the highlights I learned and discovered here:
"From ADHD to PhD", Todd Pennington, BYU assoc. professor of Physical Education
Popular psychology literature surrounding business and management focuses on theories like "win/win" and "synergy". In Jim Collins, Good to Great he uses the analogy of the window and the mirror. Either, when asked about a CEO's success, he says, "It's the people who work for me (window)" or "It's my good skills and leadership (mirror)." In his field, it is partnering that he enjoys most, using mentors and sharing ideas and strategies with others.
In life, our greatest mentor is the Lord. Through covenant making we can invite him to partner with us as individuals in spiritual partnerships. In "The Power of Covenants", D. Todd Christofferson said "God binds himself to sustain, sanctify and exalt us in return for our commitment to keep the commandments." (Apr. 2009)
His story:
In elementary school, recess kept him sane. When he realized he was "special". he had a special teachers aide to help in reading and math. He accepted it easily as long as he had PE. His mother was also a resource teacher so she helped him get his work done. He lived in CA but followed BYU sports and wanted to play athletics there. He was small for his age but that didn't limit him. He tried Ritalin but also had a learning disability that prevented any real reading comprehension.
Middle school was more difficult, didn't like standardized tests. Couldn't focus or remember what he read, a deadly combination. Just before 9th grade, he met with the high school counselor who basically told him to forget about a college ed. His test scores showed him 3-4 grades behind so no way could he go to a school with the academic standards of BYU.
He clearly remembers the discouragement of that day. He went into the formal living room of his home and poured out his heart in prayer and tears. This was where his partnership with the Lord began. He felt that the Lord knew his desires and he told Him he would do all he knew how to keep his covenants if He would help him realize his goals.
D&C 84 For whoso is afaithful unto the obtaining these twobpriesthoods of which I have spoken, and the cmagnifying their calling, are dsanctified by the Spirit unto the erenewing of their bodies.
Mosiah 24:10-14
10 And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God. 11 And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he aput guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death.
13 And it acame to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.
12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their ahearts to him; and he did know the bthoughts of their hearts.
14 And I will also ease the aburdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand asbwitnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their cafflictions.
The Lord did not immediately deliver them from their burdens but would sustain them in their afflictions.
After his prayer, he met with the counselor and was put in remedial classes in the trailers in the back of the school, isolated from the other students. His colleagues were drug addicts, had home challenges and the school goal was to keep them from dropping out. He spent the year there then the next year moved up to Industrial Arts. As a Jr., he finally began college prep classses.
" . . . life in the covenant is full of challenge . . . the obedient soul should not be surprised if disaster interrupts peace . . . you might have a chat with Job."". . . whatever sacrifice is required, we obtain a witness our course is right. Our faith becomes unbounded having assurance that God is with us through every affliction to our gain. . . .rejoicing that you were counted worthy to suffer for Christ's name."
At this point, his best friends began making poor choices. They were sons of bishops and stk presidents. They would make fun of him for trying to stay faithful and keep his covenants. He remembers lonely nights as a teenager, wanting to be accepted but knowing he would violate his covenants if he did. His role was to be an example to his friends.
His parents encouraged him to attend Community College before trying to go to BYU but he applied anyway. In the middle of January in his senior year, he opened the mailbox and there was an acceptance letter to BYU. He didn't know how that happened from an academic standpoint but knew why from a spiritual standpoint.
the fall came and by the end of the first semester he realized he was out of his league. Be careful what you pray for! He fell behind quickly, lowered his load and was on academic probation. He was 17 years old.
Three semesters later he left on his mission to Cleveland Ohio. Ezra Taft Benson was called as Pres. of the church. He gave a talk that changed his life. "I would like to speak of the most important gift of modern times . . no greater value to mankind or of greater worth. . . . the Book of Mormon.> (Oct. Conf 1984)
The Book of Mormon is the "New Covenant" and we should make the study of it our lifetime pursuit.
He and his companion began to get up 1/2 hour earlier than mission rules. In 4 or 5 months, he began remembering what he read when he was at the end of a chapter without reading it over and over. He thought, this must be what it feels to be smart!
Anxiety came back when he reentered school after his mission.
"There is a power in the book which will flow into your lives. More power to stay on the path. They are called the words of life." "You will find life in greater and greater abundance."
He began to began to read 30 min. a day throughout his academic career and was blessed with more abilities. He graduated, not without great effort and went to graduate school and kept the pattern.
It is his testimony that the Lord wants to partner with us to keep our covenants.
"Our covenant commitment permits Heavenly Father's divine influence to flow into our lives. Our participation in ordinances show that we are prepared to accept additional responsibility that comes with added light and spiritual power." D. Todd Christofferson Apr. 2009
11 And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he aput guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death.
12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their ahearts to him; and he did know the bthoughts of their hearts.
13 And it acame to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.
14 And I will also ease the aburdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand asbwitnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their cafflictions.
15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord didastrengthen them that they could bear up their bburdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with cpatience to all the will of the Lord.
16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.
17 And he said unto Alma: Thou shalt go before this people, and I will go awith thee and deliver this people out of bbondage.
18 Now it came to pass that Alma and his people in the night-time gathered their flocks together, and also of their grain; yea, even all the night-time were they gathering their flocks together.
19 And in the morning the Lord caused a adeep sleep to come upon the Lamanites, yea, and all their task-masters were in a profound sleep.
20 And Alma and his people departed into the wilderness; and when they had traveled all day they pitched their tents in a valley, and they called the valley Alma, because he led their way in the wilderness.
21 Yea, and in the valley of Alma they poured out their athanks to God because he had been merciful unto them, and eased theirbburdens, and had delivered them out of bondage; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it were the Lord their God.
22 And they gave athanks to God, yea, all their men and all their women and all their children that could speak lifted their voices in the praises of their God.
23 And now the Lord said unto Alma: Haste thee and get thou and this people out of this land, for the Lamanites have awakened and do pursue thee; therefore get thee out of this land, and I will stop the Lamanites in this valley that they come no further in pursuit of this people.
There are always so many things we discover as we study the scriptures, listen in class, live a commandment, etc. that it would be nice to have a place to share with each other our experiences with the Spirit or new insights on the gospel. This page would be a good place to express gratitude, share testimony, ask a question.
Aren't you excited about all we can learn from each other?!
5/18/11
This quote was shared in our combined Ward Conference meeting on Sun. Our Stake Presidency is encouraging srake members to use Preach My Gospel , to study it and make it a part of FHE, class lessons, etc. President McKay was a beloved prophet and church president in the 60's.
http://lds.org/liahona/1980/
“The highest of all ideals are the teachings and particularly the life of Jesus of Nazareth, and that man is most truly great who is most Christ like.
“What you sincerely in your heart think of Christ will determine what you are, will largely determine what your acts will be. No person can study this divine personality, can accept his teachings without becoming conscious of an uplifting and refining influence within himself. In fact, every individual may experience the operation of the most potent force that can affect humanity.” (Cherished Experiences from the Writings of President David O. McKay, comp. Clare Middlemiss (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1976) p. 24.)
As I have studied the Savior's life and teachings, I have felt that 'uplifting and refining influence' in my own heart. That experience truly is available to every man and the only way to change the world for the better. I know I've been changed for the better. This is the tenderest of the Lord's mercies.
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