[Seminary-Notes]
====================================
FOR YOUR INFORMATION...
==================================== When you turn the page from Malachi in the Old Testament to Matthew in the New Testament, the little swooshing sound you hear is the rapid passing of more than 400 years of Jewish history.
Understanding the period between the Old and New Testaments is extremely important to understanding the New Testament.
Much of the Apocrypha was reportedly written during the missing 400-year period, and it is worth your while to become familiar with it. Each time I have taught the New Testament, I have received questions from students about the Apocrypha.
Doctrine and Covenants 91 notes that the Apocrypha "is mostly translated correctly" and includes the important counsel that "whoso is enlightened by the Spirit shall obtain benefit therefrom;"
Here are two useful things you can do to start learning about the Apocrypha:
Read the excellent entry in the Bible Dictionary. It also contains short summaries from each book in the Apocrypha.
If you have time to read one or two books from the Apocrypha, I recommend reading First Maccabees (for some of the "missing" Jewish history) or Ecclesiasticus (for some excellent advice that you can share with your students).
To possibly save you some time...
You may wish to note that there is a large glue-in entitled "Changes in the Land of Israel" in the New Testament Volume 1 Seminary Scripture Mastery Resource packet that lists changes in government, language, location of the Jews, religious authority, priesthood, religious unity, idolatry, and religious centers that took place in Israel between 587 B.C. and 30 A.D.
There is also a handout entitled "Section 91 -- The Apocrypha" in the Doctrine & Covenants Volume 2 Seminary Scripture Mastery Resource packet. It lists almost two dozen excellent quotations from the books of Ecclesiasticus and 1 Maccabees in the Apocrypha. Best wishes,
[Seminary-Notes] ==================================== FOR YOUR INFORMATION... ====================================
One hundred and sixty-four years ago today (27 June 1844) the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum, were martyred in Carthage, Illinois.
You may wish to take a few minutes today to reflect, ponder, and express gratitude for his life and mission.
As you look forward to teaching the New Testament Seminary year...
Consider, for example, how much more we know about the mission and life of the Savior because of the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. Starting with the first chapter in Matthew, flip through your New Testament -- keeping an eye on the JST footnotes at the bottom of most pages. Then turn to the JST excerpts that were too lengthy for inclusion in footnotes. Those additions and corrections will make your teaching job this coming year much, much easier.
[Seminary-Notes] ==================================== FOR YOUR INFORMATION... ====================================
I personally think that serving as a volunteer Seminary teacher is one of the best kept secrets in the church!
Each year you have the opportunity to teach Seminary brings great blessings into the lives of your students -- and blessings into your life, as well.
As I have worked as a Volunteer Seminary & Institute teacher through the years, I have been amazed by teachers who have taught Seminary many years.
To help recognize and honor these great and dedicated teachers, I am pleased to announce the creation of the Volunteer Seminary Teacher Hall of Fame.
If you, or a volunteer Seminary teacher you know, have taught Seminary four or more years (total time, it does not have to be four consecutive years), please send me a message so that you can be "inducted" into the Volunteer Seminary Teacher Hall of Fame.
Please send the following information:
Teacher's Name
Number of Years You Have Taught Seminary
City and State (or country) for each place you have taught Seminary
If desired, you may also include a short quotation sharing your feelings and testimony about the Seminary program.
[Seminary-Notes]
====================================
FOR YOUR INFORMATION...
==================================== One of the most valuable testimonies we can share with our students is regarding the power of prayer.
I recommend asking your students to read Elder Bednar's talk (entitled "Ask in Faith") in the April 2008 General Conference -- and then take some time in class to discuss it with them.
Here are a few selected quotations from his talk (all references are to the May 2008 issue of the Ensign):
Simply saying prayers is quite a different thing from engaging in meaningful prayer." (p. 94)
...all of us can improve the consistency and efficacy of our personal and family prayers." (p. 94)
True faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ and always leads to righteous action." (p. 95)
Asking in faith requires honesty, effort, commitment, and persistence." (p. 95)
I testify that prayer becomes meaningful as we ask in faith and act." (p. 96)
The object of our prayers should not be to present a wish list or a series of requests but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is eager to bestow, according to His will and timing. (p. 97)
