NateHowe

One more that's been working for me lately - scripture mastery basketball. We use slap cards with a rhyme on one side and the scripture reference on the other. I use two decks, and lay out the cards along the side wall of the gym. I sit in the middle at a table. I shout out a rhyme, and team A has to find the right scripture reference and bring me the card. Meanwhile, team B is shooting from the free throw line. Team B gets points for every basket, so there's an incentive for team A to memorize the scriptures so they can bring me the cards fast. Then they switch.

Spiritual growth is well indicated by a change in our nature (often gradual) in which our desire and propensity toward sin diminishes and our sensitivity to the Holy Ghost increases. It comes through the exercise of faith.

I know you said NOT LDS.org, but you might not have found these resources there: Seminary Institute of Religion Courses I find the institute manuals extremely helpful in studying the scriptures.

I'm sure the Church as an organization will not condemn nor condone your pacifism. If you were to be drafted, the Church would not allow you to use it as an excuse not to serve -- many LDS men have served in the military, both as volunteers and through the draft. I think it comes down to your relationship with God. Like Nephi, we may desire peace and still be called upon by the Spirit to do something we desperately want to avoid. However, the world could benefit from more peaceable followers of Christ, and hopefully you and I fit into that category.

From For the Strength of Youth: Source: http://lds.org/youthresources/pdf/ForStrengYouth36550.pdf This seems to draw a pretty clear line about what types of video games are appropriate and which are not. If it glorifies violence or immorality, or makes them seem acceptable, it will drive away the Spirit. Avoid it.

I think the title alone will kill it on Broadway. What makes them think they can charge Broadway prices for people to come and see "The Book of Mormon" in a posh theatre when we often have a hard time giving away the real thing for free?

This seems to be another example of people taking the words of the scriptures out of context to serve their own agendas. Of course, God and His prophets like peace, but that does not mean that there is no appropriate time to fight for the right.

I'm teaching early-morning Seminary for the second year in a row, and I'm always looking for new games or activities to help with scripture mastery. I'll share one and hope you reply with your favorites, too. Scripture Mastery Basketball Put a mixing bowl in the middle of the floor (not against the wall - that makes a good backboard). Make a line on the other side of the room with tape. Divide the class into two teams, and have each team crumple several sheets of scrap paper into balls. The teacher uses the scripture mastery cards, and the students use their scriptures. When it's Team A's turn, the teacher reads something from the back of the card (Historical Setting, Missionary Application, etc.), and Team A tries to find the correct scripture and read the full text of that scripture aloud. Meanwhile, Team B has one member shooting baskets from behind the line. They try to get as many balls in the bowl as possible before Team A finishes the scripture. They get 1 point for each ball in the bowl. Then the teams switch roles.

Good to meet you, OES. I'd love to hear some of your music.

Thanks, Pam!

It's been a few years since I used LDS.net, so I suppose I should re-introduce myself. I'm an LDS teacher, performer, composer, writer, husband of 1, dad of 2 in Colorado. You can learn more about me on Twitter (@NateHowe) or through my music (see my signature). I am glad to be a member of the Church, and I know that its teachings are true.

Does one obscure quotation of personal opinion from a Church leader make it the doctrine of the Church? No. President Lee never said that that particular opinion came by revelation, and it was certainly not an item of instruction to the whole Church.

Thank you for your service. What can we do as Church members to support Latter-day Saints deployed overseas?

Carol, The difficulty in defining every doctrinal reference in the Church is that all the words of the Prophets and Apostles, when they are speaking in those roles, are binding as the will of the Lord. Thus, every General Conference, more is added. The scriptures of the Church are the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. More may be added from time to time as new revelations are brought forth. Thus, the catechism of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would be incomplete within months after it is published. Additionally, there are ordinances which are not given to the world, but which are found in the Temple. These could not be included, but they are a part of the doctrine of the Church. If you want to search the teachings of Church leaders, my suggestion is http://lds.org/search

It is our nature to want reasons. In this subject, reasons do not always come. We do know that congenital disabilities are not given as punishments for the parent or the child (Christ dealt with the topic in speaking of a blind child), but sometimes there are no other discernible reasons besides "God is in control." I believe that we can do more good by asking what we can do to benefit the handicapped than by asking why they are in that state.