This #5 in a series of posts in which I share some of the things I have experienced because I am a Mormon. In each of these posts, I will give you a basic background and share a small experience. I hope that through the sharing of these small things you can have a glimpse into my experience as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I will also try to explain the principles and doctrines of my faith that bring me so much happiness.
Background: For three years I taught early morning seminary to the high school students in my congregation in Austin, Texas. My title was Volunteer in the Church Educational System. We met in our home from 6:00-7:00 a.m. each school day. Seminary students focus on a book of scripture each year of their high school experience. The first year I taught Church History and the Doctrine and Covenants. There were 6 students. The next year I taught the Old Testament, and my last year I taught the New Testament and by this time, my class had grown to 15.
By Small and Simple Means
When I began teaching seminary, my main focus was on content. The lessons had to be memorable and interactive. The kids needed to be immersed in the scriptures. However, I soon discovered that lesson preparation and even love for the students was not enough. I needed help from heaven to be successful.
My education began the night when I received a call from one of my seminary students to say that he had decided to drop out of class after just a few weeks of attendance.
His mother was so sad. I assured them that we wouldn’t forget him and he was always welcome to return and then I said a very sad goodbye.
That night as I wept I realized that this boy was so important to me that this was the first time I had cried this much for someone besides myself.
My heart didn’t remain broken forever. My young and idealistic mind quickly moved to a contingency plan. “He may be gone this year,” I thought, “but he will never wonder if he was missed.”
So began our seminary class mission to remember this boy. We wrote notes to him all year. We prayed regularly for his return. I looked for times to say hello to him at church. One day our class held a special fast and invited his family to participate. Like Esther in the Old Testament, we fasted (went without food and drink for two meals) and prayed for a good outcome for this young man.
There was a continuing conversation with his mother that year about our efforts. She, of course, was doing all she could to help him and our seminary class was only a minor contributor to the mighty prayers that were offered for him that year by his family. She shared with me that one of his favorite scriptures was in the Book of Mormon in Alma 37:6-7, “Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass…and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.”
We trusted in that.
The next school year, the young man returned to seminary. Part of the joy of his return was shared by everyone in the class because we had thought about him more than he knew. Reticent for only one day, he was a born leader and became a dynamic seminary class president as he completed his final years of seminary.
A year after high school graduation, he called me on the day he received his mission call to tell me where he was going to serve for two years. He was excited to preach the gospel. That was one of the best days.
We live to pass on the faith to the next generation. Parents are most important players in this responsibility, but the parents in our Church are assisted by leaders, teachers and advisors who are each called of God and given blessings through the priesthood by the laying on of hands (2 Timothy 1:6) so they might be effective. I have seen the power of God produce miracles in the lives of the youth as they are upheld by supportive parents, leaders, and true friends.