Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read “Seek Learning: You Have a Work to Do,” by Mary
N. Cook, Ensign, May 2012, 120.
Thought:
With technology you are witnessing an explosion of knowledge. You are constantly bombarded by sound, video, and networking. Be selective and don’t allow this surge of information to distract you or slow your progress.
(Mary N. Cook, “Seek Learning: You Have a Work to Do,” Ensign, May 2012, 120.)
Scripture:
And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.
(Doctrine and Covenants 88:118)
Song:
“As I Search the Holy Scriptures,” Hymns, no. 277.
Lesson:
Read the following to your family: “There were two schools conducted in Kirtland. One was a school of the Elders where they . . . [sought] knowledge of countries and kingdoms and languages (see D&C 88:77–79). . . .
“The other was the ‘School of the Prophets,’ and a very good description of this school and its purpose is given in [verses 127–41]. In a letter written by the Prophet Joseph to William W. Phelps in Zion, January 14, 1833, the following appears: ‘You will see that the Lord commanded us, in Kirtland, to build a house of God, and establish a school for the prophets, this is the word of the Lord to us, and we must, yea, the Lord helping us, we will obey: as on conditions of our obedience he has promised us great things.’” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Church History and Modern Revelation, 2:136.)
Ask:
• What does this tell you about how the Lord feels about school and an education?
• How would you like to have attended a “School of the Prophets”? Why?
Copy the questions below on separate strips of paper and divide them among family
members:
• What was the purpose of the School of Prophets, and who was to participate? (Verse
127.)
• Who was to greet the participants, and how was he to greet them? (Verses 128–33.)
• Who was not allowed to participate in the School of the Prophets and why? (Verse 134.)
• How were the participants to greet the president? (Verse 135.)
• Where were participants of the school to meet? (The temple—see verses 136–37.)
Have your family search D&C 88:127–41 for answers to their questions and write them
down. When they are finished, review each question with your family. It might be helpful to share the following: “The object for which this school was organized is plainly stated in the revelation. None could join except he was clean from the blood of this generation. The only way he could be clean was to be obedient to the covenants of the Gospel and labor in behalf of his fellows for the salvation of their souls. Thus the preaching of the Gospel was a requirement made of those who desired to join this school.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Church History and Modern Revelation, 2:137.)
Discuss the kinds of feelings one might experience in the School of the Prophets (such as reverence, the Spirit, and joy).
(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Doctrine and Covenants, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003], p. 192.)
Story:
Many years ago, when I taught elementary school, I had a parent-teacher conference with the mother of one of my students. She expressed her deepest gratitude for a miracle that she felt had taken place. Her fourth-grade daughter was experiencing some learning difficulties and had struggled for months with the seemingly impossible task of mastering long division. But earlier that day she had come home in ecstasy, exclaiming, “Mom, I can do it!” Her mother thanked me for “saying it right,” for “unlocking her little girl’s mind,” as she put it.
I didn’t tell that mother that as a child I myself had mastered the art of figuring everything out the wrong way before I found the right way, and that I could therefore track her daughter’s thought process. At that moment all of my own personal struggles with learning in years past seemed worth the effort.
(Ardeth Green Kapp, I Walk by Faith, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1987], p. 93.)
Activity:
Play How, When, and Where?
A player leaves the room while the group selects a noun; for example, “trip.” The player returns and asks each person the three questions, “How do you like it?” “When do you like it” and “Where do you like it?” The answers might be “Long and drawn out,” to the first; “In the fall,” to the second; “In the hills,” to the third. The player whose answer reveals the chosen word is the next to leave the room.
After playing explain that there are many questions we do not understand, but we can find the answers if we just seek.
(Alma Heaton, The LDS Game Book, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1968], p. 102.)
Refreshment
Puffy Apple Pancake
When this fun pancake is baked, it puffs into a shell shape.
2 tablespoons butter or margarine 2 tablespoons brown sugar
1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup thinly sliced, peeled apples (1 to 2 apples)
2 large eggs
1⁄2 cup flour
1⁄2 cup milk
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
Melt butter in a 9-inch pie pan. Brush butter around sides of pie pan. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over butter or margarine. Arrange apple slices over sugar.
Beat eggs slightly in a medium bowl with a whisk. Stir in flour, milk, and salt until just mixed (do not overbeat). Pour over apples. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately loosen edges of pancake and turn upside down onto a serving plate.
Serves 2 to 4.
(Janet Peterson, Remedies for the “I Don’t Cook” Syndrome, [Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2001], p. 256.)
Get the PDF version for FHE: Learning.