Additional Resources for YW Lesson 2, Manual 1: "Jesus Christ, the Savior"

This post, one of two posts on Lesson #2, is a place to share your Additional Resources. Among the suggested resources in the Resource Guide, I noticed these two videos:

• "We Believe in Christ: Personal Testimony" (from the Youth Media 2011 DVD) 
• "The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Has Sent" (Mormon Messages)

 Awesome choices. Jeans had some great suggestions when she posted in 2009 too:

• Elder Holland's article "I Stand All Amazed" from the December 2008 New Era
• The list of scriptures about Christ in Preach My Gospel, p. 47-48
• "The Living Christ"

I'll write the second post soon with some of my thoughts. What are yours? What questions do you have? What resources would you suggest?

Being “A Daughter of God” – YW Lesson 1, Manual 1

(Note: these posts are now going to be cross-posted at Beginnings New and the Feast Upon the Word Blog.)

Though a week later than I’d like, here are a few notes on the first lesson in the manual.

Though I won't dwell on the lesson outline, I do wonder about one of its suggestions: the girls are asked to list qualities of earthly fathers and then to apply that to our Heavenly Father. I wonder why is it that we want to project our experiences/opinions onto the scriptures? (I bring this up because I imagine there are going to be some young women with negative or strained feelings towards their own parents that could negatively affect the way they envision God.) Might we instead look to the scriptures first to see what God is like, and then change our understanding of fathers and daughters from that? In this post I will explore two passages that came to my mind: (1) D&C 25, the revelation to "Emma, my daughter," and (2) Alma 33, where the Zoramites' misunderstanding of prayer is overcome.

1). The lesson outline seemed to stay on this side of the veil, as it were. It starts with their earthly, daily experience and uses that to draw implications about what they can’t see. It talks about what it means to have good earthly relationships, about behaving as a good daughter should, about noticing our blessings here, and what all that that implies about our Heavenly Father there.

Looking on this side of the veil, I got to thinking about Emma Smith. She is the only female in the D&C to receive her own section of revelation. It deals with her life on this earth and what God expected of her. (It is also in her section that we get the title for the new RS history Daughters in My Kingdom.) What is it that D&C 25 could teach us about being a good daughter — as God himself presents it?

I actually found it quite remarkable to read this as a father-daughter conversation. An early version of verse 1 simply read, “Emma, my daughter” which is just beautiful to me. Verse 2 sounds like something a father would tenderly say to his child, “I want to help you and keep you safe, but you have to listen to me and trust me.” Heavenly Father explains to her that if she walks in the paths of virtue, her life will be preserved. She will also receive an “inheritance” – something passed down from parents to children. I’m sure she rejoiced in knowing her sins were forgiven (verse 3) and in knowing her Father had chosen her as an “elect lady” with work to do. Verse 4 reminds her to trust her Father, even when she doesn’t yet understand His reasons. I like that verse 5 refers to Joseph Smith as “my servant, Joseph, thy husband” – to me it seems to put Joseph and Emma on the same plane, geometrically speaking. They are both God’s children, and servants, and here He is explaining how He needs them to treat each other. (I’ve had several of those sorts of conversations with my children on how to treat their siblings as well…)

Jumping around a bit now, verse 9 lovingly reassures her that “thou needest not fear.” Verse 10 advices her to “lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better” – that better place, which is where He is. It’s not only a request, but an invitation to enjoy the kind of life He has with Him.

What is His daughter Emma asked to do? Here’s what I saw: Hearken. Be faithful. Walk in the paths of virtue. Don’t murmur. Fulfill the office of your calling (in Emma’s case, to comfort her husband and be his scribe). Receive whatever you are ordained to do (in Emma’s case, to expound scripture, to exhort the church, to work by the Spirit, tospend her time ”writing, and to learning much.”) Lay aside things of this world, seek for things of a better. Take up special assignments that are a delight to God (for Emma, it was making a hymn book). Lift up your head and rejoice! Cleave to your covenants. Be meek. Beware of pride. Let your soul rejoice (in Emma’s case, she could let her soul rejoice in her husband – maybe her fears were keeping her back?). Keep commandments continually.

And as the revelation concludes: “this is my voice unto all.” Perhaps we could all learn from Emma what God would like His daughters to be like. (I know I just did!)

(Note: for further thoughts and lots of historical details on Emma's revelation, see the two posts by Joe Spencer at FMH: read post 1 here and post 2 here.)

2.) The Resource Guide suggestions seemed to focus mostly on who God is and how to worship Him, and then secondarily on what it means to be His daughter (certainly a great approach , it seems to me). While browsing these suggestions I remembered the depressed and poor Zoramites telling Alma they couldn’t pray to their God. The poor Zoramites were afraid that there was something impeding their communication with God, and so their path to God seemed an impossible path. Their barrier was that they had been cast out of the synagogue by the oppressive order of the priests, too poor and ill-dressed to be admitted where God would be worshiped. Their barrier was physical, but it may have had spiritual and emotional barriers as well. Perhaps they felt like their poverty was in part their fault, that if they only worked harder and earning money then they would be worthy of worshiping God.

Obviously, they had misunderstood the character of their God and their relationship to Him. Alma and Amulek taught them that they had completely misunderstood the scriptures (or forgot to read them entirely), because they teach clearly that God can hear us anywhere. His example of Zenos not only includes fields and houses, but speficially when he was are “cast out” and “despised.” Alma went on to teach them that God reaches out to them so thoroughly that if they only “desire to believe” or have just enough faith to plant a small seed about Christ, God will bless them with growth and swelling experiences in the Spirit.

We, like the Zoramites, struggle at times to talk to our Father. We aren’t too likely to be barricaded by our priests from entering one of our chapels. But there are plenty of other (perceived) barriers that keep us from worshiping God fully. The poor Zoramites were concerned about their poverty getting in their way of worshipping God. That might actually be a real concern for some young women. Further, many struggle with feeling unworthy even when they have repented. Some women want to be perfect in all those little things we stress about before they approach God. Some worry that if they really began to open up to God, their weak selves would be on display and they don’t want to think about that side of themselves. All these (and many more!) are barriers to real, sincere, joyful communication with God.

And I imagine all of these problems could be overcome in same way Alma and Amulek did it – by looking at the stories in the scriptures that our auidence is already committed to. Alma the Younger prayed, even though he clearly wasn’t worthy (Alma 36). Or was he in that moment? What does it mean to be worthy? That might be an important tangent for a lesson sometime. What about the Lamanite king in Alma 22 who said, “ O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee.” What was it that grabbed his attention away from his sins and to God? Moroni was concerned about his weakness in writing (Ether 12) but God not only worked with him as a weak human being, but He was patient enough to explain to Moroni why it was that Moroni had nothing to be concerned about. Joseph Smith was only a poor farm boy with little education. What do we learn about prayer from him? Many, many scriptural passages are available to help us understand prayer and overcome the barriers we (and our young women) perceive between us and God.

Such are a few thoughts on this lesson. What are yours?

Of Gifts and Grace

This year I have struggled a bit with how to teach my children about the growing number of presents under the tree. How can I help them appreciate what they are given? How can I keep them from being selfish? How can I help them be grateful and loving even while they are receiving presents like toys, stickers, and candy? Here are a few of the thoughts I have had.

All year long we receive gifts from God and from each other. In fact those gifts so thoroughly permeate our lives that often we don’t recognize them. A present under the tree is a symbol of all the millions of gifts we have received throughout the whole year. It is a stand-in for all gifts. For God’s “tender mercies.” For Grace.

King Benjamin is where I learned to think of everything in my life as grace. He says God “has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—” (Mosiah 2:21). It doesn’t matter what you are doing – you are doing it because of God’s grace. He created you, He gave you choices, He gives you repentance and mercy, He gives you breath to keep going and choosing. And He keeps calling after you, no matter where you go. His love and influence are infinite.

The wrapped present also symbolizes to me that I don’t know God’s purposes or plans. It is a surprise, a secret. Usually I don’t recognize God’s gifts as a gifts until one has been opened up, used, played with, or put on a shelf. In retrospect I see God’s “hand in all things” and realize the magnitude of His love. (D&C 59:21).

Sometimes God’s gift is one I don’t like. Sometimes it is a hard thing to keep. Sometimes I am given the gift of seeing my weakness, which nobody likes, but which is crucial (I give unto men weakness that they may be humble” – Ether 12:27).Without seeing our weakness, we wouldn’t have those experiences of going to God and realizing that it was God giving us His love all along. (See Jacob 4:7 too.)

I’ve hidden my gifts, my grace, to my kids behind paper that conceals my plans. But just their presence is a symbol of my love for them. Their very “blank” nature  – no description, titles, or categories can be assigned to them yet – allows them to become a symbol of every good gift they receive from their parents all year long.  I want to teach them that whatever is in there, it comes out of love. And I hope I can have the same trust of God: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:11).

Jesus condescended (“came down with us”) so we could know of His love and of His gifts. “Remember that every good gift cometh of Christ” says Moroni. And this because of His ultimate gift.

I will end with a passage from Nephi’s vision in 1 Nephi 11:

13 And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the great city of Jerusalem, and also other cities. And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white.

14 And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me; and he said unto me: Nephi, what beholdest thou?

15 And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins.

16 And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension of God?

17 And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things. 

18 And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh. 

19 And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look! 

20 And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. 

21 And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw? 

22 And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things. 

23 And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul.

It is the atonement of Christ that saves us. But contained within that moment of seeing Jesus come as a baby, condescending to be with us, is a profound announcement that He loves us. To Nephi and the angel, that love is “the most desirable” and “the most joyous” gift that could be given.

May your season be filled with rejoicing in all the Gifts which God has given!

Repost: A Post-Christmas Christmas Lesson (Gifts of the Magi)

[Originally posted by jeans on December 26, 2009.]

Dec 20th was a snow-out here in New England, so the Christmas program and all the lessons got postponed to the next week. There was going to be a combined lesson with all three classes last week on the 20th (so I didn't prepare a Christmas lesson), but that leader is out of town this week, so now I am doing a class lesson about Christmas, but 2 days after the day itself. So I got one of those middle-of-night inspiration moments; and I thought I'd share my lesson with you - a Christmas gift from me to you.

Opener: The usual question after Christmas is "What did YOU get for Christmas?"
Using President Monson's 1995 article, "Christmas Gifts, Christmas Blessings" I am going to ask instead, What did you GIVE for Christmas?

Discussion: Gifts of the Magi

Who were the Magi, often called the Three Kings?
It's appropriate to talk about them after Christmas since it took them a while to get there, they weren't there at the night in Bethlehem when he was born (your nativity set notwithstanding). In other Christian traditions, the day that the Magi arrived is celebrated on January 6, as Twelfth Night or Epiphany.

Discuss cool double meaning for that word, by the way. Random House Dictionary definition = 1) a Christian festival, observed on January 6, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi; Twelfth-day. 2) an appearance or manifestation, esp. of a deity. 3) a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience. The root word for Magi is the same as magic/magical, also.

There are some really interesting foods and traditions throughout Christianity for Epiphany, like leaving hay or grass for the camels, cabalgatas, sternsingers, tirer les Rois (crowning the King), rosca de reyes, and New Orleans King Cakes.

So who were they? Well, we don't know, really. We sometimes call them "the Three Kings," but we don't know if there were really three, or whether they rode camels, or of they were indeed kings (or astrologers, or scholars, or wealthy Arabian merchants) or where they were from (three different continents, Persia, China). See helpful entry in WebBible Encyclopedia, and an LDS perspective on the magi (scroll down to question #2).

The magi arrived probably up to a year after Jesus was born, based on their study of the new star that had appeared. They inquired about him in Herod's court, which aroused Herod's suspicion. They visited Mary and Joseph in their house, and brought gifts. They warned them about Herod's plot, and then departed home by another way, and Joseph and Mary took Jesus into Egypt for safety (a trip funded, perhaps, by the expensive gifts). Scripture: Matthew Ch 2.

Discuss the meaning of their gifts:
Gold = valuable/ kingship
Frankincense = perfume/ priestship (it's burned on the temple altar, to make a sweet-smelling white smoke, ascending to heaven like the people's prayers, see Ps 141:2, Luke 1:10) - a symbol of the Divine name
Myrrh = (only found in Yemen, btw) an annointing/embalming oil (it was used on Jesus's body, donated by Nicodemus, see John 19:39) - Esther was purified with it for 6 months (Esther 2:12). Mixed with wine, it was administered to people being crucified to dull the pain, see Matt 15:23, sometimes rendered as "gall," perhaps related to laudenum/opium and other psychotropic plants of the Middle Eastern world...eg in Gen 37:25, which is a different word also rendered as myrrh.

Discussion: Being Wise (Wo)men

What made them wise? Paying attention to signs and promptings. Giving priceless gifts that recognized and acknowledged Christ. Expending all to search him out and come unto him. And, being warned by the Spirit, going home by another way. All of those can be likened to us.In our family, we mark Christmas Eve with a pilgrimage to Bethlehem. We have a rambling New England farm property with woods, fields, and a barn. When our kids were little, we decided to use that to our advantage on Christmas Eve. We turned upturned flashlights into "torches" with yellow tissue paper, dressed in bathrobes and head coverings, and brought three gifts of gold coins, a perfume bottle, and a sprig of rosemary (closest thing I can find to myrrh). Our path around the property is lit by luminarias or candles in jars. One year in deep snow, my husband built snow sheep so we'd feel more like shepherds. Another year, a snow angel with gorgeous fluttering tissue paper wings. Our barn has a lighted star on it or in it, and inside is a manger or basket with a swaddled baby doll for Jesus. When the kids were small, the gift-giving usually ended in a tussle over who was first. Over the years it's become a very sweet tradition for us. We sing an appropriate carol at various stops along the way, as we see the star, or find the gifts, or watch over flocks by night. And afterward, we have a simple shepherd's meal for dinner, by candlelight: roast lamb, flatbread, olive oil, hummus, goat cheese, dried fruit, honey, olives, pomegranate.

This tradition really brings the meaning of Christmas home to us. There's something truly wondrous about tramping around in the dark with candle torches, seeing the star from far away, and falling on our knees by the manger with the curious animals coming in to the barn to see what's going on. It also gives us a chance each year to think about what we're bringing Jesus, what gifts we're offering him, what's of great value to us, what gifts (only) we can give. This year: tangibles = gifts to the anonymous ward "Angel Tree," a blood donation, an evening at a nursing home with some of our favorite older folks, treats and sweetness, the present of presence in the homes of friends, some gifts that had us digging deep into pockets. And intangibles = time, attention, obedience, love, forgiveness - that we can offer Christ.

Recount the O. Henry story, "Gift of the Magi" (it's too long to read, but I have a children's book version I will share part of). You know the story: Della sells her hair to buy the watch chain her husband Jim would treasure, while Jim sells the watch to buy beautiful combs for Della's incomparable tresses. Each gives the one thing most precious for the other, with reckless total love. O. Henry concludes:

"The magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men--who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. O all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi."

Ask what, as a wise woman, you can give to the Christ child? Provide little paper boxes (bejeweled with sequins, maybe) to place their ideas in as a take-home.

Photo from here.

The Manual's Introduction, part 1: Do I have to teach every lesson in the manual in the order they are printed?

For many of us, it was lesson manuals that got us looking online and eventually landed us here at this blog. Over the next few weeks, I am going to do a series of posts on the manual - what it is, what it isn't, and how we can use it to do good despite its weaknesses.

So, today the question is: Do I have to teach every lesson in the manual in the order they are printed?

At first, you would think so. In Relief Society, there is a set plan for which lessons are taught which weeks. And generally speaking, the ideal is that "anywhere you go in the church, the same lessons are taught every week" in Primary, Sunday School, Relief Society, and Priesthood quorums.

But what about the youth programs? Are we expected to hold to that ideal as well?

Actually, we are not. In the Introduction to Manual 3, it says:

Lessons do not need to be taught in the order they appear in the manual, but all topics should be covered at some time during the year.

Notice also that all topics should be covered at some time, but not every single lesson. The topics in the manual are the guidelines of what we need to be focusing on with our girls. Notice also these words:

Remember that you are teaching young women, not just teaching lessons. Pray for inspiration to help them reach their full potential as daughters of God.

and also:

When you have carefully considered the needs of your young women, study the lesson titles and objectives of each lesson to determine which lessons will best meet those needs. By planning well in advance, you can be sure that the young women will receive lessons in all units and that you will provide a complete, balanced curriculum.

Notice that the manual instructs you to "determine which lessons" will be best for your girls. You are not actually expected, or required, to teach every lesson. Nor are you required to teach them in order. These lesson "titles and objectives" are available for you to pick and choose from, a sort of lesson a-la-carte meal so you can pick those things which will most nourish your Young Women.

I realize that for most of you, this decision is really up to your Young Women president. I feel like this is a great way to see the lesson manual, and allows us to work with the Spirit to determine what we teach the Young Women. If you feel the same, and if you feel comfortable, then perhaps you could point out that you "happened to notice this one part of the Manual Introduction..." and see what she says.

(Of course there are many people out there who simply appreciate knowing just what is expected of them, and to teach any other way than right through the lessons without much change to each lesson outline would completely rock their boats and throw off their routines. So it probably depends on your presidency whether or not you could bring this up. And if not, then of course you can do a lot of good with any lesson, no matter when it is taught!)

If you are in a position to plan, I just wanted to pass along one other thought I had. Looking at the stake calendar ahead of time would allow you to have several lessons together on the same topic without interruptions of stake conference or ward conference. You could also choose which lessons to have with all the YW together, and plan which Sunday would work well for that. (In many wards, all the YW meet together on Fast Sundays.)

Any thoughts from our readers? Have any of you ever taken this route with the manual before? Advice and suggestions for the rest of us that had never even noticed these lines in the Introduction?

NEW For the Strength of Youth booklet

So I just saw today that they've revised the For the Strength of Youth booklet:

https://lds.org/youth/for-the-strength-of-youth?lang=eng

Some of the sections have been reworked to address things like ipods - very nice. Plus, when you use the online version, there are extra links, mormonads, articles, and even a place for youth to share thoughts with each other. Nice use of technology, eh?

What do you think of all that lds.org is doing to provide the "extras" to those who use their website for basic things like the manuals and For the Strength of Youth. When the books are just handed to you, do you think very many will find these resources without someone telling them? What about your youth? Do you think they will find this online resource? Do you think they will use it?

(Click to see the article at the Church News site on the changes.)

New Beginnings for One

A reader ("Jenn") asks:

I'm in a pretty unique situation.

I am a counselor-less YW president in a very small branch in rural Illinois. I only have 1 young woman (and 2 incoming for 2012).

We are going to hold our NB immediately after our branch potluck, which occurs right after church on Sunday (our geographic boundaries are huge and it's too far to drive to have people come back Sunday night...and we don't have Mutual).

We meet in a rented building and have 1 room that functions as our chapel, cultural hall, and adult classroom. That's where we'll have our program. :)

I'm thinking of using this talk by Elder Nelson as our theme: Daughters of Zion.

I'd love any input from others on how to structure a program for such a small group. Obviously, there will not be any skits or musical numbers (unless my YW wants to do a solo!). Suggestions?? Thanks in advance. :)

How can we help Jenn put together something special for this YW and her family? What are your ideas?

One suggestion for Money Management Lesson (#46)

I wanted to get this idea out soon because I think it's such a good one for this lesson! I'll hopefully get a post out this week too.

http://lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/becoming-provident-providers-temporally-and-spiritually?lang=eng

I particularly liked these two stories from Elder Hales:

May I share with you two lessons in provident living that can help each of us. These lessons, along with many other important lessons of my life, were taught to me by my wife and eternal companion. These lessons were learned at two different times in our marriage—both on occasions when I wanted to buy her a special gift.

The first lesson was learned when we were newly married and had very little money. I was in the air force, and we had missed Christmas together. I was on assignment overseas. When I got home, I saw a beautiful dress in a store window and suggested to my wife that if she liked it, we would buy it. Mary went into the dressing room of the store. After a moment the salesclerk came out, brushed by me, and returned the dress to its place in the store window. As we left the store, I asked, “What happened?” She replied, “It was a beautiful dress, but we can’t afford it!” Those words went straight to my heart. I have learned that the three most loving words are “I love you,” and the four most caring words for those we love are “We can’t afford it.”

The second lesson was learned several years later when we were more financially secure. Our wedding anniversary was approaching, and I wanted to buy Mary a fancy coat to show my love and appreciation for our many happy years together. When I asked what she thought of the coat I had in mind, she replied with words that again penetrated my heart and mind. “Where would I wear it?” she asked. (At the time she was a ward Relief Society president helping to minister to needy families.)

Then she taught me an unforgettable lesson. She looked me in the eyes and sweetly asked, “Are you buying this for me or for you?” In other words, she was asking, “Is the purpose of this gift to show your love for me or to show me that you are a good provider or to prove something to the world?” I pondered her question and realized I was thinking less about her and our family and more about me.

After that we had a serious, life-changing discussion about provident living, and both of us agreed that our money would be better spent in paying down our home mortgage and adding to our children’s education fund.

These two lessons are the essence of provident living. When faced with the choice to buy, consume, or engage in worldly things and activities, we all need to learn to say to one another, “We can’t afford it, even though we want it!” or “We can afford it, but we don’t need it—and we really don’t even want it!”

What's in a Vocation? "Choosing a Vocation" - YW Lesson 45 Manual 3

Thanks Hailey for pushing me a bit, I needed it this week. After a little searching at lds.org, I hit the jackpot with this quotation by Elder Nelson:

A daughter of Zion is well prepared to make personal choices based on the cornerstones of revealed and restored religion. She comprehends the privilege of agency and is courageous in accepting responsibility for the consequences of important choices. She has the moral courage to do what is right and the integrity to stand for the truth....

The continuing acquisition of knowledge is important to all women—those who enjoy the blessings of motherhood as well as to others who may realize the fruits of the gospel through efforts such as a researcher, a librarian, a teacher, or a doctor. All selfless service of worth that enriches or sanctifies the lives of others is valuable. To the Ephesians (without regard to gender or marital status), Paul said: “Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Eph. 4:1).

I liked that Elder Nelson adds those words "without regard to gender or marital status." And while he is speaking to women specifically earlier in the paragraph, what he says to them ought to go for all - "all selfless service of worth that enriches or sanctifies the lives of others is valuable." I suppose we might have to give some jobs more thought to see if they also qualify; or, while we are in any job, can we act in such a way that we are enriching the lives of others? Some things to think about.

(Plus, what a great scripture he found too! One that actually uses the word "vocation!" - I was quite pleased. :) )

So what is in the name "vocation?" My husband pointed out to me that the word "vocation" is related to the word "call" - think of how we call the opening prayer an "invocation." It's related to "vox" (voice). Looking at the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, I found this entry for vocation:

1 a : a summons or strong inclination to a particular state or course of action; especially : a divine call to the religious life b : an entry into the priesthood or a religious order

2 a : the work in which a person is employed : occupation b : the persons engaged in a particular occupation

3 : the special function of an individual or group

In 2008, jeans found it interesting that the lesson used the word "vocation" rather than "career." She said,"I also really like that the lesson title uses the word "vocation" rather than "career." Somehow vocation, to me, implies a lifelong passion for something, which you are likely to pursue or follow in some form even if you're not getting paid for it at all stages of your life - something you want to contribute to the world, something that brings you joy and fulfillment."

Keeping that definition in mind, let's look at the discussion questions found in the lesson manual: 

• How could the vocation you are considering enrich your life, now as you prepare and in the future?

This question could go right along with our definition of a "vocation" as something you enjoy, whether being paid to do it or not! In my case, when I went to college I found that the classes I enjoyed the most, and the classes I got the best grades in, happened to be Humanities classes. They fulfilled my GE's so I kept taking them until finally I realized it would make a great major for me. I enjoyed the classes then. I still enjoy learning now. I didn't end up finding employment in that, but if I ever want to I can still go back for a master's degree and teach. In my case, when people asked "What are you going to use that for?" (the question every liberal arts major hates to hear), I usually smiled and said, "To have good art and music in my home." I was serious, but it also deflected the question for me. I knew I could go on and teach, but I also knew that might not be a serious option for me. Either way, I saw many applications for what I was learning. (And today I find myself homeschooling and teaching my kids about artists and great music, another way of enriching the life of others that I never planned on.)

It is wonderful when we can find something to study that we love, and that also can provide for us when needed. We don't love it because it can provide, but we are pleased when we can both love it and rely on it.  

• How could you use your talents in this vocation?

I wonder what this question implies. Is it that you shouldn't chose a vocation unless you can use your talents? Is it that if you can use your talents in a vocation, it will fulfill question one and enrich your life? Is it that God has given you talents, and if you can use them in your vocation then you can enrich the life of others?

• How could it be used to benefit a family?

Well, in my case, learning about great art, music, dance, etc. has allowed me one area of competence with homeschooling. But I think getting a college education has benefited my family in many ways. (I haven't had full time employment for many years, so I guess I'm tweaking the question a little for my situation.) My kids will be more likely to go to college themselves, since both of their parents did. I collected books for my classes, and some of those were the beginnings of our rather large family library. Just going to college and writing, reading, pushing myself to do something hard, having those away-from-home experiences, seeing more the world, all of those things have changed me and made better able to parent.

But certainly, there are many examples of how a vocation could bless a family. Experience and knowledge in any field could bless a family. Just being engaged in something you love and feel called to do changes who you are, I think.

I'd be pleased to hear some specific examples from your experiences if you'd like to share them in the comments.

• Would this vocation allow you to support yourself?

Very good question, though very hard to answer. In this economy, even if you get a masters or PhD in what you love, you still might have a hard time finding the work you want! Even if you are qualified, it may still take a year or two to find employment. And sometimes the least "practical" vocational choice might turn into a great job that you absolutely love.

But, that said, I can of course see the wisdom in asking the question. I guess I'm glad it's the last one on the list. First, we ask, does it enrich your life? Then, can you use your talents? Third, could it benefit others (specifically a family here, but "others" in general is a good question to ask, based on the quotation by Elder Nelson)? And finally, last of all, is it also a vocation that could allow you to support yourself?

Talking about vocations "if you need them" is a bit like food storage. "Make sure you have that wheat and dehydrated food, just in case you need them." I heard someone say (was this in conference? I can't remember) that most of us are more scared of having to eat our food storage than go through a natural disaster itself! This would be a very bad way to "save up" a vocation to use, just in case.

I can't be motivated by fear. But I can push myself to enjoy something and be wise at the same time. With food storage, I have a hard time being motivated to gather a year of stuff I wouldn't know how to use well anyway. But, I can see the wisdom in gathering together a month of food that we use anyway, and working through that and replacing it as I go, etc. That makes sense to me. It is food we enjoy anyway, and having a little extra on hand makes sense. (Sidenote: This my approach to food storage as it best fits our family right now. I got the idea from church's site providentliving.org. But, we are also gathering the longer-term storage as we can - wheat, pasta, rice, etc.)

I hope the comparison is clear though - if we choose a vocation that we hope we never have to use, then all that time training is not something we are enjoying. It is not enriching our lives. We only like it because it might bring us money someday. We only like it because we can rely on it to do something for us. And if we ever have to use it, we may be likely to have a negative attitude towards it, which would make it harder for us to see how it can benefit our family or others around us. Anything can do that, but if we see a vocation as simply a survival-money-making activity, it might be harder to allow that to happen.

But choosing a vocation that we enjoy now, and enjoy preparing for, and would enjoy if we were asked to work in that field - that is more like storing up food that we enjoy anyway, and just having a little extra on hand in case we need it makes sense. We are prepared, but we are not afraid or dreading the future. In fact, we aren't thinking just of the future. We are ready for the future, but we are enjoying it right now as well. I like that way of handling both food storage and chosing a vocation!

There, a few thoughts for the weekend. :) Hope you are having a wonderful beginning to the Christmas season. Enjoy!