This is a test...

This is a test... of the emergency missionary moment.
Did you think I would say, "This is a test of the emergency broadcasting system?"

Ocassionally we get the oportunity to share the Gospel with a friend, or even strangers who come across our path. How prepared are you to share our basic beliefs on the Plan of Salavation? Just as we should be prepared in an emergency - armed with our 72 Hour Kits, tarps and plywood, we should be prepared to share our beliefs and testimonies.

Since the 2009 theme for YM/YW is "Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12) I hope you will strive to Know what you Believe!!!

Click here to take a quick (& fun) quiz on your knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. Print your results and bring it to Seminary this week for a reward. (PS - I won't share your scores - if you don't do well then you can follow the links embedded in the quiz to learn more about the Gospel. Read up on any areas that were unclear to you and then take it again.)

Remember you are loved! Sis. Shepherd

LDS Videos online

Well I haven't posted for awhile. I wanted to share a fun link with you that I found at www.lds.org/videos

Do you remember your mom & dad reading scriptures to you when you were little from the New Testament Scripture Reader? (It was like a comic strip version of the scriptures.)

Here's a link to watch the comic strips as a video - narrated and dramatized. They are simplified but surprisingly entertaining if you are in the mood. If you click on the story on the left you can just read the strips OR if you click on the video links on the right you can watch the story.

I am posting the New Testament link http://lds.org/library/display/0,4945,8187-1-4473-4,00.html so that if any of you have younger siblings you can find scripture stories we study in class and share them with your families during family night.

Enjoy!

Sis. Shep

Which is Easier?

Would you look happy (like this Seminary teacher) if a leper had his arm around you?
Leprosy destroys your nerves — sensory nerves, which control feeling; motor nerves, which control movement; automatic nerves, which control glands and secretions. With no feeling, you can hurt or cut yourself; and with no movement or sensation, parts of your body become dry, which makes skin easier to crack, allowing infection to set in.

Christ addresses the scribes:
Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? (See Matt. 9:2-8)

If you were afflicted with leprosy, palsy, an issue of blood, were blind, lame, deaf or dead; Which would you want more? To be physically healed or to have your sins forgiven? We will talk about this in class tomorrow. Give some thought to how these people felt and how you might feel.

Thanks for doing your Seminary Homework! There is one more assignment in the post below this one. Read that one too. You are AWESOME! love, Sis. Shepherd

Matthew 7:15-20 By their fruits ye shall KNOW THEM

I'm so glad you took time to visit our blog.

1. Read these 5 verses from Matt. chapter 7.
2. Think about what you read and then watch this short video.
3. Be prepared to share what you learned in class on Tues.

Love, Sis. Shepherd

PS - You are the best class!!! THANKS
PPS - Click on the title to be linked to the video. Remember, youtube is a tool for good or evil. Please just watch this video only. Then go read your scriptures! :*)

Show the Lord Your Style Go the Extra Mile!

Have you been keeping up with your commitment to read the scriptures every day?

Think of all the things you can get done in 10 minutes?

Gargle - Switch a Load of Laundry? - Make Easy Mac (that's only 4min.) -Surf the net - Brush & Floss - Check Email - Complain about chores -Download music - Match socks - Paint your nails - Play Wii - Daydream -Blow-dry your hair - 200 sit ups - 50 Free Throws - Watch TV

Find 10 minutes to read your scriptures each day this week. Then try it again the next week and the next. Before you know it your name can be added to our 30-Day Club! Give the Savior 10 minutes today.


It's official: We now have two class members who have reached the 30 Day Mark!
Congratulations to: Elizabeth Robinson & Stephanie Perez

As each of you track your reading and reach your goal I will add your name to the blog. Remember 30 days in a row will remove 3 tardies from your records and will earn you a pack of EXTRA gum. (Not to mention the benefits of a stronger tesimony - answers to your prayers - and a sense of accomplishement!)

Go the Extra Mile - don't just attend Seminary. Read.

...Verily I say unto you, Except ye be CONVERTED, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 18:3

Memorize the 12 Apostles

Hope this helps us to remember the names of our current Apostles! love Sis. Shepherd

(Remember - You tube also has harmful content. Please make good choices which will help you seek the spirit - not drive it away. Other content advertised along side this video may not meet our high standards. Please don't assume that just because this content is good that the other videos will also be appropriate. Always use the internet in a public area of your home.)

SCRIPTURE MASTERY HELP

The church has put together a fun set of games to help you to memorize all of the Scripture Mastery verses! TOO FUN! Instead of spending an hour watching YouTube...

GO TO: http://seminary.lds.org/

You will see a message from President Hinkley. Click on Scripture Mastery in the menu on the left side. Three game options will be visible. ENJOY!

Welcome to Seminary


“I hope all of you who are eligible are attending seminary. This organization provides wonderful opportunities to learn the doctrines that will make you happy.”
--Gordon B. Hinckley, Stand True and Faithful Ensign, May 1996, 93

So Glad You're Here!

Thanks for accepting the challenge to visit OUR seminary blog. Please do the following and then leave me a comment to let me know how it went.

1. Go to www.ReadtheScriptures.com and sign up for an account. Create a reading schedule for the New Testament.

2. If you have your own email account, open it and look to see if I sent you an invitation to join the Oviedo Seminary Reading Team.

• IF you have an invitation, please follow the link and join the team.
• IF you don't see an invitation, or you don't have your own email address, please leave me a message here in the comments section with your email address or your parents email and I will invite you to the team.

3. Please read from the New Testament (Matthew) tonight. We are celebrating the birth of the Savior tommorrow. (can you smell the cinnamon & cider? mmmmm)

Once we are all members of the team we can encourage one another to read and enjoy seeing the progress we make. I will have a new challenge for you tomorrow. (much more fun) So check back...

I will pray for each of you tonight.

Love, Sis. Shepherd

No School - No Seminary

I will miss you all tomorrow morning! Hope no one blows away with Fay!

Thanks for a great first class! Hope your school classes all went good - I was praying for you!
Don't forget to read your scriptures :*)

Love Sis. Shepherd

Scripture Mastery Music

I wanted to share a great CD I purchased & will be using in class to help us all to memorize the 25 New Testament Scripture Mastery selections.

http://www.ldsscripturerock.com/ has an entertaining & uplifting New Testament CD with all of the SM's set to music.

I am not endorsing this website or requiring you to make a purchase, but I wanted you to know that they offer group purchase discounts along with free shipping. (I paid full price for mine.)

With an order of 5 or more they are $8.00 each or for an order of 10 or more you can get them for $6.00 each. Individually priced they are $11.95 each plus shipping.

I am willing to place an order for our class (or our whole seminary) based on your interest. You can go to the website with your youth to preview the songs before you make a decision.

You have until Monday, August 25th to decide. Please respond to this post or email directly at mshepherd1@cfl.rr.com with the subject, SM CD. If there is enough interest for a group order I will place the order on Tues. Aug. 26th. NOTE: DO NOT ORDER unless you are prepared to pay for it. I don't want to be stuck with extras. THANKS!

Sis. Shepherd

PS - Our first Scripture Mastery will be Matthew 5:14 - 16.

Summer Preparation

I am so excited to teach seminary this year. We will be reading the New Testament together.

Oviedo Seminary News!

Seminary Prep. Meeting:

WHEN: Sunday, August 10th - Oviedo Chapel
TIME: 4:05PM-4:25PM (short & sweet - don't be late)
WHO: Seminary Age Youth & Parents (Oviedo & Valencia)
WHY: Meet your teachers, questions & answers

Make sure you have a set of seminary scriptures which you can leave at seminary & a set to read at home. Inexpensive scriptures can be purchased through the distribution center near the Orlando Temple or online here: http://www.ldscatalog.com./

You may also buy scriptures here: Boyd's LDS Books, 8905 Conroy Rd. Orlando, FL 32835 (but they are more expensive.) You can have them personalized here for a fee. (407) 909-9150

• Seminary will be start at 6:00AM - and it will end at 6:50AM each day there is school.
• Bookmark this blog so you can check back weekly for updates, assignments, etc.
• After the meeting I will post a copy of any handouts here for you to download.
• Feel free to post a hello in the comments so I know you stopped by.

Love, Sister Shepherd