Schedule: November 2-6

Students: This week Nephi offers us his final testimony and concludes his writing with a powerful witness of the Savior. We have travelled a long way with him and his family this year. We'll stop and take a minute to look back on what we've learned together about obedience, faith, the Plan and how we can be better siblings, children, fathers and servants.

Monday: Review (and 2 Nephi 29 and 2 Nephi 30)

Tuesday: NO CLASS (per Arlington Schools sched)

Wednesday: 2 Nephi 31 (special VIP guest/sub teacher!)

Thursday: 2 Nephi 32 (and Scripture Mastery 2 Nephi 32:3)

Friday: 2 Nephi 33, (special guest Testimony)

This past week you again amazed me with your understanding of what will happen in the last days, how to identify and avoid the tricks of false doctrine, and how to respond to those who have an "eat, drink, and be merry...for tomorrow we die" attitude. You know how to avoid "spiritual crocodiles" (I promise we will watch that video one more time before the year's end!). Thanks for your examples as wonderful Ambassadors of kindness and strength.

Be faithful and true! Read your Book of Mormon every day!

Love,

-Bro. Sherinian

Schedule: October 26-30

This week we continue studying the teachings of Nephi that warn us about pitfalls that could lead us away from Christ. Nephi teaches more about why he included the words of Isaiah, lays out specifics about the Book of Mormon and even talks about each of us ..."there shall be many which shall believe the words which are written" (2 Nephi 30:3).

Your understanding of these chapters depends on YOU. Remember to read each day, to use the tools you have to help learn more intensely, and to pray for the Spirit to guide you as you study. Talk about what you learn with your family and friends. You have a lot to share with them.

2 Nephi 25-30 has tons to teach each of us.

Monday: 2 Nephi 25 (Judgements, Prophecies, "Spritual Crocodiles")

Tuesday: 2 Nephi 26 (Priesthood vs. Priestcraft)

Wednesday: 2 Nephi 27-28 (Watch out for False Doctrine)

Thursday: 2 Nephi 29 (Missionary Work - the role of the Book of Mormon)

Friday: 2 Nephi 30 and Scripture Mastery Review

As you study this week, think about what it means to delight in "plainness" when it comes to teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Also, remember what we have learned during previous weeks through Isaiah's teachings...

I love and admire your testimonies and your strength. Be faithful and bring your insights to class. It is great starting the day with each of you.

Love,

Bro. Sherinian

(pictured above: Calling of Isaiah by Tiepolo...it's gorgeous! And I'll never look at it the same way again after learning from each of you about the impact of his teachings this year!)

Schedule: October 19-23 - Isaiah!

This week we have the chance to dive even deeper into the writings of Isaiah! Wonderful teachings await us. We will learn more about how the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the essential part of the plan of salvation, how temples will be built in the last days and how God works with His children through prophets. This ancient prophet has amazing things to tell each of us about our lives in 2009...and beyond! There is so much to learn. Nephi said he read the writings of Isaiah to his brethren to more fully persuade them "to believe in the Lord their Redeemer" (1 Nephi 19:23).

It is important that students read 2 Nephi 11-24 carefully, remembering that there are multiple ways and times that many of these prophecies come to pass. Prayerful study is an essential part of success during these chapters.

Schedule:

Monday: 2 Nephi 11 (+ review of "Safety for the Soul" by Elder Holland)

Tuesday: 2 Nephi 12 (and special guest)

Wednesday: 2 Nephi 14-16

Thursday: 2 Nephi 17-19

Friday: 2 Nephi 24 (and scripture mastery)

This week we will also review the Stake's new policy on attendance for Seminary. Remember: The best way to get the most out of Seminary is to participate! Do your part to read, be on time and study and we are all sure to benefit as we learn about the Savior's promises for us in the Book of Mormon.

I love and admire your testimonies and insights. It is a true blessing to be able to study the scriptures with you each morning. Talk about a great "Homecoming Week!" What better way to start each day this week than with the Book of Mormon!

Be faithful! Be yourselves! Be true!

Love,

Bro. Sherinian

P.S. Why did I include a picture of the Provo Temple in this week's blog....hmmmm....you will know if you read 2 Nephi 11-24!

Schedule: October 13-16

This week we will learn from Jacob (set apart by Nephi as a "priest and teacher) as he teaches from the Writings of Isaiah. These two powerful sermons recounted by Nephi are a witness of the life and mission of Jesus Christ.

Monday: No class (Arlington Schools Vacation Day) - Don't forget your reading!

Tuesday: 2 Nephi 5 (refresher) and 2 Nephi 6-7

Wednesday: 2 Nephi 8-9

Thursday: 2 Nephi 10 and General Conference talk (you know which one!)

Friday: Scripture Mastery! (here's a link to the cards we distributed this week)

Thank you for a wonderful set of insights this past week about how the Arm of the Lord guides and bolsters us, how to avoid vain attempts to limit the Lord's servants (remember how pride, impatience, vanity and ignorance "tied up" Bro. Johnson?) and what the Psalm of Nephi teaches us about being humble, grateful and ready to be taught by the Lord (think about the visual aid of James and Tiffany and the four elements of Nephi's Psalm we charted together).

We are thinking of those students who were hit by the flu this week. Get well, remember your Vitamin C, and don't neglect your spiritual immune system! We miss you in class and hope to see you soon. You are in our prayers. In the meantime, check out this short video with a message from Elder Christensen. It's like a vitamin boost for your continued personal study of the Book of Mormon.

Be faithful, be strong and true!

Love,

-Bro. Sherinian

Schedule: October 5-October 9

Arlington Seminary Students:

We have an amazing week ahead! This week includes a General Conference pop-quiz, a new scripture mastery verse, we hear the final words of Lehi, learn about the Psalm of Nephi, and see what happens when the wicked separate themselves from the Lord's presence and blessings. A lot of material and a lot of learning!

Thank you for the important lessons you taught me last week about the Liahona, what it really means to liken the scriptures to us and our lives and how we can better tune-in so that the Spirit can teach us. You are incredible scholars and examples.

Monday: (We catch-up on the final parts of 1 Nephi...and we get to the Promised Land!)

Tuesday: 2 Nephi 1-2

Wednesday: 2 Nephi 3-5

Thursday: Psalm of Nephi and Review

Friday: Scripture Mastery (2 Nephi 2:27)

Remember to read your scriptures daily and to arrive at 6:30am sharp so we can begin on-time and let the learning happen. I love you and your testimonies and your examples of faith and obedience.

-Bro. Sherinian

P.S. The Church Museum of Art in Salt Lake houses this beautiful Arabic calligraphy depiction of the words of the Psalm of Nephi in a Diwani font. Members from all over the world take inspiration from his words and what they have to teach us today. Check it out!

General Conference!

Wonderful Arlington Seminary Students: Remember that General Conference gives us a great opportunity to make a direct link between our Book of Mormon Scripture Study and our day-to-day testimony building. Just as Lehi and Nephi learned at the feet of prophets and by listening to their words, so can we (albeit - via the wonders of Cable TV!).

Things to remember about Conference and our class:

1) Extra Credit Opportunity: A well-crafted, one-page paper on any talk of your choice that matches some of the General Conference teachings with principles from our Book of Mormon study this year can go toward missed classes. You know me, so it should be typed, professional, and convey the genius of your amazing testimonies! Teach me something in the paper and let me know what the Conference talk taught you! Due date for extra credit: Friday, October 9.

2) General Conference Quiz: As you saw on your Seminary schedule, there will be a General Conference Quiz next week. Look for concepts that link any Conference message to those themes we have learned about in our Book of Mormon study this year. It's a pop-quiz, but is going to be popping with fun! Pay attention during Conference!

3) Extra-Extra (are you listening?) activity: Now that we know about each of our scripture mastery verses (even though we don't have them memorized..yet), the first student to e-mail any reference to a Book of Mormon scripture mastery verse that is made during General Conference this weekend gets an amazing prize on Monday a.m. Pay close attention...you may want to keep your scripture mastery card or list close at hand...

Listen with faith and build on what we learn every morning through seminary and every day through your individual reading.

Love, -Bro. Sherinian