Friday, April 22, 2011

Preparing for Easter



by Maggie Brown

This quarter I'm taking Book of Mormon: 1st Nephi-2nd Nephi with Sister Harwood and Sister Anderson. I love this class, usually there are only four of us- the two sisters, another student, and me- which allows for some really good conversations. This week we talked about the first few chapters of 2nd Nephi and the prophecies about Christ that are made there which was a great preparation for Easter. The best part of the whole class was hearing the testimonies of the sister missionaries about Christ. Sister Anderson shared the words to "I Stand All Amazed" and we sang "I Believe in Christ" and for the fifty minutes in class I felt this great spirit of unity between the four of us. Even though we are all in different stages of life, it was great to share testimonies together and be joined by that. It was definitely the highlight of my day, and one of the things that makes me look forward to this class. I'm grateful that Institute this week could help me get ready for Easter!

Friday, April 15, 2011

Parables of Jesus Institute Class



by Carole Stoddard


On Wednesday, I was in the Parables of Jesus class and we discussed John 10:1-42. Something that I always think of when I am at the institute is the fact that I always feel the spirit. In this lesson, we went in depth with what we thought were the important items in the verses. These include the shepherd, the sheep, the thief/robber, strangers, pasture, sheepfold and the hireling. Brother Knowles talked about the sheepfold being the pre-mortal existence. From the chapter, I understood that it was about how Jesus would lead his sheep, and that he put down his life for us in the atonement, like the good shepherd. I had never thought of it as he literally led us out to pasture so that we could learn and grow. It was something that I knew, but hadn't thought about it. Going to classes isn't so much the learning about the scriptures, it's about the personal revelation that I receive in the class.

Brother Knowles had us sing Hymn 221 "Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd." In verse 4 it says "Make us thy true under-shepherds; Give us a love that is deep. Send us out into the dessert, Seeking thy wandering sheep." In the allegory in John 10, the hireling is mentioned. The hireling cares not for the sheep, s/he is only in it for gain. We are supposed to be true under-shepherds, caring for the sheep and searching for them. We are all called to love our fellow brothers and sisters and that class reminded me of that. I'm going to try to be a better under-shepherd in my family, in my calling and in my life. I hope that those of you who read this will decide to do so with me.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Cinnamon Rolls

by Mike R.

Lans Drake is awesome! After his mission prep class he made some cinnamon rolls for all of those who were in the library diligently studying (Russell, Colin and I). We had fun chatting and eating rolls. It was a good break from studying. Things like this happen all of the time at the institute. Small get-togethers happen spontaneously. There will be more to come!!!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Mission Prep

 by Lans Drake

Yesterday I had a good experience in my Mission Prep class. I learned that I need to work on establishing common ground before explaining new ideas and understanding with people I share the gospel with. I know applying this is going to help me become a greater missionary.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Institute: Party Woo

Hey!


Bryan here, wearing my UW purple and proud of it. Colors of Royalty...
Enough of that, on to more spiritual matters. Institute has been pretty awesome recently, we are just in the first week of the quarter and things are already going very well. I am taking a class called Book of Mormon 3, which covers the books of Alma and Helamen in the Book of Mormon, and is taught by Brother White. Whoever is reading this should join that class now. Brother White is the boss, his teaching is incredible, and we have some good laughs as well. The class is from 10:30 to 11:20 AM Mondays and Wednesdays, and it is something that has really impacted me in a positive way. Not only does it keep me in the habit of good scripture study, but I also learn new things for my future, and the extra dose of the Holy Ghost in my week helps me out in my academic life too.

Institute, that is where it's at.
Party woo.

~Bryan