seminary graduation & a personal memory.

For four years these kids woke up at 5am (or earlier) to attend early morning seminary to study  these four wonderful books. I'm sure the past four years were trying for them waking up on their own to study the word of God, but they persevered, and made it! 

It takes a lot of courage and desire to get motivated to attend early morning seminary. Most areas cross the world have it during school, and some have home study meaning they have it once a week. 

I commend these kids because of all the extracurricular activities, including jobs they had while waking up at an ungodly hour to study the word of God. 

Seeing my daughters commitment in taking responsibility to wake up on her own...yes, on her own (sometimes she'd have to wake her dad up when he used to teach) proved to me that she enjoyed it. Even though she'd grow tired as the year would wind down, she was strong, and knew that this is what helped her throughout her days, and that attending seminary was for her own good. I'm sure it's okay to speak for the rest of the kids as well. 

In Sierra's final year of seminary having a different teacher besides her dad taught her a lot. She learned that everyone has their own way of teaching, and unique spirituality. She really enjoyed Sister Neiman's method of teaching, and how she expressed herself with her testimony of the Savior, and His teachings.

Mingling is Sierra's favorite thing to do among friends, and to catch up with those whom she hadn't seen a while. 

I'm so glad Sierra had a few minutes to catch up on life with Dan, and to exchange one last hug. He'll be entering the MTC today to prepare for his two year mission in Brazil. We are so happy, and excited for him.

Until we meet again Elder Poaletti.  

*****

Now...a new chapter will soon begin for all you wonderful youth. 

Once you graduate high school, and attend various universities in the fall you will have the opportunity to attend the Institute of Religion which will further your knowledge, and help you gain spiritual growth as you continue to study the scriptures.

I remember when I joined the church a few of the young adults whom I call my friends today told me about a program that would be beneficial throughout my life as a young adult. I was told that these classes would help me become more familiar with the scriptures, strengthen my testimony, and that it would be fun.

And it was. 

Since I was 20 when I joined, and didn't have seminary growing up I thought that this would be something that would help me grow spiritually as well as learning more about the doctrine. I have to admit I also enjoyed going to institute because of the friends I made.

Coming from a nonmember family, and not having any LDS friends throughout my youth, or spiritual knowledge growing up, I really enjoyed being a part of a group whom I had a lot in common with. The college I attended was not Mormon territory, and so going to these classes helped me in remembering to keep my covenants in striving to live as Christ would have me. It didn't matter if there were only ten of us that attended...we had fun, and I learned so much!  


There were even nonmembers that would come, and I believe that was when my passion in sharing the gospel grew strongly, and I wasn't even afraid to share. Here I am this brand new member who didn't know squat about the scriptures (still learning), and I'm sharing this wonderful book with them. Pandora's box, in selflessly sharing the ultimate key that brought happiness to my life was opened on that day, and I was filled by the spirit to share, share, share!  

And I don't think it'll ever be closed.

It helped me throughout my daily struggles whether at home or at school. It took my mind off of any negativity that may be going through my mind because I had a lot of it back then. 

Looking back I don't see how I would of handled any dilemma had I not attended institute for that one semester. Moving to Utah soon after prepared me for what was next. Dating, major callings, marriage, temple covenants (look out...it's awesome!) kids, moving, etc. I honestly don't think I would have survived any trial in between all those duties had I not indulged myself in the holy scriptures.

I will always look back at those memories with fondness, gratefulness, and most of all love. Even though I didn't attend early morning seminary I think I got a taste of what it felt like to be taught by great teachers, and to be spiritually fed while having fun. Of course I didn't wake up at 5am everyday for four years to get the full effect. 

Regardless...I know that y'all had fun throughout those four years, and one day I guarantee that you will pass on your seminary experiences (hmm, hmm...marshmallow fight) to your posterity in telling them that it was bittersweet. 

Bitter because of those early hours of waking up, but sweet because of the love that you felt from The Lord, your teacher, your peers, and most of all the blessings you received while attending. 

C'mon guys...you know it was fun while it lasted. Look...Sierra is laughing instead of just smiling! OK...maybe she's happy because she doesn't have to wake up at 5am anymore!

Seriously, congratulations to you all, and good luck as you begin another chapter in your life!

COLLEGE! 

 I really do love y'all! Really, I do.

xo-
mama Jorgensen (because at times I treated you like a mom)

Thoughts on seminary graduation.

This past Sunday 28 youth from our stake graduated from attending early morning seminary. Each year as my daughter attends seminary my love for the gospel, and for Jesus Christ grows, and becomes more significant to me as I myself grow older. Seminary is something that I never attended as a youth, and I'm so grateful to be raising our children in it while learning the scriptures with them at the same time.

According to a poll that was taken from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, statistics showed that youth who attend the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints tend to follow the beliefs of their parents more than any other religion. At 73% we were the highest compared to other religions. I was very impressed with those statistics.

From what I have experienced as a mother raising our daughter in the church, and being surrounded by her friends gives me the sense that they all believe, and are striving really hard to hang on to their testimony. These youth attend early morning seminary for many reasons and although the purpose is the same I pray that they will continue to have a focus on being strengthened, to gain a testimony, and to know for themselves that the scriptures are true.

Next year will be my eldest daughter's last year to attend seminary, and if she is lucky she'll have her dad teach her for the last time. My better half has been seminary teacher for our ward for the past four years, and even though he says it's his last year to teach...I know deep down he could hold on to this calling forever. It's up to the Stake Presidency whether or not he'll be released. We shall see.

Jodian with my better half...a.k.a.-her seminary teacher for all of her four years of high school!

We really loved our Sunday. We were all so spiritually uplifted with all the words & scriptures that were quoted by some wonderful youth who graduated. I know how important it is to wake up each morning, and start your day by feasting on the word of God. By attending early morning seminary with a focus to grow and learn really helps a youth to withstand any challenge they will face throughout their daily lives, especially while being the only mormon kid in high school.

In this generation they need that early morning spiritual guidance, and by studying the scriptures with faith, and good intent Heavenly Father will give them the strength to overcome all obstacles. Their stake President said, "20 years from now when they have their own posterity it won't be as easy as they think." So the gospel is essential to have in our lives, and to study it everyday.


Attending seminary and seriously studying the scriptures the youth will be strengthened, and their love for the gospel will prosper, and then the time will come when their goal will be to have their own eternal families, and continue to take in all that they've learned throughout their youth as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Side view of the Washington D.C. Temple taken by yours truly.

A Timeless Gospel

I was hoping to attend the graduation for the 2011 Seminary class as well as writing about it this past Sunday, but due to an ailment, only half of my family went. My husband and eldest daughter attended, and today I am writing about this rewarding evening for those who completed four years of early morning seminary.

I know for those who graduated that evening were clapping their hands with a fullness of joy because they completed four years of early morning seminary. I'm sure it was an indelible moment for them. We had a total of 16 students in our stake graduate who completed four years of seminary, and four other students who attended at least 1-3 years of early morning seminary.

My husband will be going on his fourth year of being a seminary teacher in our ward, and he absolutely loves it. I honestly don't think this calling is meant for a lot of people. You really have to be gospel centered to be able to teach the youth of the church. I commend, and respect my husband because for 180 days each school year he will wake up everyday at 4:30 a.m. There are days he will come home late from work, and still make ample time to prepare his lessons. The Lord has blessed him with the gift of teaching, and to have the knowledge of the scriptures so that he can be able to teach the youth without any jadedness. My daughter who will be a junior in high school this fall loves attending seminary with her Dad, and says that he banters quite pleasantly.

Our Stake President loves to challenge the youth with the scriptures in the Doctrine and Covenants. He has been doing this for many, many years, and yet he has the ability to remember the scriptures. My husband  mentioned to me how President Corbitt said "the gospel is timeless", and how important it is for us to study it. We are the link to the past and present, and we need to make sure we understand the gospel, and live it. Our children looked upon us from the spirit world then and now, and they want us to make the right decisions. They do not want to be ashamed to come down and have us be their parents.

When my husband mentioned President Corbitt's strong words, it reminded me of what I was being taught when I was investigating the church. I never thought that we lived in the spirit world before we came down to our earthly parents. It makes sense in all that I have endured throughout my life realizing that there are spirit children waiting for that perfect moment to come down to join "a" family. I have four that have come down to join mine, and I can tell that my most recent addition to our family came down clapping his heavenly hands, and arrived at the right time. I know that he is very pleased with the outcome of having three wonderful sisters to love him. I know that all our children are pleased to have us as parents. It's amazing to know that there are more spirit children willing and waiting to join other families. I hope that each generation from ages 20 to 40 are ready to raise them accordingly to the words and teachings of our Savior Jesus Christ.

It's a new chapter in the lives of our seminary graduates, and I know that it will be a great one if you lead your life with the gospel, and with the guidance of our Heavenly Father.

"It is difficult to imagine life without the gospel of Jesus Christ; learn it, love it, 

but most of all...live it."

Congratulations Class of 2011!!!!