Mormon Monday: What is Seminary?

I haven't been in seminary for years, but I have been asked this question on occasion, so I will explain. For more details, please visit: http://seminary.lds.org/?lang=eng

Seminary is a program to help students in high school develop their testimonies of their Savior. The students study a different book of scripture every year. Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine in Covenants each are focused on during one year of high school.

The time when students attend seminary differs. In areas where there are a high percentage of Mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), release-time seminary can be held during school as a free period. This is how I experienced seminary. This time for seminary is usually seen in places like Utah, Idaho, and some parts of Arizona. Going to seminary wasn't much of a sacrifice for me. It was nice to be able to have a break from school and feel the spirit, but it was held in a building across the street from my high school within easy walking distance. It didn't really take much effort to go there.

However, for those young members of the church who live in an area with many people who aren't members of the church, they are asked to attend what is called early-morning seminary. Usually this is around 5-6 in the morning. I have many cousins and friends who experienced this kind of seminary. I am very impressed with their dedication in attending these meetings.

Anyone who has high school students knows how hard it is to wake most of them up. I was no exception. I slept until the very last possible moment, and then bolted to school. (It helped that the school was in walking distance of my house as well.) I think it is pretty amazing that so many young people (and their parents) sacrifice sleep in order to go and talk about scriptures super early in the morning.

Why would they sacrifice so much?



For me, it wasn't really a sacrifice. I love seminary, and I loved learning the scripture stories and about my Savior. I think for those kids who have to get up early, they do it for the same reasons, and maybe they don't view it as a sacrifice either.

Some of the most powerful spiritual moments of my younger life occurred while I was in seminary. I had teachers that encouraged us to ask questions, pray about the gospel, and read the scriptures. While I was in seminary, I never missed a day of scripture reading. It was amazing to hear the testimonies of other young people my own age who were going through similar things that I was going through.

Seminary is a good introduction to the gospel. Youth are faced with constant moral dilemmas, and it is easy for them to feel confused and powerless. Sometimes, that little bit of light in the morning (or during the day) can really bring a spirit of peace.

I am grateful for my experiences in seminary, the scriptures that I memorized, and the things that I learned. They had some cheesy videos, but that was kind of fun too. Those videos often helped to emphasize important points of doctrine.

High school can be a pretty confusing and selfish point in life. I think I am a better person for attending seminary, and I have a better mastery of the scriptures.

Lashing Out

Sometimes it is difficult to not lash out at those who are the closest to you.

Usually it's because something else is wrong (like you're hungry or tired) and someone says something that causes just pushes the wrong button and suddenly you explode like a cat unexpectedly dipped in water.

It isn't fair to those who receive the brunt of your anger. It's not their fault that they didn't know you were in grenade mode and they just pulled the pin.

This happens to all of us, and unfortunately, family are usually the ones who end up being hurt.

For those people who know me, they'll know that for the most part, I'm a pretty calm, laid-back person. However, there are days where I am frazzled or stressed and I can be just as moody as anyone else. On those days, I usually end up feeling pretty bad.

I don't like to make other people feel bad either. Kevin should never have to cry because I lost my temper.

I don't like to be angry and I HATE confrontation. However, if I get pushed far enough, I will lash out. I like to be in control of my emotions and it drives me nuts when I do something without thinking about it first, especially if I hurt someone else's feelings.

One time in high school, a kid and I were messing around and whipping each other with apron strings (it was a cooking class). Suddenly, one of the strings hit me and it hurt! Surprised, I reacted without thinking. I punched the kid into the wall. Even as I was punching, I realized what I was doing and tried to stop. I remember quite clearly, like it was slow motion my fist moving and my mouth saying, "I'm sorryyyyyy," at the same time.

I don't punch anymore (unless I'm pregnant), but sometimes my words have the same whip-like effect when I'm inadvertently hurt. I'll say something before I mean to, and usually it is still pretty tactful, but I still feel bad because I lost control for a moment.

I hate losing control.

I just had one of those lashing out moments and it was on my mind. We've already resolved it, but I still feel bad.

I guess that's why we're here though. If we were already perfect, why would we need to be on this earth?

It's a learning journey, and we're trying to figure it out as we go.