Asking good questions

When creating questions to ask, think about the kind of answer you want to elicit. Stay away from questions that have just one, verifiable answer. 

Example: Read a passage and then ask, "Which of these verses causes the deepest feelings inside of you?" 

Ask the second question first. Example: Why is faith very important to you? (Instead of asking that after asking, is faith important to you?) 

Write down questions beforehand. Then read them aloud and ask, what will those I teach do with that question? I may to rephrase the question after reflecting on that. (Certain questions work better for certain classes, and that's fine.) (Use this technique in the home as well.)

Example: About Christmas readings: At what times or moments in your life has the birth of the Savior had the most meaning to you?

Concerning the events surrounding his birth, what has the most meaning for you? 

Through a parent's eyes

Only when we see through Heavenly Father’s eyes can we be filled with “the pure love of Christ.” Every day we should plead with God for this love. Mormon admonished, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ.”

Renlund. So good. 

Where did Nephi get his testimony?

That's what I really want to know. So I'm skimming the first 15 chapters, and here is what I am finding:

*he learned a lot from watching his father

*he had great knowledge from God and knew the goodness and mysteries ofhim (but how?)

*he asked lots of questions

*he recognized his potential and calling (1:1)

*he had great desire to know the mysteries of God (2:15)

*asked for help (2:16). This verse that although the desire was there, things still didn't all come easily all the time for Nephi. He had doubts and questions too.   

*had faith

*sought diligently and humbly 

*believed in God's promises to him (2:19-22)

*he spoke with the lord and trusted him  (3:1)

*didn't murmur (3:5-6)

*gave his brothers opportunities to succeed and try again 

*quickly obeyed (3:7)

*trusted the lord to lead him (3:7)

*didn't give up easily (3:15)

*understood why they need scriptures, so he didn't just obey blindly 

*helps his brothers understand; taught with power and authority (3:16-20)

*had testimony-strengthening experiences, like seeing God's hand in helping them get the plates 

*obeyed even when it was hard (4:10)

*put God's will first (4:14)

*reached out to others, wanted to help zoram (4:32)

*he read and heard the scriptures (6) and saw the value in them 

*honored his father and was obedient to him (7:2)

*didn't take things personally, but was form toward his brothers in explaining how they were rebelling against God (not that they were rebelling against

 Nephi)

He asked Laman and Lemuel, how is it that yet have forgotten. This question shows that much of Nephi's faith rested on things he had seen or experienced or felt. The different between N and L/L is N had a good memory. N remembered what the Lord had done and who the Lord was and let that work in his heart to prove to him what the Lord could do.  But L/L, who had experienced some of the same things. Had never let it sink in and change them. They'd just forgotten it all. N understood this, and approached his lectures to them in a way to try to help them remember what they already had experienced and what they should have known to be true. 

The Lord maketh no such thing known

1 Nephi 15:9. Nephi asks his brothers if they have inquired of the Lord to know the truthfulness of something. They said no and that the Lord didn't tell them anything. Although this connect (or disconnect) is so clear when reading these scriptures--if we don't ask, we may not receive--it's still hard to remember. I sometimes wait for the Lord to tell me something, like if something is true or not true. And oftentimes I'm too lazy to ask Him, or to go through the truth-finding process. If the answer doesn't come immediately (before asking) and I am uncertain, I need to ask Him. I'm sure He wants me to go through frequent conversions and reconvictions. 

Ponderize verses

I liked this verse becaus I was (and still am) trying to learn more about my family history. And this verse helped me take it seriously and have the desire to do it.

I loved the second half of this scripture (teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ). This is Alma 37. Richard G. Scott's obituary/biography said that he lacked confidence in himself at an early age because he "didn't quite understand the gospel," as he put it. I can withstand temptation with faith in Jesus  and understanding of His gospel.

I like 16 (2 Nephi 4). I have seen and heard and experienced so many wonderful things. I should focus and ponder on them!

John 15:7: "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." 

Alma 41:15 "For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth the sinner, and justifieth him not at all."