Report Draft: C. Experimenting

The process leading up to the final drafts of our personal essay project was very experimental.  Each step, from generating the ideas for the essays, to incorporating literary tools in our writing, to video and media production, and even to sharing with audiences, was an experiment.  

First of all, the way in which we chose topics about which to write was very creative.  Dr. Burton read a list of different topics or experiences, and if something interested us, we were supposed to begin generating raw material about that topic.  We then wrote multiple blog posts to narrow down the topics of our essays. The elimination process depended highly upon our taking in account of other people's comments about what what they found most interesting.  That was experimental in itself in that we had to find ways to collaborate with classmates to review, edit, and share our material.  As the essay topics were narrowed down, we began experimenting with different forms of Mormon personal essays.  We studied examples of personal essays written by several authors, like Edward Geary, "Disorder and Early Joy", Tessa Santiago, "Take, Eat", and Gideon Burton, "In an Open Field, Near a Gravel Pit".  We then analyzed ways to include Mormon Humor from Personal essays like DeNae Handy’s, "Falling for You.", and we even experimente with how to make our writing more like poetry.

Secondly, whilst actually writing our essays, we experimented with different ways of incorporating imagery, description, figurative language, and the inclusion of the Book of Mormon aspect in our writing. As a result of several differnt writing stages, we concluded that it was most effective to establish respect with the reader by building up our credibililty through the application of literary tools in our writing, and then bringing in the Book of Mormon content.

Lastly, we experimented with different ways of sharing the content of our essays.  This included experimentation with video production, as well as selecting audiences or individuals with whom to share our material through social media and offline interaction.   The video production included each member of the class developing their own minute-long video to advertise their essay with their own preferences to background, content, and inclusion of the Book of Mormon, as well as whose essay we talked about.  Our initial videos helped us to determine what the effective aspects were.  As a result of this experiment, and differences in aspects like sound and lighting, the final draft of our videos was much more uniform in the above-mentioned components.

Goodbye for Now.

Have you ever had a best friend? Have you ever had to say Goodbye?

Action Plan for Sharing My Personal Essay

1.    My sister, Sarah H. Sarah was going to college far away at U-Penn and always kept busy with internships. I started a relationship with this guy as she was away. I think it would be amusing to hear her remarks about my personal essay. It will be exciting to see what she thinks about the relationship I had made the minute she left. I am curious of what she will think about when I tie in the Book of Mormon reference as well.

2.    My old Math teacher, Mr. Hamel. I was his TA for the class. He became a friend in school as I went throughout the day. In the speech that he gave at graduation he mentioned my name. I imagine it will be interesting to see if he remembers what had happened throughout the years I got to know this gentleman in my story. He use to teach at where the gentleman went to school and he taught the gentleman that I had started a great relationship with. I am curious to see how he reacts to the inclusion of the Book of Mormon as well, seeing that he has no interest in religion. I will contact him through the school since He contacted me seeing how college had gone.

3.    My brother, Mark Harris. He has been with me through thick and thin. I have been there for him through thick and thin as well. He has helped me through my struggles and we see each other almost 4 days a week. I never expressed to him about this personal essay until the other day. He seems quite intrigued to read my essay face to face. I am excited to hear his comments on it.

4.    The social networking online my plan is to share the clip that we make and a link to the rest of the stories or personal essays on Instagram. I notice that I post some quotes from the prophets and apostles and other church members and a couple of friends always express some comments over the quotes and I would be delighted to hear their response.

5.    A friend that I have had and became close with in high school went to a complete different college all the way in Texas. She emailed me to see how I was doing and how life was. I will email her later a copy of this essay and clip to see her response. I am nervous to see what she might think to the tie in of the Book of Mormon because she is strictly Baptist but we became best friend in our last high school years together and are really understanding about both our religions.

6.    My co-workers, Rachel, Mike and Ben. We all work together and learn about each other’s lives as we work. This would be a social networking offline with three of my great new friends I have made at work. I am excited to learn and here about their responses when I will present my essay to them during a lunch break or another brake we might have.

life experiences, Fiction Genre and Nonfictional Genre

Douglas Thayer wrote a fictional novel representing a teenage boys LDS experience. In his novel “Will Wonders Never Cease” it helps others who read it have an outlet of LDS experience. Douglas Thayer is able to show how the boy feels like. He was able to show the struggle it showed. In the struggle he was able to “allows for the candor and honesty to be openly received (at least in most cases)” as Lizzy Sainsbury said. The Book Douglas Thayer had written helped express or come in common with some of our views. It became much more common to our life although it was fiction. Lizzy Sainsbury also had said that the book “relate to similar feelings in a safe way”. I think that it is a safe way to express feelings openly. I think it helps others relate as well.

Representing LDS experiences with fiction is a great way to pop out of your comfort zone about the feelings of the experience. I think that the fiction in the story helps release your feelings in a bigger way or that you may be able to exaggerate with certain LDS topics or experiences with a fiction novel. Thayer presents different scenarios that would be much more of a conflict to let out if it was nonfictional. I think that Thayer is a great example as he presents those difficult ways in his fictional novel. It helps the relationship with the reader and Thayer become more in common about what they feel.

As I read other experiences through the nonfictional genres I noticed I enjoyed the fiction genre more. I enjoyed that Thayer expressed or overstated more thoughts on a certain area of the experience he presented. It helped me relate in a way to the story. I liked that the fiction conveyed a lot of troubles that a nonfictional experience might not look at. I have enjoyed reading the fiction experience that Doug Thayer has written.

Personal Essay Preview

I chose to do my own preview of my essay with incorporating the Book of Mormon. This assignment was difficult for me because I don't like to video tape myself. I liked that I was able to do a quick recap almost but I didn't wasn't to tell all about my story. This assignment to video myself was a struggle. It took a bit of reruns but I was finally satisfied with this one.

The link to the preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPxYIklI4oM&feature=youtu.be

I hope you enjoy!

Retrieving and Using!

Reading my personal essay to others was such a help when others give feedback. My roommate Jenna was such a help as we talked after about my essay. I noticed that as I was reading my personal essay out loud to her I quickly paused to change a grammatical error I then resumed back to my personal essay. I was able to read it once more with the corrections added. After reading the essay I told her a little more about the story of the essay or subject of the matter I was talking about. She helped with a few of her ideas. I was able to go back and cross out some ideas to make the essay much more intriguing. I really liked when she had complimented on what scripture I had used and tied into the essay. I enjoyed reading aloud to her so much that I decided to ask for even more feedback as I went to my other roommates. I noticed how important it is for me to read my personal essay out loud to learn what to fix. I noticed that as I went from roommate to roommate I gathered such great ideas to add to my essay.

What to change is now held up to me. I was able to gather a bunch of information from my roommates after reading out loud just as a little child would gather Easter Eggs on Easter day.  The most important information I had gathered included going more in depth about the older stories that had made the relationship between my best friend and I so tight. I also noticed involving the scriptural reference throughout the essay instead of jamming it in at the end. I picked up that I need to make each little part or important part more equal instead of again jamming in the exposition and conclusion at the end. I really enjoyed this exercise and how it played a role in improving my personal essay and was so glad to get more input on my essay. 

Goodbye for Now

Fifteen months and thirty days ago, I lived through a day in the town of Rock Springs Wyoming, first where the weather broke a sweltering 80 degrees, then changed to rainy, then came a rainbow peeking out of the mountains. I remember the weather, the moments, the details and the feelings of September 4, 2013. I woke up early, ready for the day, because this was no ordinary day; it was a day I was going to have an unforgettable blast of a time. I took little care in getting ready, as I anticipated the day ahead. Then, I realized I wanted to look spectacular and became skeptical with what I was wearing. I decided to request approval for my wardrobe choice. As I stepped out of my room that morning, and I went right over across the hall to one of my older brother’s room. My brother Eric was kind enough to say, “Yes” to my flung on outfit. I felt, as I went in and out of our rooms, that I was playing the reality TV show, “Say Yes to The Dress” except I really needed the perfect outfit. I bugged Eric more than he ever wanted to be bothered, but we both came to conclusion to say, “Yes” to the outfit. My mom reminded me to have my room clean before I left. I shared the room with my younger sister Laura; we have a triple bunk bed with two mirrors right by each other including two closets filled with each other’s clothes. We are best friends and our bond grew stronger and stronger after this major event of this day.

I left our room in a stir of fashion with shirts and clothing strewn about the desk, floor and triple bunk. The multiple pants I took on and off while figuring out the right outfits were plopped all over our floor which was full of makeup stains from getting ready in the mornings. The shoes I tried on were spilling out of both closets. My room was left a mess especially after I finally picked the perfect outfit that would work for this significant day. I was ready to leave but my room was a complete disaster. It looked like a tornado had gone through the whole thing. Laura asked as I was talking with my mom if I would like to use her perfume. I was signaled to go back in my tornado of my room. She quietly whispered in her sweet voice to me, “Julia I can clean it, you need to take off for your day.”

 The old beater car was started. The hood is buckled down with bungee cords, so it will not smack the windshield. The windows work, but the car had no air conditioning. I put on so many miles from my town, Green River to the neighboring town, Rock Springs, with this old beater of a car. I felt like I could drive there with my eyes closed. I collected so many memories in this car that I will not be able to ever forget. The drive from my house to the place I was headed took about 25 minutes, but that day the drive seemed so long.

Turning the corner to my left I saw the home and place I had been getting ready for. I feel like I had been pulling myself across the iron rod trudging through the mist of darkness as it is referenced in the Book of Mormon 2 Nephi chapter 8. I finally reach the tree of life, or the house, as I parked I was taking the last steps towards the front door. I was surprised with a face, a recognizable face, poking in between the crack of the door. This face was no ordinary face, but a face that I had made those miles back and forth for, and the memories I made in that old beater of a car. He has deep blue eyes and sharp cut hair cut. He is ready. Jozef Hunter became one of my best friends I had ever had. He and I spent almost every day that we could together even if we had absolutely nothing to do. We had one of the tightest bonds.

This was the day, the day we both new was coming. We both never really thought that the time would come, and it would be the time to say three words, “Goodbye for Now.” The sky was full of sunshine and it was happy but as the day went on it became cooler and it started to rain. We had spent almost the whole day together until we had to say those three words to each other. As we stepped outside it started to rain. We had one last dance in the rain. His house was in a cul-de-sac where there was a dead end. We had the whole street to ourselves to have one last dance. We danced until the time came that we had to tell each other those three simple words. Saying those words was the hardest thing to say at that time. I felt like I had to ring those words out, I did not want those words to happen; I did not want to say goodbye.

I slowly drove away in tears, the old beater car’s windshield fogged up as I drove home.  The 25 minute drive had seemed like forever. As I pulled up to my house, my mom, the one who pulled me together, wrapped me up and we just sat and cried and sat and cried. I felt like it was the hardest thing I had to do. He was my best friend and I came to know that I love him.

“Goodbye for now.” is the hardest thing I have ever had to say to someone. I have nine months and thirty days left tell I get to say two words to him, “Welcome home.”

The Road

My dad is in the front driving intently, without having slept in a couple of days, and my oldest sister is in a deep sleep towards the front of our 15 seat van. The contrasting image blares at me from my past. The road trips with the family are some of the most amusing times I have ever experienced while traveling in cars. Dad sits in the front with his headphones on to block out all the noise from my siblings and I. We travel to visit when the sun goes down and the stars come up. As the road goes on my dad keeps trudging forward like a captain of an army. He does not stop and does not turn back. The car is starting to smell like everyone’s body odor and my brothers disgusting toots and feet. Going through state to state to reach the destination by morning, my dad is focused to get there before we all wake up and become needy like newborn puppies and there mom. 

Michelle my oldest sister sitting close to him is deep in her sleep and starts to sleep talk occasionally. She abruptly sits up and yells “Dad Dad Dad Dad Dad Dad Dad” constantly until my dad cuts through his focus and pulls over to the curb asking Michelle, “ What do you need?”. The family’s attention is drawn to the front seats wondering why Michelle is screaming, and why we are pulled over. Michelle wakes up from her deep sleep and also wonders why the van stopped. You can almost hear my dad’s eyes rolling over as he turned back onto the highway like a loyal captain to his army. We all go back to sleep now that it is around the middle of the night and my courageous dad keeps driving. He drove us a few more miles until we all here “Dad Dad Dad Dad Dad Dad” once more coming from my older sister. That was the start to one of my family’s extensive road trips. More rolled eyes, more miles, more snoring, and lots of good times on the road.

What to Do.

1.    An Inner Struggle.

This hotel was not any hotel, there was a huge convention going on. The first floor was covered with animal skins and hundreds of people everywhere. I was with my teammates for our state soccer competition. My family was back home and I was completely alone. One of the older teammates of mine let me know, “I could do anything and no one would even know.” She was one of the girls that was the star of the game. I felt like I could call her my sister we were so close. She looked after me in each decision I made. As the convention went on and as our state competition went on, the team was doing so well that we made it into the finals. One of the four days we were there, we did not have to compete against any teams or play in any games. We were waiting for the final competitions. The coach at that time told us, “It was our time to rest and recover.” My coach went to her room and was occupied the whole day with the TV going on. Another dearest friend that I am close to was with me during this exciting “resting” time. We were called us twins even though she was a different race. We played the positions of center midfield and right midfield.  The older teammate I was also close to reminded us one last time that, “I could do anything and no one would even know.” The other teams were settled at this same hotel but they were of the opposite gender. They were planning a large party and made sure to let my teammates and I know. I felt like I was obligated to go because my teammates would all be there. As I contemplated more and more my sister of a friend and I decided that we would not go. Instead we had a blast together being the elevator operators at the massive hotel we stayed at for our state competition.

2.    Scripture, Personal and Powerful.

I was preparing for this exciting state tournament all year and could not wait. My last class to go to before I left was my religion class, Seminary. During the class we read a verse in 2 Nephi chapter 2, I had really pondered this verse and enjoyed the simplicity reminding me, “And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.” After this experience at state I was lucky to remember this scripture. I saw that the next day none of my teammates that had gone to the party were doing well, and they all were sick or had “hang overs”. I noticed that in that verse it said “For he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.” Just as my other teammates wanted me to join them, I felt grateful to have contemplated and to have re-evaluated their question to turn down the invitation. Although I did not participate in the activities with that crowd that night or the “fun” as they called it, I was lucky to form a greater bond with my incredible friend. Most especially, I was at peace knowing that in the midst of the mist of darkness, I had found the path to follow that was the correct path. The peace that comes from a good choice far outweighs the momentary pleasure and is worth the cost. As an additional bonus, I noticed that I had not felt miserable the next day like they had, and I was able to play my best. We lost the game, but I won a great personal battle.

3.    A Wilderness Quest. 

Each year I go to the Wind River Mountains and enjoy every moment embracing the beauty of the world. It is a tradition to go on a long hike. One year as we were on our way back to our campground, I was the leader, and I realized that I had walked so fast that no one was behind me anymore. I was alone with my dog. I was frightened because I did not know the exact fork in the path to take. I kept trudging through the beautiful wilderness but got frightened because it had been longer then I thought it should have been. At that time I recalled that I could talk to God in a prayer. I felt silly at first but as I spoke, I noticed that I was no longer alone. I was no longer scared of finding my way back. I felt like Heavenly Father was helping me through this little struggle. I finally found the right path, and my dog and I were led straight back to camp. That very moment when I prayed out loud to God, I noticed that He was there, He was real, and He knows me and loves me. I was so thankful to get back to camp but expressed more gratitude as I became closer to my Father in Heaven

Raw Material for a Personal Essay

1. Physical Experience

(First day to the end of the first day)

The gym full of tired, exhausted sweaty smells, each face looks as if they are on the last straw and about to give up. There individual smiles are gone and the flush cheeks are the only lasting…(can’t think what word)…… there. The noise of the irritating instructor’s voice is introducing a migraine or massive head ache to the heads of each performer. The blue flooring grasping your attention to keep going yet your eyes begin to sink to the back of your heads and shut down from exhaustion.

(The middle)

The pleasant clean hotel room is intoxicated more and more as the sadness of my younger sister’s illness progressed. The room is dark with changes of the temperature to hot then cold continuously. The longer she is there the more the aura of the room feels sad, blue, and discouraging.  

(The end of camp)

My mom, frantically running in from a 4 hour drive to get to my intoxicated room, with Laura (sister) jailed in by the illness and the coaches keeping her (Laura) captive.

Laura (sister) not able to answer the door or get out of bed or hear is hopelessly waiting for someone to come for her rescue

Banging slashing at the door with one employee of the hotel coming as if it was superman coming around the corner to the rescue.

An ambulance rushing for her and my family was off without me.

Now I was the one stuck with the aura of the disheartening room and the disgust of my own coaches.

2. Scenes

Walls full of titles yet showing the ugly cream colored cinderblocks

4 gyms put together 4 large soft blue mats covered in sweat with the texture of some sort of scratchy carpet

A stage for the instructors as large as half a mat or 18 feet long for every teammate to see

Spaces in between the mats for coaches from all the teams to watch for progress

The entry way is the original basketball wooden floor with Gatorade chews and Gatorade for in between breaks

Gym filled with 8 large teams of 25 or larger with each girl competing to do her best in this camp for the summer

3. Speech

The instructor’s voice at this camp was sharp, quick and hard to keep up with. As he counts one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight constantly as he teaches with his sharp tone each move.

The coaches of the other teams in tune with each of their players coaching with vigorous and almost frightening voices to make them better.

My coaches in the corner are gossiping sounding like two little mice eating their own cheese.

The teammates all on the floor annoyed with each other commenting back and forth over there frustration.

4. Emotion in the moment

My team had made it to the camp each of us leaping for joy and excited as we get all checked in to the rooms.

We hit the giant gym and see that there are far better athletes there. Our great feelings rushed out and our real journey with the team began.

My coaches and I never had seen eye to eye yet I had become captain, the fear crept into me that my teammates and I thinking we could not do this. We walked slowly and glumly to the group of everyone getting ready to introduce us “the Wolves”.  Our emotion was gloomy thinking that we should go back and start the bus.

My coaches stay in the corner like cowards as if they acted they weren’t even part of the team.

My sister (Laura) letting me know every so often that she isn’t doing well and each time her reaction became less happy and more groggy. She was not doing well.

The emotion of the team seeing that she had to leave and go to our room to take a break frightened us. We did not think we had it in us to go through this camp.

Time went on and gossip over ruled leaving Laura feeling like an outcast of the group.

My attitude towards the other girls there changed to a sweet captain to their nightmare. I noticed that they said personal things and I did not let that happen.

I abruptly spoke with two girls that had started the gossip up after a scene with my mom had come and gone.

The coach with a disgusted face had me ride along in the extra car with her. The silence of each other made it feel more prevalent of how deeply we despised each other or that I had despised her.

5. People of Consequence

Coaches: uncaring of the team, each with their glitter shirts and hair sprayed hair perfectly done almost as if they were there to impress the opposite gender.

Teammates: not united, scared of what was to come, apathetic over each other

Laura: Happy, Ready to go, the star of the team, Best tumbler, sweetest one, the girl who kept the team together

Mom: Always ready, doesn’t always believe others, helps in any w

Elder David A. Bednar: Keeping Your Ears Tuned to Him

General Conference of October 2014 Conference Talk:  Come and See

General Conference of April 2005 Comparison: The Tender Mercies of The Lord

I was intrigued as Elder David A. Bednar began to walk up to the pulpit being one of the last speakers on Sunday afternoon for General Conference this October of 2014 to give his talk, Come and See (Oct. 2014) anticipating that he was preparing to address the members of the church. He proceeded to direct his talk to individuals not belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Mentally, I almost checked it off my list and thought about taking a nap during his talk because it was not addressed to me. Throughout Elder David A. Bednar’s talk however, he used great examples and scriptures, which kept my ears tuned to his words and made me increasingly curious of what he might be saying.

His October 2014 General Conference address reminded me of another one of his Conference addresses delivered during a Sunday evening session in General Conference, The Tender Mercies of The Lord (April 2005). He gave this address after his induction earlier, in October 2004, to the quorum of the Twelve Apostles. In the earlier years of his induction, Elder Bednar had experiences that he easily shared with the audience. In this  experience his favorite hymn was played right before he gave his address. These personal references, like his favorite hymn being played, makes the pathos more relevant in knowing that God is always putting tender mercies in your life because he knows and loves you. In the Sunday evening session of the October 2014 General Conference, Elder David A. Bednar employed  logos to help others outside of the Church of Latter Day Saints understand why those inside the church are the way they are. For example, Elder David A. Bednar revisited this in the October 2014 address, when he said, “When we invite you to attend church with us or to learn with the full-time missionaries, we are not trying to sell you a product. As members of the Church, we do not receive prizes or bonus points in a heavenly contest. We are not seeking simply to increase the numerical size of the Church. And most importantly, we are not attempting to coerce you to believe as we do. We are inviting you to hear the restored truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ so you can study, ponder, pray, and come to know for yourself if the things we are sharing with you are true.”(October 2014). Elder David A. Bednar shared who, what, why, and how the members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are the way they are. Just as the personal experiences in the earlier message he gave in 2005, his first talk as a twelfth Apostle, Elder David A. Bednar also related a story in the General Conference of October 2014 about his two sons. In the story, the older son was taking care of the younger brother in this year’s General Conference October 2014. He uses stories to help both the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and those who are not a member to understand the logic of his addresses and the understanding of his faith.

 Both talks have very similar style and form throughout his speeches and both use common, contemporary examples which help with logos. Elder David A. Bednar’s talks engage both nonmembers and members not only because he is speaking doctrinal truth but also effectively using logos, pathos, and ethos.

Elder David A. Bednar: Keeping Your Ears Tuned to Him

General Conference of April 2005 Comparison: The Tender Mercies of The Lord

General Conference of October 2014 Conference Talk:  Come and See

I was intrigued as Elder David A. Bednar began to walk up to the pulpit being one of the last speakers on Sunday afternoon for General Conference this October of 2014 to give his talk, Come and See (Oct. 2014) anticipating that he was preparing to address the members of the church. He proceeded to direct his talk to individuals not belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Mentally, I almost checked it off my list and thought about taking a nap during his talk because it was not addressed to me. Throughout Elder David A. Bednar’s talk however, he used great examples and scriptures, which kept my ears tuned to his words and made me increasingly curious of what he might be saying.

His October 2014 General Conference address reminded me of another one of his Conference addresses delivered during a Sunday evening session in General Conference, The Tender Mercies of The Lord (April 2005). He gave this address after his induction earlier, in October 2004, to the quorum of the Twelve Apostles. In the earlier years of his induction, Elder Bednar had experiences that he easily shared with the audience. In this  experience his favorite hymn was played right before he gave his address. These personal references, like his favorite hymn being played, makes the pathos more relevant in knowing that God is always putting tender mercies in your life because he knows and loves you. In the Sunday evening session of the October 2014 General Conference, Elder David A. Bednar employed  logos to help others outside of the Church of Latter Day Saints understand why those inside the church are the way they are. For example, Elder David A. Bednar revisited this in the October 2014 address, when he said, “When we invite you to attend church with us or to learn with the full-time missionaries, we are not trying to sell you a product. As members of the Church, we do not receive prizes or bonus points in a heavenly contest. We are not seeking simply to increase the numerical size of the Church. And most importantly, we are not attempting to coerce you to believe as we do. We are inviting you to hear the restored truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ so you can study, ponder, pray, and come to know for yourself if the things we are sharing with you are true.”(October 2014). Elder David A. Bednar shared who, what, why, and how the members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are the way they are. Just as the personal experiences in the earlier message he gave in 2005, his first talk as a twelfth Apostle, Elder David A. Bednar also related a story in the General Conference of October 2014 about his two sons. In the story, the older son was taking care of the younger brother in this year’s General Conference October 2014. He uses stories to help both the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and those who are not a member to understand the logic of his addresses and the understanding of his faith.

 Both talks have very similar style and form throughout his speeches and both use common, contemporary examples which help with logos. Elder David A. Bednar’s talks engage both nonmembers and members not only because he is speaking doctrinal truth but also effectively using logos, pathos, and ethos.

Alma knows Best

Section: Alma 1 through Alma 7

Alma judges a man of Nehor for what he has done (pp 249-250.)

Amalici became king over the Amalicites and commanded with a spoken work to “take up arms against their brethren” (pp 253.)

Alma prays to God to “spare him and that he may be an instrument in thy hands” and then he slew Amalici with his sword (pp 255.)

The rest of the army was afraid and scared. There was a dialogue between Nephi and God (pp 256-257.)

Pride overruled the church and Alma gave a sermon starting at Zarahemla (pp 260-262.)

Alma says in his testimony “that Jesus Christ shall come” (pp 264.)

During the sermon Alma says to those who persist in wickedness “shall be hewn down and cast into the fire except they repent” (pp 264.)

SECTION ANALYZED: Alma 5-7

Alma know personally what it is like to live a life in opposition to truth, and the ethos of his sermons and pleadings are for his people to understand truth, the Good Shepherd’s healing, and repentance which lead to exaltation. He wants to be a tool in the hands of the Master to save his people.

The audience changes as he travels and goes from city to city, but his continual theme is for his people to come to the Good Shepherd. In Alma 5:62 he says, “I speak by way of command unto you that belong to the church; and unto those who do not belong to the church I speak by way of invitation, saying: Come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye also may be partakers of the fruit of the tree of life.” He directs his voice to the people and clarifies the doctrine explaining what it means to come unto Him. He elucidates the doctrine using logos such as “awaken from a deep sleep,” while in the “midst of darkness,” so their souls could be “illuminated by the light” (Alma 5:7.) Then Alma bears his personal testimony, and lists the blessings of ‘awakening.’ Alma’s continual them is to come unto Christ as he pleads, “And now I say unto you that the good shepherd doth call after you” (Alma 5:60.)

Clear and Important

“Of Souls, Symbols and Sacraments,” was delivered by Jeffery R. Holland to Brigham Young University. He uses speech that is virtuous and lofty. He is clear, succinct and direct in the subject matter proposed. He delivered this talk with the power of the Holy Spirit, so his audience could be moved by the influence of God.

“That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord,” Apostle Paul states in 1 Corinthians 1:31. Apostle Paul warns the saints against worldly words and encourages glorifying the Lord. Jeffery R. Holland follows this theme and counsel in his devotional talk delivered to students at Brigham Young University. Just as Apostle Paul is concerned for the people of Corinth years ago, Apostle Jeffery R. Holland is reaching out to the people of this time at Brigham Young University. Each Apostle lends the audience to a higher level, a spiritual level of thinking with the vocabulary and word choices. The literary devices used pull the listeners from earthly thinking to an eternal view.

Jeffrey R. Holland was clear and to the point. He had done a quick introduction that had made me feel of more importance to him as he said, “Indeed, your growth and happiness and development in the life you are now living and in the life you will be living in the days and decades ahead are the central and most compelling motivation in my daily professional life.”  Then, he approached a subject that was sensitive using direct language that could not be misunderstood. As Elder George A. Smith encouraged, “…the first thing should be plainly and simply to communicate to them the first principles that we receive, in the best possible manner” (Preach My Gospel.)

As I read Jeffery R. Hollands talk I noticed how he taught with the power of the Spirit. He used other tools such as examples in the lives of others, scripture and testimonies, but weaved into the fabric of his subject was the Spirit testifying of the truth of his words. Neal A Maxwell quoted Joseph Smith conveying, “Thus Holy Scripture and the words of living prophets occupy a privileged position; they are the key to teaching by the Spirit.” Teaching by the Spirit was imperative as the subject matter was sensitive. I feel as though my soul has been converted once again with the influence of the Spirit.

Alma the Judge

1.  Form Analyzed:

I decided that I would look at Characters as I was reading through my section of the Book of Mormon. The knowledge of What the name was and why they mattered in this part of the Book of Mormon.

2.  Passage Analyzed:

My assigned section (Alma 1-7) has one of few characters mentioned throughout my section, but I am going to be focusing on the first few chapters.

 3.   Annotated Text:

4.  Breakdown / Listing of things found:

Multiple accounts of scenes including Alma, from why he is who he is to what he does.

·         King Mosiah dies (Alma 1:1)

·         Alma is reign over the people or is in the judgment seat now (Alma 1:2)

·         Alma judges a case by who and what happened and why(Alma 1:2-21)

·         Peace is restored then the next event comes into play. The fifth year of the reign of the judges (Alma 1:21-2:5)

·         Alma is the judge over the Nephite and Amalici goes to war with Alma(2:8-3:1)

 5. Interpretation:

Following through the plots and settings throughout the chapters of Alma I noticed that the character  Alma at the beginning was looked up to exceedingly over his great characteristics or quality that made him somebody or something recognizable through the readings I had done (Alma 1:2).I noticed that people would go against and fall away from him many times during the reading(Alma 1:7-23 and Alma 2-3). Others were introduced and were told who they were and why they mattered (like the man who was prideful in Alma 1:5, Gideon Alma 1:7 orAmalici Alma 2:1-5). Each individual were noticed why they were there, who they were, and their own characteristics.

 6. Connections / Questions:

I wonder if in each different stories or plots the characters were so in depth recognized and announced to you? The different stories might be similar in the Book of Mormon I wonder if they go to the same length to introducing each character?