The Book of Mormon has the power to transform lives, say Seminary and Institute teachers
Teaching gospel principles can be challenging when you hope for immediate results, but sometimes, the seeds you plant take time to grow, said Peter Meyers, adjunct faculty in the Faculty of Religious Education and a Seminary and Institute coordinator in Laie.
When a student finally allowed the principles into their heart, he said, “It’s incredible to see the transformation.” The Book of Mormon contains those principles that change and heal people, he added. “You can see a shift in how they talk, how they view the world and how they interact with others. They become more compassionate, more patient and more connected to God. It’s like watching a light turn on,” said Meyers.
In the long run, he said the most meaningful changes come when students build that relationship with Christ and let Him guide their lives. Meyers continued, “They start making choices that align with the gospel on their own, not just because their parents want them to or they’re supposed to.” Those moments make all the challenges of teaching worth it for seminary and institue teachers, said Meyers.
Christ’s power
Meyers said his favorite thing about teaching the Seminary and Institute is Christ’s power to change lives as it has changed him. At 19, Meyers said he was far from the church, having resentment toward both his father and religion. After a heated argument with his father, Meyers said his father asked him how he could walk away from the church when he’s never read the book it is founded on.
Determined to prove the Book of Mormon wrong, Meyers said he began reading it but initially found it boring. However, Meyers said when he reached 2 Nephi 4, or Nephi’s Psalm, he connected deeply with Nephi’s words. “I was in so much pain, I was so lost, and [Nephi] was describing how I felt,” said Meyers with a shaky voice.
After reading verses 19 and 20 that read “Nevertheless I know in whom I have trusted; my God has been my support,” Meyers felt if Nephi could find support through his faith, perhaps he could too. This experience led him to meet with his bishop and prepare for a full-time mission, Meyers added. “I have never stopped reading the Book of Mormon since then.”
Odgerel Ochirjav, a Seminary and Institute coordinator in Mongolia and a BYUH facilitator, said the Book of Mormon contains the fundamental principles that change people’s nature because it touches their hearts the most through the power of Christ. He continued principles like “Learn wisdom in thy youth; By small means, great things can be brought to pass; Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land,” change lives. When people learn and live these principles, Ochirjav said, they experience true conversion. "Once you read just one verse, your destiny will shift, even if only by an inch," he added.
The uniqueness of the Book of Mormon
Meyers said the Book of Mormon is not just for the ancient people but also for our time. Referencing the words of Mormon and Moroni, he said they saw our day and knew our doings. From thousands of years of history to choose from, Meyers said, “They compiled the best stories, the best people, both good and bad examples after looking to the future and what we’re dealing with” to help us navigate in the last days.
The Book of Mormon is different from other scriptures because it was translated by the power of God, Meyers explained. Although the Bible contains important doctrines and principles, he said some parts were lost during the translation process. Despite being a huge New Testament fan, Meyers said, “Some things in the way that the New Testament is put together are incomplete, “but it’s so nice to know [we] have a book that has very few flaws and is so powerful.”
Maurice Mo’o, the admissions manager and Seminary teacher for the Laie Hawaii North Stake, said he has enjoyed teaching early morning seminary this year because the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and the keystone of their religion. Mo’o added, "There is no other book that can bring you closer to God than the Book of Mormon, as Joseph Smith said."
Quality over quantity
To help students make their personal study of the Book of Mormon better, Ochirjav advised, “How much you read doesn’t matter, but how you read it does.” When using the “Come, Follow Me” manual, he recommended identifying the gospel principle first, reading the assigned chapter or verse and then asking, “How does this verse teach the principle, and how can I apply it to my life today? Then go do something.”
Oftentimes, people think reading the Book of Mormon is hard or complex, Ochirjav said, “but it is very simple. Just open it and start reading.”
Meyers said balancing a full-time schedule and finding time can be tough for students. However, he said if they dedicate whatever time they have and ask Heavenly Father to teach them during that time, the scriptures become powerful. Like how Jesus Christ did with the two fish and five loaves, Meyers said God will amplify our efforts and help us receive His guidance even with limited time.
Sometimes people rush their reading and scripture studies, said Mo’o. He advised students to start and end their scripture studies with prayer. “Then listen to what the spirit tells you and your feelings,” he added. Instead of a shopping list of requests, he said to focus on sincere prayers with the intent to learn, serve and grow before reading the book.
Early morning seminary in Mongolia
In November 2008, Ochirjav said Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission President Allen Dee Andersen asked him why early-morning Seminary classes weren’t held in Mongolia. Ochirjav responded, “President, this is Mongolia—cold, dark, dogs, and no public transportation.” A year later, when asked the same question, Ochirjav said he gave the same answer. Afterward, his friend Patrick Cheuk, a Church Educational System coordinator in Hong Kong advised him, “Odgerel, when your priesthood leader asks you to do something, you need to work on it.”
Later, while reading Doctrine and Covenants 85:8, the phrase “steady the ark” caught his attention, Ochirjav said. Concerned about losing the spirit, he said he met with other local church leaders and told them about introducing early morning Seminary to Mongolia. By September 2009, it launched with 205 students and reached 352 students by March 2010, despite Mongolia’s coldest winter in 30 years, he said. “Those early morning Seminary students are now leading the church in Mongolia,” he continued.