Ever thought of doing a family home evening on seminary? Here’s a link to a free supplemental FHEasy lesson on seminary, meaning that this lesson is done in the format of the FHEasy lessons but wasn’t included in the book. Check it out! Highlights are below.

Seminary is a great place for teens to develop their knowledge and testimonies. Having a family home evening on the topic can open up some great discussion, even if your kids are still too young to attend seminary.

In my book FHEasy: A Year of Weekly Teachings and Daily Devotionals, all doctrinal mastery scriptures are marked with a little book icon so parents and kids can get familiar with them.

Here’s a link to a blog post I wrote about seminary a couple of years ago. It talks about the then-new shift to doctrinal mastery scriptures, three guiding principles, and a great quote by President Monson on seminary.

For more free FHE ideas, sign up to the blog. If you’re already signed up, share with your LDS friends and family!

Below are some highlights from the supplemental seminary FHE lesson:

Supplemental FHEasy Lesson
Seminary and Doctrinal Mastery Scriptures

Scripture

“This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)

Music from Children’s Songbook and Hymns

Scripture Power (Audio and downloadable sheet music at https://goo.gl/2Sh2Y4)
The Iron Rod (Hymns, 274)

Scripture Stories

Lehi tells his family about a dream he had in which he saw a beautiful tree with delicious fruit that makes people happy. A rod of iron led to the tree. Nephi later learns that the tree represents the love of God and the iron rod represents the Word of God. (See 1 Nephi 8 and 1 Nephi 11–12; use Gospel Art Picture #69)

Joseph Smith ponders on James 1:5 and determines to follow the scriptural advice and pray for the wisdom he needs to know which church to join. (See Joseph Smith—History 1:5–13; use Gospel Art Picture #89)

Church History

In 1912, Church leaders felt there was a need for LDS youth to have a daily religious class for youth to complement their learning in public schools. One of the seminary teachers in those early years was named John Whitaker. On the first day of seminary that year, he wrote: “Commenced a very important period of my life and one that will, I am sure affect the destiny of thousands of the youth of Zion, if the plans maturing in my mind blossom into fruition” (See L. Tom Perry, “Receive Truth,” Ensign, November 1997). Now seminary has been taught for over a hundred years and there are many resources to assist teens and teachers in their seminary classes and in their lives.

Adaptations for Younger Children

Quotes

“Take advantage of every opportunity to enlarge your understanding of the gospel. Make the effort to participate in seminary and institute programs.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Tithing: An Opportunity to Prove Our Faithfulness,” Ensign, May 1982, 42)

“Plan on completing the full four years of seminary. … I invite you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. And [when you] are enrolled, study diligently to learn the gospel. I promise you that the foundation you receive … will bless you throughout your lives.” (L. Tom Perry, “Receive Truth,” Ensign, November 1997)

Activity

Ask two people to volunteer for this activity. Have them stand on opposite sides of the room. Blindfold one and give the other person a picture of the Savior (Gospel Art #116 would be a good one here). Have the blindfolded person try to find the other person without any help. After a minute, guide him or her back to the starting place and ask a third person to help hold a rope or string with the person holding the picture. Then put the blindfolded person’s hand on the “iron rod” and have him or her follow it to the picture of Christ. Talk about how much help “the iron rod” was in “finding Christ”. Ask everyone how holding the rope is like reading the scriptures and following what they say. (See 1 Nephi 15:23–25.) Share a few examples from your life of how following the teachings in the scriptures taught in seminary, Church, family home evening, or your personal study has helped you come closer to the Savior. (Adapted from 2016 Outline for Sharing Time, “January: The Scripture are the Word of God”, 2–3)

Adaptations for Older Children and Teens

Quote

“I know the power that comes from associations in the seminary and institute programs. It has enriched my life, and I know it will do the same for you. It will put a shield of protection around you to keep you free from the temptations and trials of the world. There is a great blessing in having a knowledge of the gospel. And I know of no better place for the young people of the Church to gain a special knowledge of sacred things than in the institute and seminary programs of the Church.” (L. Tom Perry, “Receive Truth,” Ensign, November 1997)

Activity

Share positive seminary experiences. You can talk about scriptures that stood out to you, how the teacher taught the scripture mastery verses, memorable object lessons, or times the Spirit touched your heart during a song, lesson, or during your personal home study.

Play “Scripture Mastery Speed”. Sit in a circle and place a small object like a penny in the middle of everyone. One person picks a scripture mastery verse and starts to read it. As soon as you think you know what it is, look it up in your scriptures or electronic device. When you have the right verse, grab for the object. The first person who grabs the object tells everyone else the scripture reference and then reads the whole scripture. If your family isn’t very competitive, don’t use the penny. Just have everyone listen to the scripture and look it up. If you are just learning the scriptures, focus on the references from this FHEasy lesson or focus on a few from the book of scripture that the seminary students are studying this year.

Daily Scriptures: John 17:3, Abraham 3:22­–23, 3 Nephi 12:48, Mosiah 3:19, D&C 135:3, D&C 29:10–11, 1 Corinthians 15:40–42

HAPPY HOME EVENINGS!