More Details on Priesthood – RS Instruction 2018

I see nothing new here.

https://www.lds.org/church/news/2018-curriculum-announced-for-children-youth-and-adults” class=”bbcode_url”>https://www.lds.org/church/news/2018-curriculum-announced-for-children-youth-and-adults

I’ve got some good news and some bad news. First the bad news:

Next year Sunday School is starting the 4 year curriculum cycle over from the beginning. We’ll be using the same Old Testament manual… the same ones that people in the Old Testament stories used when they were in Sunday School.

We’ll be spending the 3rd hour talking about how to rescue everyone we ran off during the 2nd hour.

Next year Sunday School is starting the 4 year curriculum cycle over from the beginning. We’ll be using the same Old Testament manual… the same ones that people in the Old Testament stories used when they were in Sunday School.

And yet the same Church that thinks everyone needs a refresher on everything else every four years doesn’t think anyone ever needs a refresher on Gospel Principles. Why not just shove that into the rotation and make it a five year cycle at least?

I think the changes are a step in the right direction for PH/RS.

Here is more detail on it:

https://www.lds.org/manual/come-follow-me/frequently-asked-questions?lang=eng

For one, I’ve often wished the “business” of the quorum would get conducted in PH meeting. We have all heard the basic doctrine over and over again — we get it in Sacrament meeting, and then in SS, and if not there, when we are teaching a class in SS period. Why not dedicate the third hour to working toward quorum goals? We get to do this in one of the weeks. It says on LDS.org this

I like this quote:

A council meeting is not a lesson. Rather, it is a chance for each quorum, group, or Relief Society to seek revelation about the responsibilities, opportunities, and challenges they face in doing the work of the Lord. During council meetings, all are invited to contribute to the discussion led by a presidency member or group leader. These meetings should lead to action, as guided by the Spirit, including individual and group plans to do something outside of the meeting to accomplish the Lord’s work.

Possible topics for first-Sunday council meetings include how to improve communication with family members; increase unity in a quorum, group, or Relief Society; serve in the community; and mentor youth in the ward or branch. More suggestions will be included in the November 2017 general conference issues of the Liahona and Ensign. In Sunday meetings held later in the month, the quorum, group, or Relief Society will follow up on their impressions and actions.

One thing that always irked me was the “don’t do it in Sunday School” or “Don’t use Priesthood meeting” for quorum or other “quorum business” meetings. But that is when people are all there at once — you can have a face to face meeting at that time. So, it’s good that the first Sunday of the month is a kind of “work period”. Buried in the materials I read was that the leaders should follow-up on the action items decided, if any, in the first Sunday meeting. Either that, or come back with an action plan based on input at at another time. This is a great way to get people engaged in the work of the quorum, and the Ward. So often we would call people to be in leadership in the quorum, under the group leader or president, and it was hard to even get them at a meeting. At least you have them present once a month to conduct “business”.

Another thing I intended to quote at some point — it is from the 1998 new Curriculum announcement, but it applies and harmonizes with my angst about the quality of the Sunday experience.

Nourishing Members

Both Elder Oaks and Elder Holland see high-quality teaching as a way to retain new members and bring back old ones who are not currently enjoying all the blessings of the gospel.

Elder Oaks points out that converts come into the Church after intensive but basic gospel instruction by missionaries, during which they feel strong spiritual confirmations; in the ward or branch, they need to find doctrinal instruction that continues to touch their spirits. Less-active members desiring to come back must find teaching that reinforces their resolve with gospel substance.

“All members of the Church need to deepen their doctrinal understanding of the gospel and thereby strengthen their testimonies,” says Elder Holland. This cannot happen for new converts if they are left without strong reinforcement after only six brief missionary discussions, and it will not happen even for lifelong members if they do not continue to study and ponder gospel principles throughout their lives.

And finally, I hold teachers councils and it’s like pulling teeth to get the auxiliary and quorum leadership to come – – they don’t see their jobs as teachers, I don’t think. But here is what DHO, JRH said:

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland says it is hoped that the new curriculum will strengthen priesthood leaders and Relief Society presidencies in their roles as teachers and leaders. “We would like the quorum presidencies or group leaders and the Relief Society presidencies to see instruction as an extension of their leadership.”

The only leader who came to the teacher’s council last week was a HPGL who I bribed with a promise I would do 100% home teaching if he supported it with himself and his assistants, but only he came. So I guess that means I only have to do 1/3 (1 HPGL/3HPG leadership members) hometeaching this month? 😆 😆