Friday, February 17, 2012

Seminary Protection

Last weekend, our Mission President and his wife spoke to our youth at a mini youth conference camp out.
Sister Anderson gave the following thought about Seminary:
A typical morning for a Seminary Student:
Wake up
Personal Prayer
Family Prayer
Arrive at Seminary
Opening Hymn (a form of prayer)
Opening Prayer
Closing Prayer

This adds up to FOUR prayers and a hymn, making it FIVE prayers all before heading off to school
Even if Personal and Family prayer are not part of the morning, TWO prayers and a hymn are in place to fortify and protect youth as they go out in the world.
This perspective has been with me all week as I have pondered the intense issues that have been introduced to Katherine's life as a 9th grader. I am certain she is not unique as she is bombarded by the messages of the world.
Some of the subjects she hears regularly are:
Atheism, Chastity and sexual purity are not important-just don't get pregnant or catch a disease, Same Gender attraction and marriage as an option for all, word of wisdom as choice, not letting a Church or religion tell you what to do, suicide, family is not important, motherhood is not a worthy goal, and so much more.
Thankfully, we have open conversations about these subjects and I am able to counsel and guide her as she navigates these issues.
I am even more grateful to wake up at 5:15 am and drive Katherine to Seminary so she can have the protection she needs to survive in a world where evil is called good and good is called evil.
Early Morning Seminary is an inspired program. I truly believe lives are saved as a result of the strength a Seminary student receives each morning.

1 comment:

Jenni said...

This kids in the Bronx say they have seminary angels attending them because they have to rise so early and catch a bus when it is still dark - in not so safe areas - to get to seminary. I believe that...all kids have seminary angels to attend them.