Elder Stephen W. Owen (Oct. 17): "Repentance is Always Positive"

The Activity:

1.     Type up five or so quotes from this talk that impress you and that you feel would be meaningful and important to your class members.  Be sure to use a large font size.

2.     Tape these quotes spread out on the chalkboard.  Make sure there are multiple pieces of chalk.

3.     Invite the class members to join you at the board.

4.     Explain that this is an activity that is completely silent.

5.     Class members read and think about the quotes for a few moments.  You could do this before asking students to come to the board.

6.     Then, as impressed, class members write what the quote makes them think of.  This could be:

a.      Scriptures

b.     People

c.      Experiences

d.     Implications

e.     Applications

f.       Words of Church leaders—local and/or general

g.      Etc.

7.     Class members can also draw lines or other shapes to show relationships between items on the board.  For example, if one students links a scripture to a particular quote, another student might link a second scripture to the first and another students may draw a line from the first scripture to one of the other quotes.

8.     After some time, ask the class members to return to their seats.

9.     Ask them to write down what they felt and/or learned during this activity.

10. Discuss as appropriate.

Using the Activity:

This is a scary activity.  I mean that.  And I get it.  The first time I did an activity like this, I questioned (as a class member) how it would work.  It was really powerful.  Surprisingly, so.  Granted not all class members will find it powerful; some will be uncomfortable not sitting quietly in their chairs, trying to simply listen and avoid attention.  Still, once things are moving (and they will move) people can see the power in it. 

Another reason I like this activity is that it is a way for people to not have to actually say something.  Sometimes, in our minds we are reminded of a scripture or an experience, but trying to explain the entire connection can be daunting.  So, we don’t share.  Here, though, you cannot explain the connection.  It is simply against the rules.  So, you are free to jot down the scripture, free from pressure.  In a related vein, sometimes we are profited by trying to see things from another’s perspective.  This activity does that by omitting the explanations of connections.  So, when a class members connects a particular idea or piece of counsel to one of the quotes, other class members need to try and understand the connection.  That, in and of itself, can be a really powerful experience for our class members.

Please let me know, if you choose to use this activity in some way, shape, or form.  And, obviously, you will need to alter this rather dramatically for large classes.  I pray that it will be a benefit to you and your class members.