Summer Inspirements for Vision Day!

1. Ashlie had this great idea: "While I was at EFY I got a fantastic epiphany. Do you remember the scripture in D&C that you say was the inspiration behind Vanguard. I was reading it and thought that it would be a good exercise for each of the youth to read it and study it at the beginning of the year. I thought we could do word studies, come up with ways to study it and find a personal meaning so the spirit could really teach us."

So let's do that! 

First, watch this video: Focus on Education (Mormons)

Then read this:

D&C 88: 77 And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.

 78 Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;

 79 Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms—

 80 That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you.

Seek for wisdom!  Be inspired by this video that God WILL answer you.

Pray about the scripture passage, pick some words to do word studies on, do research about it, and write down what this scripture means to you or how it can help shape your studies for the year.  Be prepared to turn it in on Vision Day.
 
2. Read "The Mysterious Benedict Society" and look for examples of each of our monthly themes:
-humility: for instances, examples of characters who showed humility or the contrast of pride
-virtue: think of what it means to be virtuous and find examples of people who were...or weren't!
-stewardship:  who had stewardship over what?  Who claimed unrighteous stewardship or didn't treat their stewardship as they should have?  Who did?
-diligence: were there examples of diligence in this book, and what made them diligent?
- unity: find at least on example where unity played a positive role; look at the difference of goals between the unity of the Mysterious Benedict Society (MBS) and the uniformity demanded of those working for L.I.V.E.
-discipleship: for example, what advantages did the MBS get from following and trusting Mr. Benedict?  Look for different examples or situations where people demonstrated and benefitted from becoming "disciples" or followers of someone else and their beliefs. (Good and bad.)
-charity: Were there examples of charity in this book, charity being the pure love of Christ?  How about the opposite: selfishness, hate, pride.
Find at least one example of each of the themes and come prepared to share them.

3. Read or listen to this article on leadership recommended by our president, EJ Hatch: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1971/04/unchanging-principles-of-leadership?lang=eng&query=leadership

EJ recommended doing the following with the article: "Instead of Owen and Kay I would like to change the names to our own name, some questions to prayerfully consider,

--What does it mean to walk quietly, as in stocking feet; but walk fearlessly?

--What does 'Don't let the ill winds sway you mean'?

Take into consideration that whole paragraph with those sentences in there."

4. Be prepared to participate in an "animal personality study."  Keep an eye here for updates about what you can do to prepare!