In response to a mother feeling overwhelmed by all the things the Church asks her to do

Hey Pres. Lewis -

Needing your guidance on something.  I have really been feeling overwhelmed with everything that I need to help the kids with.  They have school, homework, they are suppsoed to be reading every night for seminary and the come follow me curriculum,  and now the trek studying they need to do. I do know all of this is inspired to bring forth a stronger generation and to help these kids in the latter days but it just seems like so much. The kids dont even get home till between 5 and 7.  Then homework.  I dont really know why I am writing you except maybe you might have an idea of how do it all.  I wish that it was all on the same subject,  like the Book of Mormon,  NT, or OT.  Just so it was all the same and we could get all three done at once.  I dont know...any insight you might have would be super helpful!

Thank you,

(Name)

Hello, sweet Mother (Name)…

Thanks for reaching out. Yeah, it is a dilemma and I apologize for us adding to it. I wish I had an answer as to why Seminary is not in sync with SS, but it’s not and never has been…pity.

It’s time like this when there’s so much pulling…and frankly pushing…on families that it’s an excellent time for parents to show their children that when we’re overwhelmed it’s time to put first things first, i.e. prioritize. And the Lord comes first. And if we’ll put Him first, all other things will fall into place; we’ll find our homework goes smoother, our relationships are better, there’s more harmony in the home, etc.

So I recommend that you make family scripture study, family prayer and FHE as the highest priorities. You don’t have to make them long or spectacular. Consistency is more important than content.

If you can read scriptures in family scripture study that also supports their daily Seminary reading, that would be nice. I’d leave Come Follow Me for a Sunday afternoon FHE. Then, at your next FHE, take a few minutes to calendar which 5 Sundays or Mondays in the coming 5 months (i.e. once per month) that you’re going to focus on preparing for trek. Then forget about trek until the calendar says you need to focus on it.

I hope this helps. 

Teaching children that the Lord comes first, even before the family and schoolwork, will pay off for years to come as your children discover for themselves that they can rely on the Lord…that He can be trusted to help them in busy or especially tough times.

Thank you to you and Dave for the wonderful work you are doing as a family for the mighty sons you’re raising.

You’re in your prayers.

Crismon

Dividing adult Sunday School classes into smaller class sizes

8 January 2019

Bishops and Branch Presidents,

You likely noticed that your Adult Sunday school class (aka Gospel Doctrine class) last Sunday was packed! It was not unique to our stake. Based on a survey of my children, spread from coast to coast, it was a dynamic felt in most wards and branches.

The numbers are likely coming from: (1) elimination of other adult classes, such as Gospel Principles; (2) members, who thought 3 hours was too long, are now staying; and (3) third-hour teachers, who used to prepare their class in the hall or foyer during the 2nd hour, are also attending.

You may be wondering, where are you going to put everyone if this trend continues?

Hopefully it will continue and even grow. 

Please consider calling several teachers and dividing your Adult SS class into several small classes. You can create small classes by placing chairs in a small semi-circle in each corner of the cultural hall, if classrooms are needed. It will be a blessing as it gives more members an opportunity to learn and serve as teachers of the gospel and creates small, more manageable classroom sizes where everyone feels a need to participate and contribute to the discussion.

When I was called into the YSA Ward Bishopric several years ago, we divided the gospel doctrine class into four small classes and it was wonderful to see the YSA respond. For sure, it puts a lot of pressure on your SS presidency to make sure teachers are prepared and show up, but it was worth the extra effort. Each class was reduced to 12-15 students, much more manageable for a teacher and the students took ownership of the class as they recognized that their participation was needed and appreciated. It can be done!

We divided the classes by the first letter of the last name to discourage students from going into the class of a favorite teacher.

I hope this is helpful. Feel no obligation to implement this, but I hope you’ll see the value this can be in addressing our wonderful problem of so many attending the Adult Sunday school class.

President Lewis