Religion 121: The Book
of Mormon Independent Study Course
Instructor: Bro. Palmer
palmersj@ldschurch.org
719-447-5776
Brothers & Sisters,
Welcome to the Book of
Mormon independent study course! We will cover the Title Page of the Book of
Mormon through Alma 29. Here are the expectations:
- READ: Each student will read the text for the course
(Title Page-Alma 29) this semester.
- POST: Each student will post something from what they
have studied from the weekly readings on the blog site (this page:www.csiis@blogspot.com)
weekly. I would like you
to reference a passage or verse, explain the principle in the verse, share
why it is meaningful to you, and to testify the principle the verse teaches.
Failure to post weekly, beginning this week (Aug. 19) will be marked as an
incomplete for the week.
- Here is an example:
- "I read Alma 12 today.
The part that stood out to me were verses 34-37, where Alma warns four
different times against 'harden[ing] your heart.' I think the principle
here could be stated as follows: When I harden my heart, I lose the
blessings the Lord would otherwise provide for me, such as forgiveness
of my sins through the Atonement, and I cannot enter into the 'rest of
the Lord.' I think this is meaningful to me because I have some friends
who have gone less-active in the Church, and are even thinking of
leaving the Church. I love them and want what's best for them. I hope
that I can help them. If I choose to be humble, I know the Lord will
help my heart to remain soft and perhaps He will give me the words to
say or the things to do to help my friends come back to the Church and
to all the blessings it provides."
- Also, be sure to kindly respond to other students’
posts.
- TESTS: There will be two online tests for the course, a
midterm and a final. No stress, they are both open book; however, you will
need to take and pass both tests with at least a 75% to pass the course. I
will send you a link with a username and password to take the exams two
weeks prior to their due dates. You will be able to take the exam over until
you get a passing score up until the exams are no longer available.
- Midterm: Due by midnight, October 14.
- Final: Due by midnight, December 9.
- PAPERS: Each student will complete three papers for the
course, as follows:
- Paper 1: Basic Doctrine Paper. Select a basic doctrine
from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and explore the
doctrine through the lens of the Book of Mormon. That is, use only the
Book of Mormon to explore one of the basic doctrines of the Church in
your paper. It is appropriate to insert your feelings, but please try to
approach the paper as if you were explaining the doctrine from the Book
of Mormon to a non-member friend. Select a basic doctrine from the following:
- Godhead
- Plan of Salvation
- Atonement of Jesus Christ,
- Dispensation, Apostasy &
Restoration
- Prophets & Revelation
- Priesthood & Priesthood
Keys
- Ordinances & Covenants
- Marriage & Family
- Commandments This paper is due September 30,
submitted to me via email.
- Paper 2: The Living Prophets Paper. To complete this
paper you will need to read and/or listen to General Conference from
October 5-6, 2013 and share five different ways the Book of Mormon was
used by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in
their talks to teach doctrines and principles. This paper is due October 30, submitted to me via email.
- Paper 3: Question Paper. Select a question on your
mind, almost any question will do. Search the Book of Mormon for the
answer to your question. Your paper should consist of 1. Your question
and 2. How the Book of Mormon answered your question. This paper is due Nov. 25,
submitted to me via email.
- Hokey, last minute papers are very easy to spot. If I
sense you did not actually care to do the assignment well, I will return
it to you and you can try again. Each paper should be 2-3 pages,
double-spaced.
Weekly Reading Schedules (online
posts should come from these readings)
Week 1: Aug. 18-24, Title Page-1
Nephi 5, Weekly Post Due NLT the 24th
Week 2: Aug. 25-31, 1 Nephi 6-15, Weekly Post Due NLT the 31th
Week 3: Sep. 8-14, 1 Nephi 16-22, Weekly Post Due NLT the 14th
Week 4: Sep. 15-21, 2 Nephi 1-16, Weekly Post Due NLT the 21st
Week 5: Sep. 22-28, 2 Nephi 17-27
Week 6: Sep. 29-Oct. 5, 2 Nephi
28-33, Paper One due Sep. 30, Weekly
Post Due NLT the 5th
Week 7: Oct. 6-12, Jacob 1-7, Midterm closes Oct. 14.
Week 8: Oct. 20-26, Enos-Words of
Mormon, Weekly Post Due NLT the 26th
Week 9: Oct. 27-Nov. 2, Mosiah 1-8, Paper Two due Oct. 30
Week 10: Nov. 3-9, Mosiah 9-29, Weekly Post Due NLT the 9th
Week 11: Nov. 17-23, Alma 1-7, Paper Three due, Nov. 25
Week 12: Dec. 1-7, Alma 8-16
Week 13: Dec. 8-14, Alma 17-29, Final closes Dec. 9
Seems like a lot, but it really is
not. Stay on top of your readings and assignments and you will be just fine!
Contact me should you have any questions.
