FRIENDS & TESTIMONIES - Black Acorn Shells

Tough as Black Acorn Shells

More than 40 years ago my wonderful mission president taught me an unforgettable lesson on friendship in the kingdom.  At our first Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) Zone conference, then President Hal R. Johnson started our first missionary interview this way:  “Look out there in that chapel.  Those brethren are probably the closest friends you have in the world, right? You’ve worked with many of them building the kingdom. Friends are important in the gospel. Remember your friendship with these great missionaries . Such friendships protect your testimony.” That impressed me. Then to help me remember he used an object lesson. “Consider the black acorn--it has the toughest, protective shell known to man. You could hammer it, try to crush it, anything to try and break it. Nothing works. That’s what friendships will do for you as you continue growing in the Kingdom.”  He was right. My best friends have always been fellow laborers in the kingdom.  By the way, President Johnson was later called to be President of the Sao Paulo Temple before he passed away.

Harvesting OBJECT LESSONS -General Conference

One family makes General Conference even more meaningful by encouraging listening and writing skills, harvesting object lessons used by the General Authorities.  (This technique gives a fun structure to each individual’s notes.  For family members,  special “rewards” and privileges are awarded in family home evening for each completed  3x5” cards.   Over the years these cards have become a great resource for church talks and missionary letters “fillers”.  Scripture study takes on a new dimension when family members are spotting and rewriting object lessons for the family “Object Lesson Collection.”

Sharing your TESTIMONY - Two Candles

Primary teacher Pam Lareaux told our class about a time when her grandmother had taken her into a darkened room, lit a candle, and showed Pam how she could light other candles once her own was lit. Then the older woman taught Pam the importance of being an example and sharing her testimony with others. The lesson was so powerful that Pam begged her grandmother to teach it to her again each time she visited.

Object Lessons That Motivate  by Jon Robert Howe,   Ensign Magazine, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Oct. 1997, Page 70

Vitamin TMB - The Evolution of Object Lessons

The concept of Teaching Moment Boosters was born in Holladay, Utah in 1996.  Rosie and I were just called to be the Ward Teacher Development Leaders.  We planned our first quarterly meeting and were inspired, I believe, to pass out little plastic file boxes with object lessons collected from our teachers and other quick teaching ideas arranged on 3x5”cards.  Jay Todd, then managing editor of the Ensign Magazine heard about the idea and encouraged an article which ran a year later.   (Object Lessons That Motivate  by Jon Robert Howe,  Ensign, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Oct. 1997, Page 70.) We developed an ongoing  fireside-style  TMB Meaningful Pursuit “Game”, an e-mail harvesting campaign, the Vitamin TMB blog, and publication of  family “game” cards-- and on I-Pad, I-Phones and Data base software.   

Layers of TESTIMONY

Deacons quorum adviser David Baugh shared a story about a raw egg that had been wrapped in several layers of egg cartons and tape. The teacher invited the class to bounce the bundle off the wall or drop it on the floor. Then the teacher took the package, pulled it apart, and showed the students the sheltered, unbroken egg inside. He taught the students that the gospel was designed to protect each of them in the same way—by helping them build layers of testimony as they kept the commandments.

Fragile Protected

Object Lessons That Motivate  by Jon Robert Howe,   Ensign Magazine, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Oct. 1997, Page 70

TEACHER DEVELOPMENT Twist

To help the teachers in our ward use object lessons more effectively, I called each of the teachers who would be attending teacher development meeting and asked them to recall the most memorable two or three object lessons that had stayed with them through the years. The responses were wonderful and sparked a deeper-than-usual interest in our upcoming meeting. From the responses, my wife, Rosie, and I listed nearly 30 object lessons on the chalkboard as we encouraged teachers to share their most memorable object lessons with the class.

Object Lessons That Motivate  by Jon Robert Howe,   Ensign Magazine, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Oct. 1997, Page 70

TITHING First - Apples

Relief Society teacher Eunice Black, remembered a speaker who set out 10 apples on the podium to represent his monthly income. He “paid” one apple for food, two apples for rent, and so on until only one apple remained—a tithing apple. Then he asked the bishop to come and stand next to him. He explained that he hoped the Lord would understand that he still had many bills to pay and that he could pay only part of his tithing this month. Then the speaker took a big bite out of the apple and handed the bishop the partially eaten fruit. It made a powerful impression on Sister Black, who determined to pay tithing first, then budget the remainder of her money.

Object Lessons That Motivate  by Jon Robert Howe,   Ensign Magazine, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Oct. 1997, Page 70

Who invented TEACHING MOMENT BOOSTERS?

Jon Robert Howe is first last, and always a seeker of truth who is happy to share--an educator experienced in multimedia ways to make learning memorable.  He has been in turns a newspaper photographer,  radio news broadcaster, professional Santa Claus, actor, video producer, musical playwright, graphic and Internet designer,   marketing executive and innovative blogger.  In his computer classes, Jon loves to teach hungry students the presentation computer techniques that he is always polishing and using.  He really enjoys leading church classes using his multimedia skills to not only keep his students awake--but more, to help make the lessons “stick” in the minds and hearts of his fellow students.

Lifesaving PURITY

My own favorite object lesson came from a bishop’s counselor in Laramie, Wyoming, who more than 50 years ago, passed a clean, new Lifesaver around a circle of hungry deacons and then offered the dirty and somewhat sticky piece of candy to anyone who wanted to eat it. This wise teacher challenged us to remember the lesson when we were old enough to begin dating. We needed to keep ourselves morally clean and to respect our dates. It was a powerful lesson on chastity I never forgot.

Delicious Reminder

Object Lessons That Motivate  by Jon Robert Howe,   Ensign Magazine, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Oct. 1997, Page 70

TMB* MEANINGFUL PURSUIT “Game”

As newly called Teacher Development Leaders in the Holladay, Utah First Ward in 1996, Rosie (my wife) and I developed a Sunday evening fireside “game” called TMB* Meaningful Pursuit.  (The popular game Trivial Pursuit was all the rage.) The evening was designed to promote fellowship among the teachers in our ward and build our collection of object lessons we soon came to call *Teaching Moment Boosters.  Invitations to the “party” challenged teachers to bring at least three 3x5” cards with favorite object lessons from their church experience.  The “game” was a free form sharing and edifying discussion as attendees shared their written TMBs and others that came to mind.   No points and everybody wins with testimony building and teaching technique sharing,  Refreshments, of course!  As hosts, we collected the cards and printed them for everyone who attended.  The cards also make great missionary letter fillers.

Missionaries need MORE Enthusiastic Creativity!

At this post, we have two nephews within the last thirty days of their missions to Tennessee and Brazil. Biittersweet emotions seep into our whole family's thoughts as we realize the BEST TWO YEARS are coming to a close for these two Wyoming faithfuls.

For me, I will miss the genuinely original notes from the field (my brothers share from their e-mails). Those precious notes seem to get shorter and shorter with more and more baptisms and golden investigators. The pictures have been wonderful. It's easy to see how mission leaders were inspired to call both these growing brethren into leadership.

One especially seems to have that rare combination of leadership: Zany and Responsible all rolled up in one great missionary package. The other is a tall basketball player with a big heart who knows when to go on exchanges (Splits) and cheer up a discouraged Elder with jokes and stories.

Reminds me of a story that Elder Ronald E. Poelman told in conference quite a few years ago now. He told a post mission episode that lives in his family history. His then high school age daughter and returned missionary son had an encounter that rates retelling here.

One Saturday morning Elder Poelman's daughter made 15 dozen chocolate chip cookes and set them out on racks to cool, adding a note before she went to ballet class. It read, "Touch these and Die" (aimed at her big brother who was due to return from basketball before she got back from class. Off she went.

An hour later, the RM came home with a ravenous post basketball hunger. He smelled the delicious cooling cookies before he even came in the back door. Then he read the note written especially to him.

Elder Poelman began to draw his missionary service conclusion.

"Our returned missionary son got that wicked gleam in his eye that so many twenty somethings do," Elder Poelman continued. "He gently scooped up all 15 dozen cookies and carefully laid them in shoe boxes and hid them in the hall closet--then he made 15 dozen of his own chocolate chip cookies and at just the right cooling moment, he took a big bite out of each one. Well, natrually, when our ballerina got home from her class, she hit the roof and Jack had a good laugh at her expense. All has been forgiven, but not forgotten."

"Why do I tell you this post mission story?" Elder Poelman concluded. "Our missionaries need more of that kind of creativity and good hearted sense of fun!"

Some say the transition returning to private life can be difficult for a missionary---but not for our two. They will continue being righteously zany and ever more big hearted. Their "chocolate chip" excursions will likely be reported in future posts. JWC

After all, we Teach the Old Testament

2010 is the year of the Old Testament in the cycle of LDS Church teaching. Back in the day, the Correlation Committee mandated that all four books of the LDS Standard Works would be taught in rotation: The Old Testament, the New Testament, The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine & Covenants (plus Church History and the slender Pearl of Great Price)

On a walk through the neighborhood the other day, I passed the home of David and Eunice, great friends and master teachers. Eunice was out weeding the front yard. As we talked, the conversation rolled around to this year's curriculum and she observed,

"Y'know, regardless of what we are teaching, we are always teaching the Old Testament." she taught me. " The New Testament is governed by the law of Moses. In the book of Mormon, Nephi's teachings are all based on Old Testament scriptures from the Brass Plates. Doctrine and Covenants scriptures are based on the ancient Hebrew laws and clarify and expand upon them."

Long winded and often lengthy and detailed, the Old Testament is the basis for virtually everything we teach in the kingdom. Understanding more about it's teaching can only give us a deeper understanding of the more modern scriptures. JWC

As you Teach -- Get'um up and Moving!

Touching and Inspiring the Mind of students in your care is somehow more easy--and always more effective if you involve some large muscles--the benefit is you have their undivided attention and in many cases a bonus -- they wake up!

In the military I learned a training staple called the Standing Break in Place. It goes like this:

"Well, we've been at it for a while now, I'd like to do something I learned during my time in the Army. It's called the Standing Break in Place. I'll do it with you. Let's raise our arms above our heads. Take a deep breath and stand up on our toes. Now open your mouth and do the silent scream! (When I open my mouth as if to scream--I've had some students actually scream--with the laughter that inevitably follows)

The remarkable thing is that stretching the muscles gets oxygen to the brain and wakes up the class. This works when things are beginning to come undone--and always produces results.

Big muscle "learning" worked again for me recently at an Eagle Court of Honor. The illustration above demonstrates the way we worked together to establish a living Eagle Trail. Read about it in the Grampa in Training (GiT) Blog.

Dance us the ultimate big muscle movement. I've taken a real interest in choreography since writing a musical and coordinating the music and other elements of the production. One of the best choreography I've seen recently is a home brew video taping of a wonderful broadway show starring the actress who gave life to Disney's Littlest Mermaid. Jodi Benson is the female lead in George Gershwin's CRAZY for YOU. I do wish I would have been able to show her wonderful dancing to the volunteer choreographers who did our show. If you'd like to take a look go to the CRAZY FOR YOU link below on Youtube and enjoy as many of the 15 ten minute episodes as you would like! Look for the wonderful choreography between Jodi Benson and
Harry Groener as they dance their committment to each other in Episode 3 and Episode 4

Finally, a little tribute to the late Alma Heaton, one of my great heros in the recreation department at BYU in the middle to late seventies. A dear friend gives me some credit for being able to create that magical anticipation (Like my Dad used to say, "Anticipation is more than half the fun!") Alma Heaton taught me everything I know about that.

Alma Heaton emerged in my consciousness as the guest "entertainer" at a stake high priest's steak fry in Provo when we were students-- and became a life long friend. One of his last callings was as a square dance missionary in India. Alma and his wife were called to teach western Square dancing on a cultural exchange program--and Alma in his wonderful way, would invite promising young New Delhi Indians to the trunk of their rental car and get a prized book of Mormon. He was the master of the big muscle movement. He richly deserved his title as Professor of Fun JWH

TMB 1 Memorial Paper Doll

This is the first of many Teaching Moment BOOSTERS to come on Youtube.

These are Object Lessons that help teach principles of the gospel. The Memorial Paper Doll is a technique to teach youngsters of any age about how the resurrection works using a hinged paper doll, a clear plastic spirit and a mystery tool that makes it all permanent.

I am indebted to then Bishop Gene Pratt for using it in a young father's funeral more than 40 years ago. I've used it several times since. It has become a concrete way of helping us to think about death and life afterward.  JRH

Some Advice for my Brother who will soon serve a Mission

Author: McKay Coppins

28 May 2010 12:15am
Guest Blog from the Mormon Blog of the Deseret News

Late Wednesday night, my wife and I pressed our ears against my cell phone and listened as my brother Chase read the familiar words, "Dear Elder Coppins, You are hereby called to serve…"

Opening a mission call is an exciting rite of passage in Mormon life, but it's important to remember that when it comes to missionary service, the kind of missionary you are is much more important than where you serve. With that in mind, I'd like to offer my brother — and everyone else who is about to enter the MTC — some advice.

(Oh, and since I know you're still wondering, Chase is going to the Argentina Resistencia Mission.)

When I was a missionary in the MTC (and later when I worked there) we often watched a recorded talk given by Elder David A. Bednar in which he described a pair of elders he had once invited into his home for breakfast. They goofed around with his young children, watched cartoons, overstayed their welcome and then, before leaving, asked Elder Bednar, "So, do you have any referrals for us?"

In his typical gentle-but-stern tone, he told the companionship, "Elders, I would never give you a referral."

The missionaries were, of course, taken aback, so Elder Bednar explained. He told them that the missionaries to whom he would trust his friends and acquaintances would not have wasted so much time playing around in his house. They would have been polite and kind, shared a brief spiritual thought with the family and left quickly so that they could get back to searching for new investigators.

His story, fortunately, has a happy ending. Weeks later, those same elders returned for a visit to the Bednar home and complied carefully with all of Elder Bednar's previous advice. When they asked at the end of their short visit whether he had anyone in mind for them to teach, he responded, "For missionaries like you, I have plenty of referrals."

The church has long stressed the importance of member missionary work, but it has been especially emphasized since the publication of "Preach My Gospel." The fact is, spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ is not only a job for the young men and women who wear black nametags — it's a job for every baptized Latter-day Saint. Many of us aren't living up to this commitment, and it's something we need to work on, but if you're about to embark on a proselyting mission, you can make it a little easier for us to leave our comfort zones.

Specifically, you can be the kind of missionary who makes members WANT to share the gospel. This means more than simply following the mission rules (though that's certainly part of it). Show us that you are dedicated to your work by not complaining about it. Bear your testimony often so that we can feel your faith and conviction. Demonstrate basic people skills by smiling and carrying on conversations with us.

A couple weeks ago, Annie and I invited the missionaries in our Harlem ward over for dinner along with a friend from BYU who is also completing an internship in New York. As the five of us sat around the tiny table in our cramped kitchen, I asked them about the work. They had been double-transferred into the area and were still learning their way around and trying to find investigators to teach. It was a difficult situation, full of obstacles to overcome — but you wouldn't know that by talking to them.

They spoke positively about the ward, the members, the area and the investigators they were teaching. They were kind to each other and seemed genuinely focused on the work. At the end of our visit, they asked — like all good missionaries do — if we had anyone for them to teach. We 'd only been in New York a few weeks at that point so they left empty-handed, but their faith and diligence inspired me to focus more on my baptismal commitment to "stand as a witness of God."

I have no doubt that my brother will be a fantastic missionary, like the vast majority of young men and women who are planning to join him in the field. My hope is that they make sure the members in their wards know it.

Teaching Moment Boosters - The Very Beginning

Thirteen years ago I decided to put all my early knowledge of the then fledgling Internet to work to share little nuggets, (object lessons, really) with young families to use in those teaching moments that come up in the formal Sunday scripture studies, Monday night Family Home Evenings, Sunday School Lessons or talks in church. I came to call them TMB, Vitamin TMB or Teaching Moment Boosters.

I knew that these TMBs would work well in the informal, close chats between parents and leaders with their children, grandchildren, scouts, students, young women.

As a result of a ward calling as a Teacher Trainer, I was very interested to provide little stories, sayings, analogies and parables that parents and other leaders could use to make principles memorable.

I had just published an article on object lessons in the October 1997 issue of the Ensign at the encouragement of my good friend Jay Todd. He was the Managing Editor of the LDS Church magazine for Adults and families.

Jay heard about my first meeting with as many teachers of the ward as would show up after the three hour block and we started focusing on these little gems. Without practicing priestcraft (making any profit on my church calling) I was anxious to gather more and more TMBs. Here's the article in it's entirety

Object Lessons That Motivate

“Object Lessons That Motivate,” by Jon R. Howe, Ensign, Oct. 1997, Page 70

To teach and inspire his listeners, the Savior often referred to familiar objects—objects like a lost coin, a lost sheep, and a pearl of great price. Teachers can similarly find good object lessons by (1) searching the scriptures, (2) choosing common objects readily available, (3) using creativity. Two cautions: keep the object lesson short and avoid making comparisons that do not work well.

To help the teachers in our ward use object lessons better, I called each of the teachers who would be attending teacher development meeting and asked them to recall the most memorable object lesson that had stayed with them through the years. The responses were wonderful and sparked a deeper-than-usual interest in our upcoming meeting. From the responses, my wife, Rosie, and I listed nearly 30 object lessons on the chalkboard and spent the rest of the time encouraging teachers to share their most memorable object lessons with the class.

One sister, Eunice Black, a Relief Society teacher, told of a speaker who set out 10 apples on the podium to represent his monthly income. He “paid” one apple for food, two apples for rent, and so on until only one apple remained—a tithing apple. Then he asked the bishop to come and stand next to him. He explained that he hoped the Lord would understand that he still had many bills to pay and that he could pay only part of his tithing this month. Then the speaker took a big bite out of the apple and handed the bishop the partially eaten fruit. It made a powerful impression on Sister Black, who determined to pay tithing first, then budget the remainder of her money.

Deacons quorum adviser David Baugh shared a story about a raw egg that had been wrapped in several layers of egg cartons and tape. The teacher invited the class to bounce the bundle off the wall or drop it on the floor. Then the teacher took the package, pulled it apart, and showed the students the sheltered, unbroken egg inside. He taught the students that the gospel was designed to protect each of them in the same way—by helping them build layers of testimony as they kept the commandments.

Primary teacher Pam Lareaux told our class about a time when her grandmother had taken her into a darkened room, lit a candle, and showed Pam how she could light other candles once her own was lit. Then the older woman taught Pam the importance of being an example and sharing her testimony with others. The lesson was so powerful that Pam begged her grandmother to teach it to her again each time she visited.

I shared my own favorite object lesson about a bishop’s counselor in Laramie, Wyoming, who nearly 40 years earlier had passed a clean, new Lifesaver around a circle of deacons and then offered the handled and somewhat sticky piece of candy to anyone who wanted to eat it. This wise teacher challenged us to remember the lesson when we were old enough to begin dating. We needed to keep ourselves morally clean and to respect our dates. It was a powerful lesson on chastity I never forgot.

At our teacher development meeting we discovered what it means to combine love and spiritual preparation with inspired object lessons that can motivate members to make good decisions and increase their understanding of important gospel teachings.—Jon R. Howe, Salt Lake City, Utah

Marketing Vitamin TMB

As a marketing professional and computer training instructor at New Horizons Computer Learning Center in Salt Lake City, I wanted to test the effectiveness of a no cost yet effective e-mail marketing campaign.

After submitting a preliminary draft manuscript, having it accepted and getting a check for $100 for publication rights I waited several months before the article finally appeared in the Random Sampler Section.