check out some Ed Week "gems"

signs on the tables at the library on campus--check meowt

Ed Week was completely amazing, but I have to say, I don't think there were as many "one liners" this year as I usually seem to have to make it to my "gems" list. I have several lectures that I want to completely type up my notes--like the gospel teaching and the writing family histories classes, but brief recaps don't seem to work. Check out what I have for 2013 (my favorites are in bold type):

Family History:

2a-Search the US top 4 primary records in this order: census, vital, probate, land

2b- When scanning items use photoshop elements and use the de-screen filter option for newspapers, magazine photos, and photocopies to make for a better, smoother copy

2c- When scanning objects, put a white cloth over them to cover them

3a- The you tube channel has "The Google Genealogist" series by Devin Ashby, which, among other things, will teach you how to set up so you can get google notifications about content added for things you are searching for

3a- rootstech.org has video recaps for some of their seminars the past few years. Especially check out “Google Search and Beyond” in 2013 by Dave Barney 

17b- archive.org (not archive.com) has lots of digital out-of-print books available.     books.google.com also has many

19c- A to Zax: A Comprehensive Dictionary for Genealogists and Historians by Barbara Jean Evans

19d- U of U library searchable newspapers database: www.lib.utah.edu

31a- When you write a family history, put in not just what they did, but why they did it.

31c- Mark Twain said, “I notice that you use plain, simple language, short words and brief sentences. That is the way to write English - it is the modern way and the best way. Stick to it; don't let fluff and flowers and verbosity creep in. When you catch an adjective, kill it. No, I don't mean utterly, but kill most of them - then the rest will be valuable. They weaken when they are close together. They give strength when they are wide apart. An adjective habit, or a wordy, diffuse, flowery habit, once fastened upon a person, is as hard to get rid of as any other vice.”

Financial:

1a- personalfinance.byu.edu  has finance lessons including a videoed series (go to “tools and resources” tab and then click on “MoneyWise financial workshops” and then videos)

1d- Bro. Sudweeks advice to all his college students is to save 20% of their gross earnings once they are out of college

5a- Scott C. Marsh’s #1 book recommendation is The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko. They have a few things wrong, but most of it is right.

15b- A possible pension strategy to maximize the amount you get--think outside the box: If option 1 gets you $4,300 a month until the spouse dies and option 2 gets you $3,590 to last until both spouses are dead ($711 less)--take out a 20 year level life insurance policy out on the main spouse for $500 a month. You still have $211 more than you would have.

28a- You should only withdraw a maximum of 5% a year from your retirement fund in order to have it last as long as you’ll probably need it.

28d- It’s not timing the market but time in the market that counts.

Gardening:

12b- If you don’t want the hassle of a compost pile, just dig a hole in your garden and “plant” your kitchen vegetable scraps

12b- Plants should not go into the night with wet leaves. It will attract bugs and diseases.

12c- Homemade weed killer that will kill the tops but not roots: 1 quart vinegar + ¼ c salt + 1 t dish soap


Gospel Teaching:

13a- The barometer of whether a class was successful should be how edifying it was--was the Spirit there--and not if you got through all the lesson material.
13a- It is more important to prepare yourself spiritually than it is to prepare a lesson outline. (Preach My Gospel p 17: If we spent more time in personal preparation rather than lesson prep, we will be a far more effective teacher)

13a -He who sees me, sees the teaching. --Buddha

13b- Three keys to teaching:
1) understand the context and content of the scriptures and the inspired intent of the author
2)  identify and articulate the converting doctrines and principles
3) consider the relevance and application of those doctrines and principles

13d- Always model for youth when teaching--give them something they could cross-stitch or hang on the fridge.

13e- Don’t teach only the behavior, but teach the doctrine and the principles

26a- Thomas S. Monson said, “The calling of lecturer does not exist in the Church. A lecturer merely imparts knowledge. But a teacher invites class members to learn, in part by teaching one another. One sure way to transform a dull lecture into a lively, Spirit-filled lesson is by asking effective questions.”

Gospel Topics:

6a- We had faith in Him in the pre-mortal world--that He would do what He said He would do, the atonement. Now our faith is in that He did what He said He would do.

6c- As you wrestle with your righteous desires that aren’t being realized, please be patient. God knows your desires and the correct timing.

6d- The Holy Ghost is not always comfortable. Sweet peace of the Spirit comes after the obedience (which may not be comfortable).

Link to an article on Elder Russell M. Ballard’s Devotional talk on Tuesday August 20, 2013
http://www.lds.org/church/news/elder-ballard-speaks-about-the-role-of-women-at-education-week?lang=eng

8a- Elder Marvin J. Ballard’s final words: “Above all else Brethern, let us think straight!”

8b- Men and women are equal in the eyes of God and the church, but equal does not mean the same. We have the same importance and influence, but different responsibilities and divine gifts.

11d- To find Hebrew tools (and Greek) go to lib.byu.edu and in the center click on the arrow in the “choose a subject guide” and then choose “ancient studies.” In the tool bar, go to “Hebrew” and click on “biblical studies” from the drop down menu. Then click on the link for “biblios interlinear” and from there click on Hebrew (or Greek)/English Interlinear

14a- The whole point of the Gospel is to change us. We too often use our weaknesses to define us.

14b- God is not Santa Claus. We get what we need, not what we want.

14c- When talking about the bad conditions in Ethiopia, Elder Ballard said, “We ought to do what we can do. We can’t do everything. It’s too big; it’s beyond the membership of the Church. But we ought to do what we can do.”

14c- Who do we hope to become by doing the things we do--our rituals in daily life? What is my routine and does it really reflect my values?

14c- Our agency is best expressed through intentional living.

14d- What does your typical day look like? There is greater peace and clarity when our values and daily behavior are congruent.

14d- What is my divine errand? Life has greater meaning and purpose when we know.

14e- King Benjamin’s people were already good…but they still had a mighty change of heart.

14e- When we live with intention we are more aware of the spirit and more fully use the atonement.

22b- Elder Dallin H. Oaks in his talk “Our Strengths Can Become Our Downfall” said: The idea that our strengths can become our weaknesses could be understood to imply that we should have “moderation in all things.” But the Savior said that if we are “lukewarm,” he “will spue [us] out of [his] mouth” (Rev. 3:16). Moderation in all things is not a virtue, because it would seem to justify moderation in commitment. That is not moderation, but indifference. That kind of moderation runs counter to the divine commands to serve with all of our “heart, might, mind and strength” (D&C 4:2), to “seek … earnestly the riches of eternity” (D&C 68:31), and to be “valiant in the testimony of Jesus” (D&C 76:79). Moderation is not the answer.

How, then, do we prevent our strengths from becoming our downfall? The quality we must cultivate is humility. Humility is the great protector. Humility is the antidote against pride. Humility is the catalyst for all learning, especially spiritual things.

22e- When breaking your fast, you should first drink some water, then juice, and then have a simple soup. Many overeat after fasting.

23 c- hasteningthework.lds.org has a series of videos to help missionaries. Soon they will be adding videos to help members be better missionaries, too.

25c- When trying to decide which project to work on (in family history, in this case), decide what is “eating on your soul” and start there.

32c- The Jewish people believed that the Sabbath day was an intimate day with God…. It isn’t a lazy day; it’s a fine-tuning day.

Health:

30d- Be cautious with the internet. You’ll find what you want to hear.

30d- Deep breathing exercise for relaxation: breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 7, and slowly let out for 9.

Marriage:

18a- A marriage ritual is repeated, coordinated, and significant to both (ie probably not watching football together unless both are really into sports)--or it’s just a routine and will lack emotional significance. Often these rituals we had when we courted, end when we marry.

18b- An example of a ritual is a greeting rituals (ie do you go and find your spouse-or vice versa-whenever you get home?).

18b- Love begins with paying attention. Make time for personal talk (talk that’s not about the kids or the bills, etc).

18b- Marriage is the sun and the children are the planets, not the other way around. More for you means more for them.

18c-Levels of communication: 1) superficial (as in coordinating schedules)   2) personal (sharing ideas, beliefs, passions)   3) validation--rule #1 it must be specific and rule #2 you share who that makes you feel--engage in a talk ritual daily

Misc:

12a- In the pursuit of happiness, one should just stop and be happy.

24c- The more you learn, the less you forget. Reaching a “critical threshold” of mastery seems to confer an immunity against forgetting.

24c- “Practice makes perfect” is incorrect. “Practice makes permanent” is more like it, so make sure you are doing it correctly. “Perfect practice makes perfect.”

27b- Pres. Spencer W. Kimball said, “Your journal should contain your true self rather than a picture of you when you are “made up” for a public performance. There is a temptation to paint one’s virtues in rich color and whitewash the vices, but there is also the opposite pitfall of accentuating the negative. Personally I have little respect for anyone who delves into the ugly phases of the life he is portraying, whether it be his own or another’s. The truth should be told, but we should not emphasize the negative. Even a long life full of inspiring experiences can be brought to the dust by one ugly story. Why dwell on that one ugly truth about someone whose life has been largely circumspect?”

29d- Leslie Probert’s “easiest homemade bread recipe” demo on you tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3MGZYidDpc

Youth:

4a- Teach them the allowance the atonement makes--don’t be focused on “be thou perfect.”

4a- The atonement gives us peace while we continue to strive; it does not give us permission to sin.

4b- In the adolescent brain, the part in charge is not the reasoning part, but the emotions and impulses part.

4c- Do for them what Nephi did for himself--drag them out of the abyss by remembering the Savior.

4c- The first thing we need to teach over and over and over again is the abiding witness of God’s love, of, that in the process of time, they (we) are being sanctified by Christ.