Heart Felt

So, for one of my classes (Diction for Singers) we had to write a paper about the learning model here at the University. Though my paper was probably slightly longer than the professor desired and lengthy to any reader who might read this blog, it was from my heart and I want to share it. Through it I found that writing a paper isn't so bad if you like what you are writing about, and this was something I enjoyed researching. It probably isn't the best written paper in the world, but it was from my heart.

The Learning Model Applied to Diction for Singers
Faith On Our Lord and Savior
The first principle of the Learning Model at BYU-I is exercising faith in Jesus Christ as a principle of action and power. So how do we exercise faith in Christ? We know that without works our faith is dead (James 2:17). In other words, our faith will profit us nothing if we only believe. We must also act. Joseph Smith had faith that his prayer would be answered, but he first had to go to the sacred grove and ask in faith. How did he ask in faith? He asked not which church was right, but which church ought he to join; meaning, he was willing to go beyond merely knowing to doing. From that single act sprouted forth this dispensation in the fullness of times.
“Thus Faith in Christ leads to righteous action, which increases our spiritual capacity and power.” I may have faith that I can do well in the class, Diction for Singers, but it will yield nothing if I do not righteously act. I must still go to class and do the assignments, and actively learn. Only then will my spiritual capacity and power be increased. And may I add my capacity to learn and retain information will be increased if this action is coupled with careful prayer?
“Yes, men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace.”
Indeed, if we truly look to Christ for our support, turning our lives to him (for we owe him everything), He can bless us in ways we can only imagine. That is what faith in him is. We must believe that as we put forth effort – do all we can – he will make up the difference. We will make it to the end of this course, as well as our course of mortality. We will be given power through the atonement of Christ, but also because we are agents unto ourselves (D&C 58:28). We should learn to act and not be acted upon.

Learners and Teachers Acting for Themselves
The next topic from the learning model is acting for ourselves and not being acted upon (2 Nephi 2:14). On this earth we are in a probationary state. Being given many opportunities, we choose our own fate. We may choose eternal life, or captivity (2 Nephi 2:27). Essentially we are blessed according to our desires whether it is good or evil (Alma 41:5). The same we can apply to this course. We will be given many assignments and we can choose to do them or we can choose not to do them. With our faith in Christ, we know that by doing them we will be able to grow and succeed, while not doing them will result in our own bondage.
Acting for ourselves and actively learning will allow us more freedom in the end. We will not be in captivity because we will be able to move foreword and progress. In a way we will be given even more opportunity and be given the privilege to choose what we become.

p.s.
I had actually put citations in the footnotes of the paper and bolded some things, but they did not appear in the blog :( Sad...
Anyway, like I said It wasn't the best writing I have done in the world, and Dad will probably scoff at some of my mistakes, but I know the spirit was with me while I wrote it and things worked out in the paper that I hadn't planned. It was more of a testimony builder to me than a grade, and that is just fine with me because that is mostly while I am living where I am. I know I am never alone because I have so much support from at home, and I am truly, truly grateful for that, but I must say, I appreciate my Father In Heaven being there for me more than anything in the world.