The Church Quizzing The Teens In Seminary: How Much Do They Know?

[cinepro]

Shortly after starting his sophomore year of seminary a few weeks ago, my son told me something interesting. Apparently his class was given a "quiz" to fill out, and his teacher said the results were going to "Salt Lake".

As reported by my son, the questions covered two things: doctrines, and the scriptures. For example, there were questions where they were given a bunch of words, and asked to pick the words they though related to the Plan of Salvation. They were given specific verses from the scriptures, and then asked what they thought different words meant in the context of those verses.

Has anyone else heard anything about this? I suspect the results of a wide survey about what the LDS teens actually know about the gospel would be fascinating (and, based on my experience teaching the youth, quite depressing).

Edited September 4, 2012 by cinepro

[Rivers]

Shortly after starting his sophomore year of seminary a few weeks ago, my son told me something interesting. Apparently his class was given a "quiz" to fill out, and his teacher said the results were going to "Salt Lake".

As reported by my son, the questions covered two things: doctrines, and the scriptures. For example, there were questions where they were given a bunch of words, and asked to pick the words they though related to the Plan of Salvation. They were given specific verses from the scriptures, and then asked what they thought different words meant in the context of those verses.

Has anyone else heard anything about this? I suspect the results of a wide survey about what the LDS teens actually know about the gospel would be fascinating (and, based on my experience teaching the youth, quite depressing).

I remember taking such a quiz when I was in seminary. I don't remember hearing about any results though.

[thesometimesaint]

My Grandnephew goes to Seminary. He has hasn't mentioned anything about it.

[RadioFreeDeath]

We have been receiving a quiz in Institute over the past year that only asked how many days each month we read the scriptures. We were told those results were sent to Salt Lake as well.

[Freedom]

There is a quiz, but it isn't going to salt lake, It is just for the teacher to have an idea of where the students are. They want to quiz 4 times/year.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

My Grandnephew goes to Seminary. He has hasn't mentioned anything about it.

All four of mine went for entire 4 years and I never heard of this...

[Freedom]

All four of mine went for entire 4 years and I never heard of this...

It is new this year.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

It is new this year.

I wish they had done so then...my youngest will return from his mission in 4 months...so I need not worry what goes on any more.

[Nevo]

The Basic Doctrines Assessment was created by the Seminaries and Institutes Office of Research in 2009. It was tested on a limited scale during the 2009-10 seminary year and is now being rolled out worldwide. Students fill out a scantron-type answer sheet that the teacher is asked to mail to the S&I Office of Research in Salt Lake. Teachers can then go online to access a customized report telling them which doctrines students in their class struggle to understand.

[Carborendum]

I for one thought that they should always be doing this. I had three different instructors in my four years. Each of them taught a variety of false doctrine.

[blackstrap]

They should do that for Gospel Doctrine class.

[KevinG]

Sis. Young? Why isn't Blood atonement an option for question 3?

[Tacenda]

I wonder if this new quiz has anything to do with former church historian Marlin K. Jensen saying there needs to be a change in how church history is taught in Seminary. Maybe they are fielding it out to see what needs to be improved upon.

Edited September 5, 2012 by Tacenda

[KevinG]

From time to time the brethren have people undertake survey work to see how various programs are progressing. One of my professors at BYU (now deceased) engaged in the study that was the source of the oft quoted "the strongest men in the church got their Eagle and went on Missions". There was another study that showed families who were strong in the church (as noted by Bishops) had family prayer and scripture reading in common.

It makes sense to put feelers out there about various programs. Doubly so with educational programs like Seminary.

[BCSpace]

From time to time the brethren have people undertake survey work to see how various programs are progressing

This is true. Our regional rep puts out quizzes all the time. They've been directed at singles (young and old), inactives, and married women. From them, we've generated successful programs such as the new singles ward format. The older singles have much been tougher to reach. From the married women, we want to know how their husbands are treating them and how the doctrine is being taught as it relates to their lives, what motivates them to be active, etc.

As I've said before, it's a women's Church. The way to a man, especially an inactive one, is through his woman.

I've recommended one for active temple worthy married men who are the only bread winner in the home. That is a vanishing breed and the ideal of the Church and we ought to know what makes them tick to see if we can raise more. No luck yet.

[mapman]

I took one of these when I was in seminary about 3 years ago.

[Tacenda]

This is true. Our regional rep puts out quizzes all the time. They've been directed at singles (young and old), inactives, and married women. From them, we've generated successful programs such as the new singles ward format. The older singles have much been tougher to reach. From the married women, we want to know how their husbands are treating them and how the doctrine is being taught as it relates to their lives, what motivates them to be active, etc.

As I've said before, it's a women's Church. The way to a man, especially an inactive one, is through his woman.

I've recommended one for active temple worthy married men who are the only bread winner in the home. That is a vanishing breed and the ideal of the Church and we ought to know what makes them tick to see if we can raise more. No luck yet.

This is starting to bug me, that the church want's to know everything about everyone. I thought it was to help seminary students get the knowledge they might be lacking in the scriptures or history etc. Not all these other groups too. They shouldn't try and run our lives so much, as adults even!

Edited September 6, 2012 by Tacenda

[ERayR]

Shortly after starting his sophomore year of seminary a few weeks ago, my son told me something interesting. Apparently his class was given a "quiz" to fill out, and his teacher said the results were going to "Salt Lake".

As reported by my son, the questions covered two things: doctrines, and the scriptures. For example, there were questions where they were given a bunch of words, and asked to pick the words they though related to the Plan of Salvation. They were given specific verses from the scriptures, and then asked what they thought different words meant in the context of those verses.

Has anyone else heard anything about this? I suspect the results of a wide survey about what the LDS teens actually know about the gospel would be fascinating (and, based on my experience teaching the youth, quite depressing).

Wouldn't be much of an educational program without the quizzes.

[rpn]

No one has to answer a survey. I give the church credit for seeking information about church members so they can include that analysis in their decision making process about what the church should spend it's money on, what works to further the Lord's goals and what doesn't, and what the church might be doing that is an obstacle to member's relationship with God. It may be odd for a church to make such inquiries. But it makes a lot more sense than relying only on the leaders with little other capability to get member feedback. It doesn't seem likely that the requirement to study it out in their own minds and THEN go to the Lord about the decision they think is consistent with His will can be done effectively without member input.

[Kerry A. Shirts]

Quizzes like this would be irrelevant if the Spirit was actually with the brethren and in the church doing its job... obviously it doesn't appear to be doing much teaching or bringing to remembrance much these days.

[Nevo]

Quizzes like this would be irrelevant if the Spirit was actually with the brethren and in the church doing its job... obviously it doesn't appear to be doing much teaching or bringing to remembrance much these days.

I don't follow, Kerry. How does quizzing the youth about their understanding of doctrine show that the Spirit is not "doing its job" in the Church?

[Kerry A. Shirts]

Why would the church, which proclaims that it is full of light and revelation, truth and righteousness, even need or desire to have quizzes about what the youth know? Obviously if the Spirit is teaching, the leaders would already KNOW what they KNOW now wouldn't they?

[Anijen]

Quizzes like this would be irrelevant if the Spirit was actually with the brethren and in the church doing its job... obviously it doesn't appear to be doing much teaching or bringing to remembrance much these days.

Kerry are you playing perhaps a BH Roberts a Devils advocate? It might just be me but it seems more of your posts seem to be less testimony and more questioning these days.

"Why would the church, which proclaims..."

"if the Spirit was actually with the brethren..."

What gives?

[Veles]

Why would the church, which proclaims that it is full of light and revelation, truth and righteousness, even need or desire to have quizzes about what the youth know? Obviously if the Spirit is teaching, the leaders would already KNOW what they KNOW now wouldn't they?

The Spirit teaches about doctrine... but a feedback about what members think about the gospel etc. is a very different thing... or not?

Edited September 10, 2012 by Veles

[volgadon]

Why would the church, which proclaims that it is full of light and revelation, truth and righteousness, even need or desire to have quizzes about what the youth know? Obviously if the Spirit is teaching, the leaders would already KNOW what they KNOW now wouldn't they?

So, you a priori rule out the possibility that the spirit inspired the brethren to querry the youth about what they know?