Because we homeschool, we are an independent lot. We recognize that the Lord has placed the stewardship of teaching into the hands of the parents. We not only recognize this but have embraced it at a level that would cause many parents of our generation to pale. We understand that other parents have delegated teaching to others, which is again within their stewardship to do...but delegating the task does not change the accountability of the parents..even if they don't know it. 

We recognize on one level or another that to delegate to the government is not the wisest action on behalf of our children. We also have taken the spiritual bull-by-the-horns and accepted responsibility to teach our children the Lord's gospel. Perhaps thinking that we are independent isn't a strong enough term. We are...Awakened and Empowered...and sometimes walk the edge of Defiant Pride. Because a child standing too close to the pit might be startled by a mother's scream and fall, a wise mother will call and coax gently...or quickly and quietly sneak up almost unseen and whisk the little one away from the danger. Heavenly Father often works just so. The little daily whisper of prayer and the saving hand of inspiration are the Awakened and Empowered parents greatest protection against Defiant Pride. 

We need to remember that He has placed our children into our homes and hearts. He has given us the stewardship and accountability over teaching them. And...we need to remember that they are His children before they are ours. In the very end, they will be our peers for eternity and they will remain his children first...forever. Today he has established certain programs for his children. Those programs are not eternal..they are certainly temporal. They might not exist tomorrow. They might not function the same in all areas. But where we are, and they are, they are HIS stewardship of administration and application. 

Seminary is such a program. So is Institute. So is Sunday School. So are several other programs. We must remember that these programs assist the family and the Lord has never intended them to replace the parents in teaching the children and yet, he doesn't give these programs only for the benefit of the unenlightened. In the Lord's programs the weak mix with the strong, those who know the gospel aid those who know less.

What happens to the active LDS youth who do not participate in the programs the Lord establishes for him in the manner approved for his location? They grow into men and women, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers who are colored by that choice...somehow. Is it the same for the inactive? For the convert? For those who didn't have such programs available? No...the Lord knows the difference between those who had not and those who obeyed not. Is that a hard concept...that He might consider chosen absence from an inspired program as disobedience? That He might grieve over those who might have been influenced...even those years down the road who ask...why should I when you didn't? His programs are for His children and remind us that our family ties extend beyond our individual castles on the spiritual level. 

It is heartbreaking when they fail us because of leaders He has called.  However, He accepts His own stewardship in issuing that call and will surely help us overcome the heartbreak if we allow it. It is even more heartbreaking to discover that we have sent mixed messages to our children, messages that says we stand firm with the Lord and yet find it acceptable to stand apart from some of the Lord's ways. 

There is only one protection and that is the whispering of the Spirit. That gentle hand that grasps us before falling into an unrecognized danger. If He whispers, "Your child may skip this part," then He will back up his advise. When we know we follow the Lord when not participating just as we know we follow him when we do something as unusual as home schooling, the message our children get are clear...we are the Lord's first and we stand with him. In the absence of that inspiration, it is wise and consistent to participate in His programs. 

We are indeed an independent lot, full of joy and confidence and courage. Inspiration walks with us daily as we fulfill our greatest calling. I can think of no better way to shape lives and return into His presence exultant.

Dear Sister, 

I am Cherie's daughter, Chamrie. I hope you don't mind me writing you. I noticed your letter to my mom about Seminary.  I don't know if this will help you at all, but I would like to share some of my thoughts and experiences of Seminary if that is all right. 

I am almost 18, and will soon be graduating with 4 years of Seminary. I am on the Seminary Council here, and I absolutely love the Seminary program. 

As you probably know, I have been home schooled all my life. I have never done any kind of schooling with the public school. What we do is go directly to the Seminary, tell them we are home schooled and they enroll us and put us in the period that is best suited for our schedule. 

I have also been taught the Gospel since I was very little. But to me, the principle of Seminary is the same as going to church. How many times have you had those same lessons, and with the people who just don't know as much?  And yet, you go anyway, there are still things that can be learned. 

My main focus on the Seminary Council is to make sure that all the home schooling children in our area are introduced to Seminary. I also have been making sure that parents of homeschoolers know when they need to get their children ready for Seminary, because it can be so confusing to know exactly when your child is the right age, or in the right grade, and I would hate to think that someone is missing out because the just aren't aware. 

I absolutely love Seminary. Yes, I probably know more than most of the children in the class, but that doesn't change the fact that the spirit is there, and that there is more to learn. One of the greatest things about Seminary, is being in a class with a whole bunch of your peers who are all learning the same things, and you help each other as you go. You share your testimonies with each other, and the spirit witnesses to each individual what they need to know. 

The teachers are called and inspired. And I know that without a doubt. I also know with all my heart, that the Lord runs the Seminary program. If he didn't, I would never have been called to the Sem Council. He has set this program up for the youth. Not for the public schooled youth. But for youth everywhere. He wants them in Seminary just as much as he wants them in church, or at their youth activities. 

I can't begin to tell you how much I love this program, and how much it has helped me. I have learned so much, even things that I already knew, I learned to know over again, because the spirit is what teaches there. 

I would ask you to please, PLEASE, at least have your children try Seminary. Let them go to the Seminary Building to take it. They will meet wonderful children of their own ages who are good, they will be able to gain a deeper love for others as the interact with new people. They will be able to more fully understand that God is found everywhere. They will learn to love the scriptures in a way that isn't possible anywhere else. They will also have fun, play games, learn scripture mastery. They will be able to letter in Seminary and to be able to graduate from that program. And overall, they will have a wonderful experience, and hopefully, never regret taking it. 

The Seminary grade card is one of the best records they can receive. It is an eternal grade card, and it can be used to show good grades for reduced drivers insurance, and to get into college. 

Seminary is not for spiritually starved environments. It is for those who want to speak with angels, and feast upon the words of Christ. Regardless of the environment they may find themselves in. 

I am sorry for going on so long, and for letting my emotions run away with me. I hope I haven't said anything to offend you. If I did, I truly did not mean to do so. I hope you can feel of my spirit and testimony through these words. 

My love and thanks, 
Chamrie Logan