Pleasant View - Seminary students at Weber High are taking seriously the meaning of the Christmas season. How, you ask? By going through the journey entitled, “16 Days Closer to Christ.” Brother Jason Brown, principal of Weber High Seminary, shared how this idea came to be: “Our Seminary Council looked at what can we do as an entire seminary during December to give back to the Savior for what he’s given to us? So, they came up with this idea of an activity a day starting December 1st for sixteen days where we could focus on something or somebody, and if each of the kids could do this through the month of December until we go on Christmas break that somehow it might bring them closer to Christ this Christmas season.”
Some of the 16 activities include: Say your morning prayers, memorize scripture mastery, take a trip to the temple, share a spiritual message on social media, and fast with a purpose. Nathan Staker, a student at Weber High, expressed that his favorite activity was day 1—say your morning and nightly prayers. “I liked that one because it was the first day just starting things off …something that you can try to make into a habit that can help us.”
A few activities take more time and preparation while others are simple and easily able to implement into daily life. Seminary Council member, Joy Henderson, said, “I definitely think (Living the 16 Days Closer to Christ) can become a habit because when you consciously do one good thing a day it boosts your mood and you’ll want to continue with that and keep doing good things.”
If you visit the Weber High Seminary building, you can’t help but notice a paper chain in colorful red and green which serves as a visual reminder each day that the students are drawing closer to Christ. Every activity completed is another addition to the chain as it drapes high along the walls of the building. President of the Seminary Council, Paul Huntsman, shared his thoughts about the paper chain saying, “We’re trying to have it be a little bit more measurable, with having chains, and, really, the purpose is to bring others closer to Christ through doing things that are good—that build others.”
Testimonies are strengthened and friendships become more meaningful as the students focus on the Savior through this special experience during the holiday season. Tori Tilley, Seminary Council secretary, mentioned how her testimony has grown. “Each day we have a different activity and I try to focus on that activity to help me be thinking of Christ throughout that day.”
After going to secular classes, it’s refreshing to come to the seminary building where you can enjoy the company of good friends and teachers who share the same standards and strive to buoy you up. When I asked Karina Johnson why she enjoys seminary her response was, “I like going to see my friends and I like learning new things about the gospel that I didn’t know before.” And regarding the 16 Days Closer to Christ, “It’s helped me realize that we can do more things every day to be closer to Christ.”
Leading the way, as great examples, are these young people and many more at Weber High’s Seminary who are teaching us how to increase our faith, our testimonies, and our love of the Savior Jesus Christ through the Christmas season. This selfless service is creating lasting impressions on their testimonies. They are a force for good in this world today. Take the time to ponder what you may consider doing to draw closer to the Savior. Sixteen days is only a start!
