Bellwrite (we did this towards the end of class): What is the divine purpose of the American continent?
We continued our study of the Age of Exploration. Many students noted that they were impressed in the reading by the degree to which Columbus was spiritually guided during his first voyage of discovery. We considered that many scholars point out that Columbus appears to have committed a number of wrongs and atrocities following his first voyage: for example kidnapping 20 natives and taking them back to Spain. How can Columbus be the inspired hero and at the same time a villain? We discussed the need for historical cultural awareness in evaluating the actions of others--Columbus was part of a mindset in many ways foreign to our own. We also considered how difficult it is to accurately pass judgment on the perceived wrongs committed by others. We then read about how Columbus himself wrote about his own failings in the years between his first and fourth voyages (
http://rsc.byu.edu/archived/christopher-columbus-latter-day-saint-perspective/chapter-7-later-years-book-prophecies-and). We read about how on his fourth voyage he reports hearing a heavenly voice inviting him to repentance. Near the end of his life, Columbus felt compelled to study out the Bible to find passages that would testify of the mission he had fulfilled in discovering the "New World." Furthermore, we know that Columbus was one of the eminent men for whom Wilford Woodruff caused temple work to be performed, and that Columbus was one of only three who were ordained to be high priests.
Next we asked ourselves why it took Europeans so long to discover America and noted that it was as though a veil were covering the continent until the proper times were come. Columbus himself reported that the heavenly voice told him, "Of those barriers of the Ocean Sea, which were closed with such mighty chains, He [the Lord] hath given thee the keys." We considered that in addition to the keys of the priesthood which were restored to Joseph Smith, perhaps there are keys of discovery which are held in reserve until the Lord's timing for such discoveries and inventions to come forth. For example, the keys of computer technology seem to have been unlocked corresponding to the building of temples to dot the earth. Finally, we considered the bellwrite question. We looked at the millennial mission of the American continent (Article of Faith 10) and considered how the title "Continent of Fulfillment" is appropriate for the Americas. Likewise we considered the title "Continent of Development" as appropriate to Europe, particularly in describing the events we are currently studying in history: Renaissance, Reformation, Enlightenment, etc.
Homework: None!
Writing Portfolio
Students took a quiz on purposeful punctuation. Then I conferenced with some individuals on their formal business letters while students did the following poetry brainstorming exercise. We will continue working on this next Tuesday during Writing Portfolio.
Brainstorming for a Poem about Judas in da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”
1. Write down 20 specific details you notice in this painting.
2. What might you smell in this room? Taste? Hear? Feel (textures)?
3. Study Luke 22. What details stand out to you in Judas’ betrayal? Which words or phrases might you quote directly in a poem?
4. Write 3 metaphors about the money bag in Judas’ hand.
5. Where might you see a reproduction of this painting in our modern world?
6. If you could go back in time and talk to Judas, what are some of the things you might say to him?
7. Say something about Judas having his elbows on the table. List some of the rules for good etiquette at the dinner table.
8. Give Judas 5 different nicknames (or alternative names).
9. Imagine what Judas’ wife would say to him the day before the last supper.
10. Use the proper name of a place.
11. Make a nonhuman object say or do something human.
12. Modify a noun with an unlikely adjective.
13. Write in the future tense, such that part of the poem seems to be a prediction.
14. Use an image in such a way as to reverse its usual associative qualities.
15. Use synesthesia (mix up the senses).
16. Directly address an abstract concept (such as hope, fear, jealousy, rage, disappointment), as if it were a human and could respond.
17. What memory might stand out to Judas while sitting at this table?
18. What do the other people at the table say?
19. List all the emotions Judas might be experiencing. Use similes to try to describe them.
20. What songs best describe this moment?
21. List the different kinds of kisses a person experiences during life. Try to capture each with a concrete image.
