Battle of the Books of Mormon, an Evening of Learning and Friendly Competition
A popular and competitive game amongst students in the Birdville Independent School District called “Battle of the Books,” is designed to put students’ comprehensive reading skills to the test in a fun way. Two local missionaries, Sister Pella and Sister Locke, plus Carrie Growald of the Watauga Ward (congregation) put their heads together and to plan and host a very similar event using The Book of Mormon, another scripture and testament of Christ. They called it the “Battle of the Books of Mormon.” The game took place Saturday night, May 21st.
Hurst Stake Youth, missionaries, and adult leaders taking their seats before the battle begins.
Sister Pela and Sister Locke, missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Evening of the Event
A careful observer describes the activity:
In the gym of the Hurst Stake Center there are several long tables set up in rows. Chairs are sitting on one side of each and face a large projector screen at the front. Face up on the tables, sheets of paper are laid out, each one has a different book name from the Book of Mormon printed on the front. (The Book of Mormon is a compilation of several smaller books like the Bible.)
Tylie Duke, a youth from the Hurst ward (congregation) who has participated in the game many times through her school years, excitedly describes game play to me while her friends listen in:
Tylie Duke of the Hurst Ward
“You have your team made up of about 5 people who have all read the same books. Then you’ll have a person that will sit in front of the team who will hold up the team’s answer to a question. (Usually called a Librarian but for tonight’s game they’re called Chief Judges.) If your answer doesn’t match the correct answer, you can challenge it—if you think you have a good reason. There will be judges to decide if you get to keep your point from a challenge. And the winners at the end with the most points usually get a prize.”
In this case, each person on the winning team will receive a Braum’s gift card.
The Battle Commences
Once teams have formed, missionaries, adults and Chief Judges have been assigned to teams, the rules are laid down. Then, Sister Pella starts game play with a practice question: In which book does it start with “having been born of goodly parents?”
The room flutters with whispers as players consult with one another. “Oh, I know that one!” someone exclaims. After 30 seconds Sister Pella calls out for the first time of many, “Time is up. Chief Judge, show your answer!” Every team gets this one right. Now the real play begins.
Players get louder and louder as they discuss each new question. Adults and missionaries who are assisting at each table can’t resist giving clues through a raised eyebrow or a not so subtle cough. Some questions are easy and a few have more than one answer, allowing teams to use their pink challenge card such as, “In which book are there multiple authors for one chapter?”
Other questions are so difficult almost everyone is thrown off and a combined groan erupts from the crowd when the correct answer is revealed. Someone says loudly, “I need to go back to seminary!” Carrie Growald, who is the emcee of the game, strolls around the room while players are discussing a particularly challenging question. “You can’t look it up,” she reminds them, “it has to be in your brain!”
She stands next to me during a pause in the game and we discuss different applications for this kind of activity. Growald notes it can easily be applied to just about any subject matter and anyone old or young can participate. “I think the missionaries should do it,” she says. It’s a playful way to flex one’s knowledge, but also to learn new things while socializing.
After all the slides have been spent, Growald announces, “That concludes our questions, let’s tally up!” Results show there’s a two-way tie, which is unplanned for. Sister Pella, Sister Locke and Growald huddle up and start searching the scriptures for a tie breaker question—after which the winning team is announced and everyone cheers.
After the Game
Frozen refreshments are handed out and youth begin discussing their experience. “A lot of answers I didn’t know,” one teen says. Another chimes in, “The missionaries didn’t even know some of them!” We discover one player contacted his mom for an answer but she wouldn’t give it to him. Everyone laughs. We all know we got a little schooled tonight.
I ask a group of girls if they would participate in a scripture game like this again–maybe even on a regional level. To which they exclaim, “Yes! And we would take our missionaries with us!”
Youth, their friends, missionaries and adult leaders enjoyed and learned much from the game “Battle of the Books of Mormon.” They recommend an activity like it to other large groups looking to have a good time…but be prepared!
Article and photos by Anonymous