First, thank you, BillCrandell for providing such in depth answers! :) I just want to add a bit to clarify the issue.

Originally Posted by: ssrbob1968
in the c schlegel lessons he shows Bm like this
x
3
4
4
2
x

...

Any given chord is built by playing the 1st, 3rd & 5th notes of it respective scale. Anywhere on the fretboard (or any instrument) you can find to play those 3 notes you have the chord.

The B minor chord is the 1st, 3rd & 5th of the B minor scale:
B (1st), D (minor 3rd), F# (5th)

So, I could have started with this:

E |--2-(F#)-------|
B |--3--(D)-------|
G |--4--(B)-------|
D |---------------|
A |---------------|
E |---------------|

All three necessary notes! But it doesn't really match the concept of the other minor chords introduced in GF2. Or this:

E |---------------|
B |--3--(D)-------|
G |--4--(B)-------|
D |--4--(F#)------|
A |---------------|
E |---------------|

But then we don't have the B on the bottom to make a good solid sounding B minor chord for beginners.

The reason I started with this particular shape in GF2 is that it closely matches the full A minor chord already introduced:

E |---------------|
B |--3--(D)-------|
G |--4--(B)-------|
D |--4--(F#)------|
A |--2--(B)-------|
E |---------------|

Also, the addition of another F# (5th) on the high E string only makes it harder for beginners to play. Further, it then becomes a barre chord. And I wanted to save that more advanced concept (and harder playing skill) for the end of GF2 in which we introduce barre chords.

E |--2--(F#)------|
B |--3--(D)-------|
G |--4--(B)-------|
D |--4--(F#)------|
A |--2--(B)-------|
E |---------------|

Make sense?

Best of success & have fun with the guitar!