May 2009 Literacy Letter

May 2009 Literacy Letter

Relief Society was established by the Lord to organize,teach,and inspire His daughters to prepare for the blessings of eternal life. As we attended the Relief Society Open House a month ago, my heart was touched by Sister Beck sharing a scripture in 3 Nephi 17:7 in which the Savior told the Nephites to bring all of their sick and afflicted unto Him to be healed. Sister Beck then commented on how the Savior did not say to the Nephites, “Tell them, invite them,or send them, he said, “Bring them.” In Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 we are reminded to “Remember that the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.” One way in which we can bring sisters and families to Christ is through the teaching of His gospel.
When I was nine, the missionaries came to our home. As a result, my mother and I were baptized. The following summer I went to visit my father, who was not a member of the Church. I was so excited to share the gospel with him. I just knew that he would want to read the Book of Mormon and be baptized too. So I packed a Book of Mormon in my suitcase. As soon as we arrived and unpacked, I brought the Book of Mormon downstairs and informed my father and his wife that this was a true book and they needed to read it. At first they tried to politely decline. This had no effect on my zealous efforts. I kept placing the book in obvious places where they could not help but see it and then would remind them that they needed to read it probably the sooner the better. After a few days, I was told that they had absolutely no desire to read it and I should stop pestering them. Yet, I thought in my ten year old mind, they will. They just don’t know it. As I left to return home, I left the Book of Mormon on their bookshelf. It has been 30 years, and I am still waiting, but with a bit more patience and love. Since that time, I have learned a few things about sharing and teaching the gospel. President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “Effective teaching is the very essence of leadership in the Church. Eternal life will come only as men and women are taught with such effectiveness that they change and discipline their lives. They cannot be coerced into righteousness or into heaven.” (“How to be a Teacher When Your Role as a Leader Requires You to Teach,“ General Authority Priesthood Board Meeting, February 5, 1969.) I would like to share three things I learned from this childhood experience and other opportunities I have had to teach the gospel.
The first is love, I had a love of the gospel and I loved my parents and wanted them to enjoy the same blessings. However, I think my approach though well intentioned was carried out more like a drill sergeant rather than with faith, hope, and charity. I think it would have been much better to show my father how the gospel had changed my life and who I was becoming through my faith, prayers, love of the Lord, love of the scriptures, and my desire to do what was right. President Howard W. Hunter said, “A successful parent (I would like to suggest teacher) is one who has loved, one who has sacrificed, and one who has cared for, taught, and ministered to the needs of a child.” (or in our case, sisters and families). Ensign November 1983, p.65. The prophet, Joseph Smith taught, “Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.” Lesson 34 Joseph Smith Teachings. In the Teaching Guide, we are instructed to “love those we teach. During His life on earth, the Savior showed great love and understanding to every person. As we show love for those we teach, they become more aware of their eternal worth, more enthusiastic about learning, and more receptive to the Spirit.”
Second, is personal preparation. I had partaken of the missionary discussions, attended primary and Sunday School and had read from the scriptures. I knew many basic principles which I could share and teach my family. I know now that teaching by the Spirit and preparing to have that Spirit requires personal preparation. Feasting upon the scriptures, fasting and praying to invite the Spirit for ourselves and those we teach, temple worship, keeping the commandments, and worthiness, are all things that we should do as we prepare to teach. Sister Julie B. Beck has taught, “If we want to do the Lord’s work, then we must prepare the Lord’s way.“ We also do what we can to prepare those that we will teach. President Henry B. Eyring stated in the April 2009 Ensign, “The need to open eyes and hearts tells us how we must teach the doctrine. Doctrine gains its powers as the Holy Ghost confirms that it is true. We prepare those we teach, as best we can to receive the quiet promptings of the still, small voice. That takes at least some faith in Jesus Christ. It takes at least some humility, some willingness to surrender to the Savior’s will for us. The person you would help may have little of either, but you can urge that he or she desire to believe. More than that, you can take confidence from another of the powers of doctrine. Truth can prepare its own way. Simply hearing the words of doctrine can plant the seed of faith in the heart. And even a tiny seed of faith in Jesus Christ invites the Spirit.” As we prepare to teach, we should ask ourselves “What will my students do in class today and How will I help them discover what they need to know?” These two questions are relevant whether teaching a class, a loved one, a friend, or neighbor. Sister Virginia H. Pearce said, “It is the teacher’s responsibility to introduce the lesson and help lay the groundwork. The middle part belongs to the students where they participate and work toward understanding and application. Then the teacher must watch the time, because she owns the last few minutes of class. She has a responsibility to clarify and summarize the doctrine taught so that learners will not leave confused about the message. Then she can bear personal testimony of the principle under discussion.” (“The Ordinary Classroom A Powerful Place for Steady and Continued Growth, November 1999) Another part of personal preparation is that a well prepared teacher of the gospel will teach from the prescribed course material. Elder Dallin H. Oaks, teaches us that “Well-taught doctrines and principles have a more powerful influence on behavior than rules. When we teach gospel doctrine and principles, we can qualify for the witness and guidance of the Spirit to reinforce our teaching, and we enlist the faith of our students in seeking the guidance of that same Spirit in applying those teachings in their personal lives.” (November 1999) Elder Oaks, teaches that “Preparation is a prerequisite to teaching by the Spirit.” (March 1997, “Teaching and Learning by the Spirit”)
Third, is testify. President Gordon B. Hinckley counseled, “We must…get our teachers to speak out of their hearts rather than out of their books, to communicate their love for the Lord and this precious work, and somehow it will catch fire in the hearts of those we teach.” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p.619-20) In Alma 5:43 we are instructed to “speak out in the energy of soul.” Alma asked his congregation, “Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself?” He continues, “I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true….” (Alma 45; 48) President Harold B. Lee said, “The calling of the gospel teaching is one of the noblest in the world. The good teacher can make all the difference in inspiring boys and girls, and men and women to change their lives and fulfill their highest destiny. The importance of the teacher has been beautifully described by Daniel Webster when he said, “If we work upon marble, it will perish; if we work upon brass, time will efface it; but if we work upon immortal minds, if we imbue them with principles and the just fear of God and love of our fellowman, we engrave upon those tablets something that will brighten through all eternity.” (Teachings of Harold B. Lee, 1996, p. 461) Our Father in Heaven and Savior are mindful of each one of us. They know what we need and how to touch our individual hearts. As we love the Lord with all our heart, and love and pray for those whom we teach, prepare to do the Lord’s work the Lord’s way, and testify of the truths we have taught, “God will confirm to our hearts and to the hearts of our students the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” (Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, February 2007) I testify that I know the gospel is true and have learned for myself that these principles are true. We need never teach alone. Of this I testify. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Amy Lasater