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Invite diligent learning
Encourage learners to share the truths they are learning
Illustrate
Explaining doctrine and principles, sharing insights and relevant experiences, and testifying of divine truth clarifies a person’s understanding of gospel doctrine and principles and improves their ability to teach the gospel to others. Each individual in your class is a rich source of testimony, insights, and experiences with living the gospel.
President J. Reuben Clark Jr. said:
“There is scarcely a youth that comes through your seminary or institute door who has not been the conscious beneficiary of spiritual blessings, or who has not seen the efficacy of prayer, or who has not witnessed the power of faith to heal the sick, or who has not beheld spiritual outpourings of which the world at large is today ignorant.”
(The Charted Course of the Church in Education, rev. ed. [1994], 9)
Students should be given the opportunity to share such experiences with the class. (You may need to help students understand that some experiences are too sacred or personal to share in a classroom setting [see Alma 12:9; D&C 63:64].)
When you believe what the Lord is saying about the youth through His chosen prophets, you can see every student as a living witness of Jesus Christ and His gospel. You can create opportunities for students to share that witness.
Understanding of scripture is increased when students and teachers explain the scriptures to each other. Preparing to clearly and simply tell what a passage of scripture or what a doctrine or principle means encourages teachers and students to ponder the verses, organize their thoughts, and invite the Holy Ghost to teach them. Both teachers and students should have the opportunity to share their insights and understanding as well as personal experiences they have had with a doctrine or principle. They can also relate experiences they have witnessed in the lives of others.
As students explain, share, and testify, they are often led by the Holy Ghost to a deeper testimony of the very things they are expressing. Through the power of the Holy Ghost, their words and expressions can also have a significant impact on the hearts and minds of their peers or others who are listening.
Quote from our Church leaders:
“A testimony is to be found in the bearing of it! … It is one thing to receive a witness from what you have read or what another has said; and that is a necessary beginning. It is quite another to have the Spirit confirm to you in your bosom that what you have testified is true. Can you not see that it will be supplied as you share it? As you give that which you have, there is a replacement, with increase!”
(President Boyd K. Packer, “The Candle of the Lord,” seminar for new mission presidents, June 25, 1982)
Invitation to act
Consider ways you could help your students explain a gospel doctrine or principle to other students in your class, or help them share their spiritual experiences, or share their testimonies so that they can develop their ability to discuss gospel beliefs with others. Then share your ideas and experiences with other teachers.
To practice your skills on this subject, you can do the following exercises:
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