Micro-Training # 21
Teach the doctrine
Teach from the scriptures and the words of latter-day prophets
Theme
How to teach the doctrine and principles of the Gospel in the Savior's way.
Illustrate
After the Savior’s death, two of His disciples were walking and talking with a mix of sadness and astonishment in their hearts. How could they make sense of what had just happened? Jesus of Nazareth, the man they trusted to be their Redeemer, had been dead for three days now. And then there were the reports that His tomb was empty, with angels declaring that He was alive! At this pivotal point in these disciples’ faith, a stranger joined their journey. He consoled them by “expound[ing] unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning [the Savior].” Eventually, the travelers realized that their teacher was Jesus Christ Himself and that He was indeed risen. How did they recognize Him? “Did not our heart burn within us,” they later reflected, “while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:27, 32).
At every opportunity, inspire those you teach to turn to the word of God for guidance, answers to questions, and support. If learners will “feast upon the words of Christ,” the doctrine they find there will “tell [them] all things what [they] should do” (2 Nephi 32:3).
The scriptures and the words of the prophets contain the doctrine and principles of the gospel that teachers and students should seek to understand, teach, and apply. To those who teach the gospel in the latter days, the Lord instructed, “Teach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fulness of the gospel” (D&C 42:12). The Lord also affirmed the importance of understanding and following the teachings of latter-day prophets. “Thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them. ...His word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth” (D&C 21:4–5).
When teachers and students love the word of God, learning is enhanced. A shared sense of purpose focuses efforts and gives direction to the classroom experience and invites the edifying influence of the Holy Ghost.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland reminded us that “Unless you feel passionately about something, you cannot possibly hope to make your students feel passionately about it. …Remember, a student is not a container to be filled. A student is a fire to be ignited” (see “Angels and Astonishment,” June 12, 2019). We must teach the gospel with conviction and “out of our own changed hearts” (see President Henry B. Eyring, “We Must Raise Our Sights,” August 14, 2001).
Here are two quotes from our Church leaders:
“[Our] lives can’t go forward on their prescribed courses without a foundation of scripture upon which to progress and build on.
“[Whether] it’s a class or a sacrament meeting, a stake conference or private study time, when we read or hear the scriptures, we are hearing the voice of God, and that is a special, sacred thing. That is a journey worth taking.
“God will be with you on your journey always. Just be sure to take Him and His word with you. Pray always to hear His voice in [the] scriptures.”
(Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Institute Journey: To Take or Be Taken?”, institute devotional, March 7, 2021)
“Your chief interest, your essential and all but sole duty, is to teach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ as that has been revealed in these latter days. You are to teach this gospel, using as your sources and authorities the standard works of the Church and the words of those whom God has called to lead His people in these last days. …
“You are not, whether high or low, to change the doctrine of the Church or to modify them as they are declared by and in the standard works of the Church and by those whose authority it is to declare the mind and will of the Lord to the Church.”
(President J. Reuben Clark Jr., The Charted Course of the Church in Education, rev. ed. [1994], 10)
Invitation to act
Ponder the following questions:
How have you been influenced by a teacher who used the scriptures to help you come to better know the Savior?
What might you do to rely more on the scriptures and words of prophets as you teach?
How can you help those you teach know and love God’s word?
Share your thoughts, experiences or questions with other teachers on your stake teacher's WhatsApp group.
