Wow, only the Saturday afternoon session and this is the third talk about mothers! Must be a message in that.
Elder Perry said, "Please allow me to . . . share a few of the lessons I learned from my mother about teaching the gospel in the home." He then talked a bit about his mother and added, "Times are very different today, but while times may change, a parent's teaching must never be devalued. Many activities link the values of one generation to the next, but perhaps the most central of these activities is parents teaching children in the home."
I hope that Theresia and I have done an adequate job of teaching in the home. Even though we just have Calais and Taylor at home now, we are still trying to do a good job. I hope also that our children have learned the importance of what Elder Perry is talking about and will strive to teach their children well, in their homes.
Elder Perry counsels, "Parents must bring light and truth into their homes by one family prayer, one scripture study session, one family home evening, one book read aloud, one song, and one family meal at a time. [We do try to do those things.] They know the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily parenting is among the most powerful and sustaining forces for good in the world.
One thing that struck me about that section is the phrase "daily parenting." It really is a daily endeavor. You can't take a week off or a month off because you are really busy, or distracted. Parents need to do those things that Elder Perry suggests, every day. It is a constant effort. And worth it. Our children are examples of that. We worked at it. We were also blessed with special spirits for children. And it has worked very well so far.
The leaders of the Church spend a great deal of time thinking about how to improve teaching in the Church. Our teaching in the home prepares us to teach more effectively at church, and our teaching at church helps us to teach more effectively at home.
I think this is one area that can really use attention in the church (speaking locally), improved teaching and improve speaking (talk giving.)
There is no such thing as overpreparing to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, for gospel insights, whether or not they are used during class time, can always be taught in the home.
We see so many challenges today from distracting and destructive influences intended to mislead God's children. We are seeing many you people who lack the deep spiritual roots necessary to remain standing in faith as storms of unbelief and despair swirl around them. Too many of our Father in Heaven's children are being overcome by worldly desires. Teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in the home adds another layer of insulation to protect our children from worldly influences.
I noticed that this is yet another talk that mentions distractions. That last paragraph was very well put. It sums up a lot of thoughts I've been having lately.
Showing posts with label Teaching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Teaching. Show all posts
Elder Richard G. Scott: He Lives! All Glory to His Name!
The Sunday sessions of conference fell on Easter this year. This talk by Elder Scott was about the Resurrection and the Atonement.
This Easter, as you remember the Resurrection and the price paid and the gift given through the Atonement, ponder what the scriptures teach of those sacred events. Your personal witness of their reality will be strengthened.
Jesus Christ lives. He gave His life to break the bonds of death. His Atonement made fully active the plan of happiness of His Father in Heaven.
Elder Scott said that to understand the Atonement one needs to understand what was required of the Father and the Son: Three of the challenges the Savior faced were:
This Easter, as you remember the Resurrection and the price paid and the gift given through the Atonement, ponder what the scriptures teach of those sacred events. Your personal witness of their reality will be strengthened.
Jesus Christ lives. He gave His life to break the bonds of death. His Atonement made fully active the plan of happiness of His Father in Heaven.
Elder Scott said that to understand the Atonement one needs to understand what was required of the Father and the Son: Three of the challenges the Savior faced were:
- First, an enormous sense of responsibility, for He realized that except it be done perfectly, not one of His Father's children could return to Him.
- Second, in His absolutely pure mind and heart, He had to personally feel the consequences of all that mankind would ever encounter, even the most depraved, despicable sins.
- Third, He had to endure the vicious attack of Satan's hordes while physically and emotionally pressed to the limit.
As the world becomes more devoid of foundational standards and as honor, virtue, and purity are increasingly cast aside in the pursuit of appetite, our understanding of and faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ will provide strength and capacity needed for a successful life. It will also bring confidence in times of trial and peace in moments of turmoil.
I energetically encourage you to establish a personal study plan to better understand and appreciate the incomparable, eternal, infinite consequences of Jesus Christ's perfect fulfillment of His divinely appointed calling as our Savior and Redeemer. Profound personal pondering of the scriptures accompanied by searching, heartfelt prayer will fortify your understanding of and appreciation for His priceless Atonement. Another powerful way to learn of Jesus Christ and His Atonement is through consistent temple attendance.
Use the Church as a righteous tool to strengthen the home, but recognize that as parents we have the fundamental responsibility and privilege to be guided by the Lord in the upbringing of the spirit children He has entrusted to our care.
As you ponder - not just read but ponder and meditate - on scriptural passages, the power of the Holy Ghost will distill truths in your mind and heart as a secure foundation in this uncertain time in which we live.
This Easter, resolve to make the Lord Jesus Christ the living center of your home. Be sure that every decision you make, whether it be of a spiritual or physical nature, be guided by the thought, "What would the Lord Jesus Christ have me do?" When the Savior is the center of you home, it is filled with peace and serenity. There is a spirit of calm assurance that pervades the home that is felt by the children and adults alike.
That is wonderful counsel and wonderful promises that I want for our home.
Elder Francisco J. Vinas: Things Pertaining to Righteousness
As a member of the Caribbean Area Presidency, I was a personal witness to the faithful Saints who replaced fear with faith. Lessons learned in Haiti may be likened to Book of Mormon illustrations. Elder Vinas didn't spend much time talking about Haiti, but gave excellent counsel.
As parents and leaders we need to watch over our members and families, helping them to stay away from those things that could lead them to spiritual death.
Just as in the times of Alma, our leaders also watch over the members of the Church and nourish them with things pertaining to righteousness. [This seems to be a key; not to just avoid evil, but also to strengthen and nourish oneself with "things pertaining to righteousness."] Those things will help us to achieve an enduring conversion. In the document "Leadership Training Emphasis," revised December 10, 2009, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve ask that both priesthood and auxiliary leaders "encourage each family member, parents and children, to study the scriptures, pray regularly, and live the gospel of Jesus Christ."
In order to more effectively teach the things pertaining to righteousness, it is important to understand that, in addition to imparting information, we must facilitate revelation. This way, the person being taught can feel the desire to know these principles for himself or herself.
As parents and leaders we need to watch over our members and families, helping them to stay away from those things that could lead them to spiritual death.
Just as in the times of Alma, our leaders also watch over the members of the Church and nourish them with things pertaining to righteousness. [This seems to be a key; not to just avoid evil, but also to strengthen and nourish oneself with "things pertaining to righteousness."] Those things will help us to achieve an enduring conversion. In the document "Leadership Training Emphasis," revised December 10, 2009, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve ask that both priesthood and auxiliary leaders "encourage each family member, parents and children, to study the scriptures, pray regularly, and live the gospel of Jesus Christ."
In order to more effectively teach the things pertaining to righteousness, it is important to understand that, in addition to imparting information, we must facilitate revelation. This way, the person being taught can feel the desire to know these principles for himself or herself.
Elder Neil L. Andersen: Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
Elder Andersen started is talk with his testimony of General Conference. After having studied all of the talks in the conference I would agree and add my testimony to what he says here so eloquently:
When you are assigned to speak at the end of the final session of general conference, you listen to every word, wondering which parts of you talk will be given before your turn comes. There are no assigned subjects, no collaboration of themes. The Lord's way, or course, is always the best way. He takes the individual prayerful efforts of each speaker and orchestrates a spiritual symphony full of revelation and power. Repeated themes, principle building upon principle, prophetic warnings, uplifting promises - the divine harmony is a miracle! I testify that in this conference we have heard and felt the mind and will of the Lord.
The next part of Elder Andersen's talk was about preparing our children for the challenges ahead. This is one of many talks about families and especially, parents teaching their children.
We hold in our arms the rising generation. They come to this earth with important responsibilities and great spiritual capacities. We cannot be casual in how we prepare them. Our challenge as parents and teachers is not to create a spiritual core in their souls but rather to fan the flame of their spiritual core already aglow with the fire of their premortal faith.
The theme of Elder Andersen's talk is the Primary song "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus". He quoted part of the song: "Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear, things I would ask him to tell me if he were here." He then continued with some excellent teaching strategy based on formative assessment questions for both them and for us as their parents and teachers.
Are the life and teachings of Jesus Christ embedded in the minds and souls of our children? Do they think about the Savior's life when they wonder what to do in their own lives? This will be more and more important in the years ahead.
Have our children visualized the premortal council, where Jesus - the greatest of all - declared, "Here am I, send me"? Do they see their own willingness to serve as following His example?
Do they think about His humble birth, the Savior of the world lying in a manger? Do His circumstances help them better understand the proper place of material possessions?
Elder Anderson continues with more questions. Those struck me as a sort of checklist of questions that we as parents can ask ourselves about how we are doing with our children. The responses to those questions will give us a picture of how our children are doing. These are great formative assessment questions. I have put the questions I thought we especially interesting in bold font.
Do they know that Jesus often talk, "Ask, and ye shall receive"? Do His prayers of thankfulness and His pleadings to His Father flow through our children's minds as they kneel in prayer with their own concerns?
Have we told them of the love Jesus has for children, how He held them in His arms, prayed for them, and wept? Do our children know that Jesus stands ready "with open arms to receive [them]"?
Do they take strength in the stories of Jesus fasting - as we teach them the law of the fast?
In their own loneliness, do our children know the loneliness the Savior felt as His friends deserted Him and as He asked His apostles, "Will ye also go away?"
Have our children felt the power of the Savior's miracles? Jesus healed the leper, gave sight to the blind. He fed the 5,000, calmed the sea, and raised Lazarus from the dead. Do our children believe that "it is by faith that miracles are wrought," and do they pray for miracles in their own lives?
Have our children taken courage from the Savior's words to the ruler of the synagogue: "Be not afraid, only believe"?
Do our children know about His perfect life, His selfless ministry, His betrayal and cruel Crucifixion? Have we testified to them of the certainty of His Resurrection, of His visit to the Nephites in the Americas, of His appearance to the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove?
Do they anticipate His majestic return, when all will be made right and every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ?
Do our children say, "Tell me the stories of Jesus, I love to hear"?
The next piece of counsel was for the youth as well as the children:
Live up to your important responsibilities and great spiritual capacities. Seek to know more about Jesus; open the scriptures. One idea would be to read again the book of John and then discuss it with your parents, teachers, and each other.
To those of us who are older, Elder Andersen said:
To fathers and mothers, to grandfathers and grandmothers, and to those without children of their own who lovingly nurture children and youth, my counsel is to speak more frequently about Jesus Christ. In His holy name is great spiritual power.
If a child is not listening, don't despair. Time and truth are on your side. At the right moment, your words will return as if from heaven itself. You testimony will never leave your children.
As your reverently speak about he Savior - in the car, on the bus, at the dinner table, as you kneel in prayer, during scripture study, or in late-night conversations - the Spirit of the Lord will accompany your words.
When you are assigned to speak at the end of the final session of general conference, you listen to every word, wondering which parts of you talk will be given before your turn comes. There are no assigned subjects, no collaboration of themes. The Lord's way, or course, is always the best way. He takes the individual prayerful efforts of each speaker and orchestrates a spiritual symphony full of revelation and power. Repeated themes, principle building upon principle, prophetic warnings, uplifting promises - the divine harmony is a miracle! I testify that in this conference we have heard and felt the mind and will of the Lord.
The next part of Elder Andersen's talk was about preparing our children for the challenges ahead. This is one of many talks about families and especially, parents teaching their children.
We hold in our arms the rising generation. They come to this earth with important responsibilities and great spiritual capacities. We cannot be casual in how we prepare them. Our challenge as parents and teachers is not to create a spiritual core in their souls but rather to fan the flame of their spiritual core already aglow with the fire of their premortal faith.
The theme of Elder Andersen's talk is the Primary song "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus". He quoted part of the song: "Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear, things I would ask him to tell me if he were here." He then continued with some excellent teaching strategy based on formative assessment questions for both them and for us as their parents and teachers.
Are the life and teachings of Jesus Christ embedded in the minds and souls of our children? Do they think about the Savior's life when they wonder what to do in their own lives? This will be more and more important in the years ahead.
Have our children visualized the premortal council, where Jesus - the greatest of all - declared, "Here am I, send me"? Do they see their own willingness to serve as following His example?
Do they think about His humble birth, the Savior of the world lying in a manger? Do His circumstances help them better understand the proper place of material possessions?
Elder Anderson continues with more questions. Those struck me as a sort of checklist of questions that we as parents can ask ourselves about how we are doing with our children. The responses to those questions will give us a picture of how our children are doing. These are great formative assessment questions. I have put the questions I thought we especially interesting in bold font.
Do they know that Jesus often talk, "Ask, and ye shall receive"? Do His prayers of thankfulness and His pleadings to His Father flow through our children's minds as they kneel in prayer with their own concerns?
Have we told them of the love Jesus has for children, how He held them in His arms, prayed for them, and wept? Do our children know that Jesus stands ready "with open arms to receive [them]"?
Do they take strength in the stories of Jesus fasting - as we teach them the law of the fast?
In their own loneliness, do our children know the loneliness the Savior felt as His friends deserted Him and as He asked His apostles, "Will ye also go away?"
Have our children felt the power of the Savior's miracles? Jesus healed the leper, gave sight to the blind. He fed the 5,000, calmed the sea, and raised Lazarus from the dead. Do our children believe that "it is by faith that miracles are wrought," and do they pray for miracles in their own lives?
Have our children taken courage from the Savior's words to the ruler of the synagogue: "Be not afraid, only believe"?
Do our children know about His perfect life, His selfless ministry, His betrayal and cruel Crucifixion? Have we testified to them of the certainty of His Resurrection, of His visit to the Nephites in the Americas, of His appearance to the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove?
Do they anticipate His majestic return, when all will be made right and every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ?
Do our children say, "Tell me the stories of Jesus, I love to hear"?
The next piece of counsel was for the youth as well as the children:
Live up to your important responsibilities and great spiritual capacities. Seek to know more about Jesus; open the scriptures. One idea would be to read again the book of John and then discuss it with your parents, teachers, and each other.
To those of us who are older, Elder Andersen said:
To fathers and mothers, to grandfathers and grandmothers, and to those without children of their own who lovingly nurture children and youth, my counsel is to speak more frequently about Jesus Christ. In His holy name is great spiritual power.
If a child is not listening, don't despair. Time and truth are on your side. At the right moment, your words will return as if from heaven itself. You testimony will never leave your children.
As your reverently speak about he Savior - in the car, on the bus, at the dinner table, as you kneel in prayer, during scripture study, or in late-night conversations - the Spirit of the Lord will accompany your words.
Brother Russell T. Osguthorpe: Teaching Helps Save Lives
When missionaries and teachers draw upon the Spirit, they teach the appropriate principle, invite their learners to live that principle, and bear witness of the promised blessings that will follow. Elder David A Bednar shared these three simple elements of effective teaching in a recent training meeting: (1) key doctrine, (2) invitation to action, and (3) promised blessings.
This is great instruction for teaching any church class at any age-level. It will also work for any church talk. Make sure that these three components are at the core of your lesson or talk:
This is great instruction for teaching any church class at any age-level. It will also work for any church talk. Make sure that these three components are at the core of your lesson or talk:
- teach the appropriate gospel principle in your lesson.
- invite your students to live that principle.
- bear witness of the promised blessings they will receive for following that principle.
The guide Preach My Gospel helps missionaries teach key doctrine, invite those they teach to take action, and receive promised blessings. The guide Teaching, No Greater Call helps parents and teachers do the same. It is to gospel teaching what Preach My Gospel is to missionary work.
This is a very profound statement. It really raises the importance of Teaching, No Greater Call. If it is that important (and I agree that it is), then I think that we should make it the focus of our family scripture study after we finish Preach My Gospel.
As President Monson has taught: "The goal of gospel teaching . . . is not to 'pour information' into the minds of class members . . . The aim is to inspire the individual to think about, feel about, and then do something about living gospel principles."
Again, this counsel can be applied to teaching a class or giving a talk.
Elder Osguthorpe related a story from his young adult years where a teacher impressed him to . . . "think about, feel about, and then do something about living gospel principles." Then he added, "His teaching helped save my life."
Questions we should ask about our own teaching:
- As a teacher, do I view myself as a messenger from God?
- Do I prepare and then teach in ways that can help save lives?
- Do I focus on a key doctrine of the Restoration?
- Can those I teach feel the love I have for them and for my Heavenly Father and the Savior?
- When inspiration comes, do I close the manual and open their eyes and their ears and their hearts to the glory of God?
- Do I invite them to do the work that God has for them to do?
- Do I express so much confidence in them that they find the invitation hard to refuse?
- Do I help them recognize promised blessings that come from living the doctrine I am teaching?
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