Learn of Me - 26-JAN-2018
Elder Kim B. Clark
https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/watch/evening-with-a-general-authority/2018/01?lang=eng&vid=5720509410001
Truth Endures - 26-JAN-2018
Elder D. Todd Christofferson
https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/watch/evening-with-a-general-authority/2018/01?lang=eng&vid=5720526435001
What Can I Do to Teach More Like the Savior?
Tad R. Callister - Sunday School General President
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2018/02/what-can-i-do-to-teach-more-like-the-savior?lang=eng
"Training and practice, role-playing, study, and observation can help a teacher of any skill level to develop skills that the Spirit can draw on—helping us teach more like the Master. Many of these skills can be developed in teacher council meetings."
Scripture Stories Coloring Book: Book of Mormon
https://www.lds.org/children/scripture-stories/coloring-book/book-of-mormon?lang=eng
Scripture Stories Coloring Book: Pearl of Great Price
https://www.lds.org/children/scripture-stories/coloring-book/pearl-of-great-price?lang=eng
Example of a good council meeting posted recently on facebook:
"We had a wonderful council last month that I thought I would share. The bishop had sent us a email about a lady that had come into his office that needed help. Long story short she lost a son about 1 1/2 years ago, needed her house cleaned, basically needed her sisters to rally around her etc. He told us to talk about it as a presidency and we would know what to do. We visited about this and one of my counselors suggested that we should council about this with our sisters. (This all transpired the week of the council) She took the first 1/2 of the meeting and came up with a mission statement for our RS and I took the second half of the meeting and talked about this sister. I told them that this is a safe place one with no judgement or criticism. I referenced Elder Holland’s talk, “Are we not all beggars?”. I explained that we had a sister in our ward who needed our help. I was super nervous about this but the spirit was so strong and the sisters were amazing! One sister took charge of arranging her house to be cleaned and 10 others sisters signed up to help. Another sister suggested making a comfort quit out of her sons old clothing - something she could hug when she was missing him- a volunteer quickly raised her hand to be in charge of that with about 6 more sisters who would help. They talked about praying for her, celebrating her birthday the next week and having a special fast. IT WAS AMAZING! It was RS in action! That is what RS used to be about! Tears were shed, hearts were full and a plan was put in place. When the sisters feel needed and inspired they will rise to the occasion. We plan to make our councils every month like this. Sisters loving and helping each other. It was so amazing."
Trust the Spirit and Encourage Participation, Sister Neill F. Marriott Tells Gospel Teachers - 08-FEB-2018
Sister Neill F. Marriott of the Young Women General Presidency
https://www.lds.org/church/news/trust-the-spirit-and-encourage-participation-sister-neill-f-marriott-tells-gospel-teachers?lang=eng
"The interactive teacher is one who allows the learners to engage in discussion as they work to apply the gospel principles to their own understanding."
"If the teacher does all or most of the testifying, teaching, and sharing, then the lesson will not reach its full potential."
"A student may take a principle and apply it personally in a way the teacher didn’t anticipate, but that is probably an indication that the Holy Ghost is working in that student’s heart and mind. That is good. From such spiritual moments, true learning will come. And as the Spirit touches a student, others (including the teacher) can be inspired by the insights to deeper understanding and relevance to their own lives."
HowTo.lds.org
Church Launches “How To” Channel on YouTube
https://www.lds.org/church/news/church-launches-how-to-channel-on-youtube?lang=eng
Spiritual Guides for Teachers of Righteousness - Elder Gene R. Cook - APR-1982
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1982/04/spiritual-guides-for-teachers-of-righteousness?lang=eng
- Not only will the teacher teach the truth, but the Spirit of the Lord will accompany the truth and the teacher. (See D&C 50:17–22.) Both should be subject to spiritual confirmation at any time. The teacher will not teach without authority nor speak independently for himself, knowing that even the very elect can be deceived. (See Matt. 24:24.)
- The teacher will be in accord with the General Authorities as a group and with his local leaders, knowing they are guides to safety. He will have desires to follow and conform to their teachings and example in all their spiritual and temporal declarations, knowing the Lord gives them the gifts of discernment. (See D&C 46:27.) He will not complain, criticize, or speak evilly of the Lord’s anointed, knowing that such a practice is an early warning sign of apostasy.
- The teacher of righteousness will teach from the holy scriptures and will teach that which is taught and confirmed by the Holy Ghost. (See D&C 52:9.) He will not “teach for doctrines the commandments of men.” (JS—H 1:19.) He will not mingle the history and opinions of men with the scriptures nor spend religious instruction time teaching speculation or the philosophies of the world, thereby giving Satan’s views exposure. He will not teach “doctrines” upon which the Lord’s prophet has not spoken. (See D&C 28:2–3.) He knows that the scriptures lead one to faith on the Lord and unto repentance, which bring a change of heart. (See Hel. 15:7; Alma 37:8.)
- The teacher will teach in simplicity, according to the true needs of the people, basic gospel doctrines like faith, repentance, and prayer, which all men—all men—can apply. (See D&C 19:31; Alma 26:22.) He will not look beyond the mark by exaggerating, by teaching in the fringe areas, by expanding on the scriptures, or by teaching exotic extremes in any principle, like excessively lengthy prayers, false doctrines about the Savior or about Adam, or extremes in diet, or politics, or investments. He will remember that Satan works in the extremes. He knows of the exactness of the Lord’s doctrine, but also of “temperance in all things.” (D&C 12:8.)
- The teacher will speak in the light of day. (Moro. 7:15, 18–19.) He will not speak of secret doctrines, of special elite groups “in the know,” or of secret ordinations. (See Jacob 4:13; D&C 42:11.) Whatever he does will be in the plain view of the people. He knows that doctrines and ordinations are subject to the open view and vote of the Saints.
- The teacher will treat all those being taught as like unto himself, not esteeming himself above his brethren. (See Jacob 2:17.) He will seek excellence before the Lord, but not to excel over his companions in the work. (See D&C 58:40–41.) He knows that “none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart.” (Moro. 7:44.)
- The teacher of righteousness will be anxious to glorify the Lord. He will refuse to assume any glory unto himself. He will not practice priestcrafts—that is, preaching and holding himself up as a light to the world for gain or for the honor of men. (See 2 Ne. 26:29; Mosiah 18:26.) He will be a preacher of righteousness speaking forcefully against sin, having an eye single to God, not to personal gain, honor, or popularity among men. He knows worldly aspirations leave the door open wide to apostasy.
- The teacher himself will be in the process of continual personal repentance. (See Moro. 8:26.) He will be an example of meekness, charity, pure motives, dependence on the Lord. He will not just be teaching the doctrine, but also applying it. (See D&C 41:5; D&C 52:15–16.) All in all, it will be evident whom he represents.
- In summary, then, how does one keep himself from falling, as some have, into teaching and living semi-truths? Is it not by maintaining his own spirituality? What is true spirituality? Is it knowledge, intellect, academic learning? Perhaps more than anything else it is an ongoing, purifying condition of the heart. It is an eye single to God. It is a broken heart and a contrite spirit. (See 3 Ne. 9:20; D&C 136:32–33.) It is a “full purpose of heart.”