Teach & Learn By the Spirit

Today I came across a quote from President Lorenzo Snow, which I found very helpful and instructive as we seek to teach and learn by the Spirit (see section 2.1 of the Gospel Teaching and Learning manual).

President Lorenzo Snow said, "Make one prayer before [teaching], and that is this: Ask the Lord that you may say something during your remarks that will be beneficial to those who you address. Never mind whether it will be something that will add to your own glory or not, but simply bear in mind that you are called upon to address the audience and that they desire to receive something that will benefit them. This can only come from the Lord. Do not worry as to whether...those who hear you may say you spoke beautifully. Do not mind about that at all, but remove every selfishness that may be in your mind that the Lord may dictate unto you something that will be of benefit to the people" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow, p. 219-20).

One of the struggles I have in teaching institute is putting myself in the way of the Lord and His Spirit. I sometimes create in my mind the feeling that "I have to teach these things," or "I need to explain this more clearly," or "I have to prepare something amazing or students won't come" or "I hope I don't sound stupid in class tonight." Or sadly, "I hope I say something that will bless the lives of my students tonight." Do you see the problem? It seems readily apparent, but each of these statements start with "I" and focus on me. I think I get in the way of the Spirit too often because it is easy for me to become self-absorbed, even when it seems as if I am not; remember, I am trying to teach the Gospel to others, but I don't want to sound or look like a fool in the process. Ironically, in my efforts to help others, I get in the way because I make it too much about me!

This morning as I was reading Elder Edward Dube's talk from last General Conference, he used this quote from Elder L. Tom Perry, which caught my attention because it supports the point: “As I travel throughout the Church I marvel at all the positive things that are occurring. Yet I never feel that we, as a people, are living up to our real potential. My sense is that we do not always work together, that we are still too much interested in aspirations for personal honors and success, and show too little interest in the common goal of building the kingdom of God” (italics added, “United in Building the Kingdom of God,” Ensign, May 1987, 35). Ouch! Yes, Elders Perry & Dube, you got me! Kachow! 

It is not me institute students need, it is the Lord and His precious gift of the Holy Ghost to us. President Henry B. Eyring taught, "Our students cannot know of God, and so love as they must love, unless they are taught by the Holy Spirit. Only by the Spirit can they know that God loved us enough to send His Son to be the propitiation (an atoning sacrifice) for our sins and that Jesus is the Son of God and that Christ paid the price for their sins. Only by the Spirit can they know that Heavenly Father and His resurrected and glorified Son appeared to Joseph Smith. Only by the Spirit can they know that the Book of Mormon is the true word of God. And only by inspiration can they feel the love of the Father and the Son for them in giving us the ordinances necessary to receive eternal life. Only by obtaining those witnesses, place deep into their hearts by the Holy Ghost, will they be rooted on a sure foundation to stand steady through the temptations and trials of their lives" (as cited in the Gospel Teaching and Learning manual, p. 11).

Two things I need to really do more of for my institute classes are 1. Move out of the way of the Lord and His Spirit and let Them do Their jobs; and 2. Forget myself and get to work (yes, that statement out to ring a bell for the reader...are you thinking of young Elder Gordon B. Hinckley in the mission field?). Now please do not misinterpret, I still need to prepare lessons prayerfully, I still need to do the daily basics to live worthily of the Spirit, but if I can remove me and ensure the Lord and His Spirit is the key to successful classes, I think all my classes would be much more edifying.

This is the work of the Lord, Jesus Christ. We have the sacred opportunity to teach His Gospel, in His way, and with His Spirit. I bear testimony of these things!