Teaching with Power
“Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men” (D&C 11:21, emphasis added).
Cultivate Desire
The Elevate Learning priority’s purpose is to establish expectations and provide opportunities that inspire students to have meaningful experiences with the word of God. Part of this priority is a hope that our teachers and leaders will make and implement plans to bring more of the power of God into their teaching by:
- Improving their efforts to obtain the word of God (click here for more information).
- Inviting the Spirit more fully into their lives and their teaching (click here for more information).
- Increasing their genuine love and concern for each student.
In the videos below, Church leaders, teachers, and students speak about the importance of cultivating desire and loving those you teach. As you watch the videos, consider what you can do to gain a greater desire to teach with the Spirit and make each lesson meaningful for your students. How can you develop and demonstrate Christlike charity for those you teach?
Teach With Charity
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Reaching the Individual
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A Sense of Purpose
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Obtain the Spirit
We invite you to watch and review these video resources related to the importance of obtaining the Spirit. Use these in personal and in-service training opportunities.
- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “2.1 Do I Teach the Gospel by the Spirit of Truth?” Media Library, churchofjesuschrist.org
- Chad H. Webb, “2.1 Inviting the Holy Ghost,” Media Library, churchofjesuschrist.org
- Chad H. Webb, “2.1 Practices That Invite the Holy Ghost,” Media Library, churchofjesuschrist.org
- “Students’ Needs,” Media Library, churchofjesuschrist.org
- “Teaching by the Spirit,” Media Library, churchofjesuschrist.org
Obtain the Word
Watch what those commissioned to lead us have said about the importance of obtaining the word so we can teach with power.
We invite you to study the talks associated with this video as well as other resources related to the importance of obtaining the word.
- D. Todd Christofferson, “When Thou Art Converted,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 11-13
- Thomas S. Monson, “Be Your Best Self,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2009, 67-70
- Richard G. Scott, “The Power of Scripture,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 6-8
- Jeffrey R. Holland, “Students Need Teachers to Guide Them” [Church Educational System satellite broadcast, June 20, 1992], si.churchofjesuschrist.org
- Chad H. Webb, “An Invitation to Study the Doctrine and Covenants” [Church Educational System satellite broadcast, Aug. 5, 2014], churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts
- Howard W. Hunter, “Reading the Scriptures,” Ensign, Nov. 1979, 64-65
- Dallin H. Oaks, “2.3.1 I love My Daily Scripture Study,” Media Library, churchofjesuschrist.org
- Ezra Taft Benson, “The Gospel Teacher and His Message” [address to Church Educational System religious educators, Sep. 17, 1976], si.churchofjesuschrist.org
- David A. Bednar, “A Reservoir of Living Water” [Brigham Young University fireside, Feb. 4, 2007], speeches.byu.edu
- Ezra Taft Benson, “The Power of the Word,” Ensign, May 1986, 79-82