Sermoncitos, a family tradition
Teaching One Another
At some point in our lives, each of us has responded to the Spirit as it touched our heart. Now we look with hope to the messages that the Spirit might bring. We hope that those messages may bring peace to our lives, and harmony and prosperity to our families. When Adam taught his children, he had a vision of the purpose of life, and a perspective from the beginning to the end of time to motivate and guide his instruction. He was very effective with some, such that the entire City of Enoch was taken into heaven, their test on earth no longer needed. With others he was not so effective. God found it necessary to cleanse the earth with a flood and start over. The people had become limited in their vision of life, lost their sense of eternity, and become selfish in their relationships. Even when Christ himself taught in Jerusalem, some were blessed by his teachings and others rejected Him. Effective teaching and learning require that both the teacher and the student have common purpose and vision.
“The Family: A Proclamation to the World”, gives a sense of purpose that could guide all families: “The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally”. Imagine your family members all possessed of this vision of the purpose of life, and this sense of eternity. Each would think more of others than themselves, accept the covenants of charity and chastity, and resolve misunderstandings, contentions, and challenges. “Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities” (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102).
How can your family attain this vision? Only if they both hear and accept these teachings, and live these principles. They must hear these messages in the home and in the places the family goes together, such as the Church. Take upon yourself the role of teacher by telling stories, sharing testimonies, reading aloud from the scriptures, and giving guidance and advice. Have the habit of listening to your young children and grown children and spouse so that they know you care. Show interest in their friends and activities and studies. Hold them accountable for their actions, and show an increase in love after each reprimand. Live the Gospel you are teaching them. They will learn some from your words, but more from your actions.
Because the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the “power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16), it must be taught by divine power, the power of the Holy Ghost. Take time to study and reflect upon the scriptures, and Sunday lessons, and Church publications. Fill your mind with the thoughts that will allow the Spirit to guide you. Ponder the needs and problems of your children so that when opportunities arise to interact with them, you will be ready to receive inspiration from the Spirit. A great teacher is not someone who knows the answer, a great and inspired teacher is someone who listens and guides the student to discover the answers they need.
You are a teacher in every act and interaction with others. The people around you will learn from you by the way you live, and the attentions you give. Learn to teach by the Spirit by filling your thoughts with the Gospel, and living the Gospel every day.
WHAT TEACHERS MAKE
The dinner guests were sitting around the table
discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain
the problem with education. He argued,
"What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided
his best option in life was to become a teacher?"
He reminded the other dinner guests what they say
about teachers:
"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."
To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're
a teacher, Susan. Be honest. What do you make?"
Susan, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness
replied, "You want to know what I make?
"I make kids work harder than they ever thought they
could. I make a C+ feel like the winner of the
Congressional Medal of Honor. I make kids sit through
40 minutes of study hall in absolute silence.
"You want to know what I make?
I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them solve for an answer.
I make them criticize.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them write.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math and perfect
their final drafts in English.
I make them understand that if you have the brains,
and follow your heart, and if someone ever tries to
judge you by what you make, you must pay no attention
because they just didn't learn."
Susan paused and then continued.
"You want to know what I make?
"I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?"
THIS IS WORTH SENDING TO EVERY TEACHER YOU KNOW. (And
everyone on your mailing list, for that matter). THERE
IS MUCH TRUTH IN THAT STATEMENT.
"Teachers make every other profession possible!"