My number one is that the members taught us pure doctrine and supporting
principles. For my journey, that was the most important form of ministering because
pure Truth creates the most potent experiences we can have as we seek to discover
our Savior and bring others to Him as well.
principles. For my journey, that was the most important form of ministering because
pure Truth creates the most potent experiences we can have as we seek to discover
our Savior and bring others to Him as well.
"Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged
sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my word"
(D&C 14:2).
sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my word"
(D&C 14:2).
"And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do
that which was just---yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people
than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them---therefore Alma thought
it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God." (Alma 31:5,
emphasis added)
that which was just---yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people
than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them---therefore Alma thought
it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God." (Alma 31:5,
emphasis added)
It can be really easy to spend precious lesson time or Sacrament meetings focusing on
things like, "How can we have more faith?" Although a great question, we were blessed
by the bulk of the time being spent on the doctrines and principles such as "what is faith?"
"Why do I need faith?" "Why should my faith be centered on Jesus Christ?" etc.
things like, "How can we have more faith?" Although a great question, we were blessed
by the bulk of the time being spent on the doctrines and principles such as "what is faith?"
"Why do I need faith?" "Why should my faith be centered on Jesus Christ?" etc.
We learned first-hand that the application, the "how" questions, will be different for each of
us. Each one of us receives tailored answers to both the ways to apply the doctrines and
principles of the gospel and the order we need to focus on things. When we had a sure
foundation on the "Why" and "What," the "How" seemed to flow more naturally and with
more power. Before I was in that ward I had missed that!
us. Each one of us receives tailored answers to both the ways to apply the doctrines and
principles of the gospel and the order we need to focus on things. When we had a sure
foundation on the "Why" and "What," the "How" seemed to flow more naturally and with
more power. Before I was in that ward I had missed that!
Understanding that the doctrines and principles are unchanging, yet the ways we apply
them will be individually tailored has helped the gospel come to life for me! It has helped
me to facilitate and create engage in helpful discussions with others. I recently listened
to a podcast where such teaching was modeled. The teacher read a scripture then asked,
“What did you notice?” That leaves wide open space for answers. When we hen-pick for
only one or a few “right” answers, ministering in the form of teaching is snuffed out. When
we ask completely open-ended questions that actually encourage self-discovery and
personal engagement, our councils and lessons can lead each one of us to the Truth
(Be sure to check out that podcast episode! She also offers multiple gold-mines for leaders
to consider to create engagement in their wards).
them will be individually tailored has helped the gospel come to life for me! It has helped
me to facilitate and create engage in helpful discussions with others. I recently listened
to a podcast where such teaching was modeled. The teacher read a scripture then asked,
“What did you notice?” That leaves wide open space for answers. When we hen-pick for
only one or a few “right” answers, ministering in the form of teaching is snuffed out. When
we ask completely open-ended questions that actually encourage self-discovery and
personal engagement, our councils and lessons can lead each one of us to the Truth
(Be sure to check out that podcast episode! She also offers multiple gold-mines for leaders
to consider to create engagement in their wards).
Elder Andersen said, “Truth is scattered among us” (Source). As we seek to use our
learning opportunities each Sunday to actually discover the full Truth by inviting for open
discussions where each individual feels safe to share, we will be unified together and learn
from one another. The podcast suggests that after we ask “What did you notice?” we can
then ask, “What is important about that from your perspective?” then, “How could we apply
that?” and then finally, “Has anyone had an experience with this?” Then we can go back to
asking, “What else did you notice?” and go down deeper with what jumped out at somebody
else.Teacher’s Council can easily become ministering as we partner with our Savior on how
we can lead others to find Christ by having individualized experiences each Sunday.
learning opportunities each Sunday to actually discover the full Truth by inviting for open
discussions where each individual feels safe to share, we will be unified together and learn
from one another. The podcast suggests that after we ask “What did you notice?” we can
then ask, “What is important about that from your perspective?” then, “How could we apply
that?” and then finally, “Has anyone had an experience with this?” Then we can go back to
asking, “What else did you notice?” and go down deeper with what jumped out at somebody
else.Teacher’s Council can easily become ministering as we partner with our Savior on how
we can lead others to find Christ by having individualized experiences each Sunday.
Lumped for me in teaching pure doctrine is that collectively leaders and teachers addressed
the "tough stuff." They didn't dodge or try to soften with extra fluff. Where do you think I was
taught the Fall in all its harsh realities? :) I am grateful that The Fall, as well as other topics
such as the doctrine of Christ, grace, justification, sanctification, and agency were taught
directly. When a teacher and a class all come with The Spirit and seeking and inviting His
presence, The Spirit can teach all these precious truths that can be taught in no other way
but with His power to teach and testify. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. " (Matthew 18:20).
the "tough stuff." They didn't dodge or try to soften with extra fluff. Where do you think I was
taught the Fall in all its harsh realities? :) I am grateful that The Fall, as well as other topics
such as the doctrine of Christ, grace, justification, sanctification, and agency were taught
directly. When a teacher and a class all come with The Spirit and seeking and inviting His
presence, The Spirit can teach all these precious truths that can be taught in no other way
but with His power to teach and testify. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. " (Matthew 18:20).
I am eternally grateful for our time in that ward and stake. I am grateful for the ways
we were fed pure, undiluted doctrines. That created a framework inside of me that
professional help could never substitute. As things fell apart, all that was missing was
my recognition of the connection between what I had been taught and what we before
me now. Once it clicked, it was simply, "I think this is what they have been trying to
teach us" and boom! Mark took a little bit longer in discovering the connection, but
it was similar for him too. It put us both on the right path to discovering our personal
and desperate need for our Savior. There were plenty of ups and downs from there,
but more ups than downs. :) We knew. We had been taught and so we could proceed
from there.
we were fed pure, undiluted doctrines. That created a framework inside of me that
professional help could never substitute. As things fell apart, all that was missing was
my recognition of the connection between what I had been taught and what we before
me now. Once it clicked, it was simply, "I think this is what they have been trying to
teach us" and boom! Mark took a little bit longer in discovering the connection, but
it was similar for him too. It put us both on the right path to discovering our personal
and desperate need for our Savior. There were plenty of ups and downs from there,
but more ups than downs. :) We knew. We had been taught and so we could proceed
from there.
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