As a missionary I memorized the Standard of Truth written by Joseph Smith. I always thought that it was meant only for missionaries. But recently I have concluded that it is for mothers too.
The Lord has asked us as covenant keeper to
proclaim the Lord’s teachings unto the entire world and to prepare to
accomplish what the Prophet Joseph Smith proclaimed – to see that “the
truth of God [goes] forth boldly, nobly … till it has penetrated every
continent … swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the
purposes of god shall be accomplished. …” (Documentary History of the Church, vol. 4, p. 540.)
In
order to proclaim and to prepare the world we must teach our children
not only to be righteous covenant keepers, but to become effective
teachers too. As mothers we are their teachers, but how are we teaching
them to become teachers?
Here is how to teach them how to teach:
The church has two new manuals/programs to help us: Gospel Teaching and Learning and Teaching Christ’s Way. They are both fantastic in helping us become better teachers and teaching how to teach.
Here is a few things the Savior said about teaching:
- “prepared ye the way….” (D&C 65 :1)
- He taught Peter the importance of teaching when he said, “Feed my lambs…Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17)
- “teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom” (D&C 88:77)
- Use “effective teaching techniques with spiritual principles” David B. Haight
- “All teachers can improve” David B. Haight​
It is our duty as mothers to prepare our children “to develop a strong foundation and belief in the true gospel of Jesus Christ” and to improve our teaching techniques to bring about worthwhile changes in their lives. It is our responsibility to “teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom” (D&C 88:77) and teach it effectively so that we, ourselves, our children and their children will be able to perceive and comprehend the teachings of our Master. And we help them by teaching them to teach effectively.
The next few Table Talk Discussions will be focusing on a learning pattern to help you and your children how to teach effectively so that we, as mothers, are preparing to accomplish and witness the “truth of God [going] forth boldly, nobly, till it has penetrated every continent … swept every country and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of god shall be accomplished. …”