I'm sorry, sir.
Just one time, I'd like to feed him a spoon.
I'm sorry, I've just got to get out.
You what? But you're going to school.
What happened? I don't know, there was a kid who tapped me on the shoulder, kind of apologetic-like, and asked if he could get off, so why let him?
What's the matter with him?
He's dead, isn't he?
I don't know.
Hey, somebody call an ambulance, alright?
What happened?
I'm not quite sure.
Is he dead?
Move back.
Hello.
Go right in, Mr. Collier.
Are you sure he was a student here?
Yes.
Hello, Frank.
Neither of you knew the boy?
No.
Ned, I think he was in my math class last year.
Peggy, if you have the Evans file, would you bring it in, please?
Thank you, Mr. Schneider.
It's funny, the boy never even said he felt bad.
Here it is.
Oh, thanks, Peggy.
Would you take care of these, please?
Alright.
What time is that board meeting?
You're late for it now, sir.
Frank, I thought you said you hardly even knew the boy.
What do you mean?
Well, he's written here that you're his favorite teacher.
His favorite teacher, me?
That's what it says.
Well, there were a couple of instances when I helped him with his homework, but...
At least you remember talking with him.
That's more than anybody else.
Did he have a drug problem?
I don't know.
I told you I didn't spend that much time with him.
I see.
Wish I could be of more help.
As a matter of fact, you can.
Somebody has to contact the parents.
Oh, no, wait a minute.
You're the principal, don't you think?
You or Mr. Carlin?
I've got to be in a board meeting all day.
Besides, I don't even remember seeing the boy.
You at least knew him.
Oh, what about my classes?
We'll cover your classes.
And incidentally, we'll need a small obituary for the school paper.
You can use my office.
Peggy will be glad to help.
And by the way, I'll arrange for a delegation from the school to attend the boy's funeral.
And thank you very much, Frank.
I really appreciate this.
Any ideas?
Well, here's the address.
4315 Randolph Road, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Tucker.
Stepfather?
Mm-hmm.
Cliff was a good boy.
I'm sure he was.
Never complained.
Never even said he was sick.
Never said nothing about anything since the day I moved in.
I'd give that boy everything I could, but he could just never catch on.
If he wouldn't have been so dumb, he'd have told us he wasn't feeling good.
Cliff wasn't dumb.
Wasn't dumb?
I'm sorry Cliff's dead.
But he could never do one thing right and you know it.
Mister, I've got all this work to do around here.
The other day when we had that snow...
You shoveled them walks?
I forgot.
Oh, you forgot?
I tell you to go out and shovel those walks.
You come in and you say, I forgot.
Where you been for two hours?
Went for a walk.
For two hours?
Dunny went for a walk for two hours.
Doing what?
Just thinking.
Oh.
What's that in your hand there?
It's a willow. It's already bedding. It's not even spring yet.
A willow.
I ask you to please go out and shovel the walks.
And you spend two hours thinking about willows.
When are you going to start using that head of yours for something besides keeping your ears apart?
Do the kid.
And she says he wasn't dumb.
I should have spent more time with him.
So you didn't? Now let it be.
That's what you've always wanted, isn't it, Harry?
Hey, where are you going?
To see my son.
What about my breakfast?
How's it going?
Well, Cliff Evans was Caucasian, never legally adopted by his stepfather, and has a steady list of bad grades.
That's the obituary?
From the record. As far as school goes, he appears never to have done anything.
No clubs, no sports, no activities at all.
No friends or students that knew him?
None that admit it.
You're kidding.
Nope. From the record, Cliff was a real zero. A cypher.
Oh, I don't envy your job.
You know, though, there's something I just can't get out of my head.
Cliff Evans appears to have started out a normal, healthy, and happy boy.
Look, first grade teacher, sweet, shy child.
Second grade, timid, eager, wants to learn.
He's a nice looking boy.
Here's a poem he wrote in the second grade.
My poem about frogs by Cliff Evans.
I like frogs. They sit on great big logs.
They jump real high up to the sky.
I wish I could jump high like a frog.
That's very nice. Doesn't sound like he was always a zero.
No, he started out just about like every other kid, but...
Well, what happened? Messed up home?
I'm sure that was part of it, but there's got to be more.
Third grade, Cliff won't talk, uncooperative, slow learner.
It's about the same time Cliff's mother and father are having trouble.
Good. That's much improved.
That's right, you're doing fine.
Cliff, what are you daydreaming about today?
Oh, you've always got your mind on something else, Cliff.
You've got to try harder.
You know you're the slowest one in the class.
Do you want some help after school?
Do you want me to have your parents in for a conference?
They won't come.
Why not?
They're getting a divorce.
People seem to live up to what other people think of them.
Slow learner.
The fourth grade teacher says, low achiever.
Doesn't mix well with other children.
I've seen how that happens.
Hey, you're not alone.
That's our snowman's head.
Yeah.
I just want some help.
We don't need no help.
There you are.
You remember this, man.
Not much of it, though.
Hey, doesn't that look like it?
Yeah, it does.
Hi, Cliff Evans.
Just like old stuff, isn't so ugly.
Yeah.
There you go, Cliff.
There's your hat.
Lookin' nice and warm.
Hey, man.
The rest of his report's like that, isn't it?
It's all beginning to fit, isn't it?
Once he was labeled, everybody else followed.
Stubborn, daydreamer, slow learner, dull.
Not one of them looked past that third grade remark to find any real answers.
No wonder Cliff had a problem.
Do you have my eighth grade report?
Yes, it's right there.
Introverted, lacks ambition, socially unskilled.
Well, it doesn't look like I helped any more than the rest, does it, Peggy?
What do you mean?
You have a son, don't you?
Yes.
Suppose he lived in a broken home, was never legally adopted,
and was totally ignored, how would he feel?
That's not a very pleasant thought.
Now add to this, six or seven hours a day spent in school
where he gets the impression that he's slow and dumb.
Mr. Collier, I don't think teachers intend to treat students that way.
Maybe not consciously, Peggy, but I wonder.
Working pretty late.
Just been looking through the Cliff Evans file.
We got the coroner's report.
They were really puzzled.
Said there was nothing wrong that they could tell.
Heart, just stopped beating.
Heart failure.
That's okay for the record, but there's more to it than that.
What?
I think Cliff was erased, little by little.
Family, schoolmates, teachers, everyone reduced him to a zero.
Finally, he just went away.
Low IQ.
Right.
This year it was listed as 83, way down.
But in the third grade, it was recorded at 106.
It didn't even go under 100 until the seventh grade.
Okay, a negative environment can significantly lower an IQ
over a period of time.
But what's that got to do with a boy's death?
Even shy, timid children have resilience.
It takes time to break them.
Gradually it happened.
And I helped.
Me, his favorite teacher.
Oh, I did the best I could to show Cliff how to solve mathematical problems.
But like everyone else and the things that really mattered,
in making him feel like a worthwhile human being,
I kept subtracting.
Frank, a lot of people are treated worse than Cliff and they survive.
Some do, some don't.
Do you remember that study on babies and orphanages?
Yeah.
They were given all the food and physical care they needed.
The mortality rate was incredible.
Well-fed babies turned their faces to the wall and died.
When the doctors finally caught on,
they prescribed along with the food and blankets,
a little attention, a little love.
Cliff held on for a long time.
Finally he just turned his face to the wall, too.
Just turned his face to the wall and died.
I see what you mean.
In a way, we all share the blame.
What are we going to do about it?
What can we do?
Maybe a little attention, a little love.
Excuse me, are you Mr. Collier?
Yes, I am. Why?
Oh, I was wondering if I could talk to you for a minute.
Look, son, I have a lot on my mind right now.
Could we make it some other time?
Yeah.
Oh, wait a minute.
What did you say your name was?
My name is Leroy Jones and I'm going to be in your math class next spring.
And I was wondering if you could give me some help.
At that moment, I resolved never to forget Cliff Evans.
He'll be my challenge from now on.
Each September as I look at the unfamiliar faces,
I'll look for veiled eyes in an alien world.
I've promised myself I may not do anything else for them,
but not one of them is going to come out of my class a nobody, a zero.
If you do not have a written list of the discussion questions for this presentation,
please copy them as they follow on this tape.
They may then be transferred to a chalkboard or distributed as a handout to participants.
Segment number one, Jay, the Sunday school teacher.
How did Jay, the teacher, apply the following principles?
Seek the spirit.
Love your students.
Prepare.
In what way did the Sunday school president assist Jay to become a better teacher?
What other things might the teacher have done to make his teaching even more successful?
Segment number two, Dorothea, the Relief Society teacher.
Why was Dorothea fearful to teach and how did she overcome this fear?
How did the spirit influence the sisters in the Relief Society and assist Dorothea in her teaching?
What can you do to assist teachers, speakers, or other participants in church meetings to be more successful?
Segment number three, the home teachers.
What principles did the home teachers use that you can also use to make your teaching experience more successful?
What are your plans for becoming a more effective teacher?
Classroom teacher, parent, home or visiting teacher, missionary?
How can you make the three principles taught in the video presentation more effective in your personal life?
Have you ever taught 16-year-olds?
Well, after just one week, I was convinced I couldn't.
There's not a more stalwart church member than Jay Mitchell.
As Jay's Sunday school president, I felt a responsibility to help him see how he could teach.
How he could help those young people grow in an understanding of their gospel, their relationship to it, and each other.
These actors represent Jay Mitchell and Eldon Anderson.
Even though they are just characters in a story you're about to see, they're like a lot of people we all know.
They and the other characters you are going to see represent the personalities and real-life situations of many brothers and sisters whom I know and love in the church.
This actress will play the part of Dorothea Logner. She appears in our second story.
Before I joined the church, and for some time afterward, I was very shy.
I hardly ever said a word in church that I can remember, except once when I bore a short testimony.
And then the bishop called me to be a Relief Society teacher. I was nearly overcome with fear.
This is a true story. Dorothea represents one of those quiet, humble, faithful Latter-day Saints that are the strength of the church.
I've had quite a bit of church experience, and I thought I knew how to touch people and teach them the gospel.
But Hank and I worked with one of our brethren that we home teached for over two years, and we didn't think we were getting anywhere.
But then, with the help of the Lord, we found a way to reach him.
These actors represent Carl Emory and his son, Hank.
Though they are also fictional characters, what we will see in our third story actually occurred in real life.
Brothers and sisters, we should all be engaged in lifting and helping each other.
Our message is about the fundamental principles of gospel teaching, how we can all strengthen and edify one another.
We have great resources in the church to assist us.
The scriptures, our class manuals, the teacher development basic course, and each other.
Above all, we have the example of our Lord and Savior.
He showed us the way. He taught with the Spirit, with His pure love, with constant preparation.
If you are new to a teaching assignment, you can follow in His footsteps and apply these principles.
There is much excellent teaching in the church.
And if you have taught for many years, you have been applying these principles whenever you have taught well.
No matter how different we may be in talent or education or experience,
these are principles that we should follow if we are to help others grow in faith and righteousness.
For this program, we have chosen just seven words to state these three principles.
First, seek the Spirit.
Second, love your students.
And third, prepare.
In the next few minutes, we will see how J. Mitchell, Dorothea Logner, and Carl and Hank Emory learn that teaching is helping others learn and grow,
and how by following these three principles, they found their own individual ways to accomplish the Lord's purposes.
Nephi tells us in the Book of Mormon that if we obey the commandments, the Lord will help us.
In 1 Nephi 3.7, it says, Nephi 3.7, And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father, I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded,
before I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men.
Kelly.
I just can't do it.
I just can't do it, Eldon.
You've only tried it one week.
Well, some things you find out real fast.
Things will get better, Jay, don't you think?
No, I don't think so.
Some people shine in front of a classroom, and some people don't.
Well, you know that. You're the Sunday School president.
I just happen to be one of those who don't.
I'm a farmer, not a teacher.
It's as simple as that.
You know, I've known you a long time, Jay.
As long as I have, you know what I'm going to remember best about you?
What's that?
Your face at Dan Farley's funeral last year.
Dan was one of the best men I ever knew.
He cared a lot about you.
You know, when I was just a boy, he asked me to come work for him,
because he knew I needed a father.
He taught me a lot about life.
Right off, he taught me that growing up takes a lot of hard work,
but he made it all seem a little easier when he let me take care of a new colt.
You remember that little mare I had?
I made about every mistake you could.
Right off, I learned you can't train a colt to lead if you're being dragged behind it.
I got skinned up a little, but I kept on going because it was worth it all.
One day, I realized that Dan was keeping me from running wild.
He was training me just like we trained that horse.
Tell me something.
How do you think Dan would have done in a classroom?
No, not Dan.
You said he was the best teacher you'd ever had.
Well, not a classroom teacher.
You just taught me one of the best lessons I've ever had.
Some of the teachers I have known, the good teachers, have been great with words,
but most of them haven't.
The great teacher is someone like Dan, someone like you,
who finds a way to help people learn and grow.
Dan sure had a way of doing it.
Something I want to read to you, something President Kimball said.
What do I wish you to teach my grandchildren and all others?
Above all, I hope you will teach them faith in the living God and in his only begotten Son.
I hope that if any of God's children are out in spiritual darkness,
you will come to them with a lamp and light their way.
If they're out in the cold of spiritual bleakness with its frigidity penetrating their bones,
you will come to them holding their hands a little way.
You will walk miles and miles with them, lifting them, strengthening them.
Oh, Jay, the Lord didn't pick the wrong man for our 15-year-olds.
You're the right man for the job.
I feel it.
The Lord knows it.
I think only Jay Mitchell doesn't know it yet.
My children, listen, kids in the ward need you.
I think the Lord wants you to do for them what Dan did for you.
Kind of the same sort of thing as Jesus did when he taught the gospel to the people.
I'm not saying just how you're going to do it, but you're a prayerful man.
You have the Scriptures, the church magazines.
You have me to help you.
And the manual is full of excellent ideas.
I'll arrange for the opportunity for you to take the basic course.
I know if you prepare yourself and search for it, you'll find a teaching style that fits you.
You try it just a few more weeks.
You're a long ways from anywhere.
Yeah, I guess so.
I just thought I'd walk home from school today.
I'm going right past your place. Want to live?
Sure.
Well, Jay Mitchell's first attempt to teach his students may have been awkward and self-conscious,
but with courage and practice his self-esteem grew as his students felt of his sincere affection for them.
He attended the teacher development basic course and diligently prepared himself to do better through his prayers and study.
Hi, kids. Hi.
Listen, boys, the colesnap started before I thought it would,
and I could sure use some help if you'd like to come out and pick a few apples.
I'll see if I can make it.
I hope that if any of God's children are out in spiritual darkness,
you will come to them with a lamp and light their way.
If they are out in the cold of spiritual bleakness with its frigidity penetrating their bones,
you will come to them holding their hands a little way.
You will walk miles and miles with them, lifting them, strengthening them, encouraging them.
Thus they began to establish the order of the Church in the city of Zero-Hell.
Kelly, come on up and give me a hand.
The purpose of gospel teaching is to help others grow in faith and righteousness.
Each member can find his or her own teaching style in order to teach successfully.
Seek the Spirit. Love your students. Prepare.
In the story we have just seen, the teacher, J. Mitchell, felt inadequate and uncomfortable teaching the 16-year-olds.
We've all had similar feelings.
A perceptive Sunday school president took the time and effort to encourage J. and to counsel him.
J. followed that counsel and became a better prepared teacher with much greater confidence.
The suggestion that J. take the teacher development basic course was vital and should be given special attention.
This basic course was designed for all teachers, whether we are teaching at home,
in a priesthood or auxiliary classroom, or in the mission field.
The course presents fundamental principles of good teaching.
Subjects include knowing and loving students, basic principles for teaching the gospel,
methods of preparing and presenting the lesson, and fostering good classroom behavior.
Opportunity is also provided for actual student teaching experiences.
In the beginning, J. Mitchell did not relate well to his students, nor did they relate to him.
But as he took advantage of opportunities to show genuine concern and love for his students,
both he and they quickly developed a sense of unity and fellowship.
The proper attitudes now existed for excellent gospel teaching.
Segment number one, J., the Sunday school teacher.
How did J., the teacher, apply the following principles?
Seek the spirit, love your students, prepare.
In what way did the Sunday school president assist J. to become a better teacher?
What other things might the teacher have done to make his teaching even more successful?
Now prepare to stop the tape and discuss what you've seen using the discussion questions for segment one.
Allow the participants to write brief responses to the questions and discuss as a group.
Then start the tape again and continue. Stop the tape now.
You know, too often it is thought that a good teacher must be an eloquent public speaker,
and that only a few have the knowledge or the skills with words to be good.
As we shall see in this next story, this is not so.
Also note the importance that class member participation can have in the overall quality of gospel lessons.
I never tire of the smell of peach jam.
Me neither. Good thing, too, because my family's favorite breakfast is yogurt with peach jam.
Really? You must have to buy a lot of yogurt to keep that family if you're supplied.
Not at all.
Well, didn't you just say? Now you're not going to tell me you make your own yogurt.
I learned how in Relief Society. It's really not difficult at all.
Oh, Karen, with all you have to do, and here you are helping me.
You quit worrying about other people doing things for you after all the things you've done for so many people all through the years.
This batch should be just about ready.
If I could just help somehow, I feel it was fair.
Actually, Dorothy, I was hoping that you could help me.
When I first moved here, I heard you teach Relief Society.
I always wanted to be able to teach just like you, but I never thought that I could.
Now I've been called to be a Relief Society teacher, and I just don't think I can do it.
What am I going to do, Dorothy?
I'll tell you what.
While you finish bottling that jam, I'll tell you a story.
It might help you.
I don't know if you knew that I used to be very shy.
After I joined the church, I avoided speaking in front of a group of people, except once when I bore my testimony.
In those days, they didn't emphasize so much everybody participating.
Then one day, the bishop called me to be a Relief Society teacher.
I thought he had lost his mind, and then soon I thought I was going to lose mine.
Oh, I read and read every minute I had trying to prepare for my first lesson.
I read my manual over and over.
But the old manual didn't suggest how to present the lesson as they do now.
And I just didn't know how to make a lesson on my own.
For a whole month, I was filled with terror.
I kept wishing I'd be ill so that I'd not have to go through with the assignment.
I made posters of all the scriptures I could find, not because I could use them all,
but because I couldn't think of anything else to do.
I was so frightened I'd forget what to say.
With all my heart, I loved the Sisters, and I knew the Lord wanted them to have this lesson.
But I felt I was going to disappoint them.
I even practiced my lesson with Corrine Hamilton.
But I was still afraid I'd forget what to say.
As the meeting began, I sat there and thought that every one of the Sisters
knew more about the gospel than I did.
How could I possibly be of worth to them?
And now, Sister Longer will present her lesson.
We'd like to welcome her as our new teacher.
Sister Longer
I feel very humble.
I hope I can teach Heavenly Father's words today.
Our lesson is love in action.
If we love each other, we will be kind to each other,
and we will do good things for each other.
And if we don't help each other, then that means we don't love each other enough.
Sisters, I'm sorry. I can't say things better.
I hope you'll understand what I'm trying to say.
Dorothea, may I tell an experience I had?
Yes. Yes, please do.
When my garage burned down two years ago,
the Elders Quorum from this ward rebuilt it.
I didn't have enough money to replace it,
but everyone was working together, and soon they had it finished.
What the Quorum did...
showed real love. Thank you.
When I was a little girl, I fell into a duck pond,
and my brother saved me from drowning. He was only ten.
Thank you. That reminded me now of what I wanted to say.
Every Thursday, for the past year and a half,
I've been going to the temple and staying all day.
I don't get home until eight o'clock.
And Sister Larson always has a supper waiting on my kitchen table.
Our lesson says that we should try to think of what we can do
to show love to others.
That is how the first lesson went.
I felt that all the sisters wanted me to do well.
We had so much love for each other.
I'd never thought that the class members would help me teach.
I learned so much from that first lesson.
I loved those sisters, and their love for each other
allowed the Spirit of the Lord to be with us.
There was always a sense of great caring about your lessons.
The Lord blessed me very much.
I could tell you also worked very hard.
Thank you, Dorothea. You've given me some hope.
Those days of teaching were some of the happiest of my life.
I was so worried when the bishop called me to teach.
But as I kept teaching, my confidence grew and grew.
Teaching is one of the most rewarding church experiences I've had.
And now you're going to be able to receive those same blessings.
What a wonderful opportunity for you, Karen.
The Lord blessed me very much, and I know He'll bless you.
Well, I've learned that teaching is like following a recipe.
When you put in the right ingredients, the results are delicious.
You'll do just fine, Karen.
It doesn't matter so much if you say things just right.
What matters is that you have the Spirit of the Lord with you
as you present the material you have prayerfully prepared,
and that you love those you teach.
They will feel that Spirit, and it will teach them directly.
They will likewise feel your love.
They will want to help you in your lesson,
and you and they will be learning together.
The purpose of gospel teaching is to help others grow in faith and righteousness.
Each member can find his or her own teaching style
in order to teach successfully.
Seek the Spirit.
Seek the Spirit. Love your students. Prepare.
Segment number two.
Dorothea, the Relief Society teacher.
Why was Dorothea fearful to teach, and how did she overcome this fear?
How did the Spirit influence the sisters in the Relief Society
and assist Dorothea in her teaching?
What can you do to assist teachers, speakers,
or other participants in church meetings to be more successful?
Now prepare to stop the tape and discuss what you've seen
using the discussion questions for segment two.
Allow the participants to write brief responses to the questions
and discuss as a group.
Then start the tape again and continue.
Stop the tape now.
Some of the most challenging teaching we will do in the church
is home teaching and visiting teaching.
Our final story will stress the importance of relying on the Lord
and having faith that His Spirit will direct us as we lose ourselves
in the service of our fellow man.
So you've got one more year to go before college, eh Hank?
Yeah, just one.
Remember those times, Ken.
We were growing up and still had all those decisions to make.
You were wondering about the Air Force.
Time sure passes quickly, doesn't it?
Children are sure growing up, eh old man?
Can't seem to stop them.
In fact, if I've got my calendar straight,
Cindy's almost eight and approaching a big decision herself.
You mean about getting baptized?
Hold on, Carl.
We had an agreement if you came over here,
you wouldn't bring up religion anymore.
But, Daddy...
Be quiet, Cindy.
Again, I'm sorry, I didn't realize.
Well, I mean, I thought that maybe...
Cindy's too young to make a decision like that.
You know, Brother Billings is harder to figure out
than his daughter's puzzle.
Well, maybe that's because some of the pieces are missing.
Yeah, well, someone else can find them, huh, Dad?
I mean, that's the last time we'll ever go there.
Think we should just give up, huh?
Who's giving up?
Brother Billings is good as ass just not to come back.
So what's the use?
Oh, I don't know, Hank.
I mean, you're right.
Well, one thing's for certain.
Whatever his problem is, we sure don't know what it is.
You're right about one thing, Hank.
We don't know.
What's up, Dad?
Got a minute?
Yeah, sure.
What is it?
Son, I'd like you to go back
to the Billings residence with me.
Well, maybe.
We'll see.
I'm not talking about next month.
I'm talking about tonight.
You're kidding.
No, really, tonight.
Dad, he'll kick us out and tell us never to come back.
I know it seems that way,
and I know it seems like this doesn't make sense,
but, Hank, sometimes you get a prompting
that you just can't fully explain.
Can't you just go without me?
Yes, I could do that,
but I'd like you to go with me.
You know, when I was on a mission,
sometimes we found that open door by going the extra mile,
even when we'd done all we were assigned to do.
Look, maybe we just haven't been sensitive to his needs.
Maybe we haven't taken the time to find out the real problem,
that kind of caring time that you took
when you built this airplane.
Let's say a prayer together,
and then I'd like to show you
a scripture I just discovered.
Has Donna talked to you?
No.
About what?
The family's after me to let Cindy get baptized.
She's too young.
She's almost eight, isn't she?
I think eight's too young.
What is it, Ken?
What's what?
Why are you so hard against the church?
I don't know.
What is it that you're thinking about?
I mean, what do you feel?
I feel very little, actually.
Look, the church doesn't mean anything to me anymore, Carl.
It hasn't for a long time now.
Why, Ken?
Remember when you and I were in the scouts together?
Yes.
Well, it was during that period of time
that my family felt like nobody in the church liked us.
They did?
Yes.
Ken is being touched by the Spirit of the Lord
because two teachers, his home teachers,
cared enough about him to put forth a little extra effort
because Carl had prepared himself by reading the scriptures
and had recognized through his prayers
the promptings of the Spirit.
He and Hank had the courage to return
to what appeared to be a closed door.
With charity and deep sensitivity,
they became lanterns in the darkness
to show their friend the way back
into the gospel of Jesus Christ.
You mean you're telling us
that you never wanted to discuss the church
because you didn't think there was a way back,
that nobody gets a second chance?
I mean, Ken, that just isn't so.
I don't know where you got such an idea.
We would like you back, Brother Billings,
and so would a lot of others.
But after all this time...
Please, let Hank and me come and talk to you about the gospel.
So what do you think now, Hank?
He couldn't believe we'd go back to see him.
I couldn't either at first.
So do you think it was just luck that we did?
You said the Lord wanted us to go back.
You were certainly right.
The purpose of gospel teaching
is to help others grow in faith and righteousness.
Each member can find his or her own teaching style
in order to teach successfully.
Seek the Spirit.
Love your students.
Prepare.
Segment number three, the home teachers.
What principles did the home teachers use
that you can also use to make your teaching experience more successful?
What are your plans for becoming a more effective teacher?
Classroom teacher?
Parent?
Home or visiting teacher?
Missionary?
How can you make the three principles taught in the video presentation
more effective in your personal life?
Now prepare to stop the tape and discuss what you've seen
using the discussion questions for segment three.
Allow the participants to write brief responses to the questions
and discuss as a group.
Then start the tape again and continue.
Stop the tape now.
Whether we are leaders, teachers, or class members,
there is something for each of us to do to bring about
a significantly increased dedication to teaching
and learning throughout the church.
If you are a leader or a teacher, we hope you know of
and are using the resources and training the church has provided.
There are excellent lesson manuals, helpful articles in church magazines,
and this remarkable book, Teaching, No Greater Call.
In addition, our most important lesson and teaching resource, the Scriptures.
The Teacher Development Basic Course is available in every ward,
and there are in-service meetings for every teacher.
To assist teachers in this crucial assignment,
we are providing this Leader's Guide.
It contains suggestions to help you carry out your responsibilities
relative to this emphasis on teaching excellence.
For each of us to do individually what is required is very small,
so small that we may think it does not matter very much.
But when teachers and leaders have tried to fulfill their callings well,
like Eldon and Jay or Dorothea,
or they have made yet one more second mile effort, like Carl and Hank,
great blessings have come to our people.
It doesn't matter so much how well we speak
or how much formal education we have,
but rather how we go about helping those around us to grow.
Teaching is one of the ways we live the gospel of love.
In all of these duties, the Savior set the example for us
as He strove to perfect the Saints while He walked upon the earth.
Teachers can commit themselves even more than in the past
to prepare their lessons well,
to seek for and to teach by the Spirit, and to love their students.
And as we saw in Dorothea's story,
class members, too, can have a profound effect
in helping and strengthening teachers as the students eagerly participate
and pray for the Spirit to attend the lesson.
And leaders, whether they are fathers leading their sons, like Carl led Hank,
or leaders in wards and stakes,
must make sure that teachers understand their callings and are properly prepared.
Brothers and sisters, the Lord Jesus Christ has commanded us
in the Doctrine and Covenants to meet together often,
to instruct and edify each other.
The Savior is our example.
He sought the guidance of His Father in continual prayer.
The spirit of service with which He taught was love made manifest.
He constantly prepared Himself to teach the Father's will.
Whether we are teachers, leaders, or class members,
it is His example that we are to follow.
Seeking the Spirit, showing forth love,
and preparing ourselves well to serve Him and one another.
May the Lord strengthen us in this important assignment is our prayer.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen.
I am grateful for this room because it is like a home to me.
I am so grateful that I am who I am, even though I'm not like other people.
Room number 26, home of a cerebral palsy victim, Elaine Dart,
resigned to live a life with coordination only in her feet.
I remember my uncle going me and Nika and told me to pick it up with my feet.
That was when I was four years old.
I have been using my feet ever since then.
I wanted to go to school, but I was unable.
My mother put me into a kindergarten for the first time,
and then the children were making fun of me, so the principal put me out.
I remember that I told my mother to give me a piece of paper for defensive,
and I placed it on the floor, and I spared my mother for the very first time.
This is the world of Elaine Dart, a home for the mentally retarded.
Although her IQ is normal, she shares her life with the other residents of the home.
For here, what she cannot do for herself, the nurses, the patients,
or her boyfriend Walter do for her.
Born October 19, 1929, nearly five months passed before Elaine's parents realized something was wrong,
something caused at birth.
My mother was alone while my brother was just a tiny boy.
She walked that up from the second floor.
Dad got up and went for the midwifes, and she had a flat toe.
He was late coming back, and when the doctors came, I was already born.
Being born with a defect that would have meant defeat for others only strengthened her will to survive, then excel.
I wanted so much to use my hands on probably a nurse or a secretary, but I was unable to do so.
That is why I thought that I would use my feet as hands.
In an age when the road of mediocrity is so well trodden, it is surprising to find excellence living within the walls of a home for the mentally retarded.
Her head sways spasmodically back and forth.
She has had a cataract removed from each eye and still, in less than 18 seconds, the needle is thread.
Music
Over one thousand beads went into this necklace, each one thread and positioned by foot.
Elaine Dart is one of the most amazing human beings I have ever known. Even though she has developed her great talents and expertise with her legs and feet, she has never in her entire life been able to so much as touch her forehead or scratch her face with her hands.
Music
There is recreation and companionship here for Elaine and for the others. A time to be together to enjoy an activity that her abilities will allow. A time when her feet can move to music instead of moving mountains.
Music
Elaine's brother Ralph wanted her to try painting. He furnished her with the necessary supplies. She gave him the completed picture.
This means a tremendous amount to me. It's one of my treasured possessions in my home. That's all there is to it. I tell my babysitters, if my home burns down, you move my picture out first and then get my kids.
This painting took over two years to complete. This embroidery, six months.
I like to sew, I like to needle points, I like to embroider, I like to do anything I can get my sweet on.
I worked for two years on this pretty brown sweater and finally she had it made and the following summer they were having some kind of a handicapped children type of an event outside of the American Fort Training School.
So they decided to take some of these items that handicapped children had made and sell them through raffles. So Elaine said, well, I'll give my sweater.
Well, after you sit down and decide what kind of value that you're going to place on just a sweater that took a girl over two years to make with her toes, the value becomes, you can't set value on it.
So they decided that they would take this one sweater and give it to Jackie Kennedy. She was then in the White House.
So it was newspaper articles, television, really quite a thing. Really well done. And the money was there so instead of just giving the sweater, sending it to her, they arranged with the White House to fly Elaine and the sweater back.
Determined, motivated, caring. Elaine is all these and more. Despite her restrictions, she is devout in her religious beliefs and in her halting voice will tell local church congregations or her own friends at the home, her reasons why life is good.
When things are for you and fall between, are you or fall away? Remember here the friends tear through. Come call on me someday. I had no shoes and I complained until I met a man who had no feet.
I am not a handicapped. When someone says I can't, they are the handicapped.
Elaine Dart. Not like other people.
Mm hmm.
It was a very poor part of the state and there I was, stuck as you might say, trying to teach kids in a school that was bypassed by progress.
I wasn't prepared for such primitive surroundings or children. And frankly, I was afraid.
Thank you.
Hey teach, your skirt's on set.
I had been warned by the school board that several of the children would be difficult, but I already knew that Jedi, the poorest and the least liked would give me more trouble than I wanted or needed.
Who would have ever thought that a five-year-old had such extremely large feet?
Hey, she's a lot more than five years old, teach. You can tell by his smell.
Stop it. Stop it. Stop it.
If you continue to act this way, I'm going to have to ask you to leave.
Shut up and leave me alone.
Animal behavior belongs in a barn.
School finally became a learning place. Everyone settled down to the business of reading, writing and arithmetic.
Notice the students were making real progress and even finding learning a not so painful experience.
Jedi all except Jedi.
Jedi was as stubborn as crabgrass. He shut me out and refused to listen or cooperate.
I knew from his record that he could read, but he wouldn't read in my class, which made me even more determined that a ten-year-old wouldn't get the better of me.
Number seven, I did not find my because the light was so dear.
Number eight, I can ride on one bus.
Very good.
Number nine.
M.O.T.H.E.R.
Jedi for nearly two weeks, we've been struggling with each other.
Now you're going to sit on this stool for every recess until you can read all the words on this list.
Now, can you read it?
Jedi, can you read it?
Jedi, let him go.
Don't fight him.
Jedi, run away.
Yes, Aretha, thank you.
The children were mercifully quiet.
With a dozen pair of eyes watching my every move, I went numb with the realization of what I had done.
There certainly were no heroes from that battle.
As I treated Kenny, he bravely endured the alcohol sting, but it was the teacher who felt a deeper gash.
It had been so important to be the leader inside with the others against Jedi.
I had shown them many times.
But now, instead of feeling superior, all I felt was small.
Something kept nagging me that I had to push away, that there was one young boy who was missing an education.
Even greater, he was missing the friendship of the others.
Ouch! What are you trying to hit me?
So what? You're too close to the face. What did you do that for?
Teacher can't hit me!
It didn't take much research to learn where Jedi's favorite fishing spot was.
The kids had told me he spent hours by the old mill clearing.
For the most part, it was deserted, just the way he liked it, with no intruders into his private world.
Jedi? Wait up! Jedi?
Sometimes people do sorrowful things.
I was wrong, Jedi, and I want you to come back.
I really care about you.
It had begun to make sense.
Jedi was less confused than I was. His world was filled with simple rules and facts. Mine was complicated by prejudice and adult reasoning.
It was no surprise he tried to seek solace in friendly surroundings.
The calm of the river and the protection of the trees were home to him and gave him a comfort he lacked at every other turn in his life.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
I picked you some wildflowers. That's welcome. I'm late.
Thank you, Aretha. They're beautiful. We'll have to put them in some water, though.
I'll get some.
If they're wild, does that mean they're weeds?
Of course not, Kenny. Didn't you know that every wildflower is important to God?
Even a little teeny weeny dandelion?
Of course.
How about crabgrass?
You're scared of cabbage.
How about Jedi?
Are dead people important to God, too?
Jedi's not dead, Aretha.
But my brother, Joey, is.
Joey was Jedi's friend till he died.
Children, everyone's important.
Then I'll make a sign to tell Joey so he'd want to know.
Can we do something, too?
Of course. We'll all do something.
That's really nice.
Thanks.
You've all made really nice things.
You know, one of the things you ought to remember is that to really care about somebody is one of the most important things we can do.
I'm sure Joey is very happy that his friends remember him.
Thank you.
The class wanted to make something for Joey's grave.
I know. I made something, too.
May I see it?
It's beautiful, Jedi.
Joey was your best friend, wasn't he?
Yep.
We went fishing.
Maybe you could find somebody else to go fishing with.
They all hate me.
Maybe it's just because they don't know you.
Sometimes when it's hard to like someone, it's because you don't know them.
And when you don't know them, sometimes you do mean things, like I did to you.
Do you know why I hit you, Jedi?
Because I bit Kenny.
Really?
Maybe it was because I was afraid.
You all made fun of me.
I forgot that before I could teach you, I had to learn how to understand you.
I'm sorry, Jedi.
It would please me very much if you'd come back to class.
What about the others?
I think we all need to learn how to understand each other better.
Will you try?
I don't know.
We're taking these things over to Joey's grave on Friday.
Why don't you come and bring this?
You take it.
Jedi, I'm sure lots of people would like to be your friend.
I would.
My light is but a little one, My light of faith and prayer,
But low it glows like God's great sun, For it was lighted there.
Shine on, shine on, shine on bright and clear, Shine on, shine on, the day is near.
I lay my heart high, my little one, For he has told me so, He's given me to keep in sight, That all may see it flow.
Shine on, shine on, shine on bright and clear, Shine on, shine on, the day is near.
That class never knew it, but they taught me that sometimes the greatest learning might not come from a well thought out lesson plan.
That learning isn't always found between the covers of a textbook.
It comes through listening and really caring.
Jedi had succeeded in teaching us all that everyone is important.
All around us the storm is mounting.
It's no ordinary storm.
We can't shut it out by locking the doors and closing the windows.
It's too strong, too pervasive for that.
It's a storm of evil influences.
President Spencer W. Kimball has warned us.
Such evils are very real and very threatening.
One has but to read the headlines of our newspapers and magazines to become frighteningly aware of the crumbling destructive influences which surround us.
They come into our homes by radio and the television screen.
We track them into the home from the school, from the playground, from the theater and the office, the marketplace.
Perhaps I sound like an alarmist. If so, it is because I am alarmed. I am greatly concerned.
We need continually to fortify our homes and families and defend them against the onslaught of evils such as divorce, broken families, brutality and abuse.
We need to constantly guard against immorality, pornography and sexual permissiveness that would destroy the purity of the family members, young and old.
How do we fortify our homes?
How can we protect our children from the flood of sin and crime?
Which threaten to tear apart the fabric of the home and family?
And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.
Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you.
Mom? Dad? You awake?
I've got a problem. The class officers are having a party next Sunday morning.
I guess the other kids don't go to church on Sunday or anything.
Anyway, I think I should go. See, since I'm class officer and this is my first year at it and I want to do a good job,
I think it's pretty important that I support what activities they have and I'll only be gone a couple of hours, okay?
Why are you asking? Don't you think it's the right thing to do? Have you asked the Lord about it?
Well, I...
Jody, I think you know what you should do, but this is a decision you'll have to make yourself.
Please understand, dear, we feel your concern about supporting the class party,
but there are other principles involved that must be considered.
We were about ready to have our evening prayer. Could we have a prayer together?
And Heavenly Father, Jody needs thy help with a special decision.
We pray that thou wilt be with her and help her remember what she's been taught.
The Lord knows your circumstances very well, honey. He loves you and we love you.
You know what the scripture says, study it out...
I know. Study it out in my mind.
Uh-huh. Then come up with a decision and then take your decision to the Lord and ask for His confirmation.
Jody, I know He will help you.
Okay, thanks.
She really wants to go. I hope she'll listen to the Spirit.
Well, dear, she's been taught the basic principles of the gospel all of her life, not only by us, but by her teachers.
Now that she's faced with an important decision, we can only hope that she'll remember those teachings
and that they'll help her in making the right decision.
Our Heavenly Father wants to help and guide us.
We just need to remember to ask for guidance and then listen to the Spirit.
The scriptures are very important to me. When I read them, I feel close to the Lord.
And when I have a problem or question, I know that by reading the scriptures I'll find an answer.
Jody, what's something you've learned from Lehi's dream in the Book of Mormon?
I learned that the important thing is to follow the Word of God, even if it's hard sometimes.
In times of crisis or decision, we find ourselves drawing upon all the things we've learned throughout our lives
from our parents and from teachers, teachers who are invaluable in their assistance to parents
in the teaching of their children.
But the primary responsibility for teaching children lies with the parents.
As President Kimball has said,
Parents should not leave the training of children to others.
There seems to be a growing tendency to shift this responsibility from the home
to outside influences such as the school and the church and to greater concern
to various child care agencies and institutions.
Important as these outward influences may be,
they never can adequately take the place of the influence of the mother and the father.
The Doctrine and Covenants makes it very clear.
It is the responsibility of the parents to teach their children.
All other agencies are secondary.
If parents do not teach their children their children, they will be held responsible.
Have you made the decision yet, Jody?
No, I'm still working on it.
I don't know, Karen.
My folks don't think it's a very good idea anyway to have a party on Sunday.
Your folks are giving you a hard time, huh?
Well, they're just doing like I want to do when I have kids.
You're kidding.
No, they're letting me decide this for myself.
Oh, great. Then you can go.
I've got to go now. Bye.
Yeah, well, see you. Goodbye.
Jody, I think you know what you should do,
but this is a decision you'll have to make yourself.
Have you asked the Lord about it?
Dear Heavenly Father,
our class at school is having a party, and I really would like to go.
Hi.
Hi, how's it going?
Good, Dad, really good.
I've decided I'm not going.
I think your friends will understand.
It's okay, even if they don't, Dad.
We'll have to hurry so we won't be late for church.
Jody?
Karen?
Is the party over already?
I didn't go.
I got thinking you were probably right.
It's not such a great thing to do on Sunday.
Oh, come in and shut the door. It's cold out there.
Thanks. It sure is nice and warm in here.
Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson.
Our homes can become a refuge from the storms of the world
and the destructive forces that threaten our families
if we learn the truth, live the truth, and teach the truth.
Even as we go forth from the home, the teachings and warm influence
of the parents and teachers will be as protective spiritual clothing.
Build up and enrich your home life so that so far as your home is concerned,
when the rains descend and the floods come
and the winds blow and beat upon that house, your home, it will stand.
Brothers and sisters, we simply must be more diligent and effective
in using all of the standard works.
Let us now watch as Elder Gene R. Cook of the First Quorum of the Seventy
teaches a small group of church members.
They are learning how the scriptures can be used by individuals, families,
and gospel teachers in the classroom.
I suggest you become an active participant in the class
by taking notes and following along in your scriptures.
Much of the discussion will center on seeking and obtaining the Spirit
as we study the revelations.
Strive to understand how you can more effectively invite
the Spirit of the Lord into your scripture study.
As I think of other members of the church, and of me, and of you,
and my family, for example, why should I?
Why should I be interested in studying and pondering
and praying over the scriptures?
Can somebody help me with that a little bit?
Well, in our family, we have four small children,
and our oldest one is seven years old.
And they do ask questions, and I'm a little bit embarrassed
if I don't know the answer.
And so a lot of times I will turn to the scriptures,
and we'll look up the scripture together, and that way they...
Okay, excellent.
Bob, would you help us on the board?
Why don't we put that actual question,
why should I study the scriptures?
If I'm understanding Joslyn right, she's telling us that
because it helps me answer my children's questions,
it understands you correctly?
It's a great help to learn the gospel,
and it's a great help to live the gospel.
I'm going on a mission soon, and if I wouldn't read the scriptures,
then I wouldn't be able to tell them
what the truth of the gospel really is.
I wouldn't be able to let them know
what we're really trying to teach them.
Elder Cook, I've listened to people many times say,
it would be nice if the Lord would talk to me.
I mean, I would like to meet the Savior
and hear what He would have to say to me,
but if you want to have the Lord talk directly to you
and get what He wants you to know, read the scriptures,
because that's truly where His message and His word
will speak to you as an individual.
Very good.
The Lord speaks to us through the scriptures.
Am I capturing that right, Joel?
That's correct.
And as we have often said to one another in the church
so no one would misunderstand, normally the way that happens
is through feelings and thoughts, isn't it?
That you're reading the passages and all of a sudden
you feel a feeling come over you that says,
Joel, this is for you.
As a mother, I feel like I need to read the scriptures
so that as I go through the day,
I need the spirit that the scriptures bring into my life
so that I can handle all the problems and the crisis
that arise during the day and I'm more spiritually in tune.
I think they had problems back in those days,
and by studying the scriptures we can find the answers
to the problems that we have nowadays like they did then.
And it's just great to know that Heavenly Father loves us,
and you can find this in the scriptures so much,
and I want my grandchildren and my children to know this,
that their Heavenly Father loves them.
Well, for me it's knowing that my Heavenly Father is merciful.
It gives me hope to know that in spite of the mistakes
that I make in my life and the things that I may do
that there's still hope for me.
We read in the scriptures that time and time again
our Heavenly Father will forgive us in spite of what we do,
and so I need to know that my Heavenly Father is merciful.
I've kind of asked the question again of what should we,
why should we study the scriptures, ponder, pray over them,
and I have done as you have done.
I've gone back into the scriptures to try to answer that question,
to try to find out what did the Lord say about why I should,
and these answers come from different passages.
The one that comes to my mind first of all is because
they lead me to Christ.
They teach me to be like He is.
And I would bear witness that as a man begins to immerse himself
more and more in the scriptures,
he will truly find the Lord there and himself as well,
and will learn in truth how to come unto Christ.
Now perhaps maybe we've answered the question at least in part
as to why should we be involved in the scriptures.
I'd like to turn the discussion for a few minutes
to maybe another question then.
I'd like to ask you folks to help me better understand
why is it that members seem to have such a hard time
to read the scriptures?
What are the obstacles or what is it that's keeping us
from doing more of it?
I think that sometimes we feel that we don't have enough time.
Well, it's a lot easier just to sit down in front of the television
and let that medium entertain us.
You know, I have to smile as I think about that because
I've found over the years that the more you immerse yourself
in the scriptures, the more you do it,
the more you will seek that kind of entertainment.
And the least, the less and less satisfied you'll be
with things the world can offer.
I know a lot of our excuses when I was in seminary was that
we just don't understand them.
I just don't understand the scriptures.
I have six children, and whenever daddy's home,
it seems like every one of them is competing
for a little of his time.
Just finding a quiet place to sit and study,
I find very difficult.
Have you ever met a child, Bill,
that said he didn't want to hear a story?
No.
I don't think so.
And I found it's a struggle because you come home
sometimes like that and you're just bushed.
You want to kind of stretch out or go do something,
and you don't feel like in the mood maybe to do that,
and yet I found when you've got some contention in the home
or somebody's given a little bit of trouble here or there,
those words, let me tell you a story.
I've never found any child that didn't quickly say,
let's hear it.
May I add just one more that maybe would make a tie to,
in my mind at least, to what is at the root cause
of why people don't do it?
I think these are all excellent answers and are all true,
and I also believe that there are two or three things
that come from the Scriptures that teach us
why people really don't understand it or don't want to.
I've heard some say, I don't like to read them
because I forget, and some people are discouraged
because they did maybe try to memorize a verse of Scripture
or learn something, and when it comes time
to answer a question in a class or something,
they have a blank, and they say,
I can't remember a thing I read.
Has that ever happened to you?
Yeah.
I think it happens to all of us.
And I suspect that in that also, as part of our answer,
would somebody look up for me in John,
chapter 14, verse 26.
I think the Lord teaches us a great principle there
about remembering, and it also relates
to our study of the Scriptures.
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,
whom the Father will send in my name,
he shall teach you all things.
Who will teach me while I'm reading the Scriptures,
brothers and sisters?
The Holy Ghost, the Lord through the Holy Ghost.
And he will bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you.
What a great promise.
And if a person will humble themselves before the Lord
and seek to have that memory come to them,
the Lord is able to bring back their spiritual memory
as they're reading that Scriptures in part.
They'll begin to have feelings about things they once knew.
And thus I would hope, as we look to the solutions,
if you will, or suggestions to how do we solve this,
that we would understand more fully
that it is a spiritual thing, isn't it?
Let's share a few Scriptures that I think, again,
answer in good measure why it is that some people
have a hard time reading the Scriptures.
Let's turn first of all to Mosiah, chapter 26.
If you'll turn there with me,
I'd like to have one of you read that passage.
Here's a time in Alma's life
when there are a number of dissenters
and they're not believing the Holy Scriptures
and they're having a hard time believing it.
And Tim, maybe you could read that for us.
It's Mosiah, chapter 26, verse 3.
And now, because of their unbelief,
they could not understand the word of God.
Why could they not understand, Tim?
Because of their unbelief.
Because of unbelief.
That seems to be a great key, doesn't it?
Okay, and read on.
And their hearts were hardened.
And what the Lord is saying to us is the reason they couldn't,
and I found that to be true of all of us, brothers and sisters,
is maybe down deep we really don't believe.
We do, we believe it's true, but we don't.
Meaning that we may read a verse here
that is a simple answer like that one
as to why people don't enjoy the Scriptures,
the answer being unbelief, and we read on.
Instead of maybe trying to really figure out for ourselves,
am I unbelieving when I read?
Do I sometimes read these and say,
this is too easy of an answer, it's not that easy?
Or this doesn't apply to me?
Or maybe read a passage about the Lord
promising that someone could be healed
or receive revelation as they read
and kind of doubt a little bit and say,
well, that was for the prophets, but not for me.
I'm just a common individual member of the church.
Let's look at another passage.
Turn to 3 Nephi, chapter 11, verse 5.
Sharon, would you read that one for us?
And again the third time they did hear the voice,
and it opened their ears to hear it.
And their eyes were towards the sound thereof,
and they did look steadfastly towards heaven
whence the sound came.
What was it that was different this time?
What does it say there?
They opened their ears.
Now, aren't my ears already open?
You could say, well, if you think of it as a man,
you'd say, well, they are.
The Lord's talking to us about something spiritual, isn't he?
They heard the voice the first time,
they didn't understand it.
They heard the second time, they didn't understand it.
And then those beautiful words,
the third time they opened their ears.
Look at one more that's in Doctrine and Covenants,
section 136.
The Lord has just told us people,
before we read this verse,
that they have to be tried in all things,
that he that is not worthy of chastisement is not worthy,
he that doesn't bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom.
And then I think he answers this question
of how do you open your ears and your eyes
that you may hear and see spiritually.
This is verse 32.
And perhaps I'll read this one.
Number 32 says, let him that is ignorant,
and who's he talking about?
Us.
He's talking about us.
Anybody not?
No, we all are, in comparison to him.
He says, let him that is ignorant learn wisdom.
And I found in reading the Scriptures
that you don't want to go on.
Think about that a minute.
He's saying, Gene Cook, you want to learn wisdom?
Now my question would be, what probably would he say
if the world were going to answer that question?
What might the world say?
How do you obtain wisdom?
What might they say?
Bill?
Go to the library.
Read books.
Study.
Experience.
Talk to others.
Get in all that wisdom, if you will.
He doesn't answer it that way,
and I think his answer is profound
and gives us a great key to understanding the Scriptures.
I'll read it again.
Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by,
one, humbling himself.
And two, calling upon the Lord his God,
that his eyes may be opened, that he may see,
and his ears opened, that he may hear.
For my spirit is sent forth into the world
to enlighten the humble and the contrite.
Who will he enlighten, brothers and sisters?
The humble and the contrite.
Here's one last one, perhaps.
In section 32, I'm appreciative of this little verse
that is given to us that directly talks about
the impact of understanding and prayer
when we're doing anything spiritual,
but especially when we're reading the Scriptures.
Joslyn, would you read verse 4 for us, please?
And they shall give heed to that which is written.
Meaning the Scriptures, okay?
Okay.
And pretend to no other revelation,
and they shall pray always that I may unfold
the same to their understanding.
And if I don't pray always?
He won't understand.
I won't understand.
How important it is, as we've been missionaries,
many of us, that we've told our investigators
to pray over the Scriptures.
They cannot just take a book and read it.
They must do this process of humbling themselves
while they're reading it before,
and then they will understand.
Let me hear from you now.
What are some things that you have found
in reading the Scriptures that have been helpful to you?
You can try, like I found,
reading them with your spouse,
reading them with your partner.
I found one day, discovered I was dozing off
while I was reading the Scriptures,
and I was mad at myself, and I said,
why was I doing this?
And I realized I didn't pray before I read this time.
And the next time I found myself reading
and wasn't really...
I said, what have I been reading?
I again said, I didn't really pray
before I read this time.
And I've discovered that for me,
that is a rule that every time I find my mind wandering,
I'm not there, I'm not understanding,
it's because I didn't include the Lord
in my Scripture study, and I found it really helps.
I firmly believe that reading a little every day
is a lot better than reading a lot on just one day.
I found that for me, reading in the morning,
before I did anything else,
that I wouldn't have to worry about
what happened through the day or anything.
One other thing I found that's kind of challenging
is the Scriptures seem to be a group of conclusions,
if you will, or answers to problems.
It's like reading an answer book, kind of.
You know how hard that would be to read an answer book?
That's what I find the Scriptures are, in a sense.
I'm reading all the answers,
I just don't know what the original question was
and why it's very important to stop and ponder
as to now, what is the answer?
What was it that precipitated this response from the Lord?
I think another one that is of extreme importance,
and we've alluded to it here a couple of times,
but I'd like to reinforce it a little bit more,
is that it's absolutely essential
to apply the Scriptures to yourself.
When we're searching to apply things to our own heart
is when they've really come alive.
When you read in there about repentance,
the first question ought to be in our minds,
how might I more fully repent?
When I read of the great faith of Enoch,
or of Jacob, or of Alma,
or Nephi,
my questions keep coming back to me.
What could you do to be more like they were?
What is it?
And as I read those passages and pray over them as you do,
trying to liken myself and find myself in there,
verse after verse,
lo and behold, I do find myself in there, and so do you.
I find myself sometimes like a great Nephi
who's standing at the seashore
ready to turn all the water into earth, as he said,
and sometimes I find myself like Laman and Lemuel.
Do you find that too?
Some people are unsettled by the idea
that the Lord doesn't have a great chapter on humility.
Do you know any chapter that's entitled
The Ten Easy Steps for Humility?
No, I don't either.
They are buried in the Scriptures throughout,
the jewels, aren't they?
And if you ever find them,
you will have to have humbly sought them out
and prayed to understand them.
There is no other way.
I think that the Lord did that on purpose,
and as I search for the truths
that I'm trying to understand from the passages and as you do,
I find the greatest truths,
some of those even relative to Jesus Christ and the Atonement
and this great theme we're teaching of coming to Christ,
are buried the deepest.
Those things that are the most sacred in my understanding
are buried the deepest,
and it's done to keep them from the eyes and the ears
of the ungodly and those who would treat them lightly.
And thus, for saints, we must seek and search them out.
You don't find many places
where they talk about reading the Scriptures.
It's usually seeking, searching, pondering.
It takes work in order to do it.
I'd make reference perhaps to just one last passage of Scripture
that maybe I'll just paraphrase if I might,
that's found in the book of Luke.
Let's look it up. Maybe that would be better.
Look in Luke chapter 24, verse 32.
I think in a sense, this may be the final measure
if you were looking for a measurement
as to how am I doing in reading the Scriptures.
I often have tried to apply this one to me
in the sense that this tells me how well I'm doing
in feeling the words of the Lord when I'm reading,
or am I just reading?
And it's not surprising it was taught directly by the Savior
to two disciples about the Scriptures.
In verse 32, these men are recounting now
after the Savior has departed, and they say one to another,
Did not our heart burn within us
while he talked with us by the way,
and while he opened to us the Scriptures?
Did not our hearts burn within us while we were reading?
How many of you have had that experience?
I'm sure you all have.
And I guess the measure of how we're doing in some part at least
is when you're reading, do you really feel it deeply?
In the world today, I really worry about my children
as I'm sure every parent does because of the way the world is.
And I fear for my children.
And in the Scriptures it tells us that
if you have fear, you don't have faith,
and so you must replace that fear with faith.
And I feel that the faith that you can bring to your family
and the Scripture reading that you do with your family
is kind of like an umbrella,
that it will protect them from the world,
that it will keep them safe
and help them through the struggles of life because it's hard.
And I just feel that it is so important
to have Scripture reading with your children
so that they can face the trials
that they have to face in the world today.
And there's no greater payday
than to accidentally walk in on a child
as they're kneeling and praying
and the Scriptures are open before them.
And there's no greater comfort
when you have to send one of your children away to school or wherever.
And feel the tearing that happens in a mother's heart.
And feel the security of knowing that that child has learned
and has been able to build up his own personal Scripture reading.
And it is a good comfort and a wonderful comfort to me as a mother
to feel that maybe we have prepared our sons
to stand out to school and on a mission,
that they'll continue to do this on their own
because they have realized it through growing up with it
that is so important in their lives.
I want my children to be proud of being a member of the Church.
I'm so proud that I have the truth.
And it took me a long time to really gain my own testimony.
And I think that it was because I didn't have an understanding
and I didn't know how to feel the Spirit.
And that's my goal as a mother,
that I want my children to know how to feel the Spirit
and to be so proud to be a member of the Church while they're young.
I think as we have spiritual experiences with our children
reading the Scriptures, we need to teach them what they're feeling,
that that's the Holy Spirit testifying to them.
So that when they're out on their own and they feel that same thing,
they'll know, yes, that's the Holy Spirit,
that's the Spirit testifying to me.
Lord Cook, I've pretty well tried in my life to read the Scriptures,
and today I think I've felt a stepping from this plateau to a higher plateau
and a greater understanding of the Scriptures by implying more prayer,
by being more in tune with the Spirit
and listening to more than just words on a page,
but things that can be said to me.
Brother Cook, I'm grateful for today
because I have a hard time studying the Scriptures.
I have a hard time reading, not that I can't read.
I have a hard time keeping my mind on it.
I've always had a hard time reading,
and I think this is going to help me.
In fact, I know it's going to help a lot.
My wife and I are planning a mission,
and I've got to learn these Scriptures,
and I've known this, and it's bothered me immensely,
and I think what I've learned here today will help me
that I'll be able to go forth and do these things.
I bear testimony that these things are true,
that we ought to have a great love for the Scriptures,
that we ought to be fully committed as members of the Church
to be reading in the passages every day.
I bear witness it will change men's lives, ours and our families.
I bear witness to all of you that they are the word of the Lord.
I testify to you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
that if you really want to come unto the Lord,
if you really want to draw close to him
and find out how he is, how he works, how he thinks,
what he counts to be important and what he doesn't,
you'll find them in here.
I pray the Lord will bless each of you
that you might feel that spirit in your heart
and the feeling of commitment to do it,
and I promise you again in the name of the Lord
the fruits will be great for so having done,
for having believed and gone forward and acted upon that faith.
May the Lord bless each of you, I humbly pray,
in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Amen.