Sacred call to teach is an opportunity to follow the Master
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"Each of us, at some time during our membership in the Church, will be a teacher," said President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency. "That is one of the beauties of this Church. The call to teach is an opportunity to follow Jesus Christ, the Master Teacher."
Speaking to seminary, institute, BYU, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii and LDS Business College teachers gathered in the Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City as well as an audience of more than 42,000 volunteers throughout the world via broadcast, President Uchtdorf addressed the topic of the great responsibility seminary, institute and religion instructors have in teaching the rising generation.
"As teachers in seminary or institute, you are privileged to help the rising generation walk toward eternity in the footsteps of the Savior," President Uchtdorf said. "Perhaps you do not always realize how far your influence reaches into the lives of those you teach. The positive impact of seminary and institute might not be readily apparent to those involved in the day-to-day work. Nevertheless, don't underestimate what the Lord is doing through you. When one stands back and looks across a longer period of time, it is obvious that much has been accomplished, and that is very gratifying."
The broadcast was translated into more than 23 languages for teachers in more than 150 countries around the world. President Uchtdorf told instructors of the benefit youth in the Church have today as prophecy of the gospel filling the earth comes forth and opportunities to learn about the gospel are present. He contrasted this with his experience as a youth in Germany at a time when seminary and institute were not available.
"There is no doubt in my mind that young members today who have the privilege to participate in seminary and institute are far better educated in the history, doctrine and practices of the Church than any other generation in Church history," President Uchtdorf said. "I am confident that the seminary and institute programs have been among the most significant contributors to the stability and strength of the growing worldwide Church."
Although the developments in communication and travel are a huge blessing in taking the gospel to all areas of the earth, the true miracle is when the gospel reaches the hearts of the members, President Uchtdorf said.
"To accomplish this, we need something even more miraculous than modern technology," he declared. "We need effective, loving teachers."
President Uchtdorf gave a few plain and simple guidelines to help teachers touch the hearts of their students.
1. Follow the Master Teacher
All purposes and efforts a teacher makes must be centered on the Master Teacher, His gospel, His teachings, His example and His love, President Uchtdorf said.
"Let us help the youth of the Church learn to love the Lord, for what we love determines what we seek," he said. "What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determine who we are — and who we will become."
As instructors teach the young people of the Church to love the Savior they are helping the youth to become true disciples of the Master. As they are converted they become loyal, loving, leaders of eternal families, and temple and missionary work become an important part of their lives.
President Uchtdorf also cautioned teachers of becoming prideful because of their abilities as teachers.
"When you become obsessed with your own greatness and importance as teachers, when you begin to dwell on your influence or reputation — that's when pride will begin to corrupt your motives and behavior," he said. "Remember that it is the Savior, not you, who must be the focus of your service."
It is through teaching the gospel with boldness and humility that teachers are able to follow the Spirit and inspire students to do the same.
2. Teach the truth with courage and clarity
President Uchtdorf spoke of the morally confusing world of today, and the lack of moral direction and commitment to God's laws. Despite these challenges, teachers can stand committed to the unchanging, eternal truths set forth by a living and loving Heavenly Father.
"Gospel doctrine and principles are eternal; they never change," he said. "They are the same yesterday, today and forever, in all cultures, in all nations and in all times."
No matter the traditions, languages or cultural expectations, the commandments of God and the clear and plain doctrines of the restored gospel will stand firm and cannot be changed by men, President Uchtdorf said.
3. Teach by the Spirit
"Many of your students will be blessed in their process of conversion by the strength of your testimony, your faith, your confidence and love for them. … In your role as teachers in this great work, you need to have the Spirit," he said. "No eternal learning can take place without that quickening of the Spirit from heaven."
4. Teach from the heart
Many teachers in the Church Educational System are not professional teachers but faithful members who accepted a call from the priesthood to teach, President Uchtdorf pointed out, but regardless of technical training, all can teach with power through the Spirit and a good attitude.
"Your motives, attitudes and thoughts to help and bless the rising generation will ultimately influence your actions," President Uchtdorf said. "Your testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is the most powerful motivating force in this process. You are on the Lord's errand and the Lord will qualify you for the work. ...
"The greatest teachers I have known were not necessarily the most proficient in techniques of teaching. Rather, they were able to speak spirit to spirit. Their great influence had less to do with mechanically following prescribed lesson plans or educational theories and more to do with sincerity, passion and convictions."
It is through compelling ideas and speaking to the heart that teachers — no matter their level of eloquence — reach their students and inspire them to action.
"Not all teachers are the same, nor should they be," President Uchtdorf said. "We each have different talents, skills and abilities. We need to celebrate and take advantage of these differences rather than force everyone into the same pattern.
"But there are some things we all should have in common: We should live righteous lives, love our students, love the gospel and teach by the Spirit. If we do, we will be effective tools in the hand of the Lord to help the precious youth of the Church qualify for eternal life with Heavenly Father."
5. Testify
"We are a testimony-bearing people," President Uchtdorf said. "And this should be especially true for us as teachers. ... This has been the divine pattern throughout the ages, and this pattern will continue until the Lord returns in glory. The teacher who bears testimony by the power of the Spirit will be able to touch the hearts and minds of the students."
President Uchtdorf shared his testimony and his faith he has in the teachers of the Church.
"With all my heart and soul, I bear witness that God lives and loves us," he affirmed. "He knows you and loves you; He has great confidence in you. He trusts you in your great responsibility as a teacher of the youth of the Church. You are entitled to heaven's help. The Spirit will lead you and these precious young people unto new and brighter horizons."
