By Kandice Carnahan
I received the book, The Beginning of Better Days: Divine Instruction to Women from the Prophet Joseph Smith, with personal insights from Sheri Dew and Virginia H. Pearce, as a Christmas gift. As I have been reading it I found a statement made by Sister Pearce that caught my attention, mainly because it had to do with teaching the scriptures. As first counselor, I am always trying to find things to inspire myself and my counter parts about teaching, because that is part of our responsibility, being over the education/Sunday lessons.
I received the book, The Beginning of Better Days: Divine Instruction to Women from the Prophet Joseph Smith, with personal insights from Sheri Dew and Virginia H. Pearce, as a Christmas gift. As I have been reading it I found a statement made by Sister Pearce that caught my attention, mainly because it had to do with teaching the scriptures. As first counselor, I am always trying to find things to inspire myself and my counter parts about teaching, because that is part of our responsibility, being over the education/Sunday lessons.
“I learned that we, as women, have
been blessed with the right and responsibility to expound and teach from the
scriptures. Like Emma Smith, we are ‘ordain’d to expound the scriptures to all;
and to teach the female part of our community.’ One Sunday, not long ago, I
taught Relief Society in my ward. The teacher was going to be out of town and I
was asked to substitute. I read the material, I thought about the meaning, and
prayed about the sisters in my Relief Society--- who are some of my dearest
friends on earth. It was a wonderful week. And then Sunday came, and together
we discussed gospel truths. I had an opportunity to hear their thoughts and
testimonies and to bear witness to those truths myself. It doesn't get any
better than that!”
She did
everything that an instructor is asked to do. She prepared by becoming
acquainted with the lesson material, she pondered, and she prayed for her
sisters. She gave herself time to have experiences during her week to let the
spirit guide her and prompt her in her preparation. Then she led a discussion
so that testimonies could be borne, and so that all could be heard. Lessons are more
meaningful to the students when they engage and participate and express their
ideas.
These steps
are very basic and they work when done prayerfully. It is my hope for all of us
who have the wonderful blessing of teaching to please follow Sister Pearce’s
example. If we prepare as she did, I know that we will experience greater
learning and enthusiastic participation by the sisters as a result of our
preparation.