M E R I D I A N     M A G A Z I N E

I've been an EM seminary teacher for many years, and I appreciate your articles. I'm dealing with a version of the problem you discussed recently and am really trying to find inspiration in how to help this year’s particularly tough group of young men. I am including my journal of the situation [with this email]. I write to sort out my thoughts and so I can remember in later years what I learned this year. It's not great, but I thought it might be of interest to you.

It's not the student that tries to prove me wrong that worries me. Ultimately, in trying to prove the gospel wrong, he or she will discover the truth of it. It's the student who simply doesn't care if it's right or wrong that has me constantly in prayer. It seems to me that one of Satan's most effective tools against our youth currently is apathy. They don't rebel, they don't challenge, they don't question.  They just sit and do nothing.

Even if they do participate they do so half-heartedly and immediately withdraw after the active part is over. When you ask a pointed question the standard answer is, “I don't know.” It's easier than trying to find it or think about it.

They clearly don't want to be there and in most cases are there under the insistence of a parent. In the past I have had big classes and not knowing what to do I have let them sit and vegetate while the learning, testimony building and strength to resist temptation goes on around them.

I used to believe that they were feeling the spirit too, but were just too “cool” to let it show. But years later I have had to re-evaluate. Those young people who sat apathetically in my classes rarely to never go on to serve missions or marry in the temple. Like the five foolish virgins in the parable they are “sleeping” and the oil in their lamps is sparse. They are ripe for Satan's temptations. 

It makes me sad and I agonize over whether I would have been able to light a fire of love for the gospel under them if I had just been a little better teacher. But not any longer. I have five young men in my class this year who fit this profile. More than I ever have before, I love them and am determined not to lose them to apathy. They have made it clear they have no intention of serving a mission and are interested only in the events happening in their lives today.

It's time for me to search and understand how Heavenly Father wants me to teach those precious young men and women. He loves them and he doesn't give up on them and I can't either. [But] I simply don't know what to do. So I'm writing this in an effort to sort out thoughts, quotes, scriptures and to seek inspiration. Writing helps me analyze. Hopefully, as I write and pray I'll gain an understanding of how to help them care.

I realize that each of us has our own agency. I find that coercion almost never works. Rewards rarely work. Especially not for four years of seminary. The behavior may change but the heart never does. What would motivate these young men to care about the gospel that should be central to their lives? How can I teach to defeat the ebb of apathy that surrounds them and inspire them to seek the spirit and pray for answers, confirmation and a testimony? How can I help them experience a change of heart? 

I've read every manual, conference talk and teaching handbook I can find. Cover to cover I've studied Teaching — No Greater Call three complete times. I can't find answers on how to teach against apathy. But here are some of the things I have found that seem to apply.

As teachers we often focus on behavior and ways to correct it. In a recent conference address, Elder Uchdorf talked about what affects our behavior. Our motives and thoughts ultimately influence our actions. Our testimony motivates us to live righteously, and righteous living will cause our testimony to grow stronger. Elder Boyd K. Packer said, “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior more than the study of behavior changes it.”

So it would seem that in order to influence their behavior (how they feel and act in seminary) I have to help them find a testimony. Many years ago in a conference address President David O McKay said, “What you sincerely in your heart think of Christ, will determine what you are.”

As I ponder this thought it occurs to me that it is the central focus of my study. If I could help them increase their love for and testimony of the Savior it should in turn affect their behavior and attitude about the gospel.

But how do I do that? Will music touch their hearts? Will stories and examples from the church magazines to accompany the doctrine I teach touch them? Will the testimonies of their peers? What can motivate a person to want to change? The scriptures are full of examples of parents and leaders who pray and fast continually for that change of heart to occur in their loved ones. Maybe that's all I can do. I don't know yet, but I'm sincerely trying to find out.

And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men's hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth.

And when the times of the Gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fulness of my gospel.

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 12:2)