Simple Words of Truth
By C.S. Bezas

One of my new teaching experiences in the Church years ago was as a novice Relief Society teacher. Oh, I nervous for that first lesson! I’d spent more than enough time preparing, yet still didn’t feel ready. The lesson was on the Word of Wisdom and its history.

Doing what I thought was proper, I brought about 90 displays from my home. Ahhh, so I exaggerate. But needless to say, I’d brought more that day than I should have. For example, I had to have that lacy Relief Society tablecloth. Had to have those many elevated stands to display my bowls of fruit and “perfect food offerings.” Had to have easels to prop up just-right pictures and scriptural phrases.

Oh, and don’t forget the pretty basket with sweets attached to little scripture cards — perfect for the many sisters in my soon-to-be class.

Imagine my mortification, after hauling all that to church, to find out that three of us from the ward were teaching the same Relief Society lesson that day. This was in Utah, where many wards need to issue duplicate callings so that all have a chance to serve — in this ward’s case, three different women in the ward would teach Relief Society every Sunday.

To top it off, there had been a miscommunication. The teacher I had been called to replace thought she had one more Sunday to instruct, and so she also showed up with a lesson! Now there were four of us prepared and not enough classrooms to go around. Needless to say, being the newest kid on the block, I was asked to teach in a tiny side alcove.

There went all my illustrative display possibilities! Instead of a table (for my beautiful table cloth), there was only the top of a piano to place my overloaded amounts of pictures and paraphernalia. Instead of a chalkboard, there was just air space for me to stand in and nothing to write on. And instead of a full class, there were only three women that filtered in to my little space (probably out of sympathy, more than anything else).

Then to my greatest embarrassment and horror, who also chose to attend? The veritable Susan Easton Black: BYU Religion Professor and our stake Relief Society president (at the time). Those who knew her adored and respected her; her very presence filled a room effortlessly. She also had just been called to be my visiting teacher. Surely she came to support me.

But Susan Easton Black in my class? My very first day of teaching Relief Society? And a church history lesson at that? I nearly fainted and wanted to shrink smaller and thinner than the aged carpet currently under my feet! I felt I knew practically nothing about church history, let alone how to teach my fellow sisters. Sister Black’s presence was so kind, her smile so gentle, yet I felt so small.

Somehow I stumbled through that lesson. And I kept my tears to myself until I arrived home. Being a newlywed, I’m sure my husband was bemused at my over-the-top horror at the perceived bungling of my first Relief Society teaching experience (don’t get me wrong — I’d taught in Primary without fear, but for some reason, teaching my peers made my knees knock and tears run).

It took me more than a month’s worth of teaching Relief Society lessons before I stopped crying each evening (in private) after the experience. To this day, I’m not quite sure why those lessons were difficult. Perhaps it was because the gospel meant so very much. Perhaps it was because I wanted to make a difference. But I think it also could have been because I still needed to understand the gospel teacher’s purpose: not to entertain and be “brilliant” with beautiful displays and stimulating classroom activities, but rather to teach correct gospel principles and to humbly testify to their veracity. Then the gospel teacher stands out of the way, essentially to allow the Holy Ghost to testify of these important truths.

Years later, I must admit I chuckle as I think of those early experiences. Perhaps they weren’t a failure as I thought they were. But I’m grateful for them. For all my confidence in certain things (which at that time actually were very few), I’ve learned that no one person is learned in all things. In fact, it was a great experience to be brought to that level of insecurity. As I learned in the MTC, “when you’re green, you grow; when you’re ripe, you rot!”

Teaching Tools & Techniques

So how does one learn to become skilled in a classroom setting, to become a powerful gospel teacher? I’ve noticed several potent tools; I’m sure you can think of more and I’d love to hear about them.

First, teacher in-service meetings are a must. Attendance at these is critical. Not only is it great to be able to associate with others and share ideas, but the leaders who present them have put great effort to bring forth effective skills for all to learn and grow thereby. It is part of the calling and the Lord blesses those who attend.

Second, as I wrote in my last article, prayer is an essential teaching tool — especially as we struggle with classroom challenges (of any kind). I very much have a testimony as to the power of envisioning what we need and then asking the Lord to grant us His assistance in fulfillment of that need.

Finally, we can learn from great women and men whose lives are illustrated in the scriptures. One of my favorites is that of Ezra, an Old Testament scribe and priest responsible for great good during his life.

One of his largest achievements was to teach truth effectively to the people (isn’t this our goal, also?). To do this, he brought the scriptures to the people. According to the Bible Dictionary (tucked conveniently at the back of our Bible), prior to Ezra’s time, the people generally were not exposed to open readings of the law — only the priests. Therefore, one of Ezra’s greatest accomplishments was a teaching emphasis from the law itself (see Bible Dictionary, p. 669).

As I ponder Ezra’s accomplishments (of which there were many), I can’t help but wonder how I compare. How much of a scriptural emphasis do I include in my lessons? Truly, how fortunate we are to have our own “book of God’s law” in our day. A majority of the Jews prior to Ezra’s time apparently did not.

What am I doing to utilize this amazing gift of God’s words in my own teachings? How much do I rely on His words, rather than my own words (or “pretty displays,” as in my first disastrous teaching attempt)?

When we as teachers focus on the Lord’s words in our lessons (as opposed to those “pretty displays”) we find our students more effectively affected, even those who could be considered hard-hearted. Ezra understood this, and for this reason, felt it important that the average individual in his society be exposed to the “word,” not just the priests.

The Book of Mormon prophets understood this. For example, we read of Alma’s endeavors to use the word of the Lord with those he served:

The New Testament prophets understood this. For example, the apostle Paul taught the Hebrews:

Old Testament, New Testament, and Book of Mormon prophets understood this. Do we?

Summary

My knees may no longer quake when teaching a class, as they did so many years ago as a new Relief Society teacher. But I still need to maintain the same openness to “learning how to teach.” By attending my in-service meetings and remembering to utilize the powerful tool of prayer, I may effectuate much as a gospel teacher. And one of the best ways I’ve found to do this is to read my scriptures every day and use them in my lessons. In this way, I can learn from the mighty gospel teachers of all ages, as can my students.

Indeed, I don’t need to rely on “pretty displays” or frilly tablecloths to move my students to action. Instead, simple words of truth will do just fine.

C.S. Bezas’ new book is now in LDS bookstores and has been called perfect for parents of teens and those who work with them. Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers: Helping Youth Find Their Spiritual Wings is also available by clicking here.