Quotes on Teaching
All Church members have the responsibility to teach by the Spirit through word and example, even if they do not have a formal assignment, or calling, as a teacher in the Church. Each parent, son, daughter, husband, wife, brother, sister, Church leader, classroom teacher, home teacher, visiting teacher, coworker, neighbor, or friend has opportunities to teach.
“You are dealing with choice spirits among the many that have been created. I am persuaded that in the veins of these boys and girls in your Primary organizations flows some of the best blood that this world has ever known. These are choice spirits. Many of them, I feel confident, have been held back to come forth in this, the greatest of all gospel dispensations, in preparation for the second coming of the Master.” -President Ezra Taft Benson (So Shall Ye Reap, pg. 27).
“You are called to represent the Savior. Your voice to testify becomes the same as His voice, your hands to lift the same as His hands. . . . So, your calling is to bless lives. That will be true even in the most ordinary tasks you are assigned and in moments when you might be doing something not apparently connected to your call. Just the way you smile or the way you offer to help someone can build their faith. And should you forget who you are, just the way you speak and the way you behave can destroy faith.” -Henry B. Eyring, “Rise to Your Call,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 76.
“All we ask of you is that in the hearts of these children who come under your watch, care and direction, you will so inspire them that nothing in this world will be dearer to them than the Gospel.” -President Ezra Taft Benson
“In Primary, we want each child to feel welcome, feel the Spirit, and be taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. We teach children about their relationship with Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. We cannot teach of a loving relationship without feeling and demonstrating that same Christlike love” (Coleen K. Menlove, “Primary Is Missionary Work,” Open House address, Oct. 2000).
In April General Conference 1999, Elder M. Russell Ballard (Ensign, May 1999, p. 85) noted that: “As parents, teachers, and leaders, it is our solemn duty to set a powerful, personal example of righteous strength, courage, sacrifice, unselfish service, and self-control. These are the traits that will help our youth hold on to the iron rod of the gospel and remain on the straight and narrow path.”
“You have been charged with the responsibility of working with the souls of the children of men, the same as mission presidents. Oh, you do not go out on foreign missions. You stay home. You work with the Primary children close by, but, nevertheless, you are engaged in saving the souls of the children of men, in helping God’s children to become the kind of men and women, sons and daughters, that our Heavenly Father would have them become. So your work is equally important, and I hope and pray that the brethren of the priesthood in your homes and in your wards sustain you wholeheartedly in the great calling which has come to you as handmaidens of our Heavenly Father, working with His children.” -Ezra Taft Benson
“To me, there are no high or low callings, just different types of opportunities to overcome selfishness and learn to love and serve other people wherever you are. That is what God expects of us. President Hinckley has clearly stated: “Your obligation is as serious in your sphere of responsibility as is my obligation in my sphere. No calling in this church is small or of little consequence. All of us in the pursuit of our duty to touch the lives of others….you have as great an opportunity for satisfaction in the performance of your duty as I do mine.” -John Groberg, Ensign, May 1995, 71.
“What did the Master spend his life doing? He was just a teacher, teaching human souls, inspiring them to live righteously. There is no higher calling than that. Whether it be done in the mission field or here at home with a group in a Primary class, they are all eternal souls that we work with.” – Ezra T. Benson
“Clearly, those of us who have been entrusted with precious children have been given a sacred, noble stewardship, for we are the ones God has appointed to encircle today’s children with love and the fire of faith and an understanding of who they are.” -Elder M. Russell Ballard
Pres. Benson said, “One of my old school friends approached me at the end of a stake conference. As we were visiting together I said to him: “Jack, what are you doing in the church?” He said, “Oh, I am just a teacher.” I replied, “Jack, don’t ever say that again,” “Just a teacher.” Do you know of anything more important than being a teacher – touching the souls of the children of men? What did the Master spend His life doing? He was a teacher, teaching human souls, inspiring them to live righteously. There is no higher calling than that. Whether it be done in the mission field or here at home with a group in a Primary class, they are all eternal souls that we work with.” (So Shall Ye Reap, pp. 31-32).
