Closing the Gap Between Information and Understanding.In this round of teacher development, we discussed the all-important -- and often most difficult -- question of determining what to teach.
Elder Holland gave us some insights into the minds and hearts of our students -- and helps answer the question, "What should I teach?" -- when he said:
"This is what our members really want when they gather in a meeting or come into a classroom anyway.
Most people don't come to church looking merely for a few new gospel facts or to see old friends, though all of that is important. They come seeking a spiritual experience. They want peace. They want their faith fortified and their hope renewed. They want, in short, to be nourished by the good word of God, to be strengthened by the powers of heaven. ...
Are we really nurturing our youth and our new members in a way that will sustain them when the stresses of life appear? Or are we giving them a kind of theological Twinkie--Spiritually empty calories? President John Taylor once called such teaching 'fried froth,' the kind of thing you could eat all day and yet finish feeling totally unsatisfied.
During a severe winter several years ago, President Boyd K. Packer noted that a goodly number of deer had died of starvation while their stomachs were full of hay. In an honest effort to assist, agencies had supplied the superficial when the substantial was what had been needed. Regrettably, they had fed the deer, but they had not nourished them."
(Jeffrey R. Holland, "A Teacher Come From God," Ensign, May 1998, 26)In order to make a difference in the lives of our students,
we must teach those things that will have a powerful, lasting influence on the lives of our students. We discussed -- and the prophetic quotes confirmed -- that
teaching true doctrines and principles will have the greatest impact on our students.
Four quotes were shared relating to this theme:
"
True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior.
That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel."
(Boyd K. Packer, Conference Report, Oct 1986, 20)"Teachers who are
commanded to teacher 'the principles of [the] gospel' and the 'doctrine of the kingdom' should generally forgo teaching specific rules or applications. For example, they would not teach any rules for determining what is a full tithing, and they would not provide a list of
dos and
don'ts for keeping the Sabbath day holy. Once a teacher has taught the doctrine and the associated principles from the scriptures and the living prophets, such specific applications or rules are generally the responsibility of individuals and families.
"Well-taught doctrines and principles have a more powerful influence on behavior than rules. When we teach gospel doctrine and principles, we can qualify for the witness and guidance of the Spirit to reinforce our teacher, and we enlist the faith of our students in seeking the guidance of that same Spirit in applying those teachings in their personal lives."
(Dallin H. Oaks, "Gospel Teaching," Ensign, Nov 1999, 78)"The words
principle and
doctrine, for me, are describing some truth that has such importance that it is necessary to eternal life. ... I wouldn't spend a lot of time, by the way, trying to distinguish between a principle and a doctrine. I've heard conversations of that kind that weren't very fruitful. ... I've noticed that President Hinckley often uses the word
truth. I would think that to identify those
eternal truths that we've talked about would be very valuable."
(Henry B. Eyring, CES Satellite Broadcast, Aug 2003)"As you seek spiritual knowledge, search for principles. Carefully separate them from the detail used to explain them. Principles are concentrated truth packaged for application to a wide variety of circumstances. It is worth great effort to organize the truth we gather into simple statements of truth."
(Richard G. Scott, Ensign, Nov 1993, 86)In both meetings, we concluded that the counsel to avoid teaching specific applications applied to Primary, as well as to Gospel Doctrine; to Young Men as well as to Young Women; to Relief Society as well as to Elders Quorum and High Priest Group.
Teaching lists of prescribed or forbidden behavior will not have the kind of lasting effect upon the students that teachers should so desire -- and may often be incorrect or misleading, and do not allow students and families to exercise agency to determine how to live true principles of the gospel.Sister McQuivey related a story from the recent General Young Womens broadcast, where a group of young women were taught the
doctrine associated with dressing modestly, and then challenged to create their own rules to determine whether or not a bathing suit was appropriate (a question from the young women which sparked the lesson). Instead of giving a list of guidelines, the leaders wisely chose to teach true doctrine and then allow the young women to study it further, speak with their parents, and prayerfully determine their own patterns of conduct. What greater lessons they learned through this process--lessons that could have never been learned through a leader-proscribed list.
The challenge, then, as several of the quotes have pointed out, is to be able to
recognize what a principle is--extracting it from the details surrounding its storied circumstances--
and then teach the principle so clearly so as to not be misunderstood.
Both President Eyring and Elder Scott, above, gave some useful definitions for principles and doctrines. Below is an excerpt from the
Eternal Marriage Student Manual, which sheds additional light upon this subject:
"Gospel principles include doctrine, commandments, ordinances, and precepts. In this manual, however, the term
principle, refers to a gospel truth that gives us counsel and guidance for conduct. ...
"Principles can often be divided into two main parts:
if and
then. ... Principles are not always taught or written in the
if-then format. ...
"Because principles are presented in many ways, extracting them may require much labor and meditation. All principles are conditioned on our faithfulness and are eternal, consistent, and true.
"Correct principles are
universal--they are true in all situations in all cultures in all times. All the gospel principles that were true for Adam will still be true in the Millennium.
"Principles are
general and
abstract--they do not refer to specifics. Principles relate to the 'big picture.' For example, the many do's and don'ts in the Word of Wisdom
are not the principle. The principle is
if we keep our bodies pure,
then we will be healthy and receptive to the Spirit. ...
"A principle is an
enduring truth, a law a rule you can adopt to guide you in making decisions. Principles help us apply the gospel to everyday living and give us a light to illuminate the path before us in this ever-darkening world."
(Eternal Marriage Student Manual, Preface, ix-x)In the scriptures, some principles are clearly stated in the
if-then format. For example, all through First and Second Nephi (especially), we hear the repeated refrain:
"Inasmuch as ye keep my commandments, ye shall be blessed and prosper in the land."
In other words,
If I keep the commandments,
then I will be blessed and prosper in the land.
A principle can also be reversed, placing the desired blessing or promise first, and the required action second. For example, the principle above can be restated as, "
If I want to be blessed and prosper in the land,
then I will keep the commandments." True principles can be expressed in either order.
Another scriptural indicator that a principle is nearby is the phrase "and thus we see." Having just abridged a history or a prophetic message, Mormon extracts a principle for us, and sets out his "calling card." Whenever you see "thus we see," look for the principle that Mormon is drawing our attention to--his words helping us separate the principle from the details for the story.
In our meeting, partners were asked to turn to 2 Nephi 2:27, to read the verse aloud together, and then to write the principle from the verse on their notecard. Although with personal linguistic variations, the group agreed that a principle from this verse related to agency and choosing the Savior.
However, remembering Elder Scott's definition that principles "are concentrated truth
packaged for application,"
it is not enough to simply tell the class, "The doctrine in this verse is moral agency."Teaching and identifying principles involves not only the separation of the principle from the details of the story in which it is packaged, but requires the re-packaging of the principle in a way that clearly, concisely, and unequivocally presents the eternal truth to the student.
Here is an example of stating, or packaging, the principle from 2 Nephi 2:27:
If you want to be truly free,
then you must choose to follow Christ.
[[I wish to note here that there is a power that comes when we can
use the words of the scriptures when we state the principle. Some words may need to be changed, based on our audience. For example, we would probably not use the phrase "great Mediator of all men" from this verse in 2 Nephi when teaching a class in junior primary. Instead, we would substitute the name of Christ, which the class is familiar with. If we're not careful, we may incorrectly put together an
if-then statement that sounds good, but may not be supported by the lesson material or scripture block. Using the words of the scriptures helps us avoid this potential pitfall, and brings the added benefit of the spiritual power that comes when the words of the scriptures are read.]]
It's "inverse" is:
If you choose to follow Christ,
then you will be free."
The principle can also be phrased:
Thus we see that those who choose to follow Christ are made free through Him.
This verse, like others in scripture, includes a "negative" statement of the principle:
If you choose to follow Satan,
then you will be captive and miserable like him.
OR,
If you want to be miserable and captive,
then you should choose to follow Satan.
OR,
Thus we see that those who follow Satan wind up miserable and captive.
Relating back to the previous lesson, the challenge was given to construct an
application question that could be used to generate discussion and invite revelation in the class, relating to the principle(s) from 2 Nephi 2:27. How would you ask it?
Here are two suggestions:
What can you do today to choose to follow Christ?
When have you felt that you were free for choosing to follow Christ?
Again, notice what these questions do. They do not invite a list of responses (like the oft-mentioned "seminary answers"); rather, they invite the student to receive revelation by (1) thinking of a personal application that he or she can make based on their new or strengthened understanding of the principle or (2) thinking of a previous, personal experience where they have already lived the principle. The power of this second question is that it will return the feelings of the experience, and reaffirm the testimony of that principle. The power of both questions is that
the question is efficacious even if no one responds aloud. By giving the students an opportunity for personal reflection, you are giving the Spirit a chance to teach them what they need to know. Everyone who chooses to think about your question will be blessed and edified, and you will have been a successful conduit for the Spirit in class that day. Additionally, other students may be blessed by hearing the words of others whom you may call upon to share. Remember that among the gifts of the Spirit is the gift to "believe on [the] words" of those who have the gift of knowledge.
Stories and maxims, like chapters in the scriptures, may include nuggets of eternal truth that we may extract by skimming off the dross of detail and focusing what the story is teaching.
For example, the story of Nephi obtaining the brass plates is full of details and side-paths that could be traversed, leading one away from the principle if not careful. A discussion of the merits of taking a life through divine command will not be fruitful. The principle in this story is
not that God can command someone to break a commandment. Rather, the whole saga of obtaining the plates
again and again reaffirms this simple truth which Nephi himself stated earlier in his record:
If God commands me to do something,
then He will prepare a way for me to accomplish it.
Is this not the pervading principle throughout all of Nephi's writing?
Flee into the wilderness -- the Lord gives traveling aid (liahona), directs them, and enables them to eat their meat raw to avoid having their cooking fires noticed.
Return and get the plates -- Laban is given opportunity to exercise agency, as well as the brothers, who use available resources in an attempt to purchase the plates. The Lord delivers Laban, Zoram trusts Nephi and leaves the city with him.
Return and get wives -- Ishmael had enough daughters for everyone--including Zoram!--and his family was willing (hearts prepared?) to leave their riches behind and join the prophet Lehi.
Travel to the promised land -- instructions on how to build a ship, winds to blow them there.
Keep a record -- Lehi could read and write, and he taught his children to do the same. The lessons of literacy continued, so that a record would continue to be had amongst them. ... And the list could go on and on with stories and details...but the unduring truth remains:
If the Lord commands,
Then He will prepare a way.
How comforting to see that in the lives of others. How reassuring to know that we, as we have been taught, can apply this principle to our lives. What have we been commanded to do? Does the task seem to arduous? Do obstacles block your way? Rest assured that, like He did for Nephi, the Lord will prepare a way for you to keep that commandment. We will be required to act as Nephi did. We may not find our obstacle lying drunk upon the ground, nor may we need to take the initiative to molten tools of ore and seek directions on how to build a ship, but we too will be required to act in faith, to seek the Lord, and to wait for His hand to be revealed--in whatever form our situation may require.
Remembering that "true doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior," let us learn to
identify and then
teach those principles and doctrines
so clearly that we may not be misunderstood. Our teaching will be magnified and our students more richly blessed if we will but teach well those doctrines and principles and qualify for the reinforcing witness of the Spirit.
