Introduction
President Eyring Taught: “There seems to be no end to the Savior’s desire to lead us to safety. And there is constancy in the way He shows us the path. He calls by more than one means so that it will reach those willing to accept it. And those means always include sending the message by the mouths of His prophets, whenever people have qualified to have the prophets of God among them. Those authorized servants are always charged with warning the people, telling them the way to safety” (“Finding Safety in Counsel,” Ensign, May 1997, 24).
To fulfill the objective of seminary and institute, teachers should take the time to become familiar with the words of living prophets such that their words flow naturally from them to the students.
The words of prophets are the words of Jesus Christ, and the words of Jesus Christ are the words of Prophets, Seers, and Revelators. (D&C 1:38)
Here are a few questions a teacher can ask throughout the school year:
1. What are my study habits as it relates to the words of living prophets?
2. How much time do I invest in studying their words?
3. How often do I quote their words or use their words in my home, at work, in school or at play?
4. How familiar am I with what President Nelson is saying this week?
5. What can I do to pay the price to know the words of the prophets and their priorities?
This is a process that takes time to develop. As you and your students begin, the words of the prophets will become more familiar to them, and line upon line, they will quickly learn the content and context of prophetic teachings. They will also become adept at locating these teachings in the gospel library and other places where they can be found. In time they will be able to claim the promise in Duet 6:6: “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart”.)
What is my initial understanding or ability? (assessment)
What do you do to identify and prepare in advance to address student concerns?
What is it and why is it important? (Define):
Thinking ahead with a desire to match prophetic teachings to student’s concerns can happen during semester breaks or on weekends. You could think about potential concerns you anticipates students may have as they study upcoming lessons and scripture blocks.
These concerns could be known already or anticipated. With a list of potential concerns in hand, you can seek to match concerns with prophetic teachings that would help resolve those concerns. To do this you can ask two simple questions:
1. What potential concerns or questions will my students have as we study this chapter, block, or book?
Taking one concern or question at a time, you then asks:
2. What prophetic teachings address this concern?
As you do this they will become an echo and a magnifier of the words of the prophets and the classroom will become a place of answers for students.
Who or what provides a good illustration of this? (Model):
In preparing for your next lesson, review the weekly overviews in the curriculum and ask:
“What potential concerns or questions will my students have as the study this block of scripture?”
One questions might be?: “Is repentance easy? Both Enos and Alma seemed to have done it within days.”
You then asks:
“What prophetic teaching(s) could address this potential concern?”
You reviews President Nelson’s teaching on ‘Daily Repentance’ found in April 2022- “The Power of Spiritual Momentum.”
How can I practice using this skill or applying this principle? (Practice):
Ponder a concern or two that you know your students have or you anticipate they will have by asking:
“What potential concerns or questions will my students have this week as we study ________?”
When you have identified a concern or two then ask:
“What prophetic teaching(s) could address this concern?”
Ponder or discuss:
Why do you think this skill is important? Think of your own experience doing this. What benefits will come to you? Think of the student experience. What benefits will come to them? What difference do you think this could make in your teaching?
Incorporate:
Going forward- seek to anticipate questions/concerns your students will ask. Whenever you hear the prophets addressing a topic that may be helpful- record and organize it in a way that allows for future access with ease. In time you will have a reservoir of truths to use.
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