Inspiration for Teachers to Love Those You Serve

Hopefully as each of us is called to teach in the Primary, we all make a commitment similar to that of Nephi when he said "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save He shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the things which He commandeth them." (1 Nephi 3:7)

Jesus knew the art of effective teaching. He spoke of things people could touch and see. He created proverbs and parables that arrested attention, and he taught fundamental principles with lasting appeal. He made us think and encouraged us to act. He spoke with authority and with the assurance that he spoke for his Father.

He was also a great teacher through the power and radiance of his own personality. The person equation in teaching is powerful beyond definition or description. Jesus attracted friend and foe with his magnetism. That part of his greatness as a teacher we shall never know until we sit at his feet.

Each teacher has a unique personality, one that can be interesting and appealing to others. None of us will be attractive to everyone, but we can be attractive to someone if we are sincere and enthusiastic in our love for the gospel, for our students, and for life.

- From Lowell L. Bennion, "Jesus the Master Teacher"

There is something about physical contact that is wonderful. It lifts, it reassures. It says "I care" in a hundred different ways. "He touched with his hand the disciples whom he had chosen" (3 Nephi 18:36)

"And he touched her hand, and the fever left her" (Matthew 8:15)

"And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them" (Mark 10:13)

"It was nearing Thanksgiving and the teacher had just given the children instructions to draw something for which they were very thankful. As she looked at the children she thought in her heart, These poor little children have so very little to be thankful for--half fed, half clothed--what would they draw that they were especially thankful for? Take David for instance. He was so thin and uncared for, and so very shy. He didn't enter into the games with other boys for he wasn't able to hold his own with them. Always when she was on duty on the playground, David would follow her about like a shadow and press very close to her and though for protection. What could he draw for which he was especially thankful?

"The drawings were completed and she held them up for the class to see. There were the usual turkeys, tables laden with good foods, etc., about which these poor children could only know from pictures. David had drawn a hand, and when she held it up, she got many responses from the children. One child said, 'That is the hand of God, for he gives us everything.' Another said, 'That represents all of the hands that help us.' But David had drawn only one. This drawing caused more comment than any of the others, but David offered no explanation. 

"The teacher was curious, so when the others were busy working on their next assignment she leaned close to David and said, 'Whose hand are you especially grateful for, David?'

"Looking up into her face he simply stated, 'Yours.'

"Then she remembered the numerous occasions when he had pressed closely to her and she had reached down and taken his hand in hers and pressed it warmly. She had given something of herself to this little boy that was most priceless to him and for which he was exceedingly grateful." (Author Unknown)

There are any number of things a hand can do: hold other hands, pat a back, give a gentle caress, rest on a shoulder, tousle hair, pray. May I bear witness that hands were given to us to use; to help and lift. I know the Savior did so for us. I also know we can find real happiness by doing the same for others. I pray that we may be truly grateful for those hands around us who help. May we show our gratitude by doing the same.

- From Paul H. Dunn, "The Human Touch"

A man once asked a number of people of different ages who they considered to be their best friend, and why. The answers went something like this: "My mommy, because she is nice to me. My bishop, because he listens to us guys. My teacher, because she is always available to me even after class. The chaplain, because he believes in me. He even believed in me sometimes when he shouldn't have."

- From Marvin J. Ashton, "What Is a Friend?"

May the children we teach each week know that we are truly their friend. We are nice, willing to listen, available, and accepting. Then we can really be teachers. 

May we truly lose ourselves in service to those we have been called to teach. An unknown author put his priorities in order this way:

I had walked life's way with an easy tread,

Had followed where comfort and pleasure led.

Until one day in a quiet place,

I met the master face to face.

With station and rank and wealth for my goal,

Much thought for my body, but none for my soul.

I had entered to win in life's mad race,

When I met the master face to face.

I met him and knew him and blushed to see

That his eyes full of sorrow were fixed on me;

And I faltered and fell at his feet that day,

While my castles melted and vanished away. 

Melted and vanished, and in their place

Naught else did I see but the master's face.

And I cried aloud, "Oh, make me meet

To follow the steps of thy wounded feet."

My thought is now for the souls of men,

I have lost my life to find it again,

E'er since one day in a quiet place

I met the master face to face.

"And when our call is done may we feel those happy words, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant. . . .enter thou into the joy of the Lord.'" (Matthew 25:21)

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)

". . . .except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me." (Matthew 18:3-5)

"And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing." (1 Corinthians 13:2)

Even though there are millions and millions of people in the world, He cares about each one of us. I want to know my Heavenly Father better. Teach me in my way about His gospel and the things He has asked me to do.