Enriching Lives through Online Training

All priesthood holders (and members, for that matter) are teachers. We have been "commissioned" to teach the Gospel and invite all to "come unto Christ." Section 20 of the Doctrine & Covenants makes this very clear as it states the duties of the various offices of the priesthood –

"The duty of the elders, priests, teachers, deacons, and members of the church of Christ—An apostle is an elder, and it is his calling … to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the church … The priest’s duty is to preach, teach, expound, exhort, and baptize and administer the sacrament, And visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties … The teacher’s duty is to watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them … teachers [and] deacons … are … to warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ." (D&C 20:38-59) "And again, the elders, priests and teachers of this church shall teach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fulness of the gospel." (D&C 42:12) "Again I say, hearken ye elders of my church, whom I have appointed: Ye are not sent forth to be taught, but to teach the children of men the things which I have put into your hands by the power of my Spirit:" (D&C 43:15) "And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom. Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand … And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." (D&C 88:77,78,118)

Indeed, this commission for us to teach is found throughout the scriptures. Here are just a few –

"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." (Deut. 6:6-7)

"Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way." (Psalms 25:8)

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

"And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean." (Exekiel 44:23)

"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people." (Matt. 4:23)
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matt: 28:19-20)
"And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things." (Mark 6:34)
"And now it came to pass that when Jesus had told these things he expounded them unto the multitude; and he did expound all things unto them, both great and small. And he saith: These scriptures which ye had not with you, the Father commanded that I sound give unto you; for it was wisdom in him that they should be given unto future generations. And he did expound all things, even from the beginning until the time that he should come in his glory—yea, even all things which should come upon the face of the earth, even until the elements should melt with fervent heat, and the earth should be wrapt together as a scroll, and the heavens and the earth should pass away;" (3 Nephi 26:1-3)

"And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." (Acts 5:42) "This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord …" (Acts 18:25)

"A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach." (1 Tim. 3:2)

"I Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father … having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days." (1 Nephi 1:1)
"And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments …" (Jacob 1:19)

"Now Ammon being wise, yet harmless, he said unto Lamoni: Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things? And this is the thing that I desire of thee…Now When Ammon had said these words, he began at the creation of the world, and also the creation of Adam, and told him all the things concerning the fall of man, and rehearsed and laid before him the records and the holy scriptures of the people, which had been spoken by the prophets, even down to the time that their father, Lehi, left Jerusalem … But this is not all; for he expounded unto them the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world; and he also made known unto them concerning the coming of Christ, and all the works of the Lord did he make known unto them. And it came to pass that after he had said all these things, and expounded them to the king, that the king believed all his words." (Alma 18:22,36,39,40) "And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I posses, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy." (Alma 22:15)

From the above we see the power of teaching the word of God … and what did they teach – the plan of redemption/salvation … starting at the beginning … so that they would get the "whole picture."

And a few more: "Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to be humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls … look to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober." (Alma 37:33,34,47) "And now, as ye have begun to teach the word even so I would that ye should continue to teach; and I would that ye would be diligent and temperate in al things … and teach the word unto this people." (Alma 38:10,15)

Brethren, we have been called to teach … perhaps that is why visiting the home of every member is called "home teaching"! Obviously, we need to obtain the word first – "Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, thou shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men." (D&C 11:21) … but we’ll not get any further into this (at this time) … I’d like to keep this email a reasonable length …which is already "questionable"(!)

Have a great day. Let us hear from you.