"Ward priesthood and auxiliary leaders . . . meet individually with newly called teachers, preferably before a teacher's first class. They help teachers understand the importance of the call to teach. They also discuss the principles of effective teaching outlined on pages 300–304 [of Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2]" ("Gospel Teaching and Leadership," section 16 of Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders [1998], 305).

Following are some ideas that can be used for planning an orientation meeting.

1. Possible questions for discussion:

• What differences have the gospel teachings made in your life?
• What does it mean to you to "teach by the Spirit"?
• How do you prepare to teach by the Spirit?
• How do you know when you are teaching by the Spirit?
• How do you make sure that you are teaching correct doctrine?
• What does it mean to "receive by the Spirit"?
• Consider President Hinckley's counsel to full-time missionaries (below). How might this counsel apply to all teaching in the Church?

2. President Gordon B. Hinckley's counsel to full-time missionaries:

At the worldwide leadership meeting on January 11, 2003, President Gordon B. Hinckley commented on the good that has come in the past from having had "standard" missionary lessons. Then he explained:

"The Lord has said in revelation, 'Notwithstanding those things which are written, it always has been given to the elders of my church from the beginning, and ever shall be, to conduct all meetings as they are directed and guided by the Holy Spirit' (D&C 46:2).

"If this principle is observed, this principle which is repeated over and over in the revelations, there will come a new force into their teachings."

He then gave a pattern for the missionaries:

"They should master the concepts of the lessons. But they should feel free to deviate from the established order and to teach the concepts in their own words under the guiding influence of the Holy Spirit."

After some stirring examples he continued:

"Teach the doctrine, but let that teaching come from the heart of the missionary and not from a wooden presentation.

"Let the missionaries shake loose from their memorized lessons. Let them speak with great conviction, prompted by the Spirit of the Lord. Let them do so with great earnestness."

He then gave specific council to the missionaries about prayer, preparation, leaving the investigators with reading to do, and preparing them for the next lesson. He continued:

"The Lord has said, 'Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man' (D&C 84:85).

"This is the counsel of the Lord. It cannot be set aside with impunity. Following it will bring the promised result. Such teaching will become more challenging, more individualized, and more suitable to the needs of those who are being taught" ("Missionary Service," First Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, Jan. 11, 2003, 19–20).

3. Materials to be provided to new teachers:

• Appropriate lesson manual for the class
• Teaching, No Greater Call
• "Gospel Teaching and Leadership," section 2 of Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders [1998]
• Copies of (or excerpts from) Church Materials Catalog relevant to the assignment
• A list of the organization presidency or leadership, with phone numbers
• Instructions regarding a substitute teacher
• The time and place of meetings relative to the calling