How can I prepare myself spiritually to teach?
The Lord said, “If ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach” (D&C 42:14). As a teacher, you should seek to prepare spiritually before you teach. To do this:
Seek the gift of charity. Strive to develop charity for those you teach by serving them, praying for them, and looking for the good in them.
Seek the Holy Ghost. Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, “Teaching by the Spirit requires first that we keep the commandments and be clean before God so his Spirit can dwell in our personal temples” (“Teaching and Learning by the Spirit,” Ensign, Mar. 1997, 9).
Seek to study the gospel more effectively. We must seek to obtain God’s word before we can teach with the power of God (see D&C 11:21). As you read the scriptures and words of the latter-day prophets, take time to ponder what you read, seek to apply the principles to your life, and record your thoughts and feelings.
Scriptures to study
John 7:17; 13:34; 1 Nephi 15:24; Helaman 3:29
Things you can do
- Develop a personal study plan that will help you study the scriptures each day.
- Ask to be set apart, if this has not already been done, and then remember that your calling has come from the Lord.
- Live the principles you teach so that your example will help others see the peace and happiness that come from righteous living.
