Expectations & Misconceptions

In the March edition of the FAIR Journal (The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research) Brother Scott Gordon wrote the following:

One of the most dangerous things to our testimonies is our own expectations. Each of us has built up a set of mental images as to how things should or should not be. We sit in Sunday School or in Seminary and build up mental images of how things are and how things happened. But then, we go into shock and dismay when we find that our imagination and our expectations didn't set up the right mental image.

Has this ever happened to you? Years ago while doing research for a history paper at BYU, I was digging through old Congressional Records for a information on John Muir, the conservationist. As I dug through the dusty volumes I came across President Joseph F. Smith’s testimony to Congress during the Reed Smoot hearings. I was surprised, even a little shaken, when I found that President Smith testified to Congress that he was still cohabitating with his wives and family after the Proclamation. How could that be? It took additional research for me to understand the intent of the Proclamation and to put it in its historical context.

A few weeks ago, my wife and I were discussing the impact of the HBO show, Big Love. I had watched about 30 minutes of one episode while staying at a hotel in Washington, D.C. (If I had HBO I would cancel it – the show was garbage.) My 13 year old daughter was listening to our conversation and asked, "What is polygamy?" I couldn’t believe she asked that question. It would seem that her education in the Church has not touched upon the topic. Without question, I have failed on my part. You see, my great great grandfather was Heber C. Kimball. I have always been proud of my heritage, but I guess our family nights and gospel discussions have focused on principles and doctrine.

As instructors, I think we do need to do a better job of educating the members. Challenges to testimony will come from Church history and doctrine. I frequently get questions on things as basic as the Joseph Smith Translation. I have received numerous other questions on issues such as the Mountain Meadows Massacre and the practice of plural marriage. I am often surprised that active members of the Church do not have the answers to some of these questions.

What are your thoughts? Can we do a better at teaching with greater perspective? How can we do that?

The Lesson Manual Only? Part 2

Here is my response to the sister who e-mailed me about a member of the her bishopric who instructed her to stop using outside materials when teaching the Gospel Doctrine class:

I wrote the following on my webpage: “This website is not an official website of the Church nor has it been endorsed by the Church. I am wholly responsible for the content of this website. As an active member of the Church, I do my best to see that the content is in harmony with the teachings and doctrine of the Church.” I share this to with you to indicate that I do not have the official endorsement of the Church, so whatever I say is my opinion. However, I am an active member of the Church striving to do what is right.

Now, here are a couple of quotes from the introduction to the current lesson manual. “While preparing for class, pray for the Spirit to help you understand the scriptures and the needs of class members. The Spirit can also help you plan meaningful ways to discuss the scriptures and apply them to the present (1 Nephi 19:23). With the help of the Spirit, you will become an effective instrument in the hands of the Lord to teach his word to his children.” Second quote: “This manual is a tool to help you teach the scriptures.”

Based on the above statements, as we prepare our lessons we need to begin our preparation in this order:
1. Pray for the Spirit.
2. Study the assigned scriptures for the week.
3. Utilize the lesson manual as a tool.

If we have done that, then it matters not what resources we use in order to help accomplish the mission of helping our students better understand the scriptures. If we have read the scripture content and the lesson, the Spirit may guide us to other resources that help us in accomplishing the Purpose of each lesson.

The Old Testament is a complex work. Throughout there are references to ancient traditions, laws, practices, and places. We need some help in understanding all of that. As you know, I often refer to other resources in order to help us understand the ancient in order to apply the lessons to the present. To truly understand the Old Testament, we need more than the book itself and a lesson outline from the Church. I have often discovered wonderful principles once I understood an ancient practice and why they did what they did.

I consider my outlines just another tool to supplement the manual. It is based on the manual and not intended to replace it. These are the outlines which I prepare to share with my class. I attempt to anticipate some of the questions which will be asked during the class period so that we can have a meaningful discussion.

Every year, Deseret Book (the Church owned bookstore) advertises a whole list of books to support the Gospel Doctrine curriculum. Not necessarily and endorsement for outside resources, but the Church is certainly not discouraging it.

I indicated that the Church does not endorse my website, nor has the Church ever contacted me regarding my website. However, let me give you a list of some of those (not by name) who have e-mailed me wonderful comments about my website and the lesson outlines: a former member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy, mission
presidents and their wives, temple presidents, stake presidents, bishops and their counselors, seminary and institute teachers, and hundreds (if not thousands) of members of the Church. Additionally, my local priesthood leaders have been aware of my efforts and have complimented me. I provide this list only to show that many priesthood and auxiliary leaders utilize my outlines as a tool. The scriptures teach us to be involved in many good things of our own free will. This is my contribution in that realm and I seek to provide only that which is “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy” as indicated in the 13 Article of Faith.

As noted above, I have received an incredible number of supportive e-mails over the years. However, once every couple of years I receive an e-mail from someone criticizing me for posting my outlines on the web, somewhat like the person who recently moved into your ward. Their claim is that we should not go beyond the scriptures and the lesson manual. It always makes me feel a little bad. However, none of the 3 or 4 that have written such e-mails are not priesthood leaders at any level, nor have they even claimed to have taught Sunday School. I just remember the overwhelming support I have received over the past eight years and carry on.

One final word, I think it is appropriate to discuss your methods of preparation with your priesthood leaders and make a case for your style of preparation. In the end, the decision how things may be taught is their decision and should be supported. However, in my opinion you have done nothing wrong as evidenced by the kind of support which you have received from many of your class members.

Any additional thoughts?