At Deseret Book you will find that Gene Cook has a wonderful tape (and a book) called Teaching by the Spirit. This was the basis for the lesson we received on this subject and it was very well done.  I think that the most missed concept on this principle is that not only does the teacher have to feel the spirit but also the receiver has to feel the spirit, otherwise it's just talking. It's the spirit that does the teaching - not the person. Also, it makes me sad when people leave a meeting early because it's that closing prayer that seals the information on our hearts and makes it usable in our lives.

I have always been a believer in the idea that if we are studying about Christ and His Gospel there should be a picture of Christ somewhere in the room. Just having the picture there keeps Him in our thoughts and creates a reverence for Him and I believe that this is especially true when working with the youth because so much of the time someone is missing the "words" that are being said. Hopefully the picture will get through to them. (This is also true of music.)

Whenever I give a talk or teach a lesson I begin at least a month in advance with an awareness of the upcoming topics, then during the week that it is to be given, I focus in a little more intently on that particular subject.

Prayer and research become a daily activity.

• Once the information is in place I will outline what points are to be covered.
• If possible, I try to go to the temple the week of the lesson/talk and I spend a little "alone time" in the Celestial Room doing my pondering.
• The day before the presentation I work on handouts and some type of table or chalkboard display that will continually remind us to stay on the subject.
• The morning of the lesson/talk, I take the outline to the Lord and ask for guidance in knowing what needs to be heard by the people who will be in attendance that day.
• When it comes time to do the actual lesson, I rely lightly on the outline and allow the Spirit to direct the "important stuff" to my memory and that's what I give. If there are things that I prepared and I miss then I truly believe that they are the extra things that would not have had the impact that was needed. It is my belief that when we are "called" to do something in the church then we are expected to give it our best effort and when we do we are given a little extra help in accomplishing the goal. (Kind of like the mantle story with Elijah and Elisha).

I hope this doesn't sound overwhelming to anyone. It's the routine that I've used since my childhood. Public speaking comes very easy to me and I think that these preparation steps are the reason why. I've spoken to groups of thousands both in and out of the church and if I have followed this preparation process, I always walk away feeling like the time has been well spent. Would we want to give any less to our brothers and sisters or to our Savior?

Rita in Mesa AZ

Hope this wasn't too heavy but it really is a critical subject for being effective teachers.

Leadership