Teaching

I'm taking a class at BYU on how to teach German as a foreign language. The Instructor Dr. Randall Lund is having us read Parker J. Palmer's The Courage to Teach. I'm just getting into the book. Palmer argues that good teaching comes from who we are. He says that good teachers let themselves come through in their teaching.

I was a missionary in Southern Germany from 1998-2000 for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 2005, while on an Internship in Europe, I returned to some of the congregations I'd served in as a missionary. I was struck by that fact that some people, though I'd been in their homes, did not remember me. For me, my mission was a defining experience. I can still remember the people, places and experiences vividly. The feelings I felt are still close to my heart. I believe one reason I remembered the people better than they remembered me is because I was being molded by the intensity of my experiences. The mission was hard for me. I thought of my mission when Palmer told of two disparate teachers in his first chapters. I think that in many respects, I was like the teacher who was never comfortable in his own skin. Eric was ashamed of his past. He did his best to hide it. The conflict of his divided identity manifest itself in his teaching. I agree with Palmer. Good teaching is what we are. I want to be that teacher.

Dr. Lund asked the question today, "what are you afraid of?" Apparently, our fears dictate how we teach. I feel I'm less prepared that I should be. I struggle to measure up to what I think I should be, or where I want to be academically. I haven't dedicated as much time as I would like to academics. I want to learn languages, and cultures. I want to be well-prepared to do the work that God has called me to do.

Doctrine and Covenants 88:78-80

78 Teach ye diligently and my ^agrace shall attend you, that you may be ^binstructed 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;

79 Of things both in ^aheaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must ^bshortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the ^cnations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a ^dknowledge also of countries and of kingdoms—

80 That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to ^amagnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the ^bmission with which I have commissioned you.

I want to teach. Do I have what it takes? It demands preparation, and perfect love.

Foundations of my Faith: Youth

I mentioned before in this blog, that I grew up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My parents took us to church every Sunday. Church attendance was a given. So, that's where I've spent three hours of my week for as long as I can remember. I learned a lot more growing up than I may have realized. I learned that God has a plan for us, His children. He loves us. He wants us to become like Him. Jesus came to earth to suffer for our sins. He also took upon Him death. Unlike any before, on the third day, He rose, never to die again. Because He rose, all mankind will rise and stand before God the Father to be judged. This is what I learned as a child, week in and week out. I know it is true. I learned of God's dealings of mankind, as recorded in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. I learned of God's dealings with man in modern times in the Doctrine and Covenants. I learned of the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I learned of his visits from Angels, and from The Father and the Son in a grove near his upstate New York home. I learned all of this and I knew it was true.

In the Church of Jesus Christ, children are baptized at eight years old. Baptism is a covenant between God and man. We promise to repent and keep God's commandments. God promises to forgive our sins through the power of His Son.

I knew that baptism was the right thing to do. I wanted to follow Jesus. So, when I was eight years old, I was baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. These ordinances were performed by my father. He received the authority by being called in the proper manner, by those holding authority. That's the way God's authority works. God calls a prophet. The prophet is give authority to act in God's name. Others are called of God by His mouthpiece, the prophet, and a portion of the authority is distributed, by the laying on of hands. Always there is order. Always there is a head in the church. Always there are those in authority, those holding keys, by whose permission we perform the ordinances of salvation. And so it was that my father was given authority and permitted to baptize and confirm me a member of the Church under the direction of those who held the keys of these ordinances.

What a great blessing. God has directed that all men in the Church live worthy. If they do so, they may receive and exercise priesthood. They can bless their wives and their children. We can be sealed together in holy Temples. God has made it all possible because he loves us. By His authority and keys, husbands and wives can be sealed together for eternity, with their children. God has given us the power, through His Son, to become like Him. I know it is true.

The title of the post is "Youth". These are the things I learned in my youth. I was sealed to my parents in October 1985 in the Provo, Utah Temple. I was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by my Father on 1 August 1987 in Spanish Fork, Utah.

I thank God for the faith I learned in my youth.

More foundations of my Faith

I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. I first read the Book of Mormon when I was sixteen. I learned that it was true. I know that it is true. As much as anything else in my life, the Book of Mormon has inspired me to have faith in Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus Christ lives. He died for my sins. He was resurrected on the third day. He appeared to many after his death.

I also know that Joseph Smith is a prophet. It's a strange thing to say, but I know it is true. I know that God chose him to be His mouthpiece. Like Adam, Abraham, and Moses, Joseph Smith saw God and spoke with Him. I know it is true. Joseph Smith testified of Jesus Christ. I know that his testimony is true. In his lifetime of about thirty-nine years, Joseph translated the Book of Mormon, which in itself is an amazing feat. I know that the book is true.

Foundations of my Faith: My Parents and Ancestors

As I stated in my first blog, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My parents are both members of the church. Their parents are all members of the church. I understand that all of my father's ancestors were Mormon Pioneers. My mother's ancestors are about 25% Mormon pioneer.

I grew up in the church. I never remember not going to church. In fact, I only ever missed Sunday meetings if I was sick. The faith of my parents is one of the fundamental building blocks of my own faith. They taught me by the way they lived their daily lives that honesty, prayer, faith, and hard work are principles to base your life on. My father spent 23 years of his life in a steel mill. My mother has primarily been a homemaker. They've been married for going on 34 years this November. I don't think the road has been easy for them, but they've continued in faith. I am grateful for them. From them, I learned to speak to God in prayer. From them, I learned the importance and necessity of consistent hard work. I'm still learning from them. They are generous to a fault. I love them. I thank God for them. I am grateful that I was born to the family I was. I can't say how my life might have been different I didn't have the family I have.

Bryce on Faith

Good morning all. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles recently encouraged church members to share their faith and life experiences using new media. I thought I'd give it a try. My purpose is simply to share experiences in my life that effect my faith and confidence in a loving God, who I know is the Father of all mankind.

So, here goes.