Many years ago, I was with my companion at the missionary
training center when I heard the voice of a child say,
"Grandma, are those real missionaries?" I turned to see
a young girl holding her grandmother's hand and
pointing at me and my companion.
I smiled, extended my hand, looked her square in the eye
and said, "Hello, I'm Elder Richardson.
And we are real missionaries."
Her face beamed as she looked at me, thrilled that she was
in the company of genuine missionaries.
I walked away from that experience with renewed
dedication.
I wanted to be the type of missionary that the Savior, my
family, and this young girl expected me to be.
For the next two years I worked hard to look like,
think like, act like, and especially to teach like a
real missionary.
Upon returning home, it became increasingly apparent that,
even though I left my mission, my mission didn't leave me.
In fact, even after all these years, I still feel that my
mission was the best two years for my life.
One unexpected carryover from my mission was that young
girl's voice.
Only now, I was hearing in my mind, "Grandma, is that a real
priesthood holder?
Grandma, is that a real husband or a real father?" Or,
"Grandma, is that a real member of the Church?"
I have learned that a key to becoming real in every aspect
of our lives is our ability to teach in a way that does not
restrict learning.
You see, real life requires real learning, which depends
on real teaching.
The responsibility to teach effectively is not limited to
those who have formal callings as teachers.
In fact, every family member, Church leader, and Church
member, including the youth and children, have a
responsibility to teach.
While we are all teachers, we must fully realize that it is
the Holy Ghost who is the real teacher and
witness of all truth.
Those who do not fully understand this, either try to
take over for the Holy Ghost and do everything for
themselves, or politely invite the Spirit to be with them,
but only in a supporting role, or believe that they are
turning their teaching over to the Spirit when, in truth,
they are actually just winging it.
All parents, leaders, and teachers have the
responsibility to teach by the Spirit.
They should not teach in front of the Spirit or behind the
Spirit, but by the Spirit so the Spirit can teach the truth
unrestrained.
Moroni helps us understand how we can teach by the Spirit
without replacing, diluting, or dismissing the Holy Ghost as
the real teacher.
Moroni said the Saints conducted their experiences
after the manner of the workings of the Spirit.
This requires more than just having the Spirit with us.
To conduct ourselves after the manner of the Holy Ghost means
that we may need to change our way of teaching to emulate the
way the Holy Ghost teaches.
As we align our manner with the Holy Ghost's manner, then
the Holy Ghost can teach and testify without restraint.
This important alignment may be illustrated by the
following example.
Many years ago, my children and I hiked to the top of
South Sister, a 10,358-foot mountain in Oregon.
After several hours, we encountered a long, 45-plus
degree slope of tiny volcanic pebbles.
With the summit in sight, we pressed on, only to find that,
with every step, our feet would sink in the pebbles
causing us to slide backward several inches.
My 12-year-old son forged ahead as I stayed with my
eight-year-old daughter.
Fatigue and discouragement soon set in.
And she was heartbroken thinking the she might not
join her brother at the top.
My first impulse was to carry her.
My spirit was willing, but sadly, my flesh was weak.
We sat down on the rocks, assessed our situation, and
devised a new plan.
I told her to put her hands in my back pants pockets, hold on
tight and, most importantly, as soon as I lifted my foot to
take a step, she should quickly put
her foot in its place.
She mirrored my every move and relied on that lift that came
from hanging on to my pockets.
After what seemed like an eternity, we made it to the
top of the mountain.
Her expression of triumph and satisfaction was priceless.
And yes, she and her brother were, in my
estimation, real hikers.
My daughter's success was a result of her diligent effort
and how well she hiked after the manner that I hiked.
As she synchronized her movement with mine, we
achieved a rhythm together, allowing me to
utilize my full energy.
Such is the case when we teach after the manner of the
workings of the Spirit.
As we align the manner of our teaching to match the Holy
Ghost's teachings, the Spirit strengthens us and, at the
same time, is not constrained.
With this in mind, please consider two fundamental
workings of the Spirit worthy of our emulation.
First, the Holy Ghost teaches individuals in a
very personal way.
This makes it possible for us to intimately
know truth for ourselves.
Because of our different needs, circumstances, and
progression, the Holy Ghost teaches what we must know and
do so we may become what we must be.
Please note that while the Holy Ghost teaches the truth
of all things, it does not teach all truth all at once.
The Spirit teaches truth line upon line, precept upon
precept, here a little and there a little.
Those who teach after the manner of the Spirit
understand they teach people, not lessons.
As such, they overcome the urge to cover everything in a
manual or teach all they have learned on the subject and
focus, instead, on those things that their family or
class members need to know and do.
Parents, leaders, and teachers who mirror how the Spirit
teaches quickly learn that real teaching involves much
more than just talking and telling.
As a result, they intentionally pause to listen,
carefully observe, and then discern what to do next.
When they do this, the Holy Ghost is in a position to
teach both learners and teachers what they
should do and say.
Second, the Holy Ghost teaches by inviting, prompting,
encouraging, and inspiring us to act.
Christ assured us that that we come to the truth when we live
the doctrine and act accordingly.
The Spirit leads, guides, and shows us what to do.
It will not, however, do for us what only
we can do for ourselves.
You see, the Holy Ghost cannot learn for us, feel for us, or
act for us because this would be contrary to
the doctrine of agency.
It can facilitate opportunities and invite us to
learn, feel, and act.
Those who teach after this manner of the Spirit help
others by inviting, encouraging, and providing them
opportunities to use their agency.
Parents, leaders, and teachers realize they cannot feel for,
learn for, or even repent for their family or congregation
or class members.
Rather than asking, what can I do for my children, class
members or others? they ask, how do I invite and help those
around me to learn for themselves?
Parents who mirror the workings of the Holy Ghost
create homes where families learn to value rather than
just learn about values.
In like manner, rather than just talking about doctrines,
teachers help learners understand
and live gospel doctrines.
The Holy Ghost is unrestrained as individuals exercise their
agency appropriately.
With the current conditions of the world, we desperately need
real learning and teaching in our homes,
meetings, and gospel classes.
I know that your quest to improve may seem
overwhelming at times.
Please do not become
discouraged with your progress.
I think back on my experience hiking with my children.
We agreed that, every time we stopped to catch our breath,
rather than focusing exclusively on how much
farther we needed to go, we would immediately turn around
and look down the mountain.
We would take in the scenery and say to each other, "Look
how far we've come."
Then we would take a deep breath, quickly turn, face
uphill, and start climbing again, one step at a time.
Brothers and sisters, you can parent, lead, and teach after
the manner of the workings of the Spirit.
I know you can do this.
And lives will change.
My life has been blessed by real teachers who have taught
with the Spirit and especially by the Spirit.
I invite you to align the manner of your teaching after
the manner of the Holy Ghost in all you do.
I testify that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that His gospel
is restored.
Because of this, we must be real parents, real leaders,
real teachers, and real learners.
I testify God will help you in your efforts, in the sacred
name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.
Amen.