Your Call to Teach the Gospel:
"If we have the Spirit of the Lord to guide us, we can teach any person, no matter how well educated, any place in the world. The Lord knows more than any of us, and if we are his servants, acting under his Spirit, he can deliver his message of salvation to each and every soul" (Dallin H. Oaks, quoted in Teaching, No Greater Call, 40).
"For each of us to 'come unto Christ,' to keep His commandments and follow His example back to the Father is surely the highest and holiest purpose of human existence. To help others do that as well—to teach, persuade, and prayerfully lead them to walk that path of redemption also—surely that must be the second most significant task in our lives" (Jeffrey R. Holland, in Conference Report, Apr. 1998, 31; or Ensign, May 1998, 25).
An Understanding of "the Power of the Word" to Bless People’s Lives.
"We must . . . get our teachers to speak out of their hearts rather than out of their books, to communicate their love for the Lord and this precious work, and somehow it will catch fire in the hearts of those they teach" (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 619–20).
The Importance of Diligent Spiritual and Mental Preparation.
"When we speak about teaching by the Spirit it is not about a mystical process which removes responsibility from the missionary or teacher for prayerful and pondering preparation. Teaching by the Spirit is not the lazy equivalent of going on 'automatic pilot.' We still need a carefully worked out 'flight plan' " (Neal A. Maxwell, That Ye May Believe, 40).
Love of God and Those Whom You Teach.
"When we are called to teach, we should accept our calling and teach because of our love for God the Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. In addition, a gospel teacher should always teach with love for the students. We are taught that we should pray 'with all the energy of heart, [to] be filled with this love' (Moroni 7:48). Love of God and love of His children is the highest reason for service. Those who teach out of love will be magnified as instruments in the hands of Him whom they serve" (Dallin H. Oaks, in Conference Report, Oct. 1999, 101; or Ensign, Nov. 1999, 79).
