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Show I God! Of Sunday School Is Teaching be tomorrows officers and teachers, missionaries, stake and mission presidents, regional representatives, General Authorities, and who will hold the responsible positions in our communities and nations, he said. President Tanner then spoke of Christs rove for children, quoting from the Bible and Book of Mormon where Jesus blessed them. I think many of us have feit very near to the angels when looking into the eyes or face of a little child, he said. "Our example and influence must surely be for good as we help them in their search for happiness. We must be prepared to live and be what we teach, and keep hypocrisy out of cur lives. No one senses hypocrisy more quickly than a child. President Tanner added, Children must be taught of the great love God has for them, as well as the importance of loving him. . . . We should teach our children from the scriptures, for therein lies the way to eternal life. Also, he said, They must be taught who Satan is, that he is real and is determined to keep them from the happiness for which they seek. "Realizing that man cannot be saved in ignorance, the Sunday School was organized for the purpose of teaching the gospel with its saving principles to both old and young." This statement by President N. Fddon Tanner of the First Presidency summarizes messages given at the general session of Sunday School Conference on Friday night, Oct. 5. Elder Mark E. Petersen of the Council of the Twelve also spoke to the Sunday School, urging members, especially fathers, to attend Sunday School regularly to learn the principles of eternal life and provide an example to others. The Sunday School general presidency, composed of Russell M. Nelson and his counselors, Joseph B. Wirthlin and Richard L. Warner, encouraged Sunday School teachers to teach by the spirit, urged members to have reverence and explained the process for combining young adults on a stake or multi-warbasis for Sunday School classes. Sunday School Conference activities also included departmental sessions, consultations with board members, a reception, exhibits and the traditional breakfast. At the breakfast Saturday morning, Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Council of the Twelve told of five lessons not found in any Sunday School manual, that teachers should give to members. Prior to conference, President Tanner recalled events in his early life which developed in him a fond feeling for Sunday School. He said that as a little boy he remembered his Sunday School teacher, Zina Skrivcr, daughter of the Sunday School superintendent in hisvard. She was a good teacher," said President Tanner. Then, at age 14, when he finished what was then called the second intermediate class, he was made instructor of the class. "It gave me a responsibility I had to try to accept, said President Tanner. d at Sunday We must help them to know Jesus, and that the whole purpose of his And, birth, death and resurrection was to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Elder Petersen recalled when he first moved into the First Ward in Salt Lake City and began attending Sunday School there, he met the young woman who later became his wife. She was Sunday School organist. He said that the first time he went to Sunday School there he was accompanied by his twin sister. The bishop thought we were man and wife," he recalled. At Sunday School conference, Elder Petersen emphasized. "Sunday School is everybodys business." Conference, President Tanner said, "As I look back over the years, I appreciate and reSpeaking School He added, alize what a great influence this organization and its wonderful teachers had in my life." He added, I can truthfully say that the present presidency, made up of high priests called and chosen by the Lord, is giving outstanding leadership. President Tanner said tHe Sunday Schocl "cooperates with and assists the parents in helping to teach a child that he is a child of God, why he is here, and how he can find happiness here and eternal life hereafter, through living according to the teachings of the gospel." Speaking of children and their search for happiness. President Tanner quoted from an old Sunday School manual: I am the ihild. You hold in your hand my destiny. You determine, largely, whether I shall succeed or fail. me, I pray, those things that make for happiness. Train me, I beg, that I may be a blessing to the world." 10 CHURCH is also everybodys re- sponsibility. Pointing out that the Sunday school helps make stronger homes and better citizens, Elder Petersen said, It develops faith, where previously there was no faith, and it strengthens the testimonies of those who already believe. He referred to the Sunday School as an inspired organization and said, But there are many who do not realize this. Many have not yet awakened to the fact that a knowledge of God and obedience to Him are required for their salvation." There are those, even among our who seem to think that their church membership alone will quali fy them for the realms above, and Jhat they can merely drift into the Kngdom of Heaven. own members, Tc-ac- He urged all leaders of youth to have this statement in mind constantly when : preparing assignments. "It is, so important that we realize and always keep in mind, 'that we are will.teaching spirit itJiildren of God,; who "It Said Elder Petersen, "The savior taught thet salvation is the greatest gift of God. But it cannot be obtained without labor, and no one can be saved in - He, .enjphjjsijted, ."Wc need, to knoy God and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent. We must learn of Him, and take His yoke WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 6, 1973 Darrel J. Monson, La Rue Smuin and Brian K. West of the Sunday School check overhead transparency presentations. Elder Petersen then pointed out that salvation should come to all on a family basis. order are some qualities associated with a reverental attitude. Pres. Warner explained that, "The challenge of the Sunday School is to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to members of the church throughout the world. The Sunday School is a family organization. Its courses are planned for the entire farmty, from those of kindergarten age, to the youth, the young adults, and older ones of all subsequent ages. lie noted that in some wards, a number of young adults, singles ages have left home for school, missions, mili-tary service or employment, leaving X v insufficient number for a ward Sur and the use for spirituality among your members" and to support, through their active attendance, School class. upon us. We must gain knowledge of Him and His work from the best books, by study and also by faith. He also urged elders, seventies high priests, along with workers in MIA, Primary and Relief Society, to Sunday School as a revitalizing agent the Sunday School. Pres. Nelson, specifically addressing Sunday School teachers, said if one of his family was called to be a teacher in Sunday School he would counsel them to follow the words of the Doctrine and Covenants (50.13-14Unto what were yc ordained? To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth." , ), said his counsel would include ' is there one quality I could ask fojvou would be that you teach by tw spirit, but that that no lesson be yours a!o each be augmented and ttrmed by personal revelation. He y personal Then, he said, "ft receive revelation, there are three principles 1 want you to jmember: One, prayer is the key; twJ- - righteousness is requisite, and, tlire. knowledge provides the power .rres. Wirthlin, counseling all members A) be reverent, said, "Some people go to church to achieve a perfect attendance record. Others go to be seen. Some go to display style and fashion. Others go to escape the house, many go to meet friends and neighbors. "But the crucial question is: Row' many go to worship, to meet God? Quoting Elder Richard L. Evans, Pres. Wirthlin said, "It is so easy to be physically present and mentally and spiritually absent, He also noted that quiet, peace, prayer, humility, gratitude, happiness and Z , Announcing guidelines for the young adults of severa, Sch )! maybe a stake, into a a ward hat class, he said, "Keep ia. r.nd Sunday School class adults .ent young anv ward with - Parable the k(MP lee his rai!LnSed us commandants. Before "e can koop 11 ,h n he ,herr1them ,e mus know 10 - Suny School that we can learn what are. jyElder Ashton, recalling his ences in Sunday School, said, Sunday School was a family event. We all went to Sunday School. lie said one thing which has bothered him of late is the Sunday School and MIA falling into the role of auxiliaries. . He said there are two definitions of an auxiliary. One is offering or providing help. The other is functioning as a subsidiary. lie said, "At the time the Sunday School superintendency was changed to presidency, that was the day it became priesthood directed. He also noted, T feel one of the great concerns of Sunday School is hat were not getting Sunday School attendance from our priesthood bearers. "Some think its optional, he said. Speaking to the Sunday School breakfast, Elder Ashton said the five lessons not found in any manual are sharing a smile, practicing patience in teaching, healing the heart, practicing family unity and oneness and learning to listen longer. He said these are lessons Sunday Sclibol teachers can present ' best by example. |
