Pres. Dallin H. Oaks (Apr. 18): "The Powers of the Priesthood

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The Lord's servants have often called upon members to step up, or in Pres. Spencer W. Kimball's words, to "lengthen our strides, or in Lehi's words, "Awake, arise my sons and be men."  To me, this talk is that way, and this activity springs from that feeling.

The Activity:
  1. Choose several quotes from the talk that you find inspirational.  In a perfect world, there will be about 1 quote for every 4 class members.  Some potential quotes include the following:
    1. "The Melchizedek Priesthood . . . for His children" (Sect. I, para. 3).
    2. "The God-given titles . . . we profess to serve" (Sect. II, para. 4).
    3. "Elder McConkie . . . of the Good Shepherd" (Sect. III, para. 4)
    4. "Brethren . . . celestial kingdom of God" (Sect. III, para. 7)
    5. "If father would . . . they might do" (Sect. IV, para. 2)
    6. etc.
  2. Type and print your chosen quotes out in large font so that they are legible from a distance.
  3. Post the papers at the front of the room.
  4. Pass out a small sheet of paper and something to write with to every class member.
  5. Ask the class members to read over the quotes and find one that speaks to them particularly.
  6. Have class members ponder that quote for a moment or two and then write a bit of what they are feeling.
  7. After a few minutes, ask class members to form group with those that wrote on the same quote.
  8. Groups discuss the quotes but there should be no pressure to read what was written as that might be from the Spirit solely for that individual.
  9. Come back together as a class and discuss what was talked about in their small groups.
Using the activity:
I imagine this as an activity that could be a powerful way of beginning this class.  Ultimately, the aim here-- with the choice, the pondering, and the writing-- is to give the class members multiple opportunities for the Spirit to speak to them, which is our top goal as teachers.  Not every quote is exactly what every person needs.  So, by allowing for choice and asking the class members to consider  a number of options they have the chance to immerse themselves in some of the rich nuggets of this talk.

I also think it is important to underscore the idea that no one should be required to share what they wrote.  At times, we are given insights and promptings from the Holy Ghost about things which are just for us and are not to be shared openly.  Furthermore, some people may be dealing with potentially sensitive situations that they do not want to openly discuss.  If they feel pressure to share something like that, it may cause an obstacle to their feeling welcome in the class.  Regardless of their situation, we need them with us and they need to be with us.  If it is something that they need to correct, they are more likely to correct it when surrounded by people who care about them more than they care about their problem.  That is the environment we want to foster.

As always, I hope this activity is a useful tool for you in your teaching.  Teaching is the greatest calling in the church (in fact, it is at the center of basically everything we do in the church) and you will be blessed for your efforts to magnify your calling by bringing the Spirit into your class in powerful ways.  God bless.

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