Eyring - The Power of Teaching Doctrine - April 1999

President Eyring speaks about the power that teaching the truths of the restoration have on the lives of those that hear it.  We have the ability to prepare minds and hearts to be touched by the Holy Ghost.  The Holy Ghost will confirm truths of the gospel to those we love as they listen and learn the messages of God.

• There has been a war between light and darkness, between good and evil, since before the world was created. The battle still rages, and the casualties seem to be increasing. All of us have family members we love who are being buffeted by the forces of the destroyer, who would make all God’s children miserable. For many of us, there have been sleepless nights. We have tried to add every force for good we can to the powers swirling around the people who are at risk. We have loved them. We have set the best example we could. We have pled in prayer for them. A wise prophet long ago gave us counsel about another force which we may at times underestimate and thus use too little.
• The word of God is the doctrine taught by Jesus Christ and by His prophets. They can open the minds of people to see spiritual things not visible to the natural eye. And they can open the heart to feelings of the love of God and a love for truth.
  

The spirit is invited when Christ is the topic of our discussions.

• Truth can prepare its own way. Simply hearing the words of doctrine can plant the seed of faith in the heart. And even a tiny seed of faith in Jesus Christ invites the Spirit.

President Eyring warns us that the Holy Ghost will only confirm true doctrines.  Exaggerating the truth, or sharing false doctrines will not be confirmed and will not help those we care about to move closer to Christ.  We need to be aware of this and share the simple truths of the gospel and let the Holy Ghost confirm it to their minds and hearts.

• One of the surest ways to avoid even getting near false doctrine is to choose to be simple in our teaching. Safety is gained by that simplicity, and little is lost.
  

The truths we are to teach are simple.  Adults and children can understand the basics of the gospel and have a confirming message from the Holy Ghost of its truth.

• We can teach even a child to understand the doctrine of Jesus Christ. It is therefore possible, with God’s help, to teach the saving doctrine simply.
  

He gives some advice to parents about how to teach their children and the necessity to never give up trying.

• A wise parent would never miss a chance to gather children together to learn of the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Such moments are so rare in comparison with the efforts of the enemy. For every hour the power of doctrine is introduced into a child’s life, there may be hundreds of hours of messages and images denying or ignoring the saving truths.
  
• The question should not be whether we are too tired to prepare to teach doctrine or whether it wouldn’t be better to draw a child closer by just having fun or whether the child isn’t beginning to think that we preach too much. The question must be, “With so little time and so few opportunities, what words of doctrine from me will fortify them against the attacks on their faith which are sure to come?” The words you speak today may be the ones they remember. And today will soon be gone.
  

He mentions that not all our loved ones will accept the message of the restoration.  But our efforts will be remembered.

• The years pass, we teach the doctrine the best we can, and yet some still do not respond. There is sorrow in that.
  
• Your teaching of that sacred doctrine will be remembered.
  

Finally he shares a great story about one of his ancestors who could not keep the gospel message to herself.  She shared it with everyone and eventually was sent to jail for preaching when she was not allowed to.  Instead of being heartbroken, she wrote a letter to the judge encouraging him to repent and come unto Christ.  The charges were dismissed as her message and love for the gospel even touched the judges heart.

• Your descendants will teach doctrine to each other because you taught it. Doctrine can more than open minds to spiritual things and hearts to the love of God. When that doctrine brings joy and peace, it also has the power to open mouths.

We all have family and friends that could use the blessings of the gospel more in their life.  President Eyring's words give me hope that I need to continue to live my life as an example of the great blessings that come into our lives.  As I share the love that I have for the Savior and teach them the simple truths of the gospel, they might not immediately respond but they will know the source that they can turn to when they need help in their life.  It is my hope that all my children will grow up and choose to follow the Savior but if not, they will all know that I love the Savior and try my best to follow his amazing example of love for them.