Brothers and sisters, I'm grateful to be here with you today representing the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles greeting the teachers of the Church. I'm speaking to you from what I consider a sacred place, a church classroom. It's a place where we teach, where we testify, where we strengthen one another. Of course, it's not the only place where the Gospel is taught. Learning and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ begins in our homes through the week, long before we come to church on Sunday. And we certainly hope that it continues after we leave the meeting house. The home should be the center of Gospel learning, but that doesn't diminish at all what happens in our church classrooms. For some, this may be the only place that they have the opportunity to share and testify among fellow believers. So how do you and I as teachers help make this a spiritual experience for them? How do we fan the fire of faith and strengthen each individual helping them feel the Savior's unbounded love? How do we help ensure that the truths taught at church find their way into the home and vice versa? Well, there are many ways to do that, but one thing is certain. As fellow teachers, we can help each other succeed. It's with this effort in mind that we are introducing Teaching in the Savior's Way in teacher council meetings in wards and branches throughout the Church.

Here we are in a teacher council meeting. But before we talk about what a teacher council meeting is, let's talk about what it is not. First, it's not a lesson. It's not a place where someone stands and lectures. It's not a presentation. Rather, it's an opportunity for teachers to counsel together to talk about what's working and what isn't. They share good ideas and solutions to problems to explore principles of teaching as exemplified by the Savior, and to consider what we can do to teach more like He teaches. They can also provide an opportunity to try a new approach in a risk free environment. In this booklet, Teaching in the Savior's Way, we can find all the details you will need to know about teacher council meetings, when to meet, where to meet, who will lead the discussion, and what teachers might discuss. In the meantime, let me share with you the three main principles of teacher council meetings first. We share and counsel together. We talk about what's going well in our classes and Quorums. We talk about the challenges that we have as teachers, and we offer suggestions, encouragement, mutual support to each other. In all of this, teachers are urged to share their thoughts and ideas. Next, we spend some time learning together the principles of Christ-like teaching. Many of these principles are found here in Teaching in the Savior's Way. As teachers, you decide what principles you want to focus on, and how much time you want to spend on them. For example, you might decide you want to take several council meetings to discuss one principle. You can make that decision based on your local needs and circumstances. This is not a course that is completed in a fixed time frame, rather it continues monthly for as long as you wish to do so as part of our ongoing quest to teach more like the Savior. These council meetings are more than just talking aimlessly. That's why an important part of each meeting will be the opportunity to practice and invite each other to apply what we've learned. This is when inspiring, uplifting discussions begin to make a difference in our teaching and our classroom experience, and in the lives of those we teach. And finally, as we conclude the teacher council meeting, we take a moment to identify the principle we'll discuss next time, so that everyone has the opportunity to prepare.

So we invite you to follow these principles and hold your own successful teacher council meetings. As you do, it will become clear to you why the Lord is inviting all of us to teach better, to teach in the Savior's way. Friends, teachers, brothers and sisters, we love you. We have the utmost confidence in you, as one who has been called to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. What a privilege that is. Remember Paul's testimony, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers. And also remember what our beloved prophet, President Thomas S Monson, has frequently reminded us. Whom the Lord calls he qualifies, and when you're on the Lord's errand, you're entitled to the Lord's help. May God bless you in the marvelous teaching moments that lie ahead of you.