Greetings, dear brothers and sisters. I am Elder Paul V. Johnson and serve as a General Authority Seventy and the Commissioner of the Church Education System. We welcome you to this special opportunity to be taught by President Dallin H. Oaks and his wonderful companion, Sister Kristen Oaks. They will help us to be better in our roles as religious educators. We will begin with a trio of teachers from the Utah Valley Seminaries and Institutes singing "There is a Green Hill Far Away." The singers are Karen Hepworth, Colleen Scoresby, and Savannah Hess. Accompanying them will be Ariel Cuadra on the viola and Chemain Evans on the piano. After the musical number, Heather Jewkes will offer the invocation. Heather is married to John Jewkes, who is a Salt Lake Institute instructor.

[Musical Number: "There is a Green Hill Far Away"] Our dear Heavenly Father, we are so grateful this day to be able to learn and be able to listen and feel the messages that we'll receive today. We're so grateful, Heavenly Father, for Thy loving care. We're grateful for Thy son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, for His example of how to live a joyful life, for His atoning sacrifice that makes it possible for us to return to live with Thee. We pray that our hearts and minds will be open and receptive to the things that we learn this day. Help us to know and understand how we can better lift and build those around us, our families, our students, our wards and communities and neighbors. We're so grateful Heavenly Father for the gospel, for the guidance and peace that it brings to us. We pray Heavenly Father, that Thou would teach us each individually how to better increase our faith, to have the courage to move forward with faith in Thee to act upon promptings that we receive. Again, we are so grateful to be here, and to feel of Thy spirit, and pray for these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Thank you for the beautiful music and the heartfelt prayer. President Oaks will begin by speaking to us. He will then lead a discussion with Chad H. Webb, the Administrator of Seminaries and Institutes, and Adam N. Smith, the Associate Administrator for Instruction in Seminaries and Institutes. After the group conversation, President Oaks will then invite Sister Oaks to join him for a discussion. Following President and Sister Oaks's testimonies, Mark L. Spencer will provide the benediction. Mark is an instructor at the Utah Valley Institute. President Dallin H. Oaks is a seminary graduate, a BYU graduate, and later served as President of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, from 1971 through 1980. He has been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since 1984 and currently serves as First Counselor in the First Presidency.

Thank you.

My dear Brothers and Sisters, We are proud to be with this gathering of seminary and institute teachers and religion teachers at our universities and college. We are pleased that you are accompanied by your spouses, who are so important to your sacred teaching responsibilities. We are feel challenged to speak to you in this unique and difficult time--in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. As Commissioner Paul V. Johnson has advised you, after my brief opening address, we will have two different discussions for the balance of our program. I begin by addressing the power of love. Why is love of God the first great commandment? It is first because it is fundamental to understanding and following God's plan and His commandments for His children. Our love of God and His love for us is the central Gospel principle, vital to what influences us and vital to what we must remember. God loves you as His teachers. His leaders love you as teachers of His plan and His word. And you love your students. Elder Gordon B. Hinckley summed this up in one sentence in a talk to teachers many years ago: "There is no better way to express love for God than by manifesting love for his children, particularly those who cometo learn at your feet."

My father died over 80 years ago. What do I remember best in our relationship? His teachings? His discipline of me? No, I remember best that he loved me. Similarly, I believe your students will remember most how they felt about your feelings for them. They will remember how you lovingly helped them learn the gospel, recognize the promptings of the Spirit, and apply the gospel in their lives. Love is the motivating power in teaching. It is about 70 years since I was a seminary student. What do I remember best about my two seminary teachers in Vernal, Utah? I can't even remember the subject of the classes I took, but I remember that both of them loved me and cared for me as a person.

LOVE HAS POWER: power to understand the atonement of Jesus Christ, power to understand the plan of salvation, and power to explain God's commandments. If we don't understand love, everything else about the gospel is contradicted or weakened by the temptations of the adversary and the power of worldly values and the worldly persons who surround us.

My second subject is your relationship to the gospel subjects you teach. In teaching secular subjects, it is familiar and often permissible for teachers to set themselves up as experts on the subject matter. That is not permissible in teaching religious principles. We are not the authorities on the gospel of Jesus Christ. The authority is the Holy Ghost, a member of the Godhead, who has the function of testifying of the Father and the Son in leading us into truth. He enlightens our teachings. Therefore, unlike teachers of secular subjects we should never take credit for an idea that reinforces the great truths of the gospel. We should never act in the classroom or anywhere else in a way that interferes with the faith or teachings of our Savior Jesus Christ. We should never cast a shadow of self-interest over any subject we are teaching. We teach out of love for our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ and with love for His children, our students. We are motivated by our determination to increase their ability to hear and heed Him who is our Savior. I testify of our Savior Jesus Christ, and pray for His blessings to be with us as we go forward, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Brother Webb, good to be with you, Brother Smith. Let's go forward. Well thank you, we're excited to be with you today. And thank you for that wonderful message. In fact, listening to your counsel has created a number of questions that we'd love to talk about. And we start with this one, as you talked about love for our students and part of loving our students is teaching them the gospel, and helping them to understand those things that would be of most worth. How can we make sure that in all of the different things that we could teach, that we prioritize the things that will be of greatest value to our students? What makes our Church Education System unique is our scriptural responsibility to seek learning not only by study, but also by faith.

When I think of those things that we could teach our students that would be of the greatest value, I've been guided by a teaching from President Eyring that I'd like to share. President Eyring said, "Of all the truths that could be emphasized in this block of scripture, which will help my students draw closer to Heavenly Father and the Savior, and lead to salvation?" President Eyring then said, "As you prepare a lesson, look in it for converting principles. A converting principle is one that leads to obedience to the will of God." What I draw from this great teaching from President Eyring is that those things that are of the greatest value for our students will connect them in personal ways, and in profound ways to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We need to teach those things that will help a student feel and understand gospel truths, but especially truths regarding the reality of Jesus Christ, and His atonement and resurrection, and help them feel that in practical ways, Jesus Christ has the power to heal and help and comfort and cleanse them. I think those are the most important things we could focus on. Powerful and true. Thank you, and it connects so well to the idea of making sure that they learn by faith, that they act in faith, and then have that confirmation from the Holy Ghost to the things that they're learning and living really do come from our Father in Heaven. So thank you. President, you also mentioned the role of the Holy Ghost in our teaching. So I'd love to ask what additional truths regarding the Holy Ghost and His influence and role in our classrooms that you would share with us? I think the key to the impressions of the Holy Ghost is the partaking of the sacrament. Because there's a promise in the covenants we make when we partake of the sacrament that we will "always have His spirit to be with us." That's fundamental. You know, I love that you say that, it reminds me when I was a young teacher I spent months studying the principles that govern the invitation of the Holy Ghost. And I think that's a really good opportunity that we all have to continue to study that. But the single most important thing I found is what you just said, that the sacramental prayer says that if we'll always remember Him, we'll have His spirit to be with us. And that's not just during the sacrament or on Sunday, but always, including in our classrooms. If we focus on the Savior, as we remember Him as the example of how to live the gospel, and draw upon His power and His teachings, as we remember Him, we invite the Holy Ghost to be in the learning experience. I think the primary responsibility or role of the Holy Ghost is to testify of our loving Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as the central figure in Heavenly Father's plan. So if we want to invite the Holy Ghost into our classrooms we focus on those things of which He would bear testimony. So I love that, thank you. And President Nelson affirmed the... current significance of that in these words: He said, "In coming days it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost." Thank you. Well, I really appreciate what's been said, and it leads me to ask this question. We've talked a little bit about what teachers prioritize in ways that will invite the Holy Ghost. How do we help our students prioritize what matters most in their lives? As I think about that in these days when there's so many worldly influences that surround us and our students, I think we need to remember that the things of the world, the things the world values, whatever they are, are of temporary value. In time, they are less important than the principles necessary to learn the purpose of this life and our destiny in eternity. What would you add to that, Brother Smith? President Oaks, as you were teaching that, a verse of scripture came to my mind when the Savior, before He entered Gethsemane, offered a sacred prayer, and He said, "and this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent." I think if we help our students understand that they need to determine in where they spend their time, and where they give their attention, is this going to help them come to know and love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? And another thought I combine with that is something you taught us in a recent General Conference, President Oaks, and that's to ask the question: Where will this lead? And to think of that question in the context of, is this leading me closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? Is this leading me to fulfill my divine identity or purpose? And I think that provides a powerful filter for any of us. And we can help our students also understand this filter in their choices of where they spend their time, and what they watch or listen to or look at. They've got to make their own choices. But if we could help them ask: Where will this lead, and will it lead me closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? Oh, how important that is, and how... significant it would be if all of our students understood that principle. And for teachers to emphasize that and bear testimony of those things to invite the Holy Ghost to confirm the importance, not just the truthfulness of, but the importance of those principles in their lives. I might also add, if I could, just the idea of relevance. I think all that we can do to help invite students to discover the relevance of those principles in their lives. Sometimes I think we talk about these things in terms of competing for their time or attention. And sometimes we do have to prioritize the things that are most valuable. But I think we can also help them see how the gospel plays into their everyday life. So for example, I learned, as I was a student, that if I kept the Sabbath day holy, and if I studied the scriptures before I studied, I actually was a better student than to try to separate those things and say, I'm going to spend time on the spiritual, and I'm going to spend time on the secular. But in every aspect of my life, when I include Heavenly Father, when I invite His spirit to help me, then even the things that may seem to our students to be more temporal in nature, they see the relevance of the gospel in the things they're trying to accomplish in their lives. Instead of competing for their time, they come together. And we remember that the Lord taught us that He has never given any temporal commandments. All of His commandments and guidance is spiritual. One more thought that came to my mind as you were mentioning that, at least for our seminary students, is the Church's Children and Youth Program. That's a powerful way to make the gospel relevant and make practical goals to apply the gospel to help us in any aspect of our lives to try to become more like the Savior. Indeed. Now, I'd like to ask a question of two men who are professional religion teachers: What have you brethren, and your associates learned about teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ during the pandemic we've all been experiencing? would say first of all we've learned, I would say we've been reminded of, and it's been highlighted what wonderful teachers we have, that they really love God and love students and they've gone above and beyond, and we are so deeply thankful. I also think that the pandemic has accentuated the ministering element that's inherent in gospel teaching. I think we're getting better at listening to students, at determining their needs and abilities, and meeting them, and loving them where they are, and finding creative ways to help them come closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I think also in the time of the pandemic where there have been many difficulties, we've seen that divine help attends the teacher who really tries to love God, and love their students, and do their best. I think that's really well said. I think I would just want to say thank you, and add my appreciation. You know, we have teachers who are trying to teach face to face, and learning to teach online, they've worn masks that are sometimes uncomfortable, they've put themselves at risk at times. And just done it with such great love for their students, and for Heavenly Father, with such great commitment. I just want to say thank you for all of the sacrifices and efforts to do it during a very difficult time. I join in behalf of the First Presidency, my thanks to what you have just expressed. We love you brothers and sisters who teach in our Seminaries and Institutes in the religion teachings in the university and college. Thank you, that means a lot. Another question that I've been excited to ask you, because of some things you've taught in other settings is the question of: Why it is important that we teach principles and not rules? I'm glad you asked that question. It's a favorite of mine. In a notable column in The Church News, Tad R. Callister, our former President of the Sunday School said this about that subject: "First rules are often limited to one or perhaps a few specific situations, while principles generally have much broader application. Second, principles create an environment that maximize agency while rules tend to minimize agency by restricting and sometimes even dictating our choices." I would add to that that the Savior replaced the Law of Moses, which was rule driven, with the higher law of Christ which was principle driven. Brother Callister elaborated on that principle as follows. He said, "Principles are compatible with the higher law, rules with the lesser. Our constant focus should be to teach doctrinal principles. Why? Because principles have the greatest capacity to lift us to celestial heights. And in the end, principles, not rules, will govern in the Celestial Kingdom." That's the end of the quote. I really appreciate that too. There's another benefit to that. I was with a group of teachers very recently who were telling me that in their classrooms there seems to be more... the word they used was "contention" as students are asking more questions, and have different views and perceptions of things. And I love what you just taught us because it took me back to that conversation and helped me to realize that one of the ways you approach that is not by teaching application where they debate their application in their circumstance, as much as teaching the gospel principle. Going to the premise, teaching the Plan of Salvation, teaching the doctrine of Christ, teaching the principles of the gospel, and allowing for personal application with the help of the Holy Ghost. Well said. I just think that's really practical and helpful to what we're trying to do, President, thank you. Brother Smith, would you add anything to that? Well I think that it's similar to what you highlighted Brother Webb also by teaching a principle instead of an application, we invite a student to act as an agent in the learning process, in their own growth process that they then taking a principle can seek personal revelation, can go study it out more for themselves and determine the best step for them to take as they apply that principle to personal circumstance. Thank you. A natural follow up question then would be, with all the influences, with all the voices in the world, how do we help our students navigate so many influences in society? We need to understand that the devil is the father of lies, "a liar from the beginning" the scriptures say. His cleverest delivery of his lies is to mix them with truth. Thus, attracting and infecting the searchings of good people by his mixture of truth and lies. Consequently, among the most precious things we can try to learn in mortality are the teachings of the Holy Ghost that allow us to be alert to what is, and is not true. In a similar way, in this mixture of truth and lies, the adversary also removes the truth from its eternal context, and from its place in God's plan. That increases the likelihood of a truth being misapplied or misunderstood. For example, just a few minutes ago, President Oaks, you taught us beautifully about the principle of love and its place in God's plan, the importance to love God, and love our neighbor, that love is really the motivating force behind Heavenly Father's desire to prepare us for eternal life which we know is the greatest of all the gifts of God. And it's our love for God that motivates us to selflessly love and serve others. Well, when the adversary successfully divorces the principle of love from its context, it can easily be distorted. And someone with a misunderstanding of love may rally around the wrong cause. They might even find themselves in opposition to God's laws and His prophets, because that separation of the truth from its eternal context can lead to a counterfeit or decontextualized understanding. And the adversary does that with many principles. We see much evidence of that in the world around us, don't we? Brother Webb, as teachers, how do you best address questions about current concerns in the minds of your students such as troubling Church history subjects, LGBT issues, questions about how to live with government controls in connection with the pandemic, and so on. The questions are endless. How do you best address those questions in the context of our religion classrooms? That's a really good question, and something teachers deal with constantly. I would start by saying I love that the Apostle Paul instructed us to teach or to speak truth in love. So of course we need to teach the gospel, we need to teach the scriptures and the teachings of modern prophets, we need to teach truth. It doesn't do anyone any favors to teach things that are not true, that won't lead to happiness. But the other part of that I think that's really significant, when He says to do that in love, as you've mentioned again tonight. I think it would be important to start with relationships. There's been a lot of research that's been done that clearly shows us that for students to learn, it is so dependent on relationships. And for me, those relationships begin with teachers who are willing to listen, to really understand students and their circumstances, and to have empathy to try to understand their needs. I think it's also important to recognize that everyone has something to contribute, that we value the that we need each other, and each other's experiences to draw from, and to learn from. So, there's so much to say about this question, and I love the question. But for me it's to speak truth with love, and that means relationships that help people to trust and learn together, and invite the Holy Ghost together, into the experience. What you said about relationships reminds me of a recent reading of a wonderful talk by our Young Men general president, Steven J. Lund at the recent BYU Women's Conference. He described, referred to relationships as the motivating influence that we can be in the lives of those who are groping for role models and mentors. He said that our researchers have found that "the spiritual development of LDS youth depends largely on the quality of their relationships, including with parents, peers, and teachers. And those relationships with leaders are best developed in Seminary and Sunday School, and quorum classes where they will come to respect and love their leaders and fellow saints." That's the end of the quote. "All of this, I conclude, amounts to an impressive endorsement of the importance of teachers loving and working with their students. The trust developed in this way will be a mentoring influence that will strengthen them to answer troubling questions for themselves." Thank you. Yeah, I think that's really central to what we're trying to accomplish, the building of relationships and from what you just shared with us, we can do some things in Seminary to help them strengthen other relationships. You mentioned the youth development program, we can point them to their youth leaders, to their bishops, to their Young Women's leaders. We can help strengthen their relationships with their parents by the way we talk about families and turn them to their parents. I think all of that is really critical, not just in building our relationships with them, but strengthening their relationships with people who will lead them in the right direction. So thank you for saying that. So with that, I wondered if we could talk a little bit more about how we teach these fundamental things in a way that does not... offend or turn young people off or away from the gospel. In fact, if I could share a quick example to frame the question that's in my mind. Again, just this last week I had a teacher call me who said a parent came to withdraw her daughter from seminary because he had taught some principles about the family, and the importance of family. And this parent was hurt because of their dynamics and their family, and didn't want the child to be taught the central role of the family, even in the context of the Plan of Salvation. This teacher was extremely sad to lose this student and asked the question: How do I teach truth? How do I deal with this in a world where we don't want to push people away, but we have to teach the gospel purely to our students? What a wonderful example. Brother Smith, what do you have to say about that subject? Well, I thought again, I know we just recently talked about relationships. But I think a student who trusts a teacher, and feels loved by their teacher, they'll open their heart. Walls of defense can come up sometimes if we teach an ideal that's not a student's reality. And something that melts walls of defense is if a student loves and trusts their teachers. So again it's really important. I want to underscore the comment to the previous question, to build those relationships with students. Indeed. And I think it is very important for us to understand that we are not obliged to agree with everything that is put before us, whether by a student or by the parents of a student, or by others in society. We are not in the business of affirming all beliefs in the marketplace of ideas. We are charged with teaching the truth. But in doing that, we must be very careful that we never recede from our responsibility, given to us by the Savior, to love our neighbors. Whatever we do must be in the context of love so that we are not confrontive with a person, but we issue our teachings so that it's the teachings that confront beliefs that are erroneous.

Brigham Young, who was pretty confrontive as an individual, made a very good distinction that I read recently in the teachings of, or the discourses of Brigham Young. In one of his talks he said this, and I quote, "It has never altered my feelings towards individuals as men or as women, whether they believe as I do or not. Can you live as neighbors with me? I can with you, and it is of no particular concern of mine whether you believe with me or not." That's the end of the quote from Brigham Young. I thought that was an unexpected source to have such a revealing declaration of the fact that we can live lovingly with those we don't agree with. Yeah, that's really timely for our teachers now. It's one of the most important attributes, I think, of a disciple of the Savior today is to be able to disagree, and continue to love people, and be genuine in that relationship with people, despite a disagreement in belief. Another part of that is that we need to work so that our being loving and accepting, even condoning those we associate with is not understood as approval. That's a fine line to draw. And we see in the world of politics and public communications from many different sources, a failure to acknowledge that. Often people seem to assume that we have condoned something because we've been loving toward the people involved in it. This all really ties together, right? It goes back to relationships, it goes back to listening and empathy. But it also goes back to teaching the principle. It goes back to the premise for why we believe what we do, based on the Plan of Salvation and the doctrine of Christ, and tying those things together, and walking that fine line that you described. And I think it also ties back to the first and great commandment to love God, and then the Savior said, "if you love me, keep my commandments." And then the second commandment is to love our neighbors. The fact that we love our neighbors doesn't mean that we don't love God first, and keep His commandments first. Thank you. I have in my mind a scenario of a teacher who speaks the truth in love, and defends the doctrine of Christ with courage. But also loves his or her students, so their students feel safe, and the student trusts and loves the teacher. So perhaps there is a student who disagrees with an element of the doctrine of Christ, or a principle of the gospel is probably a better way to say it, but they still come to class. And they still come to Institute or Seminary because they feel safe, and they feel that they can build faith in Jesus Christ in that environment. So I think this balance we're talking about is so important to strike. To defend boldly the truth, and love those who may not agree with the truth so that a classroom or a Seminary or Institute can be a safe place for a student. And I feel to say that those in our audience who are involved in Institute and teaching religion in universities and college, have a greater challenge with this particular subject because with a more mature student in the class, those students are more inclined to think for themselves and to be confrontive than are the students in Seminary, for example. But the principles are the same. The application differs somewhat according to the setting, and the maturity of the individual, but the principles are those we've been discussing. Thank you. Here is a question that changes the subject just a little bit, but it's pretty relevant in our day. How can we persuade our students to put aside their cell phones during the time we're trying to teach them? That's actually a great question that actually connects with confrontation in classes or disagreements in class, because sometimes that's what it creates, right? So brother Smith? Yeah, I think there are certainly times in the learning environment where students need to disconnect and put away their cell phones. I think the best thing that will help them do that is engaging and sparkling teaching. Elder Ballard, or President Ballard rather, once told us to make sure our teaching sparkles. But I also think there are times where we can invite a learner to use their cell phone in the learning experience. With resources on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, and on the Gospel Library app, we could certainly at times, invite a student to engage in the learning experience by using faith building content on their phone. And I think that may have a blessing, a positive impact for them outside of class, that they might begin to see this device as something more than just a gaming device or a social media device, or for some a source of temptation. And they can learn that at times that same device can be used to build faith in Jesus Christ. I think it would take inspiration on the part of a teacher, and balance. But I think the Lord would help us find opportunities to build faith through the use of the device, and then also obviously understand times when it needs to be turned off and set aside. Your suggestion that we not be hostile to cell phones reminds me of an earlier experience, I go back 10 or 15 years, when I dropped in on a Sunday School class of Seminary age young men and women. And I went with an attitude of hostility to cell phones. But as I looked around the class of about a dozen students, I realized that there was only one bound scripture in the whole classroom. Everybody was reading from the scriptures, and following the lesson on cell phones. That's when I began to see that the question is not one of forbidding, but one of balancing. That's well said, thank you. Well, President, we've loved being with you, thank you for your counsel today, and we wondered if we could take just a minute, Brother Smith, if you would first, to share whatever expression of testimony you would like to, and then I'd be happy to do that, and leave whatever time to you. Thank you. As I think about our sacred opportunity to teach the youth and young adults of the church, and those in our CES institutions, I think of a teaching by our dear prophet, President Russell M. Nelson. He said, "Many of God's most noble spirits, perhaps His finest team, were sent to Earth at this precise time. They are among the best the Lord has ever sent to this world." And I would just like to share my conviction that the young people that we have the opportunity to interact with are exactly who God's prophets teach us that they are. And what a sacred privilege we have to testify to them of the reality of Jesus Christ, and His atonement, and His resurrection. And I testify today of the reality of the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ, that this is His church, that we are led by His living prophets, seers, and revelators, and that we are engaged in His cause as we teach the youth in the latter days. And I share that testimony with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. A men. I would just like to add my testimony as well of the reality of our loving Heavenly Father, and of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer of the world, that this is His church and kingdom on the Earth, and I am so grateful to get to spend each day of my life testifying of Him, and teaching others of His gospel. I'm grateful for those who taught me, and have blessed me by their faith and testimony in the Savior, and I'm so grateful to be a part of this work with you in teaching the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. And then to just also say quickly that as I think about the love of our Father in Heaven, we often talk about how much Heavenly Father loves our students. But I just want to add that I know that our Father in Heaven loves you, that He is so grateful that you want to spend your life teaching His children, and that He loves your families and that as you excuse me. As you continue to serve faithfully in teaching His children, He will bless you and your family as you bless His children by your teachings and testimony and examples. So thank you for who you are, and what you do, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Amen. I add my testimony to that borne by these wonderful servants of the Lord. I testify of the Father and the Son, by the power of the Holy Ghost, that this is His work, and that you are His servants, fellow teachers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And I invoke the blessings of heaven upon you as you serve the Lord, and as you go forward with your families toward the destiny that God has prescribed for His worthy children, eternal life. And I do so in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Amen. Thank you.

Good to be with you.

Kristen, I'm glad to join with you. I'm so glad you're here. Thank you. I am pleased to join Kristen for our final discussion. She is an experienced professional teacher, including a year at BYU, a returned missionary, a wife, and grandmother. She will speak from those experiences and as the wife of a servant of the Lord. Our purpose here is to help you as teachers of religion and also to help your spouses in their great supporting role. President Oaks, I am so thankful to be with you tonight. And I'm thankful to be with the teachers. You represent all those who have taught the gospel, and blessed my family. We think you're so unique. Many of our friends and our own family have wished to have the jobs you now have and they were not given that privilege. So in reality, we look at you as hand-picked by the Lord to be teachers to His children. We know that this is a challenging time to teach, with enrollment concerns and social problems and actual opposition to correct principles and truth. You will remember that we started off speaking of the power of love in our relationships: love of God, His love for His children, our love for one another, and most important for this purpose, your love of your students. We went to Part II, the first discussion, and we talked about such things as how can I teach what will be of the greatest value, and why is it more important to teach principles than to teach rules, and how do we help our students navigate worldly ideas and values, in the midst of all of this, sharing love for everyone. Well, I know you're here tonight to be the best teachers you can be, and here is a photo of a key chain I was given. It says, "Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken." It's a quote by Oscar Wilde. And when I received it, at first, I didn't actually take it as a compliment. But in fact, it is one of the greatest compliments I have ever been given, and I give it to you. When it comes to the teaching of the gospel, you are the Lord's chosen. You are also one of a kind, and you have qualities, strengths, and talents unique to you. You are also in a unique position to overcome worldly opposition and teach eternal truths. As a parent, a grandmother, and now even a great-grandmother, I trust you. And I am so dependent on you to teach my family correct principles to immunize them from the darkness around them. You literally offer a shield against evil, and you are an answer to our family prayers. We appreciate every time you help our family and the youth of the Church understand and embrace their true identity as children of a loving Heavenly Father. Your greatest gift to all of us is to teach youth and young people correct principles and eternal truths to bless their lives. Truths they can cling to when they face decisions alone. We believe that this will best arm them to face the world. Our home is just across the street from the Salt Lake Temple. And right now, they are doing massive construction. There is scaffolding and trucks and cranes everywhere. And the temple seems undercover. It is being worked on, just like us in this time of Covid. The temple is covered but it's being made stronger and more beautiful. Every day workers do a little more to strengthen and fortify the temple. In three years, it will emerge more beautiful, more perfect, and more able to stand in every circumstance. We and our students can be like the temple, undergoing renovations each day to make us stronger, more dedicated, more faithful, even in difficult circumstances. As we are reconstructed, with the promised blessings, we too can become a House of the Lord. One reason I am glad to have Kristen beside me in this teaching is that she is crucial to having the Spirit in our home. As President Nelson said in April conference, "One of the holiest places on earth is the home." We all need to do more to make our home truly a holy place. "If you are married, counsel with your wife, or spouse, as your equal partner in this crucial work. President Nelson taught us Between now and the time the Lord comes again, we all need our homes to be places of serenity and security." Our spouses are vital to making that happen. Well, as a spice -- a spouse-- of someone who literally needs the Spirit to function in his calling and work, and that's just like every one of you, I make every effort to make our home a holy place and one of love. And never was there a time when the Holy Ghost needed to be in our home or in our classrooms. Covid has actually helped us. We have more time together. And my husband, like your spouses, functions best in a spiritual atmosphere. What I watch and what I read, and what I bring into my home matters. And there can't be any contention in our home, and I try to be positive and supportive. I know that my support is crucial in keeping things together for my family and for my husband, and I am really trying, and I try every day. Thank you, my dear. Your students face significant opposition from worldly values and temptations. The Book of Mormon prophesied this. We live in a time where "all the lands of the earthwill be drunken with iniquity and all manner of abominations" (2 Nephi 27:1). The Book of Mormon warns us against Satan's techniques in this time.

FOR EXAMPLE, IN 2 NEPHI 28: 20 we read that Satan will "rage in the hearts of the children of men and stir them up to anger against that which is good."

Everything from road rage, protestors, and family quarrels seems to have escalated. Your class can serve as a haven of peace and security from this. It can provide a model of civility to restore your students' feelings. Your classes can be their safe place. The principles taught in your classes, especially the testimonies borne there, and the spirit felt there, can nourish and protect your students. In verse 21, Satan says that he will "pacify" others and "lull them away" with the thought that "all is well in Zion."

This has been talked about, but no form of modern technology has lulled us away or so captivated our attention as the cell phone. We just had a little fight with my niece who everyone else had a cell phone, but she didn't. And in order for her to fit in, actually, we had to get it. I wanted to share this story of one institute teacher-- she was on disability for two years. And she said when she returned, she was shocked. The phone's constant notifications, texts, etc. interrupt the student's attention from thinking and learning in class. And worse, she said, it's separating them from one another and from the Spirit. But I truly believe there is hope and it lies with our asking those around us to put down their phones. Perhaps, on occasion, And if possible, we might even sponsor a encourage a conversation about the benefits and dangers of phones for those we love and teach--letting our and let the students tell us about their concerns and share find solutions on their own to the cell phone problem. As parents we love that, we would. The final example, given in 2nd Nephi, chapter 28, verse 22, is that Satan will flatter others away by "telling them there is no hell;and I am no devil for there is none." They shouldn't be made to look desirable--only repulsive. Your teachings will help your students recognize the flatteries of Satan and the lies that contradict the commandments of God. There are consequences for Satan-inspired behavior, and your teachings will give the hope we receive from the mercy of repentance and divine forgiveness. So sweet. I am married to an apostle and have closely observed other apostles. I know that the Lord's servants are fiercely obedient and they seek the Lord's spirit to guide them. I also know that spiritual guidance is available to each of us, and you can teach your students to find that, and to be obedient. Finally, in 2nd Nephi 28, verse 32, the Lord declares that He will be "merciful" unto all who "repent and come unto [Him]." He is always reaching out to lift and save us. You are the ones teaching that assurance and that hope to your students. Let them know that repentance is one of the greatest gifts we have. You are responsible to help them, your students, reach their full potential and destiny as children of God. And never forget the greatest weapon at our disposal to conquer such evils. In Alma 31:5 we are taught: "the preaching of the word [of God] had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just--yea, it had a more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword" or, I might add, the cell phone. You are teachers of that word and you have that power and that promise. Place the Savior at the center of your teachings of your students and you will have that power. As teachers of the gospel, with the direction of the Holy Ghost, you are doing this, and you can be even more effective. As you draw closer to Christ, your students will draw closer to you and to Him. Your capacity to teach the truth they need will increase, and your capacity to love them and discern their needs will be magnified. My dear brothers and sisters, in addition to what I have said earlier, I testify of Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Redeemer, the head of this Church. You are His servants. We are united in teaching the true principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I bless you as His servants, as His teachers, and as fathers and mothers in Zion, as worthy servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, to fulfill your responsibilities, to keep His commandments, to be great models of righteousness and teaching of true principles. And I bless you to that end as I testify of the truth of the things you have been taught today, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Our Heavenly Father, we are grateful for Thy attributes and perfections, Thy perfect love for us. We're grateful for the plan that Thou has provided, that we can repent and be forgiven and changed. We're grateful for Thy perfect son that made all this possible.

We are grateful for leaders, for President Oaks, and Sister Oaks this day for their counsel.

We are grateful for the instruction we've received this day.

We are grateful that we have a witness of truth. We ask Thee at this time to bless us that we will seek to increase our capacity to love, that we'll be able to show that we are truly Thy disciples, that we will love everyone. We are grateful that through Jesus Christ, we can receive this blessing, that we can be more effective as teachers.

Help us to embrace change within our self, and in our teaching, that we can be most effective in seeking to bless and edify Thy children. We love Thee with all our hearts.

And we ask all these blessings, that we may be able to rise to the calling that has been given to us, to strive to lift this generation. All this we pray for and say in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.