Introduction

The Lord said: “I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom. Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you” (D&C 88:77–78).

Each member of the Church has a sacred responsibility to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. As shown in the chart below, the Church helps individuals improve their teaching through (1) leader support of teachers, (2) teacher improvement meetings, and (3) the Teaching the Gospel course. This publication presents an overview of teaching in the Church and then outlines these three aspects of teacher improvement.

Application in Branches, Districts, and Missions

The terms bishop and bishopric in this publication refer also to branch presidents and branch presidencies. The terms stake president and stake presidency refer also to district presidents and district presidencies. References to wards and stakes apply also to branches, districts, and missions.

Distribution of Improving Gospel Teaching: A Leader’s Guide

Improving Gospel Teaching: A Leader’s Guide supplements the “Gospel Teaching and Leadership” section of the Church Handbook of Instructions (35209 or 35903). It has been prepared solely for use by general and local Church officers to administer the affairs of the Church. It should not be duplicated.

When Church officers who have a copy of the publication are released, they should give the copy promptly to their successor or to their presiding authority.

The publication should be distributed as follows. Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of copies that should be distributed.

General Distribution

General Authorities, Area Authority Seventies, general Church department heads, members of general auxiliary presidencies (1 copy each)

Stake Distribution

Stake presidency (3)

High councilor assigned to be stake teacher improvement coordinator (1)

Stake Young Men presidency (3)

Stake Relief Society presidency (3)

Stake Young Women presidency (3)

Stake Primary presidency (3)

Stake Sunday School presidency (3)

Ward Distribution

Bishopric (3)

High priests group leader and assistants (3)

Elders quorum presidency (3)

Ward Young Men presidency (3)

Ward Relief Society presidency (3)

Ward Young Women presidency (3)

Ward Primary presidency (3)

Ward Sunday School presidency (3)

Ward teacher improvement coordinator (1)

List of Items Referenced

An alphabetical list of the Church-produced materials that are referenced in this publication is provided below. The item numbers are provided below rather than in the text of this publication.

Family Home Evening Resource Book (31106)

“Gospel Teaching and Leadership” section of the Church Handbook of Instructions (35209 or 35903)

Teaching Guidebook (34595)

Teaching, No Greater Call (36123)