The Test of Efficiency

Teacher-Training Classes

By Elder David O. McKay, of the Council of the Twelve

The ultimate aim of Mutual Improvement work is to aid in bringing to pass, under the inspirationand guidance of the Lord, the immortality and eternal life of man.

Aim and Purpose of the M. I. A. We have as the direct and immediate purpose, the establishing in the hearts of the young men and young women a testimony of the divinity of God's work, without which eternal life — cannot be obtained "for this is life eternal, to know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

A Means of Accomplishment As a means of accomplishing this end, we have placed at our disposal and use the records of God's revelations to men, also the record of his hand-dealings with mankind. This includes, as you readily see, not only that which we have in sacred literature, known as the fundamental works of Scripture, but also God's records in creation. Associated with these fundamental works of creation and revelation, we have access to all man's relationship with each other as social beings, and his attitude in relationship toward God and his work. It is the records of God's hand dealings with man that we are to consider now for a few moments. We call them lessons. We take from these records in Scripture, in nature, or in life, some chapter, some incident, some paragraph, upon which we build a lesson, which we present to the young men and young women with the special purpose of convincing them of the truth — and having once convinced them, of moving them, if possible, to action to introduce that truth into their lives.

Commanded to Teach We are definitely instructed by the Lord to devote special attention to this phase of our work. In Section 88 of the Doctrine and Covenants, we find the following commandment:

"And 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

*Delivered at the annual M. I. A. Conference June, 1919.

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you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand; of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land, and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms, that ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you." Can you get in all literature a more comprehensive statement of the field into which teachers must enter for the purpose of being prepared to teach the word of God than in that revelation? The Great Obligation is Preparation We are a Church of teachers. The Mutual Improvement Association is just one organization of teachers. Even the young men and women whom you leaders teach are themselves in turn teachers. In the Latter-day Saint home the father and mother are required to be teachers of the word expresssly — required so by the revelations of the Lord. Every auxiliary organization, every quorum, is made up of a body of men and women or of men, who are in the ultimate sense of the word, teachers; therefore, this revelation refers to all. Now, the great obligation upon a teacher is to be prepared to teach. A teacher cannot teach others that which he himself does not know. He cannot make his students feel what he does not feel himself. It is ridiculous to attempt to lead a young man or a young woman to obtain a testimony of the work of God, if the man or woman who is attempting to lead does not have that testimony himself or herself.

How to Prepare There are three things which must guide all teachers. First, get into the subject — any subject taken from this universe of facts mentioned in the revelation I have read; second, get that subject into you; third, try to lead your pupils to get the subject — into them not pouring it into them, but leading them to see what you see, to know what you know, to feel what you feel. As a means to this end, there has been established throughout the Church classes known as Teacher-Training classes. As a means to this end, there has been established throughout the Church classes known as Teacher-Training classes.

What Are Teacher-Training Classes? I will assume, in order to bring the organization and plan definitely before us, that we are now members of a ward in