Youthful Ward Teachers

Youthful Ward Teachers By Elder J. Bert Sumsion, Oneida Stake, Banila, Idaho "Hello sir, we have been out teaching tonight. Three of us young fellows surely had some time. From now on we will have to do better than we have ever done in our lives," said the youthful ward teacher, as he dashed into my room. "Well, when did you become a ward teacher?" I asked. "Just the other day," replied this freshman of the high school. "Carisle, Clyde, and I just finished our district. We surely had a fine time. Oh! it seems good to have a job in the Church." "Goodness, what did you do, and what did you say, may I ask?" "Carisle, Clyde and I hitched 01' Buck to the buggy and went over to Anderson's. As soon as we arrived we told Mr. Anderson we were the teachers that the bishop had sent. He smiled when he saw us three young fellows; nevertheless, he called his family together and we began our meeting by singing, 'Put your shoulder to the wheel,' after which I prayed. Then I called on Clyde to speak. After he finished, Carisle stood back of his chair and talked a little while. Then I got up and spoke for a few minutes. Then I called on various members of the family, but they did not speak, so we sang another song from the Sunday School Song Book. We then had prayer. We shook hands with all of them and wished them success and the blessings of the Lord, then went." "How long did your meeting last?" I inquired. "Oh! about, O! thirty minutes, I guess," he answered. "Why do you like ward teaching?" I questioned. "Because it gives me a chance to study a subject, and then a chance to go and tell what I have learned. I can see that such a job is just what I need. I'll be glad when the time comes to go again." "Did you visit your entire district," I asked. "Yes, but we did not find Tanners at home. So we tacked a sign on the door, 'You were visited by three jolly good fellows, we took nothing and left nothing, your ward teachers will call again'." "Did you have a subject?" I interrogated. "Yes, Bishop Miles told us to read and study the 13th chapter of Corinthians, that we would find the subject of Charity discussed by the Apostle Paul." I think these sixteen-year-old boys did their work efficiently for the following reasons: 1. They went out on time, they finished their work on time, so that the ward clerk could fill out his report on time. They made possible a 100 per cent visit. 2. They went out willingly and carried the spirit of enthusiastic workers. The group was not detained by tardy members. 3. They were unafraid, full of the Spirit, and courageous. The territory over which they traveled was muddy, it was raining and the night was dark. The weather conditions did not prevent them from doing their duty. 4. They did that which the bishop told them to do. They studied the scriptures. They were prepared to give the Lord a chance to bring ideaj

786 IMPROVEMENT ERA to their remembrance. The Lord was not required to pound on an empty barrel. 5. They preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. They did not talk sugar beets, drainage, pure-breds, politics, fences, bank accounts, sheep, cattle, pigs, but they talked about charity — one of the great principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 6. They gained permission to hold a meeting in the house. They sang a song with the family, they prayed with the family, they preached to the family, they gave the family a chance to speak, they sang a closing song with the family and in benediction left the blessings of the Lord with the household. 7. They held a short meeting and moved on. They did not tire the family, nor did they keep the younger members thereof from getting their school lessons. They did not wear out their welcome by wearing out brother Anderson's door knob with prolonged good-byes. 8. They were serious, dignified and optimistic. ' None of them uses tobacco, nor coffee, nor tea. The failure to keep the word of wisdom robs a "Mormon" of his dignity, takes away optimism; and, with the departure of the Spirit of the Lord, he can not be serious in his work. 9. They were efficient because they were thrilled with the work. The spirit of "preparedness" — the Spirit of the Lord rested upon them. 10. They considered the work an opportunity, and not a drudgery, an un- welcome task. 11. They were efficient because their work bears the ear-marks and the spirit of this song preachment: "I'll serve the Lord while I am young, and in my early days, Devote the music of my tongue to my Redeemer's praise, I'll praise his name that he has giv'n me parentage and birth Among the most beloved of heav'n that dwell upon the earth." The Melchizedek Priesthood Study Subject: Doctrines of the Church. Text: A Study of the Articles of Faith LESSON 28: THE DISPENSATION OF ISRAEL Text: Chapters 17, pages 314-322 LESSON 29: THE DISPENSATION OF ISRAEL (Continued) Text: Chapters 17, pages 322-326 LESSON 30: THE GATHERING OF ISRAEL Text: Chapter 18, pages 328-336 LESSON 31: THE GATHERING OF ISRAEL (Continued) Text: Chapter 18, pages 33 6-341 LESSON 32: ZION Text: Chapter 19, pages 345-352 LESSON 33: THE LATTER-DAY ZION Text: Chapter 19, pages 352-354 LESSON 34: CHRIST'S REIGN ON EARTH Text: Chapter 20, pages 35 6-363