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"Until
I Had Written It"
By C.S. Bezas
President Wilford Woodruff once wrote:
I have been inspired
and moved upon to keep a journal and write the affairs of the
Church as far as I can. I did not understand why my feelings were
exercised so much in the early age of the Church, but I understand
it now. I seldom heard Brother Joseph or the Twelve preach or
teach any principle but what I felt as uneasy as a fish out of
water until I had written it. Then I felt right
(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff, 13:
Journals: "Of Far More Worth than Gold," from the Life
of Wilford Woodruff, 125, emphasis added).
Journals are potent tools. For those
of us who keep them, we know their value. They can bring comfort
in discouraging moments, joy during tender times, and inspiration
during darkened hours. And as President Woodruff recorded, teachings
and experiences become clearer as we take the time to process
them and write them down.
Journals are especially powerful
for gospel teachers. When we honestly record our thoughts each
day after class, those thoughts then become priceless tools of
instruction for us later on. Whether facing a new challenge or
one that continues, oftentimes our own personal insights months
later can be the fodder for new moments of success, when coupled
with scripture study and prayer.
In light of the importance of journaling
our "affairs of the Church" (following President Woodruff's
pattern), it is particularly important to take account of what
has gone on during the seminary year, both wonderful and/or challenging.
Questions to Ponder
The month of May or June often spells
the close of the school year for many seminary teachers. Before
too much time escapes, take out your journal or at least a notebook
of some kind. Print out this page and take a week or so to ponder
on your responses to the questions below. Then open up your notebook
or journal and begin to write, musing on some of the following
thoughts:
It would be important to retain this
information — your honest, heartfelt responses — as
you begin preparations for the next year's subject matter and class
of students. With that in mind, you may also want to journal your
responses to these final questions:
- If you could do one thing differently
for your students this coming year, what would it be?
- How will you remind yourself of
this desire throughout the year?
- If your students could attain to
one additional area of personal growth, what would it be? How
do you hope to foster this?
- What area of strength do you intend
to continue within your teaching this coming year?
- What area of weakness do you desire
to change in your future teaching? How will you go about modifying
this?
- How much did you take advantage
of your monthly in-service meetings? Do you feel you gave your
all in this regard?
- How open were you to learning from
your students? From your CES coordinator?
- When faced with struggles or trials
this past year, what percentage of the time did you turn first
to the Lord in prayer regarding the challenge?
Summary
If you don't have a teacher's journal,
spend some time this summer finding one. Then as your teaching
year goes by, turn to your journal at least weekly to record your
thoughts, experiences, and "ah-ha!" moments from the
classroom. You'll be richly rewarded if you do.
Again, President Woodruff's comments
are most instructive. The teachings President Woodruff received
became clear once he'd recorded them in his journal. Journaling
has a way of doing that. So let us get our journals and make sure
to record our personal "affairs of the Church," within
the seminary classroom and without, for our future benefit and
that of others.
Each gospel teacher has gifts. And
because we are imperfect, each of us has liabilities within our
teaching approaches. It is the teacher who is open to learning
and to new ideas that is ready to serve well his or her students.
As we journal after the pattern that President Woodruff set, we
will be worthy recipients of new thoughts, insights, and inspiration
from the Holy Ghost.
May the Lord bless us all as we spend
time pondering and recording the service given in months past,
all the while preparing for service to be rendered in the months
to come.
C.S.
Bezas’ new book is now in LDS bookstores and has been called
perfect for parents of teens and those who work with them. Powerful
Tips for Powerful Teachers: Helping Youth Find Their Spiritual
Wings is also available by clicking here.
© 2007 Meridian
Magazine. All Rights Reserved
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| About
the Author: |
| 
C.S. Bezas graduated from BYU in communications,
with an emphasis in developing training programs. She has conducted
trainings and workshops for audiences both large and small on a
wide variety of topics and has won recognition for her writings
and stage musicals. She is the owner of the new LDSMusicals.org,
a site that offers free LDS stage productions and music. C.S. Bezas
has appeared as a keynote speaker in a variety of locations in the
United States and also has performed before audiences on television,
stage, and film, most recently appearing as Anne Frank with the
Florida Orchestra. Her new book Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers
is available in LDS bookstores and online. She and her husband have
four children and relish the gospel of Jesus Christ. |
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