This was, perhaps, the most positive conversation I’ve ever overheard while a graduate student. Otherwise, it’s a tame example of what I have to deal with multiple times a day, nearly every day.
Author Archives: guest
The problem with Romney….
Well, I have (defended isn’t the right word – how to put it?) suggested possible ways to view Romney’s shifting political views in a more charitable light. Mainly, this was because I was offended by the knee-jerk partisan attacking that didn’t do much beyond view Romney’s rhetoric in the most uncharitable and worst possible light. (I think Charity, if a true principle, undergoes its greatest test when politics are involved).
But that doesn’t mean the criticisms aren’t valid.
Improving Gospel Teaching, Part 6: Philosophies in Lesson Preparation
[Part 6 in a series about improving gospel teaching. Previous entries in the series: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5]
From Doctrine & Covenants:
And now, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that when ye are assembled together ye shall instruct and edify each other, that ye may know how to act and direct my church, how to act upon the points of my law and commandments, which I have given. (D&C 43:8)
This scripture makes reference to two primary goals when teaching: ‘instructing’ and ‘edifying’. Using these two goals as a guide, let’s discuss some basic philosophies in lesson preparation that will help students be both instructed and edified during class.
Improving Gospel Teaching, Part 5: How To Be Great
[Part 5 in a series about improving gospel teaching. Previous entries in the series: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4]
Defining what makes a teacher ‘great’–as opposed to being merely ‘good’–is a very difficult proposition. “Good” teachers are usually easy to tell apart from “poor” teachers–but what makes a good teacher ‘great’? Don’t they just do the same things good teachers do, only somehow…you know, better?
A forty-day fast for missionary work
My junior companion kept coming up with excuses why he didn’t talk to the people he passed on the street. “He’s not looking at me.” “He looked busy.” “He was looking at his watch.” As a missionary in Tokyo, if you wanted to talk to men, you didn’t knock on doors, since the only people at home were harried housewives and little old ladies. You went down to the train station and waved people down. Streeting, we called it. It required a little more initiative than going door-to-door, because your next target wasn’t as well defined, but you were always assured of being able to talk to someone face-to-face if you were willing to make the effort to open your mouth in the first place.
“Why didn’t you stop that guy? He walked right by you!”
“He was wearing headphones. He wasn’t going to stop to talk to me.”
Arrant nonsense. If he didn’t know it, at least I did, and I was going to prove it to him.