2018 Relief Society Curriculum

I’m excited that beginning in January, Relief Society and Priesthood Sunday meetings will follow a new curriculum.

This new curriculum will invite more discussion from each sister.  I am looking forward to being spiritually fed and learning more.

“Sundays in Relief Society are no longer just the responsibility of the leaders,” said Brooke Jensen, a counselor in a Relief Society presidency. “Each member takes an active role.”

Sunday meetings will follow this schedule (I’ve included links with more explanation):

First Sunday - Counsel together about local responsibilities, opportunities, and challenges and make plans to act.

Second and Third Sundays - Study recent general conference messages chosen by presidency or group leaders or, on occasion, by the bishop or stake president.

Fourth Sunday - Discuss a special topic chosen by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Fifth Sunday - Address a topic chosen by the bishopric.

The November Ensign has the full explanation of the new curriculum.

I hope you are able to take some time to read about the new Sunday curriculum.  As sisters, I believe that when we come to Relief Society ready to contribute we will bless lives.  I am grateful for inspired leaders and for a prophet who loves us and knows our needs.

- Kim Olivier, Stake Relief Society 2nd Counselor

Change Reflects Ongoing Revelation

Recently, we have seen announcements of various changes to implementation of Church programs and meetings. The most recent changes announced involved visiting teaching, Priesthood & Relief Society curriculum, General Conference meeting schedules and missions/missionary work.

I realize that not everyone is connected through the social media resources of the Church and may have not seen the recent posts published by the Church in conjunction with these announcements.  To help facilitate allowing our sisters to stay current, I am simply posting the links to these recent announcements.  We will undoubtedly receive further information and instruction through our local leaders regarding how these changes are to be implemented.

Priesthood & Relief Society Curriculum

Visiting Teaching

General Conference Sessions

Missions

It is important to remember that while procedures will change as circumstances require, the doctrine of Christ remains constant. Seeing these changes is a witness in itself to the reality of modern revelation.  I would encourage you to take the time to read about these changes, to see how they may directly affect you and your family and to see how you can prepare to allow these changes to bless your life.

- Lorie Pierce

Invite Diligent Learning

The final section of Teaching in the Savior's Way is entitled "Invite Diligent Learning".  It begins with this statement and quote from Elder David A. Bednar:

A true gospel teacher is not satisfied when learners simply listen to what he or she has to say. Learning the gospel is not meant to be a passive experience. It is an act of faith and diligent effort. When you prepare to teach, instead of thinking, “What will I do to teach?” ask yourself, “What will my class members do to learn? How will I help them discover the gospel for themselves? How will I inspire them to act?”

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared the familiar saying, “Giving a man a fish feeds him for one meal. Teaching a man to fish feeds him for a lifetime.” He then taught, “As parents and gospel instructors, you and I are not in the business of distributing fish; rather, our work is to help [those we teach] learn ‘to fish’ and to become spiritually steadfast.”

For many of us, our experience in Gospel classroom learning/lessons have been more teachers presenting and less class discussion and learning. This section covers concepts (listed below) that help to shift the focus off the teacher and what they say and onto the learner and what they are motivated to do.  It is a different and yet a more effective kind of teaching and learning - one that can be applied not only in the Church classrooms, but in our homes as well.  The home is the ideal place to teach and learn the Gospel and as we apply these principles, we invite the Spirit into the lives of all our family members.

• Encourage Learning outside of Class
• Put Responsibility on Learners
• Express Confidence through High Expectations
• Encourage Sharing
• Teach Learners to Find Answers in the Scriptures
• Invite Learners to Record Impressions

-Lorie Pierce

Teach the Doctrine

The third section of the Teaching in the Savior's Way manual is titled - Teach the Doctrine.  The opening paragraphs teach us who's doctrine we are to teach and the power behind both the teacher and the learner when doctrine is taught.

The Savior has commanded us to “teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom” (D&C 88:77). As we do, the Holy Ghost bears witness of the truthfulness of the doctrine and inspires people to live it. Doctrine does not change—rather, it changes us, and it changes those we teach.

President Boyd K. Packer taught, “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior.” As a gospel teacher, you can trust that “the virtue of the word of God” has a “more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than … anything else” (Alma 31:5). If you focus on simply entertaining learners or keeping them occupied, you may miss out on teaching eternal truths that will help learners make meaningful changes in their lives.

Continually ask yourself, “How will what I am teaching help my class members build faith in Christ, repent, make and keep covenants with God, and receive the Holy Ghost?”

This section then provides helps for the following categories. 

Use Music, Stories, and Art to Teach Doctrine    
Respond to Difficult Questions with Faith    
Teach the Children
Teach the Youth

Each are valuable resources for us a Gospel teachers in our homes and in our Church assignments.  I especially liked the section on responding to difficult questions with faith.  Years ago, I was asked very last minute (as in when I arrived at Church) to substitute for the Gospel Doctrine class.  I wasn't overly concerned.  I had the manual and the scriptures and these "students" were my friends.  There was, however, a visitor that day who for whatever reason decided that his way of participating was to ask questions off the beaten path.  I recall, as he asked one question, just looking at him and thinking, "Why?  Why does that even matter to this discussion?"  But I patiently tried to address the question (which I've long since forgotten).  He clearly wasn't satisfied and began again.  Bless the brethren in that classroom - they knew me well and spoke up in such a way as to not only rescue me from the increasingly frustrating situation, but also to rescue the class discussion.  That one experience did leave it's unfortunate mark on me.  I have never again willingly taught an adult Sunday School class unprepared and truthfully wouldn't even want to teach it prepared.  Should that assignment ever be mine, I would use this inspired resource to better face the challenges that come with open discussions.  How blessed we are to not be left alone - the Lord truly does provide the help, the support, the resources, and the guidance we need to serve in our Church assignments and to fulfill our various responsibilities at home and elsewhere.

-Lorie Pierce

Teach by the Spirit

The second section in the Teaching in the Savior's way manual focuses on teaching by the Spirit.  This quote from that manual sums up nicely the purpose of developing our ability to teach by the Spirit:

"Powerful gospel teaching means not just preparing a lesson but preparing ourselves. Because the Spirit is the real teacher and the true source of conversion, effective gospel teachers—before they think about filling class time—focus on filling their hearts with the Holy Ghost."

The counsel and suggestions in this section are more than just for us as classroom teachers.  They will help us especially in our homes.  The Gospel is best learned at home.  Our Church classes should never replace the powerful teaching that should be happening in our homes.  Our opportunities to teach in the moment, to invite the Spirit into our lives and our family members lives, and to prepare ourselves to share the Gospel will all be improved through reading and applying the principles taught in this section.  

As I went through these topics and thought about how teaching by the Spirit can have such a lasting impact, I was reminded of our recent Stake Conference.  Sister Bonnie H. Cordon of the General Primary Presidency, counseled us that we need to share our light and kindle the light within our children. She also said that engaging in the work of salvation feeds the flame of light.  As we engage ourselves and our families in the work of salvation, we are filing our hearts with the Holy Ghost, which prepares us to teach by the Spirit - at home, at Church, in all times and all places the Lord may direct.

Below are links to the individual topics that are covered in this section.  I hope you will take the time to read through them and that you will find them as helpful and hopeful as I did.

- Lorie Pierce

Teach by the Spirit
	Prepare Yourself Spiritually
	Live the Gospel of Jesus Christ
	Create an Environment That Invites the Spirit
	Take Advantage of Spontaneous Teaching Moments
	Make a Plan

Love Those You Teach

The first section in the Teaching in the Savior's Way manual is titled - Love Those You Teach.  There is truly no better way to teach as the Savior taught than through love.  Love enables us to look beyond the frustrations, the foibles, the imperfections and see beyond the face to the person that the Savior loves.

"Everything the Savior did throughout His earthly ministry was motivated by love—His love for His Father and His love for all of us. Through the power of the Holy Ghost, we can be filled with this same love as we strive to be true followers of Christ (see John 13:34–35; Moroni 7:48; 8:26). With Christlike love in our hearts, we will seek every possible way to help others learn of Christ and come unto Him. Love will be the reason and motivation for our teaching." 
(Teaching in the Savior's Way part 1 section 1)

As we let love be the guiding motivation behind our teaching, our focus shifts from material and presentation to the people - to the individuals.

“A gospel teacher, like the Master we serve, will concentrate entirely on those being taught,” said Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “His or her total concentration will be on the needs of the sheep—the good of the students. A gospel teacher does not focus on himself or herself. One who understands that principle will not look upon his or her calling as ‘giving or presenting a lesson,’ because that definition views teaching from the standpoint of the teacher, not the student. Focusing on the needs of the students, a gospel teacher will never obscure their view of the Master by standing in the way or by shadowing the lesson with self-promotion or self-interest.”
(Dallin H. Oaks, “Gospel Teaching,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 79.)

One of my very favorite quotes is this:

"The real work happens when we touch someone individually."
(Julie B. Beck, Relief Society General President 2007-2012)

Recently as I was pondering that very quote, I made a connection - saw a pattern of change within the Church - a shift in focus to individual ministering.  Let me share what I saw:

October 2012 a change to the youth curriculum was announced - the new Come Follow Me curriculum shifted the focus of teaching and learning to a more personal learning environment rather than a set of cookie cutter lessons.

Temple and family history work has seen similar shifts.  The new technology enables us to print our own cards for ancestors ordinances.  The focus of Take - Find - Teach creates a personal experience that spirals out as we help others become involved in the work.  The recent title changes to those who have associated callings Temple & Family History Consultants was much more than just a title change.  It is another shift toward personalized experiences in learning and teaching - a focus on individuals.

The whole concept of the Teaching in the Savior's Way is to bring our gospel teaching and gospel learning back to the people - to the individuals we are.  It prompts us to minister to the individuals we teach rather than just presenting a lesson.

The new Self Reliance Initiative truly shows the focus on the individual.  Those who participate in the classes are encouraged to personalize their learning.  They are supported individually by facilitators as they learn and make positive changes that bring more self reliance into their lives.

What struck me the most as I saw this shifting pattern is that love is the motivating factor.  We can see the love the Lord has for His children in the inspired direction and programs that we have access to in the Church.  He helps us help ourselves and in so doing He helps us help others.  Our love for Him grows as we serve His children and our love for His children grows as we serve Him.

-Lorie Pierce

Teaching in the Savior's Way Series

Many of you will already be aware and involved with this new approach to improving teaching and supporting teachers.  I have felt it would be a good idea though, to have some posts focused on this subject.  This first one is simply an introduction to the new Teaching in the Savior's Way curriculum and program.  I hope it will be helpful to any that haven't yet heard about it or who maybe have heard, but aren't really sure how it might help or impact them.

The introduction page to the Teaching in the Savior's Way manual says this:

The goal of every gospel teacher—every parent, every formally called teacher, every home teacher and visiting teacher, and every follower of Christ—is to teach the pure doctrine of the gospel, by the Spirit, in order to help God’s children build their faith in the Savior and become more like Him.

The manual is designed to help us as teachers, leaders and parents improve our ability to teach in the Savior's way.  It helps to refocus our methods in ways that will more fully invite the Spirit and foster gospel learning.  Personal and group study of the manual are intended implementations of the curriculum.

Those serving in callings as teachers are now participating in monthly Teacher Council Meetings.  The purpose of these meetings is to allow teachers to "council together about principles of Christlike teaching".  This unique council environment is designed to allow the teachers to learn from one another as they share ideas, concerns, experiences and as they use the principles found in the Teaching in the Savior's Way manual to find better ideas, solutions and invite the Spirit into their class experiences.

While many of us do not currently have teaching assignments, we all have opportunities to teach.  We can all benefit from reviewing these resources.  I hope that in our future posts, as we cover more specifically these Christlike principles of teaching, that we will all find ways to improve our own teaching moments.

-Lorie Pierce