All human beings learn in their own time and in their own way. Sister Rosemary Wixom, former General Primary President, once said that there were a million ways to teach and lead primary. That comment has recently made me think in a more general way that there are a million ways to lead our children back to our Heavenly Father. One path in not “right” for everyone and in many ways our journeys are very different even while striving for the same goal. The path that one chooses can vary from a smooth, faith-filled commandment keeping stroll, to a “learn the hard way” hills, valleys and hard knock’s marathon. Most of us will be on a course that at very least resembles an obstacle course. Sometimes, those obstacles come from our own choices and sometimes the Lord just needs us to learn something. Thankfully, his timing is perfect.
As much as I would like to be able to teach my children things when they need to know them, (thus making the journey less complicated), if they aren’t ready to learn then they won’t learn. Heaven knows that I can personally relate to not wanting to be forced into anything! When people are ready to learn, the Lord who loves us perfectly will provide an opportunity to learn. I relate this to repeated readings of the scriptures. Each time I read the Book of Mormon, I learn something different. Why haven’t I seen it before? Perhaps, I wasn’t ready for it.
In the talk ‘Ready or Not, You Will Be Taught’(Packer), Elder Packer talked about feeding children whenever they are hungry. In their family, dinner was served right after school and before dad got home. The logic behind this is that giving them snacks when they are ready for a meal, only served to dull their appetites and they didn’t eat as well at dinner. While this concept is hard for me to get on board with in the literal sense, the wisdom in the teaching metaphor is deep and meaningful. When our children are interested in learning, that window of interest is likely fleeting. When the window opens, we need to jump through and seize the opportunity right then and not hope that we can still address the issue at a more convenient time.
Family Home Evenings, Family Councils and Come Follow Me for Families are extremely important forums to teach in. We can (and should) prepare lessons and learning opportunities. However, being able to follow the spirit in those moments and follow where it leads is essential. With any luck, the things that you have prepared will lead to questions and genuine curiosity. When we prepare any lesson whether in the home a church class or elsewhere, we have to be flexible. When we stick to the outline and cover all of the material because “the manual says so”, we are likely doing as Elder Packer warns about and declaring, “Ready or not, you will be taught.” If we force-feed our learners something they didn’t seek for or care to know, the likelihood of it sticking or being of any value is slim. Yes, you may feel like you did your part, but is that true?
Packer, B. K. (n.d.). Ready or Not, You Will Be Taught. Retrieved February 10, 2020, from https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/1977/12/ready-or-not-you-will-be-taught?lang=eng
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