One of Their Teachers

To my son, 

One inspiring character in the Book of Mormon was a man named Gideon. He opposed the wickedness of King Noah, he saved the people of Limhi from being destroyed by the Lamanites, and he provided the idea that helped them to escape from the Lamanites. The last scene where Gideon was described in the Book of Mormon was an encounter with Nehor the wicked anti-Christ. Nehor was teaching things contrary to the gospel and Gideon confronted him. Mormon recorded, “And it came to pass as he was going, to preach to those who believed on his word, he met a man who belonged to the church of God, yea, even one of their teachers; and he began to contend with him sharply, that he might lead away the people of the church; but the man withstood him, admonishing him with the words of God. Now the name of the man was Gideon…. Now, because Gideon withstood him with the words of God he was wroth with Gideon, and drew his sword and began to smite him. Now Gideon being stricken with many years, therefore he was not able to withstand his blows, therefore he was slain by the sword” (Alma 1:7-9). While it is not totally clear what Mormon meant by “teacher” I’d like to think that he was referring to the office in the priesthood of teacher.  

We know that the Nephites had teachers because of this verse from Moroni: “The manner which the disciples, who were called the elders of the church, ordained priests and teachers—After they had prayed unto the Father in the name of Christ, they laid their hands upon them, and said: In the name of Jesus Christ I ordain you to be a priest (or if he be a teacher, I ordain you to be a teacher) to preach repentance and remission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endurance of faith on his name to the end” (Moroni 3:1-3). We don’t know the age that Nephites typically became a teacher in the priesthood, but perhaps it was different than it is today and Gideon was a member of his local teachers quorum. You are going to have the opportunity to become a teacher this next year, and I hope you will think of Gideon as you stive to magnify your office and serve in the priesthood. He stood up for what was right and admonished with the word of God. And ultimately he gave his life in defense of the truth and the gospel of Jesus Christ. As a teacher you too should strive to stand up for what is right and to preach repentance and remission of sins to those you serve.  

The duties of a teacher are described by the Lord in these verses: “The teacher’s duty is to watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them; And see that there is no iniquity in the church, neither hardness with each other, neither lying, backbiting, nor evil speaking; And see that the church meet together often, and also see that all the members do their duty” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:53-55). That seems like a daunting task for a young man at the age of thirteen, but I believe that you can make more of a difference than you think. Through your service in the sacrament and ministering to members through assignment (you’ll get a ministering assignment with specific families you are called to watch over) you’ll be able to magnify your responsibility to watch over the church and to strengthen them. This is a great privilege, and don’t underestimate your potential as one of the Lord’s teachers! You can do as great a work as Gideon of old.

Love, Dad