The big bird teaches the little bird

President Howard W. Hunter told the story of watching a mother bird and her babies. When he was a young lad he watched a big bird hop across the yard, cock her head to the side and thump the grass three times. Immediately the big bird caught a worm. She took the worm over to the baby birds and ....then the big bird swallowed the worm. She did not even give the little birdies a bite. Then the big bird flew up to the top of a tree, caught a bug, and showed it to the baby birds and....then the big bird swallowed the bug. Again, she did not even give the little birdies a bite.

What do you think happened next? Well, the next thing you know, that big bird just flew away.

What do you think the baby birds did?

They jumped out of the nest, cocked their heads, thumped the ground three times....and each caught a worm.

We need to involve our students in order to be effective teachers.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 68:25 reads: "And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents."

Note that it is not enough to "teach our children" but rather we must teach them to "understand."

Further, Section 50:13,14 asks this question: "Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question--unto what were ye ordained? To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth.

Teaching is not telling. Teaching is a process. Understanding is an outcome. It is the Spirit that is the teacher as we note in Section 50 verse 14 above.

Elder Richard G. Scott taught us this valuable insight about teaching: "Ensure that there is abundant participation because that use of agency by a student authorizes the Holy Ghost to instruct. It helps the student to retain your message. As student verbalize truths, they are confirmed in their souls and strengthen their personal testimonies."

Returning back to the story of the big bird and the little birds. The big bird loved the little birdies and wanted them to learn how to find worms and bugs on their own. She set an example for them by showing them how it was done. She insured abundant participation by her students (the little birdies). They were not just taught, but they were taught to understand.