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Divine Guidance #4
In Tune
The Role of the Spirit in Teaching and Learning.
182 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2013
13 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
About the author
Gerald N. Lund
87 books751 followersGerald N. Lund received his B.A. and M.S. degrees in sociology from Brigham Young University. He served for thirty-five years in the Church Educational System, and he served as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy from 2002 to 2008. He is a prolific and bestselling author of both fiction and nonfiction and is best known for his historical novels, including The Work and the Glory series, Fire of the Covenant, The Kingdom and the Crown series, and The Undaunted. He and his late wife, Lynn, are the parents of seven children.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 27, 2014
This is not the typical book you will see from me on my blog. I am a very proud member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love reading. I love reading all kind of books. I love reading almost all genres. I have to admit this is not a book I would usually read, but when Deseret Book contacted me and asked if I would review it I jumped at the chance. It was a book I needed to read.
It is all about how to recognize the Holy Ghost in our lives. It talks about the functions of the Holy Ghost, and how to put the principles into action. Honestly I think I take for granted that I have been a member my whole life. Sometimes I don't give credit where credit is due. Sometimes I like to think that the inspiration I have or had is my own. I think I fail to realize when the Holy Ghost is actually trying to teach me. While reading this book it taught me how to recognize the spirit in my life.
In the book there is a sub heading called "Create Your Own Spiritual Destiny". The story that went along with it touched me tremendously. This quote especially "It doesn't matter that your family was dysfunctional. You, like Abraham, can create your own spiritual destiny". I don't think any family is perfect, at least I know that mine isn't. We try, and we work together. This quote though gave me some fuel to give to other family members of mine who might be struggling. It was so great.
There are so many wonderful things I want to say about this book, but I think you should go pick it up for yourself and read it.
Thank you Deseret Book for giving me the opportunity to review this fabulous book. It taught me a lot.
It is all about how to recognize the Holy Ghost in our lives. It talks about the functions of the Holy Ghost, and how to put the principles into action. Honestly I think I take for granted that I have been a member my whole life. Sometimes I don't give credit where credit is due. Sometimes I like to think that the inspiration I have or had is my own. I think I fail to realize when the Holy Ghost is actually trying to teach me. While reading this book it taught me how to recognize the spirit in my life.
In the book there is a sub heading called "Create Your Own Spiritual Destiny". The story that went along with it touched me tremendously. This quote especially "It doesn't matter that your family was dysfunctional. You, like Abraham, can create your own spiritual destiny". I don't think any family is perfect, at least I know that mine isn't. We try, and we work together. This quote though gave me some fuel to give to other family members of mine who might be struggling. It was so great.
There are so many wonderful things I want to say about this book, but I think you should go pick it up for yourself and read it.
Thank you Deseret Book for giving me the opportunity to review this fabulous book. It taught me a lot.
June 7, 2022
I didn't like this book quite as well as the earlier Divine Guidance books. This was focused on teaching. While I realize that we are all teachers in the Gospel, it did seem to specifically target those with current teaching callings. There were some good things, and a few new insights for me, but overall, it was a review of many things I have already been taught in teaching the Gospel.
February 4, 2015
This book was a little bit different than I expected it to be, but it was good and made some important points about the importance of teaching by the Spirit. I was thinking there might be a little bit more of a story or connection to the title "in tune" which I love (and I think of "tune my heart to sing Thy grace"), but I was grateful for the reminders about Who the real Teacher is. I didn't completely follow the organization of the book, but it is about the Holy Ghost and its functions and teaching.
Right as I was starting this book I was reminded of one of my favorite quotes about the Holy Ghost. It is by Parley P. Pratt and I thought of it often as I was reading this book: "The gift of the Holy Ghost...quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands, and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates, and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings, and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity. It develops beauty of person, form, and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation, and social feeling. It invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being."
What an amazing gift and blessing! Without the Spirit we can't teach. Teaching and learning and growing is the purpose of our lives here on earth, so the Holy Ghost is crucial. I'm grateful for these reminders. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:
"The Church of Jesus Christ was to be a teaching church. This is a charge that was repeated again and again, both to individuals and to the Church as a whole (p. 3)."
"A large percentage of the Book of Mormon focuses on how the leaders and parents in the Nephite church sought to teach their own people and the Lamanites (p. 5)."
"From this single passage [D&C 42:12-14] we learn:
* What we are to teach--the principles of the gospel, 'the covenants and church articles.'
* What is required of teachers as they teach--to live 'the covenants and church articles.'
* How we are to teach--by the Spirit.
* How to receive the Spirit--by the prayer of faith.
President Harold B. Lee specifically referred to this passage as a law to the teachers (p. 13)."
"When we preach or teach in the manner here defined, both teacher and learner understand each other, and both are edified and enlightened. They rejoice together. That is a primary goal of teaching in the Church: to edify and give light to others, to push back the darkness, to bring joy and rejoicing....Only as edification happens--to us as individuals, to families, and to the Church itself--are we able to move forward (p. 15)."
"He [the Holy Spirit] is a Teacher. In so many ways, that is what He does. He teaches. He does this by revealing truth, confirming truth, enlightening the mind. He enhances faith, pricks us with guilt and shame when we do things that displease the Father and the Son, softens the heart so we can repent, strengthens our courage as we carry out Their will, and comforts us when the burdens of life weigh in upon us. All of those work to teach us of the love of God and the perfect saving grace of the Godhead (p. 17)."
"Typically, the individuals themselves don't recognize the small, incremental building blocks being put in place as their spiritual edifice grows and expands....'Seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life' (D&C 101:38)."
"I have often said that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is organized love and organized concern. We need the saving ordinances administered in an authoritative way, and we need each other. One of the genius features of the gospel is that it does not permit us to escape from our brothers and sisters. We do not draw closer to our brother by pushing others away from us. We are also most effective by joining together in administering help and aid rather than being a frail force for random goodness in the world (p. 27, Neal A. Maxwell)."
"Teaching by the Spirit takes place when the Holy Ghost is fulfilling His role and His functions with either the teacher or the learner or both (p. 32)."
"One of the greatest acts of agency is the willingness to open our hearts to the promptings of the Spirit. These are most often quiet, almost imperceptible whisperings. If we choose to open our hearts to the Spirit, the Holy Ghost can and will share His gifts and fulfill His functions with us. If, however, we choose to close our hearts to such promptings, then the Spirit withdraws (p. 42)."
"'Love is a living thing....love is not a piece of granite that you set up on a shelf for two years, then take back down when you return home and find it just the same. Love is a living thing. And living things require constant nourishment, or they wither away. Living things can be hurt and damaged, even to the point where they die. Living things are either growing or dying. And that's true of love too (p. 58).'"
"Another equally remarkable example of the proper response to a call, even if it is completely overwhelming, comes not from one of the prophets but from a humble young woman from the little town of Nazareth. Her response to a calling of such stunning magnitude that it must surely have seemed impossible is a marvelous example of faith, trust, and humble submission....her response serves as a perfect model for all of us: 'Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to they word' (Luke 1:38) (p. 107)."
"'It doesn't matter that your family was dysfunctional. You, like Abraham, can create your own spiritual destiny (p. 113).'"
"You do not have to sneak up behind this spiritually experience youth and whisper religion in his ears; you can come right out, face to face, and talk with him. You do not need to disguise religious truths with a cloak of worldly things; you can bring these truths to him openly, in their natural guise. Youth may prove to be not more fearful of them than you are. There is no need for gradual approaches, for 'bedtime' stories, for coddling, for patronizing, or for any of the other childish devices used in efforts to reach those spiritually inexperienced and all but spiritually dead (p. 141, J. Reuben Clark Jr.)."
"The calling of the gospel teacher is one of the noblest in the world. The good teacher can make all the difference in inspiring boys and girls and men and women to change their lives and fulfill their highest destiny. The importance of the teacher has been beautifully described by Daniel Webster when he said, 'If we work upon marble, it will perish; if we work upon brass, time will efface it; but if we work upon immortal minds, if we imbue them with principles and the just fear of God and love of our fellowmen, we engrave upon those tables something that will brighten through all eternity (p. 153, Harold B. Lee)."
Right as I was starting this book I was reminded of one of my favorite quotes about the Holy Ghost. It is by Parley P. Pratt and I thought of it often as I was reading this book: "The gift of the Holy Ghost...quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands, and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates, and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings, and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity. It develops beauty of person, form, and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation, and social feeling. It invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being."
What an amazing gift and blessing! Without the Spirit we can't teach. Teaching and learning and growing is the purpose of our lives here on earth, so the Holy Ghost is crucial. I'm grateful for these reminders. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:
"The Church of Jesus Christ was to be a teaching church. This is a charge that was repeated again and again, both to individuals and to the Church as a whole (p. 3)."
"A large percentage of the Book of Mormon focuses on how the leaders and parents in the Nephite church sought to teach their own people and the Lamanites (p. 5)."
"From this single passage [D&C 42:12-14] we learn:
* What we are to teach--the principles of the gospel, 'the covenants and church articles.'
* What is required of teachers as they teach--to live 'the covenants and church articles.'
* How we are to teach--by the Spirit.
* How to receive the Spirit--by the prayer of faith.
President Harold B. Lee specifically referred to this passage as a law to the teachers (p. 13)."
"When we preach or teach in the manner here defined, both teacher and learner understand each other, and both are edified and enlightened. They rejoice together. That is a primary goal of teaching in the Church: to edify and give light to others, to push back the darkness, to bring joy and rejoicing....Only as edification happens--to us as individuals, to families, and to the Church itself--are we able to move forward (p. 15)."
"He [the Holy Spirit] is a Teacher. In so many ways, that is what He does. He teaches. He does this by revealing truth, confirming truth, enlightening the mind. He enhances faith, pricks us with guilt and shame when we do things that displease the Father and the Son, softens the heart so we can repent, strengthens our courage as we carry out Their will, and comforts us when the burdens of life weigh in upon us. All of those work to teach us of the love of God and the perfect saving grace of the Godhead (p. 17)."
"Typically, the individuals themselves don't recognize the small, incremental building blocks being put in place as their spiritual edifice grows and expands....'Seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life' (D&C 101:38)."
"I have often said that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is organized love and organized concern. We need the saving ordinances administered in an authoritative way, and we need each other. One of the genius features of the gospel is that it does not permit us to escape from our brothers and sisters. We do not draw closer to our brother by pushing others away from us. We are also most effective by joining together in administering help and aid rather than being a frail force for random goodness in the world (p. 27, Neal A. Maxwell)."
"Teaching by the Spirit takes place when the Holy Ghost is fulfilling His role and His functions with either the teacher or the learner or both (p. 32)."
"One of the greatest acts of agency is the willingness to open our hearts to the promptings of the Spirit. These are most often quiet, almost imperceptible whisperings. If we choose to open our hearts to the Spirit, the Holy Ghost can and will share His gifts and fulfill His functions with us. If, however, we choose to close our hearts to such promptings, then the Spirit withdraws (p. 42)."
"'Love is a living thing....love is not a piece of granite that you set up on a shelf for two years, then take back down when you return home and find it just the same. Love is a living thing. And living things require constant nourishment, or they wither away. Living things can be hurt and damaged, even to the point where they die. Living things are either growing or dying. And that's true of love too (p. 58).'"
"Another equally remarkable example of the proper response to a call, even if it is completely overwhelming, comes not from one of the prophets but from a humble young woman from the little town of Nazareth. Her response to a calling of such stunning magnitude that it must surely have seemed impossible is a marvelous example of faith, trust, and humble submission....her response serves as a perfect model for all of us: 'Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to they word' (Luke 1:38) (p. 107)."
"'It doesn't matter that your family was dysfunctional. You, like Abraham, can create your own spiritual destiny (p. 113).'"
"You do not have to sneak up behind this spiritually experience youth and whisper religion in his ears; you can come right out, face to face, and talk with him. You do not need to disguise religious truths with a cloak of worldly things; you can bring these truths to him openly, in their natural guise. Youth may prove to be not more fearful of them than you are. There is no need for gradual approaches, for 'bedtime' stories, for coddling, for patronizing, or for any of the other childish devices used in efforts to reach those spiritually inexperienced and all but spiritually dead (p. 141, J. Reuben Clark Jr.)."
"The calling of the gospel teacher is one of the noblest in the world. The good teacher can make all the difference in inspiring boys and girls and men and women to change their lives and fulfill their highest destiny. The importance of the teacher has been beautifully described by Daniel Webster when he said, 'If we work upon marble, it will perish; if we work upon brass, time will efface it; but if we work upon immortal minds, if we imbue them with principles and the just fear of God and love of our fellowmen, we engrave upon those tables something that will brighten through all eternity (p. 153, Harold B. Lee)."
August 16, 2019
My goal is to read all of Gerald Lund books. This was a little harder to stay engaged with but there were some very insightful points.
1. When teaching at home or elsewhere, be sure everyone has scriptures, something to mark with and is given an opportunity to participate when studying the scriptures. ❤️
2. Parents and teachers are encouraged to bare their testimony each time they teach so the spirit can bare witness to the truthfulness of what you are saying.
1. When teaching at home or elsewhere, be sure everyone has scriptures, something to mark with and is given an opportunity to participate when studying the scriptures. ❤️
2. Parents and teachers are encouraged to bare their testimony each time they teach so the spirit can bare witness to the truthfulness of what you are saying.
February 7, 2021
Teaching by the spirit is critical, and this book outlines how we can do that, and why it's important. I am not a professional teacher, but there were multiple things for me to apply into teaching in the home and in my calling.
March 28, 2023
I have loved all of Gerald Lund's doctrinal books and I really enjoyed this one as well. While I got a lot out of it, it was but as hard hitting as previous ones I've read. I would still recommend it though.
April 15, 2018
A typically satisfactory exploration of doctrine mixed with valuable and useful anecdotes explaining the doctrine. A worthwhile read.
November 4, 2020
Well written book on why and how the Holy Ghost is essential in all teaching settings. Would be a great book for potential missionaries to read.
January 23, 2021
A nice book about teaching with the spirit.
April 13, 2017
this book is about teaching with the spirit. I enjoyed it, but I don't really have a teaching position at the moment so what he said I can't really apply. I also thought that this book was going to be about music so I was kinda disappointed.
February 20, 2014
As members of the church, we are charged with teaching. Bro. Lund gives lots of scriptures to illustrate this point. He also gives many examples of the resources the Church commits to preaching and teaching the gospel, including providing meetinghouses, sending out missionaries, maintaining websites, preparing curriculum and producing movies and videos.
There are many scriptures, quotes by general authorities and stories given throughout the book to illustrate his points. He starts with chapters that focus on teaching and learning by the spirit and the functions of the Holy Ghost. Then he discusses the principles in action and ends with putting ourselves in tune.
One of my favorite stories was when he told of a mission tour he was doing and the mission president and his wife told them of a recent baptism. It was an older man named Bro. Jones who tended to be crusty and gruff. At the man's baptism, the mission president asked him what it was that made him decide to listen to the missionaries. The man told him that he was home one day watching television and could see out his front window. He saw two young men in white shirts and ties coming down the road. When they reached the gate to his picket fence, they opened it and started up his walk. As he watched them, the thought came to him: "I didn't know that God made young men like that anymore." So he let them in. Bro. Lund makes the point that the missionaries would have known that they had the Spirit with them when they taught Bro. Jones that day, but neither of the young men probably knew that their teaching by the Spirit began as they opened the gate and started up the walk, yet if that hadn't happened, nothing else would have followed.
Towards the end he shares four ways we can better help nurture others as we teach, and the focus there is on preparing ourselves so we can create an environment for the spirit to be felt and to teach directly from the scriptures. There's a lot of great information and insights in this book. I learned a lot from reading it and will definitely read it again and again!
Mel's Shelves
There are many scriptures, quotes by general authorities and stories given throughout the book to illustrate his points. He starts with chapters that focus on teaching and learning by the spirit and the functions of the Holy Ghost. Then he discusses the principles in action and ends with putting ourselves in tune.
One of my favorite stories was when he told of a mission tour he was doing and the mission president and his wife told them of a recent baptism. It was an older man named Bro. Jones who tended to be crusty and gruff. At the man's baptism, the mission president asked him what it was that made him decide to listen to the missionaries. The man told him that he was home one day watching television and could see out his front window. He saw two young men in white shirts and ties coming down the road. When they reached the gate to his picket fence, they opened it and started up his walk. As he watched them, the thought came to him: "I didn't know that God made young men like that anymore." So he let them in. Bro. Lund makes the point that the missionaries would have known that they had the Spirit with them when they taught Bro. Jones that day, but neither of the young men probably knew that their teaching by the Spirit began as they opened the gate and started up the walk, yet if that hadn't happened, nothing else would have followed.
Towards the end he shares four ways we can better help nurture others as we teach, and the focus there is on preparing ourselves so we can create an environment for the spirit to be felt and to teach directly from the scriptures. There's a lot of great information and insights in this book. I learned a lot from reading it and will definitely read it again and again!
Mel's Shelves
March 13, 2014
The Holy Ghost is integral to teaching. In Tune discusses the facts and fallacies of teaching "by the spirit". Gerald Lund takes a practical and understandable approach in discussing the role of the Holy Ghost in effective teaching.
I found this book to be very interesting. There were many moments when the ideas presented struck a chord and explained concepts in a way that made sense. Many times in religious instructional books, the way the ideas are presented take time to figure out what the author is explaining. I didn't feel that way about this book. I appreciated the simplicity of the doctrine and writing.
This book is a great book for any gospel teacher. That includes primary teachers, seminary teachers, parents, etc. Everyone is a teacher in one form or another. I think that the ideas will help make us better students of the gospel.
I am very grateful that I took the time to read this book. I read a chapter each night to ponder the principals. I think it will help me in my learning as well as my teaching.
I found this book to be very interesting. There were many moments when the ideas presented struck a chord and explained concepts in a way that made sense. Many times in religious instructional books, the way the ideas are presented take time to figure out what the author is explaining. I didn't feel that way about this book. I appreciated the simplicity of the doctrine and writing.
This book is a great book for any gospel teacher. That includes primary teachers, seminary teachers, parents, etc. Everyone is a teacher in one form or another. I think that the ideas will help make us better students of the gospel.
I am very grateful that I took the time to read this book. I read a chapter each night to ponder the principals. I think it will help me in my learning as well as my teaching.
February 17, 2014
I have loved Gerald Lund's novels and this is my first time reading a nonfiction book authored by him. I should not have been surprised that his amazing talent at writing carries over into the nonfiction genre. I found myself engrossed in learning about the Spirit and how I can become more in tune with the Holy Ghost. Lund explains everything simply so that any person, no matter where they are in their gospel learning, can easily understand each concept as he explains it. I enjoyed the quotes from various prophets that are in the sidelines of the book as well as the personal stories that Lund shares throughout. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn how they can become more in tune with the Holy Ghost. I received an ARC of this book and the opinions in this review are my own.
February 3, 2014
Why read a book about teaching?
Because we are always in a state of either being the teacher...OR...we are learning from the teacher.
We must "edify and give light to others, to push back the darkness, to bring joy and rejoicing...to lift and build each other spiritually."
This book will helps us be "in tune" with the Spirit while teaching AND/OR learning,
I LOVE the way Gerald Lund teaches...
He will first give you a principle...
And then he will give you a story to illustrate that principle.
A great way to retain, understand, and know how to apply what was just taught!
Become a BETTER TEACHER and a BETTER LEARNER
by becoming IN TUNE
Because we are always in a state of either being the teacher...OR...we are learning from the teacher.
We must "edify and give light to others, to push back the darkness, to bring joy and rejoicing...to lift and build each other spiritually."
This book will helps us be "in tune" with the Spirit while teaching AND/OR learning,
I LOVE the way Gerald Lund teaches...
He will first give you a principle...
And then he will give you a story to illustrate that principle.
A great way to retain, understand, and know how to apply what was just taught!
Become a BETTER TEACHER and a BETTER LEARNER
by becoming IN TUNE
July 27, 2015
This is a book which is not solely for those who have classroom teaching assignments. It's geared for everyone who interacts with others - which hopefully includes all of us who live and breathe. Gerald Lund did a wonderful job of describing how we can learn more about teaching and learning, through the gift and power of the Holy Ghost. He has lots of relevant examples. He is very logical in his presentation of opinions about how to learn and teach. He also includes quotes from other wonderful gospel teachers, such as Neal A. Maxwell and Jeffrey R. Holland. I read this book on a Sunday afternoon and enjoyed every minute of reading it.
April 14, 2014
This is a great book on teaching and I feel that I would have gotten more out of the book if I was currently teaching a gospel class, however I feel that in my life I can be a teacher in my home. I learned quite a bit on how to be a more effective teacher in allowing the Spirit to guide me.
July 5, 2015
It was an informative book on teaching by the Spirit and the importance of the Spirit in learning and in life. The start was a bit slow but the way the book was built upon it made me realize why he chose to do it that way. This is the first non-fiction book I have read for a long time.
September 6, 2016
My cousin sent me this book after I was called to be a Seminary teacher. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Between this and David A. Bednar's 'Increase in Learning' I feel like I kind of have a handle on this responsibility.
September 2, 2016
Amazing book on how to be guided by the spirit in teaching.
October 9, 2014
An excellent reminder of how to teach effectively over the pulpit, in the classroom, and even in the home by including the Spirit in preparation and delivery.
February 12, 2016
Not quite what I thought it would be, it ended up with less depth than I thought it might.
October 15, 2017
Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews