10.25.2007

Teaching With Love


"Nothing is so much calculated to lead people to forsake sin as to take them by the hand, and watch over them with tenderness. When persons manifest the least kindness and love to me, oh what power it has over my mind, while the opposite course had a tendency to harrow up all the harsh feelings and depress the human mind." (Joseph Smith)

I came acrosss this quote as I prepared for our upcoming Primary Teacher Appreciation meeting. It made me think of a little phrase my mom would repeat to us as kids (which made me mad everytime I heard it as I recall!) that goes something like this: "You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar." I remember thinking that was a really dumb thing for her to keep saying.

But the lesson is there. That little phrase from the past takes me to one you hear a lot these days: "They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." It's true. When you approach anything with love, the end result is always astounding. Joseph Smith knew it, my mom knew it, and now I know it too.

When people know you love them, they are willing to hear whatever it is that you are trying to teach them. It works. Try it.

7 comments:

Emily John said...

Thank you! I really needed this today. I've been in a crappy mood all day and unfortunately Spence is getting the brunt of it, I think this was meant for me to remind me that I need to show the love I have for him more, particulary today.

Unknown said...

so that's your secret, huh? we all wonder how you get everyone to listen to you!

hoLLy said...

thanks for the reminder today jan- i needed it!

it also gives me hope for some people in my life. if i just keep showing love(instead of the frustration i feel), maybe someday they'll change and turn back to the gospel.

Fantastic Five said...

you always have something important to say, it makes me feel like a schmuck! but i need to hear it.

Maren said...

That's a great quote. I also really love that "Love is spoken here" thing. I want it hanging in MY house. It's such a simple reminder, but really... the beatles knew it too. All you need IS Love. (The Unconditional Love part is the hard part though.) Thanks for the reminder Jan. Great way to start my day!

Sarah Markley said...

Hi Jan, thanks for stopping by! I agree and I needed the encouragment this morning! =)

Natalie Scott said...

Isn't it true? That's what they say about missionary work...you've got to love the people, or they won't want to listen to you!

I am reminded of this every day with my kids...the more loved they feel, the more they'll listen to me.