Recently a non-member friend and I were swapping stories-not from our own lives, but from the Old Testament. We were both reading the book and were sharing our favorite stories and how they affected us. She remembered fondly that her mother used to respond to whining by saying, “Murmur, murmur, murmur….just like an Israelite!” Scripture stories touch our hearts and cross through all types of differences that can challenge the teacher: religion, age, experience, knowledge and background. A non-member visiting your class is likely to know something of Noah and the lessons that are to be learned. The new convert, knowing little of the church, can hear the great stories of the scriptures and remember or understand a doctrine that is beyond his beginning knowledge. Even a child, who may not understand all the messages of the scriptures, can enjoy a story. The well-told scripture story can be the highlight of a lesson or family gathering.
Before telling the story, we must first become familiar with the story ourselves. The better we know the story and the better we know the people involved, the better we will tell it. First read the story and just think about your impressions of the story. Remember to focus on the message you are supposed to be presenting when you tell the story. Most stories can have more than one application, so how you tell the story will depend on what you want to teach. Read the story several times and then try to tell it to yourself. Don’t worry about exact words or style. Just check to see if you have the basic facts in mind.
Next, ponder the story. Think about each individual person. What was he feeling? Why did he do this? How did he feel about the results? If it helps, check some approved commentary: read church magazines or Institute lesson manuals, for example. Try to get a picture of what the person looked like. You don’t have to be accurate, since you won’t be sharing that picture with anyone. You just want him to be very real to you.
Close your eyes and picture the story as it is happening. See faces and postures of each person. Picture Lehi in his tent, telling his family of his visions. Picture Nephi, leaning forward, listening intently, concentrating on feeling the spirit and understanding the message. Sam is probably listening carefully too, perhaps glancing over at Nephi to check out his reactions. But what are Laman and Lemuel doing? They aren’t listening eagerly. I picture them leaning back, perhaps snacking, rolling their eyes and thinking, “Oh great, another wasted afternoon listening to Dad and his dopey dreams.” And what is Sariah doing? Watching her husband with pride? Monitoring the reactions of her children with alternating pleasure and concern? When you watch the scene unfold, it becomes real to you and you will be able to tell the story more convincingly.
Now it is finally time to prepare to tell the story. Be very careful as you decide how to present the story that you don’t make up information. Stay true to the story and be respectful. Lehi was a great man and a prophet. Be sure he is always presented that way, and never trivialized to get a laugh or other reaction. Try to put in drama, but not so much that you are putting on a show. A simply told scripture story will have more power than one all dressed up for appearances. Because you have prepared so well, you will care about these people and this event, and that will show in your telling.
Try to tell the story initially without interruption, from memory. Then have students go back and read it from the scriptures. This is usually the best method for children, and is often effective for adults as well. Let them feel the power of the story as a story first. Then, when you are reading from the actual words, discuss the implications of the story.
The scriptures are our greatest source of powerful stories for gospel teaching. Use them regularly to bring your lessons to life.
Scriptures Stories
