ILLUSTRATING AND SUPPLEMENTING A LESSON
OUTLINE--CHAPTER XVI
The force of illustrations.--Three kinds of illustration material:
1. maps; 2. pictures; 3. incidents.--The force of maps and map
drawing.--The appeal of good pictures.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Illustrative material for a lesson on prayer.
Having discussed the organization of a lesson together with the
formulation of the aim, let us now turn to the problem of illustrating
and supplementing a lesson. In organizing a subject for teaching we
drive the nails of major thoughts--through illustration we clinch those
nails so that they will be less likely to pull out of the memory.
The three chief classes of illustrative and supplementary material are:
Maps, pictures, incidents--actual, imaginary.
It is clear that in the lesson outlined on prayer, in chapter fourteen,
we should have little occasion for the use of a map. We can, however, in
connection with that lesson, point out the force of pictures and
incidents.
Maps naturally are of greatest service in lessons with historical and
geographical background. The journeyings of Israel mean so much more to
us when we can follow them from place to place on a good map. So the
Book of Mormon account clears up if we are similarly guided. Had we
authentic maps of the lands named in the Book of Mormon, how much
clearer and more interesting the history would become! We would know the
exact spot on our present-day maps where Lehi and his family landed
from their heaven-directed barges; we would know where to find the land
Bountiful; where may now be found the ancient site of the City of
Zarahemla; where flows the River Sidon; what country is indicated by the
"land northward"; the journeys of the Nephites as they were being
driven; what states saw there continued struggles against their
inveterate enemies, the Lamanites, and how they reached their final
battle-ground near the Hill Cumorah. To visit with Jesus in Palestine
adds a charm to the New Testament that is really hard to evaluate, and
surely the travels of our own pioneers call for the aid of a good map.
Thoroughly to appreciate all that they did requires that we travel over
the wonderful trail they followed--that being impossible, the next
nearest approach is to see actually drawn out the magnitude of their
achievement. The appeal to the eye couples so forcefully with the appeal
to the ear that no classroom ought to be without its maps. Perhaps it is
not beyond possibilities to conceive that at a not distant date we shall
have made available films for class use to intensify the great lessons
we draw from history.
Pictures make a wonderful appeal, particularly so to children. It is
impossible to measure the inspirational appeal that a single masterpiece
exerts on a class of boys and girls. A theological class in one of the
Sunday Schools of Salt Lake County was once blessed with a most magnetic
and powerful teacher. Upon his death, the class had his picture framed
and hung on the front wall of the room in which he had taught. From that
day to this the silent inspiration of that picture has stimulated scores
of young men and women to the high ideals for which he stood.
More generally applicable and more easily available, of course, is the
_Incident_. The ability to tell a story is one of the finest attainments
of the teacher--particularly if he will take the pains to find
vigorously wholesome and appropriate ones. May we repeat the warning
that stories ought not to be told merely to fill out the hour, nor to
tickle the ears of the class, but to intensify and heighten the truths
contained in our lessons.
Included under the heading _Incident_ may be listed short poems and all
kinds of literary bits that fit in appropriately as spice to a lesson.
On the subject Prayer, the following are some possibilities:
Under question I, "What is prayer?" the hymn, "Prayer Is the Soul's
Sincere Desire."
Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Uttered or unexpressed;
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high.
Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,
The Christian's native air;
His watchword at the gates of death;
He enters heav'n with prayer.
Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice,
And cry, "Behold, he prays!"
The Saints in prayer appear as one
In word and deed and mind,
While with the Father and the Son
Their fellowship they find.
Nor prayer is made on earth alone,--
The Holy Spirit pleads,
And Jesus, on the Father's throne,
For sinners intercedes.
O thou by whom we come to God,
The Life, the Truth, the Way!
The path of prayer Thyself has trod;
Lord, teach us how to pray!
The two songs: "Sweet Hour of Prayer," "Did You Think to Pray?"
"For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart, yea, the song of
the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a
blessing upon their heads." (Doc. & Cov., Sec. 25:12.)
The following selection:
"Prayer--sweet breath from out a joyous heart wafting gratitude to
Heaven.
"Prayer--a sacred confidence between a fearful soul and God.
"Prayer--a holy balm which soothes and heals the scars in a wounded
breast.
"Prayer--an angel's kiss on the longing lips of loneliness.
"Prayer--a rod that bars the way between the human soul and sin.
"Prayer--a choking sob of anguish from pain-drawn lips in plea for
help."
Under question II. "Why should I pray?"
"And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the
world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy
sacraments upon my holy day." (Doc. & Cov., Sec. 59:9.)
"Pray always that you enter not into temptation, that you may abide
the day of his coming, whether in life or in death. Even so. Amen."
(Doc. & Cov., Sec. 61:39.)
"Remember that that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be
spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit, and in this there
is no condemnation, and ye receive the Spirit through prayer;
wherefore, without this there remaineth condemnation." (Doc. & Cov.,
Sec. 63:64.)
"The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth,
and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the
earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands
shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth;
"Yea, a voice crying--Prepare ye the way of the Lord, prepare ye the
supper of the Lamb, make ready for the Bridegroom;
"Pray unto the Lord, call upon his holy name, make known his
wonderful works among the people;
"Call upon the Lord, that his kingdom may go forth upon the earth,
that the inhabitants thereof may receive it, and be prepared for the
days to come, in the which the Son of man shall come down in heaven,
clothed in the brightness of his glory, to meet the kingdom of God
which is set up on the earth;
"Wherefore may the kingdom of God go forth, that the kingdom of
heaven may come, that thou, O God, mayest be glorified in heaven so
on earth, that thy enemies may be subdued; for thine is the honor,
power and glory, for ever and ever. Amen." (Doc. & Cov., Sec.
65:2-6.)
"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the Spirit indeed
is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matt. 26:42.)
The following incidents were related by a member of the B.Y.U. Course
and are typical of scores of others available for this lesson:
_Brother Hunter's Account of the Manifestation of the Successor to
the Prophet Joseph_
"There was a great deal of discussion among the brethren and sisters
as to who should lead the Church; some thought it should be the
Prophet's son; some, one of his counselors, and some the President of
the Quorum of the Twelve. I was at a loss to come to any conclusion.
It worried me considerably and I prayed earnestly that God would make
known to me who it should be, but without avail.
"I went to the meeting that had been called and listened thoughtfully
to what was said and done. The longer I listened the more mystified I
became. I bowed my head in my hands and prayed for God to give me
understanding. While I was in this attitude, Brother Brigham arose to
speak, I suppose. I heard a voice--the Prophet's voice as natural and
true as I ever heard it. I raised up quickly, fully expecting to see
the Prophet, and I did. There he stood and there he spoke. I listened
breathlessly. The form of the Prophet gradually changed to that of
Brother Brigham, but the voice was not Brother Brigham's. It was
still the Prophet's. Then beside Brother Brigham I saw the Prophet,
who turned toward the speaker and smiled. My heart beat rapidly with
joy and I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that Brother Brigham was
called of God to lead the Church."
_Brother Huntsman's Baby Healed_
"A fine, plump baby girl had come to the Huntsman home. As weeks and
months passed and the child failed to use its lower limbs, a doctor
was called and pronounced the trouble infantile paralysis. He said
that it would never walk, for experience had showed that whenever
this affliction affected the lower part of the body the medical
profession could not cure it.
"The Huntsman people were faithful Latter-day Saints and did not give
up hope, but called in the Elders. After a time conference was held
at Shelley and Elder David O. McKay and one other of the general
Church authorities were in attendance--I don't remember who. After
the afternoon session the child was administered to. While sealing
the anointing, Brother McKay promised the child the use of its limbs
and every organ of the body.
"That night it began to move them, and the next morning stood alone
by the aid of chairs. In a few days it walked, although being fairly
fleshy. Soon after I moved away from Shelley, but a year or so
afterwards I had occasion to go to Idaho Falls and there I met
Brother and Sister Huntsman. The child was with them and ran and
played as other children."
_A Psychology Student Receives Aid_
"A friend of mine who was a student in an eastern university told the
following incident of how the Lord came to his aid.
"The psychology class while studying the relationship of the brain to
life and intelligence entered into a discussion as to the nature of
intelligence, and in some way the teachings of the Prophet Joseph
Smith were brought into the discussion and jeered at, by all members
except my friend, who was a "Mormon." His defense brought forth
ridicule and intensified the discussion.
"As the class period had expired without completing the argument, a
week from that day was the time set to complete it. Of course, my
friend felt that he should do all possible to defend the attitude of
the Church, so he studied, fasted and prayed, to secure the aid of
inspiration, for he well knew that nothing but scientific proof would
be accepted.
"The day came and he realized that he was illy prepared, but still
hoped for divine assistance. During the giving of evidence to dispose
of the existence of intelligence separate from the workings of the
brain, and ridiculing the existence of a spirit, he prayed silently
and earnestly.
"His turn came and he arose to speak. After the opening sentences he
glanced down on the paper for his evidence and found a strange
handwriting there. He says a peculiar power took possession of him.
He spoke rapidly and fluently, he declared, without comprehending or
at least remembering what he said. As he finished, his own writing
was on the paper and he knew not what had been spoken, but there was
no evidence offered to offset it.
"The professor asked him to give the names of the books from which he
obtained his points, and on being told that God gave them to him, he
replied, 'It's strange, but I can't believe such nonsense.'"
Under question III. "How should I pray?"
The Lord's Prayer as a pattern.
The prayer in Gethsemane.
The Bee-Keeper's prayer--1920, June number of _Young Woman's Journal_.
"And again, I command thee that thou shalt pray vocally as well as in
thy heart; yea, before the world as well as in secret, in public as
well as in private." (Doc. & Cov., Sec. 19:28.)
"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye
pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." (Mark
11:24.)
"At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say unto you, that I will
pray the Father for you." (John 16:26.)
Under question IV. "When should I pray?"
"He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he
shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his
righteousness." (Job 33:26.)
"And now concerning the residue, let them journey and declare the
world among the congregations of the wicked, inasmuch as it is
given." (Doc. & Cov., Sec. 61:33.)
"Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you: seek me diligently
and ye shall find me; ask and ye shall receive; knock and it shall be
opened unto you;
"Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you,
that is expedient for you." (Doc. & Cov., Sec. 88:63-64.)
"Pray always that you enter not into temptation, that you may abide
the day of his coming, whether in life or in death." (Doc. & Cov.,
Sec. 61:39.)
"Therefore let the Church take heed and pray always, lest they fall
into temptation." (Doc. & Cov., Sec. 20:33.)
"Behold, I manifest unto you, Joseph Knight, by these words, that you
must take up your cross, in the which you must pray vocally before
the world as well as in secret, and in your family, and among your
friends, and in all places." (Doc. & Cov., Sec. 23:6.)
"Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save.
"Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him;
"Cry unto him when ye are in your fields; yea, over all your flocks;
"Cry unto him in your houses; yea, over all your household, both
morning, mid-day and evening;
"Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies;
"Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all
righteousness.
"Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in
them:
"Cry over the flocks in your fields, that they may increase.
"But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets,
and your secret places, and in your wilderness;
"Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full,
drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also
for the welfare of those who are around you.
"And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose
that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn
away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted,
and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need;
I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer
is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do
deny the faith;
"Therefore, if ye do not remember to be charitable, ye are as dross,
which the refiners do cast out, (it being of no worth), and is
trodden underfoot of men." (Alma 34:18-29.)
* * * * *
QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS--CHAPTER XVI
1. Why need we illustrate general truths?
2. Discuss the value of having pupils draw up their own maps.
3. Give out of your own experience illustrations of the force of
pictures.
4. Point out the value in teaching of appealing to more than one of the
senses.
5. Discuss the importance of good stories in teaching.
6. What are the characteristics of a good illustrative story?
7. Take an ordinarily commonplace subject and show how to illustrate it.
HELPFUL REFERENCES
Those listed in Chapter XIV.
Also _Pictures in Religious Education_, by Frederica Beard.