As a teacher, I often run across materials that I feel would add interest and depth to my classes. These are not listed as approved supplementary materials in the manual. Should I limit myself only to materials that are listed in the manual or am I free to use the fruits of my own research?

Weldon Thacker, member, Church Teacher Development Committee: When lesson manuals are written by Church committees, they are done with the realization that lessons must be appropriate for and usable by teachers throughout the Church. These teachers will come from varying educational backgrounds, cultures, and Church experiences; therefore, the content must be stated in such a way so it can be used and understood universally. Consequently, examples and illustrations appropriate in one situation may not be appropriate in another.

Therefore, it is expected that the individual teacher will take advantage of supplementary resources available to him to increase the effectiveness of his lesson. The teacher development program emphasizes that teachers must adapt the lessons to the needs of the particular individuals in their classes.

However, there is one caution. The material published in the lesson manuals of the Church has all been read and approved by the correlation committees of the Church as being appropriate in terms of doctrine and content. Therefore, when a teacher decides to use material in a lesson other than that provided or referred to in the Church lesson manuals, he should do so as long as it is of a nature that would be approved by the leaders of the Church.

Avoid the temptation to use materials, exciting though they may be, if they would tend to undermine the faith of the members of the class, arouse controversy, or promote causes that have not been publicly approved by the leaders of the Church. Remember that the members of your class have different backgrounds from which to interpret the concepts presented in class. Their understanding and testimonies of the gospel may not be as strong or as complete as yours and therefore may be shaken more easily. Concern about how they will react to the material should be considered carefully. The supplementary material you select should be chosen with these criteria in mind.