While the TESOL Society is not a cultural club under the Student Leadership, they still held a gospel forum on Nov. 18. Dr. Neil J. Anderson, a TESOL professor of BYU–Hawaii and the TESOL International President, spoke to students about inviting the spirit to the classroom as a teacher by “developing a daily habit pattern of righteousness.”
Even when students aren’t teaching at a church-sponsored school in the future, they can still invite the spirit to the classroom by living the gospel and being an example, Anderson said. “Because you have the daily habit pattern of righteousness, it’ll be impossible for the Holy Ghost not to radiate from you.
“I taught at Ohio University and at no point did I bare my testimony or tell [others] I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but they knew it,” Anderson shared.
To explain the idea of “daily habit pattern of righteousness,” Anderson and the students discussed the definition of a goal and a habit. They came to the conclusion that a goal is something one strives to achieve, and a habit is an action that is first conscious but becomes unconscious through repetition.
Then, Anderson tied them together. “We set a goal consciously. As we work toward the goal, it becomes a habit. We set a goal to study the scriptures daily or going to the temple once a week. But over a period of time, we no longer write it down as a goal. It becomes a habit. We automatically do it.”
“I promise as you [develop daily habit patterns of righteousness], no matter you’re teaching; in Japan, Peru, Costa Rico, Thailand, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Tahiti, or anywhere in the U.S., the Holy Ghost is going to be with you. You'll be the instrument that Holy Ghost can teach English,” Anderson added.
Mary Rose Lupisan, a student of Anderson and the secretary of the TESOL society, said she could feel the Spirit in class even when Anderson was only teaching English contents, and the Spirits helps her make sense of the academic contents.
“If you take his class, every class that he has is just like, ‘Woah! Oh my goodness! I can really feel the Spirit even though the contents are not gospel contents.’ Your mind will be blown and you’ll understand how those English lessons can be applied to the students you’re going to teach one day,” shared Lupisan, a senior from the Philippines studying TESOL.
Anderson said for students to develop a daily habit pattern of righteousness, they must prayerfully think about the invitations extended by the prophets and practice through repetition. He listed the invitations given by President Nelson in this year.
In Jan. 2018 at the news conference from the Salt Lake Temple, Pres. Nelson, who had just become the president of the Church, said, “Keep on the covenant path.” Dr. Anderson said the prophet taught the Saints the importance of ordinances and covenants of the temple, and he pleaded with any who have stepped off the path to come back.
“How did you respond to this address from the newly ordained prophet and President of the Church?” asked Anderson
Anderson shared in April 2018 General Conference, Pres. Nelson stated a concern that “Too many of our brothers and sisters do not fully understand the concept of priesthood power and authority.”
Anderson quoted from Pres. Nelson, “To all brethren holding the priesthood, I invite you to inspire members to keep their covenants, fast, and pray, study the scriptures, worship in the temple, and serve with faith as men and women of God. We can help all to see with the eye of faith that obedience and righteousness will draw them closer to Jesus Christ, allow them to enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and experience joy in life.”
Anderson explained, “If we want the Holy Ghost to radiate from us, this is the promise. We want to make sure we’re doing all things President Nelson invited us to do.”
Another invitation Pres. Nelson gave to the Saints during the conference was to take their questions directly to Heavenly Father and seek for personal revelation, just as what Prophet Joseph Smith did, according to Anderson. He reminded students of the principle that “Heavenly Father expects us to act upon rather than to be acted upon.”
Pres. Nelson also invited members to spend more time in the temple. Anderson quoted from Pres. Nelson, “Construction of these temples may not change your life, but your time in the temple surely will.”
In addition, Anderson shared Pres. Nelson continued to extend invitations to the members in Oct. 2018 General Conference, including using the correct name of the Church and the invitations he gave to the women of the Church.
Pres. Nelson has given multiple invitations to the members in this year, but Anderson told students not to be overwhelmed and focus on developing only one righteous habit at a time. “Just one. The Holy Ghost will tell you the next step.”
Anderson said everyday he asks himself whether he has partaken the fruit of the Tree of Life. “Have I felt the love of God today? Have I shared the love of God and made people under my influence felt the love of God?
“I partake of the fruit and I go to bed. The next morning, I’m back at the starting point. I repeat that action again and again,” Anderson continued.
Michelle Lung, the president of the TESOL Society and a senior from Hong Kong majoring in TESOL education, said she’s grateful that there are professors at BYUH, like Anderson, who often relate lessons to gospel teachings.
Lung shared, “They make me want to become a better person in each class. We’re in such a blessed and unique institution where we are not only trained to become professionals at the workplace, but also leaders whose countenance can radiate as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
“I hope that we can all grow to appreciate the unique mission of this institution and fulfill the school motto, ‘Enter to learn; Go forth to serve,’” Lung added.
Writer: Tomson Cheang