That seems like an unfortunate way for the GD teacher to proceed. Publicly broadcasting things that have been shared in confidence hurts both the broadcastee and the broadcastor.

I very often grumble and growl and threaten (to myself) to quit if I have to teach *THAT* lesson (whatever is coming up next), but then find a way to teach it anyway. I’m still struggling with a way to present anything remotely interesting or useful to my class of 80- and 90-year-olds this next Sunday on the law of chastity. Maybe we’ll all go out for ice cream sundaes instead.

I think, though, that the only lessons I would have to beg off from doing would be ones that focused on having a happier marriage or being a better parent. Not that I don’t think I’m incapable of offering wisdom on those topics (heck, even people with no experience as janitors know when the floor needs to be mopped), but because I think no class would be willing to grant me the authority there that a teacher needs to be effective.

Dave–it was unfortunate, but totally unintentionally harmful; the teacher just said something before she had thought about it, she wasn’t really trying to call anyone out. I am sure that is how everyone in the room took it, and most people have totally forgotten about it by now.

Suggestions to modify lessons to something we ARE comfortable with are good ones–that is what I do with every lesson and probably why I only have one item on my list.

Ardis–lols–good luck on LoC with that group. It is sad how people sometimes want an authority figure, isn’t it? Very judgmental, really. I have a dear friend who has no kids but is a PhD in psychology, specializing in Child Development, and she offered to teach some parenting classes free to the community; I was SO sad to hear dismissive comments from some parents in the ward who, IMO, could have benefited from a little parenting guidance. [The classes happened anyway, and were fabu].

I almost always grumble when I see the next lesson I have to teach, and then I work hard to make it teachable. As such, I haven’t yet encountered something I’m not willing to teach, although I may well tweak what’s been presented in the manual.

Ardis, is going out for ice cream an option? Because if it is, I’m going to have to figure out more lessons that I will not teach!

Like Adam E, I’ll teach anything. In fact, there are some subjects that I would prefer to teach myself rather than have LDS folk doctrine/history presented as fact.

That said, I also will freely say, “A complete discussion is outside of the time and scope of this class” or words to that effect. I’ll also invite anyone who wants to talk about the subject in more detail to speak with me after class, and I’ll recommend some reading or other sources. ..bruce..

I have heartburn teaching anything above “Jesus Loves You”. The nursery class is a gift from Heavenly Father for those of us who are burnt out on boring, pointless Gospel Doctrine classes and superficial Relief Society lessons.

I am sure in another year or two I will feel like getting back in the fray. For now, the nursery is a healing place. I am grateful for it.

If they ask me to teach a lesson on polygamy, I don’t think they’d appreciate my slant on it. Would be an interesting class, though, to be sure!

I too, would teach anything but I am sick to death of some subjects!

I’m willing to teach most any topic, but I swear the manuals are getting worse and worse each year.

In theory, I will teach anything. In practice, I pretty much give the same lesson every time. Jesus died for us, Mormons are too task oriented, forgive yourself, lighten up. You can do it, seriously, any topic covers my topic.

@ The only … Nathan:

The high council spoke yesterday on fasting. Both giving very specific instruction on the why, how, and results of fasting. One used a personal and recent example of fasting that the ward was aware of. The other used a personal example of where fasting did not give the desired result. It was informative. I really liked the point that fasting is a physical sacrifice given to show our pure intent in our prayers. If we fast without an honest purpose, we are just going hungry.

There isn’t a lesson that I won’t teach. However, my teaching may not always coincide with the mainstream view on the topic. For example, I have taught my DD (a teenager still dealing daily with the traumas of an extremely abusive childhood) that there are many good things that she can do with her life without having to be married. She is not excused from obeying the commandments, but until she is healthy in her head (which she is working towards) she cannot be an equal partner in a marriage. She understands that and is grateful that there are examples of women who lead good productive lives without marriage (either by choice or circumstance.)