Remembering President Packer

President Packer set me apart as a mission president.  I carry with me "Boyd K. Packer" quotes because he was such a master teacher.  During our welcome meeting with each new group, we have them read his quote on page 19 of Preach My Gospel:

“True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior.”

–President Boyd K. Packer

“Little Children,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 17

Even on our mission to the West Indies, we shared this quote and taught the importance of teaching the doctrine.  In our final zone conference, Elder Hamilton and Jones role played an experience they had had with this principle:

Elders Hamilton and Jones

Here it is:

While they were out contacting people, Elder Hamilton started talking to man sitting on a curb with his cigarettes and alcohol. 

He taught the man a little about the restoration, and then he applied what we have been discussing all month - he briefly and simply taught one of the powerful doctrines of the Kingdom. 

He taught the man that his body is a gift from his Father in Heaven who loves him and that it is precious and needs to be kept clean and pure - like a temple. 

After a few minutes of conversation Elder Hamilton asked, referring to the alcohol, "So are you going to finish that?" The man picked up the bottle, emptied it out and said, holding up the restoration tract he had just been given, "I don't need it any more. I have this!"

We worked hard together to learn how to study and prepare to teach doctrine with that kind of converting power.