3 Nephi 14:1-12 — LeGrand Baker — How to Teach the Gospel
This is a discussion of how one should teach the gospel.
1 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he turned again to the multitude, and did open his mouth unto them again, saying: Verily, verily, I say unto you, Judge not, that ye be not judged.
The first key to missionary work: You don’t judge potential converts by the standards of the world.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
“Mete” is measure —-the quantity that is measured. If you don’t teach those whom the Spirit tells you to teach, then you won’t learn any more good things.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
A mote is a speck of dust. A beam is not a log. A log is a fallen tree, or part of one. A beam is a log that is part of the superstructure of a building. It isn’t the log he is talking about it is the superstructure —- the ideas that President McKay called “gospel hobbies.”
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother: Let me pull the mote out of thine eye—and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? [Learn what is important. You can’t teach truth if your own understanding of what is true is clouded by a false superstructure of ideas.]
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Even though the ideas might be true, the emphasis you place on them may be entirely out of balance with the rest of the other principles of the gospel. You can’t teach truth until you have the correct perspective of what truth is. For example, if you are so hung up on the idea that caffeine is against the Word of Wisdom (which the new handbook says it is not so, by the way), and anti-coke is the gospel you insist on teaching, then you cannot teach and you will not learn.
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Not only is it vital that you teach those who are worthy to learn, it is equally important that you do not teach those whose life or values make them unable to learn. Alma 12:9-11
9 And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.
10 And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
11 And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell.]
7 Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
8 For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.
This is an encoded key. It is a reflection on the ancient veil ceremony. The implication is: this is the way you learned. and is the key to how all may learn.
9 Or what man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
This is a restatement of the original premise: “ Judge not, that ye be not judged.”
Conclusion: Therefore, if you wish to find exaltation through learning the principles of the of the gospel, you must teach as you would be taught, and always follow the promptings of the Spirit as you do teach or as you refrain from teaching]
12 Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets.
I think that is what it means.