One of the most important ways that priesthood and auxiliary leaders fulfill their responsibilities is through teaching. Elder Gordon B. Hinckley taught: "Effective teaching is the very essence of leadership in the Church. Eternal life will come only as men and women are taught with such effectiveness that they change and discipline their lives. They cannot be coerced into righteousness or into heaven. They must be led, and that means teaching" ("How to Be a Teacher When Your Role as a Leader Requires You to Teach," General Authority Priesthood Board Meeting, 5 Feb. 1969).
Elder Boyd K. Packer said: "The prophet is a teacher; his counselors are teachers; the General Authorities are teachers. Stake presidents and mission presidents are teachers; high councilors and quorum presidents are teachers; bishops are teachers; and so through all of the organizations of the Church. The Church moves forward sustained by the power of the teaching that is accomplished" (Teach Ye Diligently [1991], 3–4).
Priesthood and auxiliary leaders teach the gospel when they speak in meetings, present lessons, and counsel with other Church members. They also teach by example. The following commandment, given by the Lord to the elders of the Church in 1831, applies to Church leaders today:
"And now, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that when ye are assembled together ye shall instruct and edify each other, that ye may know how to act and direct my church, how to act upon the points of my law and commandments, which I have given.
"And thus ye shall become instructed in the law of my church, and be sanctified by that which ye have received, and ye shall bind yourselves to act in all holiness before me" (D&C 43:8–9).