Office of teacher

[Doctrine 612]

Why is the office of teacher named teacher, what is the history

[HappyJackWagon]

Originally the office of Teacher was held by grown men. It was an office with responsibility to ensure proper teaching was taking place in the church and in the home. Over time that shifted to YM. There is an interesting podcast on Mormon Discussion that reviews the evolution of Aaronic Priesthood offices from an adult to a youth priesthood.

http://www.mormondiscussionpodcast.org/2014/09/men-to-boys-development-of-the-priesthood/

ETA- of course you have D&C 20 which reads

Quote

53 The teacher’s duty is to watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them;

 54 And see that there is no iniquity in the church, neither hardness with each other, neither lying, backbiting, nor evil speaking;

 55 And see that the church meet together often, and also see that all the members do their duty.

 56 And he is to take the lead of meetings in the absence of the elder or priest—

 57 And is to be assisted always, in all his duties in the church, by the deacons, if occasion requires.

 58 But neither teachers nor deacons have authority to baptize, administer the sacrament, or lay on hands;

 59 They are, however, to warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ.

 

Edited February 15, 2017 by HappyJackWagon

[JLHPROF]

My guess would be "post Book of Mormon" publication in March of 1830 and the revelation in D&C 20 from April 6, 1830.

• Moroni 3:3 In the name of Jesus Christ I ordain you to be a priest (or if he be a teacher, I ordain you to be a teacher) to preach repentance and remission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endurance of faith on his name to the end. Amen.

Interesting thesis - http://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5907&context=etd
At the first conference of the Church June 9th of 1830 and apparently based on D&C 20 (received in April 1830) for the founding of the Church.

• Christian Whitmer and Hiram Page were given their licenses as teachers and these two were the first to hold the office of teacher.

And of course less the less obvious references:
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

I Corinthians 12: 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

So to answer your question - Why is the office of teacher named teacher?
Because that's what the Bible, Book of Mormon, and D&C called it from the very beginning of the restoration.

[Doctrine 612]

I found this in my 1828 dictionary 

TE'ACHER, n. One who teaches or instructs.

1. An instructor; a preceptor; a tutor; one whose business or occupation is to instruct others.

2. One who instructs others in religion; a preacher; a minister of the gospel.

The teachers in all the churches assembled themselves.

3. One who preaches without regular ordination.

2 and 3, seems like a lesser preacher, also without regular ordination seem interesting because a teacher can't baptize or lay on hands

[daz2]

This article from BYU Studies gives some fascinating history of the office in the restored church, how in early days teachers were akin to "spiritual policemen for the church".  And how teachers were primarily responsible for what has become home teaching, and over time that duty became a duty of elders as "acting teachers".  Interesting things.  Ordained and Acting Teachers in the Lesser Priesthood, 1851-1883

[FunOnlineMan]

I remember hearing my new priesthood duties as a 14 year old idiot and thinking, “They know I’m a 14 year old idiot, right?

[The Nehor]

11 hours ago, FunOnlineMan said:

I remember hearing my new priesthood duties as a 14 year old idiot and thinking, “They know I’m a 14 year old idiot, right?

Enoch was still trying to use that excuse in his 70s. The old classics never die.

[FunOnlineMan]

3 hours ago, The Nehor said:

Enoch was still trying to use that excuse in his 70s. The old classics never die.

I can assure you, they don’t often make them as idiot as me.

[Hamba Tuhan]

When I was our Young Men president, a sister in the ward approached the bishop for help. She was a new mother in her 40s, her non-member husband had been posted overseas for six months, and her newborn had just undergone brain surgery and would shriek uncontrollable if put down. She needed help with simple tasks, she said, like carrying in the shopping, hanging out the washing, caring for the gardens, taking the bins to the kerb, etc.

Our bishop assigned the teachers quorum. This sister seemed put out that he would put her in the hands of '14-year-old idiots'. For the next six months, they contacted her weekly to find out her needs and took care of her with diligence, cheerful hearts and sunny dispositions. She later apologised to the bishop for questioning his choice.

One of the things I love most about God is the faith He so often places in us.

[HappyJackWagon]

Merry Christmas, y'all!!