Visiting Teaching

Hello Sisters,

Since our Visiting Teaching Conference in September I have had several conversations with many of you. One concern I heard loud and clear from sisters being visit taught and those who visit teach is we need to keep our visits short. Please be considerate of the sister you visit teach and your companion by keeping your visits no longer than 30 minutes. Take turns with your companion with one setting the appointments and other planning the message.   

One sister told me as part of her 10-week consecration to the Lord, she is stepping up her visiting teaching.  That just warms my heart!

We will be handing out Visiting teaching routes again with in the next two weeks to make sure we are all current.

If you have any questions, concerns or comments about Visiting Teaching, PLEASE contact me at jhinslc@gmail.com or 801-870-0134.

Here are a few thoughts and quotes from my talk at the Visiting Teaching Conference in September.

With the growing responsibilities of the Bishops of the wards in the church, it is next to impossible for a Bishop to know about all the needs of ward members. Visiting Teaching plays a vital role in assisting the Bishop to minister to the needs of the ward members, as well as the Relief Society to provide compassionate service, and watchcare as needed. Visiting teachers play a vital role in a Ward team, beside the other vital players - Home teachers, and the Priesthood.

"......I know this is true. I know angels will attend us as we do our best to do this holy work. Visiting teaching is the errand of angels! And Relief Society is the Lord's organization for women-it is no less than that! Sister Beck: "The Lord expects us to increase our offering. He expects us to fulfill the purpose of Relief Society as never before" (Sister Beck Ensign, April 2011, p.7).

On our visiting teaching assignment slips we might just see simple names listed but they are so much more than that! They are opportunities for lasting friendships formed on the earth that will live on through the eternities.

From the Church Handbook about Visiting teaching;

9.5.1 Responsibilities of Visiting Teachers
Visiting teachers sincerely come to know and love each sister, help her strengthen her faith, and give service. They seek personal inspiration to know how to respond to the spiritual and tem- poral needs of each sister they are assigned to visit.
Taking into account each sister’s individual needs and circumstances, visiting teachers have regular contact (monthly if possible) with those they are assigned. When a personal visit is not possible, visiting teachers may use phone calls, letters, e-mail, or other means to watch over and strengthen sisters.
When appropriate, visiting teachers share a gospel message. These messages may be from the monthly visiting teaching message printed in the Ensign or Liahona magazine and the scriptures.
Visiting teachers give compassionate service during times of illness, death, and other special circumstances. They assist the Relief Society president in coordinating short-term and long- term assistance when invited. 

I hope and pray we will all be ministering Angels to the sister we visit and be the visiting teacher that your sisters need in their life.  Remember, it isn't the numbers or percentages that really matter in this work, but it is the friendship, love and service that you provide.

Thank you,

Julie Henricksen