On October 24, 2010 we had a Stake Visiting Teaching Conference. It was more of fireside. My 2nd counselor Cassie Myer gave a short introduction to our theme "One by One." My 1st counselor, Cherie Peterson spoke about an example of visiting teachers that made a dramatic change in her life. We watched the church produced video, "A Visiting Teacher. . .". Two ward presidents, Josalyn Mecham and McKenzie Walton, told about things they were doing in their wards to help the girls be successful visiting teachers. We had a musical number entitled, "One by One" sung by Emily Peet, Eliza Clark and Tennille Walker. My secretary Marjorie Miller gave a short talk and then I was the "main" speaker. After I spoke, President Richard Heaton, 1st counselor in the stake presidency bore his testimony and gave some good thoughts on visiting teaching. It sounds like a full program, but everything was pretty short and I don't think we were over an hour.
I have been serving in this capacity for about a year now. I have been so impressed with you sisters. You have taught me so much about serving and learning and growing in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This Relief Society organization is one of a kind in the world today. What an honor it is to be part of it. The purpose of Relief Society is to increase personal faith and righteousness, to strengthen homes and families, and to serve the Lord and His children. Coming to Sunday Relief Society meetings is only a part of this organization. Visiting Teaching is probably one of the most important aspects of Relief Society. If visiting teaching functioned the way the Lord wanted it to, we wouldn’t have to worry about any of you sisters. All of you would be well taken care of. Our theme for tonight has been “One by One.”
Visiting teaching is looking after the sisters in each ward on an individual basis. It’s teaching, serving, loving, enjoying, and strengthening every sister one by one, just as Jesus Christ served and taught others one by one. He loves us today on an individual basis. I don’t know if I understand how the Lord can know and love every one of you, but I know He does and He needs each of us to help Him show His love by being visiting teachers.
There is no calling more important then the calling of visiting teacher. You heard what Sister Beck said, "A sister in this Church has no other responsibility outside of her family that has the potential to do as much good as visiting teaching." If our families are our number one priority, then visiting teaching must be number 2. I have heard my own daughters say, “ I just don’t get visiting teaching. I don’t like it. It’s awkward, etc. etc. etc.” I’m sure there are some of you out there tonight that feel the same way or have roommates that feel this way. And I have to say, when you view visiting teaching as a way of life and not as a task, than you will love visiting teaching. It is a great opportunity for you to get to know another woman on an individual basis. It’s a great time to build friendships. And it is a way you can serve endlessly. Visiting teaching can help strengthen the testimony of your neighbor, and it can strengthen yours as well.
Julie B. Beck, Nov. 2009 Ensign, “Visiting teaching becomes the Lord’s work when our focus is on people rather than percentages. In reality, visiting teaching is never finished. It is more a way of life than a task. Faithfully serving as a visiting teacher is evidence of our discipleship. We demonstrate our faith and follow a pattern established by the Lord as we report on our assignment every month.”
Visiting Teaching is a great opportunity to serve. It’s one way that Heavenly Father has given us to make serving easier. It’s all set up for you. You just have to carry it out. Russell M. Ballard, May 2004 “I believe our Heavenly Father’s everlasting purpose for His children is generally achieved by the small and simple things we do for one another.” Visiting Teaching doesn’t have to be a big deal. It can be something simple and small and when it is consistent and continual, it will make a huge difference is the life of all involved. We heard one such example from Sister Peterson tonight.
We’ve heard how the Lord served people individually. He is our perfect example. I loved the video where we saw many visiting teachers in action. Only a couple of those pictures showed 2 sisters preparing to give a formal message to a third sister. While this is a very important part of visiting teaching, it doesn’t always have to look that way. Sister Beck said, “If our watch care were primarily about reporting that every sister in the ward heard the Visiting Teaching Message printed each month in the Ensign and Liahona, it would be much more efficient to read it aloud to everyone in a sacrament meeting.” I have heard Sister Beck and Sister Thompson both tell the story of 2 visiting teachers who went to the home of a sister they visit taught and were intent on giving her a message. Her husband had just had surgery. The sister was stressed as her toddlers were making a mess in the kitchen as they tried to prepare themselves something to eat. The father, who was just coming out of anesthesia, was trying to comfort a crying baby who needed some attention and a diaper changed. And here these 2 sisters sat with this young mother in the front room, diligently giving her a spiritual message. What this sister needed at that moment was probably not a spoken message, but a hand in helping take care of hungry children, an injured husband and a crying baby. Maybe what she needed was someone to bring her a meal or someone to clean up the kitchen.
So if Visiting Teaching isn’t just or only giving a message, than what is it? Have you ever thought about calling the sister you visit teach when you are going out for ice cream with your roommates and invite her to come with you? Have you ever thought about taking dinner to your sister when you know she is knee deep in homework or studying for a big test? How about calling up one of your sisters and seeing if she would like to come to a movie with you? You could easily just drop off a couple of homemade cookies on your way to campus or when you stop by the eatery you can buy 2 brownies instead of just one for yourself. Leave her a note on the windshield of her car or on her apartment door or better yet, have one of her roommates slip a note onto her pillow. Or how about this, sit with her in Relief Society or Sunday School or even Sacrament Meeting—especially if she is sitting alone. It can be as simple as praying for her every day. You don’t have to do something every day. We don’t want you to be overbearing or obnoxious! But think about her and extend a warm hand. Now, I am not a creative person, but in just a couple of minutes, I have come up with this simple list of ideas. There are countless things you can do. Make your own list and get started. See how much fun you can have trying to come up with unique ways to let your girls know you are thinking about them. This is an opportunity to become true friends for life!!
Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Nov. 2000 Ensign, “Perhaps never in the history of mankind do we need to be serving on a one-by-one basis more than we do now.” As we understand this great love that our Savior has for us, then we will want to share our love with others. As we reach out and truly become friends with those we have been assigned to visit teach, we will not only serve them and minister to them but we will love them. We will see the Relief Society motto come to life “Charity Never Faileth”.
May I end with a quote from Pres. Monson from the General Relief Society meeting in September. “In a hundred small ways, all of you wear the mantle of charity. Life is perfect for none of us. . . . may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life. May we recognize that each one is doing her best to deal with the challenges which come her way, and may we strive to do our best to help out.....
Charity has been defined as “the highest, noblest, strongest kind of love,”12 the “pure love of Christ . . . ; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with [her].”13 .... “Charity never faileth.” May this long-enduring Relief Society motto, this timeless truth, guide you in everything you do. May it permeate your very souls and find expression in all your thoughts and actions.”
I want to add my testimony that Jesus Christ loves us one by one. He knows us each individually and wants us each to be watched over and taken care of. Stop thinking of visiting teaching as a task that needs to be checked off. Get to know your sisters and love them as Jesus does. The Church needs you!! The sisters in your wards need you! May you go out and serve your sisters one by one.
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