Visiting Teaching the Right Way

This week I got a reminder of what visiting teaching is really about. I’m sure that in your mind you’re thinking about the typical visit where you sit for a while, give a brief message, and then leave while issuing the standard “Let me know if you need anything.” While this phrase is often sincere and almost always well-intended, I know I’ve never called my visiting teachers when I had a need. Whether you’re being visited or are the visiting teacher, there are ways to make visiting teaching a better experience all the way around. My learning moments came about … Continue reading →

Home Teaching Families with Young Children

Home teaching families with young children can be an extra challenge. When visitors come children often feel the need to show off, and they respond by being wild and crazy. Parents may have a difficult time getting the children to sit still, and may be reluctant to use time out since it disrupts the lesson and the meeting in general. For these reasons it is important to plan your lesson specifically with the children in mind. First you should make the lesson and visit shorter than you normally would. Children’s attention spans are not as long, and you should keep … Continue reading →

First Presidency Message: Be One

Our First Presidency Message for the month of September comes to us from the inspired mind of President Henry B. Eyring and is entitled, “Be One.” He begins his counsel by reminding us of Christ’s admonition to the members of the Church that we should be one, and that if we are not one, we are not His. He likens this to marriage and quotes the scripture that speaks of a man and a woman leaving their homes and cleaving unto each other, becoming one as husband and wife. This commandment is not meant for this life alone, but is … Continue reading →

First Presidency Message: May We So Live

Our First Presidency message for the month of August comes to us from our new prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and speaks of the tragedy of death. He begins by mentioning the deaths of those who were killed on 9/11 almost seven years ago, and the sorrow that was felt not only by their friends and loved ones, but by the entire nation. He then goes on to speak of the death of Jesus Christ, and how, because of that death, we can be comforted when one close to us dies. We have a hope of a resurrection. We know that … Continue reading →

First Presidency Message: Heeding the Voice of the Prophets

Our First Presidency Message for the month of July comes to us from Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency. He reminds us that ours is a worldwide church, with members in nearly every nation, and that we all are children of our Heavenly Father, who shows us His love in part by providing us with living prophets. We have had an unbroken succession of prophets from Joseph Smith down to our present day, as we’ve recently seen with the passing of Gordon B. Hinckley and the sustaining of Thomas S. Monson. There is always a president at … Continue reading →

First Presidency Message: Safety in Counsel

Our First Presidency Message for the month of June comes to us from Henry B. Eyring and is entitled “Safety in Counsel.” We are reminded of the Lord’s offer to protect us, even as a hen gathers up her chicks, and how often it is that we refuse the sheltering wings the Lord holds out for us. He calls to us in many different ways, often using the voices of His servants, the prophets, as His mouthpieces. At the time of Joseph Smith, many of the Saints lived in outlying areas rather than living closer in to town. The Prophet … Continue reading →

Home Teaching: Beyond the Lessons

Home teaching is an important program in the church. It serves many purposes. One of the most important things it does is provide a support system to the families in the ward. If there is a single mother or an older widow, the home teachers may be needed to help with more tasks. It is important that everyone works together to support and bolster the home teaching program. Here are some duties that will extend beyond visiting and teaching the lessons each month. Home teachers should be available to assist in priesthood blessings when needed. This should be the first … Continue reading →

First Presidency Message: Treasure of Eternal Value

Our First Presidency Message for the month of April comes from our new prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and is entitled, “Treasure of Eternal Value.” He begins his address by telling us of his boyhood, when he enjoyed reading the book “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson. He also saw adventure movies with lost treasure and listened to radio programs that featured buried gold. All these things were appealing to a young boy. But later, he heard of a different kind of treasure, one spoken of by the Savior in the Sermon on the Mount, a treasure in Heaven that moths … Continue reading →

First Presidency Message: We Testify of Jesus Christ

Our Ensign this month is a beautiful issue with a vellum cover, completely devoted to testifying and worshipping our Savior. The First Presidency Message is from President Gordon B. Hinckley and is entitled, “We Testify of Jesus Christ.” What a fitting theme for this Easter month. Jesus Christ was born in Judea two thousand years ago to Mary and her husband, Joseph, while yet the Son of God, and was presented at the temple to Simeon and Anna. He conversed with the priests at the temple, was tempted by Satan, and was prepared in every way for His ministry here … Continue reading →

First Presidency Message: Feeding His Lambs

Our First Presidency Message for the month of February as found in the Ensign is by President Henry B. Eyring and is entitled, “Feeding His Lambs.” After the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, He was resurrected and came to find his disciples. They were out fishing. He told them where to cast their nets, and they were able to catch several fish. Then they had a meal together, after which time He taught them important things pertaining to His kingdom. President Eyring points out that Christ fed them before He taught them, taking care of their immediate needs. Then He taught … Continue reading →