Since I am a part of the new Relief Society presidency in our newly combined ward, we have been going on visits to get to know some of the other members that we don’t know already. Since we had portions of 3 wards combined into one, it is a daunting task to get to know everyone.
However, I have found that when you visit someone in their home, you truly get a better sense of who they are, and how you can help them. I think this is why the idea of Visiting Teaching is so important. I’m realizing this more and more everyday.
Joseph Smith said, “We are to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all, wherever we find them.” (Teachings of Presidents of the church: Joseph Smith).
I love that. As I sat in the living room of a woman that hadn’t been to church since she was 20 years old last night, and she was well into her 70’s or more, I got a glimpse of what the Lord expects of us. He doesn’t want us to just be friends with someone who is just like us. He wants us to be His hands. Help others as He would. And, He would never ask someone how long it had been since they had been to church before He helped them. He loved everyone, and He expects us to do the same.
I love how we sat and laughed with this woman. She was in a simple word, delightful. And, I found myself wishing I knew her even better. Many years separate us, and I’m sure her testimony of the Gospel has faded somewhat, but she is a daughter of God, just like me, and it reminded me of the quote by Sister Mary Ellen Smoot: “We need each other. We need visiting teachers…who are sincerely interested in those they visit and realize the importance of their calling as they strive to reach the one.”
In a sense, we are all lost sheep. And, it is up to us to help Him bring home the one.
*Photo courtesy of Morguefile.com