This month’s visiting teaching message is reminding us how to be better visiting teachers. They use the word “Watchcare”. That is a sweet term, isn’t it? We must watchcare over one another.
Before you set out to do your visiting teaching, be sure to read Chapter 7, Pure Religion, in Daughters in my Kingdom. This chapter gives us a comprehensive history, as well as warmhearted stories, of the blessings of this heavenly assignment. For more detailed history, read my post on Visiting Teaching: A Sacred Calling.
For further study, look up the talks given by Pres. Eyring, Sister Beck, Pres. Monson, as well as Sis. Thompson’s talk mentioned in the notes and the article on page 9 of this month’s Ensign. I appreciate our Relief Society leaders gathering information for us to draw from as we study these messages. Hearing from several people messages of inspiration, experience, and testimony helps us to gain the testimony we seek.
In Daughters in my Kingdom, page 108, you will find a quote from Eliza R. Snow. I love her directness in seeking a higher purpose in all that we do. What is this preparation she talks about?
“Sister Snow hoped that sisters would ‘perceive a difference in their houses’ after a visit. She counseled visiting teachers to prepare themselves spiritually before they visited homes so they would be able to ascertain and meet spiritual needs as well as temporal ones.”
As we prepare ourselves in our visiting teaching, surely it will strengthen our personal attitudes and testimony. Charity will burn through our souls and raise us to a higher level of love, understanding, and service.
I’ve often heard how people recognize a “happiness” among the Mormon people that is maybe a little out of character of this world. Where does this happiness come from? I think it’s this spirit that Sis. Snow speaks of. We know we are loved, so it’s easy to love others.
Originally, only a few women were given the calling to administer as visiting teachers for the entire ward. Over the years, this has evolved so that all sisters have the opportunity to care for one another. It is an opportunity, and a blessing, and should never be seen as a burden. As everyone will attest, and Sis. Thompson verbalizes: “When I went visiting teaching, I always felt better. I was lifted, loved, and blessed, usually much more than the sister I was visiting.”
Anything can happen during a visit. A teacher may come prepared with a message, but the Spirit will direct her to discuss something else entirely. An emergency may take place causing all to roll their sleeves up and dig in. Flexibility is the name of the game and visiting teaching should be seen as such. We are there to serve, lift, bless, and even be blessed. This is a time to share and see love in action. It is truly easy to love, because we feel love in return. For those few times we feel no love from the sister visited, the Lord can make up the difference, because this is His work.
As Pres. Monson has taught in a past Relief Society Meeting: Study diligently, pray earnestly, and serve willingly (Three Goals to Guide You, Nov 2007).
Check my Quotes Page for inspiring words from our leaders as well as inspiring stories people have experienced as they take this calling–Visiting Teacher–into their hearts.