A Visiting Teaching How-To


Back in the old days there used to be training for new Visiting Teachers. Every month there was a Visiting Teaching meeting. That turned into once a quarter, then a five minute blurb every once in a while. Soon, Visiting Teaching Training turned into Visiting Teaching Nagging. Everyone started getting busier and no one wanted to be reminded of another chore.

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Visiting Teaching is an opportunity to think of someone else’s needs. We are there to serve them, pray for them; just love them.  Does that sound like a chore?

Let’s go through some basics on What Is Visiting Teaching? Why Do We Do It? and How Do We Do It Like We Mean It?

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It is the action we show in caring for others. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only Church where members take on responsibility for one another to save souls and bring others unto Christ. We have covenanted “to bear one another’s burdens…mourn with those that mourn…comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places.” (Mosiah 18:8-9)

Why Do We Visit Teach?

Henry B. Eyring said,

“Every bishop and every branch president has a Relief Society president to depend upon. She has visiting teachers, who know the trials and the needs of every sister. She can, through them, know the hearts of individuals and families. She can meet needs and help the bishop in his call to nurture individuals and families.” (Henry B. Eyring, “The Enduring Legacy Of Relief Society”, CR, Oct 2009)

Spencer W. Kimball taught:

“God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom.” (Spencer W. Kimball, “Small Acts of Service,” Ensign, Dec. 1974, 5.)

How Do We Visit Teach Like We Mean It?

Eliza R. Snow 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: “A teacher … should surely have so much of the Spirit of the Lord, as she enters a house to know what spirit she meets in there. … Plead before God and the Holy Ghost to get [the Spirit] so that you will be able to meet that spirit that prevails in that house … and you may feel to talk words of peace and comfort, and if you find a sister feeling cold, take her to your heart as you would a child to your bosom and warm [her] up.” (Daughters of My Kingdom, pg. 108)

  1. Introduce yourself to your sister as soon as possible. Remember her name.
  2. Make an appointment that is convenient to your sister. Stay less than an hour.
  3. Pray for your sister and her family: To understand needs, to be of service, to feel love for her. And pray with your sister: In front of her, ask the Lord to bless her with strength and testimony.
  4. Come with the spirit. Let the spirit be your guide. The spirit may not already be in the home, so you become a lifeline for this sister. Discern if she needs help feeling the spirit, a spiritual boost, or spiritual love to buoy her up. A lesson is important, but not always necessary. Let inspiration guide you on how best to bring her something spiritual.
  5. Listen to your sister. Ask her questions. Let her talk. Be there for her. Create an atmosphere of trust, love, and understanding. And be true to your word.
  6. Teach, bear witness, and serve as Jesus would serve. Make a difference in the home you visit.
  7. Visiting once a month is good. Greeting her warmly, sitting next to her, calling/texting/emailing her, checking on her regularly is better. Being a true friend is best.
  8. Inspire her, and challenge her, to be a better person, wife, mother, and sister.
  9. Report both happy events, as well as difficult times, to the Relief Society president.
  10. Love her, love her, love her.

“The fact of the matter is, we really and truly need each other. Women naturally seek friendship, support, and companionship. We have so much to learn from one another, and we often let self-imposed barriers keep us from enjoying associations which could be among the greatest blessings in our lives.” (Bonnie L. Oscarson, Sisterhood: Oh, How We Need Each Other, May 2014)

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