Visiting Teaching Message

The world would say they are fighting for this very idea–to be of one heart, but somehow they think they can achieve it without Jesus Christ, and that would be impossible. Along with this idea, everyone demands that race, gender, and ideology be fairly treated, even specially treated to the point that everyone has a voice. The problem is everyone does have a voice and they are yelling and screaming so much that no one is listening to the heart anymore. This results in complete chaos.

The Lord’s way is quite different. In 3 Nephi, Jesus Christ explains that “the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one” (3 Ne. 11:27), and to become one like Them we must all be baptized. Then He states that “there shall be no disputations among you … neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine” (vs. 28). Arguing with one another, as well as fighting over things that happen in church are NOT His doctrine.

Simply put, the doctrine of Jesus Christ is “to repent and believe in me. And whoso believeth in me and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God” (vs. 32-33).

Following Jesus Christ is the ONLY way we can become ONE. Any other counterfeit way will not work for any extended period of time. Jesus Christ is our Lord and Master and all things are made right before Him.

I found an interesting verse that I’ve never noticed before, found in 3 Ne. 29:8. It says,

“Yea, and ye need not any longer hiss, nor spurn, nor make game of the Jews, nor any of the remnant of the house of Israel.”

Interestingly, racism is not His doctrine. We are ALL part of the house of Israel, which makes us ALL brothers and sisters in the household of God. If our purpose is to become like Him, to follow Him, to obey Him, to be with Him, then we will ALL be accepted by Him and invited into His fold. And isn’t that a wonderful thing!

I just wanted to mention the new 2018 RS curriculum here. We will be studying more closely General Conference addresses, as well as topics our General Authorities would like to emphasize. (You may enjoy reading my weekly General Conference Odyssey posts). Some church programs are going through a major overhaul in terms of teaching skills. No longer do we want to be or see a teacher that stands and reads a lesson to us, or follows the lesson as exactly written.

The church wants each person in attendance to feel like a valued participator. Likely, all of us have experienced moments when a comment is made that makes us feel connected to one another. When we relate to one another, our capacity to love and feel united grows. This feeling is needed during our Sundays. And hopefully, will stretch between us throughout the week.

The purpose of these new guidelines is explained on the Come, Follow Me website:

“God has organized His covenant sons and daughters into priesthood quorums and Relief Societies to help accomplish His work. Something powerful happens when we gather under the direction of those holding priesthood keys. So while gospel instruction is important, Sunday priesthood and Relief Society meetings are more than classes. They are also working meetings where we learn together from general conference messages, counsel about the work of salvation, and organize to accomplish the work. The changes coming in 2018 will help us fulfill these purposes.”

The “something powerful” that happens is the unity we feel with one another as we become of one heart. When we are all committed to building the kingdom of God, our hearts are more open toward one another. When we create a “safe place” we are more likely to ask for help when we are feeling weak, and more willing to help when we have been strengthened. This bonding will unite our powers of righteousness which is sorely needed in the world we live in today.

I would like to offer a challenge to your visiting teaching experience: Find a way to connect with your sisters. Contact them and tell them you care (but you have to mean it through consistency), ask them questions about themselves, their likes, their talents, and skills, and work on becoming a trusted friend to them.

I pray that we might Come, and follow the Lord, Jesus Christ as we set out to unite our individual strengths, create safe places, motivate with love and testimony, and build His righteous kingdom here upon the earth.