This is a General Conference Odyssey post for the Priesthood session of the April 2009 General Conference.

For April Fool’s day, I saw a post about the church making a big announcement that it is returning to Home and Visiting teaching, because Ministering isn’t working. Let’s be honest, we are still struggling with how to minister to one another.

Not being in a leadership calling, I have observed how people like to take shortcuts. President Henry B. Eyring’s talk, “Man Down!” reminded me that there can be no shortcuts.

Interestingly, ministering is really the burden of the presidency, not the individual. As individuals, we are being asked to reach out and be friends with those we’re assigned to. An occasional “check-in” is all that’s required. It is the presidency that must interview each person, quarterly. How that interview goes depends on diligence, love, and determination to seek out the one. 

A member of a presidency invokes love and a mantel of a caring heart. If that is shirked in any way, help cannot be offered in true sincerity. Friendships don’t necessarily open doors of a personal nature. However, presidencies, with that mantel placed upon them, usually do. In particular, the president is seen as the one to talk to and open up to.

My husband has been the Elder’s Quorum President for the past two years. He has taken the responsibility of ministering very seriously. As a result, he knows his quorum intimately. He insists his counselors follow through with their quarterly ministering. If they miss anyone, my husband steps in to make sure those families are checked on. He knows what is going on with each man in his quorum. I have seen a bond wrapping itself around “his brothers.” 

When a brother goes down, my husband is the first to learn of it. He sends in the team (the ministering brothers who report back). He goes in, himself, as a support and comforter. He passes necessary information to the bishop, who also touches base. If it’s a family matter, the Relief Society president is apprised and steps up her part. 

Every family in every ward has something they’re dealing with. Some things are minor, but some things are critical. Ministering, when it runs like a well-oiled machine, can rescue anyone who falls to their knees for any reason.