June 2012 Visiting Teaching Message

Visiting Teaching - a Sacred Assignment

As visiting teachers, we have an important spiritual mission to fulfill. “The bishop, who is the ordained shepherd of the ward, cannot possibly watch over all of the Lord’s sheep at one time. He is dependent on inspired visiting teachers to help him.”  Seeking and receiving revelation as to who should be assigned to watch over each sister is essential.

Inspiration begins as members of the Relief Society presidency prayerfully discuss the needs of individuals and families. Then, with the bishop’s approval, the Relief Society presidency gives the assignment in a way that helps sisters understand that visiting teaching is an important spiritual responsibility.

Visiting teachers sincerely come to know and love each sister, help her strengthen her faith, and give service when needed. They seek personal inspiration to know how to respond to the spiritual and temporal needs of each sister they visit.

“Visiting teaching becomes the Lord’s work when our focus is on people rather than percentages. In reality, visiting teaching is never finished. It is more a way of life than a task.” To read the original source of this message, click here to go to LDS.org

In October of 2009, Julie Beck, then Relief Society General President, gave an outstanding talk entitled ," Relief Society: A Sacred Work".  You may wish to read this talk to enlarge your testimony and understanding of Relief Society as a faith-based work. She speaks of the purpose of this work, and how we become ever-more effective in our roles as visiting teachers.