Visiting Teaching- Ministering vs. Completing a Task

The Relief Society Presidency was privileged to get an invite to the Priesthood leadership training session of Stake Conference last week. I left the meeting with a new understanding of visiting teaching as a way to minister to the needs of the sisters of our ward. I find myself leaving church every Sunday wishing that I could personally visit so many sisters that I know need a hand of fellowship- whether that be a temporal need or just a moment of uplift or comfort. BUT I CAN'T- I NEED YOU! President Rosell put it so well- you are the eyes, ears and hands of the Relief Society Presidency- we cannot minister to the needs of the sisters without you. So often we view visiting teaching as one more thing to cross off of our lists. We are so busy and our families, careers, and just the business of daily life often seems overwhelming. But if we are to do the Savior's work we need to see ourselves as his handmaidens. More from the training:

"Whenever I think of visiting teachers, I think your duties in many ways must be like those of the home teachers, which briefly are "to watch over the church always"- not twenty minutes a month, but always-"and be with them and strengthen them"-not a knock at the door, but to be with them, and lift them and strengthen them, and empower them and fortify them- "and see that there is no iniquity....neither hardness.... backbiting, nor evil speaking"

President Spencer W. Kimball

December 1978

"Visiting Teachers minister in behalf of the Savior. Our hands are his Hands, our love is His love, and our service is His service. Good visiting teachers know the sisters they visit. They love them, serve them, and help them to learn the gospel by the Spirit. They focus on fortifying homes and lives. There is no greater privilege than to watch over and strengthen another person-it is truly the business of salvation."

Part of my responsibility in helping in this business of salvation is a personal visiting teaching interview. President Rosell called it "PSI's-Personal Stewardship Interviews." These interviews are designed to give you the opportunity to make the Relief Society Presidency and hence the Bishop aware of the personal needs of each sister. I also hope that you will be honest with us about your needs as a visiting teacher. Is it impossible to visit your sisters because schedules conflict? Would you like a companion? Would you like a change of for any reason? It is my hope that in personal stewardship interviews you will communicate not only the needs of the sisters that you visit teach, but also your own needs.

We have posted sign up sheets for Personal Stewardship Interviews. We hope that these interview times right after church will be convenient, but if they don't work for you- feel free to suggest something that would fit better. I promise you to be more diligent. I know we will receive blessings as we all strive to be more diligent.

One final promise from President Rosell:

"As you do this, I promise the blessings of heaven and the indescribable joy that comes from helping to touch hearts, change lives, and save souls. "

With Love,

Sister Laurie Haslam