Visiting Teaching Tips

There is one thing in life that we all have the same amount of. We all
have 24 hours in a day and no one, not even those who seem to get
more done in a day than you or I, have an hour or a minute more.
Goethe said, “Things which matter most must never be left at the
mercy of things which matter least.”
William Bradford tells us, “We give our lives to that which we give our
time. We need to unclutter our lives; so that we are not so busy doing
terrestrial things that we do not have time to do those things which are
celestial.”
Sisters, visiting teaching is one of those celestial things! Here are
some tips to help us all become better visiting teachers.

1. Make a Plan
Plan to visit before the 20th of each month. Some sisters set an
exact date for each month, like the 1st Thursday or the 2nd
Tuesday. Decide between companions, who will give the
message and who will call the sisters to make the appointments.
Read the message, think about the needs of each sister that you
will be visiting and pray individually. Before going out with your
companion, discuss and share insights of the message, thus
teaching, not only the sisters you visit, but lifting and edifying
each other. There are times when making appointments don’t
get you in and you will need to just drop by and visit. Let the
spirit direct you.

2. Flexibility
Remember there will be times when you are not able to visit
each sister. Telephone calls and /or letters or notes can
substitute. Just remember that
we need to physically visit the home as much as possible to
determine the sister’s needs. If you have small children, maybe
you could work out a trade with another sister in the ward, so
that you could watch each other’s children during visiting
teaching.

3. Presenting the Message

The Relief Society General Presidency has asked that we present
the message found each month in the Ensign. Listening to the
spirit is essential on how you should present the message. There
are a couple of non-threatening ways to do this, leave part of the
message or one of the scriptures on a note card, mention one of
the scriptures or one of the ideas as you visit.
4. Remember Special Occasions
Go the extra mile and remember the sister’s birthday and other
special occasions in her life. It will show her how much you care!

5. Understand your calling is from the Lord

In D&C 20:51 it states, “and visit the house of each member
(sister) ….
In Peter 5:2-4 we learn, “Feed the flock of God which is among
you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly
….And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a
crown of glory that fadeth not away.”
Elder Burton Howard said, “Promises are not pretty words –
Promises have eternal consequences. The church does have
many needs, and one of them is for more people who will just do
what they have agreed to do, people who will consistently do
their job, for as long as it takes, and who will not stop until they
have finished.”

6. Return and Report

Vaughn J. Featherstone teaches, “When performance is
measured, performance grows.” We are a church that teaches
Responsibility brings Accountability. When your visiting
teaching is complete, please call your supervisor and report.
Your supervisor’s name and phone number will be on your
Visiting Teaching Assignment Slip. This information is so
important to the Relief Society Presidency and the Bishopric. You
are their hands and eyes.

“Visiting teaching is a program that touches hearts, that changes

lives, that saves souls; a program that has the stamp of approval
of our Father in Heaven; a program so vital that, if faithfully
followed, it will help to spiritually renew the church and exalt its
individual members and families.” (President Ezra Taft Benson)
Thomas Carlyle reminds us, “Conviction is worthless till it
converts itself into conduct.”

Bless you for all you do to strengthen our sisters, to bring light
and love into their homes.