Happy April Sisters! We made it to Spring! Can you believe it? What a wonderful time to be able to hear inspired messages from God’s Prophet, Apostles and others at General Conference. We also look forward to Easter and the focus on Christ’s resurrection. It’s just a great month.
This month’s message is about visiting teaching and the strength we gain as the visiting teacher and the sister being visited. I have recently realized how united our Relief Society becomes when we participate in visiting teaching. When every woman is cared for, loved and encouraged through service or a spiritual message it strengthens our organization. As we give the care, love and encouragement it also impacts us as well as the Relief Society.
Sister Silvia H. Allred, a counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, said: “I marvel as I witness the countless acts of charity performed daily by visiting teachers all over the world who selflessly minister to the needs of individual sisters and their families. To these faithful visiting teachers, I say, ‘Through those small acts of charity, you follow the Savior and you act as instruments in His hands as you help, care, lift, comfort, listen, encourage, nurture, teach, and strengthen the sisters under your care.’
I am so grateful for the great examples in our Relief Society of this. Many of you never tire of serving other women in our ward, especially those you visit teach and it is such an inspiration. At times I feel that my rushed lessons while dragging children with muddy feet into the homes of the sisters I teach isn’t a service to anyone or acting as the Savior’s hands and I’m sure some of you feel the same. However, I realize now that the repetition helps us get to know our sisters and their needs. Our small acts of charity come after the many times we visit.
We are blessed as we try our best to get to know one another and serve through our visiting teaching. When sisters serve others as visiting teachers, they receive blessings themselves. Sister Barbara W. Winder, the eleventh Relief Society general president, taught: “It is vital that each sister have visiting teachers—to convey a sense that she is needed, that someone loves and thinks about her. But equally important is the way the visiting teacher is able to grow in charity. By assigning our women to do visiting teaching, we give them the opportunity to develop the pure love of Christ, which can be the greatest blessing of their lives.” I recognize, as I’m sure we all do, that visiting teaching isn’t always fun or convenient but it is a great way to grow and develop Christ like attributes that can carry us through unforeseen heartache or trials. It also helps us care for others who might be dealing with their own heartache or trials. We all want to be loved and needed and that’s what visiting teaching can do. I love that through my visiting teaching I can strengthen my sisterly bond with the women in this ward. I hope that we can all find our own appreciation for this great blessing of visiting teaching.
(The quotes used came from Daughters of His Kingdom, chapter 7)
