HOW TO BE AN EXTRAORDINARY VISITING TEACHER VISITING TEACHER

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1 HOW TO BE AN EXTRAORDINARY VISITING TEACHER The major work of the world is not done by geniuses. It is done by ordinary people, with balance in their lives, who have learned to work in an extraordinary manner. I want to invite us all to walk a higher road of excellence I speak of the need for a little more effort, a little more self-discipline, a little more consecrated effort in the direction of excellence in our lives. The prophet Moroni declared, In the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way (Ether 12:11) Let us all try to stand a little taller, rise a little higher, be a little better. Make the extra effort. You will be happier. You will know a new satisfaction, a new gladness in your heart. The distance between mediocrity and excellence can be ever so small. ~ Gordon B Hinkley HOW TO BE AN EXTRAORDINARY VISITING TEACHER The major work of the world is not done by geniuses. It is done by ordinary people, with balance in their lives, who have learned to work in an extraordinary manner. I want to invite us all to walk a higher road of excellence I speak of the need for a little more effort, a little more self-discipline, a little more consecrated effort in the direction of excellence in our lives. The prophet Moroni declared, In the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way (Ether 12:11) Let us all try to stand a little taller, rise a little higher, be a little better. Make the extra effort. You will be happier. You will know a new satisfaction, a new gladness in your heart. The distance between mediocrity and excellence can be ever so small. ~ Gordon B Hinkley

2 TEACH A LESSON Ordinary visiting teachers prepare and deliver a message outlined in the current issue of the Ensign magazine. They take the time to read and study the message before making the visit. TEACH HER SISTER An extraordinary visiting teacher feels that delivering the message is an important assignment from the Lord. She will prayerfully seek the Spirit in delivering the message so that it can touch hearts and build friendship. She understands that the visiting teaching messages are gospel messages which help each woman increase her faith, strengthen her family, and emphasize charitable relief. (Barbara Thompson, Ensign Nov 2010) People don t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Alma 17:3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God. COUNT THE VISIT Ordinary visiting teachers visit their sisters once a month. When the visit is done they report the visit to the Visiting Teaching Coordinator to be recorded as done and notify the Relief Society President of any concerns. MAKE THE VISIT COUNT An extraordinary visiting teacher makes the visit count because she understands that because she follows the example and teachings of Jesus Christ, and values this sacred assignment to love, know, serve, understand, teach and minister in His behalf, this is one duty she has in the Church where she is certain to have the help of the Lord if she asks for it. She also understands that a sister in this Church has no other responsibility outside of her family that has the potential to do as much good as does visiting teaching. (Relief Society: A Sacred Work, Julie B Beck, Ensign, Nov 2009) Moses 1:39 For behold, this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

3 GO TO GET IT DONE Ordinary visiting teachers often sigh in relief and proudly declare, My visiting teaching is done! They call and report it to the visiting teaching coordinator so that it can be counted for the month. LISTEN TO COMPANIONS Ordinary visiting teachers, especially when they are still learning about visiting teaching, listen closely to their companions. They take turns in presenting the monthly message and in setting up appointments. They understand the need to visit teach in companionships and seek to do so each month. GO TO SERVE An extraordinary visiting teacher understands that visiting teaching becomes the Lord s work when her focus is on people rather than percentages. She knows that in reality, visiting teaching is never finished because we watch over and strengthen always... She understands that if her watchcare were primarily about reporting that every sister in the ward heard the Visiting Teaching Message, it would be much more efficient to read it aloud to everyone in a sacrament meeting. She knows that what she reports is most helpful to the bishop and the Relief Society president when she informs them of the spiritual and temporal well-being of her sisters and how she has been able to serve and love them. (Relief Society: A Sacred Work, Julie B Beck, Ensign, Nov 2009, adapted) Today is the day I have been waiting for, I am happy to go into the homes of my sisters and help lift them to new heights. (A Vision of Visiting Teaching, Spencer W Kimball, Ensign, June 1978) LEARN FROM COMPANIONS An extraordinary visiting teacher not only listens to her companion, but also takes opportunity to learn from her. She knows that her companion has certain strengths and talents that she can also learn from. As companions listen and learn from one another, friendships build and they are better able to serve the sisters they visit. An extraordinary visiting teacher will always remember that the visiting teaching companionship is only complete when God is included. She knows that her greatest example is the Son of God. She seeks to do as President Kimball taught, to walk in His paths, extending mercy, blessing those who struggle, living with less selfishness and reaching out to others. Ether 12:11 Wherefore, by faith was the law of Moses given. But in the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way; and it is by faith that it hath been fulfilled.

4 LOVE HER SISTERS Ordinary visiting teachers grow to love and cherish the friendships developed through visiting teaching. They remember special days in the lives of their sisters, offer encouragement and support and comfort when needed. They know that some people are harder to love than others and seek to keep a positive attitude about those sisters as well. _ FEEL CHARITY TOWARD HER SISTERS An extraordinary visiting teacher also does all of the ordinary things. She also understands that there is really no way she can know the heart, the intentions, or the circumstances of her sisters and avoids all tendencies toward criticism. She knows that sometimes visiting teaching isn t easy and she resists the impulse to become offended easily, seeking to accept weaknesses and shortcomings. She seeks to accept her sisters as they truly are, and looks beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim through time. (Charity Never Faileth, Thomas S Monson, Ensign, Nov 2010, adapted) If you judge people, you have no time to love them. ~Mother Teresa OFFER HELP Ordinary visiting teachers regularly offer help and assistance when they visit. They may leave a handy call back card with their names and numbers on for easy reference. They consistently continue to offer assistance when needs arise. FIND WAYS TO SERVE An extraordinary visiting teacher will also consistently offer help and assistance, making sure her sisters know that she is ready and willing to serve. She knows that we are constantly surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness. She feels as does President Monson, that we are the Lord s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift his children. He is dependent on each of us. She watches and listens for opportunities to serve, then acts. Doctrine and Covenants 12:8 And no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care.

5 WORRY Ordinary visiting teachers become good friends with their sisters and are trusted by them. Their sisters may share their worries, triumphs and sometimes even their problems. They seek to comfort and alleviate the worries of their sisters but may feel uncomfortable or unqualified to do so. They never pry for information. _ UPLIFT An extraordinary visiting teacher is cheerful, pleasant and filled with the Spirit. She recognizes the tendency to worry and seeks to uplift and build the confidence of the sisters she visits. She seeks to excel in energy, and vision, and thoroughness and in testimony, for above all things [she knows her] testimony is unanswerable. (Spencer W Kimball) She understands that to pity distress is but human; to relieve it is godlike. (Thomas S Monson) She knows that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer to every problem, and when she feels down she lets the gospel message lift her up. Tremendous is your opportunity to aid in making the world a better place. (The Quest for Excellence, Gordon B Hinckley, Ensign, Sep 1999) Doctrine and Covenants 12:8 Do these things with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and countenances, not with much laughter, for this is sin, but with a glad heart and a cheerful countenance. VISIT Ordinary visiting teachers make sure that the time spent visiting is quality time spent getting to know their sisters and that it is not a onesided conversation reviewing all their own worries and problems. They never pry for personal information but focus on becoming friends and developing trust with their sisters LISTEN An extraordinary visiting teacher understands that value of quality visiting, but she also understands the value of simply listening. She watches the sisters she visits and comes to know their body language as well as the message of their speech. She is sensitive to their feelings and needs and is better able to discern those needs as she listens lovingly to her sisters. She knows that listening brings comfort, understanding and healing into the lives of her sisters. (Barbara Thompson) The purposes of visiting teaching are to build caring relationships with each sister and to offer support, comfort, and friendship. In visiting teaching, both the giver and the receiver are blessed and strengthened in their Church activity by their caring concern for one another.

6 OFFER ADVICE Ordinary visiting teachers carefully watch over their sisters and when problems arise they offer not only their help but also their advice allowing their sisters to take it or leave it. They never push their opinions or view onto their sisters. EMPOWER PERSONAL SOLUTIONS An extraordinary visiting teacher is sensitive to the personal nature of the problems her sisters face. She understands that for the problem to be truly faced, that her sisters need to figure out their own solutions. She offers support and objectivity as needed, seeking to lift, strengthen and empower her sisters so they will be fortified in their testimonies. She feels the privilege President Kimball spoke of when he said, How glorious is the privilege of two sisters going into a home, soft-pedaling anything that could be detrimental, and instead, building up all the authorities of the Church, the Church itself, its doctrines, its policies, its practices. Proverbs 17:27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. REPORT PROBLEMS Ordinary visiting teachers are observant and sensitive to the needs of their sisters. When they see problems arise, they are sure to let the Relief Society President know so that needs are met and sisters are not left to feel down trodden and alone. RECOMMEND SOLUTIONS An extraordinary visiting teacher will not only report problems, but rather than just turning them over to someone else she will look for possible solutions which she will recommend to the Relief Society President letting the Relief Society President know what she is able to do to alleviate the distress or suffering of her sisters. When extraordinary visiting teachers think a problem is something the Relief Society President should know about they might say something like, President, Sister X is experiencing some difficulties. I have a few ideas I need help with, this is what I can do An extraordinary visiting teacher will become part of the solution. Ether 2:23 The Lord said unto the brother of Jared: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels?

7 PRAY BEFORE A VISIT Ordinary visiting teachers know the importance of seeking the Spirit to discern needs and offer support to their sisters. With this knowledge each companionship will offer a prayer together before making visiting teaching visits. CONTINUALLY PRAY FOR HER SISTERS An extraordinary visiting teacher desires to bless and strengthen her sisters. She knows that personal revelation and spiritual experiences are closely connected with visiting teaching. As such she is continually thinking of ways she [can] bless the families she visit[s]. When she truly seeks ways to love, care for, and pray for [her] sister, the Holy Ghost will help [a visiting teacher] find a way to watch over and strengthen her [sisters] (Barbara Thompson, Ensign, Nov 2010) To give your heart and soul to visiting teaching requires you to be prayerful about those you visit. The Lord will direct you in doing His work as you listen and respond. (Strong Hands and Loving Hearts, Ensign, Dec 2004) It is our blessing to pray for another sister and receive inspiration as to how the Lord would have us care for one of His daughters. (Relief Society: A Sacred Work, Julie B Beck, Ensign, Nov 2009) As visiting teachers Let us All Try to STAND STAND a little TALLER RISE a little HIGHER, Be a little BETTER. Make the EXTRA EFFORT. You will be HAPPIER. You will know a new satisfaction, a new gladness in your heart. ~Gordon B Hinkley