Pure Religion

We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness. … We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.

Thomas S. Monson

  Kathleen Libby presented this lesson from the book Daughters in my Kingdom, chapter 7 which focuses on visiting teaching and importance of keeping in contact with those to whom we  minister. Our Savior ministered to those who sought Him and did it on a personal basis. When he taught the 2,500 people and fed them from the loaves and fishes (fish, now) he did so to individuals, teaching and healing to allow each person their own witness of His divinity.
The visiting teaching program began when there was a time of need. Clothes were collected as well as food stuffs and any aid that could help the needy. A sister in the early days of this effort commented that she knew it was a good program for the Lord "confirms it again and again." During WWII this program was implemented by continuing to visit, bringing simple daily things that we use without thinking about  until there is a shortage. There are countless stories of acts of charity done during this dreadful time of our history.
Visiting teaching can also be a spiritual ministry as well. The following quote is a succinct explanation of the evolution we know of today as visiting teaching. 

"Sister Snow hoped that sisters would “perceive a difference in their houses” after a visit.⁷ She counseled visiting teachers to prepare themselves spiritually before they visited homes so they would be able to ascertain and meet spiritual needs as well as temporal ones: “A teacher … should surely have so much of the Spirit of the Lord, as she enters a house to know what spirit she meets in there. … Plead before God and the Holy Ghost to get [the Spirit] so that you will be able to meet that spirit that prevails in that house … and you may feel to talk words of peace and comfort, and if you find a sister feeling cold, take her to your heart as you would a child to your bosom and warm [her] up.”⁸

Sarah M. Kimball

Sarah M. Kimball, who served as a ward Relief Society president in the late 1860s, shared similar counsel with the sisters in her ward: “It is the duty of teachers to visit their [assigned sisters] once a month, to inquire after the prosperity and happiness of the members. It is their duty to speak words of wisdom, of consolation and peace.”⁹ Relief Society leaders emphasized that visiting teachers were “not only to gather means but to teach and expound the principles of the gospel.”¹⁰ In 1916, visiting teachers were formally asked to discuss a gospel topic each month as well as providing temporal service. In 1923, the general Relief Society presidency introduced uniform monthly messages to be given by all visiting teachers."

I like the paragraph where the needs of everyone are mentioned. Not just the poor are in need. "The Savior told us to remember the poor in spirit, didn’t he? And don’t the rich get sick, the same as the poor; and don’t they have a hard time to find a nurse? … Now that’s what Relief Society is supposed  to be doing." Some needs are best met by friends who care. That is what Christ-like service is. We might pray for  relief from a problem and the Lord sends someone to do His work. That is what I call a win-win situation!

Many sisters shared loving experiences of how they were aided or how they were able to serve.  A security blanket is nothing compared to a compassionate visiting teacher who has been fortunate enough to gain true friendship through her visits. We never know when something we have done has been exactly the right thing for the time. If the person was too busy, take the Spirit of the Lord and leave some with her for the rest of her day.

A story was told about a woman in south America, I believe, who took it upon herself to visit those who were in need, 12 women. As you might guess, the task became a bit overwhelming so someone else volunteered to help out with the 12 visits. Walking to and from inspired the second woman to help each of the 12 feel the love of the Lord and to take it upon themselves to learn how to become self-reliant. Each person's load was lightened and all learned to share and to become who they could, with some more effort.

One woman who had not gone to church in a very long time commented that her visiting teachers always came to visit and assist if needed. She came to realize that the Lord "   loves us no matter who we are, and my visiting teachers helped me see that this was right."

I don't think the brethren in the ward heard this lesson today, but maybe they could read it and use the spirit of Relief Society to help them become better Home Teachers. After all, this whole business is about charity, the pure love of Christ and that has NO boundaries.

Your bloggess,

Janice

PS Yes, I was gone on vacation.