September Visiting Teaching Message

“Our Responsibility to Nurture the Rising Generation,” Ensign, Sep 2010, 7

Study this material and, as appropriate, discuss it with the sisters you visit. Use the questions to help you strengthen your sisters and to make Relief Society an active part of your own life.

From the Scriptures
Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; Enos 1:1; Alma 53:20–21; 56:47; 57:27

Without nurturing, our rising generation could be in danger of becoming like the one described in Mosiah 26. Many youth didn’t believe the traditions of their fathers and became a separate people as to their faith, remaining so ever after. Our rising generation could likewise be led away if they don’t understand their part in Heavenly Father’s plan.

So what is it that will keep the rising generation safe? In the Church, we teach saving principles, and those principles are family principles, the principles that will help the rising generation to form a family, teach that family, and prepare that family for ordinances and covenants—and then the next generation will teach the next and so on.

As parents, leaders, and Church members, we are preparing this generation for the blessings of Abraham, for the temple. We have the responsibility to be very clear on key points of doctrine found in the proclamation on the family. Motherhood and fatherhood are eternal roles and responsibilities. Each of us carries the responsibility for either the male or the female half of the plan.

We can teach this doctrine in any setting. We must speak respectfully of marriage and family. And from our example, the rising generation can gain great hope and understanding—not just from the words we speak but from the way we feel and emanate the spirit of family.
Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.

From Our History
Addressing the sisters at the general Relief Society meeting on September 23, 1995, President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “The world we are in is a world of turmoil, of shifting values. Shrill voices call out for one thing or another in betrayal of time-tested standards of behavior.”1 President Hinckley then went on to introduce to the sisters, the Church, and ultimately people everywhere “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”

In subsequent years this prophetic document has been translated into many languages and distributed to world leaders. It asks citizens and government leaders “to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.”2

The proclamation has become the foundation for Latter-day Saint beliefs about the family, a statement to which we can hold fast and know that by living its precepts, we are strengthening our families and homes.

What Can I Do?

1. How can I help my sisters use “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” to nurture the rising generation? You might consider sharing a copy of the proclamation and helping your sisters identify and mark those passages that would best teach key doctrines.

2. How can I nurture the rising generation? You might consider reaching out to members of your ward, branch, family, or community who could benefit from your attention and love.
For more information, go to www.reliefsociety.lds.org.

Notes

1. Gordon B. Hinckley, “Stand Strong against the Wiles of the World,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 99.

2. See “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49; Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102.

Branch Relief Society President Thought

I handed out new visiting teaching routes for this month. I want you to know that a lot of thought and prayer went into each of them. On www.lds.org, the church states that the responsibilities of visiting teachers are:
Come to know and love your sisters.
Minister through regular contacts.
Learn of needs and offer appropriate assistance.
Look for specific ways to help.
Share and testify of gospel doctrines.
Notice that it says to make regular contact. There are several ways to contact your sisters-home visits, phone calls, emails and letters, etc. I encourage each of you to pray about your list. Pray about what kind of contact your sisters need. Reach out to those sisters on your list who need your help. Become friends with your sisters. Teach and discuss the lesson each month with them. Ask them about their temporal and spiritual goals and help them achieve them.
When you report each month (wilmingtonvt@gmail.com, 937-556-4227, 330-310-3622), let us know about how your sisters are doing and if they are in need of anything. Let us know about their goals and how they are doing with them. It’s not about if you did your visiting teaching or not-it’s about your sisters and their needs. If anyone needs help or would like me to do a visit with them-please call me. I would love to go with you. (937-383-2981).
Mindy Zeigler

July Visiting Teaching

Visiting Teaching Message

If you haven't gotten out to do your visiting teaching yet- please get out soon! I depend on your reports to know how each and ever sister is doing. It amazes me how great each of you are and how you reach out to help those in need. Thank you so much!
Mindy Zeigler

June Visiting Teaching Message

“Renewing Covenants through the Sacrament,” Ensign, Jun 2010, 7

Teach these scriptures and quotations or, if needed, another principle that will bless the sisters you visit. Bear testimony of the doctrine. Invite those you visit to share what they have felt and learned.

Jesus Christ Instituted the Sacrament
“Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to his Apostles, saying, ‘Take, eat’ (Matt. 26:26). ‘This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me’ (Luke 22:19). In a similar manner he took the cup of wine, traditionally diluted with water, said a blessing of thanks for it, and passed it to those gathered about him, saying: ‘This cup is the new testament in my blood,’ ‘which is shed … for the remission of sins.’ ‘This do in remembrance of me.’ …

“Since that upper room experience on the eve of Gethsemane and Golgotha, children of the promise have been under covenant to remember Christ’s sacrifice in this newer, higher, more holy and personal way.”1
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

We Renew Our Baptismal Covenants through the Sacrament
“When we are baptized, we take upon ourselves the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Taking upon us His name is one of the most significant experiences we have in life …

“Each week in sacrament meeting we promise to remember the atoning sacrifice of our Savior as we renew our baptismal covenant. We promise to do as the Savior did—to be obedient to the Father and always keep His commandments. The blessing we receive in return is to always have His Spirit to be with us.”2
Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

“I was with an eight-year-old girl on the day of her baptism. At the end of the day she said with all confidence, ‘I have been baptized for a whole day, and I haven’t sinned once!’ But her perfect day did not last forever, and I am sure she is learning by now, like we all learn, that as hard as we try, we do not always avoid every bad situation, every wrong choice …

“… It is not possible to make real change all by ourselves. Our own willpower and our own good intentions are not enough. When we make mistakes or choose poorly, we must have the help of our Savior to get back on track. We partake of the sacrament week after week to show our faith in His power to change us. We confess our sins and promise to forsake them.”3
Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.

Helps for Visiting Teaching
As you come to know a sister and her family, look for ways you might help her renew her covenants through the sacrament. If she does not attend sacrament meeting, could you invite her to attend or offer help for her to do so (transportation, assistance with children, a friend to sit by, and so on)?

Personal Preparation
Luke 22:19–20
1 Corinthians 11:23–28
3 Nephi 18:1–12

Notes
1. Jeffrey R. Holland, “This Do in Remembrance of Me,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 67.
2. Robert D. Hales, “The Covenant of Baptism: To Be in the Kingdom and of the Kingdom,” Liahona, Jan. 2001, 8; Ensign, Nov. 2000, 8.
3. Julie B. Beck, “Remembering, Repenting, and Changing,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2007, 110–11.

New Visiting Teaching Lesson Format

New Format Helps Sisters Improve as Visiting Teachers
Ensign, May 2010, 136–37

In July 2010 Relief Society sisters and subscribers to the Liahona and Ensign magazines will find a change to the traditional Visiting Teaching Message format.

“We want every visiting teacher to understand that visiting teaching is a call from the Lord and accept her assignment to love, serve, teach, and minister to another sister with that in mind,” said Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.

The new message format will help sisters understand the purpose of Relief Society, teach principles to help sisters live the purpose, provide a historical perspective, and offer suggestions on how women can more effectively watch over and strengthen other sisters.

“The Visiting Teaching Message is a tool in the hands of a visiting teacher. As she studies the messages with her sisters in mind, she will know what to share with them and what to do for them,” Sister Beck said.

On the following page is a sample of the new Visiting Teaching Message, with explanations of its new features.

Instructions Instructions help visiting teachers know how to teach and apply the message.

Relief Society Purposes The Relief Society purposes were added to remind sisters of the responsibilities of Relief Society: to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help those in need.

Message The central message will now offer specific and timely counsel directly from the Relief Society general presidency.

From the Scriptures These scriptural references will help enhance the study, teaching, and personal application of the message.

Ministering Question The purpose of this question is to help visiting teachers act on inspiration to better serve the sisters they teach.

Application Question This question is meant to prompt action on the part of each individual Relief Society sister and help her apply the message to her own life.

From Our History By reading of the noble legacy of Relief Society, sisters can draw connections between the organization that existed in the early Church and the current Relief Society program. “We are inspired by their sacrifices and desire to take our part in building the Lord’s kingdom in our season of service,” Sister Beck said.

More Information Pertinent links to other resources can be found at the Relief Society Web page, reliefsociety.lds.org.

MARCH VT Challenge!

Focus on your Sisters

As you talk with your sister

listen and watch for anything

that may be of burden

and take the opportunity

to encourage and uplift her!

*Reminder of March Challenge: What's your Sister's favorite candy bar/treat?

Just a Visiting Teacher

"I'm just a Visiting Teacher,"

I said to my friend today,

And my Father in Heaven heard me

And I seemed to hear him say.

"Not just a Visiting Teacher,

A Disciple with work to do.

And wherever you carry my message

My Spirit goes with you"

"Some daughters of mine have burdens,
Some seem to have lost their way,

Go take them my love and Gospel

To strengthen them day by day."

Never say you're "just a visiting teacher,"

Have faith and you'll understand,

When you enter a home with love and prayer-

I take you by the hand."

Sisters, always remember that no matter how brief or simple your contact is the sisters you visit teach will feed off of your love and be strengthened! We all need a little encouragement and love...so stay tuned for our VT Challenge of the Month! Love, Sister Becky Watson

Visiting Teaching Message

Seeking and Receiving Personal RevelationEnsign,
April 2010

Teach these scriptures and quotations or, if needed, another principle that will bless the sisters you visit. Bear testimony of the doctrine. Invite those you visit to share what they have felt and learned.

How Can I Seek Personal Revelation?
"We prepare to receive personal revelation as the prophets do, by studying the scriptures, fasting, praying, and building faith. Faith is the key. Remember Joseph's preparation for the First Vision:
" 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God. . . .
" 'But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.' "1
Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

"Prayer is your personal key to heaven. The lock is on your side of the veil.
"But that is not all. To one who thought that revelation would flow without effort, the Lord said:
" 'You have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.
" 'But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.' "2
President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

How Can I Receive Personal Revelation?
"In its more familiar forms, revelation or inspiration comes by means of words or thoughts communicated to the mind (see Enos 1:10; D&C 8:2–3), by sudden enlightenment (see D&C 6:14–15), by positive or negative feelings about proposed courses of action, or even by inspiring performances, as in the performing arts. As President Boyd K. Packer, . . . President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has stated, 'Inspiration comes more as a feeling than as a sound.' "3
Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

"The temple is a house of learning. Much of the instruction imparted in the temple is symbolic and learned by the Spirit. This means we are taught from on high. . . . Our understanding of the meaning of the ordinances and covenants will increase as we return to the temple often with the attitude of learning and contemplating the eternal truths taught. . . . Let us enjoy the spiritual strength and the revelation we receive as we attend the temple regularly."4
Silvia H. Allred, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency.

Notes1. "Personal Revelation: The Teachings and Examples of the Prophets," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 88.2. "Personal Revelation: The Gift, the Test, and the Promise," Ensign, Nov. 1994, 59–60.3. "Eight Reasons for Revelation," Liahona, Sept. 2004, 8; "Eight Ways God Can Speak to You," New Era, Sept. 2004, 4.4. "Holy Temples, Sacred Covenants," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2008, 113, 114.

Helps for Visiting Teaching
As a visiting teacher, you can receive impressions of the Spirit as to the needs of your sisters and how to meet those needs. As you teach this message, share, as appropriate, any inspiration or help you have received regarding visiting teaching.

Personal Preparation
1 Samuel 3:101 Kings 19:11–12Alma 5:46; 26:223 Nephi 19:19–23D&C 8:2–3; 9:8–9; 88:63–64

Visiting Teaching Reminder

Please report your visiting teaching numbers to Roberta Brannon.

Phone: (937)527-1299 Email: ldsmomjr@gmail.com