Visiting Teaching Message:
Activation
Our prophet, President Thomas S.
Monson, has encouraged us to “reach out to rescue those who need our help
and lift them to the higher road and the better way. … It is the Lord’s work,
and when we are on the Lord’s errand, … we are entitled to the Lord’s help.”1
Many years ago LaVene Call and her visiting teaching companion
visited a less-active sister. They knocked on the door and found a young mother
in her bathrobe. She looked ill, but they soon realized her problem was
alcohol. The visiting teachers sat and talked with the struggling young mother.
After they left, they said, “She is a child of God. We have a
responsibility to help her.” So they visited often. Each time, they could see
and feel a change for good. They asked the sister to attend Relief Society.
Though reluctant, she eventually attended regularly. After encouragement, she
and her husband and daughter attended church. The husband felt the Holy Ghost. He
said, “I’m going to do what the bishop suggests.” Now they are active in the
Church and have been sealed in the temple.2
From the Scriptures
From Our History
Helping those who have gone astray come back to the gospel of Jesus Christ
has always been part of being a Latter-day Saint and a member of Relief
Society. President Brigham Young (1801–77) said, “Let us have compassion upon
each other, … and let those who can see guide the blind until they can see the
way for themselves.”3
Eliza R. Snow, second Relief Society general president,
gratefully acknowledged the efforts of sisters in Ogden, Utah, USA, to
strengthen one another. “I am well aware that a great deal is donated [in terms
of service] that never reaches the [record] books,” she said. But recognizing
that a heavenly record is kept of the sisters’ work as they reach out to those
whose hearts have grown cold, she said: “President Joseph Smith
said this society was organized to save souls. … Another book is kept of your
faith, your kindness, your good works, and words. … Nothing is lost.”4
What Can I Do?
1.
Am I confident asking a less-active sister to attend a Relief
Society meeting with me?
2.
Do the sisters I watch over feel comfortable asking me questions
about the gospel?
“Reaching Beyond”
cji
3/1/13
Making a visit here
and there
sending the message
via mail
making a phone call
to say, ‘hi’
so much for each to
do so easy
picking up another’s
Spirit within
reaching beyond the
masks to see
none letting go of
friendship’s role
finding time to be a
friend eternal
thus hearing the
promptings all
allowing another to
see as we
holding hands towards
the light
reaching beyond as a
friend to be!
Copyright © 2013 –
cji
