Dear Sis. Cahoon
I have heard some sisters talk about how they take little gifts sometimes relating to the message, each time they visit their sisters. But I have no ideas on what to take as a gift. I always make something special for the holidays; I am wondering if there are any ideas you can supply. I think maybe for the inactive sisters it might be something to help. I don’t know, what do you think?
Elaine
Thank you for your desire to serve as a visiting teacher. As our lives become busier and busier, I think it is more and more tempting to ‘bump’ some activities out of our lives. I am grateful for dedicated sisters like you who make the time and make visiting teaching a priority. You set a great example of following the Savior as you serve your sisters!
I hope every sister has carefully studied and pondered the article on page 64 of the January Ensign titled ‘For Such a Time as This.’ You will note that the format of the visiting teaching messages has been strengthened to provide us greater opportunities to discuss gospel principles and share our testimonies. You will also notice that the messages for 2002 are based on the Relief Society Declaration. I hope every sister has a copy of this hanging in her home and that she reads it often, or still better, has memorized it. It is a great strength to be reminded of our special attributes as women of God.
Many sisters bring small gifts to their sisters when they visit teach. I want to emphasize that such things, while nice, are NOT necessary. I feel the most treasured ‘gift’ you can bring any sister you visit is to help her feel the Spirit and know the truth of the principles taught in the message you bring. If you choose to bring a gift, it should not overshadow your preparation. I’ve had visiting teachers that felt if they brought a little gift, it absolved them of their responsibility to share the gospel message. Make teaching by the Spirit your first priority. Remember that the most effective gifts are those that tie into the principle taught in the lesson. Particularly for the less-active sister, a tangible reminder of the message you brought can be a powerful influence.
While not exactly a gift, one of my favorite things to take is a card printed with a summary of the visiting teaching message. I include a family favorite recipe on the back, hoping the card will be retained for the recipe and re-read when the recipe is used. To give a few other simple examples, if the message is about studying the Scriptures, consider taking a scripture-marking pencil. A white handkerchief would be a sweet reminder of a lesson on temples. A loaf of wheat bread with the recipe or a vegetable plant would tie in well with a message on preparedness. For January 2002 in particular, consider taking each sister a copy of the Relief Society Declaration with a challenge to memorize it.
I think the great power of visiting teaching is that it is a vehicle for learning to serve with love and compassion as the Savior did. We gain friends, we strengthen testimonies, and we provide watch care for one another. It is my prayer this year that every sister will recommit herself to making visiting teaching her first priority beyond her immediate family. I know blessings come when we selflessly and faithfully serve one another.
Posted by John in Visiting Teaching, Ask Sister Cahoon