In 1965, when I was in the bishopric of the Alhambra Ward, our Bishop was inspired to introduce and implement just one procedure with the home teachers that doubled the Sacrament attendance. It had been running in the high “30’s” (38% and 39%).

After the procedure was introduced, weekly reports from the priesthood quorums were really effective. The specific: “if you do not see the family you are home teaching at Church, you are to telephone them before the day is over and inquire if they were sick or had some problem.” Just a phone call to obtain a reason. Then tell them you missed them and will see them next week!

After weekly phone calls, the percentage began to rise rapidly within three months. Before the year’s end, it was in the 70th percentile. Just concern and contact, showing love, week-after-week. Yes, the home teachers had to be encouraged, but the first few minutes of priesthood meeting were spent asking, “Brother Goddard, were all your families at sacrament meeting last week? Did you call the ones who were not? Will you call them today if you do not see them?”

Of course, this also put extra incentive on the Bishopric also to make certain that the members were “fed” when they came; that the sacrament meeting speakers were the best in the ward, stake and area; and that the members of the stake presidency were asked to speak in the ward within the first three months. Members came just to see if the stake president’s visit meant that other changes were being made!

The premise was: if the members do not attend, how can you feed them? How to remind of the Sacrament covenant? How to encourage the covenants already made? Well, it worked.

Drew Goddard

Posted by John in Home Teaching, HT-Leader Resources