Dear Sister Cahoon,

I was baptized July of this year. My husband has been Mormon his entire life. I am still receiving new member instruction. Have never seen a Home Teacher. One of the new member teacher’s mother came this past Tuesday and gave me a calling as a Visiting Teacher. I really want to serve. I don’t drive. I have a number of health concerns. I am still willing but don’t have a clue how to. Figured I would watch, listen and learn.

I am really afraid–especially if I get paired up with the sister who lives just 4 doors down. She puts me down in her own special way. I hurt so bad because of some of the things she has said and done. My friend told me to go to the bishop. But I feel like such a tattletale if I did. I am so afraid I’ll get paired with her. I need strong women of God to be paired with. Help!

Anonymous Sister

Dear Sister,

I am grateful for your decision to join the church and that you are willing to serve as a visiting teacher! Serving as a visiting teacher is a great way to learn more about the gospel and to develop and strengthen your testimony. Visiting teaching is a great opportunity to get to know and love your sisters, and to learn to serve them. Service will strengthen your testimony and teach you patience, long-suffering, and compassion. It is truly a joy to be of service to others!

I sympathize with your concerns. When I joined the church, I was afraid of being teamed up with a sister down the street. I discussed my concerns with the Relief Society president and asked that I not be associated with this sister in the visiting teaching program. Now, years later, I would be willing to serve with this sister — but I had to better develop my testimony before that would have been possible.

I encourage you to speak to your Relief Society president about your concerns. She has stewardship over the sisters in the ward, and is responsible for making visiting teaching assignments. I understand your reluctance to ‘tattle’, but there is a difference between telling everything you know and simply expressing your concern. You don’t need to share any specific or personal details of why you would prefer not to serve with this sister– just let the Relief Society president know your preference. If she presses you for a reason, tell her the sister has hurt your feelings several times, and you would not be comfortable serving with her. Share your desire for a strong companion who can teach you how to be a visiting teacher. Make sure the president is aware of any physical limitations so you can be assigned a companion who can help with your special needs.

I have served in the capacity of making the assignments for visiting teaching companionships and routes. I want you to know that those assignments are made prayerfully, seeking the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Occasionally an assignment may appear illogical or even unreasonable to the receiver, but many of these seemingly unlikely assignments bring about miracles if faithfully accepted. I urge you to accept any assignment you receive with joy and to make the most of it, knowing that even if you don’t know why an assignment has been made, there is a purpose.

You indicated you have yet to see a home teacher. I was not assigned home teachers until I had completed the new member discussions as a new convert, but I don’t know if that practice is customary in all wards. Since you indicate your husband has always been a member, I would have expected your family to have had home teachers even prior to your conversion. It’s hard for me to guess what might be going on in this case, but I suggest you speak to the Bishop about the situation. It may be you will be assigned home teachers when you complete the new member discussions, or it may be home teachers have already been assigned, but are not functioning well in their stewardship. Regardless of the cause, unless you speak with the Bishop and express your desire to have home teachers, he will not be aware of your concerns.

It is my testimony that the Gospel is true. I am grateful for the example and sacrifice of our Savior. I am grateful we have a Prophet to lead and guide us. I am grateful for the programs of the Church, and particularly the visiting teaching program, that teach me to love and serve those around me. I wish you joy as you go forward to serve! I promise as you serve and seek the Spirit to guide your stewardship, you will be blessed.

Sister Cahoon

Posted by John in Miscellaneous Articles