Since the holidays are coming up, many home and visiting teachers like to give gifts to the families they teach. Here is a list 200+ very inexpensive gift ideas I’ve compiled
I also have a FHE in a Jar printable PDF that makes a good gift for families you home or visit teach here
I hope they are of some use to some of you! Happy Holidays!
When there are children in the family that are to be Home Taught, point the lesson towards the children, and keep the lesson short. Children have attention spans of about five minutes. Also, keep the birthdays of everyone in the families you Home Teach on a calendar and mail birthday cards to them. Also forward cards appropriate for any ocassion for that family.
Submitted by Jeffrey C. Apparius
Posted by John in Home Teaching, HT-Ideas
Do we as home teachers understand what the priesthood is and how it may bless the lives of those over whom we have stewardship? to bless one another with the priesthood we must continually strive to be worthy.
Spencer W. Kimball teaches us that “the priesthood is the power and authority of God delegated to man on earth to act in all things pertaining to the salvation of men. It is the means whereby the Lord acts through men to save souls. Without this priesthood power, men are lost.” From President Kimball we learn that the Priesthood is primarily comprised of two things, Power and Authority of God.
First, let me explain the meaning of priesthood authority and then attempt to explain its power.
AUTHORITY
We have been enormously blessed as members of the Church to have God’s Priesthood restored to worthy men on the earth today. By way of Joseph Smith and his association with John the Baptist, Peter, James and John we rejoice in having the authentic priesthood of God with us today. Man cannot assume this authority without being properly called and ordained by the laying on of hands. “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron” (Hebrews 5:4).
POWER
In a common dictionary I often use at home, I discovered eleven definitions to the word power. Allow me to share a few of them with you while focusing on our callings as teachers.
The ability or capacity to perform or act effectively.
A specific capacity, faculty, or aptitude.
Physics define it as: The rate at which work is done, commonly measured in units –Those perennial monthly reports.
A measure of the magnification of an optical instrument.
You may, as I did, see a few key words that we use in describing the priesthood or callings which we hold.
After thoughtfully considering these definitions of the word power, I understood why it is important to have a positive attitude, carry out our callings effectively, and measure or account for our actions. I assume a lot of you have experienced each of these definitions of power in the priesthood. What I am suggesting is that we try to consistently possess each one of these definitions in our visits so that we might bless and save souls through this privilege of priesthood we enjoy. I believe the correct authority to act in God’s name is among us today and it is now our individual responsibility to develop priesthood power to bless one another.
Orson Pratt taught priesthood holders that “there is a difference between priesthood authority and priesthood power …all of us who hold the priesthood have the authority to act for the Lord, but the effectiveness of our authority — or if you will, the power that comes through that authority — depends on the pattern of our lives; it depends on our righteousness.”
During our lives, we should feel honored to be entrusted by the Lord and deemed worthy as a delegate to assist Him in His work. When living righteously, we will receive feelings of encouragement, motivation, confidence, humility, and an increased desire to bless others.
Remember, it is not necessarily difficult to receive the priesthood. It is, however, a challenge to live worthily each day and to continually develop priesthood power. One of the best ways we can do this is to be consistent and sensitive to our callings as home teachers. We must apply prayerful work and effort.
Tracy L. Stanger lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife and two daughters. Recently released as Young Mens president, he is now a patient Sunday school teacher for the 15-year olds in the Valley View 8th Ward, Holladay Utah North Stake
Posted by John in Home Teaching, HT-Ideas
Consider Mosiah 4:26 - “And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you–that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God–I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.”
There are several reasons why we might home teach:
Desire for praise or other earthly reward.
Good companionship
Fear of God’s punishment or Church censure.
A sense of duty. We’ve been taught to fulfill our callings and keep our covenants.
Desire for heavenly reward.
Love of those to whom we are assigned.
(The reasons listed above were adapted from Elder Dallin H. Oaks book, “The Pure in Heart”, pages 39-49. It is one of my favorite General Authority books.)
None of these motives is bad but surely love or charity is the purest motivation. How do we develop love if we don’t feel it now? We serve and grow to love those we serve. So if you are a Priesthood Home Teacher or a Relief Society Visiting Teacher and don’t feel motivated to fulfill that calling, just do it. You will become motivated by the purest of motives as you do.
– Terry L. Broadbent
Posted by John in Home Teaching, HT-Ideas
First of all our Lord would always contact His families at the first of each month, with follow up visits as needed to meet the concerns and problems facing each of His families. Not only would He not consider this a Priesthood duty, but an act of love, charity and service to those He was responsible too. He would be more than just a Home Teacher, but a true brother and friend, always with a spiritual message geared towards the needs of each distinct and separate individual family member.
Always alert to family birthdays, anniversaries or other seasonal events. Anxious to report back to His Priesthood Leader with important information, not having to be called at the end of each month. He would be anxious to help those less active, sharing His testimony and providing information of Church events, socials, or transportation to and from Church if needed. Being on call 24 hrs a day to administer blessing of comfort or healing to those who are sick or otherwise afflicted. His calling and Priesthood duties would be in answer to the laws of the gospel, where truth, light and knowledge, are encompassed in the power of the Priesthood and result in salvation for all who live these higher principles.
If we believe in Christ, then we will not only just have faith in Him, but will act according to what He says. When we catch this vision, then we will be the type of Home Teacher the Lord would expect us to be. Not only will our families be blessed, but so will we as faithful servants in His Kingdom. And the glory will be to God.
Posted by John in Home Teaching, HT-Ideas
I created a Home Teaching Business Card for the families I home teach…
I purchased regular business cards at Wal-Mart. On the business card I did the following. I got a group picture of my son (home teaching companion) and myself. And put the picture on the business card. Then I added the following words to it (the music is from ghost busters - if you remember the song)
If there is something you,
Or you family needs.
Who you going to call,
Home Teachers.
Then I had my son and my name with our phone number on it…
Brother Adams
Posted by John in Home Teaching, HT-Ideas
In a recent Priesthood Interview, our counselor in the Stake Presidency taught that it is as much a family’s responsibility to be “available” for home teaching, as it is for the Home Teachers to visit.
Families that invite also encourage less reliable “teachers”.
As an example, he said that his brother’s family always prepares cookies or a cake on the first of the month. The Home Teachers either get fresh goodies, or bricks and briquettes - it’s up to them!
Ralph Johnson
Posted by John in Home Teaching, HT-Ideas
A Home Teacher isn’t to just go into a home and read the 1st presidency message and then ask “is there anything we can do for you?” and then leave. We are the representatives for the Bishop to see to their spiritual, mental and physical well being. We should know where each person stands spiritually. We should, in effect, be interview them, using D&C 20 as a guideline: Do you pray every day as a family? Do you read the scriptures daily as a family? Do you hold a weekly family home evening? We would like to challenge you to do so and the spirit of the Lord will rest more strongly in your home and their will be greater love and harmony in your home. We would like to check up on your progress as you do this. Would that be OK?
I feel very strongly about the Lords way of watching over the church and hope that we will have a greater understanding and commitment of Home Teaching.
Steve Reed
Posted by John in Home Teaching, HT-Ideas
[In order to prevent visits from going too long, book] appointments closer together (travel time permitting) on the one night - e.g. 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30 - and inform the families you visit when the appointment is made and when you arrive for the visit that you only have half an hour, due to other appointments.
In Pres Benson’s “To the Home Teachers of the Church” pamphlet, based on the talk at General Conference you’ve quoted from, makes the point that visits shouldn’t be too long (obviously unless there are significant needs that a longer visit could address) - I certainly don’t want to be found disobeying a Prophet!
Anonymous Email
Posted by John in Home Teaching, HT-Ideas
I save my old copies of the Church News and discuss the editorial on the back in many of my visits. The editorial provides me with a gospel centered lesson, assembled in a flowing format thought wise. I leave the paper with them when I’m done for their further perusal.
Thanks, keep up the great work!
Ted Hawken
Posted by John in Home Teaching, HT-Ideas