I promise I won’t talk about me, my problems or my opinions. I won’t rattle on about the weather or the latest news. I won’t talk about my operations or medical problems, real or otherwise. And I won’t tell you about “friends” or family members whom you do not know and their problems and medical health.

I won’t talk about my work, or that annoying co-worker that I am sure you must be able to relate to. I won’t talk about my house, pool and boat and trying to find Tommy Hilfiger socks in this town. I won’t tell you about how I need to lose 10 lbs because I “feel so fat at 120 lbs”. I won’t tell you how my oldest son only got an 85% on his final math exam or how my daughter won the art contest. And, I will NOT engage in a conversation with my VT partner and forget that you are even there. And more than anything else, above all, I will NOT sit there in front of you and READ the lesson because very few people are aural learners and none of this will retain in your memory because you will be thinking of all the work you have left to do in the house and wishing I would finish and get out of your house.

HOWEVER…

I will get you talking about yourself. Not “How are you?”, but meaningful, open-ended questions, and if I see that you don’t want to talk about your life, I will make sure you laugh and forget about your troubles for those moments I steal you away from your everyday life. And the lesson?… well… you won’t even know you had a lesson. I will keep it in the back of my mind and when the opportunity presents itself (and it will, thanks to the Spirit), I will cleverly weave it into the conversation without you even knowing it. But later, when you are alone, the Spirit will repeat it to you and you will say I am so glad my VT’s came today.

Posted by John in Visiting Teaching, VT-Ideas

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My partner and I used fishing lures for July’s message - and talked about how Satan uses some pretty things to tempt us and some things that might look just like the real thing, but are just fake lures and then when we bite - we’re hooked - and it is hard to quit or get away.

Posted by John in Visiting Teaching, VT-Ideas

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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

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1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 eggs
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar for dusting

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).

2. Mix flour, butter and powdered sugar thoroughly. Press evenly into an ungreased 8 x 8 x 2 inch or 9 x 9 x 2 inch square pan. Make a little rim up the edges to hold in the filling. A quarter inch or so will do it. Bake 20 minutes.

3. Beat remaining ingredients about 3 minutes of until light and fluffy. Pour over the hot crust, spreading it out evenly.

4. Bake about 25 minutes longer or until no imprint remains when touched lightly in the center. Remove from oven, sprinkle the extra powdered sugar on the top, if you like. Cool, cut into squares.

Posted by John in Visiting Teaching, VT-Ideas

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As I sat down to read the current Visiting Teaching message a few days ago, I couldn’t help but notice my old and tattered shoes sitting by the front door. The threads around the sole were loose, the leather was scuffed across the toe, and a little patch of dirt was stuck to the side of the heel. Believe it, or not, these are my favorite shoes!

I soon recalled the sisters for whom I was preparing the Visiting Teaching message. My mind wandered to thinking about what type of shoe each sister might consider as her favorite. I thought, “Maybe Megan’s favorite is a pair of strappy sandals? Maybe June’s favorite is a pair of running shoes? Do I know them well enough to even know?” I was abruptly reminded, by the spirit, that part of our callings as Home and Visiting Teachers is to do more than show up with a lesson we need to try “walking in their shoes.”

While this sounds great, it can actually be more difficult than it seems. Sometimes the “walk in their shoes” might be easy if we visit someone who is very similar to us spiritually, temporally, and intellectually. However, most of the time, this type of empathy and understanding requires great effort.

I reflected upon my most recent interactions with those I visit. I realized how easy it is to be caught up in seeing things from my own perspective, “walking in my own shoes.” As comfortable as that may be, it is more important to get “in her shoes.” Many times I have poured out my feelings about the gospel and tried so hard to “convert” them into activity when a simple testimony, from her perspective, would have been more powerful!

I even considered my willingness to serve them and “walk in their shoes.” I thought, “Do I let my hectic schedule dictate my ability to fulfill my calling? Do I schedule service only when it is convenient? Should service even be scheduled? Do I allow the spirit to guide me to opportunities to serve?” Selfless understanding and genuine service is one of the best gifts we can give as Visiting Teachers.

How do we Home Teach and Visit Teach so we are “walking in their shoes?”

1) Seek the Holy Spirit often and follow the promptings.
2)Pray for ways to selflessly understand those you serve.
3)Listen carefully to those you visit.
4)Follow Jesus Christ. By following in His footsteps, not only do we become more like Him, but it is also great practice for “getting out of our own shoes.”

Brother and Sisters, we can do great things through our efforts as Home and Visiting Teachers. Take a “walk in their shoes,” the rewards are eternal.

Posted by John in Miscellaneous Articles

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Many years ago, I was assigned to home teach a single sister in my ward. She and her two granddaughters lived in a small apartment in the rear of a larger home that had been converted to apartments.

On this particular visit, we had the usual small talk, how are the girls doing in school, etc. When we left, I commented to my companion that it seemed a little tense. He agreed that it didn’t feel right. But we went on with our usual activities, not thinking again about what we had felt.

The next month when we walked into the kitchen and I felt that something was seriously wrong. Without preamble or other small talk I said, “Sister Little what is wrong?” It caught her so off guard that she blurted out “we are hungry.” My companion and I just stood there. In the few minutes that it took to realize what she had said, there was total silence. We didn’t ask how much food they had or why there was nothing to eat. We excused ourselves and headed to the car. We went directly to Bishop’s home he gave us the keys to the Bishop’s storehouse and instructed us to immediately take an assortment of foods to Sister Little and her granddaughters.

To this day and so many years later, I still feel the remorse and sadness I had that evening when I realized we had let this family go hungry for another month. I had felt something was wrong during the first visit, but did not act on the prompting. We have a sacred calling and the Lord will guide us, but it is up to us to listen.

K. Fraser

Posted by John in Miscellaneous Articles

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Because the May issue of the Ensign is a report of last month’s general conference, the magazine does not contain a specific First Presidency Message or Visiting Teaching Message for May. Home and Visiting teachers are encouraged to prayerfully select a conference address to share with those they teach. Visit www.lds.org and the general conference archive for conference transcripts, streaming audio and video, and downloadable handheld device files.

After prayerfully selecting the conference message to share, here are some ways to present the topic:

1) Prepare a simple handout with a scripture or quote from the conference talk. Encourage the family to post the scripture somewhere in their home for at least one week. Explain that leaving a scripture or quote visible for the family will help family members recall the message and apply it.

2) Prepare a visual aid to help you share the message. Many of the general authorities use very descriptive stories to illustrate their messages. Use an object that relates to the story told by the general authority to help you present the lesson. For example, you could use an apple to illustrate a story about an apple tree.

3) After prayerfully choosing a message to share, print copies of the entire general authorities address from www.lds.org. Encourage those you visit to prayerfully read the message again later that same week.

4) Select a conference address that is particularly focused on the life of Jesus Christ. After sharing the message, give the family a copy of the new “Finding Faith in Christ” DVD. This would be most ideal for those that may not have an Ensign subscription. Ask them to view the DVD before your next visit and be sure to follow up the next month.

Posted by John in Miscellaneous Articles

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Visiting and Home Teaching is hard because it is so important. Over the last 25 years of my membership I’ve had examples of many different styles of “teaching”. I’ve had absentee teachers as well as those who have often “gone the 2nd mile”.

I had one home teacher counsel me to take more vitamins when I asked for a health blessing. Being a fairly new member and being concerned that I had made an inappropriate request, I discussed my home teacher’s response with my Elder’s Quorum President and Bishop. Soon after, the Elder’s Quorum President invited my home teacher and myself into a quiet classroom during a ward function. The Elder’s Quorum President proceeded to discuss the importance of priesthood blessings. Still needing a health blessing, the brethren prepared to give me a blessing. The Elder’s Quorum President asked my Home Teacher whether he wanted to anoint or seal the blessing. My home teacher turned bright red and stammered. He then admitted that he had never given a priesthood blessing.

At that point I understood why he had suggested the vitamins. It was pride. My home teacher didn’t want to admit that I had asked something of him that he was nervous about. After receiving guidance from the Elder’s Quorum President, he anointed and did a good job. We both went away feeling better. I’ve thought about him over the years and have wondered how many blessings he has since participated in.

What I learned is that Home Teachers (and Visiting Teachers too) are human. They have faults and failings just like I do. Since I want forgiveness and understanding when I’m less than perfect, I strive to do the same. Even though we humans are riddled with faults and failings, the Gospel is still true. Some experiences give us the opportunity to learn how to apply the principle of forgiveness as well as gratitude.

Cecelia B.

Posted by John in Miscellaneous Articles

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“I believe, my friends, that the cause we have the honor to represent is that kingdom which shall stand forever.” Gordon B. Hinckley.

What a powerful obligation we have representing Heavenly Father’s kingdom as Home and Visiting Teachers. Time and time again, we have seen testimonies rejuvenated, repentance transpire and families strengthened as a direct result this divinely inspired program. Our service undoubtedly contributes to building the kingdom, one visit at a time.

Meaningful HT/VT experiences can touch lives in countless ways. Here are three ways we can build up the kingdom as Home and Visiting Teachers:

1) Make it a daily concern, not a monthly duty. Are we visiting because of a sense of duty or because of love? How many times do we get our monthly visits done and then think “Whoa, glad that’s done! I can cross it off my ‘To Do’ list!” Home and Visiting Teaching are never finished. So now you might be thinking, “I don’t have time to make it a daily calling.” Of course, making a daily phone call or visit would not only be inappropriate, but also insincere. But a daily prayer on behalf of those you teach to seek inspiration regarding their needs would certainly be appropriate. If your daily thoughts are turned towards this divine calling, you will hear the still small voice even when it is very still and very small. Then act upon your prompting.

2) Seek to understand, not to be understood. When seeking inspiration for your Home and Visiting Teaching visits, keep in mind that understanding the needs of the family/sister come first. This concept is one of the best tidbits of marital advice I ever received. How well it applies to Home and Visiting Teaching! Have you ever been visited and the teachers kept talking and talking and trying to drive home a point from the lesson without any interaction? As we are preparing our lessons, keep this in mind. Only when we first understand the needs of those we serve, can we expect our lessons to be understood.

3) Share the divinely inspired message & teach with the Spirit. When making your visits, share the designated monthly message. (Unless you have been specifically instructed by your local leaders to not share a message.) While building and maintaining friendships are an integral part of the program, be careful not to let the visit be purely unreleated. In addition, simply reiterating the message is not enough. We need to be guided by the Spirit, teach from our hearts, and motivate our brothers and sisters to apply the message to them individually.

Brothers and Sisters, the impact of our Home and Visiting Teaching callings are far reaching as friendships are built, lives are touched, and hearts are softened. When guided by the spirit, we do represent eternal truths. This is the Lord’s work. Let us go forward with prayer to serve those we love and build His kingdom, one visit at a time.

Marti Walker
Shepherd’s Editor

Posted by John in Feature Articles

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Sister Cahoon,

I am the Relief Society Secretary in our ward, I have been asked to put some questions together for interviews and I am not sure what to ask. In all my years as a visiting teacher I do not recall having an interview; are there general questions?

LeAnn

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Posted by John in Visiting Teaching, Ask Sister Cahoon

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