Home Teaching A very inspired program

Renewed focus and attention has been brought to the Home Teaching program used by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to minister to their members.  This is because President Thomas S Monson talked on the subject during the Priesthood Session of The Semi-annual general conference of the Church.



This program or priesthood duty has been around for some time.  A good 100 years at least in more or less the same format that is currently present.  The corresponding program for the Women of the church called Visiting Teaching has also been around for an equally long time.


The Basic idea behind home teaching is that one or more priesthood holders are assigned to a family (can be anything from an individual to more individuals) to visit on a monthly basic.  The idea is to visit them at least once during the month and more if there are any special needs or the like.  They assess the spiritual and physical needs of the family and pass this information back up to the their group leadership.  That information can then be passed on to the local unit leadership if additional assistance or follow-up is deemed necessary.

The church is well know for keeping track of its members.  Much more so then a lot of other churches out there.  For a detailed record is kept of the member and this follows the member around as they move the world over.  Units in Asia for example don't have to guess if a person is a member.  They simply request their records and they then know their standing.  If you move back to Utah then they would request your record as well.  Technology developed over the last 50 or so years has surely helped in this process.  Though record keeping has been important from the moment the church started.
This is a very basic and simple thing that helps keep uniformity within the church.  And ever member is assigned to a unit based on a geographical region.  Does not mean I can not ever attend another unit outside my area.  However, certain things can not be handled without ones record.  Since this is based on area you have to see your leader in your area and not the neighboring city, county or state.

WE DO NOT CHOSE WHERE WE ATTEND SERVICES BASED ON THE PASTOR or WHO IS SPEAKING (this changes from week to week anyways).

So as we have stewardship over our fellow members we are very unique.

We do not have a perfect system since there are human beings involved.  People moved and don't tell someone and in reality sometimes we just don't get out and do our visits.  We get caught up with other things in life like work, family and the list goes on.

I do remember though once a local leader of the church was able to go to some type of forum or religious panel for high school students as a representative of the church.  At this meeting a pastor of another denomination was impressed by the whole structure of the youth and home teaching programs.  He thought he'd like to implement something similar in his church and asked a lot of details of how this was all setup.  A couple months later the same two people were able to met again in a similar setting.   So our church leader asked him how things went with implementing a youth and home visiting program.  It is very interesting what he responded.  He basically said that things started out very well.  He went out and lined up a couple of people to be the youth's leaders.   He also put in place the system for home visits.   However, in as much as things went well the first couple of months it began to fall apart in a short period of time.  People started to wonder why they needed to visit someone every month if there were regularly showing up at church services.  The youth leaders not being paid caused problems.  They kind of could not see volunteering so much time.  The whole thing basically fell apart in as little as 6 months.
He then said that this church's new programs did not function since they lacked Priesthood Authority.

We sure do a lot of things as members of the church of Jesus Christ.  President Dieter F. Uchtdorf explains this perfectly.





Yes, we do home teaching in general to a wide variety of members active and less active alike.
And many units get on average more then 50% visits per month.  It can vary widely from location to location depending on the number of members and other circumstances.
The challenge is  HOW DO YOU GET BETTER NUMBERS IN HOME TEACHING. OR BETTER YET...... HOW DO YOU REALLY THE MET THE NEEDS OF THE DYNAMIC MEMBERSHIP?

I'd like to talk a bit about this.  In our local area we have some lack luster figures.  But, are these figures true figures.  In many cases there is an issues with reporting.
Could it be that people are so busy with life's challenges that they do not have the time or ability to get out visit more then 35% of those they have stewardship over.  In a typical unit that means we are visiting around 2 of 6 people assigned.
So what might be the lack of motivation?  If you have faith and a testimony of the Gospel some would think you would always do your home teaching.  That you would have high numbers of visit on a consistent basis.  But, that is not always the reality.

Are there factors that you can take into account to make sure that the number of visits is consistently better month upon month.
Here are some things to consider that might be impeding better visits.
1) People are assigned to visit someone very far away.  Geographical assignments help beyond the regular visit in cases of emergency.
2) Are your assigned families all unknown.  It is hard to keep yourself motivated when you are chasing people down all the time.  Regular spiritual experiences are needed in this program.
3) Keep the number of assignments manageable.  We all have lives and there is a point of diminishing returns

Then once we have the basics in place and any major impediments out of the way we can concentrate on why we might be getting low numbers.
For starters we need to follow up.  The hallmark of the Home teaching program is that it involves individuals and families.  That it is a personal program.  We try as best we can to actually visit the person in their home.  To actually present a spiritual message and access their needs,  to be a friend for more then the 3 hours we attend church.
We have to personalize things.  We have have to get beyond figures and numbers and talk about people.  Once we start talking about people we will surely improve things.

Here are a few things to consider beyond the obvious to help improve the quality and as a result quantity of visits.
1) Make the undesirable desirable.  Hard though possible.  You have to change the way people look at doing visits, their focus, and help them see they are having some effect.
2) Utilize ability.  Some may not know how to do a good home teaching visit.  Do we just pass off assignments and hope for the best?  Maybe you need to go with them on a visit.
3) Peer pressure.  Some times we need to bring attention to our successes.  That can come in many forms.  As others see things are happening they will gain a desire to join the band wagon.  They may even feel guilty for one reason or another.
4) We many need to hold people accountable and reward good work.  Though promising donuts does not always work or seem appropriate.
5) Change the environment.  That means are certain companionships not working?  Does someone have a friendship already that can be used to your advantage?  Maybe people are having a hard time identifying those they home teach.  Providing pictures if possible might help.  Attack the problem in a different way.  If the old method is not working then something has to give.

Once we line up our home teaching using the above ideas we can truly become Active shepherds instead of the passive ones referred to in President Monson's talk.

"Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep.”² He provides for us the perfect example of what a true shepherd should be." 
True Shepherds By President Thomas S. Monson

"If you seek truth, meaning, and a way to transform faith into action; if you are looking for a place of belonging: Come, join with us!" 
Come, Join with Us By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Second Counselor in the First Presidency

For those that want to see the blessings that come from this inspired program, come and find out.  And for those that already know its benefits let's make that extra effort to get out there and bless the lives of those we have stewardship over.

Buiadh - NO - Bas

Power, Authority and Duty

This last Sunday in our Elders Quorum we were afforded the opportunity to go over the Ordinances and blessings we perform as priesthood holders.  One thing that came up is the distinction between power and authority.   Many of us there were present are authorized to perform the ordinances but we may not have the power vested in us.  This is due to circumstances occurring in our lives etc.


So this brings up several interesting points.  First we must acquire the authority (i.e. receive the Priesthood) then learn our duty and at the same time do all in our ability to be vested with the power of the Priesthood as we go about doing our duty through our righteous living.

Many may not bring into this discussion much the area of Duty.  Some times it seems they are talked about separately.  Duty and power of the Priesthood.

The duties of the Priesthood vary as do the offices which are held within the Priesthood.  A Deacon will have very different duties to that of a Bishop.   Can one say that the duties of the Bishop are greater then those of  Lowly Teacher?  Yes, they can but, it is no more important to fulfill your duty as a Teacher then it is those of a Bishop.  The Bishop has no more opportunity to obtain the highest levels in the Celestial Kingdom then does the Deacon if they fulfill their duties to the fullest.  A very interesting concept, right.

We discussed a situation were a missionary had hurt himself badly in a sporting accident.  He was pending surgery and the possibility that he may have to return home early.  At the time Elder Holland of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles was in the area and the missionary felt impressed to ask him for a blessing.  His chance slipped away due to circumstance beyond his control.  Eventual, his mission president asked if he'd like a blessing as he was looking a bit depressed.  They all came to the realization that the power and authority of the Priesthood vested in that mission president was the same at the member of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles.   Great results came from that blessing and a grand lesson was learned.   You will not be further blessed simply because a general authority gives you the blessing.  We might think so since they seem to have more faith and possess what seems like more power via their righteous living.  The Young worthy 12 year old Deacon has just as much right, Power and authority to call down angels to assist him as a Seventy in an area presidency does.   As long as it is the will of the Lord it can be done.  If it will help accomplish his aims he will let it happen.




At times we may feel overwhelmed.  We may feel inadequate etc.  That is natural since we to often are not properly instructed.  Too often those of us that have the Priesthood do not understand our duty or let alone the power the Lord has vested in us.  Remember this is not something we go seeking after.  Not something we proposition the congregation for.   Thus because all of us as leaders and followers are mere mortals we have our faults and short comings.  We strive to progress and become better.  We begin to see the grand picture and not just that which is in front of us or comprehensible by our small minds.  The Lord can see the begin and the end.  His wisdom and knowledge is thus far greater then our own.

"At times the wisdom of God appears as being foolish or just too difficult, but one of the greatest and most valuable lessons we can learn in mortality is that when God speaks and a man obeys, that man will always be right." Willing and Worthy to Serve Thomas S. Monson 

Hopefully we are instructed just as well as Elder Uchtdorf was as a young Deacon.

"Instead, he spent time with me and helped me understand not only the what of my assignment and new responsibility but, much more important, the why."

The Why of Priesthood Service Dieter F. Uchtdorf 

No wonder he did not take his duty and assignment lightly.  He had been instructed in what his duty really was.  What power and authority he really had received.  He as given the WHY.

When you have the WHY you will want to do your best, and not some half masted job.  My grandfather always did his home teaching on the first Sunday of the month.  He had the vision, and it helped he was living in a small town of a couple hundred.  But, irregardless of circumstances he was blessed just as much as the brother living in a metropolitan city of millions doing his duty to the fullest.  Same blessings and responsibilities, different circumstances.

This is well summed up by George Albert Smith.
“I have not wanted this position. I have not felt equal to it. But it has come to me, and I will fill it to the best of my ability. I want you all to know that, whatever you are doing in the church, from [home] teaching to presiding over a stake, if you do it to the best of your ability, your position is just as important as mine.”
The Life and Ministry of George Albert Smith

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, 2010

But, we are not  alone in figuring out what our duty is and how to be vested with true Priesthood power.  The scriptures are full of examples and information.  Section 107 of the doctrine and Covenants is full of information on our duties and responsibilities.
Conference talks are also a great place to learn more of our duties and become more endowed with the power god has given us.




As we become more aware of our duties and have that increased desire to help our fellow man we will begin to full espouse the true power of the Priesthood.  For in true reality the Priesthood is given to help others.  For we do not place our own hands upon our head and pronounce a blessing.  We must ask for another to do that.

The Lord has a vision for each and everyone of us.  He wants us to succeed, though he know it will not be easy.  And thus he provided his authority so that we on earth may be blessed.  And what a blessing it is to have the Priesthood.  Hard as it may seem to understand it fully.




The following are several good ways to live our lives.  They come from George Albert Smith and if society would lives by these 11 statements it sure would be a better place.

"When he was 34 years old, George Albert Smith made a list of resolutions that he called his “personal creed”—11 ideals that he committed to live by:

“I would be a friend to the friendless and find joy in ministering to the needs of the poor.

“I would visit the sick and afflicted and inspire in them a desire for faith to be healed.

“I would teach the truth to the understanding and blessing of all mankind.

“I would seek out the erring one and try to win him back to a righteous and a happy life.

“I would not seek to force people to live up to my ideals but rather love them into doing the thing that is right.

“I would live with the masses and help to solve their problems that their earth life may be happy.

“I would avoid the publicity of high positions and discourage the flattery of thoughtless friends.

“I would not knowingly wound the feelings of any, not even one who may have wronged me, but would seek to do him good and make him my friend.

“I would overcome the tendency to selfishness and jealousy and rejoice in the successes of all the children of my Heavenly Father.

“I would not be an enemy to any living soul.

“Knowing that the Redeemer of mankind has offered to the world the only plan that will fully develop us and make us really happy here and hereafter, I feel it not only a duty but also a blessed privilege to disseminate this truth"
Chapter 1: Living What We Believe

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, 2010

Are you curious to find out more the Priesthood?  Do you have questions on who can be ordained?  Then you might just need to talk with the missionaries.  They'll come and visit you no strings attached.

Request a visit from the missionaries here

Buaidh - NO - Bas

Worthiness of War

This last Sunday I was visiting my Father's Unit in the north San Diego Area.  The format is the same all over the world for the LDS church.  You always know there will be sacrament meeting where the main part is the distribution of the Sacrament along with some speakers.  Later you have Sunday school and then usually the males divide out for their Priesthood meeting while the women go to their "lady's auxiliary" group know as Relief Society.

We never really know what to expect when we visit since they have some strong members from wide back grounds and service.
This time they decided to have all the youth(12-18) and all the adults stay together for the last hour.  A special guess speaker was going to speak on topic(s) relating to Veterans day.

He was specially qualified as he had served in the army special forces during the Vietnam war and on active duty in the jungles of 'Nam for one year before being hit by a rocket.

What I really wanted to get to was a couple of items he brought up.  First he brought up that there are two types of war: 1)wars of aggression and 2) wars of liberation.

The next thing that struck us was the quote from CS Lewis about saving a drowning person.

Basically it does like this "There are things worth dying for, and there are things not living for."  Basically, saving  a person that is drowning is a worthy cause and one worth dying for in the process. Now on the other side of the coin is the person that crusades day in and day out to make sure every single person is properly trained and can do the lifesaving maneuvers needs to save a person that is drowning.  They have gone to far in their cause and it has thus become something not worth living for.
See the whole text at following link.  It's quoted in other texts as well.
Essential C. S. Lewis By Clive Staples Lewis, Lyle W. Dorsett
The bottom line he brought up is - can we take a good thing and take it to far?
Are we spending our time engaged in worthy, worthwhile activities?

I'll leave you with this statement to get your brain a thinking.
If you were on Trial for Being A Christian, would there be enough Evidence to convict you?

Buaidh - NO - BAS