“Pure Religion”
Watchcare and Ministering
through Visiting Teaching
Chapter 7
The Savior calls His disciples to work with Him in
His ministry, giving them the opportunity to serve
others and become more like Him. Pg 105
In Relief Society, each sister has the opportunity to
watch over and strengthen sisters
one by one through visiting teaching. Pg. 105
“Sister Julie B.
Beck, the fifteenth
Relief Society
general president,
said, “Because we
follow the example
and teachings of
Jesus Christ, we
value this sacred
assignment to love,
know, serve,
understand, teach,
and minister in His
behalf.”
pg. 107
Dedicated visiting teachers answer the call from
latter-day prophets to give Christlike service.
President Spencer W.
Kimball, the twelfth
President of the Church,
taught: “God does notice
us, and he watches over
us. But it is usually
through another person
that he meets our needs.
Therefore, it is vital that
we serve each other in the
kingdom.”
President Thomas S.
Monson, has said: “We
are surrounded by those
in need of our attention,
our encouragement, our
support, our comfort,
our kindness….We are
the Lord’s hands here
upon the earth, with the
mandate to serve and to
lift His children. He is
dependent upon each
of us.”
pg 112
Through the
years, sisters
have learned
that visiting
teaching
requires
commitment,
dedication, and
sacrifice.
Pg. 112
They have
learned that
they need
the Spirit to
direct their
visits.
Pg. 112
They have seen
the power that
comes through
teaching truth
and bearing
testimony, giving
temporal help
with love, and
being willing to
mourn with,
comfort, and help
bear the burdens
of their sisters.
Pg 113
Visiting teachers
often are required
to sacrifice and
rise above
discouragement.
This is especially
true when their
efforts seem to be
going nowhere, as
in the story told by
Cathie Humphrey:
Pg. 114
Sister Mary Ellen Smoot
thirteenth Relief Society
general president,
declared: “My desire is to
plead with our sisters to
stop worrying about a
phone call or a quarterly
or monthly visit, and
whether that will do, and
concentrate instead on
nurturing tender souls.
Our responsibility is to see that the gospel flame
continues to burn brightly. Our charge is to find
the lost sheep and help them feel our Savior’s
love.”
pg 117
When sisters serve others as visiting teachers,
they receive blessings themselves.
Pg. 120
Sister Barbara W. Winder,
the eleventh Relief
Society general president,
taught: “It is vital that
each sister have visiting
teachers—to convey a
sense that she is needed,
that someone loves her
and thinks about her.
But equally important is
the way the visiting
teacher is able to grow
in charity.
By assigning our women to do visiting teaching,
we give them the opportunity to develop the pure
love of Christ, which can be the greatest blessing
of their lives.”
pg 120
Pure and God-fearing sisters in the ranks of Relief Society
have watched over and strengthened one another from
the beginning days in Nauvoo to the present day
through loving and inspired visiting teaching. Pg 123
It is a ministry that is shared one
by one, heart to heart. Pg. 123
Questions Visiting
Teachers Can Ask
The following kinds of
questions can lead to
opportunities for visiting
teachers to give comfort, share
relevant gospel teaching, and
provide meaningful service.
What worries or concerns
do you have?
What questions do you have about
the gospel or the Church?
Would you allow us to help you
with ________?
When asking a question like this,
visiting teachers should offer to
help in a specific way, such as
caring for the children for a
brief time, assisting with a
homemaking task, or helping
to run an errand.
It is less helpful to say, “Call us
if you need anything.”
pg. 115