Our Relief Society class discussed ideas on how to be Better Visiting Teachers including our relationships with our companions and the sisters we visit. There are three specific areas we discussed, but I've also included a fourth area with ideas for visiting teaching less active sisters.
I've adapted this list for Home Teachers as well!
I've adapted this list for Home Teachers as well!
Thank you for a good article and suggestions. I appreciate this website. I so wish each sister really knew how important visiting teaching is and what a difference it can make in the lives of the sisters they visit and in their lives as well. Not to mention home teaching, which is on life support in our ward. I thought the Priesthood would be such an example in my life in the church, but sadly, it is usually the sisters holding things together and making it happen.
I think these ideas are very good. One comment, however, is that we are instructed as Visiting Teachers NOT to pray at the beginning and the ending of each visit (although praying with your companion before entering the home IS encouraged). This (praying with your visiting teach-ee) is reserved specifically for Priesthood holders (your Home Teachers) and should not be done unless the person being taught specifically asks for a prayer with her Visiting Teachers. As a Relief Society President, I had many sisters ask me about this, and I consulted our Bishop as well as our Stake RS President. This is the directive straight from the First Presidency. Thank you for your article, though. You have great advice. I wish more sisters would adhere to it.
Thank you for your comments! I haven’t heard that about not praying with the sisters you’ve visited. I’ve always heard that we should. Do you have any official documentation about this? I don’t want to be making a mistake. Thanks!
I usually pray at the end before we leave, so just one prayer total.
http://www.lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,8004-1,00.html
Can or should visiting teachers pray in the sisters’ homes?
Praying in the homes of those you visit and as companionships before you go visiting teaching has not been set forth as policy. Such decisions are left to individuals, companionships, and local Relief Society leaders in counsel with local priesthood leaders according to individual circumstances (see page 309 of the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2).