September Visiting Teaching Message

 

Visiting Teaching Message

The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Comforter

Prayerfully study this material and seek to know what to share.  How will understanding the life and Mission of the Savior to increase your faith in Him and bless those you watch over through visiting teaching?  For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

Faith, Family, Relief

This is part of a series of Visiting Teaching Messages featuring aspects of the mission of the Savior.

Jesus Christ promised, “I will not leave you comfortless:  I will come to you” (John 14:18).  He will give us “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning” (Isaiah 61:3).  Because Christ suffered the Atonement for each of us, He will not forget us. “Our Savior has taken upon Himself… our pains and our suffering and afflictions so that He can know what we feel and how to comfort us.” Said Linda S. Reeves, second counselor to the Relief Society general presidency.¹

Knowing that Christ will comfort us can bring us peace and inspire us to follow his example by ministering to others.  President Thomas S. Monson said: “Our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments.  “There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us.²

From the Scriptures

John 14:18, 23: Alma 7:11-13; Doctrine and Covenants 101:14-16

 

From Our History

Elaine L. Jack, the 12^th Relief Society general president, said: “In visiting teaching we reach out to each other.  Hands often speak as voices can’t.  A warm embrace conveys volumes.  A laugh together unites us.  A moment of sharing refreshes our souls.  We cannot always lift the burden of one who is troubled, but we can lift her so she can bear it well.”³

Our pioneer Relief Society sisters “found spiritual strength in each other’s love and compassion. …  As they suffered trails of illness and death, they prayed in faith for each other and comforted each other.  “The love of God flowed from heart to heart,’ wrote Helen Mar Whitney, ‘til the wicked one seemed powerless in his efforts to get between us and the Lord and his cruel darts, in some instances, were shorn of their sting.”4

 

Consider This

How does understanding that the Lord remembers you bring you comfort?

Notes

      1.  Linda S. Reeves, “The Lord Has Not Forgotten You,” Ensign, Nov. 2012, 120

      2.  Thomas S. Monson, “Be of Good Cheer,” Ensign,  May  2009, 92.

      3. Elaine L. Jack, in Daughters in my Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society (2011), 119.,”

     4.  Daughters in My Kingdom, 34.

     

August Visiting Teaching Message

 

Visiting Teaching Message

The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Messiah

Prayerfully study this material and seek to know what to share.  How will understanding the life and Mission of the Savior to increase your faith in

Him and bless those you watch over through visiting teaching?  For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

 

Faith, Family, Relief

 

This is part of a series of Visiting Teaching Messages featuring aspects of the mission of the Savior.

 

Detail from The Second Coming, by Grant Romney Clawson, Based on an original by Harry Anderson

 

The scriptures teach that we can dwell in the presence of God “through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah” (2 Nephi 2:8).  Messiah is “an Aramaic and Hebrew word meaning “the anointed Prophet, Priest, King, and Deliverer.”¹

 

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles testified: “I know [Jesus Christ] is the Holy One of Israel, the Messiah who will one day come again in final glory, to reign on earth as Lord of lords and King of kings.  I know that there is no other name given under heaven whereby a man [or woman] can be saved”²

 

“[Jesus Christ] is the Savior and Redeemer of the world,” said President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency.  “He is the promised Messiah.  He lived a perfect life and atoned for our sins.  He will ever be at our side.  He will fight our battles.  He is our hope; He is our salvation; He is the way.”³

 

Additional Scriptures

John 1:38-41; 4:25-26, 40-42; 2 Nephi 6:13; 25:16-17

 

From the Scriptures

Female disciples of Christ have been witnesses of His role as the Messiah.  Mary Magdalene was a disciple of Jesus Christ.  She was the first to see “the stone taken away from the sepulcher” on the morning of Christ’s Resurrection.  She “stood without at the sepulcher weeping” after discovering that His body was no longer in the tomb.

Then “she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

 

“Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou has laid him, and I will take him away.

“Jesus saith unto her, Mary, She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.”  Mary recognized that He was not the gardener but Jesus Christ, the Messiah.  (see John 20:1-17.)

Consider This

Why is it important to understand the Savior’s role as the Messiah?

 

Notes

      1.  Guide to the Scriptures, “Messiah,” scriptures.lds.org.

      2.  Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent:  Ensign, Nov. 2007, 42.

      3.  Dieter F. Uchtdort, “The Way of the Disciple,” Ensign, may 2009, 78

 

 

Summer Potluck

July Visiting Teaching Message

 

 

Visiting Teaching Message

The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Advocate

Prayerfully study this material and seek to know what to share.  How will understanding the life and Mission of the Savior to increase your faith in

Him and bless those you watch over through visiting teaching?  For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

  

Faith, Family, Relief

This is part of a series of Visiting Teaching Messages featuring aspects of the mission of the Savior.

Jesus Christ is our Advocate with the Father.  The word advocate has Latin roots meaning “one who pleads for another”¹  The Savior pleads for us, using, understanding, justice, and mercy.  Knowing this can fill us with love and gratitude for His Atonement.

“Listen to [Jesus Christ] who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him—

“Saying: Father, behold the suffering and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;

 

“Wherefore, Father spare these my brethren that believe on my name that they may come unto me and have everlasting life” (D&C 45:3-5).

 

Of Christ as our Advocate, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles sale: “It is of great significance to me, that I amy at any moment and in any circumstance approach through prayer the throne of grace, that my Heavenly jFather will hear my petition, thatmy Advocate, him who did no sin, whose blood was shed, will plead my cause.”²

Additional Scriptures

Mosiah 15:8-9; Moroni 7:28; Doctrine and Covenants 29:5; 110:4

 

From the Scriptures

 

Throughout the history of the Lord’s Church, female disciples of Jesus Christ have folled His example.  Esther was faithful and courageous.  Her cousin Mordecai sent her a copy of the king’s decree that the Jews should be destroyed, and he charged her “to make request before [the king] for her people.”  He added: “And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:8,14)

Despite the danger, Esther agreed:  “So will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).

Esther then spoke humbly to the king and “fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears … to reverse the letters… to destroy the jews.”  She added, “How can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?”  (see Esther 8:3, 5-6).  The king’s heart was softened and he granted her petition.³

Consider This

 How can the advocacy of Jesus Christ inspire us to extend mercy and forgiveness to others?

Notes

      1.  See Russell M. Nelson, “Jesus Christ Our Master and More” (Brigham Young Univ. fireside, Feb 2 1992) 4; speeches, byu.edu

      2.  D. Todd Christofferson, “I know in Whom I Have Trusted,” Ensign,May 1993, 83.

      3.  See also Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Word of Relief Society (2011), 180

 

 

June Visiting Teaching Message

 

Visiting Teaching Message

The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Minister

Prayerfully study this material and seek to know what to share.  How will understanding the life and Mission of the Savior to increase your faith in

Him and bless those you watch over through visiting teaching?  For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

 

Faith, Family, Relief

This is part of a series of Visiting Teaching Messages featuring aspects of the mission of the Savior.

As we minster to others, we become true followers of Jesus Christ, who set the example for us.  President Thomas S. Monson said: “We are surrounded by those in need. … We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children.”¹

Linda K. Burton, Relief Society general president, taught:  “With practice, each of us can become more like the Savior as we serve God’s children to help us better [minster to] one another, I would like to suggest four words to remember:  “First observe, then serve.’ … As we do so, we are keeping covenants, and our service, like President Monson’s, will be evidence of our discipleship.”²

 

We can pray each morning to recognize opportunities to serve others.  “Heavenly Father will guide you, and angels will assist you,” said David L. Beck, Young Men general president.  “You will be given power to bless lives and rescue souls.”³

From the Scriptures

Mathew 20:25-28; 1 Nephi 11:27-28;

3 Nephi 28:18

 

From Our History

 

At the October 1856 general conference, President Brigham Young (1801-77) announced that handcart pioneers were still crossing the plains and that everyone was to help gather supplies for them immediately.  Lucy Meserve Smith wrote that women “stripped off their petticoats [large underskirts], stockings and everything they could spare, right there in the Tabernacle, and piled [them] into the wagons.”

 

As the rescued pioneers began to arrive in Salt Lake City, Lucy wrote, “I never took more … pleasure in any labor I ever performed in my life, such a unanimity of feeling prevailed.  I only had to go into a store and make my wants known; if it was cloth, it was measured off without charge.”4

 

President George Albert Smith (1870-1951) said of ministering to others:  “Our eternal happiness will be in proportion to the way that we devote ourselves to help others.”5

 

Consider This

     1.  How can prayer lead us to be instruments in the Lord’s hands?

 

     2. How can ministering to others help us keep our covenants?

 

     Notes

      1.  Thomas S. Monson, “What Have I Done for Someone Today?” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 86.

      2.  Linda K. Burton, “First Observe, Then Serve,” Ensign, Nov. 2012, 78,80.

      3.  David L. Beck, “Your Sacred Duty to Minster,’ Ensign, May 2013,56

      4.  Lucy Meserve Smith, in Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society (2011), 36-37.

      5.  George Albert Smith, in Daughters in My Kingdom, 77     

 

 

All Sisters Evening-May 13 at 6:30pm

May Visiting Teaching Message

 

 

Visiting Teaching Message

Participate in Sincere Prayer

Prayerfully teach these scriptures and quotations or, if needed, another principle that will bless the sisters you visit.  Bear testimony of the doctrine.  Invite those you visit to share what they have felt and learned.

Participate in Sincere Prayer

 

Sincere Prayer Has Strengthening Power

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president:  “Think of our combined strength if every sister had sincere prayer every morning and night or, better yet, prayed unceasingly as the Lord has commanded.  If every family had family prayer daily…, we would be stronger” (“What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best; Stand Strong and Immovable,” Liahoma and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 110).

 

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915-85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Prayer changes our lives, Through it we draw near to the Lord, and he reaches out his finger and touches us, so we never again are the same

Prayer is a great tower of strength, a pillar of unending righteousness, a mighty force that moves mountains and saves souls: (“Patterns of Prayer,” Ensign, May 1984, 52).

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:  “Every honest and sincere prayer adds another piece to chain-mail armour, … One of the most important ways to clothe yourselves I the armour of God is to make sure that prayer – earnest, sincere, consistent prayer – is part of your daily lives” (“Be Strong in the Lord,”  Ensign, July 2004, 10).

D&C 112:10: “Be thou humble, and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers,”

Sincere Prayer is Holy Communication

President James E. Faust (1920-2007), Second Counselor to the First Presidency:  “First, prayer is a humble acknowledgement that God is our Father and that the Lord Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, Second, it is a sincere confession of sin and transgression and a request for forgiveness.  Third, it is recognition that we need help beyond our own ability.  Fourth, it is an opportunity to express thanksgiving and gratitude to our Creator.    It is important that we frequently say: ‘We Thank Thee … ,’  ‘We acknowledge before Thee …,’ ‘We are grateful unto Thee …’ Fifth, it is a privilege to ask Detty for specific blessings.

“… Sincere prayers come from the heart.  Indeed sincerity requires that we draw from the earnest feelings of our hearts:  (The Lifeline of Prayer,”  Liahona, July 2002, 62;  Ensign, May 2002, 59-60).

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:  “Meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work.  Blessings require some effort on our part before we can obtain them, and prayer, ‘as a form of work, … is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings’ (Bible Dictionary, “Prayer,’ 753).  We press forward and persevere in the consecrated work of prayer, after we say ‘amen,’ by acting upon the things we have expressed to Heavenly Father” (“Ask in Faith,’ Liahona and Ensign, May2008, 95)

President Thomas S. Monson: ”As we offer unto the Lord our family and our personal prayers, let us do so with faith and trust in him.  Let us remember the injunction of the Apostle Paul to the Hebrews:  “For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewaarder of them that diligently seek him.’ If any of us has been slow to hearken to the counsel to pray always, there is no finer hour to begin than now” (A Royal Priesthood,” Liahona and Ensign, Now, w007, 61).