Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations; D&C 115:5

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Sisters, as you make appointments to go Visiting Teaching this month, I encourage you to prayerfully study the Visiting Teaching Message found in the Ensign. Please consider the needs of the sisters you visit and bear your testimony of the doctrine and message you leave with them. Visiting Teaching is a wonderful opportunity to get to know one another, develop lasting friendships, bear one another's burdens, perform acts of service, and help bring families unto Christ. I pray that each of you will feel the joy that comes through Visiting Teaching. I appreciate all that each of you do; you are such an example of love and kindness to me. Thank you for the service you render daily to those sisters in need. Jodi Stapley


Following are some excerpts from this months Visiting Teaching Message:

"The basic doctrinal purpose for the Creation of the earth is to provide for God's spirit children the continuation of the process of exaltation and eternal life....
"...Although there is simply not a more significant contribution you can make to society, to the Church, or to the eternal destiny of our Father's children than what you will do as a mother or father, motherhood and fatherhood are not the only measures of goodness or of one's acceptance before the Lord....
"Every sister in this Church who has made covenants with the Lord has a divine mandate to help save souls, to lead the women of the world, to strengthen the homes of Zion, and to build the kingdom of God." Elder M. Russell Ballard


"The Lord has blessed women with divine attributes of love, compassion, kindness, and charity. Through our monthly visits as visiting teachers, we have the power to bless each sister as we extend our arms of love and kindness and give the gifts of compassion and charity. No matter what our individual circumstances are, we all have the opportunity to edify and nurture others."
Silvia H. Allred, first counselor in the RS General Presidency