Visiting Teaching Message from the Ensign for December 2009

How Can I Develop and Increase in Compassion?

Moroni 7:48: “Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency: “Disciples of Christ throughout all ages of the world have been distinguished by their compassion. … In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of even greater importance. Let us open our eyes and see the heavy hearts, notice the loneliness and despair; let us feel the silent prayers of others around us, and let us be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to answer those prayers” (“Happiness, Your Heritage,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2008, 119, 120).

Barbara Thompson, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency: “We need to rescue ‘all that is finest down deep inside of [us]’ so that as daughters of God we can do our part to build the kingdom of God. We will have help to do this. As Joseph declared, ‘If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.’

“Let us bear one another’s burdens, mourn with those who mourn, comfort those who stand in need of comfort, and thus keep the covenants we have made [see Mosiah 18:8–10]” (“Now Let Us Rejoice,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2008, 116).

How Can I Nurture through Compassionate Service?

D&C 81:5: “Succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.”

Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “The Good Shepherd said, ‘Feed my lambs.’ (John 21:15.) So a woman feeds her loved ones, providing succor and sustenance just as the Savior would do. Her divine gift is to nurture, to help the young, to care for the poor, to lift the brokenhearted.

“The Lord said, ‘My work and my glory [is] to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.’ (Moses 1:39.) So His devoted daughter-disciple may truly say, ‘My work and my glory is to help my loved ones reach that heavenly goal.’

“To help another human being reach one’s celestial potential is part of the divine mission of woman. As mother, teacher, or nurturing saint, she molds living clay to the shape of her hopes. In partnership with God, her divine mission is to help spirits live and souls be lifted. This is the measure of her creation. It is ennobling, edifying, and exalting” (“Woman—Of Infinite Worth,” Ensign, Nov. 1989, 22).

Silvia H. Allred, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency: “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. … It is my prayer that we will pledge an increased commitment to extend our arms of love and compassion to bless, help, and strengthen each other as we go about doing our visiting teaching with a willing and joyful heart” (“Feed My Sheep,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 113, 115).

SEPTEMBER Visiting Teaching Handout

Extra Handout for August Visiting Teaching

Visiting Teaching Handout for July

July Message From the Ensign

“Qualify for and Partake of Temple Worship,” Ensign, Jul 2009, 68

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.

How Can I Prepare for Temple Worship?
Silvia H. Allred, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency: “The temple is the house of the Lord. He directs the conditions under which it may be used, the ordinances that should be administered, and the standards that qualify us to enter. … Personal worthiness is an essential requirement to enjoy the blessings of the temple. We prepare by obeying the commandments and seeking to do God’s will” (“Holy Temples, Sacred Covenants,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2008, 113).

Elder David B. Haight (1906–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “We who would attend the temple must be living in a manner which helps us be worthy to enter and fully partake. … We examine our worthiness to enter the temple in … interviews with priesthood leaders. Our signature, with theirs, on our temple recommend testifies of our worthiness to enter the temple” (“Come to the House of the Lord,” Ensign, May 1992, 15).

What Are the Blessings of Qualifying for and Partaking of Temple Worship?
D&C 110:7: “I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.”

President Howard W. Hunter (1907–95): “Let us hasten to the temple as frequently as time and means and personal circumstances allow. Let us go not only for our kindred dead, but let us also go for the personal blessing of temple worship, for the sanctity and safety which is provided within those hallowed and consecrated walls. The temple is a place of beauty, it is a place of revelation, it is a place of peace” (“The Great Symbol of Our Membership,” Tambuli, Nov. 1994, 6; Ensign, Oct. 1994, 5).

D&C 38:32: “I will give unto you my law; and there you shall be endowed with power from on high” (see also D&C 95:8).

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “The temple endowment blessings are as essential for each of us as was our baptism. For this reason we are to prepare ourselves that we may be clean to enter into the temple of God. Temple work is an opportunity to perform our personal endowments and covenants for the living and also perform these same ordinances for the redemption for the dead. It is for this reason we are instructed in the scriptures to build temples and prepare our lives to be worthy to partake of the sacred temple ordinances and covenants. …

“The primary purpose of the temple is to provide the ordinances necessary for our exaltation in the celestial kingdom. Temple ordinances guide us to our Savior and give us the blessings that come to us through the Atonement of Jesus Christ” (“Temple Blessings,” in Brigham Young University 2005–2006 Speeches [2006], 1, 4).

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008): “Every man or woman who goes to the temple in a spirit of sincerity and faith leaves the house of the Lord a better man or woman. There is need for constant improvement in all of our lives. There is need occasionally to leave the noise and the tumult of the world and step within the walls of a sacred house of God, there to feel His spirit in an environment of holiness and peace” (“Of Missions, Temples, and Stewardship,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 53).

Note regarding Additional Handout

The site where I get the additional handouts is under construction. There will not be a handout this month. Watch for a new handout next month. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Good luck with your visiting teaching and with all of your new assignments.

Love from,
The Cedar Bench Relief Society Presidency

June Visiting Teaching Handout

Participate in Sincere Prayer

“Participate in Sincere Prayer,” Ensign, Jun 2009, 59
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.
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,” Liahona 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, 32).
Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Every honest and sincere prayer adds another piece to chain-mail armor. … One of the most important ways to clothe yourselves in the armor 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 in the First Presidency: “First, prayer is a humble acknowledgment 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 Deity 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, May 2008, 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 rewarder 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, Nov. 2007, 61).