November's Message

Dear Sisters,

In our last Relief Society General Broadcast, we were blessed to hear some wonderful talks. I was especially touched by Sister Beck’s talk, “Relief Society, A Sacred Work.” I have always had a strong testimony of the Visiting Teaching program but I realized that I have not been living up to my potential as a Visiting Teacher, and for this I apologize.

Sister Beck said, “Much of the essential Relief Society work we do doesn’t happen in meetings…. 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. This is one duty we have in the Church where we are certain to have the help of the Lord if we ask for it. This is one responsibility that is certain to increase our faith and personal righteousness and strengthen our own homes and families, as we become partners with the Lord. A sister in this Church has no other responsibility outside of her family that has the potential to do as much good as does visiting teaching. …. Ideally, every sister should watch over and strengthen at least one other sister in her ward. It is our blessing to pray for another sister and receive inspiration as to how the Lord would have us care for one of His daughters”. Wow! I have been a visiting teacher for more than half of my life and I have heard this many times; but this time it really hit home. I have always tried to fulfill my “responsibility” but now I realize it is not a responsibility alone, it is a blessing.

I have been blessed by great visiting teachers in my life. These women have been there for me physically, spiritually and emotionally. It is not always easy to let someone into our lives, especially when things are difficult, but it is my challenge that we as sisters do as we have been charged and “pray for inspiration as to how the Lord would have us care for one of His daughters”. Sometimes we may feel that we are “just a visiting teacher”. President James E Faust has said, “The Lord has a great work for each of us to do. You may wonder how this can be. You may feel that there is nothing special or superior about your ability… The Lord can do remarkable miracles with a person of ordinary ability who is humble, faithful, and diligent in serving the Lord and seeks to improve himself. This is because God is the ultimate source of power”. If we are humble and seek for the inspiration of the Lord, we will be able to change lives as we serve in our calling as a visiting teacher.

It is my prayer this holiday season that we take the time to rededicate ourselves to the sisters we visit teach. As we do, we partner with the Lord and we will “increase our faith and personal righteousness and strengthen our own homes and families.

I love serving in Relief Society. The sisters in this ward have blessed my life greatly and I love each of you. Thank you for all you do for one another.

Love,

Sister Shari Aschieris