Home Teaching

Home Teaching is a sacred calling.

-It is not to be undertaken casually.

The Lord declared to the priesthood in section 20 of the Doctrine and Covenants in a revelation to the prophet Joseph Smith:

-Watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them;

-And see that there is no iniquity in the church

-"And see that the church meet together often, and also see that all the members do their duty" (D&C    20:53-55).

-"And visit the house of each member, exhorting them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties" (D&C 20:51).

That is priesthood home teaching.

-"Home Teaching, properly functioning, brings to the house of each member two priesthood bearers divinely commissioned and authoritatively called into the service by their priesthood leader and Bishop. These Home Teachers represent JESUS CHRIST  to look after the welfare of each Church member.

They are to encourage and inspire every member to discharge his duty, both family and church" 

-Home Teaching is a divine call, a divine service.

-Let us love the work and do our best so that we can receive unbounded peace, joy, and satisfaction.

-It is an inspired program.

-It is the heart of caring, of loving, of reaching out to both the active and the less active.

-It is a way of expressing our faith in action.

-It a test of true discipleship.

-It helps fulfill (D&C 64:33)

-It is the greatest church calling.

FUNDAMENTALS ESSENTIAL TO EFFECTIVE HOME TEACHING

1. Know well those you are to teach. ( know the names of all the family members, beware of         birthdays, blessings, baptisms, and marriages.)

   - Regularly review pages 8 and 9 of the Melchizedek Priesthood Handbook for some great suggestions on how to help those you home teach.

   -Be a genuine friend to the individuals and families you teach. (A friend cares, loves,listens and reaches out.)

2. Know well the message you are to deliver.

      -you should meet together to pray, review instructions from your leaders, go over the message you will take to families, and to discuss any special needs.

      -Use the message from the First Presidency printed in the Ensign and the Church's international magazines or from the church offical website(LDS.org).

       -read together the scriptures with the families you home teach especially from the Book of Mormon and always remember the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith, that "a man would get nearer to God by abiding [the] precepts [of the Book of Mormon],  than by any other book"

   - Teach nothing save it be the things which the Saviour and His holy prophets spake"

   - Teach with the Spirit(the single most important ingredient in this work.

    -Be men of God, walking in His ways and keeping His commandments.

     -Pray with the Spirit, with real intent, and invoke the Lord's blessings upon the individuals    and families you are teaching.

3. Truly Magnify your calling as a home teacher. 

       -make your home teaching visit early in the month to allow enough time for additional follow~up contacts as necessary.

       -Be a real shepherd of your flock.

       -make a definite appointment for each visit. Let your families know when your are coming, and respect their time.

       -Teach quality and quantity. Have quality visits, make contact with each of your families each month.

       -your goal should be 100 percent home teaching every month.

       -keep faithful track of each member you are called to home teach. (Moroni 6:4)

Adapted from 'To the Home Teachers of the Church' By President Ezra Taft Benson on 4 April 1987.