Little note from one of our own...

Today during church we had a special Visiting Teaching/Home Teaching Conference of sorts. Today also happened to be the day I was released as Visiting Teaching Coordinator/Supervisor. I have had a Visiting Teaching calling in this ward for nearly 2 years and I am very sad to say that it has taken me this long to really truly appreciate my calling.

I would like to share with you a brief history of my experience as a Visiting Teacher thus far in my life. When I turned 18 I was just finishing my Jr. year of High School and decided to leave the Young Women's program and move into Relief Society. That meant that I began Visiting Teaching while I was a Sr. in High School, attended early morning seminary, weekly institute (45 minutes away), and working a three quarter-time job. In my home ward I was pretty much the designated babysitting and babysat for most of the children in the ward. My first companion took very literally the instructions that we only HAVE to visit the sisters once a quarter...not necessarily the best way for me to learn the true importance of Visiting Teaching. All the same we went, once a quarter (most of the time) basically just to get it done.

Then, I moved out to college and as most of us know, unfortunately, Visiting Teaching does not even rank on our list of priorities while we are going to school, socializing, working, etc. The next few wards I lived in I don't think I even had a Visiting Teaching assignment because we were only there for a short time and to be honest, I felt relief that I didn't have to worry about HAVING to visit anyone.

Then, three years ago, my husband and I moved into the Willow Springs Ward. I don't think any other ward can ever claim responsibility to "converting" me to Visiting Teaching. The first year we lived here I didn't know anybody, I worked full-time and only saw people at church. I had my assignment but could never get a hold of my companion, and she never tried to get a hold of me so I figured "whoops, I guess I can't go Visiting Teaching." Then I was called to be a Visiting Teaching Supervisor and I guess something clicked. I began to TRY to do my calling. If I couldn't get a hold of my companion, I would go by myself. If I couldn't get a hold of my sisters, I would drop a note off at their door each month with a message and my contact information. I still was/am not perfect but a joy for Visiting Teaching was beginning to spark.

After a few months as a Supervisor I was called to be the Coordinator. I can't begin to tell you what a difficult, time consuming, but wonderful calling this was. I truly developed a LOVE for each and every sister in this ward. Not only for the sisters that I personally was assigned to steward over, but for every single sister in this ward. I found myself thinking DAILY of the sisters. I found myself crying myself to sleep in pain knowing that Sister X was not being visited and that if we made a change then Sister Y would probably not be visited. I found my heart aching for all of the sisters struggling in one area of their lives or another. In short, I found a true and humble testimony of Visiting Teaching.

I find today that my heart aches even more knowing that I have had this wonderful calling released from me and that I didn't take enough opportunities to express my deep gratitude for each and ever sister in the ward. I know we all have struggles, I know we are all in different stages of our lives, I know we are all busy, but I know we all want to someday return and report to our Heavenly Father that we did everything in our power to bring that one sister along with us back into fellowship and to return to live with her Heavenly Father.

Sister Stice asked us all today to write down the name of every sister we visit and then under their name make a LIST of things that that sister may need. Something as simple as taking our her trash, or something more involved as taking her kids for the evening so her and her husband can attend the temple for the first time in months. Sister Stice then challenged us to offer help to those sisters. Instead of asking "is there anything we can do for you?" ask specifically "can I help take out your garbage as I leave today?" "can I take your kids to the park this afternoon?" I want to second that challenge and I accept it whole hearted myself.

Sister of the Willow Springs Ward. I have such a strong testimony of Visiting Teaching now that I wish I had from the very beginning. I wonder how many people fell through the cracks when I had an "excuse" not to do my Visiting Teaching and that inpowers me to not let that sister 5 years from now fall throughthe cracks. I know that our Heavenly Father and Mother love us so very much and that it is through them that the calling to be Visiting Teachers comes from. I love each and every one of you and I close this testimony in the name of our beloved brother and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

--
Jessica S Haworth
p. 801-380-9430
alt email: jessica.haworth@mail.com

Moses 6:31-34

I love when I read the scriptures and something stands out that I've never noticed before. Tonight I was reading and found such an awesome scripture that I thought I would share..

Moses 6

31 [Enoch] bowed himself to the earth, before the Lord, and spake before the Lord, saying: Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?

32 And the Lord said unto Enoch: Go forth and do as I have commanded thee, and no man shall pierce thee. Open thy mouth and it shall be filled, and I will give thee utterance, for all flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth me good.

34 Behold my Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course; and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me.

Stand Ye in Holy Places, and Be Not Moved.

"I believe in myself. I do not mean to say this with egotism or arrogance, but I believe in my capacity and in your capacity to do good, to make some contribution to this society of which we are a part. I believe that I am a child of God endowed with a divine birthright. I believe that there is something of divinity within me and within each of you. I believe that we have a godly inheritance and that it is our responsibility, our obligation, and our opportunity to cultivate and nurture the very best of these qualities within us. I do not have to be a scrub, though my work may be menial. Though my contribution may be small, I can perform it with dignity and offer it with unselfishness. My talents may not be great, but I can use them to bless the lives of others. I can be one who does his work with pride in that which comes from his hand and mind. I can be one who works with respect for my associates, for their opinions, for their beliefs, with appreciation for their problems, and with a desire to help them should they stumble. I believe in the principle that I can make a difference in this world."

(Gordon B. Hinkley, "Articles of Belief," Bonneville International Corporation Management Seminar, February 10, 1991.)

None Were With Him.

One of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so.

-Jeffrey R Holland

Stand strong...

“The teachings of a living prophet are often contrary to the trends of the world. We, as Latter-day Saints and the holders of the priesthood of God, must understand that there is an expanding gulf between the standards of the world and those of the gospel and kingdom of God, and that living prophets will always teach the standards of God. As much as we may want the gospel to accommodate to the world, it can’t, it won’t, it never has, and it never will.

So much of our modern world is based on self-indulgence, immediate gain and satisfaction, and social acceptance at all cost. The gospel and kingdom of God are so much more than this. Among the characteristics God prizes are patience, long-suffering, endurance, kindness, and brotherly love, none of which is short term or developed in a moment.”

-Dennis B. Neuenschwander (“Living Prophets, Seers, and Revelators,” Ensign, Nov 2000, 40-42)

Why Proposition 8?

He Leads. He Guides.

"When tensions ran high in northern Missouri in the fall of 1838, the Prophet Joseph Smith called for all the Saints to gather to Far West for protection. Many were on isolated farms or in scattered settlements. He specifically counseled Jacob Haun, founder of a small settlement called “Haun’s Mill.” A record of that time includes this: “Brother Joseph had sent word by Haun, who owned the mill, to inform the brethren who were living there to leave and come to Far West, but Mr. Haun did not deliver the message.”

Later, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “Up to this day God had given me wisdom to save the people who took counsel. None had ever been killed who [had abided] by my counsel.” Then the Prophet recorded the sad truth that innocent lives could have been saved from the mob’s attack at Haun’s Mill had his counsel been received and followed.

Every time in my life when I have chosen to delay following inspired counsel or have decided that I was an exception, I have come to know that I had put myself in harm’s way. Every time that I have listened to the counsel of prophets, felt it confirmed in prayer, and then followed it, I have found that I moved toward safety. Along the path, I have found that the way had been prepared for me and the rough places made smooth. God led me to safety along a path which was prepared with loving care."

-Henry B. Eyring, “Finding Safety in Counsel,” Friend, Aug. 1998