Good day to all of you brethren!
It, being the first day of September, 2009 I felt that the very first thing that should be spoken of, that should be addressed is the very message that seems to be the priority of most conversations in our discussions in Priesthood, that being "Home Teaching".
Personally, I have always fell short of all of any expectations because... I have fallen victim to the ignorant and even unappealing "Rationalizations" of the adversary when it comes to (Also what the adversary tries to foolishly convince you of) the feeling that you cant find the time to do that which you know without a doubt to be of high priority. In thinking this, the adversary attempts to lead your thought process to his first of a few steps to altogether attempt to thwart the work of the Lord.
Many times, I have oft found myself under that foolish thought process. Now, look for these signs of trickery and also recognize whom they come from.
How many Sundays come and go, as we, not only as brethren and fellow members of the church... but also as holders of The Holy Priesthood, hear our leaders admonish us on our Home teaching? How often do we hear our leaders plea for proper reporting on these matters?
Pulling from our leadership manuals, we see this:
"All leaders and Church members are to help accomplish the 'Mission Of The Church', which is to invite all people to "...come unto Christ, and be perfected in him" (Moroni 10:32)"
That's a broad mandate for us brethren, but it doesn't stop there! Consider this as well:
"To accomplish this mission, leaders help members:
*Proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, kindred, tongue and people. Share the gospel by bearing testimony as prompted by the Spirit."
Our understanding and duty of proclaiming it should also, without doubt, reveal to us all that this mandate is not only for people who are not members, but even to them that are members! In being responsible home teachers, we need to get to know our families, active or inactive. The active members whom we Home Teach will still need to hear the message we have for them every month. It helps uphold their family! (The First Presidency Message; Ensign)
We are all to support, uphold, sustain, and endeavor to edify each other. Consider President Hinkley's remarks on this;
"As the Apostle Paul said, we no longer need be “strangers … , but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Eph. 2:19). To the Thessalonians, he wrote of sustaining one another: “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another. …
“And we beseech you … to know them which labour among you … ;
“And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake” (1 Thes. 5:11–13)."
(Living with our convictions - Click to be directed to above mentioned talk)
We need to polish our understanding of the gospel, and to better help you understand what I mean I will site some sources.
"We should each study the scriptures every day. We should share these truths with our children. Our standard works should be placed where our children will see them and learn to love them and use them for the truths they contain.
If we desire to avoid the evils of this world, we must feed our minds with the truth and righteousness found in the scriptures. We will grow closer to God and to each other as we read and ponder the scriptures together.
As we read, ponder, and pray about the scriptures and ask God for understanding, the Holy Ghost will bear witness to us of the truth of these things. We will each know for ourselves that these things are true. We will not be deceived (see Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37). We can receive the same feelings Nephi expressed when he said, “My soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard” (2 Nephi 4:16)."
(Gospel Principles: Chapter 10; Page 55)
If we read our scriptures, our testimonies are strengthened. If our testimonies are strengthened, our resolve is renewed. If our resolve is renewed, our conviction and conversion will be ever present in all we do. This is not to say that life will be easy and temptations cast from us, as a matter of fact, it is quite to the contrary. As our resolve emboldens itself, stand on your tower and cast your eyes about you... be assured of one thing. Satan will declare war on those whom were weak in the things of the Gospel and then suddenly are seeking and finding strength. Its an all out war for him. I have experienced this in my conversion as well! We are not alone! President Hinkley also stated:
"...while there may be thorns and disappointments, while there may be heartache, even heartbreak, there can be peace and comfort and strength from the Lord for those who follow Him. For it is the Lord Himself who has said:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matt. 11:28–29).
It is the Lord who has said that if we keep the commandments, “the Holy Ghost shall be [our] constant companion” (D&C 121:46) to buoy us up, to teach us, lead us, comfort us, and sustain us. To obtain this companionship, we need to ask for it, to live for it, to be loyal to the Lord."
(Living with our convictions)
Where might I be going with all this? See if you can find something in the above sited sources that could exclude the relevance of Home Teaching. Brethren, we need to put the work of the Lord first. It must needs be priority number one! If we say our Family Prayers in the morning, our burdens are easier to bear. If we put Family Scripture Study first, additional blessings and strengths are afforded us.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks of The Quorum of The Twelve Apostles once said:
"Wise are those who make this commitment: I will put the Lord first in my life and I will keep His commandments. The performance of that commitment is within everyone’s control. We can fulfill that commitment without regard to what others decide to do, and that commitment will anchor us no matter what timing the Lord directs for the most important events in our lives.
Commit yourself to put the Lord first in your life, keep His commandments, and do what the Lord’s servants ask you to do. Then your feet are on the pathway to eternal life. You do not know what will happen. Do your best on what is fundamental and personal and then trust in the Lord and His timing.
The most important principle of timing is to take the long view. Mortality is just a small slice of eternity, but how we conduct ourselves here—what we become by our actions and desires, confirmed by our covenants and the ordinances administered to us by proper authority—will shape our destiny for all eternity."
(See The Message: The Right Thing At The Right Time)
One other citation, (Which can be found at this link: Gospel Library: Gospel Topics: "Home Teaching")
Home teaching is the responsibility of all Melchizedek Priesthood holders and of those who are teachers and priests in the Aaronic Priesthood. As part of their responsibility to watch over the members of the Church, home teachers visit their assigned families at least once each month to teach and strengthen them. Home teachers establish a relationship of trust with these families so that the families can call upon them in times of need.
In an address given at a general priesthood meeting of the Church, President Ezra Taft Benson taught:
"I feel impressed to speak to you about a priesthood program that has been inspired from its inception—a program that touches hearts, that changes lives, and that saves souls; a program that has the stamp of approval of our Father in Heaven; a program so vital that, if faithfully followed, it will help to spiritually renew the Church and exalt its individual members and families.
"I am speaking about priesthood home teaching. With all my heart, I pray that you will understand, by the Spirit, exactly my feelings about home teaching.
"Brethren, home teaching is not just another program. It is the priesthood way of watching over the Saints and accomplishing the mission of the Church. Home teaching is not just an assignment. It is a sacred calling.
"Home teaching is not to be undertaken casually. A home teaching call is to be accepted as if extended to you personally by the Lord Jesus Christ.
"The Savior Himself was a teacher. The only perfect man to walk the face of the earth was a humble, dedicated, inspired teacher who brought to His followers salvation and exaltation.
"Oh, that all the brethren of the Church would catch that vision of home teaching!
"Tonight I am not teaching new doctrine, but I am reaffirming old doctrine. Quoting from section 20 of the Doctrine and Covenants, revealed to the Prophet Joseph in April of 1830, the Lord declared to the priesthood:
" '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).
"Brethren, that is priesthood home teaching" ("To the Home Teachers of the Church," Ensign, May 1987, 48–49).
In closing brethren, I want you all to know the great significance of Home Teaching. As I have been blessed to be a Home Teacher, I have had the privilege of seeing miracles happen. As I have bourne my testimony of The Savior and the work He has for us to do, I have seen my ability to love, even those whom I know not, grow. I only hope we can recognize the great significance of what was before mentioned by President Ezra Taft Benson when he said:
"Home teaching is not to be undertaken casually. A home teaching call is to be accepted as if extended to you personally by the Lord Jesus Christ."
Of such is my testimony brethren, and I leave it with you joyfully in the name of our Beloved Savior and Only Begotten of The Father, even Jesus Christ, Amen.
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