Guest Author - Alice Rienzo

For those sisters who have been given a letter-route or have sisters on their list that prefer letters, it is important to put as much effort into that form of communication as we would if we were teaching in the sister’s home.

Often sisters feel that putting a copy of the Ensign’s visiting teaching message for the month and maybe a few flyers for upcoming activities are all that is required. Of course most will include a note with their names and numbers and a few brief comments asking how they are doing and what they have been up to.

Stop for a second and imagine how you would feel if you received something like the above in the mail. Would you feel loved by 2 fellow sisters in the gospel or more like a job that was quickly being completed? I know for me I would not be likely to call either of the sisters that sent me a letter like that since it would not leave me feeling like they truly cared.

Time and effort should be put into the letter you send to the sisters on your route. There are two types of letters, one for the sisters you have not contacted before and one for the sisters you have visited with. The following sample letter outlines will help you learn a basic layout for a good Visiting teacher letter and give you ideas on what you can talk about. Feel free to use these outlines as aids when writing your own.

Sample Letter Outline – First Contact
Hello,

-Mention that you look forward to meeting her. This is also a good place to tell her what ward you go to and what your name is.

-Talk a little bit about yourself, your kids, school, spouse, work and so on. Write as if you were talking to her on the phone, this helps the reader feel as if you are really trying to have a conversation with her.

-Provide information about meeting times, and upcoming activities or baptisms. Keep it conversational as well by adding in what you are looking forward too or what you think the activity will be like. Offer transportation to church or activities if needed.
-Ask if you can come by to visit. Explain that you can make an appointment by calling ahead and won’t take up much time. Invite her to call or write you if she ever needs a listening ear or some help.

-Bear your testimony. Include a favorite scripture or quote.

-Close with a few sentences just wrapping things up and sign it. Don’t forget to include you contact information such as; e-mail, phone, address, and/or cell phone.

Sample Letter Outline – Sister you have contacted before
Dear Sister __________,

-Talk about the sister’s family. If you heard she had a baby mention it and offer congratulations. Or you could mention any number of things you know she has dealt with recently or her family has been involved with. Be as personable as possible and mention family members by name to make it more conversational.

-Discuss upcoming events. You can bring up a past event you know she had attended and comment on if you think this will be just as good. Share you favorite activity experiences or things you learned. Don’t forget to give event or activity details and times.

-Mention new sisters in the ward or new baptisms so she will not feel so out of loop when/if she comes to church. She will feel more at home knowing people’s names ahead of time.

-Share the visiting teaching message in your own words. Read through the message and then contemplate what the message means and how you’d like to share it. This can include quotes you enjoy, book recommendations, examples from life experiences, and so on. Include a few scriptures and what you learned from the month’s lesson as well.

-If you haven’t been able to visit apologize and explain, or if the sister is a do not visit ask gently if she would enjoy visiting with you some time or would be willing to talk on the phone. The key is to not push. Follow the spirit.

-Don’t forget to include your contact information, event flyers, or any other little thing you may want to send along to show you care.

This week's article has been written by Amy Daniels.