Guest Author - Shannon Swanson

When it comes to visiting teaching, I think I have heard just about every reason why you can't do it. I've heard these reasons because I have been saying them.

It can be difficult to schedule, prepare the visit, drive to where you are going, visit, share a message, etc. every month. And sometimes it seems like you finally just got it done for the month and then it is time to do it all over again before you know it.

More Caring
Believe it or not, visiting teaching doesn't have to be this complicated. When we start to care more about those we visit teach, it becomes less of a burden and more of a priority. We need to pray for those we visit. We need to become more aware of what they are going through and what they may need help with, even if it is not apparent at first.

In my ward alone, I can think of many sisters who are lonely, need a friend, or even just someone to say hi and ask them how they are. How different it might be if they had someone to just check in on them and let them know that someone really does care.

Less Time
So often, I get overwhelmed when I think about visiting teaching because I think about how much time the visit will take. But really, if you need to, it can take as little as twenty minutes if that is what you can afford. As long as you are effective and have a good quality message, it doesn't have to get overwhelming.

More Creativity
The goal for where to meet for visiting teaching is, in fact, in the home of those you visit. But sometimes, under special circumstances, those I visit like to meet at a park for a play date so the kids will be occupied and we can have a good, quality chat.

And once in a while, if it is someone's birthday, we like to bring a cake by and throw a mini birthday party. The point is that you can always think of different ideas to show you care or make your visits meaningful and enjoyable.

Less Differences
I know the challenge of visiting sisters that you really don't feel you have anything in common with. I can think of many examples when I taught sisters that I felt uncomfortable visiting simply because I felt I had absolutely nothing in common with them, afraid that I wouldn't have anything to talk to them about, and I still do.

However, I try to keep in mind that it is not about me, that visiting teaching is more than just sharing our common interests. It is learning to care for and provide spiritual nourishment for others, especially those who might otherwise be passed up.

More Awareness
At the end of each visit, my companion and I always ask if there is anything we can do for those we visit. And each time we do, I almost feel a little embarrassed. I mean, it is always good to ask that question, but I feel that if we are truly doing our jobs as visiting teachers, shouldn't we already know what we can do?

One of the main points, to me, of visiting teaching is to learn to love and care for those around us. If we can stay in touch with what is going on in the lives of those we teach and are in tune, we will have the awareness necessary to offer to them what they may not want to bother to ask for, or, better yet, may not even be aware that they need.

As sister Silvia H. Allred, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, states in her talk, “Feed My Sheep, “Our service should be selfless, quiet, and be done willingly, with our hearts full of the love of God and His children. There must be genuine concern to shepherd the flock, to invite them unto Christ.” [Silvia H. Allred, “Feed My Sheep,” Liahona, Nov 2007, 113–15]

May we keep this in our minds and hearts as we strive to do reach out and love and serve those around us through our visiting teaching.