Monthly VT Thoughts to Encourage Sisters
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Jane Dumont
Subject: RS: MONTHLY VT THOUGHTS
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From the RS-List archives
from AlisonB
Nov. 8, 2000
____ from Jane's brain ___
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Dear Sisters,
I was printing this out for Sister Earp and then when I had typed in her
wrong address thought maybe you all could use something like this too.
VT Thoughts
Can be read in opening exercises on the first Sunday of each month to encourage
the sisters to do their VT .
JANUARY: Visiting teaching will provide every sister in the Church with a
friend, a helper, someone to care. Not one sister need ever feel alone. We
need not feel that no one understands or cares. We will all be called to
be visiting teachers to our sisters. Our time with each other will be what
we make it. Our sister's needs will be our challenges. Some will need physical
help; others spiritual or social help. But all will need something from their
visiting teachers. Serving means doing it! Relief Society is according to
your nature. It is natural for females to have feelings of charity. You are
placed in a situation where you can act according to these sympathies, which
God has planted in your bosoms. If you live up to these privileges, the angels
cannot be restrained from being your associates!
FEBRUARY: A meaningful visit is one in which the teachers and the sisters
visited have an opportunity for a private conversation and where the visited
sister can feel the warmth, love, and concern that her visiting teachers
have for her...studying carefully the visiting teaching messages, adapting
them as necessary, and presenting them effectively to meet the individual
needs of each sister. (RS Handbook)
MARCH: No calling in RS requires greater tact, better judgement, keener insight,
more prayerful preparation, deeper sincerity of purpose or a warmer heart
than that of a visiting teacher. The duties associated with the calling help
to emphasize its importance. (RSVT Report Book)
APRIL: "As a Visiting teacher what I do is important because I exercise watch
care of another woman. What I do is important in a global sense. I am one
of thousands of women who are together-literally and figuratively. We do
this work because we love the Lord and we feel a kinship with our sisters.
Through our imparting one to another we learn of the Lord, we discover how
to be like Him, we rejoice in each other. I am part of a righteous sisterhood
building the kingdom of God throughout the earth. What my sister and I do
together and individually matters." (Sister Clark)
MAY: When we help one another, we serve God. King Benjamin, a great King
in the Book of Mormon times, taught his people this principle by the way
he lived. He served them all his days, earning his own living instead of
being supported by his people. In an inspired sermon, he explained why he
loved service, saying, "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings,
ye are only in the service of your God..." "And if I, whom ye call your king,
do labor to serve you, then ought not ye labor to serve one another?" (Mosiah
2:17-18)
JUNE: "Four things are specially the property of friendship; love and affection,
security and joy. And four things must be tried in friendship: faith, intention,
and discretion, and patience. Indeed, as the sage says-all men would lead
a happy life if only two tiny words were taken from them-mine and thine."
(Aelred of Rievaulx)
JULY: "The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly
smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that
comes to one when (she) discovers that someone believes in (her) and is willing
to trust (her) with (her) friendship." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
AUGUST: Visiting teaching has been an important part of the RS program since
1843. VT typifies the friendly interest and concerns of the RS for the physical
and spiritual well-being of the families of the Church. Each month the visiting
teachers, upon assignment of the ward RS president, visit in pairs (the sisters)
in the ward. Visiting teachers are expected to exercise watchful care over
Latterday Saint sisters in their homes; to offer encouragement, help, solace,
and comfort to Latterday saint women; to establish warm, friendly relationships
with them, so that in time of need they will instinctively turn to the visiting
teachers, knowing that through them sisterly help is available. (RS Handbook-1972)
SEPTEMBER: I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can
do something. And what I can do, that I ought to do. And what I ought to
do, that I shall do. (Edward Everett Hale)
OCTOBER: Should I ever need a favor
I know you are there for me.
Seems like just when I am giving up
This friendly face I see.
Endless times you've shared my sorrows
Rarely asking in return.
The definition of "Sister",
From you I daily learn.
NOVEMBER: Visiting teaching messages are found in the Ensign for each month
of the year, except for May and November. These are conference issues. The
sisters should after prayerful reading select a message for her sisters from
the addresses given. The visiting teaching message is an important tool in
the hands of the visiting teacher to establish rapport with a sister in the
home. It is the basis for uplifting conversation. It is a means for teaching
gospel truths and for strengthening the spiritual fiber of the home.
DECEMBER: You've been there for me all year long
When I was weak, you were so strong.
You gave me gifts of love and deeds.
You helped to satisfy my needs.
Now that Christmastime is drawing near.
What can I give a friend so dear?
There's just one gift that fits the part.
I give to you, dear friend...my heart!
(Unknown)
alisonb