“The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Comforter,” Ensign, September 2014, 7
Visiting Teaching Message
The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Comforter
Prayerfully study this material and seek to know what to share. How will understanding the life and roles of the Savior increase your faith in Him and bless those you watch over through visiting teaching? For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.
Faith, Family, Relief
Photo illustration by Sarah Carabine Jenson
Jesus Christ promised, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:18). He will give us “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning” (Isaiah 61:3). Because Christ suffered the Atonement for each of us, He will not forget us. “Our Savior has taken upon Himself … our pains and our suffering and afflictions so that He can know what we feel and how to comfort us,” said Linda S. Reeves, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency.1
Knowing that Christ will comfort us can bring us peace and inspire us to follow His example by ministering to others. President Thomas S. Monson said: “Our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us.”2
From the Scriptures
John 14:18, 23; Alma 7:11–13; Doctrine and Covenants 101:14–16
From Our History
Elaine L. Jack, the 12th Relief Society general president, said: “In visiting teaching we reach out to each other. Hands often speak as voices can’t. A warm embrace conveys volumes. A laugh together unites us. A moment of sharing refreshes our souls. We cannot always lift the burden of one who is troubled, but we can lift her so she can bear it well.”3
Our pioneer Relief Society sisters “found spiritual strength in each other’s love and compassion. … As they suffered trials of illness and death, they prayed in faith for each other and comforted each other. ‘The love of God flowed from heart to heart,’ wrote Helen Mar Whitney, ‘till the wicked one seemed powerless in his efforts to get between us and the Lord, and his cruel darts, in some instances, were shorn of their sting.’”4