New Format Helps Sisters Improve as Visiting Teachers

In July 2010 Relief Society sisters and subscribers to the Liahona and Ensign magazines will find a change to the traditional Visiting Teaching Message format.

“We want every visiting teacher to understand that visiting teaching is a call from the Lord and accept her assignment to love, serve, teach, and minister to another sister with that in mind,” said Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.

The new message format will help sisters understand the purpose of Relief Society, teach principles to help sisters live the purpose, provide a historical perspective, and offer suggestions on how women can more effectively watch over and strengthen other sisters.

“The Visiting Teaching Message is a tool in the hands of a visiting teacher. As she studies the messages with her sisters in mind, she will know what to share with them and what to do for them,” Sister Beck said.

On the following page is a sample of the new Visiting Teaching Message, with explanations of its new features.

Instructions

Relief Society Purposes

Message

From the Scriptures

Ministering Question

Application Question

From Our History

More Information

Instructions help visiting teachers know how to teach and apply the message.

The Relief Society purposes were added to remind sisters of the responsibilities of Relief Society: to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help those in need.

The central message will now offer specific and timely counsel directly from the Relief Society general presidency.

These scriptural references will help enhance the study, teaching, and personal application of the message.

The purpose of this question is to help visiting teachers act on inspiration to better serve the sisters they teach.

This question is meant to prompt action on the part of each individual Relief Society sister and help her apply the message to her own life.

By reading of the noble legacy of Relief Society, sisters can draw connections between the organization that existed in the early Church and the current Relief Society program. “We are inspired by their sacrifices and desire to take our part in building the Lord’s kingdom in our season of service,” Sister Beck said.

Pertinent links to other resources can be found at the Relief Society Web page, reliefsociety.lds.org.