Home teaching is a rare opportunity to serve and love our neighbors in intimate environments. Although I don’t make it out every month, it is a program I love and cherish. Serving in the midst of our brothers and sisters is a reflection of Jesus’ own ministry where he was often found teaching and healing among his people and not from an office building afar off. For me, the most notable example of his being in the midst of his people was his appearance to the Nephites,
8 And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them..
9 And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying:
10 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.
11 And behold, I am the alight and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the dwill of the Father in all things from the beginning.
12 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.
13 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying:
14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole dearth, and have been slain for the sins of the world. (3 Nephi 11)
The son of God placed himself in the midst of his people. So close was he to them that they could reach out and touch him. This was a pattern established during his mortal ministry. He was frequently among and in the midst of his people.
Close proximity to those we serve often provides the fertile soil from which charity blossoms. If those we serve are close enough to touch the hem of our garment, we are in a position to extend the pure love of Christ. Virtue flows much easier from the right hand of fellowship than it can from the impersonal well wishes of a distant voice. Shouting kind words from our front porches does not have the same effect as a whispered prayer amongst brothers and sisters. Admittedly, the ministry of a home teacher often takes shape in the form of moving boxes, casseroles, and hurried visits, however, on rare occasions I am placed in situations where my discipleship is enlarged in such a way that that my capacity to love is increased. Talk of Church History or doctrine is intentionally shunned in favor of the “weightier matters of the law.” We talk of life within the context of pain, suffering, heartache, forgiveness, mercy, grace, and charity. Home teaching provides opportunities to love our neighbor in such close proximity that hugs and handshakes are easily exchanged. Christianity is for me best performed in the midst.
Home teaching is one our greatest tools for building and strengthening testimonies and sadly it’s one of our most unused tools, great little article!
This ties in perfectly with the upcoming installment of my Milgram Experiment series. Proximity is a powerful factor on how we, as humans, are able to empathize with others.
Service should be done when prompted by the spirit or when needs are obvious — not by assignment. Visiting ones neighbors should be done regularly, especially when there are needs — not by assignment. All of our neighbors (members or not) should be visited, loved and fellowshiped every week — not by assignment.
I despise the home teaching program because it is only focused on members of the church, to the exclusion of others in the neighborhood who might have needs. I despise the home teaching program because it permits people to pat themselves on the back and say that their duty is done, while the needs of those all around them (but not assigned to them) are left unmet. Loving one’s neighbor should not need to be an assignment.
I couldn’t agree more. The nature of the home teaching program is actually undermining the church’s (and individual) efforts to love our neighbor. Human psychology is such that when given a goal, in this case a visit, with specific criteria we are very good at achieving that while replacing the natural motivation we may have had to do the thing. Joseph was right again. We are better off teaching them correct principles and letting people figure out how to act than specifying acts.
It seems to me that our example of how to visit, love and fellowship was also chosen (assigned):
Moses 4:2 “But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.”
Acts 2: 23 “Him, being delivered by the DETERMINATE counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.”
Is Christ’s love and charity diminished because he was chosen? Can we not have genuine love for those that our Elder’s Quorum President chose for us to visit? Can those that were chosen for us to visit not have genuine love and friendship for us?
It can be true that we home teach to be seen and turn into the hypocrites that Christ warned against. It is also true that strong and lasting friendships are formed from what begins as an assignment. Once again it comes down to our hearts and I try to shy away from judging another’s heart.
Porter,
You’ve crated a false dichotomy. I both home teach and serve as directed by the Spirit. Usually the spirit has nothing to do with it, I just try to add value to those who are within my circle of influence.
Lastly, our home teaching lists include members, less active members, most active members, sometimes active members, non-members, and people who flat out hate the Church but still like me.
Josh,
Agreed. Sometimes I don’t want to do my home teaching, but I go anyway and am always glad for it. My covenant to sacrifice my time and talents is a great reminder to satisfy assignments when my spirit is willing but my flesh is weak, particularly the desire to sit home and do nothing.
I am grateful at times to be compelled to serve. Why? Because without that righteous persuasion and influence I might not be the man I am today and there would be individuals who would go without the blessings that home and visiting teachings bring.
With the way Jesus dressed and wore his hair and beard, he’s be more likely treated by the EQP as needing a home teacher, not being a home teacher.
Must agree with V and Josh. A friend of mine, while serving as a stake president, set a goal of splitting the stake in two years. And he achieved his goal. The secret? 100% home teaching. In one ward, attendance almost doubled. Baptisms happened as church members befriended their neighbors as they went about their home teaching. The combination of love, inspiration and assignment showed forth fruit.
On the other hand, my home ward is agonizing… Attendance has dropped, very few baptisms and GOSSIP has become a real plague. The reason: home teaching is non existent. So, yes, Jesus did his home teaching. As assigned by His Leader. Heavenly inspired program. Remember that in Doctrine and Covenants the Lord said that commandments are set so the weakest of the Saints may follow them. This is why we are assigned or ht families – because not all have wisdom.