“I feel impressed to speak to you about a priesthood program that has been inspired from its inception—a program that touches hearts, that changes lives, and that saves souls; a program that has the stamp of approval of our Father in Heaven; a program so vital that, if faithfully followed, it will help to spiritually renew the Church and exalt its individual members and families.
I am speaking about priesthood home teaching. With all my heart, I pray that you will understand, by the Spirit, exactly my feelings about home teaching.
“Brethren, home teaching is not just another program. It is the priesthood way of watching over the Saints and accomplishing the mission of the Church. Home teaching is not just an assignment. It is a sacred calling.
“Home teaching is not to be undertaken casually. A home teaching call is to be accepted as if extended to you personally by the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ezra Taft Benson, “To the Home Teachers of the Church”, Ensign May 1987)
Doctrine and Covenants 20:51,53-55
51 And visit the house of each member, exhorting them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties.
53 The ateacher’s duty is to bwatch over the cchurch always, and be with and strengthen them;
54 And see that there is no iniquity in the church, neither ahardness with each other, neither lying, bbackbiting, nor cevil dspeaking;
Know well those you home teach (names, birthdays, special occasions). Know well the message you are to deliver. Truly magnify your calling as a home teacher.
Hebrews 12:2
2 Looking unto Jesus the aauthor and bfinisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him cendured the cross, despising the dshame, and is set down at the right hand of the ethrone of God.
Moroni 6:4
4 And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and acleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the bchurch of Christ; and their cnames were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually dwatchful unto prayer,erelying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.
Helaman 5:9
9 O remember, remember, my sons, the awords which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the batoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to credeem the dworld.
One of the best opportunity to see miracles is through home teaching
Thessalonians 3:13
13 But ye, brethren, be not aweary in well doing.
Galatians 6:9
9 And let us not be aweary in well doing: for in due season we shall breap, if we faint not.
Doctrine and Covenants 64:33
33 Wherefore, be not aweary in bwell-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of csmall things proceedeth that which is great.
Doctrine and Covenants 107:25-26
25 The aSeventy are also called to bpreach the gospel, and to be especial witnesses unto the Gentiles and in all the world—thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.
26 And they form a quorum, equal in aauthority to that of the Twelve special witnesses or Apostles just named.
Doctrine and Covenants 20:38,59
38 The aduty of the elders, priests, teachers, deacons, and members of the church of Christ—An bapostle is an celder, and it is his calling to dbaptize;
59 They are, however, to warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ.
We are spiritual beings having a physical experience.
Showing up is eighty percent of life. (Woody Allen, http://www.famousquotesandauthors.com/authors/woody_allen_quotes.html)
If we can't expect the leadership to show up when called upon, how can we expect anyone else to show up. The leadership sets the standard for the ward. If they don't show up at activities or they are late to meetings and activities or they don't do their home teaching then the others in the ward will not either.
Do we feel that we have the capacity to decide who deserve, who doesn't need a home teaching visit?
Helaman 5:12
12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the arock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your bfoundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty cstorm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.
Revelation is the rock the Savior built his church on.
Christ laid hands on his apostles and gave them authority and they laid their hands on others to delegate authority. Authority does not come from an educational degree or by being a bible scholar.
Some seem to think that the bible is the authority for the "Christian" churches. The bible contains instructions, not authority.
Apostasy does not come from the outside, but from the inside.
The teacher passed out this list of scriptures and quotes.
1. Proverbs 1:7, 9:9-10
2. 2 Nephi 9:28-29
3. Proverbs 2:2-6
4. Proverbs 3:13-18
5. 1 Nephi 11:8-11
6. 1 Nephi 11: 21-25
7. Proverbs 3:5-7
8. Proverbs 6:16-19
9. Proverbs 16:27-28
10. Proverbs 18:8
11. Proverbs 25:18
12. Proverbs 15:1
13. Quote: Elder Gordon B. Hinckley said: "We seldom get into trouble when we speak softly. It is only when we raise our voices that the sparks fly and tiny molehills become great mountains of contention" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1971, 82; or Ensign, June 1971, 72).
14. Proverbs 8:13
15. Proverbs 13:10
16. Proverbs 16:18
17. Proverbs 13:20
18. Proverbs 17:17
19. Proverbs 18:24
20. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
21. D&C 88:62
22. John 15:13
23. John 15:14
24. D&C 68:25-28
25. Proverbs 19:18
26. Proverbs 29:17
27. Proverbs 15:13
28. Proverbs 17:22 (Quote: Elder Richard G. Scott said: "You must be willing to forgo personal pleasure and self-interest for family-centered activity, and not turn over to church, school, or society the principal role of fostering a child's well-rounded development. It takes time, great effort, and significant personal sacrifice to 'train up a child in the way he should go.' But where can you find greater rewards for a job well done?" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1993, 43; or Ensign, May 1993, 34).
Proverbs 23:7
7 For as he athinketh in his bheart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
It says that as a man thinketh in his heart. Does this imply that our spirit is where thought occurs and not the brain as is the modern tradition and theory?
Have you ever known anyone who had a lot of knowledge, but not a lot of wisdom? Have you ever known anyone who had a lot of wisdom, but not a lot of knowledge?
“In due time, when shallow pleasures pass and a son or daughter is again receptive, recollections of early teachings often resurface, allowing the Spirit to gently bring peace back into troubled lives. How wise parents are who heed the counsel to teach their children the gospel while they are young! Indeed, any early effort to establish consistent scripture study, family prayer, and family home evening will pay great dividends in the long run.” ("Train Up a Child", John W. and Marjorie E. Hasler, Ensign April 1999)
John 5:39
39 ¶ aSearch the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which btestify of me.
President Thomas S. Monson, “Be Your Best Self”, Ensign May 2009
“...study diligently. Every holder of the priesthood should participate in daily scripture study. Crash courses are not nearly so effective as the day-to-day reading and application of the scriptures in our lives. Become acquainted with the lessons the scriptures teach. Learn the background and setting of the Master’s parables and the prophets’ admonitions. Study them as though they were speaking to you, for such is the truth.”
1 Nephi 19:23
23 And I did read many things unto them which were written in the abooks of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet bIsaiah; for I did cliken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our dprofit and learning.
The second great reason why we must make the Book of Mormon a center focus of study is that it was written for our day. The Nephites never had the book; neither did the Lamanites of ancient times. It was meant for us. Mormon wrote near the end of the Nephite civilization. Under the inspiration of God, who sees all things from the beginning, he abridged centuries of records, choosing the stories, speeches, and events that would be most helpful to us. (President Ezra Taft Benson, The Book of Mormon — Keystone of Our Religion, Ensign November 1986)
Often members of other churches are offended at how much we reference The book of Mormon and how often we are specifically counseled to read The Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon was written specifically for our day. The bible is very important, but it was written for people for thousands of years.
Not that The Book of Mormon is important because it is some new thing, but because the Lord prepared it especially to serve the needs of people today.
John 15:16
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have achosen you, and bordained you, that ye should go and bring forth cfruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my dname, he may give it you.
From the Bulletin
"...I plead with you to make time for immersing yourselves in the scriptures. Couple scripture study with your prayers. Half an hour each morning privately studying, pondering, and communicating with your Heavenly Father can make an amazing difference in your lives. It will give increased success in your daily activities. It will bring increased alertness to your minds. It will give you comfort and rock-steady assurance when the storms of life descend upon you." Elder M. Russell Ballard,
"Be Strong in the Lord, and in the Power of His Might" (CES fireside for young adults, March 3, 2002),3-4.
I am speaking about priesthood home teaching. With all my heart, I pray that you will understand, by the Spirit, exactly my feelings about home teaching.
“Brethren, home teaching is not just another program. It is the priesthood way of watching over the Saints and accomplishing the mission of the Church. Home teaching is not just an assignment. It is a sacred calling.
“Home teaching is not to be undertaken casually. A home teaching call is to be accepted as if extended to you personally by the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ezra Taft Benson, “To the Home Teachers of the Church”, Ensign May 1987)
Doctrine and Covenants 20:51,53-55
51 And visit the house of each member, exhorting them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties.
53 The ateacher’s duty is to bwatch over the cchurch always, and be with and strengthen them;
54 And see that there is no iniquity in the church, neither ahardness with each other, neither lying, bbackbiting, nor cevil dspeaking;
Know well those you home teach (names, birthdays, special occasions). Know well the message you are to deliver. Truly magnify your calling as a home teacher.
Hebrews 12:2
2 Looking unto Jesus the aauthor and bfinisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him cendured the cross, despising the dshame, and is set down at the right hand of the ethrone of God.
Moroni 6:4
4 And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and acleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the bchurch of Christ; and their cnames were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually dwatchful unto prayer,erelying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.
Helaman 5:9
9 O remember, remember, my sons, the awords which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the batoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to credeem the dworld.
One of the best opportunity to see miracles is through home teaching
Thessalonians 3:13
13 But ye, brethren, be not aweary in well doing.
Galatians 6:9
9 And let us not be aweary in well doing: for in due season we shall breap, if we faint not.
Doctrine and Covenants 64:33
33 Wherefore, be not aweary in bwell-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of csmall things proceedeth that which is great.
Doctrine and Covenants 107:25-26
25 The aSeventy are also called to bpreach the gospel, and to be especial witnesses unto the Gentiles and in all the world—thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.
26 And they form a quorum, equal in aauthority to that of the Twelve special witnesses or Apostles just named.
Doctrine and Covenants 20:38,59
38 The aduty of the elders, priests, teachers, deacons, and members of the church of Christ—An bapostle is an celder, and it is his calling to dbaptize;
59 They are, however, to warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ.
We are spiritual beings having a physical experience.
Showing up is eighty percent of life. (Woody Allen, http://www.famousquotesandauthors.com/authors/woody_allen_quotes.html)
If we can't expect the leadership to show up when called upon, how can we expect anyone else to show up. The leadership sets the standard for the ward. If they don't show up at activities or they are late to meetings and activities or they don't do their home teaching then the others in the ward will not either.
Do we feel that we have the capacity to decide who deserve, who doesn't need a home teaching visit?
Helaman 5:12
12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the arock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your bfoundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty cstorm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.
Revelation is the rock the Savior built his church on.
Christ laid hands on his apostles and gave them authority and they laid their hands on others to delegate authority. Authority does not come from an educational degree or by being a bible scholar.
Some seem to think that the bible is the authority for the "Christian" churches. The bible contains instructions, not authority.
Apostasy does not come from the outside, but from the inside.
The teacher passed out this list of scriptures and quotes.
1. Proverbs 1:7, 9:9-10
2. 2 Nephi 9:28-29
3. Proverbs 2:2-6
4. Proverbs 3:13-18
5. 1 Nephi 11:8-11
6. 1 Nephi 11: 21-25
7. Proverbs 3:5-7
8. Proverbs 6:16-19
9. Proverbs 16:27-28
10. Proverbs 18:8
11. Proverbs 25:18
12. Proverbs 15:1
13. Quote: Elder Gordon B. Hinckley said: "We seldom get into trouble when we speak softly. It is only when we raise our voices that the sparks fly and tiny molehills become great mountains of contention" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1971, 82; or Ensign, June 1971, 72).
14. Proverbs 8:13
15. Proverbs 13:10
16. Proverbs 16:18
17. Proverbs 13:20
18. Proverbs 17:17
19. Proverbs 18:24
20. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
21. D&C 88:62
22. John 15:13
23. John 15:14
24. D&C 68:25-28
25. Proverbs 19:18
26. Proverbs 29:17
27. Proverbs 15:13
28. Proverbs 17:22 (Quote: Elder Richard G. Scott said: "You must be willing to forgo personal pleasure and self-interest for family-centered activity, and not turn over to church, school, or society the principal role of fostering a child's well-rounded development. It takes time, great effort, and significant personal sacrifice to 'train up a child in the way he should go.' But where can you find greater rewards for a job well done?" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1993, 43; or Ensign, May 1993, 34).
Proverbs 23:7
7 For as he athinketh in his bheart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
It says that as a man thinketh in his heart. Does this imply that our spirit is where thought occurs and not the brain as is the modern tradition and theory?
Have you ever known anyone who had a lot of knowledge, but not a lot of wisdom? Have you ever known anyone who had a lot of wisdom, but not a lot of knowledge?
“In due time, when shallow pleasures pass and a son or daughter is again receptive, recollections of early teachings often resurface, allowing the Spirit to gently bring peace back into troubled lives. How wise parents are who heed the counsel to teach their children the gospel while they are young! Indeed, any early effort to establish consistent scripture study, family prayer, and family home evening will pay great dividends in the long run.” ("Train Up a Child", John W. and Marjorie E. Hasler, Ensign April 1999)
John 5:39
39 ¶ aSearch the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which btestify of me.
President Thomas S. Monson, “Be Your Best Self”, Ensign May 2009
“...study diligently. Every holder of the priesthood should participate in daily scripture study. Crash courses are not nearly so effective as the day-to-day reading and application of the scriptures in our lives. Become acquainted with the lessons the scriptures teach. Learn the background and setting of the Master’s parables and the prophets’ admonitions. Study them as though they were speaking to you, for such is the truth.”
1 Nephi 19:23
23 And I did read many things unto them which were written in the abooks of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet bIsaiah; for I did cliken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our dprofit and learning.
The second great reason why we must make the Book of Mormon a center focus of study is that it was written for our day. The Nephites never had the book; neither did the Lamanites of ancient times. It was meant for us. Mormon wrote near the end of the Nephite civilization. Under the inspiration of God, who sees all things from the beginning, he abridged centuries of records, choosing the stories, speeches, and events that would be most helpful to us. (President Ezra Taft Benson, The Book of Mormon — Keystone of Our Religion, Ensign November 1986)
Often members of other churches are offended at how much we reference The book of Mormon and how often we are specifically counseled to read The Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon was written specifically for our day. The bible is very important, but it was written for people for thousands of years.
Not that The Book of Mormon is important because it is some new thing, but because the Lord prepared it especially to serve the needs of people today.
John 15:16
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have achosen you, and bordained you, that ye should go and bring forth cfruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my dname, he may give it you.
From the Bulletin
"...I plead with you to make time for immersing yourselves in the scriptures. Couple scripture study with your prayers. Half an hour each morning privately studying, pondering, and communicating with your Heavenly Father can make an amazing difference in your lives. It will give increased success in your daily activities. It will bring increased alertness to your minds. It will give you comfort and rock-steady assurance when the storms of life descend upon you." Elder M. Russell Ballard,
"Be Strong in the Lord, and in the Power of His Might" (CES fireside for young adults, March 3, 2002),3-4.
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