Preparing to Visit

I went visiting teaching with my companion a couple days ago. She made the appointments and I gave the message. (I typed my message so I wouldn't have to talk a lot, then asked my companion to read it to each sister we visited.) We gave them what I typed, as well as a copy of the VT message for the month.

I think I will write my thoughts about the VT message every month, even when it's not my turn to share. I will do this because it will give me a chance to really ponder the message. In the past I remember so many times that I quickly scanned the message before my appointment and sometimes that I didn't read the message at all. After I got to my sister's house, we visited but I didn't have a spiritual message to leave with her - how could I have left a message with her when I hadn't even read it?

I've lived in the moment most of my life. Looking back, sometimes I thought of something I could have done, but the thought came too late for me to do anything. Regarding VT, my lack of preparedness doesn't allow me to think about my sister. (Maybe not doing as much as I did before has freed my time now to where I prepare. Maybe I prepare now because I'm older. I don't know, however, what I do know is that I no longer feel guilty for being unprepared.) I feel love for each sister I visit. I want them to know that I think of them as my friend. I want to show them that I care. (I believe that one of the ways I can do that is by preparing for our appointment.)

Here's what I said in my letter to my sisters this month:

March 2012

Dear Sister,

This month's visiting teaching message is called "Daughters in My Kingdom." The message begins with "We are daughters of our Father in Heaven.  He knows us, loves us, and has a plan for us." This is such a man's world. I see how women can be considered property, or objects, or inhuman. I am thankful to be reminded that I have always had a female identity. I am also thankful to know that God has a plan for me. I know that He will make all things right in the end and the world where I end up will be a man and women's world. Until then, what I can do is be the best person I can be.

What can we do to help you reach your potential as a daughter of God?

Sister Julie B. Beck said: “As daughters of God, you are preparing for eternal designations, and each of you has a female identity, nature, and responsibility. The success of families, communities, this Church, and the precious plan of salvation is dependent on your faithfulness. … [Our Heavenly Father] intended Relief Society to help build His people and prepare them for the blessings of the temple. He established [Relief Society] to align His daughters with His work and to enlist their help in building His kingdom and strengthening the homes of Zion.”

It’s true that the success of families, communities, our church, and the plan of salvation is based upon how well I give myself to each thing. I am happy to know that I contribute to success. I am glad to know that my positive attitude not only rubs off on my family but on others as well. In fact, who knows upon whom I have an impact?

I appreciate what President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said about discipleship. He said: “By patiently walking in the path of discipleship, we demonstrate to ourselves the measure of our faith and our willingness to accept God’s will rather than ours.”

Heavenly Father knows more than we do and we need to trust that he has our best interest in mind. I think I try to control things in my life because I think if I don’t then the worst will happen. I need to remember that God is good and good things will happen when I trust him. Maybe I can’t see the good thing but he can. In the end, all things done will have been for my good.

In 1893, Zina D. H. Young, who was then the third President of the Relief Society said: “If you will dig in the depths of your own hearts you will find, with the aid of the Spirit of the Lord, the pearl of great price, the testimony of this work.”

I really like this quote because no one can gain my testimony but me. I must do the work to get it. I, and only I, am responsible for my beliefs. Some people think that their testimony isn’t enough when compared to so-and-so. I don’t think that’s fair to compare my beliefs to someone else’s. When I compare what I knew then to what I know now, I realize that I DO have a testimony and it is good enough for God. He wants to see progression not perfection.

I’ll never forget what a guy said in conference when talking about someone who thought he couldn’t be a missionary because he didn’t know it all. The guy said “you know enough.” I believe people who are active in the church do have a testimony otherwise they would be inactive. They may not know it all but they know enough. I think what Zina Young is saying in her quote is “be committed to what you DO know.”

You are blessed to be a daughter of God. You were meant to be a woman not a man. Be proud of that. Your attitude will affect everyone around you - do you want to have a positive or negative impact? Trust God that he knows what’s good for you. And trust yourself that you know enough.

We love you and are here for whatever you need. I hope you know that.

Click here to read the visiting teaching message.