I love Women's Conference. This year was extra special for me. One reason was because I've been so sick lately and needed an extra emotional boost. The other reason is that I've honestly had a hard time going to church this year and have been trying to find the strength to go back. I felt so ashamed going to my mission reunion last April. I hadn't been to church in almost five months since I was so sick. Luckily, I had great visiting teachers who didn't judge and kept tabs on me through it all.
That's what women's conference was mostly about. Visiting teaching and how important it is. I've always known that it is important to go visiting teaching and to reach out. I remember even before I was eighteen going with my mom or Kathy just to chat. I honestly believe that is what visiting teaching is all about. Being an awesome friend. When you have that friend, you feel like making the effort to go to church and don't feel awkward because you know you won't be alone. And let me tell you, it
works.
I'm NOT about to say that I'm a perfect visiting teacher. I'm just the opposite. Maybe I'm writing this post because I need to repent of it. When I came home from my mission, I was really sick. I got asked to visit two girls who never came to church and I had never met them. My comp was also inactive. All I could do was call. I left a bunch of messages. I was the voice mail stalker. They must of thought I was crazy! I talked to one sister, one time. We talked for almost an hour about her little boy and her job, which was why she wasn't going to church. I understood the situation clearly as it was when the economy started going down. But it was just that once.
I still feel guilty about it to this day. I wonder if we could have been better friends if I had made the effort.
The same situation happened in the next ward ward we moved to. By the time I got asked to visit teach, I was too sick to go out and then the miscarriage happened which still left me sick. Many people knew this, the rumors were all over the ward. I felt so ashamed. Again, I was asked to visit inactive sisters and my companion inactive as well. I met with my companion once and never heard from her or some of the ladies we were supposed to visit. Again, same issue. I feel terrible about it.
However, one of sisters we were supposed to teach happened to be my neighbor. I usually saw her when I came home from work or if I was sick, I'd look out the window to see if she would walk by. The sister must have been in her eighties and didn't have a very good memory, she'd forget things all the time. Somehow though, the last Sunday I was in that ward, she was there.
Now moving into a new ward, it's time to repent and start over. I've been sick recently, but hopefully nothing can stop me now. In the mission, we always felt that it was on our heads if we couldn't tell our investigators how important the gospel really is. We had to work and plan. The same is with visiting teaching.
That was the main theme I got out of Women's Conference. We need to visit and love, provide relief. I loved
Julie B. Beck's talk and how she said we need to study the history of Relief Society. I'm going to be pulling out my copy of
Women of Covenant this week and will be reading it. It is the only book that contains the history of the Relief Society from 1842 to the 1990s. I know those sisters worked hard to bring relief in early pioneer days. Now I just need to learn how to bring that same relief today.
There is a worldwide hunger among good women to know their identity, value, and importance. Studying and applying the history of Relief Society gives definition and expression to who we are as disciples and followers of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Our faithfulness and service are signs of our conversion and commitment to remember and follow Him. In July of 1830, at the beginning of the Restoration of His Church, the Lord selected His first female leader and in a revelation to her, He said, “I speak unto you, Emma Smith, my daughter; for verily I say unto you, all those who receive my gospel are sons and daughters in my kingdom.”
The history of Relief Society teaches us that our Heavenly Father knows His daughters. He loves them, He has given them specific responsibilities, and He has spoken to and guided them during their mortal missions. Additionally, the history of Relief Society elevates and validates the standing of women and demonstrates how they work in companionship with faithful priesthood leaders.
—Sister Julie B. Beck
Lis, now that is a good pep talk to yourself. Now GO AND DO!
My question to you: Have you done your visiting teaching? What are some of your tips to get motivated?
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