Musings on the essentials of life.

In our church we have a program called Visiting Teaching. The sisters (women) in the ward are assigned a partner and then assigned anywhere between 2 and 4 women to visit each month. I have always loved Visiting Teaching. I think it goes back to watching my own mother visit her sisters so faithfully each month. She really cared for them. When I was really small I would go with her and as I got older I was often asked to run things over to them that they needed. This program is truly inspired. Whenever there is a birth of a baby, sickness or tragedy of any kind that sisters visiting teachers will swoop in and bring in whatever support is needed. They are completely there for that individual to help in any way that they can. There have been times when I was out of town and needed help getting my children to different activities. A quick phone call to my visiting teacher is all it took. What a blessing!

As part of the monthly visits to each other's homes is a spiritual lesson found each month in the Ensign. My visiting teachers came to visit me this week and read me part of this month's message. I loved it so much and was grateful for them sharing it with me. I then went and read it again as I prepared to go visit my sisters. They too were touched by the message. This is the part of the message that I wanted to share. If you would like to read the whole thing, you can go here.

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president: "Latter-day Saint women must be strong and immovable in their faith. They can and should excel in living and sharing their testimonies of the Lord Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. We do this as we:

1. Make and keep covenants with Him.
2. Are worthy and worship in His temples.
3. Study His doctrine in the scriptures and the words of prophets.
4. Qualify for, recognize, and follow the Holy Ghost.
5. Share and defend His gospel.
6. Participate in sincere personal and family prayer.
7. Have family home evening.
8. Live principles of self-reliance and provident living.

"These are essential things which must be done before nonessential things. These are simple, indispensable practices that almost seem mundane. . . . No one can do these things for us—these are personal practices and habits that set us apart as strong and immovable for that which is correct" ("What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best: Stand Strong and Immovable," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 109–10).

There are a couple things that stood out to me in this. One was shared by my visiting teacher, Bridget. It is number 4, that we need to qualify, recognize and follow the Holy Ghost. All three things must be done in order to have the power of this in our lives. You can't follow the Holy Ghost without first qualifying for it's presence and recognizing it's influence. I love this.

The other part I love is what it says after the list. That the essential things need to be done before nonessential things. This was the message I needed to hear and what I've been pondering over the past few days. Too often I am putting off the essential things like preparing meals for my family, reading to my children and family scripture study because of non essential things like reading blogs and watching TV. I'm going to do better with this and I have done much better over the past few days.

The visiting teaching program of our church is truly inspired. It is the way that God works through us to answer the prayers of others. I have had fantastic visiting teachers since I've been in my current ward. I have loved each of them for what they have taught me and the way they have helped me. I am grateful to a loving Father in Heaven who gave us the means to serve one another.