Am I My Sister's Keeper?

I served in the second area of my mission for seven and a half months. While there, my companions and I worked hard to teach investigators and strengthen new members. These investigators and members had to travel by train every Sunday to attend church. As missionaries we encouraged them and prayed for them as we watched these new members struggle to develop the faith they needed to do this. However, despite our best efforts the new members slowly fell away until about a year after I left the area it was closed. These members had testimonies and they had faith, but as I served them and their ward a train-ride away I knew what they were missing. They were missing fellowship. The needed friendship and support from each other that they weren’t receiving because they weren’t participating in the visiting teaching program.

I’ve heard several of you express similar feelings as mine so I know I’m not alone in saying this. I have a difficult time stepping outside of myself to meet new people, especially at church on Sunday surrounded by so many people. I moved into this ward over a year ago and kept to myself, sitting on the back row of meetings and just listening to the lessons and comments. Now I can say that I feel like I know many of you and have friends in this ward to whom I can turn if I ever really needed something. The reason for this is the fellowship that I found through visiting teaching. My friends came from my companions, from the sisters I visited and from the sisters who visited me. I have been blessed to not need much in the way of physical support but I definitely feel the benefits of emotional support that I receive from visiting teaching. 

In the old testament when the Lord confronts Cain after he slays Abel, “the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” Genesis 4:9

The simple answer to Cain’s question is yes. We are our brother’s and sister’s keepers. Sister Julie B. Beck said, “I hope my granddaughters will understand that visiting teaching is an expression of their discipleship and a significant way to honor their covenants. This element of our discipleship should closely resemble the ministry of our Savior.”

I know that the visiting teaching program is revelation from the Lord for us. I know that the Lord asks that it be a priority in our lives and that as we make it a priority it will bless both us and those we visit, often in ways we don’t realize. I know that it could have blessed the members in Pinhal Novo, Portugal, that it can bless each of you and I know that it has blessed and continues to bless me.

Rachel Gathro, Visiting Teaching District Leader
April Visiting Teaching Message