In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, members are given many opportunities to minister to one another as the Savior did. Recently, the program formally referred to as Home and Visiting Teaching was retired, and simple Ministering took its place. Daughters in My Kingdom; The History and Work of Relief Society has an entire chapter dedicated to the evolution of sisters ministering through Visiting Teaching and shares incredible stories of the good that’s come about through women who have served as faithful, genuinely loving, and valiant visiting teachers throughout the years.
In 1980, President Boyd K. Packer and his wife Donna visited a small group of Relief Society sisters in Czechoslovakia. He was so inspired by the faithfulness and genuine love of these women that he shared their experience in a Relief Society conference later that same year. He spoke of how this sweet “circle of sisters” symbolized the strength of Relief Society women joining hands and hearts in purpose, unity, and love around the globe. (For this full story, check out my Circle of Sisters post here!)
In his 1998 General Conference address, he shared this wonderful story with the general membership of the church and expanded his analogy. He talked about how the Relief Society had become much more than a circle and he likened this great organization unto a “beautiful fabric of lace spread across the continents”.
In order to keep this intricate and unique fabric of beautiful lace strong, we must take special care to tend to every thread. If even one strand breaks, the pattern and strength of entire fabric will suffer. Each member of Relief Society is like a single thread. Every sister is important and worthy of constant compassion. This vigilant level of care is accomplished through ministering to the ONE as our Savior did.
A few years ago I was extremely blessed by a talented ministering sister. She paid close attention to what I said every time we spoke. If I so much as mentioned anything that might possibly be needed, she would be at my door later that day with the specific item in hand. (One time I simply mentioned that I hated to dust. Her daughter showed up at my house with a brand new Swiffer Duster starter kit that evening!) At one point she had come to my home for a visit and noticed the state of my socks. I was wearing a mis-matched and thread-bare pair because most of my socks had holes in them. We laughed a little and I explained that I was creatively making do until Christmas when I was certain I would be getting more. We had a nice chat, and after she left I took my littles to run a few quick errands. When we returned home, there was a bag full of brand new, beautiful, cushioned, nicer-than-I’ve-ever-owned socks hanging on my front door!
President Spencer W. Kimball taught: “There are many sisters who are living in rags—spiritual rags. They are entitled to gorgeous robes, spiritual robes…. It is your privilege to go into homes and exchange robes for rags….” (pg. 117)
What my ministering sister did for me and my socks has a spiritual symbol. When we listen carefully and see the needs of our beloved sisters and friends, we have the ability to clothe them in warmth and protection through service and love. And oh, how sweet is that work!
I chose this hymn to represent visiting teaching/ministering because of the joy in its message. Ministering to our fellow travelers in life is a satisfying and soul-filling work that is truly sweet to our souls. Why? Because serving as the Savior would brings both the giver and the receiver to HIM. His is the sweetest work, and it is our honor and privilege to be a part of it.
Sweet is the work, my God, my King, To praise thy name, give thanks and sing, To show thy love by morning light, And talk of all thy truths at night Sweet is the day of sacred rest. No mortal care shall seize my breast. Oh, may my heart in tune be found, Like David's harp of solemn sound! My heart shall triumph in my Lord And bless his works and bless his word. Thy works of grace, how bright they shine! How deep thy counsels, how divine! But, oh what triumph shall I raise To thy dear name through endless days, When in the realms of joy I see Thy face in full felicity! Then shall I see and hear and know All I desired and wished below, And every pow'r find sweet emply In that eternal world of joy. (Text by Isaac Watts, 1674-1748)