Why do the men get all the good talks? Thank goodness we women have the opportunity to read these talks eventually. Many of them are used as lesson material for our Third Sunday lessons, so watch for an opportunity to use this great talk, by President Eyring, about Visiting Teaching.
He opens his talk with these words, “You will need bravery and you will need boldness because you are enlisted in the Lord’s army in the last dispensation.” How many of us really feel like there is a war going on around us? If you don’t, you need to pay closer attention. The war is between Satan, and us, and we have covenanted to save souls. As members of the Relief Society, that is one of our main objectives. Are we feeling that deep in our hearts? Do we create activities with this in mind? Is a Sunday lesson really enough to touch everyone in our wards, bring them back into full activity, and save their souls? All of us, but especially those in leadership positions, need to be brave and bold.
Pres. Eyring tells the story of Blackhawk Down where men, in relative safety and comfort, demanded to be allowed to rescue those in danger. In the process, men were indeed rescued, but the rescuers lost their lives in the process. But, did they lose their salvation? No. We must all look beyond the mark and reach out to our sisters in need. If we are doing the Lord’s work, we must be willing to rest in His hands.
The men hold the Priesthood, so saving souls becomes a duty attached to this mantel they carry around. Women have a natural tendency to reach out to those suffering, it is natural for us to empathize and care for people; to save them. Thus, our duty is an instinctive duty. Being women, we are naturally gifted with impressions. It would be logical to act on these impressions, not ignore them. Because this is an inborn gift, it will surely be taken away if it is not used for good. When we feel impressed to “rescue” someone with a kind action: DO IT without delay, without hesitation, and without embarrassment. Everyone likes to be thought of.
We are different from men. When Pres. Eyring says “when you accepted the trust from God to receive the priesthood, you accepted a responsibility”, women have the same responsibility because it is our gift as women, not our duty. When he says, “But your office, whatever it is in the priesthood, brings with it an obligation to ‘lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees’”, our office is being a woman and we are all called to lift and strengthen one another.
As Visiting Teachers, we are taught to include prayer with our visits. This is in fact up for much debate. Many women feel that since the men leave a blessing in the homes they visit, we don’t really need to do so as well. Our power and strength, as Visiting Teachers, actually comes as a companionship BEFORE we visit so that AS we visit, we will receive the inspiration to fit their need. Because it is always good to pray, there is no harm in praying together at the home, as well. But our objective is to help, uplift, and restore. Only God knows just how we can accomplish this and a prayer is the conduit for that inspiration.
“Whatever part you play in that…visit, your desire to go to the people for the Lord to help them will bring at least two blessings. First, you will feel the love of God for the people you visit. And, second, you will feel the Savior’s gratitude for your desire to give the help the Savior knew they needed.” There is a bond that develops when you are there for someone. There comes a reprieve in the war, when love and encouragement flares up. I have felt, for myself, a sincere connection with the women I have visited and come to know. And when it comes to danger, NEVER mess with a SHE BEAR.