Hometeaching

On the first Sunday of the month, we had a discussion about hometeaching. We started by reading two "definitions" of HT - one from the Melchizedek priesthood handbook, the other from Pres. Ezra Taft Benson. The former was more of a clinical, straightforward list of HT activities; the latter was a more impassioned explanation of how HT can change lives. Pres. Benson's 1987 address on Hometeaching outlines three keys to HT: 1)know well those whom you teach 2)know well your message to them 3) magnify your calling.
We were encouraged to read (or re-read) this talk.

Two ideas were shared that might give us as hometeachers more of a focus and purpose in our calling: 1)focus on the ordinances (DC 84:19-21)- what priesthood ordinances can your HT family benefit from, or what ordinances can you help them focus their sights on? 2)focus on a welfare area- what does your HT family need in the way of career development, literacy & education, financial/resource mgt, home production & storage, physical health, or social/emotional/spiritual strength?

Lastly, we reviewed what characteristics can make us "telestial", "terrestrial", and "celestial" hometeachers. And, we were given the assignment to read the following passages and pray, ponder, and even fast over how to apply their teachings to our HT assignments.
DC 20:47 Mosiah 18:8-10
DC 20:53-55 Moroni 6:4

TFOT Lesson

George Wootan led our discussion during the combined EQ-HP priesthood meeting on Sunday. His lesson was based on Pres. Ann Dibbs' general conference talk titled Hold On. George began by asking us what safety equipment we have to protect us from spiritual destruction. Scriptures, personal revelation/Holy Ghost, priesthood quorums, families, the temple, and obedience to gospel principles were offered as suggestions. George then asked why we sometimes don't use this safety equipment. It was suggested that peer pressure or the belief that we have more freedom without them might influence our decisions to not use them. One person posed the question of what we mean when we talk about "safety" in a spiritual sense. Perhaps, he surmised, it is simply following God's will for us.
There was a discussion around how we can more often turn to, and rely on, the Savior when things are going well in our lives. How do we comprehend our frailties and vulnerabilities when we are prospering? The fact is, we need the Savior just as much in good times as in bad.
It was suggested that it is vital for us to do the "small and simple things" consistently to stay "safe" spiritually. The Lord told Joseph Smith that out of small things proceed that which is great (DC 64:33).
Finally, we were reminded that increasing our level of commitment with regard to personal/family prayer & scripture study, as well as temple attendance, will protect us from spiritual dangers of our day. And, as we do this, we will want even more to help the families we hometeach to have this same protection.