Keys for successful Home Teaching

One of the most discussed topics in Priesthood is Home Teaching (and how to improve it). This morning, the West Jordan River Stake had Stake Priesthood Leadership meeting, and President Craig Worthington gave the following keys to be successful in this endeavor.

1-Pray for the Spirit

-Pray before you go with your companion
-Pray for your home teaching families INDIVIDUALLY at least daily; ask for specific help from the Lord in touching them and creating a relationship of trust

2-Don't pressure

-The Gospel is based on freedom of choice and accountability for those choices. No one wants to feel pressure. Help your families progress in the Gospel but make sure you do not make them feel unworthy or guilty.

3-Don't use questions as your main form of interaction; rather, teach

-Many Home Teachers ask questions. Don't embarrass the head of the household if he/she doesn;t know the answer to a question. Bring the Spirit with you and teach at a level approariate to the needs and situation of the family.

4-Let the Father (Head of Household) preside

-You are a guest; always defer to the head of the household.

5-Never teach beyond a family's willingness to receive

-Make all messages appropriate for the ages and gospel knowledge levels at that home.

6-Strive for the attributes found in Doctrine and Covenants 4:6.

"Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence."

Thoughts on prayer--use a timer?

At stake conference yesterday, much was said on prayer and its importance.

For me, I find it easier to read my scriptures daily than I do to have a meaningful conversation with Deity. I don't know if it is because I feel being introspective in this way is less productive or I am more academic and enjoy the actual doing of things intellectually, but I have to find a way to get more out of my prayers and meaningfully converse with my Father in Heaven.

I have heard many people say that Yoga is a form of introspection and serves as a prayer-like ritual for them. I am not advocating one form of prayer over another, but I do think it is important to create a relationship with God so that we feel comfortable in his presence and have his Spirit to be with us.

One thing I might try is having a timer with me when I pray. Although this might seem somewhat artificial and less than genuine at first, I will know I have time set aside for speaking what is in my mind and have a personal PPI with deity. Over time the timer will not be needed, but to make sure I have time carved out for this important spiritual aspect, the timer idea may be needed. Quality of quantity is the key, but knowing that time is set aside helps you speak the things of your heart.

We learned yesterday from Elder Bruce Porter that "being too busy is a sin." I believe that. The timer might help me slow down . . .

Purpose of this blog

I have recently decided to start a blog on personal feelings and experiences I have around doctrinal issues. My hope is that writing my feelings and appropriate personal revelation and epiphanies will both help me understand more about what I write (in the same way a journal helps people sort through their feelings and somewhat objectively review their goings-on)as well as potentially be a tool for others of the LDS faith (and ideally for those seeking to understand more of the LDS [Mormon] religion).


The impetus for much of this blog was due in large part to Elder Ballard's challenge that he gave in December 2007.

“We cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including our critics, attempt to define what the Church teaches,” he said.

“While some conversations have audiences in the thousands or even millions, most are much, much smaller. But all conversations have an impact on those who participate in them. Perceptions of the Church are established one conversation at a time.”

I also have some friends at the More Good Foundation, and they do something that I believe is very powerful—use technology to help spread the Gospel (without being overly assertive).

I hope to have time to write 2-3 posts/week.. The topics will revolve around questions I engage in personal study (both of the scriptures and other sources) and the answers I find both on the internet and through the comments of others.

Please feel free to comment; I will try to respond to as many as my time will permit. Know, however, it is not my intent to respond to or be engaged in discussion that do not mutually edify. Rather, let us reason together and mutually embark upon a road that will help us continue to grow.

In essence, my search is for truth, and wherever truth is found is a place I want to be!