Last year Pres. Nelson introduced the ministering program to the church. At the same time the old programs of Home and Visiting Teaching were retired. There was an audible gasp as he made these announcements.  Online the prevailing sentiment I observed was, “Oh I’m so glad! Now I don’t have go visit anymore!”

Then there was me,  I was really, really discouraged at the thought of not having a monthly visit.  I liked to have my visiting teachers come to visit me.  We sometimes had a gospel discussion.  Most of the time we didn’t (moment of truth: I never liked the visiting teaching message in the Ensign, ever, and I would never share that).  We just talked to each other.  We listened to each other.  We got to know each other.  And to borrow a phrase from the old purple missionary guide, we “built relationships of trust” with each other, so that in times of trial or need, we could depend on each other.  This was not always the case with my visiting teachers, but it was the case for the last seven or eight years.   I have to be honest, I miss those monthly visits…. A LOT.  I kinda miss the relationships I had with my visiting teachers, because I feel like that has disappeared  with ministering.  Anyone else? Continue reading →