Visiting Teaching is a privilege and blessing. How humbling to be Jesus' special eyes and ears. We go into one another's homes to fellowship and share the gospel. We also are sent to discover any needs a sister may have that the resources of the church or extended faith and prayer can help. When I was a little girl probably 4 or 5, Mrs. Bach across the street told me we are instruments in the hand of God. As any child would, my literal mind considered musical instruments. I said, O good, I want to be a drum. She laughed and said I would understand some day. I understand now. So my simple but sacred calling to laugh with, uplift, fellowship, and help a few sisters is my way of being that drum.
This month the assignment is to share the message The Attributes of Jesus Christ: Obedient Son.
Luke 22:41-46
“As we walk in obedience to the principles and commandments of the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said D. Todd Christofferson, “we enjoy a continual flow of blessings promised by God in His covenant with us. Those blessings provide the resources we need to act rather than simply be acted upon as we go through life...Obedience gives us greater control over our lives, greater capacity to come and go, to work and create.”
“Can the spiritual strength that results from consistent obedience to the commandments be given to another person?” asked David A. Bednar. “The clear answer...is no.”
The parable of the ten virgins is an example of this principle. While all of the virgins took their lamps to “meet the bridegroom,” only five were wise and took oil in their lamps. The other five were foolish because they “took no oil with them.”
Then the cry came at midnight: “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” All the virgins trimmed their lamps, but the foolish virgins had no oil. They said to the wise virgins, “Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.”
The wise virgins answered, “Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go … and buy for yourselves.” And while the foolish virgins were gone, the bridegroom came and the wise virgins went with him and “the door was shut” (Matthew 25:1–13).
When we allow the things of the world to distract us, we may not be emptying our lamps of oil...But we aren't filling them either. Good intentions don't add oil to our lamps unless we carry them out. We receive drops of oil through obedience to principles and commandments such as prayer, repentance, faith, hope, studying scripture, forgiveness, charity, worshipping God, living the commandments, spending our time wisely, and so on and so forth. These then increase our capacity to receive and perceive His grace and blessings. In other words, they open our eyes that we might see the tender mercies and gentle hand of God directing our lives.
