Purpose of Home Teaching

[_Wisdom Seeker]

From the name of this program it would appear the purpose is to provide some sort of additional instruction in the home, which will remain separate from an organized and scheduled church instruction.

Because this instruction is found in the Ensign, could a father and priesthood holder of the home ask for a waiver of being home taught, because he provides a family home evening lesson on the Ensign first presidency message?

[_honorentheos]

In an address given at a general priesthood meeting of the Church, President Ezra Taft Benson taught:

"I feel impressed to speak to you about a priesthood program that has been inspired from its inception—a program that touches hearts, that changes lives, and that saves souls; a program that has the stamp of approval of our Father in Heaven; a program so vital that, if faithfully followed, it will help to spiritually renew the Church and exalt its individual members and families.

"I am speaking about priesthood home teaching. With all my heart, I pray that you will understand, by the Spirit, exactly my feelings about home teaching.

"Brethren, home teaching is not just another program. It is the priesthood way of watching over the Saints and accomplishing the mission of the Church. Home teaching is not just an assignment. It is a sacred calling.

"Home teaching is not to be undertaken casually. A home teaching call is to be accepted as if extended to you personally by the Lord Jesus Christ.

"The Savior Himself was a teacher. The only perfect man to walk the face of the earth was a humble, dedicated, inspired teacher who brought to His followers salvation and exaltation.

"Oh, that all the brethren of the Church would catch that vision of home teaching!

"Tonight I am not teaching new doctrine, but I am reaffirming old doctrine. Quoting from section 20 of the Doctrine and Covenants, revealed to the Prophet Joseph in April of 1830, the Lord declared to the priesthood:

" 'Watch over the church always, and be with and strengthen them;

" 'And see that there is no iniquity in the church.

" 'And see that the church meet together often, and also see that all the members do their duty' (D&C 20:53–55).

" 'And visit the house of each member, exhorting them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties' (D&C 20:51).

"Brethren, that is priesthood home teaching"

What he meant to say was that too many members of the church were being tempted to go mountain biking on the weekends and evenings and the church needed to make sure it didn't become a false idol to them.

Therefore, the purpose of home teaching is to cut into your mountain biking time. Since you already have to do your Monday Night thing anyway, I think it becomes self-evident why it is imperative that you not only schedule a separate time to be home taught but also to visit the 2-5 families under your stewardship.

Good thing it's almost winter when the program then changes to preventing idol worship of skiing and snow boarding.

[_Malcolm]

I always got the impression that our Home Teachers were something like the Word of Wisdom police.
Eyes were everywhere.
Looking for ashtrays, coffee jars and tea pots.

[_why me]

The purpose of home teachers is: to see if the family needs help or assistance. To give a message on the spiritual.

Home teachers give security for the family because they can rely on the home teachers for favors and service.

[_Buffalo]

99% of the time it's busy work. Annoying your assigned families who would rather have a less diligent home teacher.

[_sock puppet]

The purpose of home teachers is: to see if the family needs help or assistance. To give a message on the spiritual.

Home teachers give security for the family because they can rely on the home teachers for favors and service.

When was the last time you did home teaching?

[_Infymus]

The purpose of home teachers is: to see if the family needs help or assistance. To give a message on the spiritual.

Home teachers give security for the family because they can rely on the home teachers for favors and service.

The real purpose of home teachers is to return and report. Why is a family not attending? Are there issues or sins? What is the state of the family or member?

It is a reporting system that goes back to the Bishop and Stake President.

It is nothing more than another system of control. Another way to check on the activity and obedience of members.

It is yet another intrusion into the private and personal lives of members - this time in their own home.

The church knows no boundaries.

[_stemelbow]

99% of the time it's busy work. Annoying your assigned families who would rather have a less diligent home teacher.

I can agree with the "annoying" the families. I like going home teaching. I don't care to be home taught at all. I normally make room for any who wish to home teach, but I'd prefer they just not do it.

[_Buffalo]

99% of the time it's busy work. Annoying your assigned families who would rather have a less diligent home teacher.

I can agree with the "annoying" the families. I like going home teaching. I don't care to be home taught at all. I normally make room for any who wish to home teach, but I'd prefer they just not do it.

Yup.

[_just me]

Home Teachers are so that there can always be someone to call in the middle of the night to help you give your child a blessing to heal them.





Of course, if they would lift the priesthood ban on women Home Teachers would not be called in the middle of the night.





Then again, if people would seek medical attention if it is that bad in the middle of the night rather than calling the neighbor man to rub oil on the kids head then it would probably be even better!