Tonight in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City and
in locations far and near are assembled those who bear the
priesthood of God.
Truly, you are a royal priesthood, even a chosen
generation, as the Apostle Peter declared.
I'm honored to have the privilege to address you.
When I was growing up, each summer our family would drive
to Provo Canyon, about 45 miles south and a little east
of Salt Lake City, where we would stay in the family cabin
for several weeks.
We boys were always anxious to get on the fishing stream or
into the swimming hole, and we'd try to push the car a
little faster.
In those days, the automobile my father drove was a 1928
Oldsmobile.
If you went over 35 miles an hour, my mother would say,
"Keep it down!
Keep it down!" I would say, "Put the
accelerator down, Dad!
Put it down!"
Dad would drive about 35 miles an hour all the way up to
Provo Canyon, or until we would come around a bend in
the road and our journey would be halted by a herd of sheep.
We'd watch as hundreds of sheep filed past us, seemingly
without a shepherd, a few dogs yapping at their heels as they
moved along.
Way back in the rear we could see the sheepherder on his
horse--not a bridle on it, but a halter.
He was occasionally slouched down in the saddle dozing,
since the horse knew which way to go and the yapping
dogs did the work.
Contrast that to the scene which I viewed in Munich,
Germany, many years ago.
It was a Sunday morning, and we were en route to a
missionary conference.
As I looked out the window of the mission president's
automobile, I saw a shepherd with a staff in his hand,
leading the sheep.
They followed him wherever he went.
If he moved to the left, they followed him to the left.
If he moved them to the right, they
followed him in that direction.
I made the comparison between the true shepherd, who led his
sheep, and the sheepherder who rode
casually behind his sheep.
Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep"
(close quote).
He provides for us the perfect example of what a true
shepherd should be.
Brethren, as the priesthood of God, we have a shepherding
responsibility.
The wisdom of the Lord has provided guidelines whereby we
might be shepherds to the families of the Church, where
we can serve, we can teach, and we can testify to them.
Such is called home teaching, and it's about this that I
wish to speak to you tonight.
The bishop of each ward in the Church oversees the assigning
of priesthood holders as home teachers to visit the homes of
members every month.
They go in pairs.
Where possible, a young man who is a priest or teacher in
the Aaronic Priesthood accompanies an adult holding
the Melchizedek Priesthood.
As they go into the homes of those for whom they're
responsible, the Aaronic Priesthood holder should take
part in the teaching which takes place.
Such an assignment will help to prepare these young men for
missions as well as for a lifetime
of priesthood service.
The home teaching program is a response to modern revelation,
commissioning those ordained to the priesthood to "teach,
expound, exhort, baptize," and "visit the home of each
member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret and
attend to all family duties," "to watch over the church
always, and be with and strengthen them; and see that
there is no iniquity in the church, neither hardness with
each other, neither lying, backbiting, nor evil
speaking."
President David O. McKay admonished: "Home teaching is
one of our most urgent and most rewarding opportunities
to nurture and inspire, to counsel and direct our
Father's children.
...
It is a divine service, a divine call.
It is our duty as home teachers to carry the ...
spirit into every home and [every]
heart.
To love the work and do our best will bring unbounded
peace, joy, and satisfaction to a noble, dedicated teacher
of God's children" (end quote).
From the Book of Mormon we read that Alma "consecrated
all their priests ...
all their teachers; and none were consecrated except they
were just men.
Therefore they did watch over their people, and did nourish
them with things pertaining to righteousness." In performing
our home teaching responsibilities, we are wise
if we learn and understand the challenges of each of the
members of each family, that you might be effective in
teaching and providing needed assistance.
A home teaching visit is also more likely to be successful
if an appointment is made in advance.
To illustrate this point, let me share with you an
experience I had some years ago.
At that time the Missionary Executive Committee was
comprised of Spencer W. Kimball, Gordon B. Hinckley,
and Thomas S. Monson.
One evening Brother and Sister Hinckley hosted a dinner in
their home for the committee members and our wives.
We'd just finished a lovely meal when there was a
knock at the door.
President Hinckley opened the door and found one of his home
teachers standing there.
The home teacher said, "I know I didn't make an appointment
to come, and I don't have with me my companion, but I felt I
should come tonight.
I didn't know you'd be entertaining company."
President Hinckley graciously invited the home teacher to
come in and sit down and to instruct three Apostles and
our wives concerning our duty as members.
With a bit of trepidation, the home teacher did his best.
President Hinckley thanked him for coming, after which he
made a hurried exit.
I mention one more example of the incorrect way to
accomplish home teaching.
President Marion G. Romney, who was a counselor in the
First Presidency some years ago, used to tell about his
home teacher who once went to the Romney home on a cold
winter night.
He kept his hat in his hand and shifted nervously when
invited to sit down and give his message.
As he remained standing, he said, "Well, I'll tell you,
Brother Romney, it's cold outside, and I left my car
engine running so it wouldn't stop.
I just came by so I could tell the bishop I had made my
visits."
President Ezra Taft Benson, after relating President
Romney's experience in a meeting of priesthood holders,
then said, "We can do better than that, brethren--much
better!" I agree.
Home teaching is more than a mechanical
visit once per month.
Ours is the responsibility to teach, to inspire, to
motivate, and--where we visit those who are not active--to
bring to activity and to eventual exaltation the sons
and daughters of God.
To assist in our efforts, I share this wise counsel which
surely applies to home teachers.
It comes from Abraham Lincoln, who said, "If you would win a
man to your cause, first convince him that you are his
sincere friend" (end quote).
President Ezra Taft Benson urged, "Above all, be a
genuine friend to the individuals and families you
teach" (end quote).
A friend makes more than a dutiful visit each month.
A friend is more concerned about helping people than
getting credit.
A friend cares.
A friend shows love.
A friend listens.
And a friend reaches out.
Home teaching answers many prayers and permits us to see
the transformations which can take place in people's lives.
An example of this would be Dick Hammer, who came to Utah
with the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Depression.
He met and married a Latter-day Saint young woman.
He opened Dick's Cafe in St. George, Utah, which became a
popular meeting spot.
Assigned as home teacher to the Hammer family was Willard
Milne, a friend of mine.
Since I knew Dick Hammer as well, having printed the menus
for his cafe, I would ask my friend Brother Milne when I
visited St. George, "How's our friend Dick Hammer coming?"
The reply would be generally, "He's coming slowly."
When Willard Milne and his companion visited the Hammer
home each month, they always managed to present a gospel
message and to share their testimonies with
Dick and the family.
The years passed by, and then one day Willard phoned
me with good news.
"Brother Monson," he began, "Dick Hammer is converted and
is going to be baptized.
He's in his 90th year, and we have been friends all our
adult lives.
His decision warms my heart.
I've been his home teacher for many years."
There was a catch in Willard's voice as he conveyed his
welcome message.
Brother Hammer was indeed baptized and a year later
entered that beautiful St. George Temple and there
received his endowment and sealing blessings.
I asked Willard, "Did you ever become discouraged as his home
teacher for such a long time?" He replied, "No, it was worth
every effort.
As I witness the joy which has come to the members of the
Hammer family, my heart fills with gratitude for the
blessings the gospel has brought into their lives and
for the privilege I have had to help in some way.
I am a happy man" (close quote).
Brethren, it will be our privilege through the years to
visit and teach many individuals--those who are
less active as well as those who are fully committed.
If we are conscientious in our calling, we will have many
opportunities to bless lives.
Our visits to those who have distanced themselves from
Church activity can be the key which will eventually open the
doors to their return.
With this thought in mind, let us reach out to those for whom
we are responsible.
Bring them to the table of the Lord to feast on His word and
to enjoy the companionship of His Spirit, and be "no more
strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the
saints, and of the household of God."
If any of you has slipped into complacency concerning home
teaching visits, may I say, there's no time like the
present to rededicate yourself to fulfilling your home
teaching duties.
Decide now to make whatever effort is necessary to reach
those for whom you've been given responsibility.
There's a little extra prodding sometimes that will
be needed, as well, to help your home teaching companion
to find the time to go with you.
But if you're persistent, you will succeed.
Brethren, in our home teaching efforts,
remember--they're ongoing.
The work will never be concluded till the Lord and
Master says, "It is enough."
There are lives to brighten.
There are hearts to touch.
There are souls to save.
Ours is the sacred privilege to brighten, to touch, and to
save those precious souls entrusted to our care.
We should do so faithfully and with
hearts filled with gladness.
In closing, I turn to one particular example to describe
the type of home teachers we should be.
There's one Teacher whose life overshadows all others.
He taught of life and death, of duty and destiny.
He lived not to be served, but to serve; not to receive, but
to give; not to save His life, but to
sacrifice it for others.
He described a love more beautiful than lust, a poverty
richer than treasure.
It was said of this Teacher that He taught with authority
and not as did the scribes.
His laws were not inscribed upon stone
but upon human hearts.
I speak of the Master Teacher, even Jesus Christ, the Son of
God, the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind.
The biblical account says of Him, He "went about doing
good." With Him as our unfailing guide and exemplar,
we shall qualify for His divine
help in our home teaching.
Lives will be blessed.
Hearts will be comforted.
Souls will be saved.
We will become true shepherds.
That this may be so, I pray in the name of that great
Shepherd, Jesus Christ, amen.