"Home Teachers Who Made a Difference", Ensign, Jan. 2011, 33–37


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The Lord admonished early priesthood holders to "teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the church; … and visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray … and attend to all family duties" (D&C 20:42, 47). At least in part, the home teaching program of the Church fulfills this divine direction.

"Home teaching is one of our most urgent and most rewarding opportunities to nurture and inspire, to counsel and direct our Father's children," taught President David O. McKay (1873–1970), ninth President of the Church. It "is a divine service, a divine call. It is our duty as home teachers to carry the divine spirit into every home and heart."1 As home teachers listen to the inspiration they receive through the Holy Ghost, Heavenly Father can direct them to provide individual, personalized guidance and service to each of His children. In return, President McKay promised that "to love the work and do our best will bring unbounded peace, joy and satisfaction to us as dedicated teachers of God's children."2

Here, members of the Church share how their lives have been blessed by home teachers who have answered the "divine call" to nurture and inspire God's children.