Let me guess: You surfed onto this site looking for a way to make this month’s Visiting Teaching message interesting.

Now, I don’t mean to be disrespectful towards family history temple work. But it is a topic that comes up rather often, (I have written about here and here , oy!). So- either I get hit with the family history thing way too often in the Lesson Plan lottery, or the spirit is trying to get me to do work. Either way, looking up my family tree is not new. And clearly the topic can be hard to address and re-address, especially because it is a topic that so often hits news headlines.

Out of interest, Mormons are not alone in proxy work. There is evidence that the Coptic Church practiced baptisms for the dead in the 3^rd Century C.E., but ended as it was decided that those who are deceased are not privy to receiving Eucharist ordinances. (1) Mandaeans also practice proxy baptism, but only on a small scale. (2) But, by and large, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are the primary group that performs proxy ordinances, likely because it is taught to us so very often as a part of applied and real, church piety. There is some evidence that the LDS church members practiced proxy work for the living in the early days of the church- likely for other church members or relatives that were unable to migrate to Nauvoo (3) But because there is also evidence that not everyone enjoyed being proxy-baptised into another church, the practices was changed for the dead. It seems to me that the long lists of unrelated proxy temple work that were completed and created controversy furthered this practice to focus only on family history. Perhaps that is why there is such an emphasis in the church today; because if we do the work of our ancestors who have dead, we offend fewer of the living.  

From the Life of Lorenzo Snow

Lorenzo Snow had a strong work ethic. He taught “We have to exert ourselves. … Remaining idle without putting ourselves into action is of no use.” But he also taught that we can’t do everything ourselves. We need God’s help in our lives: “We, as Latter-day Saints, should understand and bear in mind that salvation comes through the grace of God.” President Eliza Snow described her brother Lorenzo as someone who had “unshaken confidence in [God’s] assisting power and grace.” She said that he “knew in whom he trusted” and therefore was able to endure “every hardship, every opposition” and “overcome every obstacle.” One of the most empowering moments of my life was realizing that I was incapable of doing everything right, and that God did not expect that of me. I would love to see this lesson focus on the grace that Lorenzo Snow taught and on the variety of ways God can help us.

From the Life of Eliza R. Snow

The text briefly mentions that Lorenzo Snow’s sister, Eliza R. Snow, served as president of the Relief Society.  As it is highly likely that much of Lorenzo Snow’s knowledge and appreciation for the Relief Society can be credited to his sister, I’ll begin by reviewing her Relief Society service.

Eliza R. Snow was instrumental in the initiation of the Relief Society. She was one of about 12 women whom Sarah Kimball invited to discuss the idea in 1842.  Eliza R. Snow then drafted the original constitution for the organization. Reference A  After discussing their plan with Joseph Smith, Smith expanded their original vision, telling them:

I will organize the women under the priesthood, after the pattern of the priesthood. –Joseph Smith Reference A

Joseph Smith organized the Relief Society in the format of the priesthood and gave the organization autonomy unparalleled in the modern church. Reference B

[Joseph Smith] propos’d  that the Sisters elect a presiding officer to preside over  them, and let that presiding officer choose two Counsellors  to assist in the duties of her Office— that he would ordain  them to preside over the Society— and let them preside  just as the Presidency, preside over the church; and if they need his instruction— ask him, he will give it from  time to time. Let this Presidency serve as a constitution— all their decisions be considered law; and acted upon as such. If any Officers are wanted to carry out the designs of the Institution, let them be appointed and set apart, as  Deacons,Teachers &c. are among us. -Eliza R. Snow quoting Joseph Smith in Nauvoo Relief Society Minutes Reference C

After officially organizing the Relief Society, Joseph Smith gave several lectures to the new Society.  In his personal diary, he wrote that he:

gave a lecture on the pries[t]hood shewing how the Sisters would come in possession of the privileges & blessings & gifts of the priesthood & that the signs should follow them. such as healing the sick casting out devils &c. & that they might attain unto these blessings. by a virtuous life & conversation & diligence in keeping all the commandments. -Joseph Smith Reference D 

If you don’t know the story of Lorenzo Snow preaching the law of tithing in drought-ridden St. George, Utah, and the blessings that followed the Saints’ renewed commitment to the law, your best Relief Society-ready review is a Church-made 1963 movie, “The Windows of Heaven.” In fact, if you’re in a ward where many of the sisters are converts or under forty, I give you permission to start with the movie and use it as a springboard for a short discussion at the end of the lesson. It’s on the cheesy side, but it’s a tear-jerker, and it has a lot to say about faith,  blessings, and commitment. Though the original movie was 50 minutes long, the copy you’re likely to have in your ward library is a 2006 DVD that runs only 11 minutes. Lacking that (and adding in a good internet connection), you can find a version on YouTube. This one runs under 17 minutes, which will probably leave you about five minutes for discussion.

If you choose not to show the film, have someone read the following paragraph:

In his previous 50 years as an Apostle, President Snow had rarely mentioned the law of tithing in his sermons. That changed in St. George, Utah, because of the revelation he received. “I never had a more perfect revelation,” he later said, “than [the revelation] I received on this subject of tithing.” From St. George, he and his traveling companions went from town to town in southern Utah and on their way home to Salt Lake City, holding 24 meetings. President Snow delivered 26 sermons. Each time he spoke, he counseled the Saints to obey the law of tithing.

Well, goodness. What had President Snow spent all that time teaching about?

Each General Conference, I sincerely try to think of messages that are uplifting to share in visiting teaching. In most speeches and every session, there are a few that resonate, including in from the April 2013 Conference. Once in a while, one talk really grabs me. Like from this conference. But this time, the talk that struck me seemed to also strike those around me. In the last few weeks following conference, nearly every person I have spoken to about conference, prompted or not, has mentioned Elder Holland’s speech.

 This speech resonated with me as well. Following the miracle of the first recorded woman to pray aloud at a general conference, I had hope—more hope that I have in a long time. To be clear, I do not believe that prayer chains or letter writing campaigns can move God or change God’s will. But I do believe that as we seek, individually or in a group, for revelation to be revealed, it can be shown. I als believe that when we ask,  then seek and knock for the miracles that God has already in store for us, that we will be blessed in the manner appropriate for this time as determined by God. I confess, I did not hope for a woman to be invited to pray at General Conference, even with the letter-writing campaign. Nonetheless, I sent in a letter with the campaign. I wrote my letter to support the friends who did believe. My letter was in testimony of something I felt was right, yet I did not have faith could happen. I had faith in my friends. And then, it happened. The prayer happened.

This lesson addresses our spiritual goal of joining our own will (agency) willingly to the will of our Father.  The questions we address to the class and to ourselves are deeply introspective and complex.  For example:  how do I maintain individuality and join my will to the Father’s?  How do I hear and understand the spirit? How do I know when I’m being guided?

Because of the thoughtful nature of this lesson, the “Teaching Help” at the end of the lesson is particularly applicable:  “Do not be afraid of silence.  People often need time to think about and reply to questions or to express what they are feeling.”

The use of words/ideas like “success” and “failure” are common in this lesson and that can be tricky because success and failure can have negative connotations (and are highly personal).  Suggesting failure to individuals in the room because of your own ideas of failure could be offensive and/or unproductive.

The opening story about Lorenzo Snow’s Birthday celebration at BYU seems an awkward fit for this less, but I do like the quote at the end of the story and think it could be a good lead-in to the lesson:  “ It is the lord that you honor when you honor me and my counselors and the Quorum of the Twelve.  We have discovered that a long time since everyone of us, that o ourselves we could do nothing.  Only as far as we followed that principle which Jesus followed when He was in he world has success followed our efforts; and it will be so with you.”

Section 1: When we seek God’s will, we follow a course in which there will be no failure. 

I would recommend talking about some definitions of failure, so you don’t discourage the class.  Many sisters may have life experiences that they view as failures – such as miscarriages, broken relationships, failed marriages, lost jobs, etc.  It would set a difficult tone if the sisters felt that their set backs and disappoints were related to their inability to connect with God and follow His guidance.  It’s important to separate life’s set back from failure.  Giving an eternal perspective would be a good approach here.

The scriptures in this section are great – and I feel they help emphasize that God is ever with us, wants to be near us, and help us.

Section 2: As we obey God’s will, He gives us power to succeed in His work.

As this section points out, it is important to believe and realize that God can do great things in our lives.  And we can do great things with His help.  I think personal stories of guidance and miracles could be valuable here, but take a broad view.

For example:  a single sister might share how God has guided her and blessed her career so she can financially sustain herself, even if her desire to be married is not fulfilled.   Or a mother could share how she has been guided to know what do for her children even though her children have special needs.

Remind the sisters that God’s love is unconditional.  Encourage sisters to find the work God has for them personally.  Share testimony that God will strengthen and give power.

Section 3:  Act in God’s name and acknowledge His hand.

This is the part of the lesson where we really talk about “being with God”.  In a large circle: we submit our will, are guided, act in ways He would want, and acknowledge Him.

The final paragraph in the lesson is a fairly good summary statement – and wrap up.