Home teaching
Encyclopedia
Home teaching is a responsibility of priesthood
holders in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Home teaching is a church program designed to allow families to be taught in their own homes, in addition to weekly church services
. Typically, two members of the priesthood, of whom at least one must be an adult, visit the home of approximately one to three assigned families once a month. Home teaching is organized at the ward level.
A companionship usually consists of two priesthood holders. In special situations a companionship may consist of a Melchizedek priesthood
holder and his wife. Generally, Elders quorum members are assigned as companions with other elders quorum members and high priests are assigned with other high priests. Additionally, members of the Teachers and Priests quorums are assigned as home teachers with either an elder or high priest companion. There may also be unique situations where a high priest is a companion with an elder.
The bishop assigns a family to either the elders quorum or high priest quorum. The leadership of the respective quorums assign companionships to home teach these families assigned to their quorums. Families assigned to a companionship may vary, each companionship is usually assigned 2-5 families. Companionships are responsible for visiting each of their assigned families once per month. Visits are normally ½ hour. Home teachers may share a lesson or spiritual thought and inquire concerning the needs and concerns of the family.
Priesthood (Mormonism)
In the Latter Day Saint movement, priesthood is considered to be the power and authority of God, including the authority to act as a leader in the church and to perform ordinances, and the power to perform miracles. A body of priesthood holders is referred to as a quorum.Priesthood denotes elements...
holders in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Home teaching is a church program designed to allow families to be taught in their own homes, in addition to weekly church services
Worship services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
In Mormonism, worship services include weekly services, held on Sundays , in neighborhood based religious units...
. Typically, two members of the priesthood, of whom at least one must be an adult, visit the home of approximately one to three assigned families once a month. Home teaching is organized at the ward level.
Assignments and responsibilities
The Elders and High Priests quorum leadership have the responsibility of assigning home teaching companionships and families assigned to those companionship. All assignments are approved by the Bishop or Branch President.A companionship usually consists of two priesthood holders. In special situations a companionship may consist of a Melchizedek priesthood
Melchizedek priesthood
The Melchizedek priesthood is the greater of the two orders of priesthood recognized in Mormonism. The others are the Aaronic priesthood and the rarely recognized Patriarchal priesthood...
holder and his wife. Generally, Elders quorum members are assigned as companions with other elders quorum members and high priests are assigned with other high priests. Additionally, members of the Teachers and Priests quorums are assigned as home teachers with either an elder or high priest companion. There may also be unique situations where a high priest is a companion with an elder.
The bishop assigns a family to either the elders quorum or high priest quorum. The leadership of the respective quorums assign companionships to home teach these families assigned to their quorums. Families assigned to a companionship may vary, each companionship is usually assigned 2-5 families. Companionships are responsible for visiting each of their assigned families once per month. Visits are normally ½ hour. Home teachers may share a lesson or spiritual thought and inquire concerning the needs and concerns of the family.