A visiting teacher is a woman assigned to watch over and help another woman in her Latter-day Saint ward or branch. Two visiting teachers are assigned to each woman; they contact her at least once a month and encourage her efforts to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. Included in this regular visit is a message of spiritual instruction that is adapted to meet the needs and concerns of the individual woman. Messages often inspire further gospel discussions, and women learn together.
“Visiting teachers minister in behalf of the Savior. Our hands are His hands, our love is His love, and our service is His service.Good visiting teachers know the sisters they visit. They love them, serve them, and help them learn the gospel … They focus on fortifying homes and lives. There is no greater privilege than to watch over and strengthen another person,” former general Relief Society president Julie B. Beck said.
In addition to the spiritual aspect of their calling, visiting teachers also help with the temporal needs of the woman and her family. For example, visiting teachers may provide meals after a baby is born or assist with housecleaning if a woman is sick.
Most women in the Church have the opportunity to serve as visiting teachers. The visiting teaching program is coordinated by the Relief Society, the organization for women in each Latter-day Saint congregation.
The visiting teaching program is complemented by the home teaching program in caring for the needs of Latter-day Saints. Home teachers are two men who are assigned to visit everyone who lives in a home.