HISTORY OF HOME TEACHING |
Below is a timeline of the evolution of Home Teaching. Dates and facts
have been taken from the Encyclopaedia of Mormonism, Vol. 2, Home
Teaching, unless otherwise noted. It is quite short, and elaboration
that anyone can give will be added. While you're at it, check out the History
of Visiting Teaching. Select a date to view details. Or you can now download
this document to view and print from Microsoft WordPad.
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1830, April
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Revelation regarding the duties of the priesthood was received. Duties
of the Elders, Priests, and Teachers included "watch[ing] over the church.
. . visit[ing] the house of each member, exhorting them to pray vocally
and in secret and attend to all family duties. . . [and to] be with and
strengthen them."
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Doctrine & Covenants 20:42, 47, 51, 53. History
of the Church 1:67-68
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1850's
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"Block teachers" were set up. They were called thus due to their
geographic nature, for you would visit the families on your block.
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1909
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Block Teachers were called "acting teachers."
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1912
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Acting Teachers were changed to "ward teachers".
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1962, January
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President Thomas S Monson returned home from presiding over the Canadian
Mission of the Church, and was named a member of the Adult Correlation
Committee of the Church, which had been assigned to prepare the "new" concept
of Home Teaching. Each phase of the work, when completed, was reviewed
by the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve.
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Ensign May 1996, pg 45
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1963, Spring
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The work of the Adult Correlation Committee was done and a number of them
(including Pres Monson) were called to serve on the new Priesthood Home
Teaching Committee, and were assigned to go among the stakes of the Church
teaching and encouraging its implementation.
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Ensign May 1996, pg 45
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1963
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The term "home teachers" was introduced, which was different than ward
teaching because a greater emphasis was now put on watching over the family
rather than just making monthly visits.
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Elder James A. Cullimore, General Conference talk
of October 8, 1972
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1980, December 1
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President Ezra Taft Benson introduces the First Presidency Message as the
"official" Home Teaching message.
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Ensign Feb 1981, p. 79; Oct 1981, p. 76
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1987, April 4
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President Ezra Taft Benson presents his now famous talk, "To the Home Teachers
of the Church."
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Ensign May 1987, pp 47-49
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