My assignment is to talk about how to think results with Visiting Teaching. In Proverbs 23:7 there is a scripture that says, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." So if we think pure optimistic thoughts, we can carry them over into reality.

Norman Vincent Peal, a Methodist minister, became world famous byusing religion to uplift people. About 30 years ago, he wrote a book entitled, "The Power of Positive Thinking, which taught millions of people how to become successful by channeling their positive thoughts into actions which cause positive results. A local judge in Burley, Judge Granata reported that people who appear before him in trouble, choose to be in the situations of breaking the law, because they think of ways to break the law.

So, how can thinking results, help us with our Visiting Teaching? First, let's think of what results we wish to achieve. I'm sure that hoped-for results will vary for each of the sisters assigned to us. Let me name a few results that are important to me.

1. I think of the good feeling that results from doing my duty as we complete the visits. Within this little blue book (hold up report book) is a sacred assignment, or duty if you wish to call it that, which my companion and I have been given. We both prefer the results we feel when we have successfully completed our assigned visits, rather than the one of guilt and embarrassment when we haven't.
2. One result I have valued highly, is the friendships made by being assigned to sisters I may not ordinarily have crossed paths with for various reasons. I have a good friend who is less active, who moves in different circles than I do, and the only way I would have met her is through being assigned to go to her home.
3. Another result we look for is seeing our less active sisters take an interest in attending church. Our invitations to activity are met with a variety of reasons that range from bitter experiences, illnesses or lack of interest. Elder Boyd K. Packer said of the latter, which is a lack of interest, "Now to the sisters of the Church, I say that attendance at Relief Society is not really optional." He relates how some of our Relief Society leaders tell of the difficulties in interesting different sisters. He says, "Sisters, to me there is something pathetic about those of our sisters who sit at home waiting to be enticed to Relief Society. That is not right. When faithful sisters pray and work to make a worthy presentation, they deserve your support. Just to have you ATTEND, is a great help. Sisters it is your duty to attend Relief Society just as it is the brethren's duty to attend their priesthood meetings. I've heard some sisters say, 'I just don't get anything out of Relief Society. Let me teach you a lesson...If you are absenting yourself from Relief Society because you don't get anything out of it', tell me, dear sisters, what is it that you are putting into it?" Strong words for sure!
4. Just think of the results from about 11/2 million sisters delivering gospel messages monthly in this troubled world. Uplifting messages that help to light a path for our sisters who are not so strong. And strong sisters becoming better by the re-emphasizing of good principles!
5. One worthwhile result is the compassionate service that is given by those who become aware of needs through monthly visits. Needs that would sometimes not be known at all without the watchcare of faithful friends becoming aware of them.

Joseph Smith said, "It is natural for females to have feelings of charity and benevolence. You are now placed in a situation in which you can act according to those sympathies which God has planted in your bosoms. If you live up to these principles, how great will be your reward in the Celestial Kingdom. If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates."

Many of us cannot attend Relief Society because of our callings in Primary and Young Women. We should not feel denied or complain. Though we miss the lessons and discussions, we can read them, attend our Homemaking Meetings, and do our Visiting Teaching. We are still members of the Relief Society and we are expected to support it and sustain our leaders, that we promised to do when we raised our hands to support them when they were called.

May we all strive to improve our Visiting Teaching by thinking and visualizing the results we hope to obtain.