Of Heaven and Home

[Music] Dave thanks for coming how's Joo we don't know yet the doctor's optimistic he hasn't come to yet he's at x-ray now let's go oh I'm sorry Mr Lannon it isn't quite time for visiting only members of the immediate family we want to administer to my boy oh is this your Bishop no ma'am this is my home teacher go [Music] ahead [Music] oh rer I'm so sorry Mr Lannon it'll be a few minutes please wait in the waiting room I'll call you but may I come with you well all [Music] right [Music] Dave before we go in I I want you to know that in these past few months you've become almost well like part of the family and when my boy was hurt I thought of you almost the same time I thought of the doctor I haven't been active Dave but you [Music] have and if anyone can ask the Lord for a favor I figure you can and we sure do need a favor dear Lord please help me to help this family and this boy Joo and oh Father how great grateful I am for the help thou has given in the past I was such a reluctant servant that day I was asked to be a home teacher heard of the home teaching program but I just we need men like you Dave to make it work in our Ward we're calling you to serve as a representative of the bishop and Quorum leaders to five families to help these families better understand and enjoy the gospel but you're my elders president how come you're calling me and not the bishop well you see Dave in this program you'll represent every organization in the ward and the priesthood quorums are the backbone of it and furthermore the heads of your five families are members of our Quorum well shouldn't be any rougher than Ward teaching and I've done that this is Ward teaching as it was always meant to be Dave but it's more family centered than before what do you mean let's take the lannin they'll be one of your families you you know Rita Lannon that quiet nice looking woman that always sits alone yes that's the one well she attends her meetings faithfully and lives the gospel to the best of her ability but Dave she's having a struggle what do you mean by that it's her husband John he's a builder I think you know him well take a look there how's that for a row of blanks although he's an elder of long standing this man has never set foot in the chapel let alone come to any Quorum meetings it's at least not since I've been in this Ward and he's never been very receptive to Quorum visits either and worst of all I'm afraid the children are drifting his way they're already confused by the disunity in family thinking I remember one of them Ted he was in my Sunday school class when he was a deacon I seldom see him out anymore he seldom comes Linda she's about 15 is pretty loyal to her mother so far but just last week she left Sunday school ear to go joy riding with a boyfriend Joo the youngest they'll have a time with him I'm afraid yeah I've heard about Joo he's the terror of my wife's primary class that's him well you see Dave a family like this offers many challenges but that's the basis for the home teaching program every member of each family that you visit will be a challenge to you and your job will be to give to each of them a personal challenge to attend their meetings to embark on genealogy work or to prepare themselves to go through the temple man this sounds like a job for a genius Carl I'm just not in that class why call me because you have a strong testimony Dave and when you accept a job you always follow it through oh yes but Dave the church has invested a lot of time and prayerful thought in this program you'll receive the proper training and you'll be provided with the proper tools and we think we've asked the proper man I don't know [Music] Carl hello honey hi dear that cook home yep what did Carl want well he wants me to serve in this new new home teaching program and what's that it's like Ward teaching only it covers a lot more territory and I don't know Mary sounds pretty big I've never known you to turn down anything yet big or little well but it's a lot harder saying no to the bishop I see and Carl's just a good friend and neighbor and president of your Quorum well he's all that but I don't have to accept this job do I I mean it's not like a call from the bishop no you don't have to do anything in our church how is it you're always right not enough spice [Music] hello Joo we'll be late I don't want to go to S meeting I went for Sunday to go to drag speaking of the lannin there they are now so that's the family mhm don't he don't say he'll come oh Linda now look what you've done well it serves your ride no use forcing the G Rita you can't make a mu across the bridge if you don't want to all right Linda come on I guess it's just you and me we'll be back for you later I don't know this is the family I'm supposed to get to church and eventually back to the temple you're way ahead of yourself what do you mean one step at a time get acquainted with them first have you talked to the bishop about your call no that's what I'm going to see him about after the meeting if I'm late you go on home I'll walk okay you know I've never turned you down Bishop a call from you well that has weight behind it but Carl barara asked me to do this and I don't know we go bowling together Bishop is it the same as a call from you Dave Carl Barber is the president of your Corum of Elders he carries the authority of the priesthood and you remember what the Lord said they who receive this priesthood receive me Carl called you to this job only after Consulting the bishoprick and receiving our approval that sounds like a pretty important assignment Bishop it is important as a home teacher you won't be dealing only with Statistics or messages or quotas you'll be dealing with families with people who have individual problems you'll be sort of a personal Bishop to each one of them you'll help develop individual testimonies which will make each family unit stronger I'm still not sure I'm qualified for this job Bishop I've been W teaching for years and in all that time I doubt that I've helped build anyone's testimony it's either there or it isn't and nothing I can do is going to change it come here Dave look out there those are our W members out there good people every one of them and the lord loves them some of them break the Sabbath few take his name in vain but all of us need strengthening in one way or another Jesus said follow me and each of us will be judged by the way we follow don't you think that bringing the teachings of the Savior into those lives out there will enrich them and you Dave who's to say that your W teaching didn't do more to change people than you ever dreamed no but I came here to beted on Speedy girl that's what I want to do and Dennis look at this is your first time at the racing uhhuh so uh take a tip for me and and put your money on Speedy girl Speedy girl let me see good evening brother P won't you come in Marty Crystal I didn't recognize you outside I take your Co bet how are the ldin tonight very fine they're all in the living room listening to TV sounds like my house Mar oh she's doing wonder she sure enjoys that primary class won't you come in thank you John this is Brother Benford my husband John lanon how do you do I know you're by sight that reputation I hear you're quite a carpenter and this is Marty Bristol Marty meet my husband how do you do sir I know Ted and Linda hi there Joo hi jock Linda won't you sit down and I'll call Ted thank you Ted's in the shower well he'll be down shortly I suppose you're wondering why we're here the W teachers have been here before a Joo yeah well Marty and I aren't exactly W teachers but we'll be coming around every so often and you'll be doing us a favor to let us know when your favorite TV show comes on every Wednesday make a note of that will you Marty Wednesday uh-huh what's that for well we just want to make sure we don't come over on those nights Now That's mighty thoughtful of you I bowl on Mondays we'll make a note of that I suppose you have a message for us nothing special tonight we came mostly to get acquainted that's good I'm about up to hearing messages well maybe you have a message for us huh we don't want to waste your time or ours we've come here in behalf of the Bishop Rick and your corm president to share the gospel with you the ward isn't complete without you brother lanon we need you and your family we're hoping to serve you if you'll let us know how is there any way we can help you well now Mr Benford we appreciate your calling on us but as you can see we're we're hardly in want well every family has its problems and the gospel has answers to those problems maybe you think this family's problem is me and maybe it is but we've had War teachers here before I recognize that look on your face you're not the first do good her that's tried to bring me into the fold no Benford I don't think the church will fall apart without me that's true but in the eyes of the Lord every member is important and oh hi hi Marty hi sorry I've got to run where are you going going Ted got a DAT I'll be home early but can't you sit down just for a moment oh G Mom I'm late now all right if I take your car Dad sure just bring it back in one piece thanks we'll see you have a good time Ted bye Ted well I think we better leave too surely is nice to visit with you folks good to see you brother Lon it sure is a beautiful stereo cabinet thank thank you John built it and we're very proud of him well you should be now I know why your work is in such demand yeah Ted put most of the stereo equipment together it came in a kit he said it was easy yeah don't let him kid you there were more parts and fleas in the dog's back how about you Joo did you have a hand in it no joo's a history nut he can't spell bull run but he sure can't tell you where when all my kids are smart they all them out to something not like the old man just a stupid Carpenter you can be proud of your profession brother lanon the Savior was a [Music] carpenter [Music] [Music] a [Music] I thought I heard you prowling around down here what's the matter I couldn't sleep that's obvious any special reason oh it's that family can't get them off my mind what family here thank you the lannin the others the dods fars the rest are all active they're no trouble it's easy to help them with their problems you know Mary I took this job thinking I'll do the best I can and let each family do the rest that makes [Music] sense but this family without active priesthood without leadership they can't do much of anything so I have to do more than my best I don't know it's hard to explain but what I want I want them to have what we have the warmth the Oneness security and spirit of the Gospel I never dreamed I'd feel this responsibility for them it's it's just don't Dave I knew it was right for you to accept this job you'll be wonderful [Music] are you recall that Paul in talking to the Corinthians gave us the true concept of the love of Christ he spoke in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 this way though I speak with the tongue of men and of angels and have not charity I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling symbol and though I have the gift of Prophecy and understand stand all Mysteries and all knowledge and though I have all Faith so that I could remove mountains [Music] you know Joo I believe magarino took his men and attacked the Village from this direction never argue history with this kid Dave you can't win you know I think he's right go Bo here you go hang down the [Music] H oh I don't know Carl you know the lanners respond to me as a friend but except for Rita and Linda more recently Joo Marty and I can't make any Headway where the church is concerned a minute the conversation turns to religion Ted remembers some homework he has to do and John climbs up okay honey come on now listen don't bump into Steve he's slowing down down you cat your brother now hang on way we go our other families are so eager but in the Landon home I don't feel we've done any more than get our foot in the door well I happen to know Dave that you've made more progress with John lanon in the past few months than the rest of us have ever made you've made an effort to discover his interests and share them really isn't difficult when you are interested Carl oh that's what makes you such a good home teacher Dave well where do we go from here you go back to them this week and next week next month and 10 years from now if you have to I don't know car it's pretty discouraging there that ought to remind us all what Christmas really means a Dave don't spoil it spoil it turning it into a lecture I don't want to spend the rests of the evening and hearing about angels and dispensations this is the season to be jolly yeah but even jollier when you remember what it means I'll go put some corn on the pop there really was a star [Music] jle hey good morning oh how are the L this morning John H no Dave hello Rita hi Mary how are you morning see you after church okay H bye one of these Sundays you're going to park this car John and join us it's not such a long walk to the front door I can't hardly come looking like this Dave better like that than not at all maybe Ted Al is raiser or maybe Ted will join us too oh I came to church last Sunday Ted's got a girl friend trying to reform him no girls ever going to reform me mom never reformed you so long Dave see you [Music] later hi Dave what is say [Applause] and that's what I like about that saw sounds a good when you turn it off Ted was telling me about this project had to come over and see if you were doing the job right yeah don't lean too heavy against the walls the old shebang might collapse yeah I'll bet say what are you going to do with all this scrap Lumber burn it want some I sure do I could use it in my fireplace save it for me and I'll pick it up in my truck man this is going to be a nice looking snack bar there'll be stools along here that's the best way in the world to feed your kids in a hurry we'll tell my wife about it though she'll want one I should take a couple weeks off and build her some cabinets why don't you re is a swell girl yeah she's a good wife she has to be to put up with me you two were married in the temple where aren you is that what you come to talk about frankly yes yes we was married in the temple I wasn't very enthused about it my folks hadn't been active I wanted to marry Rita so much I managed to live within the rules long enough to get a recomm man after the wedding I tried for a while to keep the word of wisdom went to the meetings for her sake it was just easier my way are you happy living your way sure I like my work got a good wife and three wonderful kids but you're not really satisfied are you oh I don't know sometimes I wonder you wonder what you're missing don't you ever wonder what you're missing Dave Sunday morning in bed in a can of beer now if that's what I'm missing I don't care because what I'm getting in return is well worth the small investment an hour against eternity and in your case five eternities John how do you figure you Rita T okay okay you've done your preaching for today for today John what would you say if I asked you not to come back don't forget to pick up your SC lber Dave okay John we'll see you [Music] around and I thought my reward would come in heaven that character John [Music] lanon how did things go at primary today very well actually I don't know what's come over jao lately all of a sudden he can quote the New Testament backwards and forwards you should see the maps he brought to primary the Holy Land all marked with places Jesus visited made him himself maybe I can account for part of that he was complaining about the lesson [ __ ] lessons he called them I just pointed out that the Life of Christ is the life of a Great Hero and as much a part of history as the Battle of Gettysburg or Washington Crossing the Delaware well he went shooting out of the room when I went to look for him to say goodbye I found him curled up on his bed the Bible in one hand and the atlas in the other he's got a mind like a sponge and when he's thirsty for a subject watch out it's amazing what you've done with that boy oh he's still squirmy and exuberant as ever but he's part of the class now he comes because he wants to not because someone insists if I could just reach John I know I could reach Ted he models his life after his father like any boy I think you've reached him already only he's not about to admit it I'll get it hello oh yes I'll call him it's John lanon sounds like he's upset yes John oh I'm sorry well yes of course I'll be right there John what is it oh it's Joo he's been hurt badly in a sledy accident John wants me to administer to him [Music] Dave the first night you came to see us I told you we didn't need anything how wrong I was it's not just the accident not just Joo but little by little I've begun to realize how badly in need we've been as a family I'm a proud man Dave and I've let my Independence stand between me and my Father in [Music] heaven but one night after you left I asked myself what does he get out of all this personally and I couldn't think of a single thing even after I'd been rude to you you and Marty kept coming back I decided it wasn't it wasn't what little Glory might coming to the church would bring but that you were really interested in us Dave Dave I don't know if I could find it or not but I want what you've got I want it do you understand I understand John this has been a two-way street I became your home teacher reluctantly I doubted we could do anything to change your way of thinking but we wanted to share with you the joys of living the gospel and understanding the teachings of the Savior before we knew it you and your family became so important to us that you were never far from our thoughts or our prayers in the past few months you've given me so much John and now to hear you speak your heart like this has been the most rewarding experience of my life you may come in [Music] now [Music]