What is the LDS practice of home/visiting teaching? Are they the same thing? Where did this originate, as I don't know of other sects which have the same practice... at least with those terms.
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Home and visiting teaching are assignments given to church members to visit with one another, in order to uplift and strengthen each other, and to identify needs which each members may have.
The basis for this can be found in LDS scripture, Doctrine & Covenants 20:46-47:
The priest’s duty is to preach, teach, expound, exhort, and baptize, and administer the sacrament, and visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties.
Generally, during a home teaching visit, the home teacher will talk with the family, find out what's going in their lives, and usually share some spiritual message.
Most men in the church are given this responsibility.
The difference between home and visiting teaching is that home teaching is done by the men, and they visit with the whole family, while visiting teaching is done by the women, and they only visit with other women.
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There has been a slight change in policy, in 2018 general conference, Pres Russell M Nelson transitioned from home/visiting teaching to ministering
Dear brothers and sisters, we constantly seek direction from the Lord on how we can help our members keep the commandments of God, especially those two great commandments to love God and our neighbors.
For months we have been seeking a better way to minister to the spiritual and temporal needs of our people in the Savior’s way.
We have made the decision to retire home teaching and visiting teaching as we have known them. Instead, we will implement a newer, holier approach to caring for and ministering to others. We will refer to these efforts simply as “ministering.”
There is a whole page dedicated to ministering
Ministering is learning of and attending to others’ needs. It is doing the Lord’s work. When we minister, we are representing Jesus Christ and acting as His agents to watch over, lift, and strengthen those around us.
As members, we may determine through communication and inspiration the frequency and type of contact we will have with those to whom we minister. This customized contact will help us minister effectively and counsel quarterly with leaders regarding the needs of the individuals and families in our care.
