The Following is the message I gave at my church meeting this afternoon, the topic assigned was "Reverence in our Church Meetings" I felt that some things that needed to be discussed was not only the adults reaction in the service, but also how to tend to children who may be in the meeting with you. Within my faith, children of all ages are expected to be in the service with the adults, and there are alot of first time parents participating in services there.
I based the entire talk on two articles I found on the Internet at http://www.lds.org/
From the main page I entered the Library section and searched for "Reverence in Sacrament Meeting" There were over 500 possible selections, but the ones I chose were, (1) "Reverence Invites Revelation" by Elder Boyd K Packer and (2) "Teaching Children to Worship" by Joan and Helen Hughes. Although this is just exerpts from these articles in the following discertation given, there were many ideas and examples that I did not have the time to cover and encourage anyone who needs further research to go to the website and read the articles in their entirety.
"For the past several years we have watched patterns of reverence and irreverence in the Church. While many are to be highly commended, we are drifting. We have reason to be deeply concerned." 1
"Irreverence suits the purpose of the adversary by obstructing the delicate channels of revelation in both mind and spirit."1
"Our meetinghouses are designed so that we may enjoy socials, dancing, drama, even sports. All of these are important. But these auxillary activities should be subdued when compared with what the world is doing. Music, dress, and conduct associated with them are quite different from what is appropriate in the chapel or classroom on the Sabbath day.
When we return for Sunday meeting, the music, dress, and conduct should be appropriate for worship. Foyers are built into our chapels to allow for the greeting and chatter that are typical of people who love one another. However, when we step ionto the chapel, we must!-each one of us must- watch ourselves lest we be guilty of intruding when someone is struggling to feel the delicate spiritual communications." 1
The Lord commanded: "Assemble yourselves together, and organize yourselves....Continue in prayer and fasting...Teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom...And my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel. In all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand"(D&C 88:74-80) 1
A testimony is profoundly personal, and occurs in response to very private prayers and pleadings. Nevertheless, the Lord has told us, "Where two or three are gathered together
in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matt 18:20, D&C 6:32)1
My favorite scripture is Malichi 3:16-18, which reads:
Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD,
and that thought upon his name.
And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewewls; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
"Even very small children can experience the beautiful, sacred, tender feelings bestowed by the Holy Spirit, and all children have a need and a right to do so. For our children to feel the Spirit, they need to take part in sacrament meeting and be tranquil enough to sense the whisperings of the still, small voice. It is not always easy, but we can teach our children to "be still, and know that I am GOD" (Psalm 46:10) In addition to setting an example of reverence for children, parents, relatives, teachers, ad leaders may find the following thoughts useful in helping children to experience reverent worship.
The teaching of reverent worship begins at home. The earlierthis teaching begins with young children the easier it is." 2
My mother taught me at a very early age, to not run in the house when we were home, then one day she told me "I don't let you run in my house, do you think that GOD wants you running in HIS?" taching young ones to respect your home can be an example to them of how they are to act in public, especially in the house of the LORD.
We can do much to help our children appreciate the talks given in sacrament meeting. President Spencer W Kimball counseled: "An occasional whispered comment to clarify...the speaker's message may help the child to relate to what is happening. For example, the father could whisper, 'That is Gordy's daddy speaking now. He's talking about pioneers' "
Of course al this must be done in very quiet whispers, into a child's ear, so as not to distract others. 2
Our children need to feel and show respect for the speakers, We can lovingly counsel our children: "I know you don't understand everything,but the speakers will tell us what they feel the LORD wants us to learn. I'll help you understand a little, and then we'll talk about it more after we get home. 2
We cannot force our children to worship, but we can help them to behave in ways that invite tje Spirit. Each child is unique, of course and what works with one may not work with another. But parents who prayerfully determine to help their children worship and feel the Spirit will find to their joy that they are entitled to revelation and inspiration on the matter. 2
No one of us can survive in the world of today, much less in what it will soon become, without personal inspiration. The spirit of reverence can and should be evident in every organization in the Church and in the lives of every member.
While we may not see an immediate, miraculous transformation, as surely as the LORD lives, a quiet one will take place. The spiritual power in the lives of each member and in the CHurch will increase. The LORD will pour out his Spirit upon us more abundantly. We will be lesstroubled, less confused. Wewill find revealed answers to personal and family problems without all the counseling which we seem now to need. 1
Always remember, you can tell a child what to do, but they will most likely do what they see you doing more...They will follow your example.
President Gordon B Hinckley stated "We need to strengthen our sacrament meeting andmake them hours of worship in very deed. Cultivate a spirit of reverence, an attitude in which people come into the chapel and are quiet and reverent andthoughtful....Sacrament meeting ought to be a time of spiritual refreshment for our people, when, on Sunday, they gather to partake of the sacrament and renew their covenants with the LORD."
God Bless!
Angela
