Sunday Report: Personal Spiritual Experiences

July 4, 2010, Ward RS Presidency Message: Taught by: Sister Kimball

A Personal application question was posed for the Lesson:  What can I do to have a more personal spiritual experience in my Sacrament, Sunday meetings, and Sabbath day?

Elder Nelson taught, “Each member of the Church bears responsibility for the spiritual enrichment that can come from a sacrament meeting” (Liahona, Aug. 2004, 14; Ensign, Aug. 2004, 28).

President Spencer W. Kimball said: “We do not go to Sabbath meetings to be entertained or even solely to be instructed. We go to worship the Lord. It is an individual responsibility, and regardless of what is said from the pulpit, if one wishes to worship the Lord in spirit and truth, he may do so by attending his meetings, partaking of the sacrament, and contemplating the beauties of the gospel. If the service is a failure to you, you have failed. No one can worship for you” (“The Sabbath—A Delight,” Ensign, Jan. 1978, 4–5).

President Gordon B. Hinckley said that “every sacrament meeting ought to be a spiritual feast” and “a time of spiritual refreshment” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 563, 564).

Relief Society sister’s responses, discussion, and response quotes:  I can…..

• Fast for a purpose, fast for spiritual guidance
• Prepare our heart’s and minds for the spirit
• Pray for the inspiration of our teachers/ speakers/ and leaders
• Pray for the spirit in renewing our covenants
• Come prepared for instruction, read the lesson materials
• Listen to church music to and from church and even the morning and in getting ready for church
• Be punctual: We are seated well before the meeting begins. “During that quiet interval, prelude music is subdued. This is not a time for conversation or transmission of messages but a period of prayerful meditation as leaders and members prepare spiritually for the sacrament” (Liahona, Aug. 2004, 13; Ensign, Aug. 2004, 27).
• Get ready for Sunday, prepare in advance– with young children it is difficult to get everyone ready and have Sunday mornings be a pleasant experience and still make it to church on time – prepare and plan for it. 
• Say personal prayers
• Have personal scripture study
• Come with an attitude of worship
• Understand the purpose of the Sacrament: President Joseph Fielding Smith teaches that b This ordinance was introduced so that we can renew our covenants to serve Him, to obey Him, and to always remember Him. President Smith adds: “We cannot retain the Spirit of the Lord if we do not consistently comply with this commandment” (Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 2:341).  Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught the priesthood leaders of the Church how to plan and conduct sacrament meetings. “We commemorate His Atonement in a very personal way,” Elder Nelson said. “We bring a broken heart and a contrite spirit to our sacrament meeting. It is the highlight of our Sabbath-day observance” (“Worshiping at Sacrament Meeting,” Liahona, Aug. 2004, 12; Ensign, Aug. 2004, 26).   “The ordinance of the sacrament makes the sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the Church. It is the only Sabbath meeting the entire family can attend together. Its content in addition to the sacrament should always be planned and presented to focus our attention on the Atonement and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Dallin H. Oaks, “Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 17–20 
• Participating actively
• Listening carefully
• Seeking to strengthen others
• Not criticizing speakers or teachers
• Be reverent: Elder Boyd K. Packer said that we should be reverent in the chapel so we do not intrude “when someone is struggling to feel delicate spiritual communications.” He also cautioned that reverence “does not equate with absolute silence. We must be tolerant of little babies, even an occasional outburst from a toddler being ushered out” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1991, 28; or Ensign, Nov. 1991, 22).  ideas:

• During sacrament meeting—and especially during the sacrament service—we should concentrate on worship and refrain from all other activities.
• Sacrament meeting is not a time for whispered conversations on cell phones or for texting.
• We need to be mindful of our children, take them out as needed, bring quite appropriate activities and toys. 
• We need to teach our children to be respectful and reverent during sacrament, practicing reverence at home and being good examples of reverence as adults. 
• Those without children could offer help or assist mothers with their hands full - offering help in a kind and loving manner. 
• Consider sitting closer to the front where there are less distractions and it is easier to listen.   
• Clean up after ourselves and children. 
• Sing Hymns: How wonderful when every person in attendance joins in the worship of singing—especially in the hymn that helps us prepare to partake of the sacrament.  Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve expressed concern that “an increasing number of our leaders and members do not sing the congregational songs.” He then counseled, “We should sing the songs of Zion—they are an essential part of our worship” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1991, 29; or Ensign, Nov. 1991, 22).
• Make it a conscious effort to keep the Sabbath Day Holy: President Spencer W. Kimball taught: “The Sabbath is a holy day in which to do worthy and holy things. Abstinence from work and recreation is important, but insufficient. The Sabbath calls for constructive thoughts and acts, and if one merely lounges about doing nothing on the Sabbath, he is breaking it. To observe it, one will be on his knees in prayer, preparing lessons, studying the gospel, meditating, visiting the ill and distressed, writing letters to missionaries, taking a nap, reading wholesome material, and attending all the meetings of that day at which he is expected” (Ensign, Jan. 1978, 4).  Ensuring that our activities honor God, are spiritually uplifting, nurture faith, strengthen the family, help or bless others, and are set apart from the daily activities of the world.  President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “Let the Latter-day Saints be in their homes, teaching their families, reading the scriptures, doing things that are wholesome and beautiful and communing with the Lord on the Sabbath day” (“Excerpts from Recent Addresses of President Gordon B. Hinckley,” Ensign, July 1996, 73).  President Hinckley also counseled: “Now I do not want to be prudish. I do not want you to lock your children in the house and read the Bible all afternoon to them. Be wise. Be careful. But make that day a day when you can sit down with your families and talk about sacred and good things” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 559–60).
• Have further discussions on the Sunday topics with family and others: a great way to carry on the Sunday lessons and topics and further be instructed and learn from each other.

Challenge: Select an item you can work on to have a more personal spiritual experience in your Sacrament, Sunday meetings, and Sabbath day.

Excerpts and quotes used in the lesson:  Lesson 16: “Thou Shalt … Offer Up Thy Sacraments upon My Holy Day”, Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, 87

Elder Oaks, “How should I behave in sacrament meeting?,” Friend, May 2010, 11

Dallin H. Oaks, “Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 17–20