Enthusiasm In Worship

[Hamba Tuhan]

I am not saying that you are doing anything wrong. What I am saying is that there better ways of doing it still.

Better, apparently, than the way outlined in the Church handbook:

Members of the bishopric should extend invitations to speak in sacrament meeting well in advance of the meeting.

Orienting Participants. Members of the bishopric orient sacrament meeting participants. They review the purposes of sacrament meeting and explain that all talks and music should be in harmony with the sacred nature of the sacrament.

When inviting members to speak, a member of the bishopric clearly explains the subject and the length of time the person should speak. He counsels speakers to teach the doctrines of the gospel, relate faith-promoting experiences, bear witness of divinely revealed truths, and use the scriptures (see D&C 42:12; 52:9). Speakers should teach in a spirit of love after prayerful preparation.

[zerinus]

Better, apparently, than the way outlined in the Church handbook:

Yes!

[mrmandias]

A couple of times our bishop has got up and stopped the singing, then told us to sing like we believe it. Noticeable improvement ensues, though only for that meeting.

[sheilauk]

some time lurker here, recently registered!

I attend a ward and have been a visitor to a couple of other wards in England. I've also in the past attended many other denominations of Christian churches. Personally, I prefer a more reverent sacrament meeting, as I find it gives me the opportunity to focus and think about what is being said. But, i do love singing and try to do so enthusiastically and I think that, in general, my ward is enthusiastic and sings loudly. Also, our bishop does vary the way the Sacrament meeting is conducted, at times changing the 'program' or, as Zerinus suggested, not having assigned speakers, but calling on others as the Spirit moves. In general, I also find that the congregation are enthusiastic participants in Relief Society and Sunday School - can't speak for the Priesthood! We have Sacred Music Evenings to share nothing but music - always well attended. In the end, no one way will suit everyone, so its surely worth trying everything on offer, afterall variety is the spice of life!