Improving Sacrament Meeting: Seeking Suggestions

[lithpblithh]

Limit all speakers to 10 minutes max.

 

We can't prevent boring speakers, but we can at least limit their time. I think more speakers is better.

 

When the podium is adjusted (or a start button is pressed) a 9 minute 30 second countdown starts and when it ends the volume automatically decreases gradually to zero over the next 30 seconds.

 

Maybe decrease the meeting duration by 10 minutes.

 

I wouldn't mind two musical performances, but I'm guessing in many wards even one per week is hard to get.

[Tacenda]

I resist creating situations where competition is created between boys and girls. I dislike parenting processes that demand that if I give X to one child then I need to X to every other child. Making decisions driven solely on gender seldom lead to actually meeting the need without creating a host of other problems and issues. The idea of a spiritual thought seems nice, but what is the objective? What need is being met? The more I think about it the more I appreciate it and think it could prove very helpful to the sacredness of the Sacrament.

• If Ward Council could plan anything it is to become cognizant of spiritual holidays during the year - when it is Easter, Christmas, etc. then the entire meeting schedule should celebrate that specific holiday/purpose.
• Meetings should begin on time...period. No excuses. Make that happen.
• Sacrament is not a dining experience for small children. IF they eat, then their parents should clean up after them. Supply them with those little hand vacs to clean up the mashed cheerios and other food crumbs after the close of the meeting.
• Moroni 6:9 - Follow the Spirit - sometimes plans change or need to be changed.
• Never let the words "Visiting Teaching" or "Home Teaching" be spoken. Teach the principles and concepts that lead an individual to want to serve their neighbor and community.

A little too much soapbox, but it comes too quickly and I am not very disciplined.

I love these suggestions!

[mnn727]

 

Wyoming does have quite a few nursing home sacrament meetings though (the town i grew up in in Northern Wyoming is about 6,000 people and has five wards), as i'm guessing other states do as well,

You must not travel much outside of LDS Central: in my city of 240,000+ there are a total of 6 wards and 2 branches (Spanish and Chinese). There 3 nursing homes in my ward boundaries with a grand total of 2 members (both female) residing in them. We bring the sacrament, and home teach and they get visited by relief society members once a week.

Edited June 22, 2015 by mnn727

[bluebell]

You must not travel much outside of LDS Central: in my city of 240,000+ there are a total of 6 wards and 2 branches (Spanish and Chinese). There 3 nursing homes in my ward boundaries with a grand total of 2 members (both female) residing in them. We bring the sacrament, and home teach and they get visited by relief society members once a week.

I haven't travel very much outside of Mormon central I suppose, but I've lived in Montana and North Dakota which might count I guess.

[Okrahomer]

One of the "issues" which was discussed during our Stake Training had to do with the use of electronic devices.  The sister who raised the issue seemed convinced that it was somehow less uplifting to read the scriptures from one's iPhone or iPad than it was to read direct from paper pages.  Our Stake President nodded in a kind of ambivalent agreement--his ambivalence may have had something to do with the fact that his entire presentation was on his iPad.  I really don't think he was 100% convinced, and neither am I.

 

My wife turned to me and said:  "I just don't think we're going to be able to "ban" electronic devices at Church."

 

I do agree that there are some folks who probably drift from Gospel-related content and move into e-mails and instant-messaging.  But these devices are now an integral part of how we read, prepare lessons and communicate.  So, is there a "solution" to this particular problem?  Is it actually a problem?

[Calm]

We are going to have to learn personal discipline just like we have with everything else new in our lives.

[Duncan]

One of the "issues" which was discussed during our Stake Training had to do with the use of electronic devices.  The sister who raised the issue seemed convinced that it was somehow less uplifting to read the scriptures from one's iPhone or iPad than it was to read direct from paper pages.  Our Stake President nodded in a kind of ambivalent agreement--his ambivalence may have had something to do with the fact that his entire presentation was on his iPad.  I really don't think he was 100% convinced, and neither am I.

 

My wife turned to me and said:  "I just don't think we're going to be able to "ban" electronic devices at Church."

 

I do agree that there are some folks who probably drift from Gospel-related content and move into e-mails and instant-messaging.  But these devices are now an integral part of how we read, prepare lessons and communicate.  So, is there a "solution" to this particular problem?  Is it actually a problem?

 

 

one thing that gets me is these inane "powerpoint presentations" where is the power and what is the point? I can honestly say in years of church meetings that had them maybe less than 6 times they worked out, I groan within myself when I see someone setting it up and flipping waiting and for the thing to work and whatever doesn't connect and all that hoy faloy, like call me when you know what you're doing and then we can get on with the show

[Okrahomer]

We are going to have to learn personal discipline just like we have with everything else new in our lives.

 

I agree.  Should this be a topic for a 5th Sunday or a Sacrament talk?

 

one thing that gets me is these inane "powerpoint presentations" where is the power and what is the point? I can honestly say in years of church meetings that had them maybe less than 6 times they worked out, I groan within myself when I see someone setting it up and flipping waiting and for the thing to work and whatever doesn't connect and all that hoy faloy, like call me when you know what you're doing and then we can get on with the show

 

This has become such an issue in our Ward, that the Bishop requested a special "technology" workshop.  I don't know yet how successful the workshop was for others, but I think my wife loved it.  She teaches in RS, and while she doesn't use PowerPoint, she does use videos and slides--she now puts everything on her iPad and "plays" it on one of the Ward TV's.  I peeked in during her first lesson, and it worked like a charm.

Edited June 22, 2015 by Okrahomer

[Okrahomer]

I can't find the link to this training, do you know where it is

This Q&A about the training was posted today:

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-leaders-call-for-better-observance-of-sabbath-day

[readstoomuch]

Entering late. I vote for some changes in music. Any type of change in music. A few more modern hymns? Soft accoustic guitar without amplifier? How about a black gospel song now and again?

Our ward has come so far in the last few years with talks that I can`t complain. They let me talk and the bishop knows I am going to telll it like it is-warts and all. I guess that means I would vote for the salty side of our history making into the talks.

[Avatar4321]

Entering late. I vote for some changes in music. Any type of change in music. A few more modern hymns? Soft accoustic guitar without amplifier? How about a black gospel song now and again?

Our ward has come so far in the last few years with talks that I can`t complain. They let me talk and the bishop knows I am going to telll it like it is-warts and all. I guess that means I would vote for the salty side of our history making into the talks.

How about we encourage the saints to write new hymns in whatever language they speak

Then how about we use them?

[Boanerges]

I wish High Councilors would get rid of parroting general conference talks, if my 12 yr son has to come up with his own material for a primary talk then certaintly high councilors should come up with their own stuff

 I know other comments have been made about this, but it really is up to the SP. In my stake we are given a topic which always starts with "come unto Christ through..." and we're told whatever the topic is to make it a Christ centered talk. We are also free to change the topic if we feel impressed/inspired to do so.

Edited July 3, 2015 by Boanerges

[Avatar4321]

I know other comments have been made about this, but it really is up to the SP. In my stake we are given a topic which always starts with "come unto Christ through..." and we're told whatever the topic is to make it a Christ centered talk. We are also free to change the topic if we feel impressed/inspired to do so.

Getting the Spirit seems to be key

[Bob Crockett]

Less procedure. Meaning, fewer anouncements. No wrap up discourse by the conducting authority. Fewer speakers. No explanation as to what comes next if there is a written handout. In other words less is better.

Themes planned months in advance with speakers assigned.

[JLHPROF]

Themes planned months in advance with speakers assigned.

 

Luke 12:^11-12 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:  For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

 

D&C 84:85 Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.

 

D&C 24:5-6 And thou shalt continue in calling upon God in my name, and writing the things which shall be given thee by the Comforter, and expounding all scriptures unto the church. And it shall be given thee in the very moment what thou shalt speak and write, and they shall hear it, or I will send unto them a cursing instead of a blessing.

 

D&C 100:5-6 Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men; For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say.

 

Moroni 6:9 And their meetings were conducted by the church after the manner of the workings of the Spirit, and by the power of the Holy Ghost; for as the power of the Holy Ghost led them whether to preach, or to exhort, or to pray, or to supplicate, or to sing, even so it was done.

[bluebell]

Less procedure. Meaning, fewer anouncements. No wrap up discourse by the conducting authority. Fewer speakers. No explanation as to what comes next if there is a written handout. In other words less is better.

Themes planned months in advance with speakers assigned.

 

We always have two speakers every Sunday.  If we had less we'd just be hearing a sermon by a guest preacher each week.  I'd prefer to have at least four if i had my way!

[busybee]

Babysitting issues:

 

 

 

Bluebell and others mentioned the difficulty of "babysitting" during Sacrament Meetings.  This was discussed and recognized as a big issue during the training--of course, actual solutions were not provided.  Those, it seems, will be left up to us; however, I appreciate the responses from Calmoriah and others regarding potential aids, such as the Ward Bulletin puzzles, etc.

 

 

And just as Calmoriah mentioned, my wife wonders why it would not be possible to record the talks, so both shut-in’s as well as “babysitters” could listen later.  During the discussions at our Stake training, one sister said:  "I miss the old-style chapels that had a "cry-room"--why don't we have those anymore?"  Our Stake President shook his head in agreement but did not offer an answer.

We have a relatively new chapel. Built in 1998 and we have a 'cry room'. We are in the UK.

[Alan]

We HAVE to do something about the awful music/hymns. Many, even most of them, are just dreadful.

I'm not advocating rock bands etc, but I would like to see a revision of the hymn book to include some contemporary Christian hymns, acoustic guitars, violins etc permitted if available, and the words to the hymns projected onto a screen so that everyone looks up and sings up, not down into their books or boots.

[Alan]

I see some have suggested themes planned months in advance.

I find this idea appalling. There must be spontaneity. Our meetings (according to the D&C) should be conducted by the Spirit, not some corporately agreed theme like the Catholics and Anglicans do. Maybe we should just go the whole hog and have a Liturgy.

Edited July 6, 2015 by Alan

[Okrahomer]

We have a relatively new chapel. Built in 1998 and we have a 'cry room'. We are in the UK.

This is great! I haven't seen a true glassed-in cry room at the back of the chapel for many years.