We have been invited by our Prophet Russell M. Nelson and area leaders to increase our joy in our Sunday worship by being centered on our Savior Jesus Christ in our sacrament meetings and teaching messages.
We gather with our friends and family at church each week to make sacred covenants by taking the sacrament and remembering our Savior. The sacred ordinance of the sacrament is the highlight of our sabbath day. It provides us the chance to reflect on the blessing of our Heavenly Father’s plan for each of us to return to Him, be reunited with Him, and be bound with our families to our Father and our Savior. This knowledge brings us great joy.
Elder Kearon’s recent general conference talk titled “Welcome to the Church of Joy” gives direction to all of us. Here is the link to his inspired talk: Welcome to the Church of Joy
Elder Kearon teaches us the differences between attending and worshiping as we gather in sacrament meetings:
“To attend means to be present at. But to worship is to intentionally praise and adore our God
in a way that transforms us!”
Sunday meetings provide us an opportunity to be spiritually uplifted as a community that worships together. As Alma taught in Mosiah:
“…that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward
in love one towards another.”
I remember back to the covid epidemic, when we received permission to administer and take the sacrament at home as we were unable to gather in church buildings. On Easter Sunday during this time, my good wife was struggling with some serious health issues. We had been praying for divine direction, which answers came early that Sunday. Later that day, blessing and taking the sacrament emblems with just the two of us at home was the highlight of a spiritual experience I will never forget.
So why is it important to gather and worship together? While renewing our covenants with our Heavenly Father is an individual thing, there is power in worshiping with others that feel the same way that we do, that share this sacred ordinance. By being together we can lift each other during life’s challenges.
While serving in my current Stake calling, I have had the blessing of attending different ward’s sacrament meetings. I am inspired as I see and hear examples of simple acts of kindness where church members selflessly served by “mourning with those that mourn, and lifting up the hands that hang down” of those who were struggling with life’s trials.
I heard the testimony of a sister that years before had lost an infant child. Coming back to church just a few days following her loss seemed so hard, but she decided to attend that Sunday. Following sacrament meeting a friend in the ward just came to sit with her. Nothing was said, they just sat and cried together, which helped begin the healing of this young sister. As we care for our friends and our families through acts of compassion and kindness, we will increase our joy.
Another way to increase our Sabbath joy is to have a grateful heart. Gratitude for a Heavenly Father who gives us all we have. In Alma 45:1, Alma teaches us:
…“therefore they gave thanks unto the Lord their God; yea, and they did fast much and pray
much, and they did worship God with exceedingly great joy.”
Gratitude for our Savior Jesus Christ who sacrificed all for us. He taught us how to pray, to serve others, and to live our lives through His example. The blessings and miracles we continue to receive day by day from Him is another source of joy.
Gratitude for the plan of happiness and an eternal Father who is in relentless pursuit of us to return home to Him provides us lasting joy.
I love this time of year. I have always found the Christmas season to be a time filled with joy for our Father’s unmatched gift to us of our Savior Jesus Christ. I find joy in the reminders of Him in Christmas symbols that help point us to our Savior.
We decorate our homes with lights, stars, nativities, and other reminders of the gift of our Savior. We are touched by the hymns we sing that provide reminders of Him. In the hymn “Joy to the World” the words “let every heart prepare Him room” are especially meaningful as we make room for the Savior in a world that can have too much of a commercial focus during Christmas.
As we continue family traditions that honor our Savior, we will find joy in serving Him by serving those around us.
In closing, I quote our Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson in his address to us in our last general conference:
“Jesus Christ took upon Himself your sins, your pains, your heartaches, and your infirmities.
You do not have to bear them alone!”
“I call upon you to talk of Christ, testify of Christ, have faith in Christ, and rejoice in Christ!
Come unto Christ and “offer your whole soul” to Him. This is the secret to a life of joy!”
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