Regarding the administration of the Sacrament, Gordon B. Hinckley taught,
“The priest at the sacrament table places all in the congregation under sacred covenant. The offering of the prayer is not a ritual to be thoughtlessly spoken. It is, rather, the voicing of an obligation and a promise. Cleanliness of hands, as well as purity of heart, should be taught to the priests who officiate at the sacrament table.”
“Reverence and Morality”
April 1987 General Conference
Priesthood Session
As I was reviewing a talk by President Hinckley entitled, “Reverence and Morality,” I came across this invitation:
“I wish that every father in the Church would make this a matter of discussion with his family at the next family home evening and occasionally in family home evenings thereafter. The subject for discussion might be something like this: “What each of us can do to improve the spirit of our sacrament meetings.” Wonderful things will happen if this is done.” (April 1987 General Conference)
This is something that I have thought about with our children, but I am grateful for the prophetic reinforcement. With a younger child, I see it valuable to teach very early how sacred and important the sacrament is. I want to start early by bringing my children to the chapel on a week day, dressed up for Sunday and have a chat where we discuss good and appropriate behavior.
Sure we’ll likely still have outburst here or there, a bad day or two now and then, but The expectation can begin early with a context of why, that will allow them to begin earlier to reverence, even enjoy, the sacrament.
Gordon B. Hinckley taught,
“Socializing is an important aspect of our program as a church. We encourage the cultivation of friends with happy conversations among our people. However, these should take place in the foyer, and when we enter the chapel we should understand that we are in sacred precincts.”
“Reverence and Morality”
April 1987 General Conference
Priesthood Session
In speaking on the Sabbath Day, James E. Faust shared an excerpt from the First Presidency Message announcing the consolidation of church meetings into the block schedule we have today. He said,
“I am concerned that many in our generation are missing great blessings by not honoring the Lord’s day.
On February 1, 1980, when the First Presidency announced the consolidated Sunday meeting schedule, the following counsel was given: “A greater responsibility will be placed upon the individual members and families for properly observing the Sabbath day. More time will be available for personal study of the scriptures and family-centered gospel study.
Other appropriate Sabbath activities, such as strengthening family ties, visiting the sick and the home-bound, giving service to others, writing personal and family histories, genealogical work, and missionary work, should be carefully planned and carried out. It is expected that this new schedule of meetings and activities will result in greater spiritual growth for members of the Church. It is hoped that priesthood leaders and members of the Church will honor the spirit of more family togetherness on Sunday. “
James E. Faust, Conference Report, Oct. 1991, p. 45
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