With all the talk on improving Sabbath day worship, some very obvious things seem overlooked. In all the hoopla and complaining that has been going on, there is the forgotten notion that one should be taking personal responsibility for one’s own worship rather than expecting to be acted upon.
After all, we are told that we should “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12). I suppose that work should include how we worship.
One of the new realities is that we are constantly bombarded with stimulation such that we cannot seem to exist without it. It was not uncommon for my children as they were growing up to say, “I am bored” because there was nothing immediate to grab their attention. At least nothing they were particularly interested in.
My daughter and son, when they first got their beloved pagers, had to sleep with them under their pillows lest they be deprived of an early morning page. This, despite our best efforts to get them shut off and put away each night.
With the advent of the mobile phone and other mobile devices, we now live in a 24×7 communication world. You’ve seen it, maybe you do it. The constant checking, looking and using the mobile device. Can’t leave home without it! Can’t live with it, can’t live without it.
Oh, wait a text just came in. A Facebook post, a snapchat.
“Keeping talking, I just need to see who this is….”
“Dear, your dinner is getting cold. No, wait, I just need to tell them something.”
“Hey, put that thing down, we’re having dinner as a family….”
And let’s not forget, the latest excuse.
“I have my scriptures on my phone….”
The Sabbath was made for man to rest from our daily routine, to take ourselves out of our normal environment and focus on the spiritual, the divine.
Sure, we may not work. We may not shop. We go to Church. But are we really there? Have we unplugged ourselves for just a little while to listen for the still, small voice. I think the purpose of the still, small voice is to get us to stop, pay attention and listen.
Spiritually.
Can you do that with the chimes, vibrations, the stimulations around you…?
My parent’s generation was introduced to the radio, my generation, the TV. My kid’s, the computer and then, the mobile phone. We’ve had, in the last 60 to 80 years, the new burden of distraction that perhaps puts an added challenge before us to foster and grow our spiritual side.
I guess the big question is: Can we be still? Can we listen for the still, small voice? Can we, for a 70-minute period each week, just enjoy being quiet and trying to hear what God has to tell us? And maybe to use the time to communicate what we need to Him?
“Be still, and know that I am God…” (Psalms 46:10)
“Could you just text it to me?”
Wheat & Tares 
Jeff, your opening paragraph seemed to promise a post I could really agree with…”the forgotten notion that one should be taking personal responsibility for one’s own worship rather than expecting to be acted upon.” Hear, hear!
I have long been opposed to the paternal, rule/list-making, obedience-driven approach we almost always take in the church–both locally and from the GAs. And, I am opposed to these once-each-decade campaigns to make our meetings more reverent = spiritual.
In our ward, the first visible action has been for whomever is conducting the meeting to stand at the podium during the prelude music. Everyone quiets down (thus eliminating the valuable social support going on) and wonders why the (and gets irritated that the) organist doesn’t notice and stop playing. But, hey!, we were quieted down = more spiritual?
However, that is not what your post is about. I think, regardless of how accurate the rest of your post is, taking personal responsibility should be the overarching principle with regard to this issue. I am not in favor of guilting everyone (else, since I use no electronic tools in church) to put away their devices–so long as they are silent.
And, I think sacrament meeting is boring since all but one or two talks per year are redundant, reductive, vapid, repetitive, rote, too long, etc. In other words, not enjoyable except for the brief time to connect with my friends socially before and after.
Jeff, I really respect your opinion. I like reading your posts.
You said: “We may not work. We may not shop. We go to Church. But are we really there? …Spiritually.”
What if I do work, I do shop, and I skip church half the time…but when I do go to church…I’m really really there…spiritually. like I take it serious.
Any difference?
Is there a difference between the person who goes all the time and is hardly “there” spiritually, from the person who hardly goes but is “really there” when he shows up?
Heber13 #2 Is there a difference? We might not know, since the only person who can really say he’s “really there” is the member. The person who hardly goes, in all likelihood, doesn’t have a calling, is therefor not able to help out the rest of the congregation, and is not, I would proffer, “really there.” I don’t buy the “I am spiritual but don’t bother to attend church” position at all.
fbisti,
“I have long been opposed to the paternal, rule/list-making, obedience-driven approach we almost always take in the church–both locally and from the GAs. And, I am opposed to these once-each-decade campaigns to make our meetings more reverent = spiritual.”
I agree with you. I don’t like them and I don’t follow them unless I adopt them for myself.
The purpose of our Sacrament Meeting is singular — Tpo partake of the Sacrament. if the meeting ended there, it will have fulfilled it’s purpose. The value of taking the Sacrament is personal. To a non-member, it could be nothing more than bread and water. To us, it is more significant.
But that significance is personal. To me, that is the spiritual part. We’ve been taught that there is a preparatory period prior to the actual ordinance itself. You can use that period to prepare or not, it’s up to you.
I tried to make my post all about personal responsibility. Part of that, though, is consideration for others.
No guilt.
Heber13,
“Is there a difference between the person who goes all the time and is hardly “there” spiritually, from the person who hardly goes but is “really there” when he shows up?”
I don’t know. That is really not up to me to judge. They have to do for themselves what works for them spiritually.
Like IDIAT stated, I don’t really buy the “I am Spiritual” line, but then again, it’s not my problem it the person saying it.
I am addressing active regular-Church going members, not the fringy types.
Great and thought provoking post Jeff.
I take my electronic devices to church. I’m on 24 hour call for work so I have to monitor those calls.
Independent of that, I use my iPad to read the sacrament prayer as it is being blessed. I find that I have a better experience as I actually read the prayer and can visualise the words.
I also commented on the possibility of having a shorter sacrament in HPG a few weeks ago – for all the usual reasons too long, kids can’t concentrate etc. I said that ultimately, the purpose (as above) was to partake of the sacrament – all the rest is extra. I was shot down in a ball of flames. How dare I suggest lessening our ability to hear talks and be instructed. That would depend on the Q15 but I had no right to suggest it.
For all the reasons mentioned, Sunday’s are not always uplifting for me. My possession of my electronic devices at church is my way of taking control of that. I can read uplifting quotes. Read the words of hymns. Read other stuff. Do I read my emails and this blog as well – yep I do. Having a three hour block, which is longer than nearly every other church on the planet, has produced the situation for me where I require a little bit more control over my worship.
I think that your purpose in attending sacrament meeting is to 1. partake of the sacrament and 2. find personal spiritual enlightenment, then, in that case, going, partaking of the sacrament, and then, if the speaker doesn’t grab you, turning to your device, is okay.
And I think that if your purpose in attending sacrament meeting is to 1. partake of the sacrament and 2. be a blessing to the flawed people who are navigating speaking and teaching assignments, then, in that case, partaking of the sacrament and then refraining from looking up other stuff on your electronic device and instead listening politely and charitably and, when appropriate, commenting helpfully, is the better thing to do.
So, it depends on what you think is the purpose of your attendance.
First line: I think that IF your purpose
Miriam, that is an awesome answer! When the speakers drone on, I am on my tablet doing genealogy, and some of my coolest finds have been in sacrament meeting, as well as priesthood meeting. Lucky for my, it is actually my calling to help others during the Sunday School 45 minutes.
IDIAT,
I’m sorry you have never met people like Mitch Mayne or Fatimah Saleh whom I blogged about recently. Fatimah in particular, doesn’t fit your stereotype, and the reason she doesn’t attend church is because she asks,
So while she is not coming to church, she is getting a divinity degree at Duke University, and what is she doing with it?
I’m sorry she doesn’t fit your stereotype: I don’t buy the “I am spiritual but don’t bother to attend church” position at all., but there are people who don’t go to church and ARE very spiritual. You should learn more about them. THEY DO EXIST, and I feel sorry that your world is so small you “can’t buy that position.”
Jeff:
“After all, we are told that we should “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12). I suppose that work should include how we worship.”
Paul was a great Apostle, but He did not have a Doctrine & Covenants. Jesus has already saved us but He has not yet judged us, When He gets around to that, that’s what is going determine how happy we will be in eternity. In the Doctrine & Covenants it tells that our work here is to obey the commandments. So our work still doesn’t save us. It makes us happier here on earth and in eternity. How happy? How much is the obedience you have shown Him while you were here? How close have you come to Him?
fbisti –
“And, I think sacrament meeting is boring since all but one or two talks per year are redundant, reductive, vapid, repetitive, rote, too long, etc. In other words, not enjoyable except for the brief time to connect with my friends socially before and after.”
Did God really tell you that your sacrament meeting was boring?
Heber13 –
“What if I do work, I do shop, and I skip church half the time…but when I do go to I’m really there…spiritually. like I take it serious.”
What if God wants you to be there to teach a primary class who needs you there every Sunday? Even if there are no children to teach, Is He going to tell you to go shopping instead? If He has said that to you then go do your shopping.
Jeff Spector –
“I tried to make my post all about personal responsibility. Part of that, though, is consideration for others.”
No, it’s not. You are only responsible to do what God has told you to do. If He is concerned about someone else He will tell you about it if He wants you to do something about it. If that means that He wants you to leave sacrament meeting than take off – times a wasting. If not, you probably will do better to stay at church. Ask God, though, if that troubles you.
Jeff Spector:
““Heber13, Is there a difference between the person who goes all the time and is hardly “there” spiritually, from the person who hardly goes but is “really there” when he shows up?”
I don’t know. That is really not up to me to judge. They have to do for themselves what works for them spiritually.”
Jeff, what’s that kind of talk? God doesn’t want you to judge people, but you can judge actions – especially when they are right and wrong. To find that out just talk to God.
LDS_Aussie –
“I also commented on the possibility of having a shorter sacrament in HPG a few weeks ago – for all the usual reasons too long, kids can’t concentrate etc. I said that ultimately, the purpose (as above) was to partake of the sacrament – all the rest is extra. I was shot down in a ball of flames. How dare I suggest lessening our ability to hear talks and be instructed. That would depend on the Q15 but I had no right to suggest it.
For all the reasons mentioned, Sunday’s are not always uplifting for me. My possession of my electronic devices at church is my way of taking control of that. I can read uplifting quotes. Read the words of hymns. Read other stuff. Do I read my emails and this blog as well – yep I do. Having a three hour block, which is longer than nearly every other church on the planet, has produced the situation for me where I require a little bit more control over my worship.”
If God has told you all these things, than you did well. If He hasn’t, then ask Him – and you might want to be ready to apologies.
Jeff Spector –
“I guess the big question is: Can we be still? Can we listen for the still, small voice? Can we, for a 70-minute period each week, just enjoy being quiet and trying to hear what God has to tell us? And maybe to use the time to communicate what we need to Him?
“Be still, and know that I am God…” (Psalms 46:10)”
Bravo Jeff. I believe that as you do this you will be listening to all the talks and enjoying them, but I haven’t asked God about that. So be careful.
Gosh Rich, isn’t there a scripture somewhere about it being the unprofitable servants having to be commanded in all things…
Interesting post Jeff. A few years ago now Elder Kopischke attended our stake conference. One of the things he apparently advocated during a leadership session (as reported by my father) was that we can take the opportunity during sacrament meetings to meditate, seek revelation. We didn’t necessarily need to be listening to the speakers.
Rich – the pious and self righteous overtones to your responses suggest to me that this topic is a little beyond you. Would you be happy if I said that I asked God about all this and he told me to tell you to stop posting pious and self righteous comments and to maybe read the scripture Hedgehog suggested above..????
IDIAT: “I don’t buy the “I am spiritual but don’t bother to attend church” position at all.”
My guess is I talked about shopping and skipping church, so you were talking about that, and not talking about the doctor or nurse who works half the time on Sunday. Am I right?
It seems if someone has a valid reason (like work), then, everyone is OK with being spiritually there even if not all the time. Why is that different from someone who is there just as often as the ER nurse, but other weeks is spiritually camping in nature?
I have had a feeling that being “spiritually there” is being assessed by other people who are there all the time, because they feel themselves that they MUST go all the time to keep the sabbath holy. If that is their view…then it makes sense that someone else who doesn’t go all the time surely can’t be there spiritually as much if they choose to skip sometimes. Whereas, the faithful 100% attendee who is preoccupied with electronic devices, chatting in the halls with friends, and running around passing calendars on clipboards is assumed to really be there spiritually…I mean…you can really see how spiritual they are!! Look at how much they do!!
We are talking about sacraments and spiritually connecting with God…as Jeff said…Be still, my soul. I think there are lots of distractions on a Sunday in a meeting…electronics, children, announcements of activities, reminders to home teach/visit teach, and who needs to organize chapel cleanings which they find easier to do with everyone there at church rather than doing outside a spiritual worship service. I think they like having butts in the seats because then it’s easier for leaders to get organizational messages to everyone. But …. it is often conflated with spirituality so people feel being there is necessary for a spiritual experience. And…actually, those that are there all the time learn to accept spirituality is realistically going to be more than about 50% of what church is about. It’s other stuff too. But the good thing is you are there when the nuggets of spirituality are found, scattered here and there. Seriously…of a 3 hour block of time…how much is truly about sprituality?
And so…not being there every week does not seem to impact my ability to be still, and know God. Because meetings are so boring sometimes and filled with announcements that are important to those who are going for the social aspect. While there is a connection with callings and spirituality and service…it just is not as drastic as 100% attendance and spirituality.
But, I sense your reaction is the same I get from others. They don’t buy it is possible to be spiritually there, when I say no thanks to the HP Group dinner. More activity means more spirituality to some.
I don’t buy that.
I think more activity is more connection to people in the ward.
Jeff#5: Sorry, I didn’t realize that. Perhaps you should have started your post with a qualifier:
“I’m only addressing people who are “active” like me. Other fringy type weirdos that don’t understand spirituality and church need not reply.”
Rich#10: “What if God wants you to be there to teach a primary class who needs you there every Sunday? Even if there are no children to teach, Is He going to tell you to go shopping instead? If He has said that to you then go do your shopping.”
1. God will tell me if He wants me there to teach. Not IDIAT or Rich.
2. It’s easy to find a sub…just a phone call or text will take care of the important primary kids that are there to learn.
3. While I’m waiting for God to tell me if shopping is OK or not (haven’t heard anything yet…I’ll keep you posted), I read the church leaders inspired direction, study and think and pray about what the important lessons are God wants me to learn (the spirit of laws), and then I think for myself based on what is best and what God would approve of for me. Sometimes, I benefit by doing other things outside church. But I’m glad if I get inspiration to go shopping I have your permission!
4. When I return to church after taking a week off…I sure love being there and love my ward members. I’m teaching Gospel Doctrine tomorrow, I’ve been preparing all week. I look forward to the class discussion. I wish you were there to join. One of the topics to discuss will be “Corinthians receiving the love and teachings of Paul, just like we should be ready to receive love and teachings from General Conference.”
I’m spiritually gonna be there!
To me attending church meetings is like gold mining. I have to sift through a lot of sand to find the nuggets. However, those nuggets are invaluable. They have enlightened, instructed, inspired, comforted, or motivated me, or confirmed to me that the Lord knows exactly my situation. Had I been on an electronic device, I’d have missed them. I’ve been through a lot sand in 64 years of church attendance. I don’t begrudge it.
MH #9 Great example.
Spirituality is separate from conforming to mormon church traditions.
Jeff asked:
“I guess the big question is: Can we be still? Can we listen for the still, small voice? Can we, for a 70-minute period each week, just enjoy being quiet and trying to hear what God has to tell us? And maybe to use the time to communicate what we need to Him?
“Be still, and know that I am God…” (Psalms 46:10)”
But, maybe Jeff wasn’t talking to us. Just certain people who can reasonably be considered spiritual enough to answer the questions.
As long as I am wrestling small children during sacrament meeting there will not be stillness nor quiet for me.
Can we, for a 70-minute period each week, just enjoy being quiet and trying to hear what God has to tell us?
Do you mean without a nap? I guess occasionally miracles do occur.
First of all thanks Jeff for this post. Second, I think you have some great points about being still during the sacrament meeting, and distancing ourselves from our cell phones for this period of time. I served a mission and remember looking judgingly at all of the return missionaries who couldn’t put their phones down during church. I thought to myself, “You were a missionary, you should know better than to be a bad example to my investigators!” only to return from a mission myself and find that it’s hard for me to stay off my phone during sacrament meeting. I sometimes don’t want to go to church, or I want to leave early, or I’ll argue why church should be shorter. But I really do love attending church mostly, and I know that it is a good habit for me. I believe that this is common to most church members, these conflicting emotions. But I’m so grateful that I have these conflicting emotions because then I can understand that somebody simply didn’t want to go to church, and I will be more sympathetic towards them, less judgmental. I believe that everyone posting in on this is a lovely person and we could all get along and have a great conversation about this without anybody shouting. Can’t we be less critical of each other?
I also think that the social aspect of church is super important, although it can be annoying. My father always says the most important church work is done in the halls. Let us all come to church to be not only filled spiritually, but to contribute. I have a lot to work on in this category, so I’m saying this also to myself. I love President Uchtdorf for his love to others. He always makes you feel that even if you do not feel like you are welcome at church, or worthy, or like you get nothing from it, we want you to come be with us together. I want so badly to be the person who people will talk about at the funeral “she was so kind and good. She never criticized others, she loved the outcast”
I agree we each need to concentrate on the sacrament during sacrament meeting if possible, and remember Jesus, and be spiritually filled. I’m going to try to stay off social media during sacrament meeting and have a more spiritual experience.
Thanks Jaime…that’s a great attitude! That is practicing what we preach!
Hedgehog:
“Gosh Rich, isn’t there a scripture somewhere about it being the unprofitable servants having to be commanded in all things…”
I thought I had read that verse also but I couldn’t find it. Please, someone, find it and show me.
I found THIS kind very much:
D&C 46
7 But ye are commanded in all things to ask of God, who giveth liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men; for some are of men, and others of devils.
Hedgehog. You also said:
“Interesting post Jeff. A few years ago now Elder Kopischke attended our stake conference. One of the things he apparently advocated during a leadership session (as reported by my father) was that we can take the opportunity during sacrament meetings to meditate, seek revelation. We didn’t necessarily need to be listening to the speakers.”
Interesting.
“… we can take the opportunity during sacrament meetings to meditate, seek revelation. We didn’t necessarily need to be listening to the speakers.”
Something seem to say, inside me, that Elder Kopischke was right at what he said, but I’m still need that verse.
Someone – please find that verse.
Rich –
“the pious and self righteous overtones to your responses suggest to me that this topic is a little beyond you. Would you be happy if I said that I asked God about all this and he told me to tell you to stop posting pious and self righteous comments and to maybe read the scripture Hedgehog suggested above..????”
I was once told by an administrator, outside of “Wheat and Tares” that I should not use scriptures so much. Everybody already knows them. I use them here more often. But even with the scriptures, asking God is important to make sure you understand them. When I say something, being discussed, I am saying what I am saying because of what I feel because of my study of the scriptures and whatever experiences I feel I have had with God. (No voice, no vision, some feeling) I don’t notice that much going on in the Bloggernacle. The scriptures are jam packed with commandments to ask God and living to have the Spirit with us all the time.
“Would you be happy if I said that I asked God about all this and he told me to tell you to stop posting pious and self righteous comments and to maybe read the scripture Hedgehog suggested above..????”
Yes. Ask him and tell me and especially tell me the scripture and where it is.
How #23 should start is
LDS_Aussie:
“Rich
the pious…????”
Rich – not a problem expressing your thoughts and feelings based upon experiences. Your responses to the listed commenters were all the same “ask God”. That is broadly dismissive and unhelpful. As Hedgehog rightfully says, we are not to be commanded in all things. I did not ask God if I should go to work today – I just went. I don’t think I need to engage in a discussion with Him about that. God gave most of us a functioning mind which he expects us to use.
I was being sarcastic about asking God about your comments. I’m sure he doesn’t really worry about this too much. I also not going to tell you where that scripture is. If you can’t look that up yourself, then, sorry, I can’t help you.
Heber13 #15
Rich#10:
“What if God wants you to be there to teach a primary class who needs you there every Sunday? Even if there are no children to teach, Is He going to tell you to go shopping instead? If He has said that to you then go do your shopping.”
1. God will tell me if He wants me there to teach.
That’s nice. I wonder what He’ll tell you.
2. It’s easy to find a sub…just a phone call or text will take care of
THE IMPORTANT PRIMARY KIDS THAT ARE THERE TO LEARN.
I’m shutting number two down right away. Total failure.
3. While I’m waiting for God to tell me if shopping is OK or not (haven’t heard anything yet…I’ll keep you posted)
Good. Keep praying. Remember it’s shopping or going to Church. I would say “Remember its shopping at all on Sunday”, but that’s a little much at this point.
4. When I return to church after taking a week off…I sure love being there and love my ward members. I’m teaching Gospel Doctrine tomorrow, I’ve been preparing all week. I look forward to the class discussion. I wish you were there to join. One of the topics to discuss will be “Corinthians receiving the love and teachings of Paul, just like we should be ready to receive love and teachings from General Conference.”
I hope your lesson go well. I wish I could be there.
Heber13
I forgot when I told you I would like to be at your Sunday School lesson that it was all ready Sunday night. So how did your lesson go?
I think the scripture people are looking for is D&C 58:26: “For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.”
Verses 26-33 is the whole passage, so it should be read in context (if I weren’t on my mobile I’d copy and paste the whole thing). It says that people should be agents unto themselves and anxiously engaged in good causes. It also talks about God’s frustration with people not obeying His commandments, and then those people claiming God doesn’t keep his promises by not giving them rewards.
LDS_Aussie:
“As Hedgehog rightfully says, we are not to be commanded in all things.”
Hedgehog said that but did God? I’ll continue to find the scripture since you have said you will not.
“I did not ask God if I should go to work today.”
Yes you did. He knew you would take it and He knew what you would have to do to keep it. With Him it was all right.
I still wish you would give me the scripture. I need it. I guess I’m not using the right search words.
I don’t know. Maybe God told you not to give it to me. If that’s true, than you would be wicked for telling me.
Well…since you asked, Rich…you would likely have enjoyed the lesson today in our Gospel Doctrine. They ended up calling me and a 70 year old sister in our ward and accidentally asked us both to teach today. So I deferred to wisdom and age and let the other teacher give the lesson we both prepared for.
I sure knew more about the lesson than usual, and learned a lot this week, even if I prepared a lesson or nothing. I view it a blessing…the teacher gets more out of preparation usually…and I did.
The church can be unorganized sometimes. That’s OK. Paul’s sermons in the lesson were about forgiveness and patience. A good reminder for me.
I don’t think they’ll miss me next week, since I’m traveling, I’ll likely be shopping and eating out. God hasn’t told me not to yet.
I think Mary Ann is correct. I’m mixing up the unwise servant with the unprofitable servant. Sorry!
Heber13:
I have nothing against the 70 year old sister, but I would have been disappointed not to hear your lesson. By your last post, you seem to be a lot like me. Seriously!
As far as the eating out (on Sunday, whether you went to church or not) you don’t need to pray about it. Just feel inside yourself when you do it. God’s already talking to you. Also, feel inside yourself, when you decide not to go to church. He’s already talking to you.
He doesn’t really talk to me. But I have lots of thoughts. Sometimes they are clearest when I’m in the temple or hiking in the mountains. Usually they are warm confirmations I’m doing ok and don’t need to be so hard on myself, lighten up and enjoy life. It is short. Time with my kids is the best way to show god what is important to me.
The best help in Sabbath observance is, sad to say, the ill fortunes of my beloved Giants and 49ers. The worse they do, the less inclined to pay attention to them on a quiet Sunday afternoon after Church. Looks like I’m getting my wish…(sigh).