In a recent training session for General Authorities, President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke of his desire for increased reverence in our sacrament meetings. Other speakers stressed the importance of reverence in their October 2005 General Conference addresses.
The dictionary defines reverence as “a feeling, or attitude of deep respect, love, and awe, as for something sacred.”
Certainly, the feeling we have for our Savior Jesus Christ as we partake of the sacrament each week fits this definition. Because of our great love and deep respect for our Savior, we are usually reverent during the administration and passing of the sacrament; however, we can definitely improve in other aspects of our Sunday worship.
President Hinckley has said, “When the sacrament meeting is called to order, visiting is out of order.” President Boyd K. Packer always sets a good example by being seated on the stand seven to ten minutes prior to the beginning of each meeting. Both of these great leaders teach that our meetings should begin promptly and reverently. As members, we show a lack of reverence when we are noisy in the chapel prior to the beginning of sacrament meeting or when we arrive late for sacrament meeting.
There are many factors that will help us prepare for appropriate Sunday worship each week. Elder Jeffery R. Holland suggests that our dress is an important consideration. “I make a special appeal regarding how young women might dress for Church services and Sabbath worship. We used to speak of “best dress” or “Sunday dress,” and maybe we should do so again. In any case, from ancient times to modern we have always been invited to present our best selves inside and out when entering the house of the Lord – and a dedicated LDS chapel is a “house of the Lord.” Our clothing or footwear need never be expensive, indeed should not be expensive, but neither should it appear that we are on our way to the beach. When we come to worship the God and Father of us all and to partake of the sacrament symbolizing the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we should be as comely and respectful, as dignified and appropriate as we can be. We should be recognizable in appearance as well as behavior that we truly are Disciples of Christ, that in a spirit of worship we are meek and lowly of heart, that we truly desire the Savior’s Spirit to be with us always.” Jeffery R. Holland, October 2005 General Conference
Elder Holland was speaking specifically to the young women of the Church, but each of us should consider our “Sunday best” dress for sacrament meeting. I would encourage our sisters to wear a modest dress or a skirt as their “Sunday best” dress and for the brothers to wear a clean white shirts and a tie. Sister Susan W. Tanner reminded us that, “Modesty is more than a matter of avoiding revealing attire. It describes not only the altitude of hemlines and necklines but the attitude of our hearts. The word modesty means “measured.” It is related to moderate. It implies “decency, and propriety … in thought, language, dress, and behavior.” Susan W. Tanner, October 2005 General Conference
Our Latter-day Saint homes are considered sacred places and are the ideal place to teach and learn about reverence. We learn reverent behavior as we participate in family prayer, family scripture study, family home evening and family councils. As parents we have a sacred responsibility to teach reverence and to demonstrate reverence by our exemplary behavior.
Through our reverent attitude we develop a deeper respect for our Savior and a greater desire to live worthy of the His atoning sacrifice for us. We increase our desire to keep the covenants we make with Him and look forward to the opportunity to attend the temple which we consider a most sacred place. We must approach our temple worship with an even greater reverence in our dress and behavior that we may truly be prepared to receive the greatest blessings this Church has to offer.
One of the most profound experiences I have had in Asia is arriving at a zone conference, walking into a chapel and observing the missionaries sitting quietly reading their scriptures and listening to the prelude music. There is a tangible feeling of the Spirit that is undeniable which continues to be present in the meeting that follows.
May we, as individuals and leaders, have a greater desire to demonstrate our deep respect, love and awe for our Savior by being more reverent in all aspects of our worship that we may enjoy the promised blessing of always having His spirit to be with us.
