““The Joy of the Saints, Sunk Deep into My Heart” (Enos 1:3) The Joy of the Sunday Church Experience,” General Conference Leadership Meeting—October 2023 (2023)
“The Joy of the Sunday Church Experience,” General Conference Leadership Meeting—October 2023
General Conference Leadership Meeting—October 2023
“The Joy of the Saints, Sunk Deep into My Heart” (Enos 1:3) The Joy of the Sunday Church Experience
Instruction from Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Elder Patrick Kearon, and Sister Andrea M. Spannaus
Our objective is to enhance the joy of the Sunday Church experience of the Saints by helping them feel the love of the Savior.
“When I was serving as a Bishop, a good friend surprised me by saying he would not be attending sacrament meeting again as long as I insisted on sitting in front of the congregation with a deep scowl on my face. I resolved to tell my face that despite members’ concerns on my mind, in sacrament meeting, there is much to be happy about” (Elder D. Todd Christofferson).
Joyful reverence can improve our worship.
Worshipping God in an atmosphere of friendship and joyful reverence through Christ-centered messages, prayers, and music helps us feel the Savior’s love and reminds us of the real reason for attending church each Sunday.
What can we do?
Listen and communicate with joy. It is not just what we say. It is how we are—how we nonverbally communicate, convey joy, and listen. There is a wide range of personalities and backgrounds among our stake and ward leaders. Each leader, in his or her own way, can convey Christlike love, strength, and joy.
“The Savior’s message is clear: His true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire” (Russell M. Nelson, “Peacemakers Needed,” Liahona, May 2023, 99).
Worshipping at sacrament meeting.
President Nelson has counseled: “We commemorate [the Savior’s] Atonement in a very personal way. We bring a broken heart and a contrite spirit. … It is the highlight of our Sabbath-day observance (see Doctrine and Covenants 59:8–13). …
“Each member of the Church bears responsibility for the spiritual enrichment that can come from a sacrament meeting” (“Worshiping at Sacrament Meeting,” Liahona, Aug. 2004, 12, 14).
“The joy we feel has … everything to do with the focus of our lives. … For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy!” (Russell M. Nelson, “Joy and Spiritual Survival”, Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 82).