DOES THIS HELP® What the Sacrament Taught Me Yesterday
Hello CREEKERhood,
Yesterday, as I sat in Sacrament Meeting at 9:00 a.m., I found myself paying attention to the details. I noticed the Young Women practicing their music before the meeting began. I noticed who greeted me and who didn’t. I noticed the young man who smiled as he passed me the Sacrament. I noticed the speakers, the hymns, and the scriptures they chose.
As I reflected on my notes afterward, I realized the meeting itself taught three simple lessons:
- Believe.
- See.
- Follow.
Each of those lessons came through the hymns we sang and the people who showed up.
Part One: Believe
Our opening hymn was “I Believe in Christ.”
The hymn references scriptures found in 2 Nephi 25:23, 26, and 29, where Nephi teaches:
“We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ…”
Belief isn’t something we put on for an hour on Sunday. Belief shapes who we become.
I was born into a covenant. I was taught by parents who believed that promises matter. I believe God the Eternal Father knows me. I believe He guides and protects my family. I believe Jesus Christ is the perfect example of how to live. I believe the Holy Ghost still speaks peace and warning to our hearts.
Belief doesn’t mean we understand everything.
Belief doesn’t mean we agree with everyone around us.
Belief doesn’t mean we never struggle.
Belief means we continue to show up.
Sometimes showing up means sitting quietly in the pew and saying “amen” in your heart.
Sometimes it means reading along with the sacrament prayer.
Sometimes it means simply saying, “Heavenly Father, I’m here.”
I think God honors honest belief.
Not perfect belief.
Honest belief.
That is where faith begins.
Part Two: See
One of the speakers talked about a visit to Lowell Observatory and the story of the Hubble Deep Field.
Scientists pointed the Hubble telescope into a patch of sky that appeared completely empty. For ten days, they stared into darkness.
What they discovered was astonishing.
Thousands of galaxies had been hidden there all along.
What looked empty was actually full of light.
I think people are often like that.
We judge quickly.
We assume.
We overlook.
But God sees what we cannot.
Yesterday, I noticed a young man passing the Sacrament. I thanked him. He smiled.
I noticed the absence of Bethany and how her extending kindness not just to me but to others.
I noticed a departing Missionary expressing both faith and humility.
I noticed each Speaker reminding us not to be afraid.
I noticed ordinary Disciples trying to do extraordinary things.
Christ teaches:
“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
We sang “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief.”
That hymn reminds us that Christ often comes into our lives disguised as opportunities to serve.
Will we see Him?
Will we recognize Him?
Will we treat others as if they truly are our brothers and sisters?
I believe one of the purposes of the sacrament is to help us see again.
To remember who we are.
And to remember who others are.
Part Three: Follow
We closed by singing “Lord, I Would Follow Thee.”
I think following Christ is harder than talking about Christ.
Following means showing compassion when we disagree.
Following means serving quietly.
Following means continuing to choose goodness even when others disappoint us.
Following means extending grace while maintaining integrity.
I don’t believe discipleship requires us to pretend.
I think God would rather have honest disciples than polished performances.
Yesterday, I had moments of appreciation and moments of concern.
There were things I loved.
There were things I questioned.
But I stayed.
I worshipped.
I renewed my covenants.
I listened.
I thanked others.
I learned.
That is discipleship.
Not perfection.
Persistence.
I believe miracles still happen.
Sometimes miracles are dramatic.
But often miracles are quiet.
A smile.
A hymn.
A kind word.
A sacrament prayer.
A sister reaching out to another sister.
A missionary willing to leave home.
A parent continuing to pray for a child.
A person walking through the chapel doors even when it would be easier not to.
Brothers and sisters, I know that God the Eternal Father loves His children.
I know Jesus Christ showed us how to live.
I know the Holy Ghost can guide and comfort us.
And I know that as we continue to believe, to truly see one another, and to follow Christ the best we can, we become instruments in God’s hands.
May we show up.
May we keep our promises.
May we extend kindness.
And may we recognize the sacred moments God places before us every day.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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