In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Fast Sunday is held usually the first Sunday of each month. Many who are investigating seem surprised at some of the Testimonies and especially the number of young children who take this opportunity to do so. Also, some will be up there every Sunday to bare their testimony – while others will seldom do so. The Testimony Meeting (called Fast Sunday) because those who can fast from at least two meals – three if possible – do so to be more prepared to be spiritually fed. Those who are unable to Fast due to health should not do so!!
When the meeting starts the Presiding Priesthood holder usually will bare his testimony first – thus every three months we get the blessing of hearing those sustained to share with us their testimony. After this there’s usually a rush to get up – and some of the older members – whether age or membership will wait till all slows down. Some members hardly ever bare their testimony – some because to do so is very difficult – others because they’ve difficulty to move (some Wards/Branches will provide a microphone to carry to someone in need).
A testimony is based on one principle only: Jesus is the Christ! Therefore a testimony has three building blocks – 1: That the Bible/Book of Mormon are true; 2: That Joseph Smith, Jr. is/was a Prophet of God (and that Thomas S. Monson is the living Prophet on earth today); and 3: That The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Restored Church on the earth today.
1. The Bible and Book of Mormon (Doctrine and Covenants/Pearl of Great Price) – testify that Jesus is the Christ!
2. Joseph Smith, Jr. and all of the Prophets testify that Jesus is the Christ!
3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints testifies that Jesus is the Christ!
Further the Bible and the Book of Mormon testify of each other and the Prophets – as do all of the Prophets testify of the Scriptures – and the sole purpose in each dispensation that the Church has been found on this earth testifies to the truthfulness of the Scriptures – and therefore all testify of each other and give three testimonies that Jesus is the Christ!
Guess this could be expanded – but there’s no need – each testimony is sacred – and therefore many are reluctant to share – even thought this is what we both covenant and are commanded to do - teach repentance and testify that Jesus is the Christ.
Once the meeting is underway there always seems to be a pause. The pauses are both interesting and an opportunity for those hesitant to get up and take this opportunity. For others this does cause some discomfort – but the purpose of the meeting is to reflect on one’s own testimony – and thus the quiet allows for this.
The seeming repetitiveness of Fast Sunday once a month seems to deaden some of the feelings – while in reality all Sacrament Meetings are what we use to recharge our batteries for the coming week of dealing with the world and worldly. Thus, some feel the need to move on – which is of the world – and not to appreciate the lulls – which allow us to ponder our own testimonies and those to which we’ve listened.
The social pressure occurs because some feel the need to keep the meeting moving – i.e. the clock on the wall! This is neither needful or sometimes desirable – but sometimes it is a good motivator especially for leaders to get up and bare their testimonies. The leaders of a Ward/Branch or Stake don’t want to interfere (so to speak) in meetings where the individual members have their opportunity to share their testimony, but this not a correct principle as anyone in a leadership position is also a member of the Ward or Branch. Sometimes hearing our leaders bare their individual testimony not attached to a talk gives us added strength as members.
Little children are the joy of any meeting – especially in this Church! Their infectious smile – cry’s – etc. make us completely understand the meaning of families and the eternal family unit! The Savior never sent little children away – as the same as Joseph Smith – he would often interrupt what he was doing to give personal attention to the children around him. Loving the children is the most Christ-like attribute we can have in this life!
Well hopefully this helps – hugs and love - c
“And Baring Same”
cji
5/3/10
When one has treasure
something sacred and pure
yet without value hidden
thus it’s meant to share;
A testimony of Jesus Christ
is the most precious pearl
one can acquire and hold
thus it’s meant to share;
Each month one day set
for each to bare their own
others to then are blessed
when one his does share!
Copyright © 2010 – cji
'Chuck' Charles J. Ingerson, CPCM, Fellow (NCMA)
http://whispersofthespirit.yuku.com/topic/10118
(Do We Want to Know?)
When the meeting starts the Presiding Priesthood holder usually will bare his testimony first – thus every three months we get the blessing of hearing those sustained to share with us their testimony. After this there’s usually a rush to get up – and some of the older members – whether age or membership will wait till all slows down. Some members hardly ever bare their testimony – some because to do so is very difficult – others because they’ve difficulty to move (some Wards/Branches will provide a microphone to carry to someone in need).
A testimony is based on one principle only: Jesus is the Christ! Therefore a testimony has three building blocks – 1: That the Bible/Book of Mormon are true; 2: That Joseph Smith, Jr. is/was a Prophet of God (and that Thomas S. Monson is the living Prophet on earth today); and 3: That The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Restored Church on the earth today.
1. The Bible and Book of Mormon (Doctrine and Covenants/Pearl of Great Price) – testify that Jesus is the Christ!
2. Joseph Smith, Jr. and all of the Prophets testify that Jesus is the Christ!
3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints testifies that Jesus is the Christ!
Further the Bible and the Book of Mormon testify of each other and the Prophets – as do all of the Prophets testify of the Scriptures – and the sole purpose in each dispensation that the Church has been found on this earth testifies to the truthfulness of the Scriptures – and therefore all testify of each other and give three testimonies that Jesus is the Christ!
Guess this could be expanded – but there’s no need – each testimony is sacred – and therefore many are reluctant to share – even thought this is what we both covenant and are commanded to do - teach repentance and testify that Jesus is the Christ.
Once the meeting is underway there always seems to be a pause. The pauses are both interesting and an opportunity for those hesitant to get up and take this opportunity. For others this does cause some discomfort – but the purpose of the meeting is to reflect on one’s own testimony – and thus the quiet allows for this.
The seeming repetitiveness of Fast Sunday once a month seems to deaden some of the feelings – while in reality all Sacrament Meetings are what we use to recharge our batteries for the coming week of dealing with the world and worldly. Thus, some feel the need to move on – which is of the world – and not to appreciate the lulls – which allow us to ponder our own testimonies and those to which we’ve listened.
The social pressure occurs because some feel the need to keep the meeting moving – i.e. the clock on the wall! This is neither needful or sometimes desirable – but sometimes it is a good motivator especially for leaders to get up and bare their testimonies. The leaders of a Ward/Branch or Stake don’t want to interfere (so to speak) in meetings where the individual members have their opportunity to share their testimony, but this not a correct principle as anyone in a leadership position is also a member of the Ward or Branch. Sometimes hearing our leaders bare their individual testimony not attached to a talk gives us added strength as members.
Little children are the joy of any meeting – especially in this Church! Their infectious smile – cry’s – etc. make us completely understand the meaning of families and the eternal family unit! The Savior never sent little children away – as the same as Joseph Smith – he would often interrupt what he was doing to give personal attention to the children around him. Loving the children is the most Christ-like attribute we can have in this life!
Well hopefully this helps – hugs and love - c
“And Baring Same”
cji
5/3/10
When one has treasure
something sacred and pure
yet without value hidden
thus it’s meant to share;
A testimony of Jesus Christ
is the most precious pearl
one can acquire and hold
thus it’s meant to share;
Each month one day set
for each to bare their own
others to then are blessed
when one his does share!
Copyright © 2010 – cji
'Chuck' Charles J. Ingerson, CPCM, Fellow (NCMA)
http://whispersofthespirit.yuku.com/topic/10118
(Do We Want to Know?)
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