Worshipping at home is a sacred opportunity. Make the most of it.

Few things in my life have consumed my thoughts and feelings as much as this COVID 19 pandemic has over the past week. The virus itself, the statistics, government responses, media coverage… I’ve been trying to wrap my head around it all week. It’s so cumbersome and complicated, with so many variables; so many ideas and opinions and consequences. I found myself fascinated and frustrated as I watched our entire system grind to a halt. I have so many thoughts and feelings. 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, as always, has anchored me during so much turbulence. I have found great peace through personal prayer and Gospel study, and I have found great confidence in the actions and outlook of our Church leaders. President Nelson’s faith and confidence is, to use a currently loaded term, infectious. I can’t help but catch some of it when I listen to him!

One silver lining in our current circumstances has been a forced slowing. It’s almost like Mother Earth is forcing the world to pause. (We can choose to relax within that forced pausing). The reduction in activities has given me more time to be still and more time to focus on my family and home than I may ever have. Last Sunday, the first Sunday without Church, was particularly meaningful for us. We had our own little sacrament service with our ward’s sister missionaries. It was profound and moving, but not because we did anything particularly impressive. In fact, by any outside observation it was probably quite unimpressive. Yet the Spirit was abundant. 

I’ve pondered why in the days since, and I think it’s because our investment. The novelty of having the sacrament at home was a factor, but I think the most important thing is that everyone in that little worship service was invested in the success of the service. (Except our 2-year-old Max, he had a questionable level of commitment!) 

I’ve noticed in the past year, after nine years in a bishopric, that it’s been a little harder to have meaningful sacrament meetings. I think it’s because it’s harder to be invested now. When I was assigning topics, inviting speakers, and conducting the meetings, I had a deep personal investment in the success of the meeting. This is a pattern and a principle in the Gospel: the more we put in, the more we get out. The teacher gets more out of the lesson than any of the students. The missionary becomes the premier convert of her time serving. Spiritual investments have guaranteed, even covenant, returns. 

Thus, for as long as we’re allowed to plan and conduct our own little worship services at home, we have a sacred opportunity. I realize not everyone is in a traditional nuclear family. I’m especially mindful of single mothers I know, and my young-single-adult Institute students during this time. But the Church is structured such that everyone can access the sacrament if they choose, and in any case all of us, even if we’re alone, are suddenly fully responsible for planning, conducting, even presiding at our own little Sabbath service. (By the way, is there any doubt the Lord has prepared us for this?)

Here are some things we did that bore good fruit:

Set aside the electronics

We committed to no electronics before “Church.” It was hard initially, but ultimately creative activities came and we enjoyed a special spirit by turning all that stuff off. At one point my son even said, “I wish we could do this every week; no electronics.” Permission granted! 

Teach about the Sacrament

Because of the circumstances, we had a unique opportunity to talk about the Sacrament right before and after partaking of it in a way that we never can in a formal sacrament meeting. This provided a special teaching opportunity. We watched the Bible video of the Last Supper and noted how the first “sacrament meeting” more resembled our service at home than our service at the church building. 

Get the kids invested

I asked my three oldest (11, 8, and 5) to each prepare a talk. I said they could share anything they wanted but it had to be about Jesus. Grace talked about sacrifice, Jonah talked about becoming like God, and Lettie talked about love. Their thoughts weren’t long or elaborate. But they were beautiful. I also had Jonah help me prepare the sacrament as much as I felt was appropriate. 

I wouldn’t presume to tell anyone how to spend their sabbath time. But I know if we’re thoughtful and prayerful about what we ought to do with these rare Sabbath days, they will special, sacred, and memorable. I don’t think I would want to have Church at home indefinitely. I already miss communion with our larger congregation; the friendships, perspectives, and service rendered there. But for now, we have a sacred opportunity I hope to maximize. When we choose, whether by ourselves or with our families, to worship at home, we demonstrate a level of commitment to our covenants, showing our Savior our love and devotion to him independent of any external pressure. It’s a beautiful opportunity. 

What are some of your ideas? I’d love to hear them.