Some may respond by saying reverence is a private feeling or something we can feel no matter what events are taking place around us. Besides, members of Christ’s church are friendly, aren’t they? They work together, too, and they try to accomplish much in a short time.
While I believe such characteristics are good and represent our love for each other and our dedication to God’s service, and while I also believe we can feel our love for Him even as we are chatting or “catching that person we just have to talk to before we leave the room,” I can’t help wondering. . .
Last summer, I toured a Buddhist temple in
I had these same feelings a year earlier when I entered the Sistine Chapel in
Another thought. The same year I toured
The chapel doors seem to say to me, “Sh, be still.”
For this is a reverent place to be, “Sh, be still.”
We gather here on the Sabbath day,
To learn of Jesus, to sing and pray.
So when we come through the chapel doors, “Sh, be still.”
Similarly, Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone in the September, 1976 Friend, described reverence in this way:
“Reverence during meetings is a very important part of the responsibility we have as members of His true church. We are all impressed with the reverence shown by children in Primary who enter the chapel quietly with arms folded. Their reverence is an example that all members of the Church should appreciate and remember when attending any meetings in the chapel.
“However, reverence is not shown only in the chapel. Boys and girls who have learned how to be reverent do not run up and down the halls or yell and talk loudly inside the church. Reverent people also do not offend or hurt people’s feelings or make fun of others’ clothing or appearance. They try to be kind to everyone they meet.
“At Sunday School and sacrament meeting we have an opportunity to show our Savior how much we love Him by being reverent. It is not reverent to walk in and out of a sacrament meeting while it is in progress. We should get a drink of water and go to the rest room before the meeting begins. It is very disturbing to a speaker when someone leaves. The attention of other members in the congregation is also distracted.
“Those who speak and provide music have prayed and often fasted for help with their assignment. The reverent person listens carefully and receives the message from the speaker.
“Determine to be reverent in sacrament meeting by never speaking out loud. Speak in a whisper and then only when it is absolutely necessary. Sing the hymns with your parents. Children have beautiful voices and it adds much to the meeting when they sing. It is appropriate to take the sacrament with your right hand. And during the administration and passing of the sacrament, we should try to think of the Savior.
“Boys and girls who have smaller brothers and sisters should not tease them. They should not keep asking their mothers or fathers to let them take these little ones out. Your brothers and sisters and often older people can learn how to be reverent by watching your behavior.”
As a mother, I have struggled to find a simple, effective method to help my children understand and gain personal testimonies. I have found one such method.
Several years ago,
As the quote ended, her young son’s face clouded with worry. “Mama, do you think I have a testimony?”
Sister Erickson knew that her son was a spiritually sensitive young man who said his prayers, attended church, and tried to do the things that would please our Heavenly Father; so instinctively she wanted to respond, “Of course you do,” but she felt restrained. She looked steadily at her son, silently praying to know what to say.
Suddenly, the light of knowledge filled her mind. She picked up a piece of paper and a pencil and drew a circle. She then divided the circle in half and asked, “Son, do you believe that Heavenly Father is the father of our spirits, that he loves each of us very much, and that he hears and answers our prayers?”
Her son answered, “Yes,” and Sister Erickson wrote the words “Heavenly Father” in the top half of the circle.
Next, she said, “Kevin, do you believe Jesus Christ lives and that he died for us that we might live with him again?”
Again her son answered, “Yes.”
Sister Erickson wrote “Jesus Christ” in the bottom half of the circle and then formed a ball with her hands. “You see,” she continued, “this is the core of a testimony. No matter what else you believe, if the core is not there to sustain it, it will fail.”
After this explanation she asked, “Do you believe in the Holy Ghost and know that He will protect, prompt, and comfort us?”
He nodded, and his mother drew a line straight up from the top of the circle. She then asked several other, gospel-related questions, including:
“Do you believe Joseph Smith was a true prophet?”
“Do you believe the Book of Mormon is true?”
“Do you believe the present day prophet is called of God?”
To each, he answered, “Yes,” and she added another ray to the circle’s perimeter.
When she finished, she referred to her drawing and asked, “What have I drawn?”
“A sun,” he answered.
“It looks like a sun,” she replied, “but what I’ve really drawn is a picture of your testimony. And yes, your testimony is like a sun. Just as the sun gives life, light, healing, and warmth to your soul. As you continue to grow in the gospel, the rays will become thicker and brighter.” She put down her pencil. “Now, do you have a testimony?”
Her son’s eyes opened wide, and with obvious relief, he said, “I do!”
Sister Erickson now witnesses that Heavenly Father knew her son needed to know for himself that he had a testimony. I am very grateful she has shared this experience, but I am even more grateful to Heavenly Father for revealing it to her. Now I know I can not only measure the strength of my own testimony, but I can also teach my children; I will simply start with the Son’s core and work outward.
<< MORE >> (A sacred, musical Christmas program for FHE, Ward Choir programs, or other inspirational services.)
Author’s Note: This program includes a list of hymns which may be sung by choirs, congregations, or family members throughout the course of the performance; however, these hymns are suggestions only and may be substituted by hymn arrangements or other appropriate music.
Speakers Needed:
Narrator 1
Narrator 2
Suggested Hymns:
O Little Town of Bethlehem (Hymns #208)—sung twice
The Lord is My Light (Hymns #89)
Once in Royal David’s City (Hymns #205)
While Shepherd’s Watched their Flocks (Hymns #211)
Who Is the Child? (CSB, pg. 46)
With Wondering Awe (Hymns #210)
Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus (CSB, pg. 36)
I Believe in Christ (Hymns #134)
NARRATOR 1: Since the beginning of time, prophets have testified that Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, would come to the earth. Moses said the Only Begotten Son would come in the meridian of time (Moses 5:57-59).
NARRATOR 2: Isaiah declared: “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).” And Micah prophesied that the promised Messiah would be born in the little town of
SONG: O LITTLE TOWN OF
NARRATOR 1: Mary, Jesus’ mother, also testified of Christ’s coming birth. Soon after the angel Gabriel told her she would conceive and bear the Son of God, she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth. There, she rejoiced, saying: “My soul doth magnify the Lord,
“And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
“For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
“For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
“And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
“He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
“He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
“He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
“He hath holpen his servant
“As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever (Luke 1:46-55).”
SONG: THE LORD IS MY LIGHT (Hymns #89)
NARRATOR 2: Several months later, God fulfilled His promise to the world by sending the Messiah. The apostle, Luke records:
“And it came to pass, in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed...
“And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of
“To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
“And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:1, 3-7).
SONG: ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITY (Hymns #205)
NARRATOR 1: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
NARRATOR 2: “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:8-11).”
SONG: WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS (Hymns #211)
NARRATOR 1: Some who saw the Holy Child may have asked: “Is this the One? Is this truly the Creator of the World?” But others knew the truth.
NARRATOR 2: “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
“And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
“And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child (Luke 2:15-17).”
NARRATOR 1: Because these humble men obeyed the Lord, they were privileged to not only see the Christ, but to also testify of his divinity. They knew that Jesus truly was the One.
SONG: WHO IS THE CHILD? (CSB, pg. 46)
NARRATOR 1: The heavens also declared Christ’s divinity. In Matthew, chapter 2, it states:
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the King, behold, there came wise men from the east to
SONG: WITH WONDERING AWE (Hymns #210)
NARRATOR 2: Those who lived on the American continent saw the star, too, but shortly before it appeared in the sky, Jesus Christ, Himself, testified that He, the Son of God, would soon be born on the earth. In the Book of Mormon we read:
“And it came to pass that... the prophesies of the prophets began to be fulfilled more fully; for there began to be greater signs and greater miracles wrought among the people.
“But there were some who began to say that the time was past for the words to be fulfilled, which were spoken by Samuel, the Lamanite . . .
NARRATOR 1: “Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet.
NARRATOR 2: “Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful.
NARRATOR 1: “Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.
“Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfill all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son—of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given (III Nephi 1:4-5, 9-14).”
SONG: SAMUEL TELLS OF THE BABY JESUS (CSB, pg. 36)
NARRATOR 2: Christ’s personal testimony, followed by the promised signs, not only saved His people, but also
brought peace and truth to all. This is what Christ always does for us. He teaches us. He
strengthens us. He comforts us in our times of need. But most of all, He redeems us.
NARRATOR 1: That is why we believe in Christ.
SONG: I BELIEVE IN CHRIST (Hymns #134)
SONG: O LITTLE TOWN OF
PARENT: They lived happily in
land.
CHILD: A famine means that the people began to run out of food.
PARENT: Naomi’s family decided to move to a place that had food.
CHILD: That place was called
PARENT: While living there, Naomi’s husband died, and her sons married.
CHILD: The girls they married were from
PARENT: Orpah and Ruth were good and kind, but their families had not taught them to believe in the Lord.
CHILD: They worshipped many other gods.
PARENT: But after Orpah and Ruth married Naomi’s sons, they began to learn about God.
CHILD: And for a time, they were happy.
PARENT: Then a very sad thing happened: both Naomi’s sons died.
CHILD: Now, Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth were widows. They had to decide what to do and where to go.
PARENT: Naomi decided to go back to
CHILD: Orpah and Ruth wanted to go with her.
PARENT: Naomi loved Orpah and Ruth. She knew she would miss them, but she wanted them to be blessed with their
own families. She said, “Go, return . . . to (your) mother’s house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye
have dealt with (my sons) and with me.”
CHILD: Orpah kissed Naomi good-bye. She went back to her first family.
PARENT: But Ruth clung to Naomi. She did not want to go back to worshipping idols. She did not want to leave
her mother-in-law.
BOTH: Ruth said: “Intreat me not to leave thee . . . for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will
lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy god, my God.”
CHILD: Naomi knew Ruth loved her. She also knew Ruth loved the Lord. She let Ruth move to
Several years ago, I heard a true story of two sister missionaries in
“It’s a bat,” one said.
To which her companion replied, “No, it’s not. It’s a snake.”
Back and forth the Sisters quarreled until they finally decided to discontinue the fight, step away from their current positions, and approach the place where it had fallen so they could get another, better view. Only then did they learn who was right.
As both a piano teacher and a mother of a sometimes reluctant piano student, these same three principles have helped me encourage both my students and my child to practice when we have bumped into periods of practice resistance. And each time I have utilized them, I’ve kept two of my most important, musical teaching/parental goals: one, my student (or child) and I have retained open levels of communication, and two, they have eventually regained their own desires to practice.