July is here, and along with it comes summer weather. There are all kinds of activities to do in the summer because they typically are done outside and so usually done in the summer. Kids love to swim, ride bikes, skateboard, play outdoor games, and generally spend most of their time outside. Parents are busy with gardens, lawn care, outdoor home projects, and shuttling children to summer activities. There are summer camps such as YW Girls' Camp, Boy Scout Camp, and Cub Scout Day Camp. Youth conferences abound for the young people in the Church. So summer is a busy time. And, in busy times we tend to forget about the things that aren't exactly summer activities. Church attendance may fall into that category.
When school is in session, our schedules are pretty much set and we get into a routine. We are probably not on vacation, the beach is not calling our name, and we aren't busy taking care of
"summer stuff." I have talked to sisters about their vacations and they have been surprised when I ask what the Church was like in the area where they were. Sometimes a sister will tell me that they don't go to Church while on vacation because, after all, they are on vacation...even a vacation from attending their meetings. I'm not sure I undestand their reasoning. How would we feel if Heavenly Father or the Savior were to say "I'm sorry, we aren't taking prayers today, we are on vacation." or "I know you need that blessing right now, but I'm in the middle of this big project and, well, I'll get back to you."
I truly believe that we have the obligation and opportunity to attend our meetings and partake of the sacrament no matter where we are. There are chapels within driving distance in most areas of the world, and it is such a blessing for us to be given the gift of the ability to attend every week....vacation or not.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks said in General Conference:
"How can we have the Spirit of the Lord to guide our choices so that we will remain “unspotted from the world” (D&C 59:9) and on the safe path through mortality?
In modern revelation the Lord gave the answer in this commandment:
“And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day;
“For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High” (D&C 59:9–10).
This is a commandment with a promise. By participating weekly and appropriately in the ordinance of the sacrament we qualify for the promise that we will “always have his Spirit to be with [us]” (D&C 20:77). That Spirit is the foundation of our testimony. It testifies of the Father and the Son, brings all things to our remembrance, and leads us into truth. It is the compass to guide us on our path. This gift of the Holy Ghost, President Wilford Woodruff taught, “is the greatest gift that can be bestowed upon man” (Deseret Weekly, Apr. 6, 1889, 451).
We need to qualify for the cleansing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We do this by keeping His commandment to come to Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and in that wonderful weekly meeting partake of the emblems of the sacrament and make the covenants that qualify us for the precious promise that we will always have His Spirit to be with us (see D&C 20:77)."
It is my hope for each of us, that we will realize the importance of Sacrament Meeting attendance not only through the school year, but during the summer, and even when we are on vacation. Take the time to look for a chapel close by and be a part of the great blessing of the Sacrament.
Have a wonderful July!!
Love,
Pat Romney
