Speaking in Sacrament Meeting

Invitation

Please consider inviting your friends and neighbors to church to listen to your talk in Sacrament Meeting – “to come and see.” (Love, Share, Invite by Elder Gary E. Stevenson, April 2022)

Instruction

General Handbook: “The bishopric extends invitations to speak well in advance of the meeting. Speakers bear testimony of Jesus Christ and teach His gospel using the scriptures (see Doctrine and Covenants 42:12; 52:9). Messages should build faith and be consistent with the sacred nature of the sacrament.” (General Handbook 29.2.1.4)

A loving reminder: “I urge all of us, young and old, who are called to speak in a meeting in the name of the Lord to dismiss our feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy. We don’t have to use soaring language or convey deep insights. Simple words of testimony will do. The Spirit will give you the words for you to speak and will carry them down into the hearts of humble people who look for truth from God. If we keep trying to speak for the Lord, we will be surprised someday to learn that we have warned, exhorted, taught, and invited with the help of the Spirit to bless lives, with power far beyond our own.” (Henry B. Eyring)

Importance of Your Assignment

You have been asked to share a Christ-centered message. This will be a gift to all members of the ward. Thank you for accepting this assignment! Your message will inspire us to follow Christ, make changes in our lives and bless our efforts. Please remember that your preparation and inspired efforts will invite the Spirit, who will teach truths about Jesus Christ and His gospel.

Where to begin? We invite you to read the tips listed below for the preparation and delivery of your assignment. We also invite you to read the additional resources to assist and inspire your efforts. We love you and appreciate you.

– The Bishopric

Preparation and Teaching

Prepare

  • Prepare Early. Prepare with prayerful study, even the day you receive the assignment. This allows more time for the Holy Ghost to guide and inspire you. Jeffrey R. Holland said: “May I encourage you to start thinking about and planning early for any [talk] that you are to give.”
  • Follow the Spirit. Listen to the Holy Ghost and follow the promptings you feel. “And the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith.” (Doctrine & Covenants 42:14)
  • Practice. Practice your talk multiple times. Time your talk to know if you need to add more thoughts or remove any ideas in your message.

Teach

  • Teach Doctrine. Strive to teach doctrine with reverence. (Teaching in the Savior’s Way: Teach the Doctrine)
  • Christ–centered Message. Strive to keep your talk centered on Christ – to strengthen your testimony and faith in Him and strengthen the testimonies of those in the congregation. (Teaching in the Savior’s Way: Help Learners Come Unto Jesus Christ)
  • Make it Personal. Strive to share faith-promoting experiences that relate to the doctrine you are teaching. Gordon B. Hinckley: “We must … speak out of [our] hearts rather than out of [our] books.”
  • Bear Testimony. Share your testimony of Jesus Christ, the topic and other gospel principles you feel prompted to testify about. Dallin H. Oaks: “…we need to affirm the existence of God the Eternal Father, the divine mission of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the reality of the Restoration. We must be valiant in our testimony of Jesus.”

Delivery

Introduction

Please know all members in the congregation are silently cheering for you and know you may be nervous. Please don’t begin your talk by telling everyone how unqualified or unprepared you are or that you are nervous or don’t want to be speaking. We all may feel some or all these feelings when we rise to the pulpit. Instead, may we ponder on the opportunity to bear witness of the Redeemer. What better example can we be as disciples of Jesus Christ — especially to the youth — than to share our love for Him and his gospel. May we strive to testify of Jesus Christ at all times and in all places!

– The Bishopric

On Sunday…

  • Arrive Early. Make preparations to arrive early to church so that you have time to ponder and focus on the experience without distractions. (D&C 38:30)
  • Pray Always. Keep a prayer in your heart and seek guidance and support before you walk to the pulpit to deliver your message. The Holy Ghost will “…show unto you all things what ye should do.” (2 Nephi 32:5)
  • Speak with Power. Speak clearly, slowly and loud enough into the microphone so others can hear you well.
  • Follow the Spirit. Hearken to the guidance of the Holy Ghost as you speak “in the very moment, what ye shall say.” (D&C 100:6)
  • Look and Smile. Make eye contact with members in the congregation and smile to put yourself and others at ease.
  • Remember. You have a chapel filled with your ward family who love you, support you and are grateful for your willingness to serve when asked. (Mosiah 18:9)

Additional Resources:

Speaking in church:

Speaking in Sacrament Meeting? by John Hilton III and Mindy Raye Friedman (New Era, October 2011)

7 Tips for Giving a Talk by Sarah Hanson (New Era, July 2018)

Learn Steps for Giving Better Sacrament Meeting Talks by Ryan Morganegg (Church News, September 2013)

How to Prepare a Sacrament Meeting Talk by Elaine Witt (Liahona, 2020)

Teaching with the Power and Authority of God by David M. McConkie (General Conference, October 2013)

Bearing testimony:

Testimony by Dallin H. Oaks (General Conference, May 2008)

The Power of a Personal Testimony by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf (General Conference, October 2006)

Nourishing and Bearing Your Testimony by Elder Gary E. Stevenson (General Conference, October 2022)