Encouragement to Ward and Branch Councils to make sacrament meetings more Christ-focused in 2019

                                           

12 December 2018

TO: Ward and Branch Councils

FROM: The Mount Hood Stake Presidency

Christ-Centered Sacrament Meetings in 2019

Dear Ward and Branch Leaders,

The new year—especially this upcoming new year—is an excellent time to make changes.
We have already recommended that you make sure you have teachers in place willing to embrace the “Come, Follow Me” approach in the classroom. (Please encourage teachers to review resources on www.lds.org such as a search of: “Videos for Leaders” and “Come Follow Me: New Testament.”)

You’ll also remember that in Elder Quinton L. Cook’s introduction in General Conference to the new 2-Hour Meeting Schedule he announced that Sunday meetings in 2019 “will consist of a 60-minute sacrament meeting each Sunday, focused on the Savior, the ordinance of the sacrament, and spiritual messages.”

We feel to emphasize in our stake a focus on the Savior in all sacrament meetings in 2019.

We urge you to assign a talk or talks with a topic focused on the Savior each Sunday in 2019 (not Fast Sunday, of course). We’ve also asked the High Councilors, when assigned to speak in your ward or branch, to follow this counsel.

Furthermore, we ask that this be a frequent topic in Ward Council meetings that you counsel together often on how to place emphasis on the Savior in each sacrament meeting.

The following resources will help you generate talk topics on the Savior:

·      Sunday School Manual: The New Testament lessons found in the 2019 edition of “Come, Follow Me — For Individuals and Families”;

·      Scripture Helps: The scripture Study Helps found online, including the Topical Guide (57 topics referencing Jesus Christ), Index to the Triple Combination, Guide to the Scriptures, Gospel Topics, and the Bible Dictionary;

·      General Conference: Messages from the Brethren are replete with talk topics on the Savior; search for “Jesus Christ” on www.lds.org and click on “General Conference” in the left margin (please do not assign a single talk to a speaker).

On page 2 (or backside) you can see examples of how to use these resources to assist in generating a wide variety of topics on the Savior.

Thank you for accepting this counsel. We feel strongly it will set the tone for a more spiritual sacrament meeting and for our gospel study of the New Testament at home.

Examples of Sacrament Meeting Talk

Topics that Focus on the Savior

Mount Hood Stake • 2019

2019 ‘Come, Follow Me — For Individuals and Families’

January 7-13: Matthew 1, Luke 1

·   How Jesus’ unique heritage (mortal mother, immortal father) was essential to fulfill God’s Plan for His children.

·   What we learn from the annunciation of Jesus’ birth about God’s timing in our lives and why it’s so important to seek and submit to His will.

January 21-27: John 1

·   Just as the disciples bore witness of Jesus Christ, we can stand as witnesses of Jesus Christ “at all times and in all things, and in all places,” (Mosiah 18:9)

October 14-20: Philippians and Colossians

•  How do we find joy in Christ, regardless of our personal circumstances?

Topical Guide

Jesus Christ, Atonement through

·   Why Jesus Christ’s Atonement is so important to all mankind and to me personally.

Jesus Christ, Condescension of

·   How our appreciation of the Savior’s willingness to become like man so man can become like God can influence the way we live the gospel each day.

Guide to the Scriptures

Redeemer

·   What it means to be redeemed and why we are grateful for our Savior’s selfless act.

Bible Dictionary

Lord of Hosts (see Sabbath)

·   Why the Lord has given us a Sabbath Day and the many ways it can bless us.

General Conference Messages (please do not assign a single talk to a speaker)

‘Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ’ – Elder Oaks, October 2015

·   How the Savior is able to help us in our day-to-day lives.

‘Jesus Christ, the Master Healer’ – Elder Nelson, October 2005

·   What it means to receive the healing power of Jesus Christ in our lives.’