Where Is Everyone Durring The Gospel Principles Class

[jimradictis]

I have noticed that when I go for the sacrament there are a lot of people there, but then when I go to the Gospel principles class there are only six to ten of us there including the missionaries. What else happens after the sacrament? I noticed that later during the priesthood that there are probably twenty to thirty of us there.

[BenRaines]

There is a gospel principles class for new members and investigators or those perhaps coming back from an extended period of inactivity or inattention.

There is a gospel doctrine class that begins to study each one of the four major books of scripture.

One year Old Testament then New Testament then Church History and Doctrine & Covenants and one year Book of Mormon.

Ben Raines

[the_jason]

There are also adults who teach youth Sunday School classes. Six to ten in a gospel principles class is a good number.

[sixpacktr]

For the most part they are in the "hall class", which means they want to stand or sit and talk with people rather than attend class. It is true that many go teach during the 2nd hour, but I found, during my time in the Bishopric and as Sunday School President, that many like to sit and gab.

We used to kind of run people into class, but it went off and on. It got to be a problem when the adults in the hall made such a noise that the primary kids had to come out and tell them to be reverent!

[the_jason]

Unfortunately that's true. I only miss Sunday School if I'm doing something in regards to my calling or if I'm taking care of the kids. I don't skip just to skip.

[BenRaines]

I live in a very young ward with lots of married couples with children. Many like to stay and catch up with their social life. These are the same ones that stand in the back of the building during Sacrament meeting and let their kids run around and play during the meeting.

When I have sat up on the stand I can see that there are two meetings going on. The one that is under the direction of the Bishop and the one that is being held in the back of the cultural hall. It has to be a different meeting because if you are sitting back past the soft seats you can't hear anything anyway due to the noise.

Ben Raines

[the_jason]

Our ward closes off the cultural hall as well as the overflow. We also recently stopped taking the sacrament out to the foyer. Sacrament meeting is in the chapel, and only the chapel.

[BenRaines]

I am a believer in that too Jason but the direction from our area authority is that the sacrament be passed in the foyer.

The overflow in our large ward is where this walking and talking is going on. We have to open both the overflow and on to the basketball court to fit our ward. We meet in the stake center.

If there was a way to solve it, other than sending them home, we would.

Ben Raines

[the_jason]

I am a believer in that too Jason but the direction from our area authority is that the sacrament be passed in the foyer.

Seriously? President Packer has said just the opposite. The reason being that the bishop is to see that nobody take the sacrament unworthily, and he can't do this completely if he can't see who's out in the foyer.

[BenRaines]

The size my ward is and the number of people even if they were all in the chapel and overflows the Bishop would not be able to see who is partaking of the sacrament. Other than those who are meeting with the Bishop or those who under discipline with the Bishop how would he know who is worthy and partaking or not? What about a visitor partaking or a non member in the congregation, new member move in that arrived on Saturday.

Remember I agree that is should only be passed in Sacrament meeting but for other reasons. Partaking of the sacrament should not be just popping the bread in your mouth and taking a sip of the water but should be a spiritual process each and every week.

I see partaking unworthily a personal preparation or not. My son, who is 24, feels that if he rushes in to the meeting or arrives late that he should wait until the next week to partake and I agree with him. Does someone who is chatting with their friends in the foyer and quiet for the prayer and then goes back to visiting until the sacrament is passed truely understand what they are doing?

As you can see I have an issue with it but not my call. I am a member of a ward and a church that accepts that.

Ben Raines

[the_jason]

My bishop mentioned something to me that I thought was rather interesting and made a lot of sense.

A few years ago when the Nauvoo Temple was dedicated they allowed church members to view the dedication in their own areas, as long as they were current recomend holders. Our stake president had a high councilor at each door and instructed them to close the doors at 5 mins prior to the service and to not let anyone in after that point.

A couple minutes after the doors closed a member tried to get in but was not allowed. The member persisted but was continually rejected. This member was a high councilor and later was called as a mission president. He became furious at the fact that he was not allowed in the chapel. At a later meeting, the stake president spoke to the high council and bishops about this very thing. The point of not allowing anyone in after the doors closed was in reference to the last days. We are all given ample warning and time to prepare, and when "the doors close" it will be too late.

I've known families who come to church and do not even attempt to sit in the chapel. I suppose it is because they come right before the sacrament is passed and do not want to cause a scene, but are these the people we are talking about? Will these be the people knocking on the doors after they are closed? I suppose that's the reason for not taking the sacrament to the foyer.

Just a thought.

[Sugarbay]

No one in our branch gets the sacrament in the hall. That came from our stake prez. We have Sacrament Meeting to partake of the ordinance and if you aren't in your seat or you are in the hall, you don't partake. If it is important enough to you to renew your covenants with the Savior you will be where you should be...IN Sacrament meeting.

[Palerider]

No one in our branch gets the sacrament in the hall. That came from our stake prez. We have Sacrament Meeting to partake of the ordinance and if you aren't in your seat or you are in the hall, you don't partake. If it is important enough to you to renew your covenants with the Savior you will be where you should be...IN Sacrament meeting.

the only ones who get Sacrament in the hall should be the parent who took the noisy kid outside.

[susieSA]

<div class='quotemain'>

No one in our branch gets the sacrament in the hall. That came from our stake prez. We have Sacrament Meeting to partake of the ordinance and if you aren't in your seat or you are in the hall, you don't partake. If it is important enough to you to renew your covenants with the Savior you will be where you should be...IN Sacrament meeting.

the only ones who get Sacrament in the hall should be the parent who took the noisy kid outside.

I must agree with you on that one Palerider

[StrawberryFields]

I think some go home to check dinner, or grab a snack.

[MaidservantX]

Or checking the score.

Or regrooming in the rest room.

Or are waiting for someone to notice them.

[jimradictis]

My bishop mentioned something to me that I thought was rather interesting and made a lot of sense.

A few years ago when the Nauvoo Temple was dedicated they allowed church members to view the dedication in their own areas, as long as they were current recomend holders. Our stake president had a high councilor at each door and instructed them to close the doors at 5 mins prior to the service and to not let anyone in after that point.

A couple minutes after the doors closed a member tried to get in but was not allowed. The member persisted but was continually rejected. This member was a high councilor and later was called as a mission president. He became furious at the fact that he was not allowed in the chapel. At a later meeting, the stake president spoke to the high council and bishops about this very thing. The point of not allowing anyone in after the doors closed was in reference to the last days. We are all given ample warning and time to prepare, and when "the doors close" it will be too late.

I've known families who come to church and do not even attempt to sit in the chapel. I suppose it is because they come right before the sacrament is passed and do not want to cause a scene, but are these the people we are talking about? Will these be the people knocking on the doors after they are closed? I suppose that's the reason for not taking the sacrament to the foyer.

Just a thought.

I've been wondering why there were members standing at the doors into the chapel. They will let people leave but not come back in. The sacrament is taken out of the chapel into a hallway with a couch in it so people cans still partake of it though.

I think some go home to check dinner, or grab a snack.

Lol! I knew something was going on, hopefully next time they will bring me something to eat, still though what about the first Sunday of the month?

[StrawberryFields]

<div class='quotemain'>

I think some go home to check dinner, or grab a snack.

Lol! I knew something was going on, hopefully next time they will bring me something to eat, still though what about the first Sunday of the month?

Then that pot roast will taste extra good after church.

[the_jason]

I've been wondering why there were members standing at the doors into the chapel. They will let people leave but not come back in. The sacrament is taken out of the chapel into a hallway with a couch in it so people cans still partake of it though.

I'm sure in your ward they do, but President Packer said it should not. Maybe you'd like to argue with an Apostle.

[jimradictis]

<div class='quotemain'>

I've been wondering why there were members standing at the doors into the chapel. They will let people leave but not come back in. The sacrament is taken out of the chapel into a hallway with a couch in it so people cans still partake of it though.

I'm sure in your ward they do, but President Packer said it should not. Maybe you'd like to argue with an Apostle.

Nah, I don't think I would. I was just partaking in the conversation.