Return to [Seminary-Notes]

9 April 2004

Seminary Sacrament Meeting

I recommend that each ward or branch holds a Seminary Sacrament Meeting annually near the end of the Seminary year and Seminary graduation.

Here are a few ideas and suggestions for your consideration:

• Talk to a member of your bishopric and ask him to schedule your Seminary Sacrament meeting. (I recommend that you ask for the entire meeting -- all talks, musical numbers, and prayers.)

• Ask all of your seniors to speak -- first. If you do not have enough seniors to fill the entire program, then you can schedule other students and yourself to speak, as well.

• Ask speakers to talk about their favorite scripture mastery scripture. (Have students tell you which scripture they are going to speak about so that each talk will be different.)

• Select one or more special musical numbers. I recommend having all Seminary students in your ward sing a hymn (such as As Zion's Youth in Latter Days). You can use the daily opening hymn time to help your students practice. (You can alternatively have students play a piano solo or have students prepare a duet, trio, quartet or small group song.)

• I recommend that you speak during the last three to five minutes of the meeting, if  the schedule allows -- so that you can express your love for the Seminary students in your ward and bear your testimony about the blessings that come from studying the scriptures and attending Seminary.

• You may also wish to consider producing the sacrament meeting program that week. Doing so has several advantages. It gives your bishopric a much-deserved break. It ensures that the program will be correct. It allows you to make last minute changes to the program, and it may give your students an opportunity to serve -- by preparing artwork for the cover and possibly creating the program itself.

Holding a Seminary Sacrament Meeting has several benefits:

• It gives Seminary youth an opportunity to speak in church -- which is always a valuable experience (even though they may not show their appreciation now).

• Listening to the graduating seniors is a great promotion for the other Seminary students. It can help to motivate both the new and returning Seminary students.

• It helps remind parents of the importance of both the Seminary program and of reading the scriptures (individually and as a family).

The secret to a successful Seminary Sacrament Meeting is to plan ahead. Give your ward, your students, and yourself plenty of time to prepare.

Best wishes,

Ken

www.KenAlford.com

(845) 446-4927

Return to [Seminary-Notes]