Use of cell phones & other devices during sacrament meeting


moonman239
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I know at least 2 speakers advised the young people to put away their mobile devices for sacrament meeting, but I can only find 1 talk. I'm giving a talk, in two weeks, on what to do and what not to do during the sacrament, and Inwant to use these talks.

Please help me and thank you!

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I've seen people do all sorts of things during Sacrament meeting, like reading novels, doodling, snoozing, reading Scripture, reading Dungeons & Dragons sourcebooks, reading E-books... It seems to me that singling out mobile devices is a little odd unless the use of the device is disruptive to others.  

 

I would think if the issue is that the youth aren't paying enough attention, then it's better to address that generically, and let the mobile device issue attend to itself.

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A list of what to do and what not to do may not be effective. Personally, for me, I would focus on why we have the sacrament and tie that into distractions that we face, with electronics being one of them. I am not sure what kind of backup you need to state that surfing the web during sacrament takes away from the spirit you feel, but also is a distraction to those around you. 

 

Good luck. 

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I've seen people do all sorts of things during Sacrament meeting, like reading novels, doodling, snoozing, reading Scripture, reading Dungeons & Dragons sourcebooks, reading E-books... It seems to me that singling out mobile devices is a little odd unless the use of the device is disruptive to others.  

 

I would think if the issue is that the youth aren't paying enough attention, then it's better to address that generically, and let the mobile device issue attend to itself.

 

If 85% of the distractions are mobile phone-based, it makes perfect sense to single that out for special mention. I agree that it's worthwhile to point out that any distractions are inappropriate during the sacrament, or indeed during sacrament meeting or any other Church meeting,for that matter.

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 I think we need to keep in mind when responding that the OP may have felt inspired to bring up these things.  So he is asking for help with some references.

 

It's certainly not up to us to say what he should and shouldn't talk about if he is so inspired.

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I'm having a real hard time with the lds.org search function here, but I did hear that advice given twice in conference, and once in an earlier talk.

 

The phrase used was "presentation of the sacrament".  (From memory here.  Can't find it in the search engine yet, maybe because LDS.org hasn't' linked up conference yet.

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do a search on the church page (lds.org) it comes up with about 7 references referring to cellphones and behavior during sacrament.  Good Luck and God Bless your talk.  just phrase it as use of cell phones during Sacrament.  Do the search from the scriptures page.

Edited by CelesteL1st
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Found my older source:

 

Be Still, and Know That I Am God - Elder M. Russell Ballard Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles - CES Devotional for Young Adults • May 4, 2014 • San Diego, California

 

(Bolding mine)

 

I also worry that some of you check your email, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram accounts or send text messages during the most important gathering in the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—our sacred sacrament meeting. In this important meeting we should be focusing on the Lord through praying, singing hymns, and partaking the emblems of His body and blood instead of hooking up to our multimedia devices. You cannot connect to the Spirit during the presentation of the sacrament while looking at or sending a message on your smartphone or your tablet. This connection requires the Light of Christ, settling from your minds into your hearts with burning love and devotion.
 
I know that many of you have your scriptures and other Church resources on your phones and tablets. And I’ve even heard that some parents and Church leaders are concerned about this newest development, but I am not.
 
The Church has always adopted advances in technology to help push the work of the Lord forward. We began sending our missionaries on sailing ships in the 1830s, but we adopted the advances offered by steamships in the 1860s. And then we embraced airlines as the best means to get our missionaries to their assignments throughout the world in the 1960s.
 
History does repeat itself in the most interesting ways. In the past, Israel preserved the words of the prophets on scrolls. At some point, the early Christians adopted the codex, the early version of the modern book.
 
Here we are 2,000 years later, and you young people are reading your scriptures on smartphones or tablets—reading them as Jesus did when He was given an Isaiah scroll to read from in Nazareth. You too can “scroll”—but please, do not “scroll” during the presentation of the sacrament. Surely, during those few minutes you can focus on the Atonement of the Savior as you seek the Spirit of the Lord to bless you for the coming week. And consider putting your smartphone or your tablet in airplane mode for the entire Sunday block. You will still have your scriptures, general conference talks, hymnbook, and manuals, but you will not be distracted by incoming text messages or push notifications.
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Earl,

I agree. I also found a quote from Elder Nelson that says that it is better to think about what sign I want to give God than to just follow a list of do's and don'ts. It's kind of "broken heart and contrite spirit" vs. Pharisee, if you know what I mean. I can't possibly list everything one should not do in the amount of time I have for my talk. That said, I can

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I'm having a real hard time with the lds.org search function here, but I did hear that advice given twice in conference, and once in an earlier talk.

 

The phrase used was "presentation of the sacrament".  (From memory here.  Can't find it in the search engine yet, maybe because LDS.org hasn't' linked up conference yet.

 

What do you mean the lds.org search function "here?"

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Elder Oaks made a reference to texting during the presentation of the sacrament in his Saturday morning session talk.

 

Young people, if that teaching seems too general, here is a specific example. If the emblems of the sacramentare being passed and you are texting or whispering or playing video games or doing anything else to deny yourself essential spiritual food, you are severing your spiritual roots and moving yourself toward stony ground. You are making yourself vulnerable to withering away when you encounter tribulation like isolation, intimidation, or ridicule. And that applies to adults also.

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I know at least 2 speakers advised the young people to put away their mobile devices for sacrament meeting, but I can only find 1 talk. I'm giving a talk, in two weeks, on what to do and what not to do during the sacrament, and Inwant to use these talks.

Please help me and thank you!

 

Here are three references that I found...the talk by President Uchtdorf was wonderful.

 

Sorry for the mad copy/paste job I've done, I'm too tired to figure out how to do it all properly :)

 

Are we on autopilot, going through the motions, attending our meetings, yawning through Gospel Doctrine class, and perhaps checking our cell phones during sacrament service?By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency url: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-gift-of-grace?lang=eng

 

Habit Number 3: Make Time to Set Aside Your Mobile Devices

It is refreshing to put aside our electronic devices for a while and instead turn the pages of the scriptures or take time to converse with family and friends. Especially on the Lord’s day, experience the peace of participating in a sacrament meeting without the constant urge to see if you have a new message or a new post.

The habit of setting aside your mobile device for a time will enrich and broaden your view of life, for life is not confined to a four-inch (10 cm) screen.   By Elder José A. Teixeira, Of the Seventy

 

url: https://www.lds.org/ensign/2015/05/sunday-morning-session/seeking-the-lord.p1?lang=eng

 

In many ways the world today is more challenging than it was 13 years ago. Our young men and young women have many more distractions to sidetrack them in their preparations for both a mission and a future happy life. Technology has expanded, and almost everyone has access to handheld devices that can capture the attention of the human family of God for both great good and unconscionable ill....Are you careful with your time—avoiding inappropriate technology and social media, including video games, which can dull your spiritual sensitivity?  By Elder M. Russell Ballard, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

 

url: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-greatest-generation-of-young-adults?lang=eng

 

 

 

 

 

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IDK, one of my more memorable meetings involved a cell phone ringtone of Michael Jackson's Thriller going off in the middle of a talk. Can't tell you what the talk was about but I can still remember the frantic efforts of a certain member to get their cell phone and turn it off! :D 

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I never bring a phone into church and I use "real"scriptures and manuals....I know dark ages. At the beginning of every sacrament meetings we are reminded to silence all electronic devices...and almost every sacrament meeting one will be sure to ring.

Edited by bytor2112
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