Sunday

Sundays are one of my favorite days of the week! I enjoy the change of pace from the routine of life that this day brings. I still feel busy but it's a different busy as I shift my focus from the worries of everyday life to concentrate on things of a more spiritual nature. Today I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting. I was asked to speak on Standing in Holy Places. It was a topic I enjoyed researching and thinking about throughout the week. I thought I'd post my talk for those of you who'd like to read it. It's a bit long filled with many great quotes. I just thought I'd give a fair warning.

“Stand Ye In Holy Places”

A few years ago while living in Rock Springs, Wyoming I had a very special and significant experience in my life. It has changed my life because it changed the way that I have viewed and felt about attending my church meetings. At the time I was attending a singles branch made up of mainly 19 – 20 year olds. Because most of them were attending college in either their first or second years and I was through with school and working professionally I really didn’t feel like I fit in. However, I really did not want to attend a family ward either. So I attended the branch and made the best of the situation. After a few months it was time for our stake conference. On Saturday evening I attended the adult session of conference more out of a feeling of “I know this is where I should be” instead of a feeling of “This is where I want to be” I was sitting by myself and feeling quite alone and a little discouraged about life. I remember thinking – “This is just an extra meeting, no one would have missed me if I would not have come. Then I would not have been surrounded by so many people and feel so alone.” I do not remember anything in particular that was said in that conference, but I do remember the beautiful feeling that filled my heart and soul. In a lonely world I felt peace, joy, and inside I felt light both a brightness as well as a removal of weight. I left feeling very happy and renewed to do the things that the Lord has commanded me to do because He wants me back to live with Him. As I drove home I pondered on the change in me and I remember making a promise in my heart that I will always be found gathering with the Saints in church meetings. I will gather on Sundays, I will gather at Stake and General conferences, and at firesides. I will gather so I can “stand in Holy Places and be not moved”. Often I have reflected on this experience when it seems hard to attend a meeting and I have remembered that I need the meeting more than the meeting needs me.
What does standing in Holy Places mean?
Standing in Holy Places can be both literal and figurative. There are places on earth that if we visit we are literally standing in a Holy Place – A place where very sacred and holy events have taken place – The Sacred Grove, The Garden of Gethsemane, or any of our beautiful temples. In these places, the Spirit of the Lord is felt strongly because of what has transpired there.
A Holy Place is anywhere we feel the influence of the Holy Spirit, a place that fills us with peace, love, joy, happiness, and hope. Most often it is not about getting to a place but being within us the type of person in which the Holy Spirit can influence and guide and direct. Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander defined a holy place as a “sacred space where we find spiritual refuge, renewal, hope, and peace.
Sharon G. Larson recounted an experience she had with her father. She said, “Dad hugged me and said, “Now, Sharon, be in good company.”
I thought, “What is he thinking? Doesn’t he know I’ll be here by myself?” And then I realized—that is exactly what he was thinking.
Standing in holy places is all about being in good company, whether you are alone or with others. It’s being where the Holy Ghost is our companion—alone or in a crowd. When we determine within ourselves that we will control our thoughts and our actions and be the best we can possibly be, the best of life will come to us.
A holy place is where we feel safe, secure, loved, and comforted. That’s how it was in our heavenly home. Standing in holy places and being in good company bring feelings of how it must have been in that home we left behind, the home that seems so far away at times.”
I love Sister Larson’s definition of a Holy place the words: safe, secure, loved, and comforted are all feelings I desire to have daily – always.
Why has the Lord commanded us to stand in Holy Places?
The Lord wants us to stand in Holy Places because He loves us. He knows the trials and temptations that we all face here in mortality and he wants us to learn and overcome so that when we return to Him we are found worthy to live with Him Eternally.
President James E. Faust said: “We are bombarded on all sides by a vast number of messages we don’t want or need. More information is generated in a single day than we can absorb in a lifetime. To fully enjoy life, all of us must find our own breathing space and peace of mind. How can we do this? There is only one answer. We must rise above the evil that encroaches upon us. We must follow the counsel of the Lord, who said, “It is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and stand in holy places.”(DandC 101:22)
We unavoidably stand in so many unholy places and are subjected to so much that is vulgar, profane, and destructive of the Spirit of the Lord that I encourage our Saints all over the world, wherever possible, to strive to stand more often in holy places.
As children of the Lord we should strive every day to rise to a higher level of personal righteousness in all of our actions. We need to guard constantly against all of Satan’s influences.”
How does attending all our church meetings help us to stand in Holy Places?
Church meetings are a critical part of helping us rise above the filth of the world. It is the time each week that we gather together to strengthen each other and bear testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here as a ward family we find brothers and sisters who care and are concerned about us individually. Who are willing to help us to stand with them on holy ground.
In addition to being strengthened by those around us Sacrament meetings give a weekly opportunity to experience something very special and sacred. Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander taught, “Sacrament meetings are really more than just meetings. They are sacred moments in a holy place. During these weekly moments, we reflect on the most merciful act of sacrifice this world has ever known. We ponder the love of God, who gave His Only Begotten Son that we might obtain eternal life. As we partake of the sacrament, we remember Him and express our willingness to take His name upon us and to keep His commandments. Careful personal preparation, including our own sacrifice of a broken heart and contrite spirit, is prerequisite to the regular spiritual renewal offered through worthy participation. We must be willing and capable of slipping away from the world for just a few moments in order to reflect on holier things. Without this spiritual renewal, our faith is easily overcome by the secular and profane.”
We have a responsibility each week to come out of the world and stand on holier ground. It is up to us to prepare for these sacred moments. Elder Neuenschwander further explained, “The spiritual renewal we receive from our sacrament meetings will not exceed our preparation and our willingness and desire to be taught.”
Since my experience a few years ago I have learned that the Lord always misses us if we are not standing in places that are holy. Our church meetings are not only Holy Places we should stand in each week, but also prepare us to stand in Holy Places throughout our weeks. Our meetings give us strength, offer us peace and give us a refuge from the storms of life.