Sunday Lessons

I want to remember several things from our church meetings this week.

This Sunday, we held our monthly Fast and Testimony meeting. Before this meeting, most members have fasted for two meals, which serves two purposes. The money that would have been spent on those meals is donated to help others, and the abstinence from food helps us focus on spiritual, rather than temporal, aspects of our life.

This monthly worship service is then turned over to members, to share their testimony, i.e., their personal witness, as the spirit moves them. This week, many of the testimonies were sweet and tender.

One of my favorites was a young boy (between 3-4 years old) who walked up to the stand and said, with straightforward conviction, "I know that the church is true. It's really, really true!"

A young man (12 or 13 years old) hesitantly shared his testimony. I had the feeling he was giving us something precious and new, as he cautiously shared his witness.

Then, in Sunday School, we studied Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus. We read 1 Timothy 1:5.

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.

Referring to this scripture, Meghan (our teacher) described her experience in Testimony Meeting. She was already seated, waiting for the meeting to begin, when Rebecca and Vanita came in. Vanita is one of our more elderly members, and whenever she makes it to church, it is because Rebecca has helped her and given her a ride. On this occasion, Meghan watched as Rebecca placed a pillow on the pew, and helped Vanita get settled on it. She folded up Vanita's walker, and stored it carefully. She unfolded a lap blanket and spread it across Vanita's legs. During the meeting, she arranged for the microphone to be brought to Vanita, so she could share her testimony without having to walk to the podium.

In each action, Rebecca showed charity out of a pure heart. It was a perfect lesson for us all.