Because we’re men, we’re probably not qualified to talk much about the young women theme. But our friend Laurel Christensen recently wrote a book about really gets at the heart of this theme and has some great insights. The book is called He Loves Us and We Love Him: You’ve memorized it – Now live it.

Laurel quotes from the value statements for each value so that you gain an in-depth look at each one (we didn’t even know there were value statements! Kudos to Laurel for a great book. You can read an excerpt of it here.

It is almost a given that at some point (usually in the early-teen years) every kid turns to their parents and says something like, “Why do I HAVE to go to Church?”  We got this very question submitted to us through the ldswhy e-mail this week.  We partially answer this question in our chapter “Why Should I Keep the Sabbath Day Holy?” and thought it might be good to re-print it here:

A primary reason why the Sabbath was created, and why we should keep it holy, is that provides a day for us to re-dedicate ourselves to God and remember the Savior’s Atonement.  Central to this remembering is partaking of the sacrament.

We should keep the Sabbath day holy and attend our meetings so that we can partake of the sacrament and receive its cleansing effect. President Boyd K. Packer explained:

“Generally we understand that, conditioned upon repentance, the ordinance of baptism washes our sins away. Some wonder if they were baptized too soon. If only they could be baptized now and have a clean start. But that is not necessary! Through the ordinance of the sacrament, you renew the covenants made at baptism. When you meet all of the conditions of repentance, however difficult, you may be forgiven and your transgressions will trouble your mind no more” (President Boyd K. Packer, Washed Clean, Ensign (CR), May 1997, p.9).

Elder Dallin H. Oaks further taught:

“Attendance at Church each week provides the opportunity to partake of the sacrament, as the Lord has commanded us. If we act with the right preparation and attitude, partaking of the sacrament renews the cleansing effect of our baptism and qualifies us for the promise that we will always have His Spirit to be with us” (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, The Gospel in Our Lives, Ensign (CR), May 2002, p.33).

Elder Holland added, “Think for a moment how different our lives could be if through repentance we were made clean each and every Sabbath and could start each week absolutely pure, renewed, refreshed—totally confident of our standing before God” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Doctrine & Covenants CES Video, “Upon My Holy Day”).

Each time we partake of the sacrament, in the spirit of repentance, we are cleansed from our sins and washed anew by the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost (see 3 Nephi 27:20 and 2 Nephi 31:17).  The sacramental prayer specifically is blessed to “sanctify… the souls of all those who partake of it” (D&C 20:77).  This weekly cleansing is perhaps the purest reason why we should honor the Sabbath. When we understand this reason we want to go to church and partake of the sacrament on Sunday.

Understanding this doctrine of the cleansing effect of the sacrament also underscores why we must attend church and not just study the scriptures in our homes or out in nature.  President Spencer W. Kimball taught:

A man of my acquaintance remained home each Sabbath and justified himself by saying that he could benefit more by reading a good book at home than by attending the sacrament meeting and listening to a poor sermon. But the home, sacred as it should be, is not the house of prayer. In it no sacrament is administered; in it is not found the fellowship with members, nor the confession of sins to the brethren. The mountains may be termed the temples of God and the forests and streams his handiwork, but only in the meetinghouse, or house of prayer, can be fulfilled all the requirements of the Lord. And so he has impressed upon us that: ‘It is expedient that the church meet together often to partake of bread and wine in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus’ (D&C 20:75) (Spencer W. Kimball, The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, [1982], 220).

Yawn. How do yawns make you feel? Look at that picture of a yawn. Yawn. Yawn. Yawn. Think about Yawns. Odds are, you might have yawned just now. That’s because seeing yawning is contagious. A researcher at NYU simply showed videos of yawns to 65 college students, and the yawning video caused the students to yawn 41.5% of the time (see “Contagious Yawning,” November 2003, http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/yawnc.html; accessed 29 January 2010). Most researchers agree that yawning is mentally contagious.

Similarly, if we enter a sacrament meeting (or mutual or seminary, etc) and think it will be boring, it probably will be. Should you go anyways? Yes! And while you’re at it, change you’re attitude…go with the desire to make it a meaningful experience.

We love this quote from President Boyd K. Packer: “It’s important that you know this. The inspiration you may draw from [your church meetings] depends only partly in the effort [the teachers] have expended in the preparation of their sermons. It depends much more considerably on what preparation you have made for their message” (Boyd K. Packer, That All May Be Edified [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 2006], 236).

Here’s another interesting thought:

Elder Dallin H. Oaks said:

Some say “I didn’t learn anything today” or “No one was friendly to me” or “I was offended” or “The Church is not filling my needs.” All those answers are self-centered, and all retard spiritual growth.

In contrast, a wise friend wrote:

“Years ago, I changed my attitude about going to church. No longer do I go to church for my sake, but to think of others. I make a point of saying hello to people who sit alone, to welcome visitors, . . . to volunteer for an assignment. . . .

“In short, I go to church each week with the intent of being active, not passive, and making a positive difference in people’s lives. Consequently, my attendance at Church meetings is so much more enjoyable and fulfilling.”

Should you go to church meetings? Yes! Try having a positive attitude and being excited to learn in the next church meeting you go to — see if you can help someone else have a great time. We promise it will make a. . . . yawn . . . noticeable difference.