Sequence
Sacrament meetings usually proceed in this manner:
- First, the conducting officer (usually a member of the bishopric or Branch Presidency) welcomes the members to the meeting and presents announcements or other informational items of general interest.
- An opening hymn is usually sung by the congregation. Following this is the invocation, or opening prayer.
- Following this, church business is conducted. This includes the announcement of assignments and callings, the call for consent on various issues and assignments, and performance of ordinances, such as naming and blessing children and the confirmation of recently baptized converts.
- Next, a sacrament hymn is sung by the congregation. After this, the priests of the Aaronic priesthood bless the bread. The bread is distributed to the congregation by deacons. After this, the priests bless the water, which is distributed in like manner. The prayers used in the blessings are exact (see The Doctrine and Covenants, Section 20:75-79). The bread and water constitute the sacrament and are prepared before the meeting by one or more teachers. If sufficient number of Aaronic Priesthood holders are not available, Melchizedek priesthood holders may prepare, bless, and pass the sacrament, as required.
- Following the administration of the sacrament, various sermons, or speeches also known as talks, are delivered by assigned members of the congregation, visiting officials such as stake high council members or a member of the stake presidency. Often, congregational hymns or special musical numbers are included before or between talks. If it is Fast Sunday, instead of prepared talks, the congregation is asked to bear their testimonies as they feel inspired. (See Fast and testimony meeting.)
- The meeting closes with another congregational hymn and a benediction, or closing prayer.
Sacrament meetings usually last approximately 70 minutes. Other church meetings that can follow or precede sacrament meeting include, for adults, Sunday School and Relief Society or priesthood quorum meetings; and for youth, Sunday School classes, Young Women and Young Men classes; and Primary classes and a nursery for children. The sum of these meetings constitute Sunday services and typically lasts three hours.
Read more about this topic: Sacrament Meeting
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