In Humility and Gratitude

I recently attended our semi-annual stake conference; all three sessions! We had a visiting General Authority—a rarity in these days, at least in our neck of the woods. All three meetings were great: the General Authority was funny, personable, and gracious; the stake presidency and members chosen to speak were well-prepared, thoughtful, and inspiring. I felt the influence of the Holy Ghost throughout the two days of meetings. A thoroughly uplifting conference.

One particular moment—of many great ones—stood out for me during this conference. One sentence, spoken during the Saturday night session, pierced me right to the core. A Chinese brother, a convert of about two years, spoke. He described his conversion, how he came to know God and Jesus Christ after having been raised in China without religion, and he bore a strong testimony. After his talk, the General Authority spoke. He called this brother back to the podium, and asked him more questions about his conversion and the branch he attended. Soon, his branch president and many members of the branch were called out of the congregation to the stand, and a beautiful discussion about ministering ensued. Stories of how branch members had ministered to this new convert, and of how he had ministered to them in return were shared in what developed into a powerful teaching moment—far more effective than any regular talk would have been.

During this discussion, the branch president recounted how he had called the new convert a few days previously and asked him about the upcoming stake conference. This brother responded that he would “attend in humility and gratitude.” I realize that his statement probably reflects some of his Chinese culture, which emphasizes modesty and self-effacement, but I believe this cultural conditioning also allowed him to perceive a truth that eludes many of us (well, at least me): the Spirit can teach anyone, anywhere, if that person is prepared and seeking.

 I don’t know if I have ever attended a meeting with a conscious attitude of humility and gratitude. Oh, sure, I attend some meetings, especially general conference or other out-of-the-ordinary gatherings, seeking specific inspiration. I might prepare for those meetings by praying and/or fasting or pondering specific questions, and maybe humility and gratitude are in some measure implied, but they have not been a focus for me. In fact, for the most part, I take the privilege of attending Church meetings of any kind pretty much for granted. Don’t get me wrong—I’m a never-miss-a-meeting kind of gal. I show up to pretty much everything I’m asked to attend, mostly with a good attitude and the expectation of being spiritually fed.

And, I guess that’s what hit me when I heard “attend with humility and gratitude.” I attend my meetings without giving much thought to their existence. With the exception of about eight months during 2020 and the Great Covid Shutdown, Church meetings have always been readily available to me. In fact, it seems to me we’ve enjoyed a surplus of meetings in our Church, at least throughout my lifetime—and I haven’t exactly been grateful for all of them. I may have even complained about a few of them and their length and timing. I’ve rarely spared a thought for our right to assemble, the chapels or other buildings we have to meet in, the fact that I’m physically able to attend, usually with members of my family, and that we have transportation readily available to us.

Over the years, I’ve walked into any number of Church buildings for a variety of different meetings and activities, anticipating and expecting to be instructed and edified, and even entertained by the teachers, speakers, and participants. I regret to say that often my personal preparation to worship has been minimal at best. While I don’t think I’ve ever entered a pew actually thinking “I’m here, now amaze me,” I realize that my unconscious attitude is often something very similar. How many times have I sat in a meeting, impatient with a speaker who seems to me poorly prepared? How many times have I listened to a talk or lesson, critical of the content or delivery? How often have I sighed inwardly at irreverent children or inattentive adults? How often have I shifted the responsibility for my own worship experience to those around me? All of this begs the question: how has my failure to come to meetings in an attitude of humility and gratitude prevented me from receiving insights, comfort, joy, or power from the Spirit?

Most of us have probably heard the story told of President Spencer W. Kimball when he was once asked what he did when he found himself in a boring sacrament meeting. His reply was, “I don’t know, I’ve never been in one.” Wow, talk about attending in humility and gratitude! President Kimball knew that getting the most out of Church meetings depends on where we choose to place our focus—or perhaps I should say on whom we choose to focus.

 This stake conference taught me that as I acknowledge that the Holy Ghost can teach and edify us no matter the quality of the presentations or the setting, I can be filled with love and appreciation for our Savior’s gospel, and even for those noisy kids around me. I can remember that it wasn’t so long ago that I was the one trying—and mostly failing—to wrangle small children into behaving like little adults (or at least like quieter children)! This stake conference reminded me that there is great power in humility; by coming to our meetings in a teachable frame of mind, we are in the precise state to receive revelation. There is power in gratitude, too. “We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude” (Thomas S. Monson, “An Attitude of Gratitude,” April 1992 General Conference).

I’ve resolved to take a “humility and gratitude” challenge in relation to Church meetings. I’m going to make it a point to pray before a meeting for humility and gratitude, and listen more carefully for what the Spirit has to teach me. When I hear something, I’ll jot a note in my planner or type one into my phone. I have a feeling I might just be inspired. Who’s with me?

Your Thoughts?

Share any tips you have for getting more out of church meetings.