Can I Get A Witness?

Posted by Leslie | June 24, 2009 | 10 Comments

I hear voices, not regular voices per se, but a gospel choir. They sing to me in my head. They wear blue satin robes with white collars and are quite soulful. At various times throughout the day I hear…

“Can I get a witness, wit-ness
Can I get a witness, wit-ness”

They are clapping and swaying very enthusiastically. My children join in with me and my choir and we jive, clap, and sing in the kitchen often during dinner preparations. So either I have some deep unfulfilled need for affirmation, or maybe this is spiritual call for me to witness to others. Whatever the reason, the singers are there.

Why a gospel choir? Not exactly sure. It certainly does not come from the choir of my religious heritage, the good old Mormon Tabernacle Choir. MoTab doesn’t break into quite such rhythmic, exultant jubilee (although they are known to wear blue).

Maybe it’s because a few years back I served in an inner city branch of our church. The best thing was when you gave a talk, the branch president would gently nod his head in approval as you were talking (or at least if you weren’t preaching any false doctrine). If you said something good you would get an audible “mm-hmm” as you spoke. It was very affirming. If the congregation liked your words, well sister, you got especially loud “Amen” at the end. I loved the way others truly witnessed with you.

Last Sunday, I was assigned to speak on the nature and glory of God, and as it worked out after the 30-second Father’s Day tribute from the Primary children, I was left with a solid 30 minutes to fill with my weighty topic. From my vantage point at the pulpit, I watched the congregants. Some looked at me with varying degrees of attention, others were engaged in the arduous but honorable task of reverently wrestling their children, a few dozed. Some I could tell were being tortured by the mere thought being forced to listen to a single speaker’s talk which was going to be longer than a TV sitcom. I’ll be honest my reaction upon receiving the topic was not rooftop dancing, but as I spent the week preparing I really found the power in the subject. It found its way into a few conversations with non-member friends, who couldn’t understand why I was madly using my son’s nap time to write the Father’s Day sermon for our church. It gave me a chance to witness deep, amazing truths. I got to squeeze into the conversation our basic theology on the godhead and plan of salvation in three minutes or less.

As church members, we’ve been taught our basic doctrines (like the nature of God) well; at least 40 or 50 times in Primary alone, let alone the years of Sunday School, Young Women’s, seminary, Relief Society and many sacrament meetings. I wonder if we take our truths too lightly and forget how amazing they are.

A lot of times we’re not really focused in church, we zone in and out through talks. In the end, our classical conditioning kicks in. We hear that concluding “Amen” and we mumble our weak, reflexive knee jerk “amen” back. I am all for reverence and decorum, but I’d also like some evidence of a strong spiritual pulse.

We don’t often let ourselves get caught up and feel the good news of the gospel. These abiding truths deserves some hearty affirmation. So next time we’re at church I’ll be looking for some head nods, and listening for those heart-felt “Amens.”

Because “I wanna get witness, wit-ness”.

Comments

10 Responses to “Can I Get A Witness?”

Sage
June 24th, 2009 @ 6:24 am

Amen! Sister. I read the articles of faith this morning and paused at the mention of our belief in the gift of tongues, revelation etc. and wondered if we let ourselves feel the Spirit enoug each week in church. Do my kids know what the Spirit really feels like? Our FHE time coyld be better. Our Sacrament talks could be better, and who knows if the Sunday lessons are really being taught with the Spirit. I like the idea of the audience at least demonstrating if they are feeling it. I sometimes wish we wouldn’t be afraid to really invite the Spirit in our regular meetings. And I’m trying harder at home to not shy away from testifying with strength! Thanks for this post that reminds me how I need to witness to my kids more powerfully!
Kay
June 24th, 2009 @ 6:44 am

This is interesting. On Sunday I had a discussion with my husband about feeling the spirit in church. He had been in High Priests, which is rare as being on the Bishopric he often is interviewing and does not get into many lessons. He commented that he really felt the spirit in the lesson and that it didn’t happen that often. He felt that lessons can be well taught, good and interesting issues raised, excellent discussions take place, but still the spirit is not always present or at least he doesn’t feel it.

I know what he means too. How often do we speak with the power of testimony? Do we go through the motions at church too much? Are we prepared for our lessons by doing all the studying and thinking beforehand? If we don’t feel the spirit why not? Personally I feel it more in Relief Society lessons than Sunday School. Why, I don’t know. Now I am in primary that is out of the window anyway. Taking part helps, so does paying attention. Going through the motions in church isn’t helpful to anyone. We don’t get much out of it and the person who has put so much in to teach/speak probably feels a bit put out too.

Can I say we need to be more bold with our testimonies and more enthusiastic about being at church. That’s my 2 pence worth anyway.
Merry Michelle
June 24th, 2009 @ 8:58 am

I’m one of those reverently wrestling with my children, though I do have to say that when certain people get up- I hand the kids snacks, shush them and sit in rapt attention. And sometimes after they speak I feel like cheering or starting a parade.

When we taught my younger son to pray, he would end with a loud “AMEN!” which he’ll still use at the end of sacrament prayers or randomly throughout the meeting. Maybe we need more of that kind of enthusiasm. Amen!
cindy baldwin
June 24th, 2009 @ 10:40 am

This is something I have been pondering and struggling with lately.

I have a lot of chronic health conditions, which make a 3 hour church block extremely difficult at this point in my life. Right now I am in the Primary presidency (which really means nursery, since I am in a student ward with very young kids) and we have sacrament last. By the time I get to sacrament, I am exhausted. It is all I can do to keep myself on the bench during the meeting, let alone really connecting with and feeling the spirit from the talks. I’m not sure what the solution is – I felt very strongly that I needed to take this calling, but . . . how can I keep it from being at the expense of a spiritual sacrament meeting?
Carol
June 24th, 2009 @ 10:41 am

Love this post! My husband and I served in a branch of retired seniors for three years. Their enthusiasm gratitude for everything they experienced at Church amazed me. They savored every talk, opportunity to take the Sacrament, and song. Because many of them were close to death, they appreciated life with gusto.

Now I’m back in my regular ward, and I find it so easy to become complacent about the small grace of Church worship. (The 3-hour block doesn’t help, either. We had a 2-hour service at the retirement ward with Sunday School held mid-week.)

I wish we had an inner city branch as you described. I’d beg the bishop for an opportunity to serve there.
Strollerblader
June 24th, 2009 @ 1:36 pm

Cindy Baldwin — any chance you could go home after Primary, then attend just a sacrament meeting later in the day after you’ve rested a bit?
Tiffany W.
June 24th, 2009 @ 4:32 pm

Cindy, I really do sympathize. Perhaps it is time to talk to the bishopric, explaining your current health challenges and requesting a change. Sacrament meeting is really supposed to be the most important meeting of the block, the time when you renew your covenants and partake of the sacrament. If your calling is so draining (and I serve in a primary presidency and know how hard it is) and your health condition is causing you a great deal of difficulty, it isn’t selfish or wrong to ask for a release or assistance.
Selwyn
June 24th, 2009 @ 8:55 pm

In my branch whenever a speaker says “Good morning Brothers and Sisters” the congregation says “Good morning!” back.

It was really disconcerting to start, but know I really like it – feels all communal and friendly.

It is so relieving and helpful to see people actually listening to what you are saying, and nodding at you after something you’ve said. I don’t expect anyone to be absolutely spellbound and overcome by my sacrament talks, but I sure appreciate people being willing and prepared to witness to me, through what I’m trying to witness to them.

“Can I get an A-MEN!”
Leslie
June 24th, 2009 @ 9:26 pm

sage great thoughts on witnessing in our families! Thanks for that insight,

I think we do take it all for granted too much.

MM- I want more of those parade inspiring talks!

cindy- those are really difficult issues to weigh. I would talk with your bishop but then also i think different seasons/callings also bring different experiences.

A-MEN!
Sandi Grandberry
June 27th, 2009 @ 7:37 pm

amen sister and jazz up the music while you are at it.