Update on Sunday Room SetUp

[keianaParticipant]

Our stake just had leadership training and had a country trainer train us. We were asked if we sat infront while the teacher was giving a lesson & I think only one ward in our stake did.
So… we were reminded that we needed to sit in the front during the lessons too. I think the reasons are obvious, so that we can see the faces of the sisters and their reactions to the lessons. We would also be able to discern a sister/s need of help, assistance, encouragement etc.
So now we have our table still in front with us behind it but put at a slant so the teacher has plenty of room infront of the board for their lesson.

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

This has been a debate in our stake recently too. Here is a talk by Elder Packer that I heard at a BYU devotional called “The Unwritten Order of Things“. In short, it explains that we should follow the example of the brethren in even the little things — like where we sit for meetings. Here is an excerpt:

Quote:

The things I am going to tell you about are not so rigid that the Church will fall apart if they are not strictly observed all the time. But they do set a tone, a standard, of dignity and order and will improve our meetings and classwork; they will improve the activities. If you know them and understand them, they will greatly improve your life.

Our meetings should be conducted in such a way that members may be refreshed spiritually and remain attuned to the Spirit as they meet the challenges of life. We are to establish conditions under which members can, through inspiration, solve their own problems. There are simple things that help in that regard, and things that hinder. Alma taught “that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise” (Alma 37:6).

I give as my first illustration of this unwritten order of things so simple a thing as this: The one who presides in a meeting should sit on the stand and sit close to the one conducting. It is a bit difficult to preside over a meeting from the congregation. The one who presides is responsible for the conduct of the meeting and has the right and the responsibility to receive inspiration and may be prompted to adjust or correct something that goes on in the meeting. That is true whether it be an auxiliary meeting presided over by the sisters or any of our meetings.

A new stake president sometimes will ask, “Must I sit on the stand in every meeting in the stake? May I not sit with my family?” I tell him, “While you preside, you are to sit on the stand.” I am tempted to say, but I don’t, “I can’t have that privilege; why should you?”

Another example: If you watch the First Presidency, you will see that the first counselor always sits on the right of the president; the second counselor on the left. That is a demonstration of doing things “decently and in order,” as Paul told us. Ordinarily, but not always, if the presiding officer speaks, it will be at the end of the meeting. Then clarification or correction can be given. I have had that experience many times at the close of meetings, “Well, brother or sister somebody said such and such, and I’m sure they meant such and such.” (“The Unwritten Order of Things“, Boyd K Packer. This devotional address was delivered on 15 October 1996 in the Marriott Center; emphasis added)

Our main debate has been regarding sisters who sit alone — can’t the presidency move sit with them after opening exercises, during the lesson? The answer is no, unless of course, the spirit moves you to do otherwise. In our case, we assign a presidency member to “work the crowd” before class and stand at the door to say goodbye to them as they leave. We have also asked sisters to sit by or speak with newer sisters so they don’t feel so alone. By observation, we have determined there are some sisters who prefer to sit alone, and we are happy to let them do so.

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

The answer to this question has been clarified at the Church’s RS FAQ. It says the decision to stay on the stand during a lesson is at the discretion of local leaders.

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