The newest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Patrick Kearon, is unique in that he joined the church as an adult—at age 26. This gives him a different perspective on good and true worship than even the other members of the Quorum of the Twelve who grew up in less active families.
Elder Kearon spoke to the Church about joy, stating: “We can and should be the most joyful people on Earth.” Later, Elder Kearon called on Church members to better express joy in their worship of our God, adding, “And nowhere should our joy, as a people, be more apparent than when we gather together each Sabbath in our sacrament meetings to worship the source of all joy.”
Phrases like “the Church of joy,” “celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper,” and “joyful reverence” are not typical in Church vernacular, but Elder Kearon used them to highlight a change of attitude that can be developed by faithful members to more accurately demonstrate to others how wonderful, joyous, glad, and gratitude-filled The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is.
Elder Kearon gave further suggestions for showing the joy one should feel as a member of the Lord’s Church. Reverence, for Elder Kearon, is not merely closing your eyes and folding your arms but the showing of great respect and admiration. He counseled that our facial expressions should not express indifference or bad-temperment, but joy, happiness, and hope. We ought not merely be present, listening to others sing hymns of praise, but we should participate in that worship regardless of our vocal talents.
Another fitting point made by Elder Kearon is that talks given in sacrament meeting should be focused on “Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and the fruit of living Their Gospel.” Though many may not have picked up on this, the word fruit comes from the Latin word for to enjoy. Without saying it explicitly, Elder Kearon taught that even our talks should be centered in joy.
Elder Kearon finally encouraged us to take the joy we at feel home with us and, in our family and ward councils, to discuss how we can better make time at church a more joyful experience for ourselves and for everyone around us.
Written by: Jacob Fisher
Senior Contributor at the Cougar Chronicle
The Cougar Chronicle is an independent student-run newspaper and is not affiliated with Brigham Young University or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Cover Photo Source: https://lds365.com/2023/12/20/video-moments-with-elder-patrick-kearon/
