Something important

Some weeks ago in priesthood meeting, a young deacon gave the opening prayer. His prayer was short but sincere, and he closed with these words: “Help us that we can all learn something important today.” What a profound request he made of the Lord. There is always something important to be learned in our Sunday meetings. There is always wisdom; there is always some new concept; there is always some virtue to be embraced; there is always knowledge to be gained and faith to be strengthened.

It is up to us to find those gems. Instructors prepare all week to impart some portion of the gospel to us. Speakers prepare carefully and pray for the spirit so that they can provide something of value to us. However, what we learn, what we gain, what renewed strength we receive so that we can face the carnal and sensual world in the coming week, is entirely up to us. We can leave with nothing, or we can partake of the spiritual feast that is there for all of us.
It, like all other things in the gospel, is purely a matter of agency. We choose. We choose to ignore the spirit or to prepare for, invite, and accept its gentle touch. We choose to find something to excite and energize us, or to find boredom and the desire to be gone.
Even our omnipotent Father in Heaven could not compel his spirit children to accept the Plan of Salvation. They sat at His feet and were taught from His own mouth, and yet they chose to follow Lucifer rather than to accept what they had been taught, come to earth, receive a body, and exercise their agency for their own salvation. They missed something vital in those celestial classes, and it cost them their eternal exaltation.
How much do we miss when we let our attention lapse in Sacrament Meeting because the speaker is not as dynamic and entertaining as we would hope?
How much do we miss when we drift off in Sunday school or Relief Society or priesthood classes? What insights do we lose because we are bored or sleepy?
President Hinckley said:

"Every sacrament meeting ought to be a spiritual feast. It ought to be a time for meditation and introspection, a time for singing songs of praise to the Lord, a time for renewing one's covenants with him and our Eternal Father, and a time for hearing the word of the Lord with reverence and appreciation." (Gordon B. Hinckley, Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1997], 563)

I must confess that I have dozed in Sacrament Meeting from time to time. But is that the speaker’s fault -- or mine?
Those good brothers and sisters who speak in Sacrament Meeting have prepared at length. They may be first-timers or seasoned many-timers. They may lack oral skills, they may not be blessed with perfect English, but they are undoubtedly sincere and concerned that they will be able to impart their thoughts to us. If I do not grasp the essence of their message, is that their fault – or mine? If my attention wanders and I miss the point, is that their fault – or mine?
Elder James E. Talmage said of President Joseph F. Smith:

"He was no orator, and I am glad of it …he did not know how to talk in painted color pictures; but he possessed that gift which is as far above oratory as prophecy is above necromancy, the gift of eloquence. He did not speak to the ears, but right straight to the hearts of men."

What gems might we miss if we listen to criticize and deride instead of listening with our hearts? If I do not hear, Is it their fault – or mine?
Listen with new ears, worship with the spirit in attendance, seek the gems that each speaker or teacher offers. As we exercise our agency in this way, we can leave our meetings full of the joy and happiness that greater gospel understanding can bring, and we can be better prepared to deal with the adversary and his whisperings during the coming week.