Comments on: Sacrament Gems

By: BHodges

BHodges — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 11:38:24 +0000

Great post, Ardis. Here’s a 1945 update on how-to from the Instructor:

http://archive.org/stream/instructor8012dese#page/n37/mode/2up

By: James Maxwell

James Maxwell — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:54:21 +0000

Reciting the Sacrament Gems was my foundation for public speaking. My father was the Sunday School Superintendent (now called President) for years. Any time the child who had been assigned to present the “gem” was absent, my father would summon me to the rostrum, hand me a copy of the Sacrament Gem and tell me to have it memorized by the time it was to be presented. If he learned by Satuday night that the child assigned for a 2 and 1/2 minute talk was going to be absent on Sunday, I received the substitute assignment. He would never allow me to “read” the talk. I must speak directly to the congregation. I could refer to notes, but never was to “read a talk” prepared by another person. Great training opportunities!

By: fifthgen

fifthgen — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:03:08 +0000

I remember the sacrament gem. As I recall, you would much prefer to be chosen to deliver the gem than the 2 1/2 minute talk! And practice hymns – - I agree that church music has suffered since we did away with that.

By: Researcher

Researcher — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:41:34 +0000

Wow. I wonder what the congregation would do if I played an interlude before the last verse.

I’ve lobbied not to have to play a postlude to the sacrament while the deacons are walking to their seats, but the bishopric prefers it, so I keep doing it. It just seems so Protestant. Hmmm. Maybe I need to start some passive agressive behavior, like playing a jarring chord at the end of each postlude. (Just kidding.)

I have found that more people sing and they sing louder when the hymns are played at the correct tempo. There’s nothing like “Hope of Israel” played at three-quarters speed to inculcate a dislike of church music.

I don’t remember the Sacrament Gems. I vaguely remember the sacrament being served at Junior Sunday School.

The kids have a monthly theme in Primary that includes a scripture fragment like this. I had to look it up since I’m not in the Primary:

The Sharing Time theme for August is “My Faith in Jesus Christ grows when I listen to the Holy Ghost.” The scripture is Doctrine and Covenants 42:17: “For, behold, the Comforter knoweth all things, and beareth record of the Father and the Son.” The song for the month is “Listen, Listen” p 107 Children’s Songbook. (lds.families.com)

By: Last Lemming

Last Lemming — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:15:35 +0000

Note the frequent addition of “Jesus said” before the Junior Sunday School gems in 1973. I remember being confused about whether that was supposed to precede every gem. It is entirely possible that I started gems with “Jesus said” even when the scripture was not quoting Jesus.

By: Anne

Anne — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 10:16:36 +0000

thank you….I miss the Sacrament Gem. And ‘Worship through music’ which is what we called the practice hymn in Sunday School Opening Exercises..No idea if that was the correct name or not!

By: Yet Another John

Yet Another John — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:22:28 +0000

Ah, the sacrament “gym!” I don’t know how old I was before I found out it was “gem.” You know, the parts of the old Sunday School I miss most are the gem and the practice hymn. I think our abilities as a singing church took a serious hit with the elimination of the practice hymn.

By: KLC

KLC — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:11:27 +0000

I should have added that those wards were in Southern California in the 60s and early 70s.

By: KLC

KLC — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:10:33 +0000

Ardis, what I really like about your research is the breadth. The pioneer days are interesting but it’s remarkable how quickly our institutional memory fades and your entries about the recent past of the church are great.

Michelle G. in both of the wards I lived in while growing up the organist played that same interlude between the next-to-the last and last verse.

By: Ray

Ray — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:14:51 +0000

Wonderful post, Ardis. I can’t remember this from my own upbringing, but I have a terrible memory for anything more than about 5 ago. OK; it’s more like 5 months ago, but . . .