Fun

How Sacrament Can Be Sacred Even While You're Wrangling Toddlers in the Foyer

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I wanted to write an amazing blog post for my fellow dads that details the simple steps we can take to make sacrament meeting a breeze for our wives and a joy for our children. Perhaps someday I will. But that day is not today. Nope. Today, I’m still trying to figure it out myself.

So, instead, let me tell you about how sacrament meeting went for my family last week. Maybe we can learn something together. Or maybe this will just be therapeutic for me.

Either way, here we go:

10:50 We’re here early. We usually are. My wife has a bad back, so the pews allow for a much better experience than what we affectionately refer to as “the metal seats of misery” in the cultural hall.

10:55 My 8-year-old son asks if he can get a drink from the water fountain. “Sure,” I say. I love it when he gets the inevitable drink question out of the way before the meeting.

10:59 I take a glance several rows up at my 13-year-old son sitting with the rest of the deacons preparing to pass the sacrament. His phone is nowhere to be seen. That’s a win.

11:01 The second counselor in our bishopric stands and welcomes everybody. Is it just me or is it always the second counselor who is most likely to say something entertaining/baffling? I like our chances today.

11:02 My 8-year-old returns from what has to be the longest-ever trip to the water fountain. Seven minutes. New record. His tie looks like he literally dipped it in the fountain. Miraculously, his shirt stayed dry.

11:03 My wife gives me the “take the baby” look. I know it well. I pull our 18-month-old daughter into my arms and smile. She promptly responds by smothering me with a sweet hug just before she smacks me in the face with a block.


Looking for a way to keep your kids reverent but still focused on the Savior during Sacrament? Check out these great books or try some fun games and activities from Deseret Book!

You've never seen anything like it! The best Church activity book out there! Jam-packed with activity after activity — crossword puzzles, word searches, mazes, secret codes, dot-to-dots — that teach children about the gospel. This book will provide hours of quiet fun.

It's understandable that some children appear bored or distracted during sacrament meeting. Many young Latter-day Saints are probably unsure about the true meaning of the sacrament and why we attend. With this in mind, bestselling author John Bythewayhas composed a delightful poem (inspired by a short poem by Walter H. Horne) to help Latter-day Saints young and old appreciate the ordinance of the sacrament

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