Use Of Our Meeting Houses Furthers The Work

Peter Trebilcock

UK Communications Director

The Church provides meetinghouses so that all who enter can:

Make and renew covenants through sacred ordinances (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:75; 59:9–12).
Meet together (see 3 Nephi 18:22–23).
Worship and pray together (see Mosiah 18:25; Moroni 6:9).
Teach and minister to one another (see Moroni 6:4–5).
Participate in other approved uses.

Church meetinghouses are sacred resources that should be used to help God’s children draw closer to Christ. Welcoming people to join us for activities at meetinghouses and using our meetinghouses to bless our communities are ways to “let [our] light so shine before men, that they may see [our] good works, and glorify [our] Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Over the past few years, we have seen a significant rise in the usage of our buildings. Not only have they been utilised to offer Church programmes such as Self-reliance and Addiction recovery courses, they have served a multitude of other purposes that benefit members and the community.

In addition to our meetings, regular activities include Christmas Carol and Easter Concerts, youth activities, and Blood Donation Sessions. Last year 2023, saw 387 blood donation sessions across England in 2023, from Helston Cornwall to Maidstone Kent and from Christchurch, Southampton to York! Almost 5% of blood donated in England stems from that donated within our buildings. Occasionally Church meetinghouses have been used for essential community service during an emergency. If meetinghouses are to be used for emergency purposes, stake leaders are encouraged to coordinate with community leaders and their local Facilities Manager.

Visitors Are Always Welcome

Visitors are welcome in all our chapels whether they are interested in becoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, visiting with a friend, or for another reason. Sometimes the personal circumstances of those visiting are not the most positive.

Elder Gary Stevenson said, “Our hearts are heavy with the human suffering and tensions that we see throughout the world during these tumultuous times. However, we can be also inspired by the outpouring of compassion and humanitarianism that has been demonstrated by people everywhere through their efforts to reach out to the marginalized—those displaced from their homes, separated from their families, or experiencing other forms of sorrow and despair.”

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the UK have opened up their hearts and their meeting ‘homes’ in such service and love.

Increasing activities held within our premises included: piano recitals, town orchestra practices, community choir rehearsals, weekly warm hubs, hosting interfaith meetings and fostering support activities. Relief Society, Elders Quorum and YMYW groups, often with their friends of other faiths, have gathered, sorted, and packed gifts of food parcels, toiletry bags. emergency kits, toys and clothing subsequently distributed to charities, refugee and asylum centres, hospitals, and care homes.

Our sacred buildings provide a wonderful opportunity for helping members of our communities feel our Fathers love through his son Jesus Christ. Many of our planned activities can be opened up to wider participation.

Preparation for our community friends to enter is particularly important. We appreciate the efforts of ward members, including our youth, to help keep each building clean and in good condition. This helps to preserve the building’s sacred nature as a place where the Spirit can be present, encourage reverence, present an image of dignity and respect, and extend the building’s useful life.

The First Presidency has requested that our meeting house foyers and entries should create a feeling of reverence and dignity. These spaces establish the first impression and feelings that individuals receive when entering a meetinghouse.

Furnishings and artwork enhance the interiors of foyers and entries and help create a spiritual, reverent atmosphere. Artwork can also inspire faith and teach principles of the gospel. Framed artwork that focuses on the Savior should always be displayed. We should remove from the foyer areas distractions such as display cases, bulletin boards, tables, easels, and damaged furniture.

Future Opportunities

The next UK general election is expected to be held in the latter half of 2024, but no later than 28th January 2025. MPs will be looking to increase their exposure and relationships within their constituencies. Therefore, we may consider it an ideal time to encourage Stake and Ward/Branch Leaders to invite local MPs into our meetinghouses and allow them the opportunity of visiting with both leaders and members and to see how the Church helps the community.

This approach has no political agenda for us. It is to allow the MP to see how the Church can be a force for good in the locale and at the same time consider how we may be able to assist with some of their own charitable causes.

We are blessed that we can offer the facilities free of charge to provide such a welcoming and positive environment for the people of our towns. We hope we can continue to bless the lives of many of our brothers and sisters whatever their faith, background, circumstances, or nationality. We do this expecting nothing in return.