Mary Margaret Thompson was raised in Salt Lake City by two California natives and converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Mary served a mission in upper New England. Upon her return, she met and married Spencer Thompson. She earned her masters degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Utah and taught Kindergarten for three years. She is now raising four precious children. Mary has served in various callings, both in ward and stake Young Women presidencies, as well as a Primary presidency and as Primary chorister. She is currently a Relief Society teacher. She has also been the supporting role for her husband who served as the President of NorthStar International for several years. Mary has a great passion to write inspirational thoughts, and has written a personal blog for the past seven years, since President Nelson encouraged us to receive personal revelation. 

Enter Mary…

The recent change for young women to act as greeters startled me more than I expected, when I walked down the hallway to enter the chapel and saw my own twelve-year-old daughter and another young woman standing by the entrance. Their light and their presence stunned me. It brought me joy to see them there, and it felt like something was different.

Many women and young women may have mixed feelings about this new change. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it either. Nevertheless, the Lord gave me a new way to look at it, and I’m hoping it will help you, and/or any young women you know.

The Symbolism of the Sacrament

After seeing these two young women, a thought struck me that I had once heard before. If the emblems on the sacrament table represent the body of Jesus, then that means our chapel could also be viewed as a symbol of His tomb.

With this visual in mind, each time we enter the chapel which holds these sacred symbols of Him, it is as though we are entering the tomb where He lay. Our meetinghouses are not just buildings, they are dedicated spaces set apart for remembering Jesus Christ. That means the way we enter them matters.

We know that when His disciples came to the empty tomb, they were greeted by angels. (See John 20 and Matthew 28.) Could it be that these young women have just been given an incredibly sacred role to stand as angels to welcome people into our most sacred space of the week? They, as Elder Kearon has taught us, are the “welcome(rs)” to the church of joy!

In fact, it was women who were first taught at the tomb site that, “He is risen,” and those women were instructed to go and tell the others.

“They departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.” (Matthew 27:8)

The disciples came running back!

When was the last time you ran toward those chapel doors and felt the welcoming embrace of angels beckoning you to come feel the rest, the joy, and the warmth of our Savior’s loving embrace?

Joyfully Shine

It seems so clear that our young women are called, not only to stand as angels, but also to be like these sacred women of old, to bring their simple holy presence, and let it joyfully shine as a beacon to others that “He is risen.” This is especially pertinent as we prepare to worship on the most holy of holy days, Easter!

Young women, I hope you can see it! YOU are an important part of this latter-day work. It may not always be so obvious, but if you desire to know, God will help you see it.

As I observed those young women step into their role for the first time, I witnessed the joy their presence brought to every individual who walked past their welcoming smiles. My hope is that in return they felt their value and the power of their presence as well as the impact of their loving words. Some may never know how much their warm welcome may mean to a weary soul struggling to get through those doors.

A Sacred Call

If you are reading this and you or someone you know is struggling with this new responsibility, maybe just remind them that they are called to something sacred. Your presence is more than just a greeting, it is an act of discipleship.

It is a call to bring your powerful presence as a welcoming witness that our Savior lived, died, rose again and will come again to claim you as His.

Will you embrace this errand of angels?

“The errand of angels is given to women; And this is a gift that, as sisters, we claim: To do whatsoever is gentle and human, To cheer and to bless in humanity’s name. How vast is our purpose, how broad is our mission, If we but fulfill it in spirit and deed. Oh, naught but the Spirit’s divinest tuition Can give us the wisdom to truly succeed.” (“As Sisters in Zion”, Text: Emily H. Woodmansee)

Helpful Insights

Here are a few tips for greeters to invite a sacred worship experience:

1. Set the Tone With Reverence – Before greeting, take a moment to say an intentional prayer, and ask to know how you individually can bless someone with your presence, your words, and your warmth. Or rather, that God’s light can shine and be felt through you.
2. Be intentional With Your Words –  This is great preparation for missionary work! You may feel a little awkward and may not know everyone you are greeting, but you are on the Lord’s errand. He will fill your mouth with the words to say. You can also prepare some phrases to help you. “Welcome to Church!” Or “We’re so glad you’re here” are a couple. Take some time to ponder on some things that feel sincere to you.
3. Learn Names – People love to hear their names. This is a lifelong skill that will bless you. Take some time to look in the Church tools app and learn people’s names. (This could be a fun YW activity and could relate to the names you take to the temple. They are real people!) When you see them, simply say “Hello______”, or just say their name by itself happily! We have several beautiful examples in scripture of servants of God being greeted by name. We know that in the sacred grove the first word that was uttered out of God’s mouth was “Joseph.” Likewise, we have the beautiful account of the risen Lord appearing to a grieving Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb. We know that she was weeping, and Jesus asked her why. She thought Jesus’ body had been stolen… until the sweetest word was uttered in her ears and penetrated her spirit with familiarity. He said her name, “Mary.” In both of these cases, when these people were in despair, these divine individuals brought comfort to them by saying their names. You too can use that simple acknowledgement to bring comfort to others as they come to worship.
4. Be Sensitive and Aware – Learn to read other people’s body language and pray to be sensitive and aware of them. Your warm loving energy and welcoming presence can set the tone for their experience at church that day.
5. Express Sincere Joy and Love Through Your Countenance – Your joyful countenance can be a reflection of Jesus’ love for others. You can be an instrument to bring hope to others who may feel weighed down, lonely, or in need of a friend.
6. Remember Your Divine Identity – Every week you go to Young Women, you repeat the words, “I am a beloved daughter of Heavenly Parents….” Nowhere else in all of our worship do we declare as boldly who we are! We have a divine father and a divine mother! This is incredible knowledge and divine doctrine that reveals beautiful truth about who we are and who we are to become like! This makes the reality of our Savior, as our brother, that much more sacred. His divine mission invites us into an incredible task to assist in bringing all of our brothers and sisters home!

Sacred Space

May we all more fully see this incredibly sacred role of the young women to stand as angels to welcome people into our most sacred space of the week.