Why do I go to church?

The speakers at church today focused on an important question; "Why do I go to church?".  The purpose of their talks was to encourage us to focus on the ordinance of the Sacrament.  Too often we find ourselves distracted by kids, upcoming lessons, work, the game we want to watch later, dinner, our neighbors, etc.  Too few are the times when I stop and reflect on the atoning sacrifice of the Savior during these quiet moments, as I am often expending my thoughts and energy on encouraging my children to do the same. :)  Today these talks made me contemplate, why do I go to church?

There is really only one simple answer: "Because I love the Lord,".  To be honest, for me there can be no other reason.  For no other reason would I choose to inflict so much torture upon myself week after week.  For no other reason would I choose to sit on a bench or chair for an hour, crying as my legs shock and zing, then catch fire and go numb.  For no other reason would I spend so much time contemplating at the end of that hour if I have it in me to endure it for another.  I love the Lord.  He's asked me to go to church and partake of His sacrament, so I do.  And as I sit there in agony, I am reminded that He has been there.  He knows my pain because He has felt it and He has taken it upon Himself.  I go to church because I have hope that one day, because of Him, this body will be healed and these pains will be taken away.  I go to church because without Him, I am nothing.

There is a song from one of our favorite scripture series, Liken the Scriptures, that always touches my heart.  It's from the movie The First Christmas and is called Handmaid of the Lord.  Especially touching to me is the chorus:

I am the handmaid of the Lord.

I'll do what I can and pray for more.

Oh, how great must be the joy in store

For the handmaid of the Lord!

I pray that as I have faith and hope in the plan that the Lord has for me, that I will be able to do more.  I pray that I will be able to more fully experience the joy that comes from loving and serving the Lord.