From Brigham Young University's Maxwell Institute, this is the Maxwell Institute podcast, Faith Illuminating Scholarship.

In 26, we are producing a new series called Old Testament Reflections.

Each week, a scholar offers a short reflection on the Come Follow Me reading.

Today's reflection, a chorus of voices,

is written and read by Joshua M. Sears. Every month, Latter-day St. Congregations participate

in a fast and testimony meeting, in which there are no assigned speakers or special musical

numbers. Instead,

the person conducting invites members of the congregation to bear their testimonies,

which are supposed to be brief so that many people can participate. I find these less-structured

meetings fascinating. The pulpit is open to anyone who wants to step up, young or old, man or woman, member,

or visitor.

You never know from one speaker to the next which way things will go.

Children may walk up, lose their nerve, and require parental assistance.

Some people express faith while others share their struggles.

Someone might break down in tears, or

perhaps tell a meandering story. People might bear witness to truths, or express gratitude for blessings.

I once saw a bearded, disheveled man stand up, confess that he was addicted to drugs,

and then, seemingly unsure of what else to say, stumble back to

his seat. Although the beliefs, content, and delivery of the speakers vary, Latter-de-St. Practice

sacralizes each of their expressions by including them in our sacrament worship service,

which President Dallan H. Oaks called the most sacred and important meeting

in the church. While individual congregants may be distracted by children or technology, as a group,

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