Hi EveservantofGod,
I understand your question and confusion. I too was Baptist before becoming a member of the church.
I've been a member for over 30 years now and STILL don't like the sacrament meeting first! Agreed that when running a little late with all of the kids it causes more anxiety when you have to walk in to the main meeting disturbing the meeting already in progress.
Actually the Bishop of each ward has the option of whether to have sacrament first or last. Trying to understand or figure out what is going on by your experience in the Baptist church is what is confusing. You have to realize that the sacrament meeting is not the same as the Baptist worship hour or "preaching" as we called it. Even though the Lord's Supper, as the Baptist call it, and the sacrament seem the same, they are understood in a totally different way. It took me YEARS AND YEARS to realize that the partaking of the sacrament is actually a recommitment to follow Christ as we promised to do at our baptism. As we say amen, and take of the bread and water we have the opportunity to repent of sins of that week, repent, and be made as clean as we were on our baptism day. Of course this has to be done with a pure and honest heart while truly trying to overcome whatever temptations or problems that cause us to sin. SO, this is what is considered the most important meeting of the week. Baptist have "revival" twice a year if i remember correctly, LDS'S have revival each week! When i finally grasped the important and meaning of the sacrament it was truly liberating, and joyous! This is what gives us the opportunity to truly become better and better each week, month, year! Then after we are refreshed and renewed we get to go to Sunday school and Relief Society to learn adn strengthen ourselves for the battle that will resume as we return to our daily lives. This is why it is so important for us to try to be at sacrament each week!
Hope this Baptist to Baptist chat has helped a little.
