From the Church Handbook:
“The Ward Organist or pianist provides prelude and postlude music and accompaniment for hymns at sacrament meeting and at other ward meetings as requested. Quiet prelude and postlude music creates an atmosphere of worship that invites the Spirit into Church meetings. The organist or pianist usually plays hymns or other appropriate music for 5-10 minutes before and after a meeting. Playing hymns can help members review gospel teachings in their minds.”
Some practical suggestions:
Plan to begin playing prelude music when members start arriving in the chapel. Prelude time is not for practicing the day’s hymns although they can be reviewed and used as part of the prelude. Music choices should be planned in advance—using a variety of sounds/stops within a hymn or between hymns.
You might consider playing on the swOnell manual or a combination of swell and great. Another variation is to start with the Soprano line, for the next phrase add the Alto line, etc until the last line includes all 4 voices. You can also repeat the chorus or start with the chorus; repeat the last line or elongate the closing chords, if appropriate. Perhaps play the hymn an octave higher for one verse.
Congregational music choices should lean towards favorites and well-known hymns while encouraging members to become familiar with new or less familiar hymns on occasion. Above all enjoy your time in this calling!
Coal Mountain Stake Music of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 