Gospel Message Day 254

Sabbath Day, Part 4

The most important part of the Sabbath is the Sacrament ordinance, which we take as part of one of our 3 meetings. When Christ visited the ancient inhabitants of the American continent, he instituted the Sacrament (3 Nephi 18):

And it came to pass that Jesus commanded his disciples that they should bring forth some bread and wine unto him.

 2 And while they were gone for bread and wine, he commanded the multitude that they should sit themselves down upon the earth.

 3 And when the disciples had come with bread and wine, he took of the bread and brake and blessed it; and he gave unto the disciples and commanded that they should eat.

 4 And when they had eaten and were filled, he commanded that they should give unto the multitude.

 5 And when the multitude had eaten and were filled, he said unto the disciples: Behold there shall one be ordained among you, and to him will I give power that he shall break bread and bless it and give it unto the people of my church, unto all those who shall believe and be baptized in my name.

 6 And this shall ye always observe to do, even as I have done, even as I have broken bread and blessed it and given it unto you.

 7 And this shall ye do in remembrance of my body, which I have shown unto you. And it shall be a testimony unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.

 8 And it came to pass that when he said these words, he commanded his disciples that they should take of the wine of the cup and drink of it, and that they should also give unto the multitude that they might drink of it.

 9 And it came to pass that they did so, and did drink of it and were filled; and they gave unto the multitude, and they did drink, and they were filled.

 10 And when the disciples had done this, Jesus said unto them: Blessed are ye for this thing which ye have done, for this is fulfilling my commandments, and this doth witness unto the Father that ye are willing to do that which I have commanded you.

 11 And this shall ye always do to those who repent and are baptized in my name; and ye shall do it in remembrance of my blood, which I have shed for you, that ye may witness unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.

 12 And I give unto you a commandment that ye shall do these things. And if ye shall always do these things blessed are ye, for ye are built upon my rock.

And Christ also admonished them to "meet together oft:" 

And behold, ye shall meet together oft; and ye shall not forbid any man from coming unto you when ye shall meet together, but suffer them that they may come unto you and forbid them not;

 23 But ye shall pray for them, and shall not cast them out; and if it so be that they come unto you oft ye shall pray for them unto the Father, in my name.

Moroni quoted his father Mormon (Moroni 6) about Sabbath observance as well: 

And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls.

 6 And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus. 

"Concerning the welfare of their souls"--I love that! This is my favorite part of the Sabbath: getting to be with my Church family to learn more about Christ and His Gospel while having the opportunity to renew my covenants. It is something I look forward to each week, and truly is something to help me rest from my other labors.