Gospel Message Day 299

Sacrament, Part 4

Sweet, recently departed Elder Perry spoke of the Sacrament in General Conference 4 years ago. I thought I would quote from his talk.

"It is remarkable that even through the dark periods of apostasy, this pattern of Sabbath day worship and the sacrament continued to be practiced in many forms.

When the gospel was restored, Peter, James, and John, three of the Apostles who first received the sacrament from the Savior, appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. Under their direction, the priesthood authority necessary to administer the sacrament to the members of the Church was restored.^8"

^{I've never thought about the Restoration of the Priesthood in that way. But I like the full circle of those who first received the sacrament being the means to bring it back to our dispensation.}

I also love this very succinct statement: 

"Partaking of the sacrament is the center of our Sabbath day observance." 

Elder Perry ties together Sacrament and Sabbath day, as they are inseparable. 

"...by the clothing we encourage [our children] to wear and the activities we plan, we help them prepare for the sacrament and enjoy its blessings throughout the day."

I love that he points out how what we wear and what we do helps us in the preparation as well as the partaking of the sacrament, and that it is not just during the ordinance but for all the Sabbath day.

And things we can do during the sacrament I've put in bold in Elder Perry's quote from Elder Ballard"

"Elder Melvin J. Ballard has suggested, “We want every Latter-day Saint to come to the sacrament table because it is the place for self-investigation, for self-inspection, where we may learn to rectify our course and to make right our own lives, bringing ourselves into harmony with the teachings of the Church and with our brethren and sisters.”¹²

As we worthily partake of the sacrament, we witness that we are willing to take the Savior’s name upon us and keep His commandments and do always remember Him, that we may have His Spirit to be with us. In this way the covenant of our baptism is renewed. The Lord assured His disciples, “As oft as ye do this ye will remember this hour that I was with you.”^13"

Gospel Message Day 298

Sacrament, Part 3

I love that the sacrament takes some time. As the bread and then the water are passed to every single member congregated together, we have the time to think, reflect, reaffirm, and re-commit. Over the years I have used the time to re-read the sacrament hymn, to better understand the words, message, and testimony. I think back over my week to analyze how I have acted. If I remember actions that were not Christlike, I take this time to repent and to re-commit to doing and being better. This is also one of the few benefits of being single with no kids--I have no distractions during the sacrament. The time is all mine to really delve in to my reflection and repentance. It is a great blessing for me.

Gospel Message Day 297

Sacrament, Part 2

The sacrament is a covenant to remember. There are two very sacred prayers said, one for the bread and the other for the wine (now we use water because we know it is pure). They are both similar, but with a couple of differences. Every week we hear these prayers in the Ordinance of the Sacrament. Every week we are reminded of what we are promising our Father. Every week we are assured of what He promised us if we are faithful in keeping this covenant.

Bread (our promise; His promise):
O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

Water (our promise; His promise):
O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

Gospel Message Day 296

Sacrament

The sacrament is a sacred ordinance intended for us to covenant to remember our Savior, always. We are blessed and privileged that this is an ordinance we get to partake of almost every week (minus 4 times in the year for Stake and General Conferences). I may have "a scary good memory" as described by my friends. But even I forget things. LOTS of things. And I need frequent reminders. Because as humans we need repetition and reminding. And our wise Heavenly Father and loving Elder Brother know that. So the sacrament was established to be taken each week to help us remember what and whom we promised to remember.

Gospel Message Day 191

Easter, Part 5

I was in the temple today. (Technically yesterday morning). It was Good Friday, and there I was being instructed about the Plan of Salvation. Being reminded that a Savior was appointed to, well, save us. Being reminded that Christ came to Earth to fulfill the Atonement. Which happened on Good Friday. Full circle. Easter is usually celebrating just Christ's resurrection. But I feel that Easter includes Christ's last week on Earth as well as the resurrection. (Read the linked article--really good!)

So the Passover feast where the Sacrament was instituted. The Atonement (which basically lasted from  the Garden of Gethsemane until he gave up His spirit on the cross). Christ's trial, which was his final testimony of Himself and His mission. The Crucifixion. Christ's time beyond the veil before His resurrection. And then the glorious resurrection itself. For me, Easter includes all of these. Which makes this one amazing time of year!

P.S. I love that April General Conference always comes close to the Easter season, often being part of it as it is this year. Perfect fit to talk of Christ, sing of Christ, rejoice of Christ, preach of Christ, learn of Christ, testify of Christ, and write of Christ during the celebration of the most important part of His mission on Earth.