Gospel Principles
Unit 6: The Gospel of Jesus Christ
Chapter 23: The Sacrament
Comments and Resources

'Elder Melvin J. Ballard testified:  "Who is there among us that does not wound his spirit by word, thought, or deed, from Sabbath to Sabbath?  We do things for which we are sorry and desire to be forgiven, or we have erred against someone and given injury...  "...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 brothers and sisters."  (Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin Joseph Ballard, pp. 148-50.)  

During the study of this topic, we will learn when the sacrament was instituted, what it symbolizes, what we promise when partaking of it, what we should do to be worthy to partake of it, and how it will help us gain eternal life.

Resources
Gospel Principles, chapter 23.
Jesus the Christ, chapter 33.
The Articles of Faith, chapter 9.

Scriptures :

Topical Guide: <http://Scriptures.lds.org/en/tg/contents> 
                               Sacrament
Bible Dictionary:  <http://Scriptures.lds.org/en/bd/contents>
               
                                    Communion'


Concept 1: Introduction

'Our Savior wants us to remember his great atoning sacrifice and keep his commandments.  To help us do this, he has commanded us to meet often and partake of the sacrament.

The Sacrament is a holy priesthood ordinance that helps remind us of the Savior's atonement.  During the sacrament, we partake of bread and water.  We do this in remembrance of his flesh and blood, which he gave as a sacrifice for us.  As we partake of the sacrament, we renew sacred covenants with our Heavenly Father.

Discussion

What is the Sacrament?
What is the purpose of the Sacrament?'


Concept 2: Christ Introduced the Sacrament

'Shortly before his crucifixion, Jesus gathered the Apostles around him in an upstairs room.  He knew he would soon die on the cross.  This was the last time he would meet with these beloved men before his death.  He wanted them to always remember him so they could be strong and faithful.

To help them remember, he introduced the sacrament.  He broke bread into pieces and blessed it.  Then he said, "Take, eat; this is in remembrance of my body which I give a ransom for you"  (Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 26:22).  Next he took a cup of wine, blessed it, and gave it to his Apostles to drink.  He said:  "Drink ye all of it.  For this is in remembrance of my blood..., which is shed for as many as shall believe on my name, for the remission of their sins"  
(Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 26:23-24;  
also Matthew 26:26-28 "26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed [it], and brake [it], and gave [it] to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave [it] to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;  28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."; 

Mark 14:22-24 " 22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake [it], and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. 23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave [it] to them: and they all drank of it.  24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.";  

Luke 22:15-20 "15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer: 16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.  17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide [it] among yourselves: 18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.  19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake [it], and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.  20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup [is] the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.").

After his resurrection, Jesus came to the Americas and taught the Nephites the same ordinance (3 Nephi 18:1-12 "1 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.").  

After the Church was restored in the latter days, Jesus once again commanded his people to partake of the sacrament in remembrance of him, saying,  "It is expedient that the church meet together often to partake of bread and wine in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus"  (D&C 20:75).

Discussion

Read Matthew 26:26-28 again.  Think about the Lord's Supper the next time you partake of the sacrament.'



Concept 3: How the Sacrament is Administered

'The Scriptures  explain exactly how the sacrament is to be administered. Members of the Church meet each Sabbath day to worship and partake of the sacrament (D&C 20:75 "It is expedient that the church meet together often to partake of bread and wine in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus;").  The sacrament is administered by those who hold the necessary priesthood authority.  A priest or elder breaks bread into pieces, kneels, and blesses it  (D&C 20:76 "And the elder or priest shall administer it; and after this manner shall he administer it--he shall kneel with the church and call upon the Father in solemn prayer, saying:").  A deacon or other priesthood holder then passes the sacrament bread to the congregation.  Then the priest or elder blesses the water and it too is passed to the members.  Jesus gave his disciples wine when he introduced the sacrament.  However, in a Latter-day revelation he has said it doesn't matter what we eat and drink during the sacrament as long as we remember him (D&C 27:2-3 "2. For, behold, I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory--remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins.  3. Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, that you shall not purchase wine nether strong drink of your enemies;").  Today, Latter-day Saints drink water instead of wine.

Jesus has revealed the exact words for both sacrament prayers.  We should listen carefully to these beautiful prayers and try to understand what we are promising and what is being promised to us.  Here is the prayer that is offered to bless the bread:

"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 has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them.  Amen"  (D&C 20:77).

Here is the prayer that is offered to bless the water:

"O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine [water] 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"  (D&C 20:79).

The ordinance of the sacrament is preformed very simply and reverently.

Discussion

Read the sacrament prayers one sentence at time.  Think about the meaning of each sentence.  Try to memorize the prayers.'


Concept 4: The Covenants We Renew during the Sacrament

'Each time we partake of the sacrament, we renew covenants with the Lord.  A covenant is a sacred promise between the Lord and his children.  The covenants we make are clearly stated in the sacramental prayers.  It is important to know what those covenants are and what they mean.

We covenant to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ.  By this we show we are willing to be identified with him and his Church.  We promise we will not bring shame or reproach upon that name.

We covenant to remember Jesus Christ.  All our thoughts, feelings, and actions will be influenced by him and his mission.

We promise to keep his commandments.

We take these obligations upon ourselves when we are baptized (D&C 20:37 "37 And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism--All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church.";  Mosiah 18:6-10 "6 And it came to pass that as many as believed him went thither to hear his words.  7 And it came to pass after many days there were a goodly number gathered together at the place of Mormon, to hear the words of Alma.  Yea, all were gathered together that believed on his word, to hear him.  And he did teach them, and did preach unto them repentance, and redemption, and faith on the Lord.  8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light;  9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life--  10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?").  Thus, when we partake of the sacrament, we renew the covenants we made when we were baptized.  Jesus gave us the pattern for partaking of the sacrament (see 3 Nephi 18:1-12) and said that when we follow this pattern, believing on his name, we will gain a remission of our sins (Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 26:24 "For this is in remembrance of my blood of the new testament, which is shed for as many as shall believe on my name, for the remission of their sins.").  

The Lord promises that if we keep our covenants, we will always have his Spirit to be with us.  A person guided by the Spirit will have the knowledge, faith, power, and righteousness to gain eternal life.

Discussion

D&C 20:77 "Oh God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, to bless and sanctify this bread to the should of all those who partake of it, that they my eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto the, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them, Amen."

What promises do we make during the sacrament?'


Concept 5: Our Attitude When Taking the Sacrament

'Before partaking of the sacrament, we are to prepare ourselves spiritually.  The Lord emphasizes that no one should partake of the sacrament unworthily.  That means we must repent of our sins before taking the sacrament.  The Scriptures  say, "If any have trespassed, let him not partake until he makes reconciliation" (D&C 46:4).  The Scriptures  also say, "Ye shall not suffer any one knowingly to partake of my flesh and blood unworthily, when ye shall minister it; For whoso eateth and drinketh my flesh and blood unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to his soul" (3 Nephi 18:28-29). 

During the sacrament service we should dismiss from our minds all worldly thoughts.  We should feel prayerful and reverent.  We should think of the atonement of our Savior and be grateful for it.  We should examine our lives and look for ways to improve.  We should also renew our determination to keep the commandments.

We do not need to be perfect before partaking of the sacrament, but we must have the spirit of repentance in our hearts.  The attitude with which we partake of the sacrament influences our experience with it.  If we partake of the sacrament with a pure heart, we receive the promised blessings of the Lord.

Discussion

How should we prepare ourselves to partake of the sacrament.
What can we think about during the sacrament to help us be more reverent:?

Additional Scripture
1 Corinthians 11:27-29  (partake of the sacrament worthily)'



-----------------
Moroni 10:4-5
"4. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 
5. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

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