Contemplating the sacrament.

 

Contemplating the sacrament.

Each Sunday we are given the opportunity to partake of the sacrament. It consists of a small piece of bread and a small cup of water. When the church was first organized there was only one vessel of wine, and the congregation drank out of the same container. The bread was homemade and there was one plate. The prophet Joseph Smith received instructions to use water instead of wine. Eventually individual small cups of glass were used for the water and multiple trays for the bread. I remember helping my parents wash and dry the glass cups and trays after Sunday school and sacrament meetings when we were living in Cheyenne. We even supplied my mother’s bread.

The next change came when they introduced paper or plastic cups for the water.

When they went to the block schedule for Sunday meetings the sacrament was only administered once every Sunday with the exception of stake and general conference Sundays. Because of governmental regulations in the United States all bread must be from a commercial source.

On each of these Sundays I listen to the prayers and repeat in my mind the words in German or English. I think of Christ and his atonement and those things that we have promised to do.

I have recently reviewed my life and found that I have often partaken of the sacrament unworthily. It is not that I have committed some great sin, but been light-minded or lost my temper and not sought forgiveness. We do not go to the confession booth and talk to the bishop. We have direct access to the Lord. Especially during the time before the priest offers the prayer.

If we have not paid our tithing should we partake of the sacrament? If we have used foul language, should we partake of the sacrament? If we have lied, should we partake of the sacrament? If we have committed adultery should we partake of the sacrament? If we have not prayed, should we partake of the sacrament? If we have been dishonest, should we partake of the sacrament?

 

There is a misunderstanding being circulated in the church that the sacrament is connected with baptism and by partaking of it we are cleansed from out sins.  A careful reading of the prayer found in the 20^th section of the Doctrine and Covenants should dispel that notion.

 

You may ask, who then is worthy to partake? The answer is clear. He who has a broken heart and a contrite spirit and contemplates his life and asks the Lord for forgiveness. The Lord knows your heart. Those who do partake unworthily are impeded in their progress toward Eternal Life until they repent and always remember Him and keep His comandments.

We often take this ordinance for granted as something that is common, instead of a blessing to be cherished.

My dear grandchildren please do not bring upon you the judgement of your Heavenly Father by partaking of the sacrament unworthily.

Love,

Grandpa