We talked in depth about the Sacrament in institute last night. I wasn't feeling well and had to leave early, but there were a few thoughts that stuck with me. One of the things we looked at was this:
Moroni 4:3
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
There are three things we promise to do with this covenant, and to me, they translate to coming to a testimony of Christ and the Atonement, living a Christ-centered life, and following his commandments. The Savior said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." If we do these things, the Spirit will always reside with us. When we forget our Savior or neglect to keep his commandments, the Spirit withdraws. The Sacrament encompasses everything, yet it's so simple and beautiful.
Tonight may be the first time I've thought about this covenant with the same reverence as those made in the temple. I hope I can have this same experience partaking of the sacrament on Sunday. And the next Sunday, and every Sunday after that.
We also discussed the differences between the bread and water prayers, and what the two--body and blood--signify. That's when I left, so I didn't get a chance to reflect much. I do wonder why they are such similar prayers but certain key phrases are only found in the first one.
3 Nephi 18
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.
I never realized how clearly the Savior laid out the purpose of the Sacrament Prayers to the Nephites. It's a witness to Heavenly Father that we will remember the Savior and keep his commandments. This will invite the Spirit to be with us. This is nothing new of course, but thinking about it tonight makes me feel like I've listened to the sacrament prayers in the past with the same attitude as when I read Isaiah--words, words, words, without any expectation of understanding. Isn't it amazing how the Spirit will open our understanding when we show that we want it to be opened?
Moroni 4:3
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,
There are three things we promise to do with this covenant, and to me, they translate to coming to a testimony of Christ and the Atonement, living a Christ-centered life, and following his commandments. The Savior said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." If we do these things, the Spirit will always reside with us. When we forget our Savior or neglect to keep his commandments, the Spirit withdraws. The Sacrament encompasses everything, yet it's so simple and beautiful.
Tonight may be the first time I've thought about this covenant with the same reverence as those made in the temple. I hope I can have this same experience partaking of the sacrament on Sunday. And the next Sunday, and every Sunday after that.
We also discussed the differences between the bread and water prayers, and what the two--body and blood--signify. That's when I left, so I didn't get a chance to reflect much. I do wonder why they are such similar prayers but certain key phrases are only found in the first one.
3 Nephi 18
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.
I never realized how clearly the Savior laid out the purpose of the Sacrament Prayers to the Nephites. It's a witness to Heavenly Father that we will remember the Savior and keep his commandments. This will invite the Spirit to be with us. This is nothing new of course, but thinking about it tonight makes me feel like I've listened to the sacrament prayers in the past with the same attitude as when I read Isaiah--words, words, words, without any expectation of understanding. Isn't it amazing how the Spirit will open our understanding when we show that we want it to be opened?
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