The Significance of the Sacrament

President Joseph Fielding Smith got up to speak at a conference, after being an apostle for 19 years and said this, "There are one or two thoughts that I desire to present in relation to the question of the sacrament, more particularly in regard to the meetings that have been set apart in the Church by revelation, by commandment of the Lord, for the partaking of these emblems representing the body and the blood of Jesus Christ." When I read this statement, I had to pause, for if he can feel this way after 19 years of serving the Lord, what should I be doing and how can I change my thoughts as I prepare to take the Sacrament? He continues on with the following observation, "In my judgment the sacrament meeting is the most sacred, the most holy, of all the meetings of the Church. When I reflect upon the gathering of the Savior and his apostles on that memorable night when he introduced the sacrament; when I think of that solemn occasion my heart is filled with wonderment and my feelings are touched. I consider that gathering one of the most solemn and wonderful since the beginning of time."
As Courtney Werner taught today, we often get into a rut of sameness or habit in regards to repeated acts. I wonder if any of us partake of the emblems of the Savior each week with focus, no distracting thoughts, contemplating the significance of this act? Do you ever get into the car and find your car has taken you some place you did not intend to visit? hmm Granted, when at church and things are quiet and you are wrestling with small children, reverence for the Sacrament may have to wait a while, but your willingness to participate counts.
This Sacramental ordinance is a way to fulfill the slaying of the paschal lamb, an act that was done away with when the Savior lay down his life for us. We do not take the emblems of remembrance of His sacrifice once a year as did the Israelites, but are commanded to partake each week. If we take the Savior's direction seriously, we should get ourselves to church each week to partake of the bread and water, a simple act that will tell Him that we love Him and respect his gift to us. One sister told that she felt the Savior paid with his life for things he never did. This act makes her think that she should "step up"  to act more in accordance with His will, a gentle reminder of her commitment made at her baptism and show of her appreciation of the gift of His life. Well put!
We can prepare to take the Sacrament each week. Discussed were prayer, study, focus and prayerful consideration as ways to be receptive to the spirit of this ordinance each week. If we prepare as best we can, we can expect the guidance of the Holy Ghost.

"It is our duty to carefully and thoughtfully consider the nature of [the sacrament] prayers when we hear them offered in our meetings. There are four very important things we covenant to do each time we partake of these emblems, and in partaking, there is the token that we subscribe fully to the obligations, and thus they become binding upon us. These are as follows:

1. We eat in remembrance of the body of Jesus Christ, promising that we will always remember His wounded body slain upon the cross.

2. We drink in remembrance of the blood which was shed for the sins of the world, which atoned for the transgression of Adam, and which frees us from our own sins on condition of our true repentance.

3. We covenant that we will be willing to take upon us the name of the Son and always remember Him. In keeping this covenant we promise that we will be called by His name and never do anything that would bring shame or reproach upon that name.

4. We covenant that we will keep His commandments which He has given us; not one commandment, but that we will be willing to “live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God. [D&C 84:44.]"

I like the comments made in class about showing love and respect to our Savior. In the manual it also states that those who truly remember the purpose of the Sacrament, will not miss attending weekly meetings, will pay tithing, will fulfill their callings, will live the Word of Wisdom and not break the Sabbath. Did you realize that, the last time you took that small piece of break and drank from the tiny cup of water? Do you recall at the beginning of this blog that I mentioned "habit?" Yes, I bet we have all been caught slightly unprepared to partake of the emblems of our Savior at some time.

I hope this lesson will renew your resolve to prepare better so that the Holy Ghost can always dwell with you (me too!) and that the Savior will look upon each of us, more often than not, and be pleased with the way we are humbly walking before Him.

Your jelly bean eating bloggess ( courtesy from a good friend)

Janice