Lessons from the Sacrament

This week I have been impressed to think on the deeper meaning of the sacrament, an ordinance that is so essential for active disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Partaking of the sacrament we renew covenants made at baptism: to witness we are willing to take upon us the name of Christ, keep His commandments, and always remember Him. If we hold up our end of the covenant, we are promised the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, which will "teach [us] all things, and bring all things to [our] remembrance." (John 14:26) What a great deal! But among the slough of all other great deals that Heavenly Father offers us, how is this done? How are we so fortunate as to receive such blessings?

The Sacrament is Sacred

At the October 2006 conference of the Plainview, New York Stake, Elder Dallin H. Oaks called the sacrament one of the "vessels of the Lord" (see D&C 38:42). If we look at the sacrament prayer in depth, we see that it is blessed and sanctified to "the souls of all who partake of it" (D&C 20: 77, 79; Moroni 4:3, 5:2). If we combines these two ideas, we find that the sacrament is a vessel of the Lord which is blessed and sanctified to the end that we keep our baptismal covenants, those aforementioned promises that when kept grant us the guidance of the Spirit. How sacred is this ordinance!

The Sacrament Helps us Save Ourselves

The above-mentioned Doctrine and Covenants 38:42 in full states:

"And go ye out from among the wicked. Save yourselves. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. Even so. Amen. "

If we apply this fully to the sacrament, we see that in so partaking we are in essence fleeing from the wicked. We are saving ourselves from the ways of the Adversary. Those of us who administer the sacrament must be clean.

Now, I think it's worth noting that 'saving ourselves' is only one part of the global process of salvation. The sacrament serves as a reminder and renovator, and is most effective when we partake ready to listen to the promptings of the spirit. In the October 2008 General Conference, Elder Oaks said the following:

When the Savior appeared to the Nephites following His Resurrection, He taught them that they should stop the practice of sacrifice by the shedding of blood. Instead, “ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (3 Nephi 9:20). That commandment, repeated in the modern revelation directing us to partake of the sacrament each week, tells us how we should prepare. As Elder Nelson taught, “Each member of the Church bears responsibility for the spiritual enrichment that can come from a sacrament meeting” (Liahona, Aug. 2004, 14; Ensign, Aug. 2004, 28).

As we partake of the sacrament in this manner, I believe we qualify for Grace through the Atonement, which is offered "after all we can do" (2 Nephi 25;23). This is how we save ourselves. This is how we go out from among the wicked.

How and Why It is Done

We are imperfect beings. Nevertheless, God's purpose is not for us to be lost because of our imperfections. He wants us all to use our agency that we may return to him and his Son in spite of our imperfections. This Heavenly Father simply expressed to the Prophet Moses:

For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. (Moses 1:39)

I am in awe to know that the most glorious Being would glory in my returning unto him. It is obviously a perfect love that I still fail to grasp. Likewise, I stand all amazed at the way that all of this is made possible, namely the Atonement that Jesus Christ wrought out of a likewise perfect love. We read in Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-20:

For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.

Wherefore, I command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my almighty power; and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea, even in the least degree you have tasted at the time I withdrew my Spirit.

The Greatest Gift is waiting to be accepted. It is my prayer that this week and always we may strive to do all we can do, offering up a broken heart and a contrite spirit as our sacrifice. It is my prayer that this week and always we will go out from among the wicked, ever turning to the Savior, that we may accomplish God's work and glory.

Have a great week!