Church Handbook 2 teaches,
"Each sacrament meeting should be a spiritual experience
in which members of the Church renew their covenants by
partaking of the sacrament." Each Church member made
sacred covenants at baptism. The next essential ordinance for
each of them is the sacrament. When partaken
worthily, the sacrament becomes an opportunity to
be cleansed and strengthened through the Atonement
of Jesus Christ. Sacrament meeting
is the most sacred and holy of all the
meetings in the Church. If we are to be His disciples
and to be committed members of His Church, we must remember
and reverence the sacrament. It allows each of us to
express with broken hearts and contrite spirits
our willingness to follow the Savior,
to repent, and become a Saint through the
Atonement of Christ. Bishoprics can help Church
members receive the blessings of the sacrament as they follow
handbook principles to prepare spiritually for
sacrament meetings, arrange for inspiring
music and talks, teach young men their
priesthood duties, and encourage and
exemplify reverence.
As they follow these
basic guidelines, leaders not only establish
the Church as an organization; they establish Church members
as the Lord's people, prepared to keep their covenants
and follow Him throughout their lives. This brings real and lasting
growth to the Church. Plan your sacrament
meetings thoughtfully. Keep the purpose in mind
to focus upon the Lord and teach of His
Atonement, His example, and the doctrines of the gospel. Gratefully I thank the
Lord for the sacrament meeting and all that it
has meant in my life, in the sacred name of
Jesus Christ, amen.