Area Leadership Message
The Sacrament: An Enduring Ordinance
In keeping with the Caribbean Area vision which invites us to deepen our relationship with and conversion to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, let us consider together one way we can all do so each week.
Nephi shared this timeless exhortation in his closing remarks to those who would receive his words in the latter days: “And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay . . .
“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”1
Have you ever purchased a new gadget or car? Do you remember how you treated it during those first few weeks or months of owning it? Do you remember if anything changed over time? Some people have a desire to care for and cherish new things but, as soon as the novelty of that new thing wears off, they get either bored with or nonchalant about it.
Spiritually speaking, do we fall into this category as it relates to our appreciation for and endurance in the gospel of Jesus Christ? Sometimes special moments like baptism or ordination, over time lose their significance. At times our approach or attitude towards the gospel may be described as being spiritually apathetic or lethargic. Occasionally it may even fit this description Nephi gave:
“And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he
will justify in committing a little sin.”2
Nephi extended his warning to those who continue with this attitude without repentance; he said:
“Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!”3
In truth, each of us needs to regularly review our spiritual state and evaluate whether we are currently attracting the blessings of the Lord in our lives. We must never allow our gospel covenants to get old, ordinary, or boring.
President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) taught: “Sacred covenants are to be revered by us, and faithfulness to them is a requirement for happiness.”4
President Russell M. Nelson further taught: “When we realize that we are children of the covenant, we know who we are and what God expects of us. His law is written in our hearts. He is our God and we are His people. Committed children of the covenant remain steadfast, even in the midst of adversity. When that doctrine is deeply implanted in our hearts, even the sting of death is soothed and our spiritual stamina is strengthened.”5
How then do we maintain the novelty of the gospel? How do we stay on the covenant path with the same vigor and vitality with which we started? How do we avoid becoming robotic, going-through-the-motion followers of Jesus Christ?
I would suggest what the Lord taught many years ago during his earthly ministry to the Nephites on the American continent.
“And it came to pass that Jesus commanded his disciples that they should bring forth some bread and wine unto him.
“And while they were gone for bread and wine, he commanded the multitude that they should sit themselves down upon the earth.
“And when the disciples had come with bread and wine, he took of the bread and brake and blessed it; and he gave unto the disciples and commanded that they should eat.
“And when they had eaten and were filled, he commanded that they should give unto the multitude.
“And when the multitude had
eaten and were filled, he said unto
the disciples: Behold there shall one be ordained among you, and to him will I give power that he shall break bread and bless it and give it unto the people of my church, unto all those who shall believe and be baptized in my name.
“And this shall ye always observe to do, even as I have done, even as I have broken bread and blessed it and given it unto you.
“And this shall ye do in remembrance of my body, which I have shown unto you. And it shall be a testimony 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.
“And it came to pass that when he said these words, he commanded his disciples that they should take of the wine of the cup and drink of it, and that they should also give unto the multitude that they might drink of it.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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”.6
Our scriptures record the institution of the sacrament by the Savior himself on two separate occasions; once among the Jews with his twelve apostles,7 and again among the Nephites. The Savior wanted us to know that this ordinance would replace the requirement to offer animals as sacrifices upon the altar. The sacrament table would now become the altar, and the sacrifice would be a broken heart and a contrite spirit.8
The sacrament is an enduring ordinance of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Each week we go to the Lord to offer up our oblations and thanksgiving, renewing covenants and promises and receiving in return His spirit.9
Imagine the power that comes each week as we prepare to face the Master, offering up who we are, what we have done and how we have lived. Imagine that every week we exercise our faith, repent of our sins, and then, as though being rebaptized, we partake of the sacrament.
I testify that the sacrament is an enduring ordinance of the Church and gospel of Jesus Christ. It was instituted by Him to help us to endure to the end. Weekly we are invited to see the gospel through fresh eyes, to feel His spirit anew and to identify how we will improve and progress on the covenant path. This is a time when we can renew all our covenants.10 For those of us who have been baptized, I can think of no better way to “press forward with a steadfastness”11 in Him who is the center of Heavenly Father’s plan, the giver of all good gifts—even Jesus Christ our Savior, than to come to Him weekly with an attitude of contrition and repentance.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) pointedly taught that:
“One can be present at sacrament meeting but not really worship; the physical body can be there, while the mind and heart are elsewhere. . . .
“In church we can join in singing the hymns while being without a song in our hearts. We can take the sacrament with hand and mouth yet not be taken in mind, at least sometimes, to Gethsemane and Calvary”.12
As we ponder the Lord’s great sacrifice, I would invite reflection on the following questions:
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Does the sacrament provide this renewal for me every week?
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Do I attend my sacrament meetings with the firm desire and expectation to recommit, to be renewed and redeemed?
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If not, what can I do to have this experience every week?
I marvel at the Savior’s mercy and love in offering Himself as that “great and last”, “infinite and eternal sacrifice”13 and instituting the ordinance of the sacrament. Every Sunday we can heed the Savior’s beckoning, pleading invitation to “come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”14. This is the kind of rest that satisfies and sanctifies the soul. This is the Savior’s gift to give.
Brothers and sisters, I don’t think we can afford to live more than one week at a time without this personal gift. What better sign can we give to our Heavenly Father than to be absolutely committed to our weekly opportunity to exercise our faith in His Beloved Son Jesus Christ, repent of our sins, partake of the sacrament and receive His spirit to be with us?15 It is my prayer that we all will consider the sacrament as the most important element in our sabbath observance and worship.
When partaking of the sacrament is not possible, Elder Ulisses Soares has said that members can still “take a moment and elevate our thoughts and our minds. We can make that moment sacred. We can, in our hearts, turn to the Lord and reflect on our week. We still have the opportunity to recommit ourselves and to remember the Savior.”16
Brothers and Sisters, let us all be in the spirit of repentance, service, and sharing this Christmas season. There is a direct link between drawing closer to our Saviour and having a true desire to bless the lives of our fellow brothers and sisters. There is no better indication that we are in fact changing and becoming more like Him than this. “After all, the good in this world is done person to person. . . . It’s not president to pope. It’s one on one.”17 This is how the Saviour of the world ministered and this is how we are being asked to minister in a higher and holier way.