Sermoncitos, a family tradition
Sacrament
All religions have some symbol of sacrifice as their sacrament. "Some use the sacrament as a means to procure great graces and blessings; others use the “Eucharist”, "Communion," "Lord's Supper," or "Breaking of Bread" as an office of thanksgiving for what they have received." The Huichol and Chichimeca use their sacrament as a healer, or divine "messenger" enabling the individual to communicate with God without the medium of a priest. Only one church schedules something called the “Sacrament Meeting”, that is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is where those who are baptized can renew their covenants by partaking of the emblems of bread and water as instituted by Christ, and receive messages that invite the Spirit into their lives.
In his last gathering with the apostles before suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ initiated an ordinance that replaced the ancient practice of blood sacrifice. The new practice is in remembrance of the sacrifice of the Savior for us (Matthew 26:26-28). After the resurrection, Jesus came to the Americas and taught the Nephites the same ordinance (3 Nephi 18:1-11) Neither the New Testament nor the Book of Mormon mention the word “sacrament”, however, what, how, and why are clear. “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... And this shall ye do in remembrance of my body, which I have shown unto you (and my blood which I have shed for 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 (18:5-7).
Not every one who attends a Sacrament meeting actually partakes of these symbolic references to the baptismal covenants. Only the baptized members and blessed children participate. “..See that ye partake not of the sacrament of Christ unworthily; but see that ye do all things in worthiness, and do it in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God; and if ye do this, and endure to the end, ye will in nowise be cast out (Morm. 9: 29). “The elders or priests are to have a sufficient time to expound all things concerning the church of Christ to their understanding, previous to their partaking of the sacrament and being confirmed by the laying on of the hands of the elders, so that all things may be done in order” (D&C 20:68). “For, behold, I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory - remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins (D&C 27: 2).
The exact wording of the Sacramental prayers is given in both the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants. The priest breaks the bread, addresses God, the Eternal Father, and asks that the bread and water be blessed and sanctified to the souls of all who partake of it: that they eat in remembrance of the body of Christ, and drink in remembrance of the blood He shed for them. This is done as a witness that they do always remember Him and keep His commandments. The priest finishes the prayer with a reminder of God’s promise: that if they make these covenants, remember Christ, and keep His commandments, that they may always have His Spirit to be with them. After this ordinance, we listen to testimonies that soften our hearts to receive the Spirit.
May we always attend Sacrament Meeting, renew our covenants, and seek the Spirit.
The Sacrament
1. “For, behold, I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it
with an eye single to my glory (think of God)
remember my body which was laid down for you,
and remember my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins (D&C 27: 2).
2. The exact wording of the Sacramental prayers is given in both the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants.
The priest breaks the bread,
addresses God, the Eternal Father,
and asks that the bread and water be blessed and sanctified to the souls of all who partake of it:
that as they eat they remember the body of Christ,
and as they drink they remember the blood He shed for them.
This is done as a witness that they do always
1. remember Him
2. and keep His commandments.
God promises that they may always have His Spirit to be with them:
1. if they make these covenants,
2. remember Christ, and
3. keep His commandments
3. Remembering
a. Remember these numbers
_____________ _______________ _______________ _____________ _________
I remember.... I forget....
b. Remember these letters
_____________ _______________ _______________ _____________ _________
I remember.... I forget....
c. Remember each person in the room
_____________ _______________ _______________ _____________ _________
I remember.... I forget....