What does the Sacrament mean to you?

Today's RS lessons were given from talks within the October 2014 General Conference as chosen by the Bishops / Branch Presidents.

In Tendring today their lesson was based on 'The Sacrament and the Atonement' by Elder James J. Hamula which can be read / viewed HERE

We began with a discussion on the Last Supper, a time when Jesus Christ was on the earth with His disciples:

 "Jesus instituted a new ordinance for God's covenant people.  No longer would animal blood be spilled or animal flesh be consumed in anticipation of a redeeming sacrifice of a Christ who was yet to come.  Instead, emblems of the broken flesh and spilled blood of Christ who had already come would be taken and eaten in remembrance of His redeeming sacrifice. 

"Participation in this new ordinance would signify to all a solemn acceptance of Jesus was the promised Christ an wholehearted willingness to follow Him and keep Him commandments.  To those who would so signify and conduct their life, spiritual death would 'pass over' them and eternal life would be assured."

Sisters, as we partake of the Sacrament each Sabbath Day, do we recognise the importance of what we are doing? 

As we take the sacrament we promise the Lord these three things:

 

1. First, we witness our willingness to remember. Then we witness we do remember, in so doing we are making solemn commitments to exercise faith in Jesus Christ.

 

 

2. We further declare that we will keep His commandments.  That is a solemn commitment to repent.  If our thoughts, words or actions have been less than what they should have been in days past, we recommit ourselves to more closely align our lives with His in days to come.

 

 

3. Next, we declare that we are willing to take upon us the name of the Son.  That is a solemn commitment to submit ourselves to His authority and to do His work which includes receiving for ourselves every saving ordinance and covenant.

 

"The ordinance of the sacrament has been called 'one of the most holy and sacred ordinances in the Church.' 

"It needs to become more holy and sacred to each of us."

 

 

This becomes the challenge for each of us, to ensure it is a holy and sacred moment each week.  So how does that happen?

 

We discussed two specific things that could make a huge difference - maybe these will work for you also?

 

* What would happen if we began our preparation for the Sacrament before Sunday?  Imagine if each day of the week we ensured we were repenting and preparing for the renewal of our covenants.  What difference would it make to you?  Your family?  Your ward?

 

* What would happen if when we entered the Chapel area on a Sunday morning, we kept the room sacred and quiet, as we do the chapel in the Temple?  What if we could keep our excited chatter and catch-ups for outside the chapel doors?  What difference would it make to you to have those moments of peace and commune for the Lord prior to renewing your covenants?  To your family?  To your ward?

 

"May we receive the sacrament next week, and each week thereafter, with deeper desire and more earnest purpose."