The Sacrament Can Help Us Become Holy
By Elder Peter F. Meurs
The Savior taught: “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” (3 Nephi 18:11).
I invite all of us to consider five ways to increase the impact and power of our regular participation in the sacred ordinance of the sacrament, an ordinance that can help us become holy.
1. Prepare in Advance
We can begin our preparation for the sacrament well before our sacrament meeting begins. We can prepare for our "check in" or "meet up" with our Savior, during the moments that the sacrament is being administered. In our preparation our hearts become broken as we express gratitude for Christ's Atonement, repent of our mistakes and shortcomings, and ask forte Father's help in our continuing journey to become more like him.
2. Arrive Early
Our sacrament experience can be enhanced when we arrive well before the meeting and ponder as the prelude music is being played. Being early invites inspiration. The time before sacrament is not only a time for conversation but a period of prayerful meditation as leaders and members prepare spiritually for the sacrament.
3. Sing and Learn from the Words of the Sacrament Hymn
The sacrament hymn is an especially important part of our sacrament experience. Music elevates our thoughts and feelings. The sacrament hymn has even greater influence when we focus on the words and the powerful doctrine taught.
4. Spiritually Participate in the Sacrament Prayers (Moroni 4-5)
Participate spiritually in the sacrament prayer by considering the commitments and associated blessings included in these sacred prayers. The bead and water are blessed and sanctified to our souls. They remind us of the sacrifice of the Savior and that he can help us become holy. The prayers introduce the covenants with the phrase "that they are willing." This phrase has so much power for us. Are we willing to serve and participate? Are we willing to change? Are we willing to address our weaknesses? Are we willing to reach out and bless others? Are we willing to trust the Savior?
As the promises are states and as we partake we confirm in our hears that we are willing to:1) take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, 2) Strive to keep all of his commandments, 3) Always remembers him. The prayer concludes with a sublime invitation and promise: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance." (Galatians 5:22-23)
5. Ponder and Remember Him as the Sacrament Emblems are Passed
The reverent moments as priesthood holders pass the sacrament can become sacred to us. We may contemplate that in the ultimate act of love for us, the Savior took "upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people." (Alma 7:12) We can remember that God has "Suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent."
As we consider our sacrament experience we may consider:
1. What will I do this week to better prepare for the sacrament?
2. Could I contribute more to the reverence and revelation that can accompany the beginning of sacrament meeting?
3. What doctrine was taught in the sacrament hymn?
4. What did I hear and feel as I listened to the sacrament prayers?
5. What did I think about as the sacrament was passed?
Elder David A. Bednar taught: “The ordinance of the sacrament is a holy and repeated invitation to repent sincerely and to be renewed spiritually. The act of partaking of the sacrament, in and of itself, does not remit sins. But as we prepare conscientiously and participate in this holy ordinance with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then the promise is that we may always have the Spirit of the Lord to be with us. And by the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we can always retain a remission of our sins.”7
