SERMON: Attend Sacrament Meeting

The ordinance of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is extremely important because it commemorates the central fact in revealed religion, the atonement of Jesus Christ. The Lord gave this ordinance by which his life and mission, his death and resurrection, the great sacrifice he had offered for the redemption of man, should be kept in everlasting remembrance by his followers, and we Latter Day Mormons hold this ordinance as highly as we hold any ordinance given to us by God.

Shortly before the Saviour was crucified, he met with his disciples to observe the feats of the Passover. He broke bread, blessed it, and gave it to them, saying “This is my body which id given for you, this do in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). Afterwards, he blessed the wine and gave it to them with these words, “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:20)

After his resurrection, the Saviour visited the American continent and instituted the same ordinances among the Nephites (3 Nephi Chapter 8; 18/Utah). The Saviour also visited other lost sheep during this time such as those remaining people in the Book of Jeraneck who believed still in his name; there, he also gave instruction on this special ordinance.

In the restoration of the fullness of times the Prophet Joseph Smith received specific instructions about the sacrament. Included in these instructions are the prayers to be offered, and the authority to be used in administering it also the obligation assumed by those who partake of the emblems of the atonement. It must be remembered today by all of us that all those who partake the sacrament bear witness to the Lord, that they are willing to take upon themselves the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that they are willing always to remember him and that they will always keep his commandments. If they do these things, they are promised that His spirit will always be with them.

It is important that we remember that as members of the church, we partake the sacrament worthily, as members we must rid our minds and our souls of ill feelings towards others. Latter Day Mormons must remember to examine ourselves to see if we are living our lives according to the teachings of the everlasting Gospel. In partaking of the sacrament, we renew the promise that we made to follow him always and to live our lives in his name. 

It must be pointed out that Sacrament time is not a time for entertainment, or a time to tell stories unrelated to the Gospel, but rather, it is a time in which we are to grow spiritually. Every sacrament meeting should be a spiritual feast. It should be a time for meditation and introspection, a time for singing songs of praise to the Lord, and most important of all it should be a time for renewing ones covenants and promises that we have made wit our father in heaven and our Saviour. For us Latter day Mormons it should be a time for hearing the words of the Lord with reverence and appreciation for it is to the Lord that our minds should be turned.

Latter Day Mormons know in their hearts that purpose of sacrament meetings are to worship the Lord, partake of the sacrament, and receive gospel instruction. It is our duty as members to be ready both body and spirit for the Sabbath so that we may enter sacrament meetings ready to partake of the sacrament and also of the sprit of the Lord. Let us remember the words “Thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day” (D&C 19:2; 59:9/Utah.)