Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Sacrament Prayers

And the church did meet together oft to fast, and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls. And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine in remembrance of the Lord Jesus. 
—Moroni 6:2

Our scriptures teach that we should “meet together oft to partake of bread and wine in remembrance of the Lord Jesus.” Though many of us currently can’t meet together, we should still avail ourselves of the opportunity to take the sacrament often. 

To assist those who, like my own mother, currently can’t gather with others to take the sacrament, and who don’t have someone available to perform the ordinance for them, I’ve linked to recordings of the blessings on the bread and wine below. 

Blessing on the Bread:




Blessing on the Wine:



I sincerely hope we will all be able to meet together again soon in our fellowships and families. But until then, at least we can observe our Lord’s command in this way. 

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 unto 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. 
—3 Nephi 8:7

13 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Not as often as some would like, and not always for sacrament. Our fellowship tends to meet online for study, but we've mostly done sacrament in families when we can't all gather together in person.

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  2. Honest question: How does this work?

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    Replies
    1. Someone who is alone and desires to receive the sacrament can provide their own bread and wine, and use the recordings for the blessings. In this way, someone who is alone without access to a priesthood holder to perform the ordinance can still receive the sacrament.

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    2. Still having trouble wrapping my head around this. I'm not saying it's wrong. Just I don't understand.

      The one having authority from God does not need to be present at all?
      What is the difference between playing the recording and me (assuming I had no authority) just saying the words myself?
      Would it be just as efficacious if someone played the recordings from the LDS scriptures?
      Would that work with baptism? Other ordinances?
      Is authority a stumbling block of my LDS heritage?

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    3. Good questions. I don't claim to have all the answers, but I'm glad to offer my opinions.

      First, taking the broadest view, it appears the ordinance requires not only authority, but also intent. That is to say, someone merely reading the prayer for study or discussion without the intent of actually blessing the emblems on hand and partaking, has not, de facto, performed the ordinance. This is why the recordings of the scriptures, for example, don’t satisfy the need. Likewise, regardless of intent, it is impossible to determine whether the person reading the scriptures in the recording had the Lord’s authorization to perform the ordinance in the first place.

      But assuming intent and authority are in place, we are only left with the question of time and place. That is to say, the one performing the blessing is not present in the same time or location as the emblems being blessed. In general, one of the miracles of technology is that it gives us the ability to be “present” where and when we are not. Given that all things are before the Lord continually, and that his presence fills the immensity of space, I don’t believe the time and location differences are a problem.

      I recorded these ordinances as one who has a valid priesthood ordination and sustaining authorization of seven women in my fellowship to administer the ordinances publicly. Before recording these ordinances, I did seek and receive the Lord’s authorization, and I recorded them with the intent of actually blessing the emblems of the ordinance.

      Obviously, this is not the ideal situation, and it is better to perform the ordinance in person, but it does provide a way for one who would otherwise be unable, to receive the ordinance and the blessings that flow from it.

      As for baptism and other ordinances, I can’t say. I suppose it would be difficult to baptize someone remotely because it requires standing in the same water with them, and immersing them. I really have not pondered this one.

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  3. I see no reason why a faithful humble single woman cannot pray the sacrament prayer asking God to bless the sacrament emblems and pour in power in behalf of herself and her children.

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    Replies
    1. If faithfulness and humility were the requirements the Lord established, and the only prerequisites, I would be inclined to agree. But the scripture indicates a different pattern, including one who is ordained. If this requirement is not important, and faithfulness and humility are an adequate substitute, then I suppose anyone can perform the ordinance, and it just doesn't matter at all.

      This does bring up a contradiction though, because obeying His word is a sign of faithfulness and humility, while contravening it is not. Not sure how to resolve that one.

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  4. When church meetings were canceled, in my stake, sacrament policy was a priesthood holder had to contact the bishop and get permission to officiate sacrament in your own home or any other. In a email we were told only bishop had the keys and authority of the sacrament in our ward. I remember way back when home teaches past sacrament to the elderly and home-bound members without the bishop's permission.

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    Replies
    1. I saw the notice that went out in the area where I live. It not only required permission EACH TIME the sacrament was to be administered in the home, but also specified exactly which dates it should be done, what must be worn by all in attendance, what song must be sung first, and strongly encouraged the time at which it should be performed. It was all rather astonishing.

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    2. Wow, that's nuts Adrian. At least in my area, we were essentially given a blank check so long as there was a priesthood holder in the home.

      I'm not sure where the control freaks in your area get off setting those kinds of requirements. Stay safe!

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  5. Perhaps an electric] monk?

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