BYU Women s Conference 2011 Sharing Station Title: OBTAINING PEACE AND JOY THROUGH THE SACRAMENT The Sacrament bears deep importance to all of us. A quiet time to reflect upon one s life, to find joy and peace needed if the week has been a difficult one. The incredible healing power that comes when we partake of sacred emblems worthily and prepared, is a wonderful gift given to each one of us. He then promises His spirit to be with us. We can each begin to understand the sacrament more deeply as we take the time to listen more intently to the meanings of those sacred words. A few months ago I attended a missionary farewell. After the hymn, we bowed our heads and listened to the sacrament prayers. What happened next was something that I was not expecting. As holder of the Aaronic Priesthood blessed those sacred emblems, I felt he knew what he was praying about. He knew the meaning of those sacred words. He knew who he represented to all of us there in the congregation. He felt the prayers. He understood them. You could feel it as he spoke. As I listened, those prayers brought tears to my eyes. Then I thought to myself, What am I missing from the Sacrament? What am I not understanding about the words and the covenants I made at baptism? What do I not understand about the prayers? Then I began to study those sacred words O God, the Eternal Father To whom are we talking too? What is our relationship? He is our Father. We are his children, a son and daughter of God. We are coming before our Maker to renew sacred covenants with Him. In the Bible dictionary under prayer it says, As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part. Many of the so called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. We have opportunity given to us each week to understand the power of prayer and who we are praying too. We ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ 2 Nephi 32:9.that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy
performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul. Before we partake of the Sacrament, should we not offer a quiet prayer so that this sacred ordinance will be for the welfare of our souls? Elder James E. Talmage has reminded us that God the Father has one Son who has done more than all the rest; one Son who has been more dutiful than all the others; one Son who never broke a commandment of His; one Son who thinks and feels as He thinks and feels who is so like unto Him that if you see the one you have seen the other. If a petition comes up to Him in the name of that well-beloved Son, depend upon it that it will receive consideration at His hands; depend upon it that He will be moved and His heart will be softened because of that. It is for that reason that we have been told to offer all our supplications, and to perform all our ceremonies and ordinances of the Church, in the name of Jesus Christ. It is for that reason that we partake of the sacramental bread and water in the name of Jesus Christ. It is for that reason that we administer to the sick in His name. For it is a name of power. Collected Discourses 3:12-13 to bless and to sanctify this bread/water. When we have now opened prayer up to our Heavenly Father, we have now asked in His only Begotten Sons name, what do you think happens to the bread? The water? To bless and sanctify to consecrate, hallow, holiness, purification, separation, spiritually reborn, sacred, and righteousness. These words are just some of what to bless and sanctify represent. Think of the sacredness of the emblems. The bread, His body bruised broken torn for us Hymn pg.181. The water, Let me not forget, O Savior, Thou didst bleed and die for me Hymn pg. 172. to the souls of all those who partake of it.. The scriptures teach us that the soul is made up of body and spirit. (D&C88:15) If this blessed and sanctified bread/water is now entering my body and my spirit, what does that mean to me? As I partake of the bread/water,i am doing so of my own free will and choice, what does that show of our intent to our Heavenly Father? Have you ever thought why it is important for each individual member to partake of the bread and the water? Why do ordinances in the church need to be done one by one? Whom are the priesthood representing? The priests, teachers, and deacons? that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son. That we may eat. Physical, doing, action, consumption. Have you ever thought how important what you put into your body actually is? Heavenly Father has given us a commandment for that very purpose in D&C 89. If he is asking us to partake of this
blessed and sanctified bread and water what is he telling us? Read 1 Cor 6:19-20. The sanctity of the body. In remembrance of thy son, the bread, the water, in partaking of this we are telling Heavenly Father that we are willing to remember what our Savior, Jesus Christ has done for us. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. John 6:38. What an incredible example of a selfless life. He gave us a perfect example of how to live our lives. How hard is it to willfully turn our lives, our hearts, and our will over to Him? and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father.. To testify, a testimony. What is being asked of us? To remember all that the Savior has done for us? How do we witness unto our Father? By partaking of the sacrament and living the covenants that we promised at baptism? And if we fall short we again can repent and take the sacrament again to keep us clean and pure. How and why do we witness? that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son.. Willingly and freely giving of ourselves to take upon us His holy name. To become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. But does it mean more? Does it mean sacrifice, consecrate and giving our all? Serving Him with all our might, mind and strength? A sacred contract? Our willingness to submit to His will? How do we take the Lords name in vain? and always remember Him. In Mosiah 18:7-10, as Alma was baptizing at the waters of Mormon, he said, Yea and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea and comfort those that stand in need of comfort and to stand as witnesses of God at all times, and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life- Do you think if we are following our baptismal covenants that we are remembering Him always? In all that we do and not just on Sunday? And keep his commandments which he has given them. Commandments are given to us because Heavenly Father loves us. Have you ever noticed that when we obey any commandment, Heavenly Father in turn blesses us? Heavenly Fahter gives is commandments because he loves us and knows what is best for us. He lives by laws himself and is bound by them and as we do as he asks and are obedient He can bless us and help us be happy and feel joy and not be dragged down by chains of sin. I know he loves us and wants us to return and so these
commandments are given for a great purpose, because he loves us. And we in turn because we love him will strive to obey so that we will show him that we too, love him. that they may always have his Spirit to be with them, Amen. Think of all that the Holy Ghost does for us and why that is such a significant gift. It quickens all intellectual faculties; increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections; and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features.it develops and invigorates all faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, invigorates, and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being. Persons enjoying these gifts have light of their countenances, and their presence is warm glow of pure gladness and sympathy. Elder Parley P. Pratt as quoted by James E. Faust form Ensign Mar 2000 As you begin your 7 day journey, remember, to listen carefully to the Spirit of the Lord. Write down thoughts, impressions, feelings, scriptures. I promise you that you will begin to understand more deeply the sacrament and it will become even more tender and dear to your heart. It becomes a sacred time between you and your Heavenly Father, the Savior and the Holy Ghost. #1 REMEMBER Why is it so important for us to remember Him? What has he done for us that has such significance? Listen to the Spirit as you pray to understand the word remember. The spirit will guide and teach you. Write down your thoughts and impressions, scriptures that come to mind. It will be the beginning of a beautiful week. Hebrew Meaning: To mark. (by implication) to mention / Male Scriptures: (3) JST, Matt 26:22, 24 Matt 26:22-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:15-20 As you partake of those sacred emblems this week, ponder the meanings that you have been given. I promise that you will feel of His spirit and know that He is God.
#2 WITNESS Taking the sacrament is a great honor, and in partaking we are covenanting with God that we will always remember His Son, and that we will continue to remember him even after the short time of this ordinance. Being a witness is showing our commitment of remembrance, and our continued reach at being like Christ. (Todd Christofferson Becoming a Witness of Christ https://lds.org/liahona/2008/03/becoming-a-witness-ofchrist?lang=eng&cid=email-shared) It s important for us to be constant witnesses of our Savior Jesus Christ. When we understand what it is to be a witness, then we find opportunity upon opportunity to be just that. When we know who we are, then our light will shine through the darkest night. Hebrew Meaning: Testimony Greek: Martyr Scriptures: Mosiah 18:8-10; D&C 20:37 #3- REDEEMING GRACE The only way that we can be in our Father s presence is if we remain clean. The gift that was given to each of us through our Saviors selfless sacrifice was the ability to make ourselves clean through repentance; in essence, He saved us from ourselves. Without Christ s redeeming gift of the atonement, the only way we would be allowed in our Fathers presence is if we were completely perfect throughout our time here on this earth. No white lies, no mean words, no bad thought. It would literally be impossible for us to return to live without Father in Heaven if it weren t for our Saviors love. He was the only one who could come to this earth and be perfect. He didn t make a single mistake, or think a single bad thought. He redeemed himself for us without so much as a grumble. http://lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-josephf-smith/chapter-11- jesus-christ-redeems-the-repentant-from-spiritual-death?lang=eng&query=redeem Hebrew Meaning: Freeing, Next of Kin. (implication: Hebrew law stated that if a husband dies, then the brother of that husband will take his brothers widow as his wife. The power of the sealing ordinance is evident in this law.) To ransom, release, preserve. Scriptures: D&C 29:41, Romans 6:4, Gen 4:7, Isaiah 1:18
#4 TESTIFY As Latter Day Saints it is our responsibility to testify to the truthfulness of the Gospel, and to the truth that Christ lives! It can be hard to stand up for what we know to be truth, because of what others may think of us. When we live our lives in such a way that people know without asking, what kind of people we are, we are in fact testifying of the sacred truths of the Gospel. Stephen R. Covey taught that testifying is the purest form of human communication, and that in testifying we can feel less of a stranger when away from home, and finally people hunger for something fixed and constant in the universe. A genuine testimony provides its own armor, making such defenses unnecessary (study D&C 27:15 18), and when borne a testimony can hold forth hope of that armor to the listener. -Stephen R. Covey, "How to Testify", Ensign, Oct. 1977, 52 Hebrew Meaning: Properly: to eye (pay attention), sing, shout, announce. Greek: Duplicate or repeat, to attest or protest earnestly Scriptures: D&C 27:15 18 #5 SANCTIFY What does this word mean? To sanctify? Be prepared to feel deeply what the Savior has done for you, the symbolic meaning of His atoning sacrifice. As you study the following scripture verses, allow the promptings to enter your heart, your mind and your spirit, allow it to be absorbed. This will be one of your most meaningful days. Hebrew Meaning: To be cleansed. Consecrate, dedicate, Hallow, proclaim, keep, purify Scriptures: Moses 6:60, D&C 84:33, D&C 88:68, Eph 5:26, Ezk 20:12, Ether 4:7. Act 26:18 #6 RESURRECTION The resurrection is a gift given to all mankind. The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body: yea even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame. Alma 40:23. As the bread is broken during the sacrament, what is it symbolizing? Why is the bread broken in front of us? We are thinking and contemplating
of His infinite and eternal sacrifice, the atonement, are we also thinking of the incredible gift of the resurrection? The bread what does that symbolize? Hebrew meaning: Standing up again Scriptures: John 11:25, D&C 93:33, Moses 1:39 #7 ATONING POWER The atonement means At-one-ment. Are we at-one with Him? Where can we improve as we self evaluate ourselves during the sacrament so that we can become closer to Him, closer at becoming like Him? We all know of His glorious sacrifice for each one of us. How do we repay Him? How do we live our lives in gratitude to him? Can we face Him and let Him know of our love and complete devotion to Him, to His work here upon the earth? Let us each begin a journey to better become acquainted with our Savior. He loves us as He has given his own life for each one of us! He know us, our joys, our sorrows, our sins and transgressions, he knows them all. Remember, that it is all about Him, our Savior and the Redeemer of all mankind. And because of Him, we are saved through obedience to His laws and His gospel. What are so blessed. Hebrew Meaning: To cover. Placate, pardon, cleanse. Greek translation: Exchange, adjust, restoration to divine favor. Reconciliation. Scriptures: Bible dictionary under atonement, Mosiah 3:16, Alma 7:11, Helaman 5:9, 1 Nephi 11:33 The sacrament is a very sacred ordinance that we have the privilege of partaking of every week. The sacrament prayers are scriptures that are so important; we get to hear them every time we partake of the sacrament. When we rededicate ourselves to pondering, and studying the importance of the sacrament in our lives and the lives of our children, we receive the gift of the knowledge that our Father in Heaven loves each of us personally. He knows us individually, and he wants for us to succeed and return to live with him. We come to know that we are loved beyond our own expectations, and that we are never alone.
Project Leader: Connie Howden Exhibitor name: Kimberly Watts and Lisa Carter Booth Title: Obtaining Peace and Joy through the Sacrament