The Sacrament

God loves us so much that when we leave His presence, he gives us a gift - a “starter light”. It is also called the conscience, or the light of Christ. As we progress spiritually we gain more light.

When we are baptized we receive the greatest gift, the companionship of the Holy Ghost. It gives us more light and truth.

A non-member is like walking home in the dark using a small flashlight. After baptism, we receive a flood of light and a personal guide to go home quickly and safely.

D&C 50:24 talks about receiving more light.

1.       We need to have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion. President Nelson, April 2018 pled with members to have the Holy Ghost guide our actions. This is how to have the Holy Ghost
Be more obedient

2.       Be pure

3.       Be diligent in scripture study

4.       Serve mankind

5.       Attend the temple often

6.       Come to Church and participate in the ordinance of the Sacrament to remember the Savior.

7.       Obey the commandments.

If we do all this we can have His Spirit with us.

How to always remember – Focus on His name. God hears our random thoughts during the Sacrament. It would be interesting if we could hear everyone’s thoughts.

George Q Cannon said that a great many members take the Sacrament and are thinking, “how many teams can I get to haul stone.” Or “can I get a prettier bonnet?”

While they (Laurel Lawrence and Elder Lawrence) were in Russia, they were always impressed with how seriously the people always partook of the Sacrament. All members were converts. They considered the Sacrament to be very important. The person conducting always said, “We now come to the most important part of the meeting. Let us remember all the Savior did for us. Let us put aside all our distractions and with sincerity of heart focus on the Savior.”

We can stay focused on the Savior if we think of scenes  in His life – His birth, His crucifixion and resurrection, the visits after the resurrections, we can read scriptures, read from the life of the Savior. We can read the Sacrament hymns that remind us that the atonement was for us; pray during – prayers of gratitude; prayers for needs; prayers for forgiveness of sins as we repent. We can ask ourselves, “How am I doing?’ Am I backsliding? Or am I moving forward? What is my greatest challenge?

Paul said, “let a man examine himself. Ask, “What lack I yet?”  Be honest with yourself; set goals for the week. Apologize to someone or forgive someone. Think about Christ makes us want to put things right with others, especially family.

Laurel was in Sacrament meeting with her family. Her 9 year old daughter wrote a note during the Sacrament and passed it down the line to Laurel. It said, “I’m sorry I got mad at you this morning.” She drew 3 squares and it said, “Check one” One said yes, one said no, and one said maybe later. Laurel checked “Yes” and wrote, “I love you.”

Spencer W Kimball said that unless we forgive others’ transgressions, we aren’t fit to partake of the Sacrament! All over the world, LDS chaplains are given sacrament cloth and sacrament trays so servicemen can renew their covenants and feel the Spirit while they are in battle.

The apostles now feel great need to partake of the Sacrament the first Thursday of each month they get together in the temple and partake of the Sacrament and share their testimonies. They access the Spirit necessary to fight their own daily battles, administer the Church and take the Gospel to the world.

A missionary visited President Hinckley’s ward. He watched him during the Sacrament. He had never seen an prophet up close. When the deacon took hi the bread, he took a piece, gazed at it a long time, pondering the symbolism. It was a huge impact on the missionary.

Remembering Jesus is a life long challenge that will aid us in our lives.