The LDS Daily WOOL Home Page
(3/31/97)
When we partake of the sacrament we renew that covenant; we partake of
these emblems in remembrance of the atoning sacrifice of our Lord and
Savior; we express a willingness to take upon us His name, the name of
our Lord and Master, our Savior, Jesus Christ; and we covenant that we
will always remember Him, that we will keep the commandments which He
has given us. He, the Lord, covenants with us that if we will do these
things we shall have His Spirit to be with us. He will most certainly
keep His part of the covenant if we keep ours. — Elder Joseph
Anderson, General Conference, October 1976
(3/32/97)
But previous to the offering up of Himself, as the great expiatory
sacrifice, having fulfilled the law and made it honorable, and having
introduced the Gospel, He met with His disciples, … to eat the
Passover. He then told them, "With desire I have desired to eat this
passover with you before I suffer." To eat what with you? The
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Thus He [ate] both, for the two
ceremonies centered in Him, He was the embodiment of both, He was the
Being provided before the foundation of the earth and prophesied of by
men of God throughout all the preceding ages; and also on account of
whom the sacrifices were offered up all the servants of the Lord, from
the fall of Adam to that time; and all the various atonements
heretofore offered pointed Him, for whom they were all made and in
whom they all centered. On the other hand, He it was who introduced
the more perfect law, and offering Himself once for all, an infinite
atonement, He, through this sacrifice accomplished that which was
designed by the Almighty before the world was, and of which the blood
of bullocks, of goats and of lambs was merely the shadow. — President
John Taylor, Mediation and Atonement, p. 16
(4/2/97)
While the Sacrament is passed around, and we take the emblems of our
Savior's death and suffering, and realize the sacrifice which he made
for our salvation, we should ask ourselves, Do we remember him in all
things? Do we acknowledge his hand in the providences with which we
are surrounded? Do we call upon him in our families and in secret? Or
do we neglect our duties, do we miss praying with our families in the
morning, and have not time to do so in the evening, and are in such a
hurry that we cannot even ask his blessing upon our food, and cannot
take time to attend meeting on the Sabbath, nor afford to devote the
day to rest, meditation and study? Let us also ask these questions of
ourselves, Are we honorable in our relations with each other? Do we do
by our neighbor as we would that he should do unto us? Are we just in
our dealings? Are we honoring those principles of morality which alone
can prepare us to inherit celestial glory? Brethren and sisters, if we
ask ourselves these questions, and, after examining our conduct and
career, can answer them honestly and truthfully in the affirmative,
then we may partake of the bread and water in the presence of our
heavenly father worthily. If, on the other hand, we have been
negligent and careless, we should repent, for repentance is our first
duty. — George Albert Smith, Journal of Discourses, Vol.15, p.93, July
7, 1872
(4/3/97)
In the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, what is there of sacred
efficacy in the bread and water, taken alone? There is not water
enough in the ocean, nor bread enough in all the bakeries of the
world, to constitute the Lord's Supper. All that makes it effective as
a sacrament is the blessing pronounced upon it by the priesthood, and
the symbolism whereby those elements are made to represent something
greater than themselves, namely, the body and blood of the Savior.
What is done then becomes a holy ordinance, full of force and effect,
a poem in action. — Orson F. Whitney, The Strength of the Mormon
Position, p.29
(4/4/97)
By the partaking of the sacrament you are participating in one of the
most sacred ordinances of the Church. It has a similar significance to
us today that the sacrifice of burnt offerings, given to Adam, had to
the saints before the advent of the Savior upon the earth. When the
sacrifice of burnt offerings was first given it was for the purpose of
reminding Adam of the great atoning sacrifice of the Son of God that
should transpire in the meridian of time, by which Adam and his
posterity might be loosed from the bonds of death and if they were
faithful to the gospel plan might partake of eternal life with our
Heavenly Father in his kingdom. With the sacrifice of Jesus, by which
he, "the just" suffered for "the unjust," the sacrifice of burnt
offerings, as it had been observed up to that time, was fulfilled
(3Ne.9:19-20). In its place he instituted at the time of the Last
Supper, before his crucifixion, the holy sacrament, by which the
meaning of his great atoning sacrifice would be had in everlasting
remembrance. The purpose and meaning of the sacrament and the
seriousness that should accompany your partaking of it is clearly set
forth in the Master's words as understood by the Apostle Paul: "This
do ye . . . in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread,
and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the
Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and
drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth
and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For
this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep."
(1Cor.11:25-30) — President Harold B. Lee, Decisions for Successful
Living, pp. 146-47
(8/28/01)
"How did you feel the last time you partook of the sacrament? Did you
ponder those covenants made in fonts and within temples? The sacrament
enables us to renew our covenants. Thus, if we keep those covenants
with honor and exactness, we can feel as fresh and as pure as we did
when we were first baptized."
Bonnie
D. Parkin
"Celebrating Covenants,"
"Ensign," May 1995, p. 78–79
(8/29/01)
"Do you remember the feeling you had when you were baptized—that
sweet, clean feeling of a pure soul, having been forgiven, washed
clean through the merits of the Savior? If we partake of the sacrament
worthily, we can feel that way regularly, for we renew that covenant,
which includes his forgiveness."
John
H. Groberg
"The Beauty and Importance of the Sacrament,"
"Ensign," May 1989, p. 38
(8/30/01)
"We are commanded to repent of our sins and to come to the Lord with a
broken heart and a contrite spirit and partake of the sacrament in
compliance with its covenants. When we renew our baptismal covenants
in this way, the Lord renews the cleansing effect of our baptism. In
this way we are made clean and can always have His Spirit to be with
us. The importance of this is evident in the Lord’s commandment that
we partake of the sacrament each week (see D&C 59:8–9)."
Dallin
H. Oaks
"The Aaronic Priesthood and the Sacrament,"
"Ensign," Nov. 1998, p. 38
(8/31/01)
"When we act in obedience and always remember Him, we are built on the
rock of His gospel. We are blessed as we live His commandments. We
must take these emblems in worthiness. Personal worthiness to partake
of the sacrament is a prerequisite for receiving the Holy Ghost.
Moroni admonished, 'See that ye partake not of the sacrament of Christ
unworthily.' (Morm. 9:29.)"
David
B. Haight
"Remembering the Savior’s Atonement,"
"Ensign," Apr. 1988, p. 9
(9/1/01)
"The New Testament records the drama of the experiences of the Savior
in Gethsemane, at Golgotha, and at the tomb, where he fully atoned for
the two deaths, conquering both the grave and hell and thus becoming
the great Savior and Redeemer of all mankind. In remembrance of the
two aspects of his atonement, we have been commanded that when we
partake of the sacrament we partake of two emblems—bread in
remembrance of the body of Christ, which he gave as a ransom for all;
and a liquid in remembrance of the blood of Christ, which he shed for
the remission of our sins. (See Matt. 26:22–25. JST.)"
Daniel
H. Ludlow
"Moral Free Agency,"
"New Era," Nov. 1976, p. 47
(4/30/04)
"You and I..., all of us, have the sacrament, a holy priesthood
ordinance that helps remind us of the atonement of the Savior. It
helps us keep focused on our daily progress toward exaltation. It is a
precious and sacred reminder, not just on Sunday, but on Monday,
Tuesday, and Wednesday; spring, summer, and fall; when we're on the
mountain peaks of our lives and also in the valleys. What is true
for... you and me is that our Savior loves us very much." - Ardeth G.
Kapp, "Taking
Upon Us His Name," New Era, April 1982, p. 42
1/22/07
"Worldly lusts lose their allure as the holy sacrament assumes its
proper place in our lives. This covenant enables the faithful to keep
themselves unspotted from the world. (D&C
59:9)" - Keith B. McMullin, "An
Invitation with Promise," Ensign (CR), May 2001, p.61
2/28/07
How can we have spiritual hunger? Who is there among us that does not
wound his spirit by word, thought, or deed, from Sabbath to Sabbath?
We do things for which we are sorry, and desire to be forgiven, or we
have erred against someone and given injury. If there is a feeling in
our hearts that we are sorry for what we have done; if there is a
feeling in our souls that we would like to be forgiven, then the
method to obtain forgiveness is not through rebaptism, it is not to
make confession to man, but it is to repent of our sins, to go to
those against whom we have sinned or transgressed and obtain their
forgiveness, and then repair to the sacrament table where, if we have
sincerely repented and put ourselves in proper condition, we shall be
forgiven, and spiritual healing will come to our souls. It will really
enter into our being. You have felt it. I am a witness that there is a
spirit attending the administration of the sacrament that warms the
soul from head to foot; you feel the wounds of the spirit being
healed, and the load is lifted. Comfort and happiness come to the soul
that is worthy and truly desirous of partaking of this spiritual food.
- Melvin J. Ballard, "How Can We Have Spiritual Hunger?" (Improvement
Era 1919)
11/3/07
"In my judgment the sacrament meeting is the most sacred, the most
holy, of all the meetings of the Church. When I reflect upon the
gathering of the Savior and his apostles on that memorable night when
he introduced the sacrament, when I think of that solemn occasion, my
heart is filled with wonderment and my feelings are touched. I
consider that gathering one of the most solemn and wonderful since the
beginning of time." - Joseph Fielding Smith, "Doctrines of Salvation,"
3 vols., edited by Bruce R. McConkie, 2:340
10/18/08
"How can we have the Spirit of
the Lord to guide our choices so that we will remain 'unspotted
from the world' (D&C
59:9) and on the safe path through
mortality? We need to qualify for the cleansing power of the Atonement
of Jesus Christ. We do this by keeping His commandment to come to Him
with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and in that wonderful weekly
meeting partake of the emblems of the sacrament and make the covenants
that qualify us for the precious promise that we will always have His
Spirit to be with us (see
D&C 20:77)."
- Dallin H. Oaks, "Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament," General
Conference, October 2008
10/29/08
"Arms
are tangible, and we use them to express affection and love. When I
come home from the office, I am encircled in the tangible arms of my
wife....
"As I have pondered how to effectively teach the Atonement to others, the phrase 'arms of safety' has been useful. When we were baptized and received the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, we received two ordinances that introduce us to the arms of safety. By coming humbly and fully repentant to sacrament meeting and worthily partaking of the sacrament, we may feel those arms again and again." - Jay E. Jensen, "Arms of Safety," General Conference, October 2008
9/30/09
“We have the great
privilege of partaking of the sacrament, the Lord’s Supper. Renewing
our baptismal covenants as we partake of the sacrament protects us
against all manner of evil. As we worthily partake of the sanctified
bread and water in remembrance of the Savior’s sacrifice, we witness
unto God the Father that we are willing to take upon us the name of
His Son and always remember Him and to keep His commandments which He
has given us. If we do these things, we will always have His Spirit to
be with us. If we partake of the sacrament regularly and are faithful
to these covenants, the law will be in our inward parts and written in
our hearts.” - James E. Faust, “Search Me, O God, and Know My
Heart,” Ensign (CR), May 1998, p. 17
7/14/10
"Over the many, many years as I have had the privilege of attending
sacrament meetings, whether in times of peace or conflict, periods of
joy or sorrow, periods of stress or relative ease, partaking of the
sacrament has been a time of thoughtful reflection on the blessings the
Lord has given to me and a time to covenant with him to live closer to
his law and his gospel." - L. Tom
Perry, "Sacrament of the Lord's Supper," Ensign (CR), May 1996, p. 53
2/16/12
If we wish to come unto Jesus through the sacrament, we must believe in
Him, rely on Him, repent of our sins, take His name upon us by being
baptized in His Church, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and
faithfully follow Christ all of our lives.
The invitation to come unto the Savior is universal. Everyone is
included—men, women, and children; old and young alike. None are barred
except by themselves. - John H.
Groberg, "The
Beauty and Importance of the Sacrament," Friend, October 1990
4/11/12
I testify that the sacrament gives us an opportunity to come to
ourselves and experience “a mighty change” of heart—to remember who we
are and what we most desire. As we renew the covenant to keep the
commandments, we obtain the companionship of the Holy Ghost to lead us
back into our Heavenly Father’s presence. No wonder we are commanded to
“meet together oft to partake of [the] bread and [water]” and to partake
of the sacrament to our souls. - Robert D. Hales, "Coming to
Ourselves: The Sacrament, the Temple, and Sacrifice in Service,"
Ensign (CR) May 2012
11/17/12
What an inspiration
and strength it gives to know there is someone who is so interested in
us that if we will take upon us his name and keep his commandments,
he, in turn, promises that his spirit shall abide with us. In the many
trials and temptations of life, what a source of comfort this promise
gives. When partaken of often and in the proper spirit, it is a
safeguard against evil, and we shall develop an intimate fellowship
with God and with one another. It will give us a richness of spirit,
and it will uplift, ennoble and develop an active, living faith within
us. - John Wells, Conference Report, October 1936, Afternoon
Meeting, p.47
3/9/14
Sacrament
meeting is the most important meeting of the week, the one the
Lord has commanded us to attend. It’s a time to worship the
Savior. What does that mean, to worship? It means to reverently
show love and allegiance to him, to think about him, to honor
him, to remember his sacrifice for each of us, and to thank him.
- W.
Mack Lawrence, “Sunday
Worship Service,” Ensign (CR) May 1991
10/9/14
The sacrament becomes a spiritually strengthening experience when we
listen to the sacrament prayers and recommit to our covenants. To do
this, we must be willing to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ.
Speaking of this promise, President Henry B. Eyring taught: “That
means we must see ourselves as His. We will put Him first in our
lives. We will want what He wants rather than what we want or what
the world teaches us to want.” - Cheryl
A. Esplin, “The
Sacrament—a Renewal for the Soul,” Ensign (CR) November 2014
11/27/14
One Sunday a
young sister joyfully exclaimed, “I get to take the sacrament
today!” When was the last time we rejoiced in that privilege? And
how do we demonstrate it? We do this by always remembering the
Savior and always keeping His commandments, which include keeping
His Sabbath day holy. We do it by always remembering Him as we
always have our personal and family prayers, daily scripture study,
and weekly family home evenings. And when we get distracted or
casual with these important things, we repent and begin again. - Linda
K. Burton, “The
Power, Joy, and Love of Covenant Keeping,” Ensign (CR)
October 2013
1/10/15
We have
talked about the spiritual power of our baptism. We can renew that
power every week as we worthily partake of the sacrament. “There is
no more eloquent expression in the English language than the
sacramental prayers. We invite you to learn by heart the covenants
and promises in the prayers on the bread and water” (Elder Dallin H.
Oaks, notes in author’s possession). Ponder their meaning that they
may bless your life. - Carol B.
Thomas, “Spiritual
Power of Our Baptism,” Ensign (CR) April 1999
7/18/15
When you were baptized, you became participants in the first great hope,
the Atonement of Christ. Every time you worthily partake of the
sacrament, you have the opportunity to begin again and do a little
better. It is like burying the old, unworthy part of yourself and
starting over with a new life. - Julie
B. Beck, "There
Is Hope Smiling Brightly before Us," Ensign (CR), May 2003, p.
103
9/12/15
With so very much at stake, [the
sacrament] commemorating our escape from the angel of darkness
should be taken more seriously than it sometimes is. It should be a
powerful, reverent, reflective moment. It should encourage spiritual
feelings and impressions. As such it should not be rushed. It is not
something to “get over” so that the real purpose of a sacrament
meeting can be pursued. This is the real purpose of the meeting. And
everything that is said or sung or prayed in those services should
be consistent with the grandeur of this sacred ordinance. - Jeffrey
R. Holland, "This
Do in Remembrance of Me," Ensign (CR), November 1995, p. 67
12/21/15
Now this is the point I want to bring out, brothers and sisters: When
we come into our chapels, not stables, but chapels such as this, with
beautiful appointments—clean—we come before the sacrament board, not
of the Babe of Bethlehem, but before Christ, and all of his consummate
glory and divinity—King of kings, and Lord of lords—the Savior of
mankind. What I would like to impress upon you at this time is the
necessity of coming before the sacrament board actuated by a spirit of
worship. Do not come into your beautiful chapel to partake of the
sacrament and renew your covenants without a spirit of worship in your
hearts because when a deacon who holds the priesthood of God brings
you the emblems of the sacrament table, he is bringing you the Christ.
"This do in remembrance of me." (Luke
22:19.) - "Matthew Cowley," Matthew
Cowley Speaks, p.99
7/23/16
The sacrament truly helps us know our Savior. It also reminds us of
His innocent suffering. If life were truly fair, you and I would
never be resurrected; you and I would never be able to stand clean
before God. In this respect, I am grateful that life is not fair. –
Dale G. Renlund, “That
I Might Draw All Men unto Me,” Ensign (CR) May 2016