THE SACRAMENTAL PROMISE

 

One of the focal points of Christ’s visit to the Americas was the instituting of the priesthood ordinance of Sacrament, the principal purpose of which was to remember Him (3 Nephi 18:6,7). In return those who partake receive the fulfilment of this glorious promise:

1.     They will be filled with the Holy Ghost (3 Nephi 18:9; 20:8,9), who is “our comforter, our direction finder, our communicator, our interpreter, our witness, and our purifier – our infallible guide and sanctifier for our mortal journey toward eternal life” (Elder Oaks, in Conference Report, Oct. 1996);

2.     They will be built upon the rock (3 Nephi 18:12): “But whose among you shall do more or less than these are not built upon my rock, but are built upon a sandy foundation; and when the rain descends and the floods come, and the winds blow, and beat upon them, they shall fall, and the gates of hell are ready open to receive them” (v 19).

3.     They will have the ministering of angels: “Through the Aaronic Priesthood ordinances of baptism and the sacrament, we are cleansed of our sins and promised that if we keep our covenants we will always have His Spirit with us. I believe that promise not only refers to the Holy Ghost but also to the ministering of angels, for ‘angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore they speak the words of Christ’ (2 Nephi 32:3) (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, in Conference Report, Oct 1998, 50-51 or Ensign Nov 1998).

I had my most personal Sacrament experience during the covid lockdowns. I sat at my daughter's kitchen table as my son-in-law reverently blessed the sacrament. Each time I did so I was overcome emotionally and truly understood the spirit of this sacred occasion. As I sat there I was reminded of the very first Sacrament where the Saviour sat at just such an ordinary table and blessed the emblems of His sacrifice. 

For Him there was no chapel with cushy seats, no organ to assist the song, no fluffy white bread to pleasure the tongue. As my son-in-law passed the sacrament to me on the kitchen plate I came to know what it means to 'eat His body' as I have eaten off that kitchen plate before. Never before have I felt so close to the Saviour during Sacrament as I have at my daughter's kitchen table. His sublime words echoed in my heart: “He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him…..he that eateth of this bread shall live forever” (John 6:56-8).

Thy body for me broken

Thy blood for me spilt

Thy death for me offered

That I might live with Thee still.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Remembering Jesus by Simon Dewey)

THE LEGACY OF REMEMBRANCE

 

I don’t think there is a more significant word in the Book of Mormon that is repeated more often than the word ‘remember’. It is commonly used to teach a principle or motivate people to obedience. For this purpose, King Benjamin spoke of ‘remembering’ 15 times in his speech to his sons and to the people gathered to hear him (Mosiah 1:3,4,6,7,17; 2:40 twice, 41 twice; 4:11,28,30; 5:11,12; 6:3).

As I was reading Alma’s instructions to Helaman yesterday, I expected to come across this familiar scripture:   “O remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation….…” I was convinced it was the advice that Alma gave to his sons. However, this scripture was nowhere to be found in the book of Alma. I eventually found it in Helaman 5:12, and to my surprise I discovered this advice was given by Helaman to his sons Nephi and Lehi and not Alma to his sons. I then realized why I got that wrong. When Alma spoke to Helaman he also, at one stage, began with, “O remember, remember…..” (Alma 37:13). Like father, like son……

Alma used the verb ‘remember’ 6 times in speaking to his sons (Alma 37:13,14,32,35; 42:11). Helaman used it 11 times in speaking to his sons in Helaman 5. The legacy of remembrance passed on from Alma to Helaman was so strong that Helaman named his sons Nephi and Lehi for this very purpose (Helaman 5:6). Why did Alma put such importance on remembering? This is why:  As he lay unconscious he ‘remembered’ his father’s prophecy concerning the coming of Jesus Christ and when he pleaded with Christ to have mercy on him, he could not ‘remember’ his pains anymore (Alma 36:17, 19). Remembrance played a crucial part in his conversion.

When we pass on from this life, we hope we will be remembered for ‘something’. None of us want to be forgotten. Nephi is remembered for his obedience, Alma for his repentance, Helaman for his strategic warfare, Captain Moroni for his passionate patriotism, Mormon for his discipleship, Moroni for his endurance, but one thing they all have in common…….a firm foundation in Christ. If we want to be remembered for the same, others need to ‘see’ the Saviour through us. Our lives need to reflect our knowledge and testimony of what He is like and what He can do. This is the ultimate legacy of remembrance.

The Saviour died over 2,000 years ago and He is still remembered by many but many are also trying hard to forget Him and disregard His importance. We can, however, keep the flame burning. The testimony we bear, as His disciples, can ensure the world remembers Him. Why? Because He remembers us, and He will never forget…. In the words of my dear friend Bonnie Lake Bloomfield:

I don’t know how the sun remembers to rise,

Or how the stars remember their places.

I don’t know how the flowers remember to bloom,

Or how in spring the leaves fill their spaces.

It’s enough for me to know who created it,

And I’ll never be the same;

Because I know I have a God who loves me

And a King, who remembers my name.

 

My King, who remembers my name;

A mighty King, who remembers my name!

He is the Lord of all creation,

And yet, my King remembers my name.

I’m a small creature compared to His greatness;

I’m only one and the same,

But I’ll always be His, and He will be mine –

A King, who remembers my name!

 

I look at the world today with people

Rushing about without thinking of why;

Why we’re all here, and what is life about

And where we all go when we die.

But I know, and I’ll ever be thankful

That I know from whence I came.

I’ll go home to heaven once more,

To my King, who remembers my name.

(Bonnie Lake Bloomfield)

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Worlds Without Number by Greg Olsen)