Sacrament

On the night before His Crucifixion, Jesus Christ met

with His Apostles and instituted the sacrament. “He took

bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them,

saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in

remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying,

This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed

for you” (Luke 22:19–20). After His Resurrection, He instituted

the sacrament among the Nephites (see 3 Nephi 18:1–11).

Today we partake of bread and water in remembrance of

Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice. This ordinance is an essential

part of our worship and our spiritual development. The more

we ponder its significance, the more sacred it becomes to us.

Remembering the Savior and His Atonement

The sacrament provides an opportunity for you to

remember with gratitude the life, ministry, and Atonement of

the Son of God.

With broken bread, you remember His body. You can be

mindful of His physical suffering—especially His suffering

on the cross. You can remember that through His mercy and

grace, all people will be resurrected and given the opportunity

for eternal life with God.

With a small cup of water, you can remember that the

Savior shed His blood in intense spiritual suffering and

anguish, beginning in the Garden of Gethsemane. There He

said, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death”

(Matthew 26:38). Submitting to the will of the Father, He suffered

more than we can comprehend: “Blood [came] from

every pore, so great [was] his anguish for the wickedness and

the abominations of his people” (Mosiah 3:7). You can

remember that through the shedding of His blood, Jesus

Christ saved you and all other people from what the scriptures

call the “original guilt” of Adam’s transgression (Moses

6:54). You can remember that He also suffered for the sins,

sorrows, and pains of all Heavenly Father’s children, providing

remission of sins for those who repent and live the gospel

(see 2 Nephi 9:21–23).

Renewing Covenants and Promised Blessings

When you partake of the sacrament, you witness to God

that your remembrance of His Son will extend beyond the

short time of that sacred ordinance. You promise to remember

Him always. You witness that you are willing to take

upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ and that you will

keep His commandments. In partaking of the sacrament and

making these commitments, you renew your baptismal

covenant (see Mosiah 18:8–10; D&C 20:37).

You receive great blessings when you keep the baptismal

covenant. As you renew it, the Lord renews the promised

remission of your sins. Cleansed from sin, you are able to

“always have his Spirit to be with [you]” (D&C 20:77). The

Spirit’s constant companionship is one of the greatest gifts

you can receive in mortality. The Spirit will guide you in the

paths of righteousness and peace, leading you to eternal life

with your Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ.

Partaking Worthily

In preparation for the sacrament each week, take time to

examine your life and repent of your sins. You do not need to

be perfect in order to partake of the sacrament, but you

should have a spirit of humility and repentance in your heart.

Every week you should prepare for that sacred ordinance

with a broken heart and a contrite spirit (see 3 Nephi 9:20).

If you approach the sacrament with the reverence and

solemnity it deserves, it becomes a weekly opportunity for

introspection, repentance, and rededication—a source of

strength and a constant reminder of the Savior’s Atonement.

Additional references: 1 Corinthians 11:23–29; Moroni 4–5; D&C 20:75–79;

27:2

See also Atonement of Jesus Christ; Covenant