THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER IS A MEMORIAL

          It is a memorial established by Jesus Christ by which to commemorate his sacrifice in death for man. The character of that sacrifice and its importance and far-reaching effects make it necessary that it should be kept fresh in memory, otherwise we would lose sight of its significance.

          Jesus himself has defined this sacrament as a memorial. When he was together with his disciples before his crucifixion he instituted this memorial as he passed to his followers the bread and wine, with the following words: "Take, eat; this is in remembrance of my body."-Matthew 26:22. "This is in remembrance of my blood."-Matthew 26:24.

          To the Nephites in the Book of Mormon he said, "And this ye shall do in remembrance of my body," and "Ye shall do it in remembrance of my blood."

IT IS A PLEDGE

          The sacrament is a renewal of the pledge made at the time of baptism. This is best explained in the words of the prayers of blessing which are, without exception, used at the time of administering the emblems. "O God, the eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son and witness unto thee, O God, the eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he has given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen."-Doctrine and Covenants 17: 22.

WHAT RESULT SHOULD THE SACRAMENT BRING IN OUR LIVES?

          After intelligent and devout partaking of the sacrament one should have a feeling of cleanness, of justification before God, of an opportunity to make a new start in life, and of a determination to keep more fully his first covenant in baptism. Christ knows how prone we are to neglect our original baptismal covenant, and gives us this opportunity of regaining that cleanliness so vivid on our baptism day. He has provided that we meet together often in prayer, that we meet regularly in communion service and have the opportunity of re-affirming our intention to serve him and keep his commandments.

          Thus the value of the sacrament lies in sincerity of heart in the one partaking.

WHAT IS THE DUTY OF ONE ABOUT TO PARTAKE OF THE SACRAMENT?

          It is the duty of a Saint about to partake of the sacrament to examine himself as to his worthiness. This worthiness involves a right attitude to his fellows, to his church, and to his God. As the value of the sacrament lies only in the spiritual change in the one partaking, it is a sin to treat the communion service lightly. The responsibility is largely upon the communicant to see that he does partake worthily.

          "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 condemnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body."-I Corinthians 11: 27-29.

IS THE COMMUNICANT THE SOLE ARBITER OF WORTHINESS TO PARTAKE?

          No. There is a very definite responsibility placed upon those ministers called upon to administer the sacrament. It is the duty of the administrative officers involved to see that one who is known to be in transgression does not bring condemnation upon himself and desecration upon his Lord and the church by partaking unworthily.

          "And now behold, this is the commandment which I give unto you, that ye shall not suffer anyone knowingly to partake of my flesh and blood Unworthily, when ye shall minister it, for whoso eateth and drinketh my flesh and blood unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to his Soul."-Nephi 8:60.

HOW OFTEN SHALL I PARTAKE OF THE SACRAMENT?

          "For as oft as ye eat of this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. Exact frequency of partaking of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper is not given. We are instructed:

          "It is expedient that the church meet together often to partake of bread and wine in remembrance of the Lord Jesus."-Doctrine and Covenants 17:22.

          At a later time, when differences of opinion arose in the church and guidance was needed to aid the people to attain harmony, the following was given:

          "Cease to contend respecting the sacrament and the time of administering it; for whether it be upon the first Lord's day of every month, or upon the Lord's day of every week, if it be administered by the officers of the church with sincerity of heart and in purity of purpose, and be partaken of in remembrance of Jesus Christ and in willingness to take upon them his name by them who partake, it is acceptable to God."-Doctrine and Covenants 119:5.

          It is now customary among most of the congregations of the church to observe the sacrament of the Lord's Supper on the first Sunday of the month. Groups that meet only occasionally may and do partake of it whenever they meet, and it is sometimes received on special occasions, as of dedication services to mark the climax of a series, a conference, or an institute.

WHO MAY PARTAKE OF THIS SACRAMENT?

          The church follows the practice of close communion, that is, only those who have entered into the church by the covenant of baptism administered by authorized ministers of this church are offered the emblems at a communion service. While this is true, anyone may attend the communion services, and we are instructed to exclude none from attendance at these services.

          As this sacrament described by President F. M. Smith as "the second great sacrament" is a renewal of a covenant, one who has not made his covenant with God, of course, cannot renew it. It is well that a Saint inviting his friends to such meetings inform them of this belief. If this is done prior to the service, embarrassment is avoided.

WHO MAY ADMINISTER THIS SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER?

          Any officer of the Melchisedec priesthood may administer the sacrament, also those ordained to the office of Aaronic priest. Teachers and deacons of the church do not administer in this ordinance.

          "It is expedient that the church meet together often to partake of bread and wine in remembrance of the Lord Jesus; and the elder or priest shall administer it."-Doctrine and Covenants 17:22.

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