Christ's Commandments: The Sacrament

"For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins..."
Matthew 26:28

"No, I'm not literally feeding you with flesh and blood, it's symbolic."

The Last Supper may have been the most uncomfortable dinner party in history. It all began when Jesus Christ asked His Disciples to find a room to celebrate the Passover feast in. They must have been excited, but they quickly learned that this was going to be no cozy meal. Jesus announced that He would soon be betrayed to His death. All of the Apostles were saddened by this news except for Judas, who was more annoyed that Jesus knew what he was planning.

It was in this solemn atmosphere that Jesus decided to begin the real meal of the occasion. He shredded a loaf of bread and then, after the Apostles ate from it, He passed around a cup of wine. This, He declared, was the "blood of the new testament," or the new promise which they would make with God. It was a symbol designed to remind them of His death and the meaning it would have for the world. Ever since that fateful night, Christians all over the world have continued that essential supper, hoping to remember Christ and the price that He paid soon after it was finished.

Why Do Christians Still Eat and Drink The Sacrament?

The Sacrament (sometimes also called Communion) is a symbol of Jesus Christ and His Sacrifice. It's a reminder of His sacrifice in The Garden of Gethsemane and on the Cross. Jesus Christ's sacrifice and later return to life is called The Atonement, and it's the only way to be reconciled with God. Thus, eating The Sacrament is a way to express gratitude for Jesus Christ's sacrifice.

Jesus Christ explained that The Sacrament is necessary to receiving eternal life. "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:54)" After His death and Resurrection, the Apostle Paul added a solemn warning about The Sacrament. "...let a man examine himself... For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. (1 Corintians 28-29)" It is clear in The Holy Bible that The Sacrament is extremely important, but it doesn't explain how.

Fortunately, there was another people Christ taught about The Sacrament. They lived on the opposite side of the world, far out of the knowledge of the Jewish people. They kept their own record, which is Another Testament of Jesus Christ. That record was The Book of Mormon.

What Does The Book of Mormon Teach About The Sacrament?

The Nephite people were living on the American continent around the time of Christ's death. They had prophets of their own who taught them the Commandments and testified of Jesus Christ and His Atonement. After Christ's death, a massive storm struck the American continent and covered the land with darkness. After His Resurrection and work among the Jews was complete, Christ Himself appeared to the Nephites and revealed His Gospel to them. While He visited them, He further explained many elements of His gospel, including Baptism and The Sacrament.

Jesus Christ explained: "...[The Sacrament] doth witness unto the Father that ye are willing to do that which I have commanded you. And this shall ye always do to those who repent and are baptized in my name; and ye shall do it in remembrance of my blood, which I have shed for you, that ye may witness unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you." (3 Nephi 18:10-11)

The Book of Mormon reveals the connection between Baptism and The Sacrament. When we are baptized by priesthood authority,  we make a promise to God to obey His Commandments and do our best to live a good life. With baptism comes the promise that as long as we're worthy, we can always have The Holy Spirit with us. The full purpose of The Sacrament is to renew the promise made at Baptism, which cleanses us from sin and allows us to always have the Holy Spirit's guidance. With this context, we can better understand The New Testament scriptures. The Sacrament is essential for eternal life because it is how keep our remission of sins after Baptism. Paul's warning about The Sacrament was for people who were baptized, but no longer met the basic standards for Baptism.

"Oh, it's symbolic!"

Ideas for Living This Commandment

Repent and be Baptized!
Baptism is what starts us on the journey to eternal happiness. Without being Baptized, The Sacrament can't purify us or fill us with the Holy Spirit.

Attend Church Regularly and Take The Sacrament
When we make that consistent effort each week to take The Sacrament, we show Jesus Christ that we want to follow His example. We receive that refreshing spirit, which braces us and prepares us for the trials and challenges of the week.

Visit The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
When we need a doctor or a police officer, we hope they have authority and that they are properly trained for their job. Likewise, when we take The Sacrament, we hope that the men blessing and passing it are authorized servants of Jesus Christ. The Sacrament always reminds us of Jesus Christ, but there's something special about it when it's blessed and passed by God's Priesthood authority. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only church on earth today that has the Priesthood and that authority invites a special spirit into the meeting. I would invite everyone to come and experience that feeling for themselves. I know you will be impressed with what you experience.