Mormonism Basics: Sacrament, Pt. 2

Photo by Del Parson
http://www.delparson.com/

This is part two in explaining the Mormonism Sacrament.  If you missed part one you can find it here.

Symbols of the Atonement of Jesus Christ can be found throughout the sacrament.  Indeed, the sacrament itself is all about the Atonement and was first performed by Christ himself.

"And 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 -

In my post "Sacrifice-Typifying of Christ" I explained some of the symbolism involved in the ancient sacrifices that were made before Christ's coming in the Meridian of Time.  These sacrifices were used as a way to look forward to the coming of Christ, and his sacrifice for us.  So when Christ came and performed his sacrifice the form of our sacrifices changed.  We no longer looked forward to him, but we now look back in remembrance of what he did.  What sacrifice was for ancient saints the sacrament is for us.

Christ's mortal life ended on the cross in Calvary.  His blood was spilt and his body was bruised and broken.  This is all evident in the ordinance of the sacrament.  Bread is broken as a symbol of Christ's body.  And the water is there as a representation of the blood that was spilt.

Also in the sacrament ordinance is the sacrament table, where it is prepared and blessed.  This table is a representation of an altar, whereon is placed the emblems of Christ's body.  This scene is very much a symbol of Christ's body being sacrificed for us.

On the emblems, the bread and water, is placed a white cloth.  What is commonly used to show purity and cleanliness.  And the cloth itself can be looked at as a representation of the cloth that covered Christ in the tomb, later removed when Christ was resurrected.

All throughout the sacrament can be found symbolism and representations that lead us to think of Jesus Christ.

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Interested in learning more about Mormonism or the Sacrament?
Read about it here: https://www.lds.org/topics/sacrament?lang=eng
Or ask a missionary about it here: http://mormon.org/chat

Mormonism Basics: Sacrament, Pt. 1

A sacrament is, by definition, a visible sign of an inward grace.  It is similar to what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints calls an 'ordinance.'  Examples would be baptism, confirmation of the priesthood, marriage, etc.  But when sacrament is mentioned in Mormonism it is most often in reference to the Lord's Supper, or the Holy Sacrament.  For convenience, when I use the word 'Sacrament' in this page I am referring to the Lord's Supper.

As stated earlier these ordinances, such as Sacrament, are visible signs of an inward grace.  That is, they are physical representations of our devotion and promises made to God.  The Sacrament is to remind us of Christ's Atonement as well as allow us to renew the covenants made in baptism.  In this post I'll talk about the baptismal covenants and in part two of this post I'll go over how the Atonement is portrayed in the Sacrament.

Baptism is our way of showing we are willing to follow Christ and keep his commandments.  The clearest explanation of the promises made in baptism can be found in the Doctrine and Covenants:

"And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism - All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church."
- Doctrine and Covenants 20:37 -

When someone is baptized that person is showing he is willing to take upon him "the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end."  When we take the name of the Savior upon us we then must act in a way that would represent what the Savior would do.  If we do this humbly then the Lord promises a remission of our sins and the Spirit as a companion.
*For more on Mormonism baptism, visit the following posts:
- Baptism Explained
- Born of Water and of the Spirit

Taking the sacrament is a renewal of these promises.  We promise as we take the sacrament to do our best to serve Christ in all our doings, and if we can do so with a broken heart and contrite spirit then Christ will remit our sins and give us the Spirit.

You can read part two of Mormonism Sacrament here:
http://holyfruits.blogspot.com/2012/12/mormonism-basics-sacrament-pt-2.html

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Want to know more about Baptism?  Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can give you more info and help answer any of your questions.  Just ask!

*Click on the picture to chat with a missionary.