Lesson 2
Unit 1 –
Choice 6 - The Sacrament
1
Corinthians 10:16-21; 11:20-29; 3 Nephi 18:6-11. 28-29
In these
scriptures, three personages are talking about the administration of the sacrament,
Paul, Luke, and Nephi. The three prophets mention that the bread and cup
represent His body and blood respectably. We also learn that when we partake of
them, we do it to remember Him. It is interesting that Luke and Nephi used the
word “give.” This word present us a better understanding about that moment and
its importance. He did not only teach them about what the bread and cup meant,
He also serve them by giving and serving them the Sacrament. In a way, He was
also teaching them that when the time come, they will need to minister the
members of the church, by giving them the opportunity to participate of this
sacred covenant.
When
partaking of the sacrament, one has to be worthy of doing it. Elder Robert D.
Hales said, “For the Sacrament to be a spiritually cleansing experience each
week, we need to prepare ourselves before coming to the sacrament meeting.”
Paul teaches us that the members need to examine themselves to see if they are
worthy of partaking. Nephi, on the other hand, teaches, “Ye shall forbid him.”
In the church, nobody has the authority to forbid others to partake of the
sacrament, only the bishop can do it, however, only when the person has confessed
a transgression that requires time to repent. Now, when we know someone is not
doing well, we can, if the circumstances are appropriate, give them advice and counsel
them. We need to invite them to go to their bishop, he and other leaders have
the help they need to repent and come back to Christ with a clean life.
If a member
partake of the sacrament unworthily, he or she might think that the bishop or
nobody will ever know. However, Paul teaches that in doing so; they can bring damnation
to them. Besides, it also prevents us from coming together with Christ and
fulfilling our part of the covenant.
If there is
nothing we need to confess to the correspondent leaders, there are many things that
we can do to participate every week of the sacrament, and make it the most
meaningful reunion of our week. Prayer and scripture reading is always on top
of the list. We also can also avoid any distraction, like putting away any
electronic device. Paying close attention to the sacrament prayers and ponder
their meaning. We can also say a silent prayer. However, and this is my
personal thing to do, we can also auto analyze ourselves. It is a good time to
see how well or bad we are doing in keeping the commandments and our covenants
with God. It is very important to have a weekly goal: coming to church on
Sunday, ready and worthy of partaking of the bread and water that represent or
Savior.
Unit 2 – Choice
2
2 Corinthians
2: 1-11; Matthew 6:14-15; D&C 64: 9-10
Forgiveness
Paul
commanded the Corinthians to be forgive one another. He goes even further,
telling them that they need to comfort those who caused them grief, and reaffirm
their love to them.
However,
what do we gain by following Pauls’ counsel? The Lord has told us, that as we
forgive others, He will forgive us as well. How could we ask for forgiveness
when in our heart we have feeling of resentment against others? By disobeying
this commandment, we bring condemnation to ourselves. We remain in sin, and as
I mentioned before, the Lord will not forgive us.
“I, the Lord,
will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.”
D&C 64:10
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