Our Sacrament- The Practice & Process

Our Sacrament- The Practice & Process
By: Jacob Sok

I recall one special, tender experience as missionary in South America. While my dear companion and I were in the process of the sharing the restored gospel message with a wonderful man, we had truly heavenly time getting to know, love and teach this man. In one particular lesson we were very excited to share some of the fundamentals of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many would derive these as being such important elements as 'Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End [meaning our mortal probation]'.

As we talked with this man and shared these truths, we explained how after baptism we still have the chance to repent and become clean again if and most definitely when we fall short. I became clearer and clearer to me, that the gospel is not a checklist of steps, but rather lifestyle and and a process of being new and better people. This truth is made clear when we learn of the Lord's Sacrament, the partaking of the emblems that represent His Atoning Sacrifice for us. By partaking in this ordinance with a spirit of humility, repentance and hope, we are renewed with our convanent promised blessings, of having Christ's Spirit to be with us and being counted as His people.

While explaining this to the man, we shared, much to his amazement, that when we fall short after baptism we need not to be baptized again, but apply the gospel process to our improving and partake in the Sacrament. He was very intrigued and when we shared that this blessing is not just a rarity but a weekly privilege and reassurance from the Lord, he asked in almost a 'to good to be true' tone "Every week?". We assured that yes, every week! His immense hope catered in his humble inquiry has remained with me long-after that night, and has since placed great value on that weekly bread an water that we, at times may take for granted.

In the famous Pauline Epistles to the believers in Corinth, we find such inspired council. While reviewing portions of what was read this week, I came across a few verses that helped add new light on the special nature of the Sacrament. In 1 Corinthians 11 verse 28 Paul counsels, "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup."  While this sacred nature of this ordinance requires that we not do so unworthily, this is by far not ordinance for perfect people, that would equivalent to a hospital that only cares for the healthy. To be worthy of this sacrament is to say that we are striving to work with our divine 'doctor', sicknesses, bumps, bruises, and all.

For me I love the counsel found in the phrase "let a man examine himself", what better thing to do as we partake in the sacrament and remember our Lord. In my efforts to put more meaning in to my gospel living, I have come to realize that the sacrament each week is a time in which we come to the Lord having looked at our week acknowledge the 'good, the bad, and the ugly (sometimes)' and prayerfully recommit to striving for a better week to come. In preparation for such a special time, I have found that my prayers preluding this ordinance serve as reflection of all that has come to pass during my week; apologizing for the mistakes and expressing gratitude for what I have been able to do well.

A few chapters later Paul teaches in chapter 14 verse 20, "...be not little children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men". Here I relish in the imagery of being children in certain things and being men in other areas. This is to say Paul's prayer, is that we can be 'children' or undeveloped, unpracticed and innocent of setbacks and sin, and be 'men' or developed, matured, well practiced in the good fruits of gospel living. 

As we examine ourselves each week we may ask ourselves, what am I developed in, in what things am a child vs and adult.  My parents would say that I put the "pro" [i.e. professional] in 'procrastination', and I would sadly have to agree that I am a man or developed in procrastination, and my hope is with my renewal of efforts and covenants I can learn to become once again child in that area.

Elder David B Haight, who served as an Apostle in this dispensation, coined the phrase, "growing into your priesthood", to that I would add 'growing into those strengths" we desire in our path to becoming more like the Savior. I am grateful the this gospel is one of potential and practice, as a path to perfection. To fully appreciate the gospel of Jesus Christ one must understand, that this life and the heavenly standards we meet are not about checklists and earned points to get to heaven, but rather His gospel is that of a process of becoming more heavenly.

The very word 'sacrament' has two parts; sacr- which is derived to mean "sacred" and the suffix ment- which is to say "the action, or product, the process of". Therefore sacrament is to say, the process of becoming sacred, (i.e. christlike, heavenly, sanctified). I hope and pray that this meaning may invite us all to take comfort and reassurance, that the Lord who does ask of us to live by standards does not expect us to be there 100% by tonight, or even next week. He asks that we use the gift of the His Son, learn to become like Him day by day, with renewed strength each and every time we partake in that holy ordinance of the Sacrament.

God does not place us in no-win scenarios and with the gifts "so freely he proffers [us]" (see LDS Hymn, I Stand All Amazed) we can do it. We are to find joy and hope in this process and know that the Lord is more concerned about the direction of our lives than the pace at which we get there. I love Jesus Christ, and testify of Him, praying His grace upon us all as we put one step in front of the other towards our heavenly home.

Amen.

Sources:
-1 Corinthians Chapter 11-14
-LDS Hymnal.
-LDS Conference Reports.
-Online Dictionary.