Each week, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints partake of the sacrament, a sacred ordinance where bread and water are consumed as a symbol of Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice. The sacrament is also a time for those who have been baptized to renew their covenants, or promises, to follow Christ.
While it is a wonderful blessing to be able to partake of the sacrament each week, such consistency also means the sacred can quickly become rote if we’re not careful. If you find your mind wandering or the sacrament spiritually unfulfilling, here are three simple things you can do to reconnect with the Savior through the sacrament.
Use the Sacrament Prayer as Personal Inventory
We hear the sacrament prayers every week. The words may be simple, but when we take a closer look we find some very deep questions. Applying these questions to our hearts or even to the past week can keep our minds focused on Christ. For example:
- Are you willing to take the name of Christ upon yourself?
- How can you better keep the commandments?
- Did you remember Christ in the past week? If not, how can he become part of your life?
- How has the spirit been influencing your life?
As we reflect deeply on our covenants as found in the sacrament prayer, we invite a more powerful spirit of inspiration and reverence into our lives.
Create a List of Scriptures About Christ
Create a list of your favorite scriptures about Christ to reflect upon during the sacrament. You can review the many scriptures found in the Topical Guide under the headings for “Jesus Christ” or you can choose scriptures that have personal meaning for you. Other inspired materials you can use include “Jesus the Christ,” quotes from LDS conference talks, and the sacrament hymns.
Imagine the Funeral of Christ
As Latter-day Saints, we focus on the living Christ. The sacrament is one of the few times we can truly reflect on Christ’s death. Much of the symbolism surrounding the sacrament reflects the death and burial of Christ, from the white shroud to the broken bread. Approach the sacrament with the same reverence you would when attending the funeral of a loved one. It is a time to reflect on what the life and death of Christ really mean to you in your life. It’s also a time to rejoice in the fact that no death is ever permanent through Christ.
What has helped you find greater meaning in the sacrament? Share below.
