The Sacrament in Mormonism
When Latter-day Saints (Mormons) refer to the taking of “the sacrament,” they are referring to the ceremony of eating bread and drinking water which are symbols, or reminders, of the body and blood of Christ, which He willingly gave up during His atoning sacrifice for all.
The blessing and administration of the sacrament occurs every Sunday during the main worship service of a Mormon congregation. Only worthy baptized members of the Church are allowed to take the sacrament. In most cases, bread is broken into small pieces and placed and trays. Righteous men who hold the priesthood bless the bread, reciting specific words of a prayer that Jesus Christ revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith during the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1830. (These sacramental prayers are recorded in The Doctrine and Covenants, section 20, verses 77 and 79.) After the prayer, the trays are then passed around the seated congregation. The same process occurs when the water, poured in small cups and situated on trays, is blessed and passed.
During the sacrament Mormons remember the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is He who first instituted the sacrament, which is also known as the “Last Supper.” In the New Testament, the Apostle Luke’s account of this first sacrament is recorded. On the night of His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus first met with his Apostles in the upper room of a house in Jerusalem to eat the Passover feast. This is a ritual feast which Jewish people ate each year to remind them of the time when the destroying angel passed over the houses of their ancestors in Egypt and did not kill their firstborn sons (see Exodus 12:21-30). During that meal Christ taught the Apostles the practice of eating bread that symbolizes his body, and drinking water, or wine, which symbolizes his blood. Luke recorded, “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).
It is exactly according to this example that Mormons take the sacrament every Sunday. Just as Jesus broke the bread and blessed and passed the bread and wine, priesthood holders perform the same duties during the Mormon worship service. The privilege to represent Christ in the sacrament service is not taken lightly, and men must be worthy priesthood holders to do so.
Mormons believe that through this ceremony the promises they made to the Lord at baptism are renewed. When members of the LDS Church are baptized they promise the Lord that they will take upon them the name of Jesus Christ and serve Him and be obedient. By taking upon themselves the name of Jesus Christ, Mormons promise to remember Him in all they do and live their lives in accordance with His teachings.
