“The Sacrament”

At the age of 11 David was preparing to receive the Aronic Priesthood. His 3 older brothers where all members of this great priesthood body and all he ever wanted to do, was to be like them. So he began to study the roles of a Deacon and found that the most important role was to pass and partake of the Sacrament Ordinance. A month prior to his birthday he began to watch the Sacrament with more intent. He noticed those around him and noticed his mother would shed a tear as she partook of the bread and water. After noticing this as a regular occurrence David finally asked his mother, “Why do you cry during the Sacrament?” His mother first a little taken back by the random question looked at David with pure love and simply whispered, “Because I know my Savior Jesus Christ loves me.”

The day finally came that David was to be ordained as a Deacon and pass the Sacrament. He awoke that morning with much excitement in fact he was so excited he woke up two hours early. But David was ready. He had his nicest suit on, his crisp pressed white shirt, and a snazzy tie. He spent an hour longer getting ready making sure his hair was combed, his finger nails where cleaned and trimmed, and his shoes where nice and shinny. The moment finally came and David past the sacrament. His older brother Joseph was a priest and was blessing the Sacrament that day. He noticed David had a huge grin on his face as he was passing the Sacrament and latter that day he asked David, “Why did you smile so big during the Sacrament?” David replied quite quickly, “Because I know my Savior Jesus Christ loves me.”

My name is Timothy Sopalski and I have been sent her by assignment from the Stake to address you this beautiful morning. I want you all to know that I know my Savior Jesus Christ loves me. He has blessed you with a beautiful Ordinance that we call the Sacrament. As shared above David understood the importance of the Sacrament. We know this by his preparation. Brothers and sisters how do you prepare for the Sacrament? Priesthood holders should be prepared as if it was their day to pass, set up, or bless the Sacrament. This means well groomed and in Sunday best this includes a white shirt for this is symbolic to the priesthood you bear. Sisters should be also in there Sunday best, modest, and appropriate accessories.

Of course all of us should be prepared spiritually prior to walking into the doors of the chapel. Ways to be prepared are personal and should be taken as such. However here are some suggestions on ways to be spiritually prepared. Of course reading your scriptures and praying day and night. I may suggest taking a moment during your scripture study on Sunday morning and think back on the week and evaluate the things you have done. Repent of the things you may have not repented of already and thank the Lord for the blessings he has bestowed upon you. This will prepare you to renew your covenants to the Lord. You do not need to be perfect in order to partake of the sacrament, but you should have a spirit of humility and repentance in your heart. Every week strive to prepare for this sacred ordinance with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

We partake of the Sacrament of the bread and the water in remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this water to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

In these sacred prayers for the blessing of the bread and water we covenant to take the name of His son upon us, to always remember Him, and keep His Commandments. If we do this our Heavenly Father promises or covenants with us that we may always have His Spirit to be with us. Please note the word always. Through the Priesthood and the restored gospel the Lord has lodged the power to seal on earth and to seal in heaven as He did in the time of the Apostle Peter. The covenants we make here in our mortal lives will be bound in the Kingdom of God.

Dallin H. Oaks states the following in regards to the Sacrament. “The ordinance of the sacrament makes the sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the Church. It is the only Sabbath meeting the entire family can attend together. Its content in addition to the sacrament should always be planned and presented to focus our attention on the Atonement and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and atoned for our sins. Several years before Elder Orson F. Whitney was ordained an Apostle, he received a vision of the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane. “I seemed to be in the Garden of Gethsemane, a witness of the Savior’s agony. I saw Him as plainly as ever I have seen anyone. Standing behind a tree in the foreground, I beheld Jesus, with Peter, James and John, as they came through a little … gate at my right. Leaving the three Apostles there, after telling them to kneel and pray, the Son of God passed over to the other side, where He also knelt and prayed. It was the same prayer with which all Bible readers are familiar: ‘Oh my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.’
“As He prayed the tears streamed down his face, which was toward me. I was so moved at the sight that I also wept, out of pure sympathy. My whole heart went out to him; I loved him with all my soul, and longed to be with him as I longed for nothing else.
“Presently He arose and walked to where those Apostles were kneeling—fast asleep! He shook them gently, awoke them, and in a tone of tender reproach, untinctured by the least show of anger or impatience, asked them plaintively if they could not watch with him one hour. There He was, with the awful weight of the world’s sin upon his shoulders, with the pangs of every man, woman and child shooting through his sensitive soul—and they could not watch with him one poor hour!
“Returning to his place, He offered up the same prayer as before; then went back and again found them sleeping. Again he awoke them, readmonished them, and once more returned and prayed. Three times this occurred”
After the Garden of Gethsemane as we know the Savior was arrested and brought to the government. After a long disagreement between the governments it was finally decided that the people would decide.

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

Imagine being in this crowd of people standing there looking unto the Savior as He has been scourged and beatened. Blood pouring down is face and his strength seems lost. Imagine hearing the crowd yelling and shouting Crucify Him! Crucify Him! My Savior they took and made him bear a cross all the way to Calvary. Yet he did not murmur in fact upon that cross He pleaded to His Heavenly Father to forgive them.

Elder Jeffery R. Holland has this to say about the forgiveness that was given that day. “When I consider Him bearing the weight of all our sins and forgiving those who would nail Him to the cross, I ask not “How did He do it?” but “Why did He do it?” As I examine my life against the mercifulness of His, I find how I fail to do as much as I should in following the Master….. Jesus Christ was the purest and only perfect person who ever lived. He is the one person in all the world from Adam to this present hour who deserved adoration and respect and admiration and love, and yet He was persecuted, abandoned, and put to death. Through it all, He would not condemn those who persecuted Him.”

We can not be heavy in heart. We must forgive those who offend us and hurt us. It is not an easy cross to bear or an easy road to travel but I promise this that the load will be lightened once you come to this peace of forgiveness.

“To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world”
Remember Him is a simple task in comparasion to what He has done for us. As we partake of the Sacrament let us not forget the sacrifice and love of our Savior. Also let us not forget the phrase, “He is risen!” Angels appeared and said simply, “Why seek ye the living among the dead? “He is not here, but is risen” President Ezra Taft Benson has commented, “There is nothing in history to equal that dramatic announcement: “He is not here, but is risen.” Our Savior Jesus Christ lives and appeared to Joseph Smith in a grove where He restored his Church in these the latter days. I pray that we may all remember David and smile because the Lord loves you and wants you to return back to Him.

Relying on the Spirit

Timmy at the age of 11 was introduced to the knowledge of the Church of Jesus Christ of later day saints. He was just like any other 11 year old boy who loved to run , climb trees, and make his sisters angry. Two months prior his father and his younger brother sat out watching the stars on one very clear night. His Father began to talk of a book that he felt to be another testiment of the Savior. Timmy was curious and wanted to know more so he asked for permission to read the book. The next day he was handed the book and men began to come over in nice suits. During this time he read the first two pages atleast 10 times and could not make it past them. His Father and some of his siblings began to meet regulary with the men in suits who both had the same first name Elder. They where missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. He was then asked to read some scriptures from the Book of Mormon and then challenged to pray about it asking of it's truth. He had read the passages but never actually nelt down to pray. One night as he camped in his front yard he woke early in the morning with a sudden urge to know. He felt it to be appropriate to find a spot and kneel in prayer. He knelt down next to the picnic table where they had taken the discussions. With the sun barely rising creating the most beautiful picture of magastic colors. He prayed to know the truth just as the scriptures and the missionaries said to do. He began to sob with an overwhelming amount of tears the Spirit came over him. His heart rejoiced with comfort and peace. He knew the truth that the Book of Mormon was sent by his Heavenly Father as another testiment of His son, Jesus Christ.

My name is Tim Sopalski also known as Timmy. I am here on assignment from the stake to share some thoughts with you and I pray that the spirit will simply prick your hearts to know as I do the things I share are true. I was raised Catholic and attended regulary to everything sunday school, confession, and service. I even participated in the chior, hand bells, and was an altar boy. In fact I remember one confession that I went to the priest and told him of the Book I was reading. I had found out it was a sin to read other doctrine that was not of my faith so I confessed. I will never forget his words, “Do not fret it is ok nothing will come of you and that book.” Yet here I am standing talking to you today. I was baptized just a month later and now attend the Single Ward and I am preparing to serve a mission. The Lord blessed me that day with surety and a testimony of the Book of Mormon. I relied on the Spirit to bless me with this knowledge.

1st Corithian 2:9-16

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the aspirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

In this passage Paul counsels the Saints to rely on the Spirit rather than the wisdom and philosophies of the world. The natural man knows not of the ways of the Spirit for in the natural eye it is foolish. Brothern and sisters we must wear are spiritual eyes at all times. These are not spiritual glasses that you may remove at your leisure. President Spencer W. Kimball taught: “There is opportunity to get both [secular and spiritual learning] simultaneously. … If we spend our mortal days in accumulating secular knowledge to the exclusion of the spiritual then we are in a dead-end street, for this is the time for man to prepare to meet God; this is the time for faith to be built, for baptism to be effected, for the Holy Ghost to be received, for the ordinances to be performed. Contemporary with this program can come the secular knowledge, for even in the spirit world after death our spirits can go on learning”

As we all know Paul struggled with speash as he preached the gospel. In 1st Corinthians chapter 2 we find that paul relied on the Spirit and not the wisdom of the world to teach the gospel. Why do we sometimes rely more on our own wisdom and intellect than on revelation through the Spirit? Elder Bruce R. McConkie once said, “Pure religion is a thing of the Spirit and not of the intellect alone, and its truths must be carried into the hearts of hearers by the power of the Spirit, otherwise the human soul is not changed … and the seeker after salvation does not become alive in Christ” It is our obligation and covenant as members of this gospel to share and expound on the words of Christ. We are all missionaries and must rely on the spirit to over come the weakness we may be carrying. Come unto Christ is a simple invitation from our Lord. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Mathew 11:29-30). Here the Savior tells us that his way is light and easy. This is true knowledge from our Savior and the Spirit testifies of this. However the World's intellect will tell us that it is not easy nor light. Many will ask why is it so difficult to keep the commandments? Why am I pursecuted for choicing the right?

Young men and young women youwill face this every day as peer preasure will try to make you feel as if your way has to many restrictions. They will make you feel alone in your endavor to obey the Lord. They will entice you with a carefree and fun attitude. It is your birth right to stand for the Lord and say no. I advise you in these moments to turn to your parents and allow them to help you remain strong. You will fill a heavy burden as if you are a ship in a storm. I promise you that if you do not give in to the bashing waves of your friends. When the storm has eased you will see yourself stronger while your friends will seem as slugs. For there ways are temporally fun and enjoyable but have ever lasting consicounses that are heavy on the heart and soul. Rely on the Spirit to know the things that are right and wrong. You are daughters and sons of a Heavenly Father remember this every morning you wake up and face those heavy storms.

Where does one begin to rely on the Spirit? We must seek Him. We must have a desire to have the spirit as our companion through every situation. My personal philosophy has recently became if I would not openly invite the spirit with me then I shall not go. Life will throw many things at us and Satan is well crafted in the world and knows what works. This is why it is important to invite the spirit to be with us at all times. That sounds easy right? It is not because we not only need to invite him but we need to retain the Spirit in our lives.

Sister Mollie Sorensen learned this lesson as she shares the following, “We were having a casual conversation when my friend remarked, “Mollie, you will never be able to maintain the Spirit in your life until you learn to pray continually.” After we hung up, I snarled, “Who is she to tell me? How does she know I don’t pray enough? After my feathers smoothed down, I realized she was right! As I honestly evaluated my life, I realized that seeking the Spirit was not really a priority for me. I seldom prayed in the morning and often skipped evening prayers. It wasn’t that I was lazy. I spent a lot of energy every day—worrying, planning, rushing from task to task, feeling guilty when I continually fell short of perfection. But I took very little time to confide in Heavenly Father, to seek his comforting peace, to ask for his guiding Spirit in my life.”

The Apostle Paul taught; “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” We face choices every day. Do we rely on the Spirit for the choices we are making? Are we continually seeking the Spirit as a companion? Do we maintain the Spirit in our lives?

Doctrine and Covenants Section 101 verse 7 and 8 gives us the following counsel. “They were slow to hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; therefore, the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers, to answer them in the day of their trouble. In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me.”

Sister Sorensen conludes her thoughts with this statement, “When I have the Lord’s Spirit with me, I have greater joy in my heart, whatever drudgeries and difficulties life may bring. And praying faithfully—on good days and bad is a key to making the blessings of the Spirit a more consistent part of my life.”

May we all strive to remember the Lord as the sacrament prayers state every Sunday. We renew our baptismal covenants with in this sweet hour and yet we forget what it is that we vowed the very next day. That is until times get hard and difficult. We have all done this and I challenge you to evaluate your life and look at the spiritual applications that can be adjusted to better invite the Spirit as a constent companion. May you stand amoungst the crowd, even the world and be recognized as Joseph of Egypt was recognized by the Pharoh. For Pharoh made the statement, “Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?” Joseph was a man who relied on the Spirit of the Lord so completely that even a man who was blinded by the practice of idolatry, namely Pharaoh, recognized his unusual countenance and strength. I stand her before you today as a witness of the Spirit, the Holy Ghost, who is a member of the God Head. He will be with thee as yea humbly seek after Him and wish to retain His conteniance upon you.