Greeting brothers and sisters, We hope you are having or have had a wonderful sabbath day. Bless you in your worship of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ on this day. In speaking of the sabbath day we have the wonderful opportunity to partake of the holy Sacrament. We recognize during this time of COVID19 where administering and partaking of the Sacrament may be limited. Please communicate with your ministering brothers or ministering sisters if you have not had the opportunity to receive the Sacrament. They can work with the Elders Quorum and Relief Society presidents, as authorized by your Bishop, to coordinate your opportunity to do so. In our 'Come, Follow Me' studies this week we read in Moroni chapters 4 and 5 the prayers for the blessing of the bread and wine (water) and the manner in which it is administered. Moroni 4 1 The manner of their elders and priests administering the flesh and blood of Christ unto the church; and they administered it according to the commandments of Christ; wherefore we know the manner to be true; and the elder or priest did minister it— 2 And they did kneel down with the church, and pray to the Father in the name of Christ, saying: 3 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 hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. And then Moroni 5 1 The manner of administering the wine—Behold, they took the cup, and said: 2 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine 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. Partaking of the Sacrament is a wonderful opportunity for us, as baptized members, to renew our commitment to keep the covenants we've made to take upon us his name, always remember him, and keep his commandments. The promised blessing, we may always have his Spirit to be with us. For us, as children of a loving Heavenly Father, our Savior's atonement is the only greater gift in this life. I know our participation in the Sacrament is key to our renewal each week. There is that recommitment to our baptismal covenants, a reminder to us, as we partake of the Sacrament with real intent, the promises we've made to our Heavenly Father. I know Heavenly Father upholds his promise. It can not be said enough how important it is for us to have his Spirit to be with us. As a side challenge, I encourage you to prayerfully ponder the Sacrament prayers regularly and not just as they are being given as part of the Sacrament. Here's a part that I find myself pondering on often: "to bless and sanctify this bread/water to the souls of all those who partake/drink of it". We love you. We pray for you. We thank you for your service. Bless you as you take upon you Christ's name, always remember him and keep his commandments, that the Spirit may always be with you. Washington Stake Presidency Noel Jackson
Stake Presidency First Counselor.
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