All of us sin, and this ordinance gives us a chance to renew our baptismal covenants.
If we keep the promises we make, God will promise us His Spirit.
We should be thinking of Jesus and of His wonderful atonement.
During this time, we can evaluate our lives and promise to do better.
What ordinance are we talking about? (Sacrament)
Note cards
Pass out an index card to each of the youth and have them write down what they were thinking about during the Sacrament (to the best of their ability). We won't share, it is for you to recognize only!
Read the account where Christ instituted the Sacrament to the Nephites (3 Nephi 18:1-13).
Give them a second index card to hold on to. Tell them we are going to discuss a talk given by Elder Don R. Clarke and come up with five things we can do to make partaking of the sacrament more meaningful.
Five Principles
Using Elder Don R. Clarke's talk "Blessings of the Sacrament," from October 2012 General Conference as a guideline, discuss the five principles that make partaking of the sacrament more meaningful.
1. Have a feeling of gratitude for the Atonement of Jesus Christ
Why is this important? How can we identify and show our gratitude for the atonement?
2. Remember that we are renewing our Baptismal Covenants
What are the promises we made when we were baptized? TAKE the Sacrament
Take His name upon me
Always remember Him
Keep His commandments
Endure to the end
3. During the Sacrament we can feel forgiven of our sins
President Boyd K. Packer said, "The sacrament renews the process of forgiveness. Every Sunday when the sacrament is served, that is a ceremony to renew the process of forgiveness...Every Sunday you cleanse yourself so that, in due time, when you die your spirit will be clean."
4. We can receive inspiration for solutions to our problems
President Henry B. Eyring has taught that there are three important ways to prepare to benefit from sacrament meeting. We should come with our problems, humble as children ready to learn. We can then be blessed to feel impressions for solutions to our daily problems. We must come prepared, be willing to listen, and not be distracted.
5. Partaking of the Sacrament worthily will help us be filled with the Holy Ghost
Upon instituting the Sacrament, Jesus Christ promised that those who hungered or thirsted after righteousness would be filled with the Holy Ghost. The sacramental prayer also promises us that if we live up to our covenants, we will always have His Spirit to be with us.
Testimony
When I was in Young Women's one of my leaders shared a little story about what she does during the Sacrament and I've carried it with me since then. As we are singing the Sacrament hymn, I try to focus my attention of Christ and like to watch the priests prepare the bread and water. I've memorized the Sacramental prayers and like to repeat them in my head as the bread and water are being blessed. It helps me to really focus on what is being said and the symbolism and importance behind this ordinance.
Once the bread has been blessed, I try to think about what I've done this past week. What choices I've made, whether good or bad. I try to identify a weakness that I would like to improve for the following week.
During the water prayer, I again like to repeat it in my mind to help me focus on the sacred nature of this ordinance. Then, before I drink the water (we usually sit somewhere in the middle to back so I always have plenty of time for this) I like to say a quick prayer and ask for forgiveness for whatever I identified during the blessing of the bread as being a weakness. I then ask Heavenly Father for help in improving the following week and making myself conscious of the choices I am making and building my faith and strength in Him this week. It's a fresh start to renew the covenants I have made and by doing so I am able to reflect on my choices and keep up with what I need to work on better.
During Fast and Testimony Meeting, the aforementioned leader would keep her water cup with her throughout the week to remind her of whatever she had fasted for and help in making decisions and listening for the answer and guidance. This isn't something I've done a regular basis, but I do think it's a good idea for me to start again!
