This is the fifth of six posts answering a set of questions recommended by President Russell M. Nelson. So far, I have written about what the Book of Mormon is, what it affirms, what it refutes, and what it fulfills. Today, I will write about what it clarifies. As I wrote yesterday, the Book of... Continue Reading →
What Are the Bread and the Waters of Life?
Eating and drinking are an apt analogy for the actions we must take in order to be healed by the Savior. Because of His sacrifice on our behalf, His healing power is available to us , but we must choose to receive it. This is not something that can be done at arm's length, dispassionately.... Continue Reading →
Where Did the Sacrament Prayers Come From?
The prayers offered over the sacramental bread and water were given by revelation to Joseph Smith in 1820 (Doctrine & Covenants 20:75-79). They are nearly (but not precisely) identical to the prayers offered in the ancient American church as recorded by Moroni (Moroni 4, 5). Moroni recorded those prayers in about 421 A.D. But much... Continue Reading →
How Can I Participate More Meaningfully in the Sacrament?
When something significant happens to us, we may refer to it as an "unforgettable experience." But we all know that nothing is inherently unforgettable. We may always be aware that it happened, but its impact on our daily lives will fade unless we do something to keep it on the forefront of our minds. When... Continue Reading →
How Do I Know If I’m Worthy to Take the Sacrament?
Immediately after introducing the sacrament during His visit to the American continent, the Savior gave a warning to the twelve disciples whom He had chosen: they should be careful not to allow people to participate in this sacred ordinance unworthily. Ye shall not suffer any one knowingly to partake of my flesh and blood unworthily,... Continue Reading →
What Can We Learn from the Differences Between the Sacrament Prayers?
Yesterday, I discussed the three-part structure of the sacrament prayers. Both prayers consist of a petition, a statement of purpose, and a list of promises. Today, I'd like to consider the differences between the prayers. Here is a side-by-side view of the two prayers with the differences highlighted: The Blessing on the Bread The Blessing... Continue Reading →
What Can We Learn from the Sacrament Prayers?
Moroni, the last prophet in the Book of Mormon, specified the words of the sacrament prayers (Moroni 4, Moroni 5). We use the same prayers today, with two modifications: The word "hath" has been replaced by the modern word "has" in the first prayer (as it appears in D&C 20:77). The word "wine" is replaced by... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Eat and Drink the Bread and Water to Our Souls?
When Jesus visited the American continent following His death and resurrection, He introduced the sacrament. Breaking and blessing bread, He told the people to eat in remembrance of His body. Passing a cup of wine, He told them to drink in remembrance of His blood. After the people ate the bread and drank the wine,... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About the Sacrament?
Shortly before His death and resurrection, Jesus shared a meal with His apostles in Jerusalem. The purpose of this meal, which is known as the Last Supper, was to celebrate Passover, a Jewish feast commemorating the deliverance of Israel from Egypt 1,500 years earlier. During the meal, Jesus blessed and broke bread, telling His disciples,... Continue Reading →
Did Alma Baptize Himself?
After the wicked king Noah sentenced the prophet Abinadi to death, one of Noah's priests, Alma, pleaded with the king to spare Abinadi's life. As a result, he was banished, and the king sent servants to kill him. Alma lived in hiding for a while and wrote the words which he had heard Abinadi preach... Continue Reading →